tuckerhibbs.com

2008-05-24T20:14:00.000-07:00

From now on my blog is moving to tuckerhibbs.com

Go there!

From now on my blog is moving to tuckerhibbs.com

Go there!

From now on my blog is moving to tuckerhibbs.com

Go there!

From now on my blog is moving to tuckerhibbs.com

Go there!

From now on my blog is moving to tuckerhibbs.com

Go there!

From now on my blog is moving to tuckerhibbs.com

Go there!

From now on my blog is moving to tuckerhibbs.com

Go there!

Finally...

2008-05-22T04:06:00.000-07:00

Ok maybe not for you, but for me this project has been an intense 2 weeks of learning html coding. While I do feel more educated, at the conception of this project I underestimated the work required to get it up and running. But now it's done.

I'm launching my own podcast. It's called The Little Big Church Podcast. I have 2 goals: (1) To create a dialoge amoung small churches of under 500 about how to implement big church ideas in a small church. Because let's face it, the overwhelming majority of concepts that are broadcast for the church in general are from a large, if not mega, church. And (2) I want to try to create a forum for the small church to get their ideas out there into the national and global church community. The small church has had a small voice do to a lack of technology and awareness of avenues to broadcast their ideas.

So there it is. You can subscribe to it with the link on the right or go to littlbigchurchpodcast.com. I know the website's lame. I'll prbably use this blog as the primary website. I submitted it to iTunes and Zune, but I'm still waiting for approval.

There are two episodes up and I'm hoping to make some connections today at Whiteboard with some potential interviews.

Here's my promotional plea: If you have a blog and are reading this and can buy into the philosophy of The Little Big Church Podcast, I'd be happy for you to promote it like the free stuff that it is. And if you're part of a small church - in leadership or not - chime in. Critique the podcast. Let me know. You can email me at tuckerhibbs@gmail.com.

Thanks for listening!

Wisdom

2008-05-18T03:11:00.000-07:00

I've been going through Proverbs and here are the things I highlighted in chapter 11...

vs. 2 - When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Can't get more straightforward than that. Humility and wisdom come together.

vs. 9 - With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.

For me, a reminder that growth, in knowledge, is never attainable. It's constant and continued.

vs. 13 - A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

Here's a great definition of gossip, as it's so often skewed. Is trustworthy one of my tombstone words?

vs. 14 - Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.

I love John Maxwell's theory of true leadership - that good leaders raise up and lead leaders, not followers. The idea of leadership is more than just getting people to follow you, and it's riddled with pride.

vs. 20 - The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity.

I heard recently that the wealthiest people alive all have one thing in common - integrity. If you're on autopilot, integrity will flounder. Integrity necessitates devoted effort.

vs. 22 - A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.

Sometimes I just highlight verses that are popular so that they're easier to find when I'm looking for them. This is one of those. But none the less, beauty is not everything, obviously. But how quickly do we dismiss a degree of foolishness at the sake of appearances?

vs. 24 - 25 - Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

It's refreshing to be reminded that God's been revealing about his purposes for generous giving thousands of years ago. I also love the NLT's translation of refreshing others and being refreshed. Finances can feel so muddy - they get you to slow down think of all the mistakes and failures. I'll stand by this principle financially for the rest of my life because I've constantly seen it at work - if your finances are in the toilette, give more of it away. Keep in mind, it's just a principle. You can foolishly give against God's plan.

Hopefully I'll get this project I've been working on squared away by tomorrow so I can role it out here. It's something that I've been overtaken by passion for.

The Twins

2008-05-17T16:41:00.000-07:00

What do you see? 2 black circles. That's 2 BABIES!

Among all of the new things we're finding out about, like saying "when the KIDS get here" and the phenomenon of increasing our kidage by 100%, we learned that when you have twins they name one A and one B. So here they are.

Correction

2008-05-17T04:54:00.000-07:00

Apparently a few months ago I provided some false information (it's all I had at the time). My wife Cherie is NOT pregnant... with one baby. We're having twins. Just found out yesterday morning.

I had a really big post I wanted to put up this week about a project that I've been working on, but this trumps everything I've been thinking about.

We're double our kid account this year from 2 to 4 - yeah tax break (just looking at the bright side)! I'll post the ultrasound pics later today.

Vision - pt. 2

2008-05-13T07:55:00.001-07:00

I was about to talk about how over used the term "vision" was and it auto-popped in the title bar of my blog - that means I already blogged a post called vision. So even I over use it. That's why it's part 2.

Here's the thought though... I've been digging through Nehemiah at Ben's suggestion and something has become evident. Nehemiah had a great vision. It was huge - to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem after it's destruction - but it went even further. It was not the wall that he saw being rebuilt, but the people's correct and honest relationship with God - see chapters 8 and 9. That's not what really hit me though. I have great vision similar to his - not just accomplishments, or walls, but continual growth in relationships with God and people. However with Nehemiah... well it wasn't simply organization and administration for the vision (chapters 10 and on), it was the specific walking out of the vision.

I'm a big-picture thinker. That's what I've shouted from the rooftops. I don't pay attention to the details. It's not my gifting. Not part of my A.D.D.D.D.D.D.D. skill set. But the problem with that is I don't think that God says "Use your gifts only and nothing else. If it's not comfortable, it's not your gift so stay away from it". It's uncomfortable for me to think small steps because, honestly, I'm afraid I'll screw them up and we won't hit my big picture. I'd rather delegate (sometimes a disguise for copping out). I avoid the grunt work which, for others with admin gifts, wouldn't be grunt work, but for me takes extra care and attention - discomfort. It's not natural for me like preaching has become.

For all the preaching and teaching I do and will do about continued growth and overcoming fears, I need this reminder about learning new things, even though they may seem like old unconquerables (not in the dictionary). That's why I got the tattoo on my arm.

With vision, we need to remember the steps in between here and the accomplishment are as important as the goal. It might reduce the use of the term. It has already for me just in expressing these thoughts.

Flexibility

2008-04-28T06:19:00.000-07:00

I've seen it through all my ministry experience - from the student missions trips to leading a team of musicians - to work with people you must be flexible.

We are tattered selfish people - all of us - prone to selfishness. Whether in ministry or not, working with people requires you to be able to change and adapt to that selfishness within the world and fight running from discomfort. Those who cannot - well everyone can - those who will not will be disillusioned with society, leaders, even God himself. This is a world of continuous transitional change and we are the people living in it causing it to change. To think that what worked before will work now is dangerously cautious. To think that people will always do it this way is a cop out on relationship investing.

The cool thing is that once a culture is built to see the transition and change as the norm, from the big decisions to the little tweaks, they thrive within it. Alan J. Roxburgh wrote a book about this phenomenon of change and we as leaders leading through it that's been just beating with my heart - it's called "The Sky is Falling".

I watched a great example of the culture built to change this week with our worship team. We ended up, through some miscommunication, without a drummer at rehearsal. As we had only found out about our percussion-free team at rehearsal, we had to change quickly and still produce a quality project for our family service this weekend. The team transitioned smoothly and quickly into an "unplugged" format. We got out of practice on time and received a lot of positive feedback from the congregation about the music.

Change is not good. Change is normal. Change and transition is reality.

Getting dirty - Balancing Delegation and Investment

2008-04-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

Nehemiah 3:1 - Then Eliashib the high priest and the other priests started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set up its doors, building the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and the Tower of Hananel.

How easy would it have been for HIGH PRIEST to just delegate the task of rebuilding the wall? That position was... well... high. For me, delegation comes naturally - too naturally. It's not because I don't like to work, I just know that the task requires more than just my skill so others must participate. The problem I stumble over a lot is not putting the right people on the right tasks. The downfall of this logic is a lack of getting my hands dirty. If I work side by side with all of us that are trying to complete the task, I'll see the weaknesses and holes and be able to fill them. But that's uncomfortable - that's admitting that we're on the same level. It's comfortable to be the boss - the delegaTOR.

It really comes down to investment - am I willing to invest in people? The task then is the source of the issue - too often we make the task "winning" people, when it should be investing in them no matter what their spiritual decision may be at the end of the service on Sunday. Winning the lost is short-sited. Continuous life change was Jesus' goal and should be ours.

Adiction

2008-04-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

I have this addiction...

It's T-shirts

I bought this one as soon as I saw it on Ben's blog.

And no... I will not be that guy that wears the event T-shirt to the event.

Time Chart

2008-04-21T06:19:00.000-07:00

We decided as a leadership team that I would begin to track my hours. I knew in the back of my mind the kind of results this would yield, but it still is really challenging. I'm finding I'm not focused. At least not as focused as I should be. I jump from one task to the next without full completion. The result is mediocre fruition.

So I'm starting this week differently. I'm listing the tasks for the week and prioritizing them. Then I'm going to stick to it.

This feels so basic and even immature. But growth, I've found, mostly feels this way. That's why it's so easy not to grow. The challenges are not exciting exhilarating mountains. They are many times mundane minute by minute changes that we've spent a lot of time allowing to stew and set. I'm convinced though that without these mundane changes, we will not be adequately prepared for the big exhilarating mountains when they come.

Ben Arment challenged me to read through Nehemiah in a phone conversation last week and Nehemiah sets a great example of patient change without too many words and speeches, marketing and hoopla. It's the life that happens when we're not paying close enough attention that will change the future.

Big Bed

2008-04-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

I moved Tate's crib out of his room this morning and replaced it with his Big Bed. He is not old enough to understand the implications or the huge growth step that has just transpired. He has entered a new chapter. He is about to have to learn a whole new set of rules.

It reminds me of my journey with God. We had a great discussion time last night within our high school small group and that always makes me wish that I would've known then what I know now. But I wouldn't... unless I'd done what I've done since then. Most of the time I didn't know that I was about to grow significantly - be forced to choose growth or digression. But looking back over the years since I was a teenager, I'm a different person.

It just gives me a renewed sense of determination in any season.

Dad

2008-04-15T09:47:00.001-07:00

This is my dad and me. He died on June 3rd, 2004. I like remembering him. He was a pastor too. In fact someone on my dad's side of the family has been a pastor for 4 generations.

We've been through a lot of death over the past few years as a family. We've learned how to deal with it though experiencing it. It doesn't derail us any more, and that's not sad, it's reality.

Big Announcement...

2008-04-09T09:13:00.000-07:00

Click the picture to hear our big announcement...

DC

2008-04-09T06:29:00.000-07:00

Went to Washington DC this weekend... with the flu. My West Coast friend, Thomas, was in town on a business trip and I took the chance to hang out with him for the weekend.

I love DC as a city, but what I was really excited about was visiting National Community Church. Mark Batterson is a nationally known pastor and writer and the church met just a block from where Thomas and I stayed. Their service was great, but two things really stood out:

1. Their Media. They had a custom video countdown that rocked and that went into a promo video about the church itself - the different campuses, their vision, that sort of thing. The movie theater created a small church environment, but their lighting (which they had permanently installed all their pars and source-4s in the theater), their banners, and the videos were top notch - way above anything we've ever produced.

2. Mark's Vocabulary. Don't get me wrong, he was easily understood, but I was challenged and moved forward quicker than in a typical sermon (even one of my own). It was like great humor that wasn't dumbed down, but held just at your level where you could grasp it, but only if you stood up and listened.

Getting to meet Mark and Chat for a few minutes was a privilege. This was the In a Pit guy!!

Unfortunately, I had to cut my trip short. I wasn't going to come home 'til Monday but I took off Sunday after the NCC service. Which meant that I had to cancel dinner with Ben Arment. That killed me. I was really looking forward to chatting with him about leadership. Have to wait 'til Whiteboard now.

Book Review: The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team

2008-04-09T06:15:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow has come a bit later than I thought (thanks Sarah). Here's the low down on this amazing book:

The majority of the book is written it what it calls a "fable". The story illustrates the principles in the book and puts faces on people. The result is walking away from it saying "Oh I'm definitely him and that's you!" It makes it more... feelable for the team to identify the dysfunctions and the parts that they each play in proliferating them.

The dysfunctions are:
Studying this book has begun a process in our team. We are now heading for a tighter team - better leadership - less gaps in responsibility - and ultimately better communication. Anyone on any team should read this book. It's an easy read - even for me. But be warned fellow A.D.D.ers - the first chunk of the book is interesting and motivating. However the last 2 chapters or so, where the story ends and the author (check out his website) goes into detail and exercises, will take you as long as the first 20.

The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team

2008-03-31T11:58:00.001-07:00

ROCKS.

More on that tomorrow.

Diary of fasting - day 3

2008-03-31T11:49:00.000-07:00

I'm just amazed that I haven't lost the nerve yet. It's... easier. I stopped quickly doing the things that are tempting and it's that simple. I'm not this good though. This is answered prayer at it's best.

It's an easy schedule today, which is good, because yesterday was difficult. But still not as hard as I thought it would be.

If I have learned one thing it's that God is reliable. If He can provide for me in such a basic area as sustenance, He deserve more of my effort and devotion. I'm hearing Him clearer than before. I have to do this again... and again. The clarity is amazing. Now that I know I can, or that God can - really - I'm excited to fast more.

But now I'm thinking about th 5 Alarm burger that I will consume at Red Robin tonight (saliva).

It was delicious, but really, a let-down compared to the last 3 days.

Diary of fasting - day 2

2008-03-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

It's just going to be a long day - pouring five yards of concrete and then heading to church to do an hour and a half of music for a benefit concert. Not my wisest decision when it came to scheduling this fast.

I almost passed out while I was screeting off the concrete this afternoon. I'm tired, but no more than usually. The greatest effect that I'm noticing is my mental sharpness... again. I'm praying that God will help me to remember the words tonight.

Later...
The concert went really well. Got to listen to some poetry, which I've never done. It was awesome! God gave me supernatural endurance today. I know there are people praying - I know my own limits and we passed them a while ago.

There's a clarity in this state of self-denial. It's very clear what's good and what's not. I think that's what God desires for us in life - if we are in tune with the spirit, life should be clear. As I look back, it is those times that I have been ignoring God that have been the most confusing.

Diary of fasting

2008-03-24T06:31:00.001-07:00

Last Wednesday night the elders of Carpenter's challenged those who were at a prayer event to fast with us until Saturday evening. It was a sort of last minute thing, but I've been amazed at the response. On top of that, none of the elders have ever fasted for this long. It will be a total of about 65 hours. Here's my story of those hours.

Day 1
I was ok 'til lunch. I was just in the office today, but there's a lot of freedom here that I usually indulge in for food. Still the hunger is a constant reminder to pray for the church.

At home, I've never realized how much food just lays around. Seriously, we have cabinets. I think all of the food is slowly creeping towards me when I turn my back.

3 pm - Cher's stopping. I'm glad and grateful that she made it this far with me. But the smell of that chicken chili that she's re-heating from last night is the devil.

We had a 3-hour worship practice tonight gearing up for the Good Friday Benefit concert. Vitamin water has been very sustaining. No, prayer has been sustaining, the Vitamin water and all it's juiciness and fun label stories have been simply godly. Tomorrow I work with Josh pouring 5 yards of concrete and then doing this concert. I'm doubting the my wisdom, or lack of it. But I feel ok. Just hungry. I talked to the other elders and tried to encourage them. Jake says coffee is working for him, but his dad's having a hard time.

I noticed the greatest effect thus far at worship practice - my mental sharpness. Ok not that it was particularly razor before, but I'm forgetting words more than usual.

Ominous

2008-03-20T05:04:00.000-07:00

It means threatening, warning, worrying, or gloomy.

I got this morning and it looked sunny out. I love morning. I don't necessarily like getting up, but once I'm there, I love just soaking in the morning environment. Off in the distance though, this morning, over the Bethlehem hills were some decently dark clouds. I'm watching them move towards us (the green is the hills).In church, the Holy Spirit gives us ominous feelings. Something is coming. It a warning. It's a thought that says "you are about to enter a time when you WILL NEED GOD. So take precautions." The problem is that most of the time we ignore that feeling or forget about it. I'll admit, it's easier for me to say "I'll deal with it when it gets here." To selfishly think that I have what it takes spiritually. If I did then why would I need the warning.

I love the story of Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14. The part that gets me is verse 30 - But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Where were the wind and the waves when He was in the boat? We're not talking cruise liner here. It's an over-sized dinghy. He didn't think about the challenge before he jumped ship. The only way I've ever heard this passage taught is that we should "get out of the boat" like Peter. No. Peter obviously did something wrong - he simply didn't honestly look at what was about to challenge him.

This is a big week for Carpenter's. Friday we're having a benefit concert for The Children's Home of Easton. Dan Deblass has taken so much weigh off my shoulders that I'm ridiculously grateful. It's for a great ministry, it's catered, there's a rocking band doing the concert... Then Sunday we start Lost. I'm excited about the lives that God's already changing through these things that haven't even happened yet. My cashier at Walmart last night asked me "How much do we pay at the door Friday" (yeah we're charging to get into church Friday night - $10 per person, $20 per family). There is potential this week for huge community change - life change. Satan's going to come at our families, our lustful temptations, and anything else that will distract us.

Heed the warning of the spirit. It's ominous for a reason. Don't go blindly into the pack of wolves.

What is church based on?

2008-03-19T06:04:00.000-07:00

Perry's post from a few days ago echoes so clearly with the philosophy of my heart that I've been striving for for years: if any part of the church is based on me (which happens when I say "yes" to everything and don't delegate, train up, and let go) it will fall apart without me. That's NOT the kind of ministry I want. You've got to read this if you lead ANYTHING!

How Irish were you?

2008-03-19T05:59:00.000-07:00

How did the Hibbs spend their St. Pattie's day? The best way they knew how - together at The Banshee. It was an hour ride and completely spontaneous - but it was the best lunch you could have on St. Pattrick's Day... at an Irish Pub.

#100!

2008-03-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

For my 100th post, here's my first video blog...

Tight!

2008-03-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

So it's 11:50 Sunday morning - Jim's preaching. I just had to brag on our worship team - Holyfire's Great kicked my butt, guitar wise, but the team has had the best performance they've ever had! They rocked. They were tight! Good job guys! Way to practice and focus! It's paying off!

Don't be disqualified

2008-03-14T04:26:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 - So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

In 1 Corinthians 9 Paul's telling people why he deserves to be provided for, physically, because he preaches the gospel. He says earlier in the chapter though that "We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ." Then He ends with the two verse above. I see a simple stumbling point in my life as a pastor and I just wanted to take a second to encourage others in two ways:

First, purpose in every step. It's too tempting to let auto-pilot take over, especially when we're worn out. Auto-pilot is when we do and say whatever comes naturally. The problem is what we do naturally is sin. Our selfish nature is our auto-pilot. We must be aware of every step that we take, making it purposefully towards a goal. One issue that keeps this from happening is a clear goal. Without a very clear and specific goal, be it in your day to day or your business, the auto-pilot switch is that much closer.

Secondly, without discipline like making each step purposeful, Paul says that we may disqualify ourselves. In my life, I've seen this in the arena of "practicing what you preach". It's old school and redundant, but the bottom line is this: it's a lot easier for me to tell people what to do than it is to show them by example. It always will be. This is so dangerous for preachers because we are exposing the truth of life and the direction that people should go regularly. However, doing this is like endorsing a product that you would never use yourself. It removes your credibility. Those who we are to be teaching will listen less and less.

That's what I learned today. Monday will be my 100th post!! I'll be doing my first ever video blog and sharing some key points from my Ignite message last week.

BOOOOO!

2008-03-13T09:34:00.000-07:00

That's what I have to say about my Tuesday morning. Let me bring you up to speed... well first let me say that this tragedy has caused a lack of blogging - no that your bated breath has been overwhelming.

It was a good morning - I had some tasks to accomplish but I was confident and ready to start the day. Until I walked over to may car that was parked across the street from my house and saw only wires hanging out of my dash where my radio had been. The radio that I searched for and endlessly to get the right price AND attach my ipod to. But that doesn't really upset me - the radio. Yeah... they took my ipod too. Charger cable and all.

For any forensic experts, let me describe the scene: it was decently clean except for a bit of dirt on my seat. The radio had been carefully removed, not ripped, out of the dash.

Anyway... my ipod has left a hole in my heart. I didn't know how much I truly loved this piece of technology.

The application or lesson from this story? Godly enough, I was teaching on God as our father Tuesday night as part of our series on Romans with Ignite. It's a series I bought from Doug Field's vault on confidence. I was proud of my ipod. I admit that having one was a status symbol. Could I get a cheaper off-brand MP3 player? Sure. But I had an ipod. I have been made aware, as I shared with Ignite, of my confidence being misplaced. I'm a pastor though and that means I can really cover things like this and argue my confidence onto God, when it's really not there at all.

Vision

2008-03-10T10:22:00.000-07:00

God's been pressing on me more and more how much clear vision is a necessity in church leadership, or any leadership for that matter. We've gone through a series of podcasts by Andy Stanley called Practically Speaking: The 7 Practices of Effective Ministry based on the book. The first one talks about clarifying the win. Here's the truth: without clear vision - meaning "This is what I expect to see - in detail - at the close of this task", interpretation is left up to any number of factors. To move forward anywhere we must know what the win is - the measurable outcome of the vision.

Financial Peace University

2008-03-06T06:33:00.000-08:00

Financial Peace University has been changing our lives lately and it's only been a few weeks. We're in a better place financially than we've ever been. Check out Cherie's blog for more details on how we've been rocked HERE.

The Inconsistent Image

2008-03-06T06:15:00.000-08:00

I'm going to try to be more consistent with some things in my life. Blogging for one - our secretary encouraged me to join her for a webinar (a web seminar... I feel more savvy - how about you?) Tuesday afternoon about church marketing. One of the points the guys made was that if you are going to reach people with relational marketing, it needs to be consistent. I'm going to do my best to blog Monday through Thursday.
Also, Steven Furtick talked about the example we set as pastors and it really echoed with some of the things that God's been pressing on me. Check it out here. My dress, my car's cleanliness, and my health are all things that I need to maintain a lot better than I am right now. They're little things that say a lot.

Like I said a few days ago though, I'm the excited monkey. I'm consistent in little. I've noticed though that I'm consistent in the things I'm passionate about - my family, golf, media. Making these changes last, for me, is all about asking God for the passion. Prayer should always be my first step.

The truth is that I know my image is shifty and inconsistent. I change my mind a lot - usually to make people happy. Time to grow forward and use the tattoo.

Blog-frontation part 2

2008-03-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

So this thought has been plaguing me in a morality sort of way. I feel very cold and mean for having these feelings but I feel the Lord's put them in my way to sort them out in light of proper biblical confrontation, as opposed to blog-vomiting my feelings of someone who has no immediate avenue for retort.

It's this feeling that there are some relationships that cross my path that I see no value in. Perhaps it's an acquaintance or one-time meeting with someone that I've seemed to click with, or maybe it's a faded relationship/friendship. I've been looking at these relationships for the past few years through an ongoing discussion about dual effort. Meaning that... to form a valuable relationship, both parties must put in decently equal amounts of effort. I've become calloused to the people that I always try to communicate with and see no return on. I have friends from college that I though I was close with, but close is not an event, as I'm finding, it's a constance in relationship effort.

So this has caused me to re-evaluate constantly the relationships in my life. Jesus held 12 in his circle and 3 of those in his confidence. It's not a number thing, it's a quality thing. As hard as it was at first, it has become easier to let go of friendships that are adding no value to your life. It's a big evaluation, but most relationships will show themselves out by simply ceasing communication. Those aren't worth the effort that you would sink in to re-establish time together. You will always be the one putting in more effort and it will leave you high and dry when the time comes.

There are always exceptions to every rule, but I know that the relationships that have added to my journey are the ones that put effort in equal to mine. Paul is a great example in my life. I view him as a very close friend and mentor in ministry. We worked together for a short time when I was in college and we've stayed close because of a mutual communication. Even more so then the communication and commonalities that we share though is Paul's willingness to spurn me on, honestly, in my journey. This is the kind of relationship worth keeping.

The trap is, though, to not do the right thing biblically when it comes to confrontation with the ones that we've let go. The truth is that they still deserve the same effort, despite the consequences or, often, lack of interaction, when there's confrontation at hand. God's not called us to avoidance, but to purity of motives (see Philippians 2:1-11). Taking the grown-up path is not complicated as we'd like to tell ourselves, it's just up hill.

Blog-frontation

2008-03-04T11:39:00.000-08:00

I've been learning about Blog-frontation for the last few years - both circumstantially by watching and interacting with others AND by experiencing this phenomenon. It really goes back to root attitudes that in no way are new, but technology has allowed this snowball to grow exponentially and more rapidly. It's this idea of saying things on your blog that you won't say to people's faces.

I hate confrontation. I stutter. I stumble over my words. I nervously joke to get attention. And like most of us, I usually walk away from most of those conversations with a completely rethought version of it - thinking "I should've said it this way... that would've changed the outcome!" because I'm rarely satisfied with the result.

However, I believe that God has placed challenges in front of us to grow - move forward in spite of adversity. In other words, I believe that when we change course due to our comfort, God is disappointed in our choice. We are to offer ourselves as Romans 12 calls us too. Offering means selflessness. Turning away from confrontation is pridefully and selfishly going against the scripture and, among other things, it stunts our growth .

I want my blog to promote deepening relationships. That's my goal. I have seen both email and blogs used to simply avoid talking to people personally. It's contrary to Matthew 18 which says "go" to the other person and as The Message says "work it out between the two of you." Contextually I know that this is applicable to believers, but the principle arches over into all life.

Having to awkwardly work something out with someone says "No matter the comfort level, I'm willing to sit through that for the sake of our relationship".

It's like working out. My personality is that of the excited monkey - I bounce to the next tree when I see something slightly more shiny or tasty. So when I have worked out it has been inconsistent (which is one of my greatest faults). Because of that, I know this: I will be sore until I maintain consistency. And even when I adapt to that current routine, if I want to continue to grow I have to choose pain.

When people blog-front their thoughts on an issue that are resolvable through confrontation, it's choosing negative growth. Plain and simple. We can mask it well by calling on our necessity to "vent", which doesn't actually exist. It's a big temptation. It's easier for me to get all my thoughts down on paper and work things out there and just click send or post. Easier isn't better. Easier could be satanic. Don't over interpret that - but I believe that Satan's greatest temptation is the path that goes downhill.

I think I'll continue on this tomorrow. What about those that you don't really care if they like you or not? What about the people whose relationship you don't value?

Vacation

2008-02-29T13:32:00.000-08:00

We got back this afternoon from a much needed vacation. We left Sunday afternoon for Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Everyone said it would be cold. It was... and we loved every second of it. Here's a picture journey of the trip:

After getting lost a bunch, Rory finally took the reigns and got us there.
We practiced our faces in the awesome apartment/hotel room Mom and Mark scored us.
Got re-addicted to coffee (kids don't sleep well away from home - but we still had fun)

We saw Plymouth Rock
Went to the children's Museum in Boston.Went to the Chatham BeachAnd drove all the way out to the tip of the cape - it was cold but Tate kept trying to get in

We had a blast. I love my family - they're my best friends. My wife - she let me tour the Sam Adam's Brewery in Boston. AAAAAAND... she let me drive an hour out of the way to see Gilette Stadium (where the Patriots play). I have coated her in gold and placed her atop my mantle as my greatest prize. She is mine.
The cool thing is we're still taking the next few days off as well to round out our vacation to a full week. I was thinking of checking out another church - but I think we're going to fully disconnect and play hooky. My family is cooler than church.

Ummmmmm...

2008-02-20T15:22:00.000-08:00

Just because it's been a while since I've posted and I wanted to get to 90 posts...

Today I was in the food store with Rory - my three-year-old (on Friday!!) and I was trying to teach her about money (Dave Ramsey's been rocking our financial world) and Rory took the $.50
I gave her for a donut and deposited it in the coupon slot in the self checkout - which is conveniently right at her hight. Then while I was holding her waiting for the self-checkout attendee, cashier manager, and store manager to figure out where the key was, she asked me to hold her booger. She actually said "Daddy will you hold my booger?" and handed me a decent size piece of nose putty. Yeah parenting.

WiBo

2008-01-31T05:37:00.001-08:00

Signed up for the Whiteboard Sessions yesterday! This is a unique 1-day conference that is bringing some of the most spiritually influential voices in my life into one room for a day. The one I'm really pumped about hearing and meeting? Perry Noble.

Frankly, I'm looking forward to the refueling. I don't want to rely on refueling activities for growth, but the last conference I was at was at Granger last September. It's time.

Humble Vision

2008-01-30T04:44:00.000-08:00

So I'm still trekking through the scriptures in an effort to finish the Old Testament for the first time. While Romans is continually challenging me, I'm enjoying the comfort of the minor prophets. I closed out Zephania today and the theme remains: pride drives you from God and without repentance God gets angry. The love is incomprehensible at times - how God could pursue us and pursue us and, even after punishing us, reminds us that we are His.

It's easy for me to have great vision that's inspired by people like Perry Noble and Steven Furtick, however I see the danger in myself to let pride creep in and and I begin to think that it's my vision. I defend my vision - "God gave ME this vision!" and would even challenge people on it. But it's God's vision and we are just to be his vessels. Like it says in Zephaniah 3:12, only those who are humble will be spared God's wrath and judgment. If I really am God's to do with as He wishes, there should be no arguing from me when things change and turn to uncomfortable.

Balance

2008-01-20T16:12:00.000-08:00

I'm overwhelmed lately by the whole concept of balance that I see happening around me, specifically in ministry. Cher and I are just constantly amazed by how the criticism is many times balanced out with overwhelming encouragement. Literally, for every random 1st timer at Carpenter's who feels the need to walk in and break me down, there's 3 or four who remind me to keep using my gifts and that I'm on the right track. I don't deserve this, and I know it won't always be steady. Just thankful right now.

The New Ignite Logo

2008-01-16T07:19:00.000-08:00

So I've been tinkering with the Ignite logo. It used to be this...

It's great. It's cool. But it wasn't ours. I stole it (along with some sweet banners) from Tally. After about a month of feeling a need for freshness and rolling it out to my top two critics (Cherie - of course - and Jill - one of our secretaries) over and over, and going over this list of top 20 church logos, I finished it this week. Got a lot of inspiration from Elevation. Simple and able to simply, I believe, is the best criteria for a logo. here you go...

Rest

2008-01-16T07:03:00.000-08:00

It was nice to get a rest from everything last night at Ignite and have worship and the message taken care of. I haven't rested like that in a while. Micah Woodard was our guest and brought his own worship band in from Parker Hill in Scranton. It was a good time.

Our new small groups are getting off the ground. Last night I was discussing with some of our High School guys how, for some, music is not the best way to worship. I was challenged to get out of my box. I like to think that I don't even have one... but I do.

Rest helps us see the the danger we pose to ourselves sometimes like that. I don't take enough of a step back and it's something that God's really been putting on my heart. I'm looking forward to a few conferences over the next few months that I hope will aid in the stepping back mainly Ben's Whiteboard Sessions and Unleash, but I'm looking at Hillsong's conference with a friend for the summer as well (that one would be a once in a life time thing). However... I know that I can't rely on these things to sustain the big-picture-resting times that are a necessity. God's given us everything we need here and now to take a deep breath, gather some inspiration and wisdom, and just listen.

Permanent

2008-01-03T14:23:00.001-08:00

So I know that one of the issues I will face with a personality like mine is to latch on to something with all that I have. The issue comes either when that thing is irrelevant to most others, or when I later lose interest after sinking tons of resources into it. I'm always looking for ways to correct this. For example, I try to do things right away so that I'm not distracted from them when more exciting things come along as I wait. Call it impatience... I call it wisdom. So when something sticks with me for a long time, I know it's important - that God is keeping it on my heart and mind for a reason (never underestimate that).

That thing over the past year or so has been the thought process of continued growth. I've stopped using the idea of Christian Maturity in conversation, not because I don't believe in it (Paul's blatant about it, but it's clearly an on-going process), but because too many Christians have used it in today's church circles to create a way point... if not a stopping point altogether... for their spiritual growth. There's no plateau of spiritual maturity. I would challenge whether or not there are as many specific criteria as we think - as we're all different (on purpose by the way).

As this thought's been on my mind, I came across this quote from this website:
When an old olive tree is about to die, new trunks spring up out of the old roots, so the Arabs say, "An olive tree never dies."

An Olive tree never stops growing. I love this symbolism of unceasing movement forward. So today I got it tattooed on my arm.

Christmas Bash 2007

2007-12-19T15:10:00.000-08:00

Click Santa to see the pictures form last nights Christmas Bash 2007

Open

2007-12-16T03:26:00.000-08:00

If I'm completely open and honest there are times, are they are plenty, that I feel deficient to be a pastor. I'm not a prayer warrior, sometimes I'm cold to people, I get overwhelmed, I don't follow trough with things, I don't always listen, I'm selfish, and I don't always love people.

The thing is... passion. God has placed in my heart a passion for this work. With it comes a desire for greater, bolder prayer, a heart for people that are far from Him, and peace.

Thank you God that I can't do it on my own at all. Thank you for using me in spite of my weaknesses that are so profound.

I have such grandiose visions for ministry, but times like these keep me grounded and aware of my need for wisdom and patience.

Ignition Graphic

2007-12-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

Ok so here it is - the graphic for our winter retreat event, Ignition '08 (formerly Winter Blast) as well as the theme for this year. Holyfire will be bringing not only the music this year, but also the messages all weekend long (all together now... ROCK!). This year's theme Rescue the Truth will center around reclaiming the truth of life using skills like Bible memorization, prayer, and journaling. Ignition '08 will be February 16-18.

Post #80

2007-12-06T17:41:00.000-08:00

This is my 80th post! I'm counting down to 100 at which I'll... do something cool. Maybe a guest post from Cherie - my wife. Anyone have any questions for her that she could answer here?

I'd like to get more of our students from Ignite reading and in that spirit within the next week I'm going to be posting our winter retreat hoodie graphic. We're getting a great deal from Uth Stuph, where we usually get our event clothing, and we're going with hoodie's for the first time. So stay posted!

Props to the Band

2007-12-02T18:29:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to give some props to our band. This morning we launched U2 Christmas and our band rocked it! Dean, our drummer almost didn't make it due to the weather, but chowed up just in time. Vic, our guitarist, nailed Pride (In the Name of Love) - He was The Edge! Donna added some awesome vocals and Jim, our bassist, has been getting better by the week.

We ransomed popular culture for Christ today and it fuels me to spread the gospel.

How Far?

2007-12-01T05:57:00.000-08:00

The past 3 months have been an incredible growing time for me. I've been stretched in ways that, honestly, if God had told me what He was planning, I would've said "No no no - you mean I need growth here. Not there! Listen God - I know me and I'm gonna be too stubborn to let that part grow". So that where He's gone.

One thing I've been learning is how far, or more accurately, what to do with my passionate vision for my job and ministry. It's dangerous in ministry for me to over commit to the vision and take everyone there whether they want to go or not. In my mind this is where God's told me to go and we're going baby! I need to - I must! - follow the vision God's given with Him as the primary director, but discerning when and how is a true test of wisdom.

In the spirit of being transparent, let me give you a very real example: I didn't want to do a Christmas eve service. Our volunteer base is in a rebuilding stage. I wanted to give them time with their family. I wanted to spend that time with mine. And in my mind to walk out the vision I have for my part of the ministry at The Carpenter's, it's "Go big or Go home". I didn't feel like we could pull off something that would rock. However I'm seeing that there's a tremendous amount of power in the simple. Like last Sunday - we did an acoustic set. 4 simple songs - one of them with a hillbilly twang - and we received more encouragement for the simplicity and change of style than we ever have with a full band. Now, this weekend we'll have a full band and I'm pumped for it. I believe part of the vision God's given me for the Carpenter's is to bring worship music and popular culture music together in a cosmic unique explosion.

I guess I'm learning that the vision is about the people. We must walk a fine line between doing what they want us to do, and doing what their heart's truly want so that they are open then to the power of The Gospel.

Granger is a great example. They're launching "Let It Be Christmas", a Beatles themed Christmas series. Watch Rob Wegner, one of their teaching pastors intro it here. It's what the culture wants - the Beatles movie Across the Universe and the Cirque du Soliel show Love prove that. But they use what the culture wants to open their hearts to the Gospel and show that God is in everything - and especially interested in their lives.

This week we launch U2 Christmas with a very similar (we totally ripped it off from Granger's series form last year) thought process. Jim and I are excited to use the music of U2 for God. And I get to sing U2 stuff on Sunday.

Simply put - Rock the Gospel!!!

Crave

2007-11-29T06:05:00.000-08:00

Tuesday night we began selling a new Bible at Ignite. It one that I've been using for the past few months and really enjoying. Honestly I just wanted to role out what I was having fun with, but during my message (we're working on getting a podcast up in the next few weeks) I stressed our desire at Ignite to take away any excuses that they might have for getting into The Word. I've found that many students just read to check off the "I read my Bible" box for God and don't really take the effort to understand what God's saying to them. So we bought ten of these Bible's and eight of them are gone already with many promising to buy one next week. Our secretary Jill is in scramble mode (well, if she wasn't, she is now) to find more.

People crave the life that comes from The Word. As we exemplify it's power, they will see more clearly their need for communication with God and, I believe, do anything possible to create it.

i wish

2007-11-28T18:56:00.000-08:00

So it's 10 PM and I just got home from a budget meeting (I know it sounds boring but we sing and play pictionary... really............................ no not really). I've seen this website in Relevant (best mag out there in my op) but i've never checked it out. Cherie and I just spent the last 20 minutes laughing at these rockin' teeshirts. So check out randomshirts.com and, because I've been eying the Target version of this T, here's my favorite:

Poll

2007-11-28T04:50:00.000-08:00

Hey I'm exploring Blogger a bit and I'm trying out their Polls. Check it out to the right and weigh in!

A relenting God

2007-11-28T03:29:00.000-08:00

I'm still in Amos - chapter 7 today. It continues to strike me how God relents. Chapter 7 shows Amos asking God in two visions in which he sees God allowing Israel to be destroyed to hold off - and He does! Can we change God? No, but He tells us that He will listen to us is we are obeying Him. (2 Chron. 7:14)

Amos is helping me relate to God more as a father in view of my own children. When Rory or Tate want something, as long as it won't hurt them in any way, I may give it to them even if I may have said no before - if they ask the right way. Does it make me a softy? Maybe. I'd like to think though that it shows the power of love. And if the power of love simply between us and our children is so great as to change a stubborn a mind as mine, how much greater is the love of Christ?

There are a slew of terms in Christianity that we've lost the meaning to - they've been desensitized after years of using them but not knowing them. God's love is one of those. I'm rediscovering it's power and sheer monstrosity lately. I'm pumped to see it worked out in my life. Down with the Christian-ese that has taken power away from the Bible!

Amos

2007-11-25T04:12:00.000-08:00

So I've been reading through the Old Testament and the past few months have been in uncharted waters - books I've never read. I'm in Amos currently and what blows me away again and again is how God's grace is so ample and blatant. How could think that God is the far from us or disinterested when time after time He says "it's coming if you don't turn around. If you turn around I will relent."? We must remember that grace is what God has chosen to set himself apart. No other religion or faith utilizes the concept of grace. The being said, is grace the ideal difference in our life?

Fresh eyes

2007-11-24T05:23:00.000-08:00

I'm diggin my new Bible. It's the Drink deeply NLT. I think that it's vital that we keep fresh eye's on the Word. It easy for us to let anything become mundane and whatever helps maintain a renewing mind and hunger for the Bible - do it. I was reading The message remix 2.0, but I wanted to get back to something I was used to. You'll also notice about both of these is the cool packaging - accept the A.D.D. and do whatever you can to STAY FOCUSED!

Hey and check out the new redesigned website! J.T. did an awesome job! It's simple to access and easy for us to maintain. Even the Ignite page rocks!

Crowder Concerto

2007-11-10T19:29:00.000-08:00

It ROCKED!!! And yes - that is a "Guitar Hero" guitar tricked out crowder style that he played for "Never Ending". We had great positions (as there were no seats - but the back and foot pain was totally worth it) thanks to Justin Theal. One disappointment: there was a special meet and greet that we were not aware of and that extra moneys were to be paid for. So I was not on track to not getting my copy of "Everyone Wants to Go to Heaven" autographed after being shooed by security. But I got talking to Jonathan from The Myriad who opened the concert and had great conversation. He ran my book over and thus the outcome below:

Yes... Crowder knows my name... now. Phil Wickham has an absolutely sick voice and I'm getting The Myriad's CD when it comes out in March. High point of the show - Crowder and his boys use some crazy machinery to make the music they do. Seeing it first hand brought a whole sense of confusion to the experience. I was rocked. You can have your C.C./ Leeland expensive experience. I'll take Crowder and his funky mechanics (below) any day.

Inked

2007-10-31T11:30:00.000-07:00

Diggin Carlos' podcast! He had some great resources that are so practical for worship leaders. Started using one of them today - worshipplanning.com - Check it out!

He also was on L.A. ink recently - watched it last night (God made the DVR himself).

Crowder!

2007-10-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

Bought my tickets for the David Crowder Tour this morning! WOOO HOOO!! I can't wait to see a show where he headlines! AND he's touring with Phil Wickham who's music has been rocking the Hibbs house for the last year or so.

I love a good concert.

Hell by Simpson's and South Park

2007-10-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

I'm still going through Daniel and I'm in chapter 9 where Dan is praying and he says this (in The Message): [God] Act out of who You are, not out of what we are.

That thought just blows me away. First off, what if God in all his power did act on who we are? Some of us that have been in church for a long time may immediately wander to "the Sinner" (ie. the murderer or adulteress), completely passing over our potentially gossip filled and lieing hearts. Yeah, see, what we deserve, you and I, is the same that"they" deserve. We deserve eternal separation.

One of the students at Ignite asked this question Tuesday during Open Mic: Why is hell so bad? First we established and agreed that South Park and the Simpson's were a little OFF with it. It's sad, but they're really just expressing what the culture truly believes - Hell's fun. Then I told them this (and it was good to put into words what I've thought - not often we have to do that as Christians): what's so bad about hell is simply that we are alone - no friends, but most importantly, no God. See we'll have been judged and have seen our true and exhaustive need for Him by then and be destined for eternity apart from Him.

That's what we deserve. But the second thing that gets me about Daniel's prayer is this: How often do we act like we'll get what we deserve - good or bad? I believe that we lack a true understanding of Grace in it's purest Godly form.

Way back The Newsboys wrote a song about it. Check it out here.

Let's find out what it means to live in grace.

The DX Update

2007-10-13T17:57:00.000-07:00

Tuesday we wrapped up Parents of the Caribbean and got the results from the DX and I was blown away. Just goes to show that people are looking to connect with their creator.

One student gave up texting. Another gave up TV. Tom gave up torturing his teachers and told us how much he learned for 3 days. One of the V-Staff fasted for 3 days. Another student let TV go for the DX.

To read more about how the DX started click here.

Can't wait to turn it onto LTM tomorrow!

The Dangers of Podcasts

2007-10-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

Ok so it's not a real danger (no limbs are close to falling off) and many of you most likely do not face it as much as pastors, however I've realized that at the rate that I listen to podcasts (one a day sometimes) it's easy to stop thinking for yourself. The primary job that have as Christians is creativity - using the imagination God gave us to show His message as the ever appealing gift that it is.

Some have said that creativity is really just stealing other ideas and improving on them, but I believe God's bigger than that. While I'll continue to get ideas form other churches, I will make sure to sink my thoughts more into the living Word.

It's easier to listen to other pastors and get "fed" (check out what Perry said about that here) than to really study scripture for ourselves. It's simply a wrestling match of priority.

The DX is Done!

2007-10-06T06:32:00.000-07:00

Last night was my final night without TV.

Here are a few things I've learned from The Disciple Experiment:

TV easily distracts me from my family time and my God time - I need to be careful
I miss The Office the most (THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!)
Time with Cher is precious and it needs to take priority - while we do love watching thins together - that's NOT quality time.

I'm pumped to share this same message that brought on The DX with Langhorn Terrace Ministries next Sunday! Their pastor and good friend has given me the privilege of speaking and leading worship for them.

Rory's 1st Tattoo

2007-10-05T07:45:00.000-07:00

The picture doesn't really do it justice. I tried to get Rory (my 2.5 yr. old) a sticker at the grocery store and instead she got one of those temporary tattoos of Donkey from Shrek. She's now watching Shrek and comparing the tattoo on her stomach to the actual character. It's priceless.

But it's got me thinking, how often do we question God? He speaks into our life - gives new revelation - and while we're in the midst of moving on it we doubt. If we're honest we doubt ourselves more than anything else. It really comes down to a misunderstanding of Grace and it's forgiveness. That doubt is reluctant wafts of past failures, mistakes, or sin. They've been forgiven but East from West (Psalm 103:12) hasn't solidified itself in our hearts. It also says in Psalm 103 that He has "removed" our sin. It's gone - all gone. Restoration is the outcome of grace - the working of that which we don't deserve or quite understand. We should have confidence, obviously not in us, but in the grace and power that we've submitted to. That is where the confirmation will come from.

Elephants and Swedish meatballs

2007-10-04T17:23:00.000-07:00

I feel freed by The DX! Today I spent the day with my family at the zoo. Spent a lot of time with the elephants as Rory needed to work on her elephant noise and seek their approval. She has the attention span of her dad - we did the reptile house in about 7 minutes.

Then we went by Ikea on our way home and they've begun to sell their Swedish meatballs Fro... wait for it... ZEN! Tally has no idea what the glory of this development is which is a shame. VA needs some Ikea! I saw God today in those meatballs that we later enjoyed for our dinner.
I just don't think we realize what traps us and keeps us from being who God wants us to be. It's the little innocent things that we rationalize away so easily.

Tomorrow we're going to Jacobsburg State Park to play in the water falls - it's supposed to be hot again. By the way, heat makes the zoo animals you travel to see very lazy and elusive. Good thing they have the "Do not bang on glass" and "Do not feed" signs, because it's on days like today that minds like mine wander to "what do I have that I'm willing to part with in order to make this large carnivor do something other than sleep?"

DX update

2007-10-04T06:45:00.001-07:00

So last night was amazing! It was the 1st time we've not watched TV together in almost a year during the we're-at-home-during-prime-time... time. I'm ashamed that I haven't done this sooner and that it isn't part of my life regularly. Well, it will be from now on!

I talked to my wife - had great conversation - like we haven't had in a long time. It was like getting to know her again. I read more of Daniel - rockin my world by the way that young men had that commitment to God and that's what He honored and displayed in His word - not being the most popular Christian, but the most controversial. Check out Perry's podcast on Jesus being controversial. I even read myself to sleep with Frodo and the gang. I've been wanting to read more and suddenly feel that all the time and motivation that I've been lacking has been looming behind the TV!

Today... THE ZOO! We're taking the kids to the Philly zoo. We've never been with them. The last time we went was when Cher was pregnant with Rory. Can't wait to see Rory (2.5 yrs. old) interact with creation!

The DX is totally worth it!

The Red Line Game

2007-10-03T16:04:00.000-07:00

Try reading through this the first time skipping the parenthesis.

Stupid little confession - the Firefox browser underlines all of your misspelled words with a red dotted line as you type - similar to Word. I play this game... You see, my grammar (spelled that wrong the first time - saw no problem with and "er" ending) is sloppinesses (tried to misspell that, but believe it or not, it's actually a correctly spelled English word) and my spelling worse. Actually, my spelling is very phonetic because I learned to read, write, and spell in French before English (by the way - English is spelled wrong if not capitalized) - how's THAT for an excuse. The rocket scientist who designed (forgot the "g") the "learn French (also should be capitalized) or die" curriculum who's spel I was under from kindergarten through 4th grade didn't think English grammar was necessary (who spells THAT right the first time - is it 2 "c"s or 2 "s"s?) until 3rd grade.

So here's my game - can I try to actually correct the word on my own without right-clicking on it to get the answer. Sometimes I'm a ringer! I immediately (can't believe I actually got that one on the first try) see the mistake and correct it. Other times... I look at the supposed misspelled word and see no issues (no "r" in that by the way - figured that out without the right-click) threatening the English tradition. I'm A.D.D. though so I give up after 7 seconds. Try reading this again with my little notes on my game.

The Experiment sets in

2007-10-03T15:54:00.001-07:00

I knew this would be the time when the choice would come - prime time. This is when replacing TV with God and family is going to hit home for me. As God would have it today, Cherie is out, Rory's with my mom, and Tate's asleep - and it's not even 7PM.

Part of me is keenly aware of the criticism that may come from this experiment. One might say that it shouldn't even be an experiment... it should be life all the time. To them I would say that anything that gets us out of the box to experience God in a new way is worth all the time and effort. If this was life, perhaps a good experiment would be to watch TV for 3 days straight and find God in our culture. BOO YAA (red line indicates this is spelled incorrectly)!

Just a note of Newspring: diggin' their "Reel Life" series podcast. Started to listen to Perry talk about prayer today on my way home and begin to dissect Matt. 6 and even in the short 15 min. ride home God revealed some new things to me.

Thankful for the Ipod.

The DX

2007-10-03T10:39:00.000-07:00

Today begins The DX - The Discipleship Experiment. We challenged each other last night at Ignite to replace one thing in out life with God Time for the next 3 days. I'm replacing TV. Another one of the V-Staff is replacing sleeping in.

The experiment is based on the premise that the disciples spent time with Jesus and thus new Him better and had greater awareness of their power through him. We were encouraged to team up with 2 others until the experiment ends Saturday to encourage each other through it.

I am really excited to hear what God has done by then in our lives! To those who are experimenting - be strong - it's worth it! Go for God's heart and let your selfishness drain!

2.5 days left.

Late Night Excitement

2007-10-02T18:30:00.000-07:00

So I'm extremely pumped about not watching TV for the next 3 days!!

I challenged the students of Ignite tonight to The Discipleship Experiment - where we chose to replace one thing in our lives with God time in the form of prayer, scripture, or family time (family counts as God time because God gave them to you - find God in sunsets and sushi).

And I'm doing it together with them - I'm replacing TV with God time. I watch 2-3 hours of TV per night, by the way. It starts tomorrow morning so stay tuned for updates!

I know there might be criticism about all the time being God time, but there's always time for criticism later. Right now, I'm psyched about hearing students stories about the next 3 days.

Oh and it will all culminate with Tony's leadership training Saturday night!

Daniel Begins

2007-10-02T06:28:00.000-07:00

I'm about to start the book of Daniel today after finishing Ezekiel yesterday. I'm pumped. I've been amazed at how much is in these "hidden" books that applies so well to life in general. Proof that the Word of God is living and active, not just to the church, but to everyone everywhere. Check out Ben's post from the other day - it messed me up and I'm still thinking about it.

Ezekiel

2007-10-01T06:46:00.000-07:00

I finished Ezekiel this morning. Whenever I finish reading anything I feel like I've accomplished a lot. Ezekiel has been a journey and it ended final measurements and rules for the Temple and the division of the land between the tribes and the land for the temple. It left me with this one thought: God is willing to do anything to make himself known. We are the ones who get in the way with our wills. God can and will use us to do amazing things, but He will not force us dictatorially. He desires our passion for the same things He is passionate about.

We often pray empty passionless prayers hoping that God will step in and "intervene". What of the responsibilities we have as Christ-followers?

When my father was dieing I prayed for his recovery with more passion than I've ever prayed before - believing that God could do it. Looking at my prayer life now... it is rushed and abbreviated as if I'm getting the "prayer star" on the Sunday School chart.

Ezekiel has left me asking myself what details I've missed of God's plan due to my impatience and lack of focus on God's passions? It really all comes down to selfishness vs. selflessness.

Journeying

2007-09-30T03:55:00.000-07:00

I've been going through Ezekiel now for a few months on my quest to finish the Bible (I've never read it all the way through). Today I was going through a few of the final chapters - 40-43 - and it's all about the temple dimensions and regulations. Here's what blew me away - the angel finishes telling Ezekiel all the details of the temple and Ezekiel says "The walls separated the Holy from the ordinary" (42:20). Not dirty or sinful or selfish or impure or even unholy... ordinary. How much do our lives represent just that - an ordinary attempt at representing a wholly extraordinary God?

38

2007-09-28T08:50:00.000-07:00

I read 38 blogs this morning. It's been encouraging and innovative. I read 3 right now - Ben, Tally, and Perry. Keeping it simple.

Why?

2007-09-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

So I've been asking myself lately why God's not being clear. I'm currently standing on the forge of a decently large decision and I've been asking for direction, but hearing nothing. Well not nothing, but it's not what I'm looking for.

Two reasons I believe God does this:
1. It forces us to gut check our relationship with Him. Am I really trying to get to know Him or am I just looking for answers so I can be comfortable? It's easy for us to let our own comfort - be it with ease of the future or security in what others think - take first priority.

2. It doesn't let us run ahead and miss the opportunities for growth in that moment. For right now, right here, this is the moment we're here for. So I should be here, not 3 steps ahead. When it's time for the info I need to take the next step, God loves me and will not withhold it to make me uncomfortable. Here's a post that helped me in this moment today.

One more thing - God doesn't like it when I'm not comfortable. He doesn't allow it just because He can. I need reminding of that.

Simplicity

2007-09-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

I've been really inspired be Ben's blog this morning. His posts are simple and short, but potent. I often feel like i need to expound an OT book in order to have a decent post (hence the scattered posting). So here goes my new philosophy - keeping it real and simple.

Book Notes: Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die; or The Escatology of Bluegrass

2007-09-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

Gotta love that title.

Actually, you've gotta love Crowder's writing. It's deep and humorous at the same time. This is David Crowder's (of The David Crowder Band - hooray for super-creative original band names) 2nd book (see my notes on Praise Habit).

It's really a book about death, which my life seems to have been engulfed by over the past few years. Turns out, so has Crowder's.

The book is a split study on the history of the soul and the origin of Bluegrass music. Honestly, besides Nickel Creek, I've never listen to much bluegrass and haven't liked country much. But since reading Crowder's joke-ridden descriptions of it's origin, I've been looking to borrow Bill Monroe albums from my local library (and place them delicately on my ipod - insert evil laugh here).

The book almost seemed disconnected and dare I say unfocused, but upon reaching the last chapter, it all came together. It was very Sixth-Sense-ish.

Everybody wants to go to Heaven is also peppered with 2 different literary breaks (this rocks for ADD types like myself). One section that gives you a breaks from the sometimes admitted mind strain is some I.M. conversation between David and Mike Hogan, the co-author and member of the band. The other section is what they call columns. It's like continuing short stories that make you turn the book sideways (Crowder rocks the gimmick in a not-gimmicky way).

The end of the book is not what you expect either - check out the appendices and acknowledgments for a good laugh.

So no more spoilers. If you've experienced death there is a connected camaraderie between us. We wrote this book together.

Buy it here - it's only $10.

Slacker Blogger

2007-09-12T05:52:00.000-07:00

That's me. People like Perry and Ben blog like every half-an-hour. I slack off and blog every two weeks. Oh well. I know my priorities are in order. Blogging for me is important, but I'd rather slack off there than with my family (it's a dangerous temptation for me).

But I need to take a page from some other pastoral bloggers and shorten things up. Keep things simple and then brain-dump every once and a while.

So I'm getting rid of the Miata (quick subject change... but keeping it simple). I was given a 1990 Miata by my father-in-law a few years ago and I've loved the idea of a convertible, but realized that you really only get about a weeks worth of combined fun per year out of it. I drove it all winter (smart) but now it's summer. It's hot and slightly impracticable as a family car. So it's Ebay's now. Check it out here. Just 4 days and 23 hours left!

Kid pics

2007-08-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

These are old, but in demand (S.J.). Here are some pics of my kids

Awwwwwe...

Don't back me into a corner!

Cute or plotting your demise?

This one's not old - I took it right now. I call it "Hey Dad let's play!"

This is one of those that give you a glimpse of the future. I can hear it now... "But we were just huggin!"

Baptizing

2007-08-26T13:29:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note on this morning's service. First thanks for the inspiration Steve - we've never done anything like this before!

What was this revolutionary act that we took on at "church" this morning? Spontaneous baptism. Ok - it's not original. But it blew me away. We had our regular promo and signing up thing that has happened for the past few weeks but then today we provided all the necessary supplies for people to just get baptized today. Right now.

Honestly, my expectations were too low for God (shame on me Dean). That's probably why I was a weepy mess through the whole thing ( I cry... a lot). Eight people, on top of the 9 that had already signed up, dropped what they were doing and set everything aside and got baptized.

I was stoked be able to baptize Mark, who shared some stellar right-field-fence seats with me last night at the Phillies (not a fan) v. Pares(not a fan) game (just had fun) thanks to Patrick, Devin, one of our SLT-ers, Ashley and her brother, one of our students that has really taken some BIG growth steps lately, Dean (rock-n-roll king of the pink paisley Strat)and Trista, a good friend and wife of a golf buddy.

I know this is gonna sound sappy, but there are FEW (my wedding day and the birth of my kids) moments of of joy that rival that feeling of baptizing friends. I have the best job. Ever. Our service went 30 minutes long and there wasn't a dry eye in the house - mine included.

Comments

2007-08-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note on Blogspot - I got a comment from someone recently asking a question about someone I blogged about. I f you don't include your email address in the body of your comment I can't respond. Over the past few months the poison comments have stopped and I'd love to respond to some of you - so INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL!

Illustration

2007-08-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

I was writing my message today for tomorrow's Ignite service (re-writing to be honest - I didn't want to preach the same one that I delivered 2 weeks ago over again - our students deserve more than that) and I came to a point where I really needed an illustration. I struggled to find one, but felt God say "just sit on it for now."

The I had some time tonight to catch up on my blogs (those of you that enjoy reading multiple blogs should check out google reader). Perry wrote this one a while ago and God clapped me with it. He works in spite of me. That always blows me away.

SLT

2007-08-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

So for years now - since I had my first ministry position in 2001 - I've wanted to start a Student Leadership program within the Student Ministry. We finally began one at Ignite last year and had students sign on via our invitation for a 12-month commitment. To those of you thinking about starting one, other ministries invite students but for us it was not the best way. Just because we saw potential did not mean that they had the desire for the commitment.

This year it was coming time for the commitment to renew and I really wanted to learn from last year. So we announced the opportunity to apply for Student Leadership just a few days before the applications would be due. It created a sense of urgency and excitement, and that's good.

For Ignite, this was the way to do Student Leadership. We got a great crew of students - four returning to renew their commitment (out of the 10 that we had last year) and three newbies.

Here's where I get to brag on Jon Weeks. We set the age cut off at 10th grade but Jon has more potential as an up coming freshman than I had in my punk little toe when I was his age. I'm pumped to have him in the SLT (Student Leadership Team). I've watched him over the past year be the most outrageous person - not just freaky (he has more nerve than Johnny Knoxville) but he's outrageous with his faith enough to shame most pastors.

The training we did was an over night camping excursion (we excursed to the back of the church). It gave us time together to get to know each other and work through some leadership-building activities - thanks Tally.

Saturday was the hook up of the year! I had the idea of going white water rafting - like most of my cool ideas it showed up less than a week before the outing was to take place. I called some old friends who live by my mom and they went all out for us. They not only guided us precisely down the Lehigh River, but they paid for us too. They had no idea of the churches finances. So a big hairy SLT "THANKS!" to Art, Ernie, and Laurie Balathy.

I believe this years SLT will change the world. They are motivated, focused, and passionate to inspiration. It's priveledge to lead you - Em, Amanda, Devin, Chelsea, Sam, Becca, and Jon.

Orange Stress

2007-07-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

For those of you that we're in The Carpenter's service this past Sunday, I just had to hand-peel an orange. All three of my "peelers" were dirty. It took a ridiculous amount of time. I'm very stressed now. Gotta go run the dish washer (seriously were they really even dirty? Really? Could you see the dirt or just smell the orangy goodness).

Cry Baby

2007-07-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

So guess who came to church today? GOD.

This morning was amazing. I felt God moving through me confirming all the work He's been doing over the past week. I asked people to stand if they accepted Christ for the 1st time today and one girl stood up. It was her first time at Carpenter's and she was here because her daughter came to VBS this past week (Rock on Renee and Cher). She had some awesome tattoos and when she stood during the invitation she had tears pouring down her face. I got really choked up. I'm a cry baby. I cry easy (like... at Oprah and Extreme Makeover Home edition). I walked off stage while the worship team sang "follow you" (by Holyfire) and took a moment to just let the tears come. I found out later that she told the greeter at the door that she was just watching her daughter sing and then taking off because she "wasn't ready". That was one of the things I talked about - how we put off doing what God wants until we're ready, assuming God made a mistake by bringing things into our lives too soon. Call it what it is.

But honestly I was choked up all morning. Seeing the kids from Avalanche Ranch singing got me. I just could feel God moving and it's a powerful and privileged feeling.

So it was a good time. I never feel as useful to God as I do when I'm speaking. I did say "suck on that" today from the stage. It wasn't meant to be offensive... ok it was. People laughed though. I was talking about how I like to cook and how when I tell other men that I get all sorts of random Neanderthal comments. Just in case you think I was bluffing, last night I made a pork loin that was awful (I threw most of it out), but today for lunch I made bagel pizzas with home made sauce that rocked. You win some, you lose some.

Can't wait to drive up to Hamden this Wednesday with Justin. I was actually watching one of our favorite shows last night "Flip this house" and it was in Hamden. It was our favorite team to watch from CT Homes in New Haven. Anyway... people stepped up and gave over $1000 today for Holyfire. I'm pumped to see what the students do this Tuesday. Two weeks ago they gave almost $200 among the 40 of them. They're the best bunch I've ever had the privilege of working with.

I just felt blessed today.

Laptop

2007-07-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to give another public thanks to Chuck. Yesterday he walked in with another, badder laptop with more RAM potential and a faster processor. I spent the day setting it up and I'm digging it! Chuck's a great guy that loves to give. I hope he inspires more people like he's inspired me. Giving is underrated.

Who I am

2007-07-20T07:37:00.001-07:00

Thought this was cool... and I felt the peer pressure from Tally and Cherie.

Good people to know, bargains, and other random thoughts

2007-07-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

So I've got to throw out a blogosphere shout to my friend Chuck. He attends Carpenter's and works for a local hospital network. He's a great guy with a passion for reaching kids with the Word and a good guy to know. Here's why - after reading my blog post about my computer, he came in yesterday morning (dude's doing VBS every morning this week - not paid) and told me he had a laptop for me. Working for this local hospital network's IT department, he gets access to the outdated technology when they upgrade. He's provided numerous machines for us that Carpenter's wouldn't function without. He brought it in today and totally set it up - extra battery, extra power cord, a case, and a sweet dock. Chuck - you rock. It may not feel like much but you've helped further the kingdom with the technology. On a side note, Perry was talking in a podcast the other day about churches that say God doesn't use technology. Let's see what they do when the modern technology of their AC goes out in the next few months (tell your G-ma to chew on that Justin).

So I was looking for some upgrades for my new free (FREE!!) laptop and discovered a new website. I'm all about bargains and passing them along. Check out Geeks.com. I got a 120 Gig External Firewire hard drive and a USB 2.0/Firewire Combo Card shipped for under $70. They deal with new and refurbished stuff. Rock the bargain.

I'm getting more and more excited about this weekend. Everything that God's been doing all week is building into it and He is going to do some major things - He already has in my heart and life. One of the main areas of my life He's been showing me needs a lot of work is my prayer life, or lack there of. After seeing what people can do when motivated behind a purpose like Holyfire's recent plight (more on that later - I'm going to Hamden CT next Wed.), I'm praying and believing in God to knock our financially-doubtful teeth out this week. Don't miss it. See you Sunday.

CTL Inspiration

2007-07-17T06:52:00.000-07:00

I get to preach this week and I am so stoked. I was working through the message yesterday and and God was speaking so clearly. I'm excited to let loose what He's been pouring into me. I'll be talking about overcoming adversity as pt. 3 of Chase the Lion. I truly believe that God's going to get up close and personal this week. If you walk out offended, it's the Holy Spirit, not me.

I've gotten so outside inspiration this week from Perry. I listen to Perry's podcast every week (well i'm like 3 months behind). Everyone should listen to a podcast here and there - even if you don't have an ipod you can get itunes for free and listen to them on your computer. Some you need to pay for but most churches and ministries are free. Check out Perry's, Tally's and, my new favorite, Tony and Tim's. The last one has been done for a while (no new episodes) but you can still DL all of them and catch up. They're practical ministry guru's that won't preach at you but help you work out the details of running a church. They've written come awesome books too.

Bottom line - get some inspiration somewhere. God's brought people through life so you can use their story as fuel. And when you get through some rough crap, tell the story or put some resources out there so God can use you the same way. See you Sunday (or for the next 5 weeks, Suday).

Tattoo 2

2007-07-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

Rory and I compared Tattoos last week. Her "Nemo" was pretty intimidating. Thanks Sam. I've decided on a tattoo design, well at the general idea. It actually came originally from my mother-in-law. It's going to be an olive tree. I did some research and an olive tree has extremely long life because when part of it dies a new part grows up around it and the tree continues to grow. It's always moving forward. Always growing. I love the thought process. and the images is cool too. It will go on my left forearm and Chris Garver will be doing it (in my dreams).

Laptop

2007-07-11T07:30:00.001-07:00

I would really like a lap top. I'm not just groveling for the latest technology, I have good reason. One of which would be this past week. We spent an amazingly long week in Chesapeake, VA and it would've been great to be able to blog each day about the progress. It's not exactly a name brand PC. I'm not even sure it's a PC. I believe it to be descendant of an ancient model in the "Quantum Leap" era. Notice the Velcro and stickers holding it together. It keeps tricking me and telling me to put USB devices in the USB 2 slots in the back where there are none. And the hamster that runs in the little wheel inside to keep the machine running is getting more demanding... and scary. So how about it? Anyone out there want to give a pastor with a severely lame computer a leg up? I'm tired of people thinking that the Church should get the leftovers (check out our "library" for all your latest someone-gave-this-to-me-and-it's-boring reads). We should have the best because we have the best to offer.

Chesapeake 07

2007-07-11T06:50:00.000-07:00

Alright, it was amazing and here's the quick blitz of the week: Sunday late worship. Monday, due to door hanger mishap, house remodel AM, door hangers PM (door hanger mishap #2). Tuesday, rip CARD distribution due to door hanger mishap #2 AM, party in the park sans sound equipment due to lack of communication on the city of Chesapeake's part (mad props to Tally for keeping his cool). Wednesday July 4th, drive to Reston Community Church's neighborhood for door hanger distribution and lunch, spend afternoon split between a quarantined Air and Space Smithsonian and a pricey Holiday Inn restaurant (I know "pricey restaurant" and "Holiday Inn" don't seem to fit) due what the Nation's Capital called "severe weather". Severe enough to evacuate the mall, but not severe enough to cancel 23 minutes of fireworks. Thursday, back to house remodel to sweat off a few pounds while getting dirty. Jon weeks improved the property value by like 10 Gs with his landscaping. You rock Jon! (see picture). Friday, Busch Gardens - get stuck in major traffic with 4 vans who's AC doesn't not work while stationary and 1 that is leaking transmission fluid like crazy (what's a mission trip without a hot car ride. Seriously. Has there ever been one?). Saturday, rework Party in the Park 2 for new location due to City's miscommunication and find a weird "Christian restaurant" on th VA Beach. Sunday, Focal Point's service and 8-hour ride home (it took 6 to get down there).

It's was a wild week full of changes. At some point I looked at my wife, who was accompanying me for the first time on a mission trip, and said with all my heart "I live for this". I'd do it again right now. It has nothing to do with students. Honestly, I believe it would've been worse with a group of adults. These students took everything that we could throw at them without ANY fuss and made a difference in a community. No, it wasn't the fun factor of the students, or Becca's 16th birthday, or meeting John Smith for the first time, or giving away 2 ipods and a Wii. It was seeing God move and move and move, despite circumstances. It was a very internal trip. By that I mean that the majority of the work was done inside all of us that went. It's easy to trust God trough our plans, but when God takes our plans away and forces us to rely on him minute by minute, the world changes.

Cars

2007-06-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

We've officially gone too long without car trouble. You see, car trouble has been a Hibbs household staple for many years - we've learned a lot about repairs, AAA, and the reason that Hyundai's have such good warranties.

Tonight I was on my way to worship practice and there's a portion of the road that floods a bit when it rains. Well, it was POURING. I tip toed up to that spot in the road in picturesque Freemansburg (which I now know thanks to a lovely gentleman at the towing dispatch center is in fact part of the Main St. extension and not main street - I've just taken over apart of your brain with useless info!) and watched another car off similar stature traverse the flooded area without a problem. Not to be out done, I figured I'd do it with a little gumption (reasoning of course that it was so I'd not get stuck). Bad idea. I stalled. No, not in the 16" deep water, just right on the other side. I said it was pouring, right?

Here's the cool part (at least to me), some students stopped to help me push. They were barely 16 or so and were quick to help. It was a bright spot in my day.

My personal slave came to rescue (I hope Justin knows how truly invaluable he is to Carpenter's and Ignite and how "slave" is a very loving term) and we pushed to car to a safe spot. I returned later with Steven to try some fixes - mainly pulling the spark plugs to try to blow out some of the water. To my severe dismay (I know enough about engines to be dismayed) one of the plugs was coated with oil. Oil good. Spark plugs good. Oil on spark plugs BAD. Oil's supposed to stay in the lower part of the engine while the sparks plugs are at home above (draw your own spiritual reference HERE).

All that to say... I don't know. I hope the fix is as easy as the AAA tow truck driver said, but I dropped it at the service center I use without being able to let them know as it was 11pm. I feel a bit awkward about that, by the way. Kind of like "hey, I'm coming over, OK?", as opposed to "Can I come over?". They're good guys there and I'm hopeful that they can repair the Neon (I know, you were expecting the pastoral '84 Skylark. NO no no - I am well taken care of. Seriously it's the nicest car we've ever owned).

I'm sure God teaching us faith and reliance again. We'll learn it again. I'll keep you updated on His progress.

72 hours

2007-06-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

Ok so I'm a hairy ogre. Well, maybe just hairy - ogre's are rather large in size and quality, and I'm just a little guy (but with a big heart). 72 hours after Bic-ing - this is what I get. I loved the sensation of a smooth skull but it lasted only about 12 hours. After that, I could sand down a decent-sized oak table. See, it's rather sharp - my hair. They don't tell you that putting on a shirt gets harder due the the Velcro like material now atop your head. So I won't be doing that regularly. I won't say never - I've learned that ones with my personality should not say never - we get bored too quickly and never seems interesting again. However, if I did decide to make it my regular do (I do long for my hawk back), Tally sent me this interesting web site for "Headblade". For $15 you can own this radical, wheel-toting gadget designed to make shaving head "Headblading" rather than Bic-ing. Well... it's cheaper than the Mach 3! And I've gotten more comments on this post than any in a while... what should I cut next? The tattoo is coming as soon as I have the cash. I'm sure pastors-with-tattoos anonymous will come to my aid.

Anyway... we're rolling out part 2 of Chase the Lion tonight for Ignite at which we'll be showing our interview with Bob Matyus. Bob lives across the street from Carpenter's and has a large collection of dead things. I can't come remotely close to doing it justice - with either "large" or "dead". We'll post the video to my you tube site tonight and you can check it out there.

Smooth

2007-06-23T06:36:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I haven't blogged in like 3 weeks so this should probably be something deep... nope. I've been shaving my head for a few months now. By shaving I mean the lowest setting on the clippers with no attachment. It's a great feeling. I mean, I love my hair and as soon as Tate has the resources we'll sport matching faux-hawks, but to never have to worry about how your hair looks is a nifty treat. I have a friend who bics his and I've always wanted to ("bic" translation: with a razor typically used on your face. Derived from the cheap disposable razors by "Bic") do the same. This morning in a random, wasn't-planning-on-doing-this-quite-yet sort of what the heck moment, I took the plunge. Now I love Tim -he smeared me on the greens yesterday by like 10 shots- my bic-ing friend, but yesterday on the course when I asked for any advise in my future prospective smoothness endeavor, he simply said "Mach 3". Now I use the M3 (recently I upgraded to the turbo so I could spend 20 bucks on replacement razors) so that base was covered. What Tim should have pointed out, and what I am delivering to you all listening free of charge, is that gravity forces the shaving cream into your eyes and that burns a bit. Trying to get a smooth skull can be seriously compromised by a lack of sight. So make a note.

I like it though - the smoothness, not the retinal burning. You've never felt that sensation in that area. It may look weird (Cher actually used the word snake), but you've got to try it at least once. Don't let what people think keep you from an entertaining life full of potency.

Oh Crap

2007-06-04T15:16:00.001-07:00

Oh Crap, originally uploaded by tuckerhibbs.

This is the best picture of my son Tate thus far in our never ending digital picture rampage. It embodies all my fear of being caught doing... something. Thus my title: Oh Crap.

Mumbai

2007-05-31T14:41:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say hey to whoever you are in Mumbai that visited Tuckerhibbs.com. There's big "Hoo-Raa" from inside me that Tuckerhibbs.com gets hit worldwide. I know it's no big deal, but to you in Mumbai, India, you rock for visiting my page for 37 seconds and clicking 2 times!! (google analytics is awesome) In the slight case that it was some of my YWAMer compadres, miss ya' and love ya!

Attitude...

2007-05-31T14:37:00.001-07:00

Attitude..., originally uploaded by tuckerhibbs.

This is my two-year old. She is independent and often looks at me like I'm the inexperienced one. She is Rory.

I see God

2007-05-25T06:06:00.000-07:00

I see God...

...In the lyrics of th Dixie Chicks song "Easy Silence" that mimics the way God moves sometimes in my life:
And I come to find a refuge in the Easy silence that you make for me It's okay when there's nothing more to say to me And the peaceful quiet you create for me And the way you keep the world at bay for me The way you keep the world at bay

...In the Father who struggles with the fear of not finding work, but smiles at the chance to spend more time with his kids

...In the music of the Cranberries that match my mood

...In the search for a house to call our own and in the specifics he's put on our hearts so we can be "picky" but patiently confident

...In the way my daughter loves her new "big girl" underwear (curious george style)

...In the timing of life - nothing is without his touch and happens precisely when He means it to

...In the way Tate smiles so easy at everyone

I'm looking for God more and finding Him.

28 years later

2007-05-21T05:18:00.000-07:00

Today's my 28th birthday and I had this really cool thought that made getting a little older a little more exciting. See, I have this gorgeous, thoughtful, and wildly intelligent wife and I can't wait until I've spent more time together with her than I have without her. I spent 21 years without her. I'm really looking forward to my 42nd birthday.

Branding

2007-05-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

In my last post I talked about terminology and I got some personal clarification on that today. I was listening to a podcast called "Practically Speaking" - it's an interview from North Point Church in Georgia (Andy Stanley's the head pastor) and in part 3 they're talking about focus. Here's the idea: by creating a brand for your ministry, whether that be students or Sunday service, you create an idea in the minds of people. That idea is who you are when people think of you. It's your brand. Look at the picture above. It's universal for the same product. Just that picture brings to mind for me a very specific taste. I like Coke, but on a really hot, sweaty day, no thanks. Coke has planted itself in my mind.

Focus. If we can define who we are - focus on what God's made us to be - life would be very different. I'm talking hot day here and hot day in Sacramento different. We'd admit that we aren't good at everything, but a lot of churches try to be good at everything. Let's face it, more happy people means financial stability. Focusing means saying no. I'm learning this on a personal level. If I can focus on what I'm good at and say no to what I'm not, my schedule would be liberated, my mind would be less cluttered. Think about it: what if you had two things to worry about - be a creative friend, and don't be lazy at work. That's it. How freeing would that be. And think about it this way... what if we all focused on the SAME things when it came to a church. I'm not talking global church, I'm talking right here. What if all our gifts, radical, different, and passionate, were all trying to accomplish the same thing?

At Carpenter's, we're focusing on 4 things. That's it. And we're going to do them excellently. "Excellently" meaning that people are going to come to Jesus because of them. Come this Sunday and hear what they are.

A little deeper

2007-05-13T04:04:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday we baptized six students at Ignite. Baptism always brings me to tears (that doesn't make me weak, it makes me alive). We called that nights "Plunge" and talked about fear - fear driving our decision rather than God. I was again impressed by one of our V-Staff that shared after the baptism on the benefit of small groups. God has a way of tying the theme of Ignite together from start to finish even when I have put my thoughts elsewhere. I had asked this V-Staff to share for a few minutes because we received an encouraging email from her earlier in the week about her Jr. High girls SG and how the students were tying in the message from Sunday into their lesson in their SG. She talked about going deep and most of the time when she had heard people talk about "going deeper" they meant something mystical. Oh, we'd never step up to that word, but think about it. Many times "deeper" means a feeling of inferiority - of feeling small next to a great... well, it should be "God" there, but I think it's more times than not, "Preacher".

I have been truly challenged lately in the area of going deeper. Really, what we're talking about is discipleship, and it never comes to our mind that that burden lies on us. We hurl it on the leaders of our church to make us feel as though we are part of something so big that we just don't even get it. We make it about feelings, as we usually do, and thus we have a severely lame faith, only focusing on ourselves and that feeling. The challenge that I've been feeling is not only a personal one, but one of public responsibility.

First, it's our fault. Not feeling deep in your faith? Then you're not plugging into The Source (how's that for mystical). Milk to meat right? Let's (myself included) grow up and stop blaming God and His authority figures for our own laziness. The offspring of this mindset of "feed me 'til I'm full" is an attitude that is not fully devoted. An attitude that says to God "I'll be here Sunday and act pretty smart and religious, but as for the rest of my life you can kiss my rear!" Ok - totally stole that from Perry. Check him our at perrynoble.com.

Second, we need to stop pretending like we have our own separate culture that you need to be part of. We need to talk like regular people. I know this is a bit anal, but I've been censoring my language and removing words we only use in church. Why talk different in church especially if we're attempting to reach people that, for the most part, hate it? I've been asking myself, "If i wasn't a church goer, would I know what you're talking about?" I heard a Gospel presentation at a wedding recently and asked that question. I had to shamefully admit that it was so unclear that it was like a football play from a different team and I would've been left smeared by the opponent.

I don't use "big church words" anymore. I don't use "youth" - it's condescending. I don't use phrases like "washed in the blood". Don't get me wrong, I know and love the concepts, but we can put a little more effort in and say it in plain language. I also use The Message as my primary Bible (oh here come the emails). That's right - the primary Bible I use is The Message Remix 2.0. Here's why: If Jesus were on earth today, I believe that's how He would communicate with us. On top of that, it helps me break those cultural lines that we've created.

That's going deeper.

Streptococcus

2007-04-16T06:44:00.000-07:00

I like swallowing. It's something that over the past 27 years, honestly, I've taken for granted. Thanks to a new development though, I won't be doing that anymore. Streptococcus. It's in my throat. I've been ordered to take a sick day and thus the spare time to blog. It's been short (the spare time) and trying to keep priorities in order, if something has to go, blogging isn't a necessity. But thanks to Strep throat... .

So just to see who is still reading, I'd like some suggestions. I want a new tattoo (apparently my other one isn't real) and I can't up with a design. The title of the blog is "Forward" because we are never fully at maturity - there's always a next step. We must keep moving and if it's not forwards, it's backwards. I want it on my left inner fore arm. How can I show "forward"? An arrow is lame. Just the word isn't enough. Any thoughts? I'll post your suggestions. I'm hoping Trevorr reads this and designs something for me :-0. I'll also post any designs you send in and let you all know when I get it done.

Haircuts

2007-04-03T07:07:00.001-07:00

100_1660, originally uploaded by tuckerhibbs.

Rory and I got haircuts this weekend. She was rockin' the mullet but we thought if she really knew what that was she'd be quite upset. Then she pressured me to cut mine too.

Musical God Combos

2007-03-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

Ok so I believe that I may have scared away any of you that may comment on this Blog. It wasn't on purpose (OK for some of you it was - happy to see you go). But I want to ignite some discussion here and post some of your comments.

On the way to Chesapeake last summer we had a 7 hour van ride (it was a bit warm seeing that the van came from Lucifer himself) but along the way we began a "top Ten Bands of All Time" discussion. I'd like to spin off of that and hear what you think on a similar topic. The best Musical God Combo. What do you think would be the best, most glorious, awe-inspiring, go-out-and-learn-guitar combination of 2. Now keep it to 2. It could be bands or individuals, dead or alive, Christian realm or secular. And we'll keep this going for a while. Throw in a few ideas. And whoever you are in Texas that keeps checking out this site, Welcome! I love Texas. LOVE!! Hope you come back!

Here's my first toss-in: I want to see John Mayer and U2 do something together. I'm a huge John Mayer fan and U2, I believe, has transformed the face of music today.