Bottle Rockets

What preaching from the main stage preached to me

Most people go to church hoping to learn about God and His word, but few people get to experience God and His word from the other side of the stage. This weekend I was awarded the wonderful opportunity of preaching in the main service. I'm very grateful for the experience and I thought I'd give you a few of the things that God taught me in the process.

1. It's humbling. There is something very humbling that happens when a room full of people that are older than you, with more experience and wisdom look to you to learn something about God's word. I'm sure there were many people in the crowd that have far more to say than I did this weekend, but I was truly humbled that they would give me a chance to share what God is teaching me.

2. It's exhausting. Speaking takes it out of you. I get to speak every week and Sunday afternoons are usually reserved for crashing on the couch. Speaking on Thursday and twice on Sunday's takes it to a whole new level. It gives me a whole new respect for guys teaching multiple times a week and especially multiple times a day.

3. I love to preach. It sounds weird coming from the former teenager that worked in the tech booth. I always pictured myself as a behind the scenes guy, so I know it's totally a God thing that He has led me down this road to speaking in front of people. I love studying His word and relaying that to other people. It's my favorite part of my job.

4. It's a huge responsibility. The weight is enormous. Preachers aren't talking to fill the pews and grow the church. They speak truth from God in order to transform someone's life. God's plan for our lives isn't just right, it's what's best for us. It's the path to living a truly amazing, joy-filled, meaningful life. They truly want the best for people and knowing that their words are a bridge to that life, wow. That's huge.

5. I'm very thankful. I'm thankful for a church and leadership that believes in me. For a Senior Pastor that was willing to invest in me. For elders that would give me such an amazing opportunity. For a congregation that would welcome me so kindly.

It was a great experience. I learned a lot and I'm looking forward to doing it again. To top off the experience my parents, grandparents and sister and brother-in-law were all able to come up and watch me. It was a great suprise!

If you missed it and want to listen you can click this link!

Facebook thoughts for Parents

Hey Moms and Dads,

Keeping up with every changing technology is a challenge parents of the past simply didn't need to worry about. Bob Dylan told us the times they are a changing and he wasn't joking.

I know you all know what Facebook is, but here are a few things you might want to think about.

1. Security is more than privacy settings.
As minors I highly recommend that they set their privacy settings strictly so only their friends have access to their wall, photos and information, but there's a bigger issue I'm concerned about.

Status Updates. Here is a status update I see A LOT, "Home alone." "No ones home and I'm bored." "Parents are gone and there's nothing to eat." All of these seem harmless, but broadcasting you are home alone isn't the wisest move. Addresses are only a google search away. Talk to you students about what information they let out onto the web, even info that seems harmless.

2. Students need parents online.
My parents were everywhere growing up. Mom was at school volunteering with the PTA, Dad was at our ball games coaching and both of them where at Church as youth leaders. I couldn't go anywhere without them and now that I'm an adult I'm thankful for it. I needed them there. There to watch out for me, there to correct me, and there to keep an eye on things.

The internet is the same way. Your kids NEED you there. Sure they'll whine and complain about it, but they need to know you're there. They need you encourage them when they post encouragement to others. They need your correction when they lose their cool and post something they shouldn't. And they need you to watch out for people that might not have their best interest in mind.

3. Talk about it.
Facebook can be a great in for you as a parent. Talk about their pictures, what people are saying and what your child thinks about the conversations and status updates in front of them. My parents always used my friends as case studies on what to do and what not to do. You've literally got an endless supply of examples in front of you. Use them!

If you've got any tips, tricks or advice about social media please post it in the comments. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

We actually let the music guy speak!

This week our worship leader, Micah Beckwith took the stage to talk about a character in the Bible who he can really relate with, fellow worhsip leader, David. As we attempted to get "Real" with David, Micah talked about how David's contentment with being a shepherd helped prepare him to be a king.

Micah did an awesome job. This guy never ceases to amaze me. The best part was really hearing his heart. After going from life in a band to cutting grass on a golf course Micah has truly learned that the only thing that matters in life is worshiping God, despite the circumstances. It was a great talk that really resonated with students, manly because it was a biblical truth that's been lived out by the speaker. That's a perfect combination and it made it a great morning!