Journey to Jax: Hotlanta Edition
Flight 1: CAK to ATL, done
I love leaving from Akron. Although, I think that it was the busiest I had seen it today (and that was at 5.30am). Oh well, things still went smooth and I got on ok. In listening into others conversations (part of my people watching technique), I found out that the flight was half full of cruise-goers that got bumped from Cleveland. Apparently it was a much better deal and full of drama. Kinda fun for so early in the morning.
For info on the flight, check out my post on Francis Chan…
Not included in the Francis Chan thoughts is the fact that I got to see the sun rise over the horizon. How awesome was that. Probably would have been even better if I hadn’t stayed up all night and my body caught on, but… oh well, can’t win them all.
I’ve been in the ATL airport for almost an hour now. I got off of my plane and took off for the gate for Jax. Well, not my gate, but the gate of the flight that I thought Rob would be at. Talking to him last night, we were supposed to be in the airport at the same time. However, despite my running, I didn’t see him. Either I was unclear on what flight he was on or he ran in and on the plane after I had given up and went to Starbucks (horribly placed at the END of the terminal). I decided to hang out at my gate for the rest of the time. Now armed with my overpriced, but absolutely worth it mocha, I’m almost ready to go for the day, or at least the next part of it.
On my way back from Starbucks, I was able to take some pictures (only with my phone). I found the Samuel Adams Brewery that I ate at on a trip with Cedarville (yes, ironic). I have flown through ATL several times and love the airport. I feel like I can navigate it pretty well too. Kinda fun to see places I have been to.
I also found the sun. (It’s the bright black spot.) I also got one of me in the concourse (smiling because you can see the sun, and it’s warm). I also passed up a Chik-Fil-A. To say I love eating Chick-Fil-A is an understatement, but at 10.00am I’m not sure what that would do to my system. I’m sure I’ll have more chances throughout the week. Jax is not too far from the GA border. If not, I’ll definitely hit it up on the way back for a sandwich and a big sweet tea.
That’s all for now. Boarding is about to begin for the flight into Jax. Please continue to pray for both my paper and more importantly Access’ opening!!
Passion 07 Revisited: Part 1
I downloaded the Passion live “LPs” with a couple songs and then a talk from Passion 07. I figured I loved all of the main sessions and still had some unpacking to do of the content, so why not buy them so I can listen to them again? I also figured that since each package was about the length of my flights today, it would be a great time to listen through.
Anyway… I listened to Francis Chan. A great speaker (somewhat little known) originally from Hong Kong, now pastoring a church in California. His message was just as good if not better the second time around. Just the chance to listen to his passion and struggles was amazing. He discussed how he fought through the struggle of wondering if he really wanted to know God’s will. He was studying to preach a sermon in Colossians and struggled with whether his people really wanted to know God’s will and even more if he wanted to know God’s will. It caused him to take a couple month hiatus from his church (he eventually returned).
What struck me was how willing am I to totally let God in. I know so often we hear messages on this subject, but never has it stuck me like this. I think the biggest piece to hit me was when he talked about the church in Laodecia. He said something along the lines of: I wonder if I would have been able to break the mediocre mold that had been set out there.
What a thought. My heart right now yearns to know what God has for me in my life. However, is this only because I’m nearing a crossroads of uncertainty? Or is it because I truly want to know. I know that I have plans that I would like to see carried out, but have no idea if that is what God wants for me.
Another conviction from this is how to reconcile the problem. I need to get back to God’s Word. I have never had a time in my life that I have been consistent in making time for God. I know that this needs to be there, but for some reason cannot seem to connect that to the rest of me. I guess right now I just need to do this more out of “duty” and just fall before God and seek him. I know this doesn’t get talked about much, but it’s out there now.
let em know if you have any other thoughts on this.
Reflections Introduced
Let me start by saying that things in this category (God Reflections) will probably be a bit longer than most posts. They will come from either reflecting on talks I have heard or things I have read. I encourage you to read through the long-ness and comment on what you think. A great way to grow!
Please pray…
Here’s the skinny… I have two things that desparately need prayer for this week.
Thing 1:
In just a few short hours, I jump on a plane to head to Jacksonville, FL (Jax from here out). (insert groans/grumblings here)… I know that it sounds wonderful, but the reason why is so much better than the different in weather between Jax and Akron. Let me tell you the short story and you can read the longer version here if you’d like:
Nearly nine months ago, my boss at the time gave up his position at The Chapel to partner with North Point Community Church (NPCC, it’s late) in Alpharetta, GA. The partnership meant that he’d launch a new church in Jax using many ideas and even some monies from NPCC. Well, after spending some training time and hiring two other staff guys (one of which is a life long friend), and finding volunteers and everything else to start a church, the day has finally arrived for Access to open. Today (Monday) they are having a rehearsal for their first service. This will be the first time that everything gets put together - they’re a portable church meaning they only rent space and must therefore setup/tear down for every gathering time. That’s where I come in. I get to go help and be there to critique, advise, help in any way I’m needed, etc. for the night. That’s part one of thing one. Pray that all will go well and that everything works by the end of the night.
Part two, please pray for the families that have committed themselves to Access already and for the people in Jax that have caught wind of this church. Sunday March 4, is the grand opening day. Pray that this will go very smooth and that the doors will be open to the people in Jax. I’ve learned a ton about NPCC over the last year and they know what’s going on in church life. Pray that this will all go well. Please.
OK, Thing 2
I’m staying in Jax until March 6 so that I can write my paper. Please pray for that. I’m writing the majority of my final master’s paper. It has to be at least 25 pages in length. My research so far has been rushed, so I’ve still got quite a bit of that to get through as well. I’ll tell you what it’s on later. (Keep you wanting more so you’ll come back)
That’s it (so easy to say, hard to accomplish)! Only those 2 small little things. Seriously though, please keep these in your prayers this week. I’ll update as the week goes on and you can probably check the Access blog (linked above) for more details throughout the week. God is awesome. I know He will do great things.
Next time I write, it’s from Jax!
How Great Is Our God
I had the opportunity to travel with our technical and worship teams tonight to a concert in Cleveland. As you might have guessed, it was the “How Great Is Our God” Tour with Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and Louie Giglio.
What an amazing night! The night began with worship from Tomlin/Redman which was great. I am not a huge fan of either, but got a much better appreciation for both at Passion 07. Either way, both built up to Louie giving a continuation of his Indescribable talk from last year’s tour, or North Point (not sure how long that link will be there). His talk was absolutely fantastic.
Of course, my opinion is probably very skewed due to my near non-sexual infatuation of Louie, but either way, it was a great talk. Tomlin came back out and lead worship in a couple more songs. Louie came up and stated that they would take a break and be back shortly.
I was stunned. I could have been done right then and there. Worship was great. Louie brought it for sure. Could have gone home competely content and satisfied. However, there was a whole additional hour of worship left. And in the light of what Louie has said, everything just seemed to click. It left me speechless and just simply in utter awe and amazement.
It’ll still take a bit to unpack what Louie said, but wow. How Great Is Our God.
