There’s a line in Evan Almighty when Morgan Freeman says something like, “when you pray for patience, do you think God will give you patience or give you the opportunity to be patient; when you pray for courage, do you think God gives you courage or the opportunity to be courageous?” 

I try to limit the theology that I glean from movies, but this is something that’s proven true in my life.  Every time I pray for some quality/trait/characteristic (and a lot of times when I don’t), it seems that God places me in a situation that stretches me and requires just that thing I’ve been praying for.

Sunday I mentioned in passing while I was teaching that I shave my head because I have a good looking head and don’t mind showing it off…  About 2 minutes after the service ended and I was heading for the cafe a teenager came up to me (his first time attending) and said, “You know how you said what you did about your head? It’s really not that good-looking.  In fact, it reminds me of an egg.”  And he walked away.

Thank you God for answering another prayer for humility.  And also thank you Hank for making me self-conscious about my “egg-shaped” head every time I look in the mirror.  At least I’m more aerodynamic than all of you….

Yesterday we had our second week of our “Building Blocks” series.  I’ll have to post some photos (maybe after next week) of the stage layout.  It’s not hugely elaborate, but it is big for us. 

More than that, I really feel like the messages are connecting with some folks.  The idea of this series is that our lives are like an ongoing building project.  We’re preaching through 2 Peter 1:3-9 and talking about the building blocks to a productive and effective life.  I’ve known a lot of churches in my life where we “got people saved” and just left them there.  In time that leads to an unproductive and ineffective church. 

We don’t want to be that kind of church.  We want to make disciples of Jesus that make disciples of Jesus.

Incidently, the numbers were back up a little (37 total) and the vibe in the place was good.  We’ve got to find some local musicians to be a part of what’s happening at ICC.  This was the second week in a row without a drummer and there’s a noticeable difference in the atmosphere without that driving rhythm.  Pray with us about this and – better yet – if you’re a good drummer in the North Hills (or willing to drive) and want to be a part of something bigger than yourself, let me know…

Here’s the audio of Sunday’s message: http://www.ironcitychurch.com/messages/2007_03-BuildingBlocks/102807_BB02.mp3

General message downloads page: http://www.ironcitychurch.com/downloads.html

Ever have one of those weeks where it’s Sunday, then you sneeze and look up again and it’s Thursday.  Yep.  I’m reading a book called “Getting Things Done,” but I can’t seem to make much progress reading because I’m busy thinking of all the other things I need to be getting done….

Story of my life…

I’m torn (like an old sweater).

Torn because I want to be happy — LSU won on a last second (literally) touchdown pass over Auburn last night.

But I can’t help but be a little unhappy — the Steelers lost on a last second (literally) field goal to the Broncos tonight.

Man, we had an awesome morning at Iron City today.  Our folks did a great job serving, the music was smooth, and I felt like the message went well.  The only downside was that half of our people decided to take the day off.  I’m calling it “Ouch Sunday.”  I’m not sure if it was the gorgeous fall weather or what, but to say that we were a little slim today would be a huge understatement.  We had a total of 27 in attendance this week.  That’s a low point for us so far, but we still had 3 first timers and they seemed excited.  We’re going to have to spend some serious energy this week working and praying to make more new contacts and follow up with the people that have been coming. 

We started a new series called “Building Blocks” this week, from 2 Peter 1:5-9.  I talked today about laying a foundation of faith – how any good building project has to begin with a solid foundation.  The message download is here.  I’ve been in a funk the last couple of weeks with my preaching, but I felt much better (more like myself) today. 

The hard thing about a week like this one when attendance is down is that there is no clear reason for it.  I’ll be spending a bunch of time praying and trying to diagnose what’s happening.  All in all, it was still a great day though!

I got to spend a few hours yesterday with some church planters and pastors from Morgantown, WV, Washington, PA, and Mercer, PA.  What a great group of guys.  It’s amazing how many good connections can be made if we focus on our calling to expand God’s Kingdom.  That’s what I loved about the meeting – just a bunch of real men who are trying to follow Jesus sharing stories, insights, laughs and food.

Then today I got the chance to spend lunch time with Chris Marshall from New Life Christian Ministries in Butler County.  Again, he’s just another one of us who has been called to share the love of Jesus Christ and His Gospel with people who are disconnected from God.  It’s exciting what’s happening all over this region of the country.  It seems God is up to something.

My biggest prayer since giving in to God’s call to be a church leader has been and continues to be that I would be able to play some tiny part in a MOVE OF GOD that changes lives and is beyond ANY OTHER EXPLANATION.  I believe He is able to do more than we ask or imagine . . .

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.                         Ephesians 3:20-21

Today was a full day, but a very good day!  This week is looking busy already.

Tomorrow is a study day and I’ve got a couple of other tasks to take care of.  Then date night tomorrow night.

Tuesday I’m meeting with a group of church planters for the first time.  I feel like I’m kinda jumping into their thing, but they invited me.  I know Aaron and have met Jason and Russell through the blogosphere.  I love talking shop with other church planters!

Wednesday is my other study day and I’ll be trying to get ahead on sermon prep.  I’ve also got a pastors’ lunch meeting with a bunch of local pastors.  That’s always a good time.

Thursday I’m sharing with another group of church planters about “Raising Your Church’s Awareness in the Community” at our Church Planter Network at Inner City Tabernacle of Faith (Address: 5643 E. Liberty Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15206).  That’s from 10 AM to about 1 PM.  If you’re interested, come on out.

Friday is the day off and I’ll probably have to work on a web design job.  I’m hoping to be feeling better by then.

Saturday will be putting finishing touches on stuff for Sunday and hopefully catching some college football, then it’s Sunday again – starting a brand spanking new series: “Building Blocks”

In the midst of all this stuff I’ve got a few other meetings to squeeze in and some time to spend out in the community.  Should be a good week!  Can’t wait to see what God’s got in store….

We wrapped up “Thank God It’s Monday” today.  Here are some thoughts:

• I’m sick of being sick, but I’m loving this cool weather
• With a lot of the stuff going on lately, it feels like there’s a lot of spiritual warfare going on.  I’ve got to be sure to spend some serious extra time with God this week
• I felt like I was speaking underwater this morning, but it still seemed to connect with people
• I love teaching about God’s mission for His people like I did today – challenging people to let God use them to change lives
• It’s amazing at this stage how much of a difference it makes when 2 or 3 families are out
• We were a little shorthanded in just about all areas today, but I’m constantly amazed at how our people step up to the plate
• Our new series, called “Building Blocks,” kicks off next Sunday – that should be fun
• Talked to a guy tonight from Georgia who was interested in possibly coming up and being a part of ICC.  I encouraged him to talk and pray with his wife about it
• Amber, TJ, and I got to spend some time and eat dinner with a newer family from the church this evening.  We had a great time.  Got to get to know each other, cast some vision, and – my favorite – eat some great steaks together
• TJ is a little animal sometimes.  I love this kid so much I can’t believe it
• We had 48 people at ICC this morning.  Same number as last week, but a very different crowd.  I love church planting
• Can’t wait for date night with Amber tomorrow night!  We didn’t have an official date night last week with everything going on
• I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life but starting this church.  Thank you God for letting me be a part of what You’re doing!

I used to love that segment of SNL – Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey…  A tribute: my random thoughts on this Saturday night:

• I’m stoked about tomorrow at ICC – finishing up our Thank God It’s Monday series with a message called “Seasoned and Lit”
• I am beginning to endure enjoy the total unknown feeling of who’s gonna show up this week at Iron City
• My nose, chest, and sinuses have been stopped up pretty bad for a couple of days now and I’m just about ready to breathe again — praying for God to work in spite of me in the AM
• My sister has been in town since Wednesday night.  She’s the worship leader at her church and she attended a conference here locally Thursday and Friday.  It’s always fun to have her around, even though I feel like we have hardly seen each other this week
• Please excuse my heartbreak for the next few days: my LSU TIGERS just lost in three overtimes to the Kentucky Wildcats . . . .
• I had some really good meetings this week with a lot of different folks.  I love how God takes my “ordinary” encounters and turns them into divine appointments
• Got to hear Jim Cymbala (from the Brooklyn Tabernacle) in a pastors’ luncheon this week at Heinz Field (where the Steelers play).  It was good stuff
• My wife is not feeling well either and TJ (14 months old now) has been in a whiny stage this week.  Praying that we’ll all wake up in a different zone tomorrow
• I am pumped about what God is doing at ICC and I’m stoked about what’s coming for the rest of the fall and winter.  What a fun ride!

It has been a busy week trying to get back in the swing of things after Catalyst.  Plus, the weather has been utterly ridiculous around here.  The high one day was about 80 and then a day or two later we’re hitting the high 30’s at night.  Needless to say, my allergies and sinuses are beating the mess out of me. 

It has been nice to have a little cool weather though.  I believe they call this “fall” or “autumn”?  Whatever you call it, it was pretty much a myth in south Georgia.  Fall weather – yet another reason why I’m loving Pittsburgh!