To Gainesville we shall go!

Well, unless I am reading everything completely wrong, Brandie and I really feel like God is leading is to Gainesville, GA. We made phone calls today and have decided to go for it!

This is a pretty scary step, maybe the scariest step we have made in this nighttime hike. I mean, coming to seminary was big, but we always knew that it was for a finite time: 3 years and we would be gone. Now, we are making a step that really could plant us somewhere for the rest of our lives. Unless the path turns again, the boys will end up going to high school in Gainesville, maybe even finding their future wives there! This is big stuff...

So, the adventure is focusing, but it really has only begun. We have a LOT of hiking left to do. Good thing I have plenty of batteries for my head lamp.

How did my little Luke grow up?

Luke is starting preschool tomorrow. He is in the Lion Room and his teacher's name is Mrs. Debbie. I can't believe that my little Luke is old enough to go to school.

Tonight he was riding his bike. We had bent the training wheels up so they couldn't touch the ground, and he was doing incredible. In the next two weeks, I bet those training wheels will be off. I can't believe that my little Luke is old enough to ride a bike without training wheels.

He went to his Sunday school class by today at church, and Sam and Jack weren't even with him! This is an amazing feat for him. When did he grow up?

As he was going to bed he announced to us, "I not show my private parts at school tomorrow, 'cause I get in trouble."

Glad he was clear on that one before school started. He really is growing up...

Are some churches trying to be too cool?

Interesting article here about churches that are trying too hard to be hip and cool. I really have to agree with the author of this article. In an attempt to be reach culture, churches are desperately trying to imitate everything around them and it just comes across as, well... fake.

As someone who has worked in youth ministry for a LOOOOONG time, I first noticed this trend here. Youth ministries and youth pastors that try too hard just end up being cheesy and shallow. I think that this is why Young Life has been such a successful ministry. Young Life has always insisted that their ministry is relational. It is not based on glitz, glam, leaders having gelled hair and skinny jeans, or being cutting edge. I mean, I am pretty sure that Free Fallin' was sang at least once at every Young Life camp this year, and that song is far from cutting edge...its 21 years old. No, YL is simply adults (being themselves) sharing the love of the Gospel of Christ with teenagers.

Simple formula huh? Make a friend and share Jesus with them. The Holy Spirit doesn't need for us to make worship into a fancy light show with shocking and "cutting edge" sermon titles for Him to work. What He wants are hearts that genuinely love others and are willing to share their very lives them.

Can you imagine a church like that? I can.