03/27/2007 UPDATE

We arrived back in Omaha last night at midnight or so. We had a good time in Seattle. There were some rather difficult, trying, challenging, etc. moments, but overall it was good. J and I spent a few days there after the conference was over to see the city and have some time on our own. L was sick the first three days we were gone, but eventually mom and dad had two days without a sick child. They survived and had fun (i think) despite having to carry a plastic garbage can with them everywhere:)

I'll try and post some thoughts from the conference on my other blog and reserve comment here for things pertinent for prayer regarding our situation in Omaha.

First, I was confronted with the utter impossibility of what we're trying to do. I really don't have what it takes and sometimes get deluded into thinking I do. For me, this is actually good because it means that God must come through. If God has called me to do it, then it depends on Him. This lead J and I to spend a long time discussing our call and the many ways God has called and confirmed what we are doing. It became a very productive time as we thought through the numerous ways God called us and confirmed it. We left realizing several things that need to change in us and our approach. I was led to repent of several things like personal pride and focus on God's restoration and the Holy Spirit.

Second, J and I saw some drastic adjustments that we need to make in the work here. Again, most are related to the need to reach unchurched people and forget about actively pursuing churched people. We both feel very strongly that family is our first priority, so we have to make time for one another (and really engage each other in that time). However, we also have to carve out time to build relationships with people and practice hospitality (one Biblical means of evangelism). These adjustments will be very challenging and involve making some big decisions.

Third, I came away with a deeper understanding of the Gospel. This is something God has been working into me for the past couple of years. The Gospel is more than our ticket to heaven. It's more than, "Ok, God wiped the slate clean, now you take it from here and do the right things that will make him proud." The Gospel is that God crushed His Son as payment for our sin. He is proud of us due to the gift of Jesus and nothing else. We are utterly incapable of pleasing apart from faith in Jesus. We are still as desperate for God's grace today as the day before we were saved.

We tend to try and "lower the bar" to something we can meet. The opposite approach is needed - lift the bar to where God places it - perfection. When we do, our first observation will be, I can't do it. This drives us back to God in desperation for His help - which is where He wants us. He doesn't miserly meet out that help, he wants to lavish it on us. In short, its a proclamation that God is for us and wants us to turn to Him in utter dependence - in everything. I don't know, it's one of those things that I can't express clearly but that I know in my soul is a HUGE shift. Check the other blog later, I'll try to work this out some more.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:
God to move here - it's all up to Him.
Wisdom as we plan, schedule, etc.
My first coaching session in NYC on April 12.
God to continue the work He is doing in me. Pray for humility on my part to accept what He shows me, the grace to repent, and the power to persevere.
A worship leader and band.
A meeting location.
Resources for the necessary activities to reach the community.
Connection with the right people as we reach out around us.

EMERGENCY REQUEST

We leave for Seattle first thing in the morning and we have a full-fledged puke-o-rama going on at the house. J'line has been sick for several days and is coming out of it. A. was sick at the first of the week and J. and L. are throwing up as we speak. Mom and dad are obviously excited:)

We're going through an assessment time in Seattle where they determine if we are "fit" to church plant. It will be a stressful time and this will only add to it. Please pray for everyone to get better or stay healthy.

J and I were talking about how this happened the last time we had an assessment too. I don't think it's a coincidence.

03/19/97 UPDATE

Belated greetings! Sorry for the delay, but it is a great day in American history and we've been busy celebrating. 35 years ago, God chose the exact place I would be born and live and it was Opelika, AL. I'm starting to feel a tad old.

This week has been a mixed bag. I've had several times that I got discouraged this week. Mainly, it has come about from talking to Christians too much. Some of you might be offended by that, but it can really get depressing to see how people are so focused on their deal. I expect it from lost people, but as Christ followers, we're called to lay aside our interests for the good of others, so you think some might follow through on that. Sadly, they don't. I realize that even my focusing on that is because I'm upset that I can't get people to focus on my deal! Like I said, it can get depressing.

However, things took a real upturn through all of this. I've been reading and thinking through how to get a church going with so little help. I began to realize that I've been placing too much emphasis on gathering a group of Christians together and then reaching out to others. That has been the primary point of exasperation because few people are interested in giving up the stuff they've got to help others. I've been reading a book (Launch, by Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas). They are leading the church planter coaching group that I'll be participating in. They started a church in Manhattan with nobody but themselves. While I realize that every situation is different, the story gave me a new perspective. Throughout the frustration of the week, I decided that we will focus on following God's plan for this church and trust Him to provide where things are needed. Up to this point, I've really been trusting in my ingenuity and other people. Now, we'll seek to do what He desires and trust Him to fill in the gaps. Are people necessary? Absolutely, but now if someone joins in, I'll view it as icing on the cake, not an essential. It won't be the result of me pouting time and effort into it, but because God has gathered them in. This may not seem to be a drastic departure to you, but for me it is HUGE.

It really got exciting on Sunday night at small group. I was sharing these insights with Jeff and Kelly and they started smiling. Jeff said that they had just said that afternoon that they didn't see why we needed someone else to get rolling, we'd just start with the four of us. He was telling me that they were thinking Paul only had one or two others, so why couldn't we do that too! That was really encouraging because I took it as confirmation that we were on the right track. This marks about 3 or 4 weeks that they've been discussing exactly what I was planning to talk to them about. Those are just weird God moments when that happens.

So, with all of that being said, here's our most urgent requests:

1. We need a worship leader and band. This will become my primary focus for the next several weeks. We can't go public until we have someone who can play and sing. I sho' can't.

2. Financial supporters. We will be needing support for several of the events that will be taking place in the fall, as well as other immediate needs, such as a website, brochures, etc. This is not a plea for personal funding!

3. God to prepare the hearts of the people here. I know that God is already at work. Without that, all of our work is hopeless, so pray that He will continue to prepare the hearts of people for the Gospel. Pray that their hearts will be good soil and bring a great harvest.

4. Pray for our family this coming week. We fly to Seattle for assessment and training on Wednesday and mom and dad are keeping the boys. Pray for safe travel for us and sanity for mom and dad.

Thanks for praying!

03/12/07 UPDATE

Last week was another good one. Praise God on two items in particular. One, I had a phone interview that completed all the necessary items for my church planting assessment with Acts 29. I had someone inquire about their organization last week. If you're interested, here's the website http://www.acts29network.org/. Also, I got word that I've been accepted for church planter coaching. That will begin in April. I'm excited about both opportunities.

We also had Jimmy and Carol Ann Draper visiting our association last week. if you don't know who they are, Jimmy was president of LifeWay (the SBC publishing agency) until retiring last year. They had a pastor's wives meeting Tuesday night which Jacqueline enjoyed. Then on Wednesday, Jimmy spoke to the pastors about things he's learned in 58 years of preaching.

Lastly, mom and dad arrived safely on Saturday night. We didn't tell the boys they were coming so that they would be surprised. I think they almost wet their pants when mimi and poppie showed up.

This week is pretty eventful as well. I would like for you to pray for three meetings in particular. Today I'm meeting with a guy who used to lead worship in a church locally. I heard he was no longer doing that and wanted to get to know him. We'll see where it leads (if anywhere).

Second, I'm meeting with a pastor of the largest SBC church in Omaha. We are discussing how they can help (and if they will).

Third, we are having our small group meeting Sunday night. It looks like several of the other couples we've been working with are going to be able to attend. Pray that it will work out and that God will use it as a time to provide clarity.

Thanks for praying!

03/05/07 UPDATE

I thought i would introduce you to the Cunningham's. If you've been reading this, you probably remember me mentioning them to you. Jeff is a meteorologist for the Air Force. Kelly stays busy keeping Jeff and Jocelyn in line. They have signed on to help us as we start Redeemer Church. They've already been a great source of encouragement to J'line and I and they are excited about all the stuff to come. Please remember to pray for them as you remember our work.

The big news from last week was The Blizzard of 2007. Thursday morning around 5 it started snowing and the wind was whipping. It snowed all morning and we ended up with about a foot of snow. Pretty much everyone was stuck inside.

I'm learning that snow is a big opportunity for me. I wait inside, sipping coffee and staying warm until I hear a snow blower fire up. Then, I put on all my stuff and go outside to shovel snow. There's an interesting phenomenon - everyone on the entire street comes out about the same time and it provides a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors. I've now made the acquaintance of everyone on the circle and found out a lot more about the rest of the street.

We all pitched in to help one guy get his two cars unstuck out of the street so the plows could theoretically clear our street. After that, we all went to clear our drives. I cleared two stips and was about to have a heart attack. Then one of the guys walked his snow blower over and finished it up for me. I then spent the next couple of hours talking to people on the street.

Apparently, we live in an atypical neighborhood. Most people who live in the 'burbs say that they have lived there 5, 6, 10 years, whatever, and barely know the names of their neighbors. We must have moved to party central, because I've met everyone and they are very friendly. We were welcomed warmly and that seems to just be part of the deal. Throughout the summer, they just pull a grill out in the street and everyone brings their own meat for a big cookout. On the fourth of July, one guy makes a run for fireworks and puts on a big display (which forces the ATF agent to leave for the evening so he doesn't have to arrest anyone:)) Anyway, it seems like a pretty cool spot. Pray for opportunities to continue to develop among the people in our community.

This week will be very busy for us. We have something going on almost every night. We're hoping to be able to meet with Kyle and Kim Moeller this weekend. They are very interested in helping us but still have several questions. We've been hoping to meet with them to hopefully make some progress. I'm really beginning to obsess about our need for people to be involved. As I was stressing about it yesterday I read Mt. 9:37-38 where Jesus tells us to pray for God to send workers into the harvest. Please make this your primary prayer focus for us.

Also, my parents are coming this weekend to spend a couple of weeks with us. Pray for them as they travel.

Thanks for the prayers!