Movement or Monument

Ok so I promised my thoughts over the last few days and here they come... ready or not. Recently there has been alot of change going on here at the church and its been a good thing. On Monday we moved our stage around and I love it now but definitely was not excited about unhooking wires and moving staging around all day. On Tuesday, when Mike walked in and told us it was time to move the offices I was immediately in a bad mood. This was gonna be lots of work and I felt like my cup was already runnething (not a word) over. I thought to myself... "(Self) I would rather just stay here in these crummy offices and paper thin walls with no windows,than pack all this up and move to those amazing new offices with the great views and bigger spaces which just happens to be on the church campus." Sound familiar?

I think we often settle for alot less than is afforded to us just because we simply dont HAVE TO change. We can go on with things just as they are and make it. What had happened to me was that I had become so comfortable that I was unmotivated and had slipped into a routine (bad word). Without change and or progress, I begin to lose interest (even in myself) and eventually lose my drive and passion. And guess what... It's like a virus. If you become routine in one area, IT WILL SPREAD! I had not only lacked interest in work, I lacked interest in myself which translated into me not working out, even shaving less (I still showered some). I worked the 5'0clock shadow thing not because I thought it looked good but because I just didnt care that much. (sad huh?)

When we finally got everything moved in and I had my office set up, I was more motivated and inspired than I had been in a long time. I realized how imperative change is in my life. Some times its nothing more than rearranging the furniture in my house that ultimately makes me feel more accomplished or just better. I think, deep down we all long for change and for something different. Most of us however, have this interior mechanism that says "Change = bad", especially in the church, but what we sometimes miss is that change is essential for growth. Not change for the sake of change, but change for the sake of a fresh breath and a new perspective.

If we're not careful, we'll live way beneath our privilege simply because we reject change. Especially if you're a creative person, never underestimate the NEED for change in your life. You HAVE to get a change of scenery every once in a while and you HAVE to get a change in routine every so often or else the creativity (and ultimately your happiness) will stop.

I know that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, but don't be fooled into believing He and His will for your life is stationary. God, since the beginning of time, has been building a movement, not a monument.

when it rains

...it pours! We moved our stage around on Monday and we're moving the offices today. Thank you God! I'll fill all you guys in later. Lots of thoughts about (the need for) change, (the problem with) comfort and (how they all connect with) creativity hitting me in this whole process that I wanna share. I just wanted everybody to know why I hadn't blogged in a few days. You'll hear from me soon... TO THE BATCAVE!

Jimmy Needham

Go check out this artist. I think this is his second album and its really good. It's kind of a Gavin Degraw and Jason Mraz sound with a message. If you're into those artists I think you're gonna like Jimmy Needham. Hurricane is one of my personal favorites. Check it out!


www.myspace.com/jimmyneedham

Breathe...

Whew... our youth pastor (Scott),and one of my closest friends for eleven years, announced last night that he would be leaving our church to accept a position in Birmingham, AL at Metro Church of God. Talk about mixed emotions. One side of me is so happy for him and so sure of his ability to hear from God that I would never question his decision. But... the other side... the selfish side of me says "Why?".
Let me just say this... what he has done here at this church is absolutely amazing. He's built a ministry and a team that has set the trends and encouraged progression for our whole church body. There is no doubt that God has used him to change mindsets, nurture growth and encourge and uplift this whole community. So instead of seeing this as a loss I will say "Thank you God for lending us Scott Smith for as long as You did." He will be greatly missed but the "eternal impact" that he preached about for so long has definitely been made here.
Scott... keep ya head up bro! I wish you could see yourself as amazing as the rest of the world does. I know this is a painful and exciting time all at once but you're gonna prosper. You will change this nation for God! You're God's megaphone, so scream what He speaks to you as loudly as possible and people will hear His voice. We will miss you but we are also more proud than you can believe to have served with you. PASSION!

Australia does it RIGHT!

The more and more I look at the way the churches in Australia are communicating the gospel to the world, the more I start to realize how "boxed" in we, in the States are about the way we approach church and the things of God. We tend to have this idea about the way things should be done or can be done because we all grew up in this "Christian" nation where church is a dominant thing in alot of peoples lives. In Australia... the people tend to give God much more freedom and credit for being creative (imagine that... God being creative)and new because they didnt grow up with these pre-conceived ideas of "this is how church must be and God must act". I have been amazed when I attend conferences around the country that they all seem to be watching and listening to what the churches are doing over there. Churches like Hillsong and Planetshakers are not only being innovative in the music of the church but are also changing the way we think about how church can be done. Do yourself a favor and take a look.

www.planetshakers.com

Celebrate

Yesterday's service was unbelievable. The presence of God was almost "tangible". I found myself making that ugly face. (you know the one you make when you're really weeping but you can't MAKE IT STOP) We sang "Healer" and had three people give their personal testimony of healing and it was so uplifting and encouraging. Almost everyone I know has a family member or loved one who needs healing. Whether it be relationship, physical, emotional etc... we all need God's attention.
We do a poor job of celebrating victories. We are so consumed with the next issue and so conditioned to look for problems that we miss what God is doing NOW. Every once in a while we just need to be reminded that GOD IS AWESOME and has not retreated. I think if He can heal liver disease (Felton Turner), degenerative bone disease (Brandi Wood) and fix a heart (Jerry Neal) He can handle my little problems.
Thank you Holy Spirit for making Yourself known in Your church yesterday. Help us keep our focus on you and never miss an opportunity to celebrate Your love and the things you are doing in our lives and the lives of those around us.

College Football PLEASE!

I know there are many of you out there that feel just like me and you're dying for some college football. Let me just encourage you to hold out for another 40 days. (now can someone please encourage me cause I'm strugglin') And for all you Clemson fans... you're about to get a wake-up call when the TIDE rolls in! This is gonna be an awesome game considering these are two teams that of recent have started off playing very well but have not finished so strong. Admittedly I see Clemson as a tough first game and am a teeeeny bit concerned but... this is Alabama we're talking about. Tradition... Pride... National Championships... and all you Tide haters (especially you ten-uh-c fans cause we all know how jealous you are of Bama)just surrender. There's no use trying to argue with 12 national championships.
ROLL TIDE!!!

Brooke Fraser

This is not a new name to some of you because she has been with Hillsong for a while where she wrote and sang many of their tracks but you may not have heard her solo stuff so here it is. She's an incredible lyricist and vocalist. Go check out her music... enjoy!

www.myspace.com/brookefraser

I'm ba-ack

Ok I've been MIA for a few days. We had our staff retreat and it was absolutely amazing. We were able to hear the pastor's heart about the vision and direction for the church and also had the chance to just have some fun together which was much needed. (Mike IS the mafia)
Just as a side note... flying out of a boat at 45 mph and landing on your neck... NOT A GOOD IDEA.
On a different note... while I was there I got the news that one of my college roommates' mom had passed away. This lady was someone that was so dear to all of our hearts and seemed to always make me smile and laugh every time I saw her. When I heard of her passing I was just flooded with all these great memories of an awesome, beautiful and incredible woman of God. Mrs. M... we will all miss you so much but I am so happy that you have been made whole and will never battle cancer again. Thank you for showing us all what a true woman of God looks and lives like.


Ultimately... God has the final say in our lives. He allows us to make our own decisions and choose our own path but the last word belongs to Him. We all miss our loved ones that have passed but ultimately its a question of trust. Do we truly believe that our God knows what He's doing, that He has our best interest in mind and that He orders this whole universe? I know some people scoff at the idea of God healing us by taking us out of this world but this is EXACTLY what I believe He did for Brenda McGarrity. She is now perfect... literally!

Lord, I definitley don't always understand whats happeneing but I TRUST IN YOU... YOU'RE MY HEALER.

Church

Service today was awesome. Brandi did an awesome job on the edit for our worship video which opened our service. It set a great tone for worship and I think allowed some of our worship leaders to share their hearts to the congregation.

On the other side of things; I made a couple of arrangement errors but the band, of course, followed me right through it and most people were none the wiser. I love how I can rehearse things a hundred times and still mess it up... :-) God however is awesome and flawless. The spirit moved despite my mistakes and His presence was awesome. It was one of those services where I just kinda got lost and all of a sudden remembered there were hundreds of people lookin at me. (uh... do something) Thank you Lord for moments when I'm overwhelmed and overtaken.

Anthony Evans

Hey guys.... I'm gonna start trying to give you some new artists that are fresh and inspiring to me and hopefully will be to you as well. Check out Anthony Evans @ www.myspace.com/anthonyevansmusic . His lyrics are great and his voice has this nice soul/R&B feel. One of my personal favorites is "The Way You Love Me". Enjoy!

Chicken and Waffles

Last night at Origin we had chicken and waffles and it was amazing! Who knew that this combination would cause an EXPLOSION OF TASTE in your mouth. We had waffles makers out for everyone to make their own and "fix it up" with chocolate, syrup, fresh fruit, etc... chicken from big dog's and our own famous coffee "the brand".

So... to all the doubters out there (Scott, Brandi, Bob, Pastor, Paula). You just got served!

Uncle Elvis

Ok I'm gonna release some highly toxic and sensitive information right here on my blog. Prepare yourself... ELVIS IS MY UNCLE.... well at least thats what I believed until I was like 10.
When I was a kid my mom used to always listen to these Elvis records (yes I said records) and I thought Elvis was the best thing in the world cause my mom said it. Well somehow I developed the habit of calling him Uncle Elvis and my mom, thinking it was harmless, allowed me to say it without correction. I would refer to the "king of rock and roll" as my uncle every time I would see him on tv or hear my mother play his music.
Naturally I wanted my friends to know that this man was family so I would tell them. If they brought him up... I would simply volunteer the information that he was in fact my uncle. As you can imagine, this brought alot of laughs and weird looks but I knew they were just jealous. One day I had enough and when a few friends were over at the house I went and got my mom to come outside. Standing beside her proudly... I said "Mama will you tell them that Elvis really IS my uncle." I remember a brief pause before my mom laughed and said... "Eric, don't be silly. He's not your uncle." Devastation!
Everything from there was a blur... I have no idea what happened next but there seems to be a clouded memory of kids laughing and the taste of betrayal in my mouth... I'm gonna get you back for that one MOM!!!!