tulsa trip

sitting at lax, getting ready to jump on a flight to tulsa (non-stop…yea!).  i’m really looking forward to seeing my mom, dad, and siblings and having the opportunity to speak at life church in bartlesville (www.lifechurchok.org).  my dad has pastored the church for the past 4.5 years and has seen it grow from 50 to 400.  the church has a great vibe - awesome people - lives are being changed weekly - i’m really looking forward to serving there.  i’m going to be busy doing ministry, but hope to take in a service at guts church (with pastor bill scheer) and maybe get to a sat p.m. service at church on the move (pastor willie george).

tomorrow i will drive up to kansas city with my little bro (kyle) and his wife (liz).  they are getting ready to launch a brand-new church called the cause community church.  i’m really looking forward to seeing the area God has called them to and support them anyway i can.  God’s hand is on them and it will be awesome to see what God does through them as they expand the kingdom and take new territory for God.  i really hope i can encourage them and help them think through everything as they take this massive step of faith.  church planting is incredibly exciting, but incredibly hard at the same time.  kyle and liz will be coming to socal and speaking at the summit on november 22nd - we want to get behind them and support them as they pioneer the cause.

mary will be speaking at the summit this sunday - she will continue our nehemiah series - with the emphasis on serving God passionately.  i know she will do a great job and encourage (and challenge) everyone.  i’m hoping i still have a job when i get back… they might vote me out and vote her in - it wouldn’t be the first time.

going to tulsa is always interesting - it is where i ran from God for the better part of 7 years.  as i pass certain streets and landmarks i am reminded of all the crazy (and illegal) stuff i did.  from crazy vandelism to grand theft auto… seriously.  it used to really bother me (when i went to tulsa and was constantly reminded of the choas and compromise i lived in), but now it is a gentle reminder of God’s grace and favor He has given me.  thank God He doesn’t hold our sins against us - in fact He forgives instantly, completely and permanently - what a deal!

“God says He will accept and acquit us - declare us not guilty - if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins.  And we can be saved in the same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like.”  Romans 3:23 (TLB)

“A clean slate and a fresh start come from God by way of Jesus Christ.”  I Corinthians 1:30 (MSG)

thank God i’m not who i used to be and i’m becoming who He created me to be!