God has really been showing me some things in the last few weeks.  I feel like my spiritual life gets so stale from time to time that I need Him to show up and shake me up.  That’s been going on in a big way lately.  I know this is sort of general and ambiguous, but I’ll try to get back to this soon and elaborate a little bit. 

I just thank God that He’s never far away when I’m going through a time like I am coming out of . . . That He’s always there when I come to my senses and focus on Him.

The Catalytic one and I are cruising down the highway, headed for Reston, VA, this afternoon.

We’ll be attending The Whiteboard Sessions tomorrow. My friend Ben Arment and the gang have put together a conference experience that is bound to be like nothing I’ve seen in the church world.

Ben has asked 8 of the most influential leaders in the church today to each come and share what’s on their heart for 30 minutes apiece. What a concept!

What is most exciting to me is that the speakers weren’t selected because they all think alike, speak alike, dress alike, or agree about everything.

On the contrary, from the looks of it some of these guys may only agree about one thing – the most important thing – that Jesus Christ and His Bride (the Church) are the hope of the world!

Can’t wait to see what God has in store…

We had another pretty good morning at ICC today.  Our numbers have been down for a few weeks, and today was no exception.  However, the folks that were present were fired up, the band was rocking, and we even had a couple of first time guests. 

I am enjoying our current series, “No Ordinary Joe,” learning lessons from the life of Joseph.  Today I pointed out a few lessons that we can learn from Joe about dealing with disappointment.  I hope it was as helpful for the other people there today as it has been for me getting ready to preach it. 

We all have to deal with disappointment from time to time, but most of us suck at handling it well.  We learn from the life of Joseph that, just because we’re going through a disappointing situation, it doesn’t mean that God isn’t at work in our lives.  You can listen to today’s message by downloading it here.

Just landed back in good old Pittsburgh. I love flying home at night – we passed right over downtown. Seeing the 3 rivers, Mt. Washington, the skyline, and all of the houselights from above gives me a fresh perspective and a renewed appreciation for the area.

I started a new coaching network with Nelson Searcy in New York City today. It isn’t cheap or easy to get away and get there once a month, but it’s much like the flight in tonight. As a leader, I have to be intentional about making time to look at Iron City Church from a fresh and different perspective.

Thank you God for giving me the opportunity to push away, learn from and with like-minded church leaders, and ultimately to try to see ICC the way You see her – as a force in your hands to redeem people’s lives through Christ for eternity. Help me to lead her to fulfill Your dreams for her.

I don’t get freaked out by birthdays or the fear of growing old, but it is a daunting thought to think that as of today I have been taking up space on this earth for 3 decades. 

Today is my 30th birthday. 

I was born toward the end of the 8-track era, even had a record player in the house as a youngster, grew up during cassette tapes and the introduction of CD’s and DVD’s, and have evidently outlived them all as I’m an .mp3 guy now.  Wonder what’s next?

If I’m honest, there are some ways in which my life is not everything I thought it might be by age 30 … it is SO MUCH MORE. 

I have been redeemed by Jesus and get to live my life to bring Him glory and to further His Kingdom.

I have a godly and gorgeous wife that I get to share my life with.

And I have a son who makes my life more fun than I could have ever imagined.

Thank you God for 30 years (so far) — I can’t wait to see what the next 30 have in store!