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Church Planting – ACL Model
I spent the weekend in the sun at the Austin City Limits Festival. It’s become an annual event for me, this year being the fourth. I was happy to rock with my suite mate from college, Matt Boudreaux, he now…
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Can you picture me without reducing me?
We are more than our parts. I’m more than a husband, I’m a father; more a lover of people; I’m a lover of God. As much as you can describe me as spiritual, I’m a follower of the way of…
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What is Marriage?
Paul said it was better to be single (1 Cor 7.7-8), Jesus said if you’re capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it.
I live in Texas. There is an act called “Common-Law Marriage” that allows two consisting…
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Recognize
Everyone likes to be recognized. We like the feeling of being seen, heard, known – remembered. It’s satisfying to be acknowledged as having merit. We want to be the hero of the story. Recognition is an expression of appreciation and…
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Right Direction, Wrong Street
Recently, I’ve been engrossed in Job (maybe God is preparing me for something). I’ve read the account of his lose, pain, and reconciliation with God over and over. I can relate. Today when I read Job 8 where his friend…
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“Disciples, making disciples to change our world.” pt 3
Our Fouth of July weekend was wonderful but it caused me to forget to post our third installment of our mission statement (why we exist). After being disciples who have taught others to be disciples we are responsible to change…
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What a day!
How would you respond if everything you possess was taken away at once? Use your imagination on how this happens. People steal your belongs, flood takes your home, your friends are killed by Mother Nature, your cars are stolen and…
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"Disciples, making disciples to change our world." pt 2
Yesterday I posted the first of three blogs about our mission at Graceland. Just so I’m clear Graceland exist to be disciples, making disciples to change our world. After being disciples we feel it’s our responsiblity to make disciples.
As disciples…
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"Disciples, making disciples to change our world." pt 1
One of the most imporant thoughts you will wrestle with when starting a church is why you exist. It should be as simple and reproducible as possible. Everyone person should understand what you do, what you ask of them, and…
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Malachi
My birthday is coming next week. Last year when I turned thirty, I made a vow to read through the Bible in a year. It’s easier said then done, but something I plan to do again this year. I finished…
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How To Be Saved
Recently, I’ve been apart of conversations that beg the question if Jesus is the only way to eternal award (heaven, etc). The question is always phrased different but the issue the same. I’m not going to talk about life after…
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Amos on Justice
My mind is thinking on “justice” a lot today. In part because a close friend of mine is interviewing for a leadership position with Samaritan’s Purse this afternoon. Scott has influenced my view of God’s ongoing presence in…
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Everyone’s Sin
A few days a week I stay home with my daughter. I often find time while she naps to get serious things done, but sometimes I just rest and watch a movie. Yesterday I watched an interesting independent film called…
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Excellence in Everything?
A new question has interrupted my theology (smile). Can a church do everything with excellence? I’ve grown up in the paradigm of church growth and multiplication – its always strongly suggested that “church” be done with excellence. It’s the mindset…
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Pentecost Sunday and Mother’s Day?
Today is both Pentecost Sunday and Mother’s Day, and I don’t think these two days have ever shared a weekend together? Let me begin by saying how much I love my mother. She is one tuff cookie who has agonized…
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Do What With the Bible?
I’ve been wrestling recently about discipleship. I think this is the most important aspect of a church and one I’m sorry to say I’ve missed in my previous churches. I think a lot about what a disciple should look like…
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Do It or Die
I’m one of those people that have to be very careful not to do it all. When leading a team I often take more responsibility then I should, I go further then asked, and I carry a larger burn for…
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ahhhh…..!
My daughter is 10 months (11 months if you ask Summer) and at the age when your child starts saying “NO” (or in Tatum cause Ahhhh) and it just makes you laugh. I say no and she grunts…
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New Type of Church
Journeys have a mystic and magic that words can’t explain. I’ve been on my own journey for years to find what I’m meant to do. Find who I really am. What matters and what am I willing to do about…
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Who Are You Praying For?
I hate when people tell me their praying for me – I know “so why I’m I writing about praying for others?” The problem doesn’t lie with the person but with me – I don’t believe them. So I struggle…