an authentic running partner

Last night I hooked up with one of my closest friends in Claremore.  I look forward to our time together more than he probably ever realizes.  We ask each other questions.  We grow.  We listen.  We run…. We are both running in an 1/2 marathon come next month with Team Claremore.  I can’t wait as The Well partners together to offer a carbo loading spaghetti dinner for the runners.  

Anyway we ran 8 miles and after not being in much training over the past month – I about died.  I’m glad to have a partner to encourage me along the way.  I love having iron sharpens iron relationships.  My friend challenges my faith with his simplistic beliefs.  He reminds me of why I’m doing what I’m doing.  He told me at one point, “I get far more out of these runs than tons of church services”.  Everyone needs relationships like this – I know I do.  I’m glad to have friends like this.  What do I mean?  Authentic real friends that you can share your heart with knowing that you can trust them with your fears and thoughts.

sweet scent

This past Monday morning I found myself in Fairland, Oklahoma driving down a dirt road to look at a house.  I had my IPod on and was drinking in as I looked to heaven in worship.  As I went deeper into his presence I realized something.  I never want to be legalistic in my time with him and have to punch in a time clock – but…. the more time I spend with him the more I love him, the more love he gives me, the more love I have for others.  The more I drink in the more I want to pour out his love on others.  

I’ve had several conversations lately with people about denominational beliefs and doctrine.  These days I am simplistic – love Christ and love others.  That’s my beliefs.  That is the core of my heart.  I think people these days have grown sick of religion, doctrine, denomination.  I have…. I’m out to love him more and more and to look for the one he puts in my path each day that needs his love as well.

Here’s some verses I’ve been munching on lately that have spoken volumes to me this week as I am in the middle of allowing 2 Corinthians to gobble me up:

“I found the place wide open.  God had opened the door; all I had to do was walk through it.  God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade.  Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance.  Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God.  Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you.  Christ himself wrote it — not with ink, but God’s living Spirit: not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives – and we publish it.  We are transfigured muck like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.  Our message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master.  All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you.” 2 Cor 2-4

So are you drenching yourself in Christ?  I mean really are you going after him?  Oh, I want too.  I want more of him than I ever have.  Am I really a sweet scent unto him?  What kind of letter am I?  Am I just taking up air or am I giving something to this world?  How bout you?

an acts 2 church

This morning was the closest thing I have ever felt to being apart of an Acts 2 church.  Scriptures say that the early believers basically asked each other of their needs and did whatever they could to meet them.  They loved each other unconditionally.  The Well team has been planning all month for a garage sale for our community.  The catch was that it was for free!  We staked out signs all over our area and put an ad in the happenings section of the Daily Progress unsure of the turn out.   I can’t be more proud of our team as they slaved in preparation folding clothes, setting up tables, staying late last night and showing up early this morning.  They defined the word ownership in this adventure and I love them so much.

At 7am before daylight the cravings for free stuff brought out the crowd.  The biggest question of the day was, “Why are you doing this?  It’s free are you kidding me?”.  People thought it was incredible.  We just continued to answer that “God has been good to us and we have what we need, if someone needs something and we aren’t using it – go ahead and take it, if you need it it’s yours!”.  It brought alot of curiosity about The Well and gave us great opportunities to share our hears with people.  Here is my top stories from the morning:

• A young kid showed up in a t-shirt and was freezing cold.  I was able, without blinking an eye, dig out a $100 golf jacket from a tournament years ago and let him wear it and have it due to the cold weather
• A lady grabbed our old Tommy Hilfiger comforter.  She was older and didn’t even care what brand it was – just wanted to know if it was going to “keep her warm”.
• A young family showed up with 4 kids and were able to capatalize on our family’s sizes and took two garage bags full of clothes home
• One of our neighbors showed up and said that after hearing about The Well and visiting other places that The Well seemed like the “perfect fit for her and her husband”
• One of our team while the crowd was large answered one of the customers when asked how much something was, “It is all free, if you need it take it”.  Everyone turned around and said, “I’ve never heard of this before – this is just amazing”.
• One lady got hooked up with five suits (ah glad to get rid of those things) from my good ole youth pastor days

So many other comments were made and it brought amazing joy to our team as we were able to BE THE CHURCH this morning.  It is perhaps the greatest act of love our young church has done and we look forward to making this an annual event. 

God is good…. I believe as a result of us giving stuff away – when we give we shall receive.  A business owner donated The Well a $1000 copier today and a random guy walked up to my family yesterday at a gas station and handed us $50 for our gas.  I love following after Christ.  It isn’t always easy, but I truly believe as we attempt to love others and give ourselves away – he in return gives back to us in creative ways we never imagined!!

steady stream of stability

This week has been one of the longest, most tiresome weeks I’ve had in a long time.  Some weeks can be emotionally draining, while others can be physically draining – this week was both.  I started it by being sick on Monday and spent most of Tues and Wed putting in the make up miles while doing inspection work.  I was able to get away to a Coalition lunch Thursday in between doing reports to present an incredible opportunity on behalf of Rogers County Leadership.  We are doing a class project to raise funds for a special cause, as well as put in some manual labor.  I’m excited for what this holds not only for those in my class as we work together as a team, but for the organization that benefits.  That night I spent time with others in the community for the Citizen’s Academy.  It continues to amaze me of what certain city workers do that goes unnoticed!

All week I was looking forward to this day.  Today was spent with the love of my life and the two evidences of that love.  Amy has been there more than she’ll ever know for me this week.  I gave her a phrase this week and have been calling her my, “Steady Stream of Stability”.  I tend to be the passionate one, which brings times of being high strung and my emotions can be a like a roller coaster at times.  She is steady and calm and keeps her head through many situations.  Our personalities couldn’t be more different which causes us to balance so well.  It also causes me to appreciate her that much more. 

I wrote awhile back about my thorn in the flesh, well it came back with a roar this week and Amy was there for me.  I’m glad I got to hang out today with her and the boys.  Tonight I got to spend some good QT with them at a Halloween Extravaganza put on by our city.  My little dragons got to meet the mascot of RSU – the hillcat.  It was so cool to run into someone asking about our garage sale tomorrow.  Another lady overheard and asked me why we would be doing one for free.  Before I could answer – someone else that knows us said, “Because they are that kind of people”.  I ran into another girl that said how excited she was about The Well and how much she’s been hearing about it.  Her husband can’t wait to eat popcorn during church.  It brought a huge grin to my face – I don’t really care what someone eats at church, if they have a desire to come and hear the love of Christ, I’ll add more butter myself!!  Well we got an early morning tomorrow for the garage sale and I’m praying some families in need will truly benefit.  I’m out.

changing the perception of the jaded

All day long yesterday I was in extreme anticipation and it wasn’t for the Red Sox game.  It was for something far more purposeful and something far more meaningful to me.  It was the opportunity to be able to gather together again with some of the most incredible people I know.  They make up a small band of Christ-followers that are hungry and are not settling for status quo. 

I’ve grown up in church all my life and was practically born under a pew as a preacher’s kid. I was there everytime the doors opened.  I was in Sunday School classes where we received stickers for perfect attendance.  I was in discipleship classes that were determined by how many times I showed up, how many chapters in the Bible I read, how many hours I prayed, and where I sat on Sunday mornings.  My spirituality was judged based on whether my hands were in the air during worship.  I watched people hurt one another, I watched people judge one another, I watched my own self turn into that.  I went to college (Bible college) to turn into a fake perfect student who was attempting to climb the ladder of ministry success.  When I graduated I turned into nothing more than a suit with a bible in every translation.  I inwardly grew stale and knew absolutely no one that wasn’t a Christian.  The whole time I knew there was more and I allowed myself to get there – no one else to blame.

Why do I say all this?  Because I long for more.  I am starving for a deeper walk with Christ, not just by myself but with a band of others that will completely lay it all out.  I long to be around others that refuse to fake where they are at and who they really are.  I long to look others in the eyes and see their soul and their passion for Jesus Christ.  I refuse for my relationship with Christ to be wrapped up one day a week.  The cool part?  It is happening at a garage every Sunday in Claremore Oklahoma.  I have finally found an authentic community of people that I wish to share my life with! 

A year ago I desired this more than anything else – an environment where I could just be me with all my imperfections.  I felt like God was calling me to be a Pastor again.  I refused.  I didn’t want to be that – just wanted to be me, no titles and no positions – don’t like them.  I told God no. 

He responded in my heart by letting me know that is precisely why he wanted me to step forward and take a bold step of faith and a risk with no determined outcome.  He wanted me to initiate that kind of environment.  I knew then he wanted to take my past and everything I despised about religion and church and do something different.  I believe now that church is and always will be the avenue for which Jesus brings people into the Kingdom.  My past experiences caused me to be jaded and check out on church.  I thought it had to be done a certain way.  I thought there was only way it could be done.  I thought you had to fake it to make it.  Now is the time….. a time to change the perception that I have had and others have had of church. 

Last night we met.. we talked… we prayed…. we laughed…. we ate……. we worshipped….. we listened….. we lifted up the name of Christ and the names of others that don’t know him!!  Click here for a recap of our time together.

a band of brothers

This morning I got up and fixed my boys eggs and french toast.  Amy was up all night sick so it kept her on her back most of the day.  I enjoyed some incredible quality time with Camden and Cale as they helped me fit a mat in the back of my truck, as well as getting boxes out of storage for our garage sale next weekend.

As I spent the day with this little band of brothers it reminded me of how much I long for them to be close.  We are already looking at bunk beds for them even at this early age.  Why?  My older brother and I shared bunk beds for many years growing up and he happened to be the one to lead me in a prayer of salvation when I was around 6 years old. 

I also dream of creating bands of brothers within my own community and church.  I talk to other guys day after day and can literally hear the screams from within their hearts to connect deeply to another.  So many men have no true relationships in their lives and they are starving for it.  God is placing an incredible vision in my heart to pour everything I have into others with relentless passion and unashamed love.  I want to love others far more than they love themselves.  I want to be so engraved in others lives that I wouldn’t dare let them make stupid decisions.  I look forward to the day that is not far off when I am involved in a true band of brothers in which there’s accountability, unconditional love, and a spirit that would die for each other.  I’m also hoping for that with my little band of brothers named Camden and Cale.

200 inmates, a panel, & a fire hose

These last few days have been an absolute blast!  Yesterday I got to hook up with my other 20 friends for our once a month Leadership Rogers County.  We met at the courthouse to understand how our county courts work, toured the jail & water plant, and got to ask questions to a panel of leaders that consisted of: mayors and city managers from all over Rogers County.  A few highlights & lessons learned were:

• We have 200 inmates in our county jail – many of which are very normal just made one bad decision
• I found out why I haven’t been able to get in to visit any – that will change now & The Well will be represented on Christmas day for a lunch feeding to let them know they aren’t forgotten about
• Our water supply if shut off would give us 8 hours of clean water.  Our county is growing so rapidly we are facing a little problem with our supply
• The Chelsea mayor is one of the most precious jewels in our county and if I didn’t live in Claremore I would want to live there just for the sake of her bursting heart for her community.  I told her I only dream of having 1/2 the amount of passion she has!
• The Owasso City Manager is a incredibly strong leader that I admired.  He encouraged everyone to be always available, have financial integrity, and have passion.  He told us to get a vision and stick with it no matter what happens or who comes against you.
• Our City Manager ranks above all else and I am humbled to serve him – plus he let me buy him his lunch today!
• Our RCL class is top notch and I’m excited about our team project in which we will be knocking a homerun out of the park by May’s graduation
• My day ended with a 7 mile run with Matt one of my closest friends that continues to encourage & inspire me to make a difference

Tonight I attended our Citizen’s Academy and got to hold a fire hose in action.  These guys are amazing and deserve all support and respect for all they do in our community.  I got to hear from our Assistant Chief of Police and our Animal Control Rep.  This was our fifth week and I am gaining an incredible appreciation for our workers in Claremore.  It is also causing me to fall more in love with my community as each day passes.

a daddy’s love

I’m not sure what it is about my personality, but when I feel like I’ve been hit with a blow or experience a downer – I can’t shake it immediately.  My attitude will remain positive for the most part, but my feelings don’t lie.  It usually takes me 24hrs to recover and I’m working on that.  It takes me going for a run, a bike ride, a day with my family, or getting in my truck and drenching myself in God’s presence.

Yesterday was for the most part that way.  I worshipped and prayed with desparation and full dependence upon my heavenly father.  I prayed that no matter where the endeavor of The Well leads that I’ve done my part – I’ve obeyed.  So many times I wander: What if I could be doing more?  What if I’m doing all that I need to be doing on my end?  I prayed that no matter what I’d be pleasing to him.  I can only do my part and the rest is up to him.  Above all?  I prayed over and over – I trust you…… I trust you no matter what…. I don’t understand this… or this…., but….. I trust you.  I trust you that as I’m giving my all for the sake that you already gave your all.

Last night Cale, my 1.5 yr old was going to bed.  I just felt led to hold him a little longer.  I sang to him as though I was him and Jesus was me.  It was an incredibly humbling, breaking experience for me as tears leaked.  I prayed over Cale that his daddy would do everything he could to protect and love him no matter what.  I prayed no harm would come to him and that I would do everything I possibly can to make sure he’s got a chance to do anything he puts his mind to and…. I’d be his #1 fan. 

As I layed down to go to sleep last night – I realized Jesus feels the same with me as we are starting The Well Church – but x’s a billion and more.  His love is deeper than any ocean and higher than any mountain.  Nothing can separate me from his love.  Nothing…… I’m not sure anything else can give me so much peace than that.  Thank you Jesus for your unconditional love and that it is available to all of my friends tonight.

Is there anything you are worried about right now?  Is there anything that you are wandering if God is watching you?

we are the well

This afternoon as I was preparing for this evenings gathering with our team, I started receiving phone calls one by one of things that had come up to prevent many of them from showing.  Discouragement began to settle in….. I felt the enemy begin taunting me with negative thoughts.  A small band of our friends showed up as we shared the most unbelievable stories from the past week.  We also spend time planning for a free garage sale to give ourselves away to our neighborhood.   We opened James 1 and 1 Peter 4 up and encouraged each other to fight the inner battles.  We layed hands on each other and we worshipped our God with passion!  We wrote new names of friends on the wall and prayed that Jesus would give us opportunities to serve them on by one this week. 

I think tonight I got more out of our gathering then anyone else.  This team showed their love for Amy and I in ways they’ll never know.  They believe in this endeavor as much as we do and that crushes me.  They have caught the vision that God placed in my inner core over a year ago.  The Well endeavor is blossoming in the hearts of those on our team like never before.  The best part of the night was when a neighbor, that we’ve been praying for, came over and asked us what these “weekly parties” were all about.  She had overheard us worshipping.  She was curious.  She was thirsty.  Amy got to share her heart with her for 30 minutes and she commented that she wanted to start coming and wanted to see her husband come into a relationship with Christ. 

We are in a garage.  We are adding one by one.  We are real.  We are authentic.  We are passionate.  We are hungry.  We have an overwhelming desire to serve our community.  We love one another.  We are available.  We are open.  We are the hands and feet of the gospel.  We are relentless.  We are on a pursuit.  We are fired up.  We are giving ourselves away.  We are not perfect.  We are all messed up in many ways.  We are Christ-followers.  We are Weller’s!

parade cleaning crew

After a long night last night i awoke to the sounds of running feet, cries, screams, and the energy levels of two little boys!  We engulged breakfast and hit the community for some garage sales.  We saw our very own TV we purchased over five years ago on sale for $150.  It was hard to digest that we paid over $500 and it is already out of date.  We don’t even have cable presently and I’ve been spending many evenings lately at my in-laws to catch the Red Sox games.  Which they did end up winning Game 1 tonight 2-0!

This afternoon some of our team, as well as some CRU students from RSU, banded together to agressively tackle our main street of Claremore.  The high school homecoming parade was today, so we followed it up with trash bags and rubber gloves.  It amazed me that seven people in just over an hour cleaned up the sidewalks!  It didn’t take long at all and it was an honor to love our community with no strings attached.  I didn’t mind doing it because I’m madly in love with Claremore Oklahoma!  One guy asked us if we were the parade cleaning crew?  I said heck yeah!  It makes me wander if we shouldn’t volunteer to serve after each parade that our community has in the future.  We celebrated buy eating pizza at Napoli’s.