Deep Fry

So last night...I'm playin' some ' Communist Church ' with LEGACYouth at our summer lock[in] event when one of our students notices this guy laying flat outside the main entrance. At first, I'm thinkin' maybe we should let him be, but after a group huddle, it becomes clear we need to reach out instead. Given we had ~30 youth downstairs, I decide to split them up into three groups: the bigger group would remain downstairs in the Youth Room, another would be upstairs in the main lobby praying/on standby, and the smallest group (four of my youth leaders) would join me in going out to talk/share some pizza with the man. Upon approaching him, we note a portable radio plugged into an outdoor outlet blastin' some bluegrass, some beer, and some cigarettes. As for the guy himself...let's just say he was high as a kite and super inebriated...his first words upon seeing us: " Lord, thank you that you have sent your angels ." Now, ...

So last month, I had the privilege of co-leading a team of LEGACYouth down to YWAM Pachuca and Real del Monte on our #LoveMexico missions trip (i.e. the third stage of #oneepicsummer ). Like #LoveAkron , the experience was a huge hit, granted in this case, we had a larger team returning for its sophomore campaign. However, after reconvening with the youth during Facedown last week, we couldn’t help but wonder, ‘ what now?’ After all, having taken an aerial view of the past two months, no question we’ve ‘leveled up’. We’re more tightly bonded, we’ve stepped further outside our comfort zone, we’ve ministered life to the broken, we’ve led people to Jesus…I could go on. But as I mentioned last month , I’m not one to tempt any spirit of false accomplishment. ‘Cause truth is : what credit can we possibly claim? I mean….whatever good we do, we do it for Jesus…because of Jesus, right? Thus, what better way to start walking this talk than with a #LoveMexico reflection post featuring ...

Takeaways from Rob Bell's NOOMA 001 Originally written: 9.22.09 (pre 'Love Wins'); updated 7.12.16   The BIG Question : Why does an all-loving God allow pain, suffering, and tribulation to exist in the world? Why does God let bad things happen to us...even for those who are committed in their walk with the Lord?   Answer : Because God loves . He's not only loving...He is love...unconditionally...every second, every day.   With that said, it's important we recognize God's love not only in light and calm, but also in dark and storm. 'Cause  truth is : while it's easy to associate God's love to smooth sailing, sunny days, and the greeting of ocean sounds resonating with a noon snooze, we can't forget... a ) ...we live in a fallen world where people are more passionate about the consequences of sin compared to their tolerance and/or ignorance of it...and... b ) ...God is a God of grace who uses our brokenness...

So last week, I took a team of LEGACYouth up to Akron, Ohio on our #LoveAkron tour (i.e. the second stage of #oneepicsummer ). No question, the experience was a smashing success, especially considering we were blazing a new trail in our ministry. However, after reconvening with the team last night during our weekly discipleship gathering, it became clear we needed illumination on how to live out and sustain acquired momentum. After all, sometimes it can be far too easy settling into counterfeit contentment in the aftermath of a 'spiritual high', freezing what God wants to do in the satisfaction of what He has already done.  For me, I just can’t bear or dare to go there 1 . So instead, as an act of consecrated processing, I present you a reflection post outlining my top three ‘Love Akron Tour’ takeaways… 1. We knew why we were there before we got there Two days before tour kickoff, I felt the Lord tell me, “ Don’t go up to put on a show, but open the door for me to...

Intro : In recent months, we've talked a great deal about storytelling (specifically discipling through storying). Today, we want to continue in the same vein discussing what a testimony is and how to ultimately apply in our daily lives... Preview: Today's Word is brought to you by...   1) One of our favorite verses: " And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts ." ~ 2 Corinthians 3:3 \   2) Where God is leading us as a group this summer... TESTIMONY A proclamation of God as Lord and Savior (7 words) The legal proof of God's trustworthiness (6 words) A visible reminder of God's supremacy (6 words) God's story in your story (5 words) A revelation of God (4 words) Who God is (3 words) God did (2 words) Jesus (1 word) *love* (no words)   TYPES OF TESTIMONY  ...

So there I was…Monday morning, 8:30 am…snaking my way through the chaotic labyrinth that is BNA security…when I suddenly heard a still, small voice gently whisper… ‘Listen first, speak second.’ At first, I wasn’t sure what to think. ‘ Are you talking about One Voice? ’ I replied. ‘Yes.’ ‘ Ahhh, well then, okay, God... ’ Granted, I had no idea how hard this would be at the time, but considering… a ) I knew God was up to something and... b ) ...I wanted to be ready.. … I figured sparking my expectancy with an unhesitant ‘ Yes ’ made perfect sense. Well, as it turned out, such a response would not only align my focus in the moment, but also prep my heart for one of the most memorable 1 summits in Messenger's tenure. But before I continue…for those who couldn’t attend…while I’m still in a posture of processing, what I can say is God not only unified hearts through encounter, but also strengthened them through a stronger, more intimate understan...

As 2015 comes to a close, Lyssah & I sit down and reflect on the year that was... When you think back on 2015, what immediately comes to mind? CF : Honestly, I’d have to say the view from our Amicalola Falls State Park lodge luncheon (see 1:22 in our 'Year in Review' video below). The way I see it...that breathtaking visual really captures our journey through 2015. 'Cause though there were many ups and downs and plenty of action going on...there was still much to behold. LF: I agree. There was l ots of BIG change. 2015 has really felt like a runway preparing us for a new season we can't even begin to fathom. What were some of the highlights/defining moments? CF: Without question, the highlight of the year for me was the pregnancy reveal at Logan’s. I mean…you can’t top that. As far as “runner ups” go, I’d say the Dave Ramsey Christmas party , our icy February  adventures, the Messenger Fellowship ordination cere mony, the day we found Selah, our gender...