charms & nog

After getting several texts and calls Sunday afternoon I accepted the fact that our heated garage would be rather bare from everyone still stretching Christmas out.  I was in shock to see that even though some of our most committed players on Team Well were gone, we had others that took their seat.  It was a night to pull out the marker board and collaborate on how we could BE THE CHURCH in 2009 to our community.  The ideas that would go along with our series theme each month left me going crazy.  In a good way!  I just can’t wait to hit on this stuff and see a little transformation occur one person at a time.  One idea I’m rather anxious to hit on is during our second series entitled, “God in Sandals” in which we will challenge everyone to donate their own worn out sandals to a special cause.  

After some of the crowd went home, several stuck around for a bowl of Lucky Charms (which I was regretting a little because I had to eat morsels this morning) and some good ole Nog!  It was good times and I’m thankful that I’m apart of a community of Christ followers that can’t get enough of each other or each other’s charms.

a van pay family christmas

This year we spent Christmas with Amy’s folks.  We enjoyed a little Chili’s from Grandma, a communion service (in which I flicked a dude’s ear that I thought I knew and it wasn’t – he turned around and I quickly grabbed Cale’s hand and swatted it – I’ll have to ask forgiveness for that one!) and Christmas Eve gift exchanges.  The morning of Amy made some incredible blueberry pancakes, the boys opened gifts, and we spent most of the day with extended family.  The night of I spent over 3 hours on the bunk beds.  That whole experience will make for some great illustrations on marriage and gift mix.  Amy and I usually buy our own gifts and call it even, but this year we did get each other some smaller gifts.  Why is it that we never want to buy pajama’s or boxer’s for ourselves?  It’s like we don’t want to waste our gifts on those things.  That leaves our spouses as the only one to ever get those things for us, because no one else would dare….  That’s what we did.

a mullet to remember

Usually when one of the boys does something when Amy is out of the house and they are in my care – she is quick to inform me that they have been neglected.  Which I will be honest that can be true every now and then.  Cale is a full-blown machine though and is non-stop action.  He doesn’t play with toys and doesn’t watch movies.  What does he do?  You name it!  It’s crazy.  I’m literally thinking of how I can chain him up as a teenager already.  Anyway, I got home the other night to heat up some dinner for just a minute and older bro is cutting through his hair with scissors.  Off to see Michelle – again!  As she was cutting it – Amy such a loving Mommy snaps a picture of his mullet!  I thought we should just leave it for a bit.  Sorry Cale we couldn’t resist – you do look like your Uncle John back in the day though!

i stink according to a 4 year old

I’m a little insecure at the moment.  It has happened by a statement and action of my 4 year old.  A few weeks ago a friend looked at some pics around the house and said, “Ricky you used to grow out facial hair all the time, what’s up?”  I guess I just wanted to appear a little more professional and didn’t want to scratch up Baby Cale’s face as I gave him kisses.  So….. I’ve grown out a beard and yes it looks a bit awkward considering there’s nothing upstairs to balance it.  Lately, as I’ve been picking Camden up to give him huggins he covers his nose as I get closer.  Why?  He says I smell.  I’m like, “Listen son I don’t stink OK?”  He replies as he whimpers, “Yes you do Daddy get away”.  Immediate insecurity caused by my son – I can’t deny it.  I stink?  Why?  Because I have hair growing on my face and stubbles growing on my head.  What does that have to do with anything?  My 4 year old thinks it is dirt and dirt smells.  I’m lacking hugs these days and no matter how much I know I don’t stink (well lets hope not) my 4 year old has something on me.  BTW I couldn’t resist the pic even though it isn’t me.

Has your child ever made you feel insecure even by something minor?  I’d love to hear about it.

messy spirituality

Tonight it was an absolute blast running through a “not yet finished” trail in the hidden playground of Claremore.  Although I must say I’d rather run in the heat and sweat, it made me feel more like a man.  With a stocking hat on, tights, yes i said tights, and a little hiking flashlight on my forehead me and my running partner cruised through the trails.  It is simply amazing how slow I’ve become since my Ironman training came to a stopping point back in August.  

I realized tonight through conversation, questions, and sharpening that only comes through true authentic relationship – I have no idea what I’m doing and many times I’m simply afraid that I’m going to screw this all up.  As I drove out of town this past Monday with tears, because of the complete generosity of our team toward a young family we’ve never met, all I could pray was, “God please don’t let me get in the way of all of this, please don’t let me screw this up.”  A week ago Sunday we took a risk of looking foolish and invited several friends and family to the theater for a preview.  A couple showed up that hadn’t been in church in quite sometime.  I didn’t really ask for a response to the message and didn’t ask anyone to raise their hands to commit their lives to Christ.

A few days later I got an email that stated they got home late Sunday night and had given their hearts fully to God in a recommitment.  I had nothing to do with it.  It came later.  It came out of a church context.  There was nothing forced.  It was a personal decision that was thought out apart from the emotions of a gathering.  It reminded me more than ever that people come into a relationship with Christ through a journey of their own.  So many times the churched like to force it or convert.  I believe as we authentically love people and show his love and leave it to them and not force it for our own ego – in due time people can’t deny a genuine love.  Everyone has their journey to embark on and none of us have all the answers.  I’m thankful that my passion is to simply love, serve, encourage, and wake up everyday desperate for God to use me so I don’t just take up air.  I love what Billy Graham said many years ago and our team has jumped on it, “It’s God’s job to judge, the holy spirit’s job to convict, and it’s my job to love”.  

I’m currently reading a book called, “Messy Spirituality” and it is challenging me to continue to rethink what it truly is to be a disciple and encourage others on this journey in which none of us are perfect.  I’ve chosen to attempt with all that I am to focus on me and all my warts, then spend time staring at the mishaps of those around me.

a well deserved offering

This past week flew by and I perhaps went through my longest streak without blogging.  It’s all good though, I’d rather put my boys to sleep and spend time talking with Amy then being a ritualistic blogger.  I spent a day in OKC for our annual Christmas party.  I didn’t know that accordian’s were still used.  My mom played one growing up and I thought they were extinct – good times.

Our teaching team was able to get away down at Eufala lake for several days.  I loved sneaking away one morning for a hike along the lake and look across the water as I prayed for God’s leading as we decided on some series for 2009 for The Well.  I was blown away and all that was accomplished as Brad and I nailed out ideas, not to mention a little chess.  I’ve been ready for, “Stripped” for over three months now as we will tackle the barriers in which people have for not coming to church.  We feel as though these barriers also have kept people from Jesus as well.  We will attempt to strip away all barriers people have and allow God to speak to hearts as we come up with how The Well perhaps can be a solution.

Last night our team met for our weekly groups and gathering.  I love spending time with my band of brothers as we sharpened each other on how to have the mind of Christ.  We followed it up with our gathering and spent time coming up with our church core values, many of which are already on our website.  My favorite part of the night was when Jonna shared a story about a girl that cut her hair.  Her husband recently lost his job and they had to take back all of their Christmas gifts for their kids.  Our team decided to pass around the water bottle (which we normally take offering for our start up budget) and came up with $225 to give this family we don’t even know a Merry Christmas.  This continues to be the closest thing I’ve ever felt to being apart of an Acts 2 community.  Last Thursday night several couples got a chance to sneak away for a night, along with a single father as our team offered a PNO (Parent Night Out).  As I drove in my truck this morning I could only shed tears at our team’s pure generosity and pursuing love as we serve one person at a time the authentic love of Jesus.

Amy led the kids in a short Christmas program and they were adorable.  I’m thankful that 28 degrees and a garage with a propane heater hasn’t stopped our team from loving each other, even after being spoiled the week before in theater seats!

pk’s in a bunk bed

There was short period about three years ago in which I told Amy that there was no way I was going to allow my children to ever be called PK’s (Preacher’s Kids).  I was still dealing with some inner pain from my past and couldn’t think to ever raise them in a fish bowl.  Now I consider it great joy that my two boys will experience that life that I knew as a boy.  There was some rough times growing up, but I never saw my parents relationship with Christ waver.  They never gave up on church and they never kept me from seeing the raw truth of dealing with conflict and personality traits.

I never knew then that I was like David in the pasture being groomed for the endeavor on hand.  I’m so thankful that God had me grow up in a Pastor’s home and watch my dad week in and week out love people with a relentless pursuit.  I can still remember walking into our sanctuary before church, as one of my close friends would meet me to go get our traditional Dr Pepper at H.E.B. before service.  The echos of my father praying in the back room where the heater was, in which he converted into a prayer closet.  

To think that same DNA runs in my veins blows me away.  I can’t wait for my boys to have an amazing perception of what it is to not just do church, but be the church.  It is a great honor to know they are my most important disciples that I will ever be able to pour God’s love into.  I’m looking forward to many camping trips and rites of passage.  My brother shared bunk beds growing up and it is there that I can remember my brother asking me one night if I had ever asked Jesus into my heart.  In so many ways perhaps, that is why I have always felt a strong bond with my older brother.  I want that same bond with Camden and Cale.  They are getting a bunk bed for Christmas – oh yeah!  Yesterday afternoon they took it upon themselves with no help needed to already prepare.  

There’s a hidden goal in my heart that one day I would have an opportunity to write a book to preacher’s kids with my boys in mind.  Amy recently came across a video that is quite humorous, but also a warning to me to commit to my core value which is WHEN AT HOME BE AT HOME.  Click here to watch.

a well preview

This morning was truly a road marker in the endeavor of The Well.   This has been nothing short of a journey of faith, hope, trust, and complete surrender and desperation to a God that has orchestrated our steps.  We are climbing a mountain and have never known what is on the other side.  It has been a journey of doubt at times and at times frustration.  I’d rather have it no other way.  I don’t want to know what the other side holds.  If I did where would trust in Christ be needed?  I love living this adventure called being a follower of Christ!  

Last week I truly didn’t think we would be ready for our first preview this morning.  We sent out a few emails, facebook messages, and texted some friends and family.  I was expecting 15 people to show up – God boggled our minds as we had that many kids!  I’m humbled and God is stirring a passion in the hearts of real women and real men who are longing and hungry to live this thing out the right way.  We just want Jesus and we’ll do anything but sin, give up our families and marriages, or give up our own salvation to have the passion and love that God has placed in each and everyone of us.

I had unchurched people handing me cash as there offering not knowing otherwise.  A theater employee said, “It is just right that you be here, it just feels right, was you are doing it makes since, it’s an incredible thing what ya’ll are doing!”.  We have six new people joining Team Well for next week’s team gathering in the garage.  One good friend’s eyes swelled up as he said, “I’ve been waiting all my life to hear a Pastor say the things you did this morning about church”.  I’m not sure what I said but it’s God all him and I’m just going to do my best to simply be a mouthpiece.  He doesn’t need me getting in the way of what he wants to do – have a conversation by our love and his spirit just like the woman at the well – thus where we get our name.

I’m so glad we get to redeem a marketplace environment for God’s purposes.  The early church didn’t start meeting in church buildings until the 4th century and from what I’ve read they did just fine.  I pray The Well would be one of the most attractive churches in our county.  However, if all we are is a cool young band, cool lights, sweet location, and a good looking website we’ve failed completely.  I mean completely.  We are on mission not to be attractive to a bunch of disgruntled Christians, but on mission to BE THE CHURCH and serve our community one person at a time with the authentic love that only comes from above.  I’m hoping our weekly gathering at the theater is one simple way that we serve people – by providing a safe environment for their friends to come, ask questions, and get connected with normal people that struggle and are far from perfect.  

I can’t believe God has chosen me to be apart of this and can’t hardly wait until January 11th for preview #2.  We have a few more kinks to work out, lighting to purchase, and some mics to get – but I feel like we are ready to go public soon.  I praise Christ for this morning and am back on mission to go back into the community tomorrow and continue to build relationships with the unchurched as we invest in lives.

Will you join me in investing in a life?  Jonna one of our team players this afternoon did a book review on the Secret Blend and asked, “how rich do you want to be?”  I want to be a millionaire in the area of relationships!  How about you?

an rei mission

Friday night I decided to get away for a night and head down to Dallas.  I was hoping for a few of my buddies to go but they jumped ship so enjoyed the solitude and peaceful drive.  As I pulled up to the REI store in North Dallas several sleeping bags were already set up.  I hit a cheap motel and arrived right at 6am with about 45 people in front of me.  I’ve never been apart of a REI garage sale before and it was quite the experience.  I was pumped to make three new friends in line.  I was blown away at their generosity as I got in on breakfast burritos from a grill right there in line.  Lets just say I questioned my manly hood after leaving.  It was in the 30’s when I arrived and a dude with bushy hair and bushy beard crawls out of his sleeping bag with no shirt!  He then proceeded to grab his bottle of Jack Daniels!  I realized I was in a different world and this culture was growing on me quickly.  

They opened the doors at 10am and men piled up the stairs to the back warehouse area like troops about to unload off a boat on D-Day.  I felt energy, passion, and excitement for the mission that was upon us.  Everything in me couldn’t wait to tackle the sleeping bags and tents knowing that my boys would join me for years to come as I disciple them to follow Christ.  I also can already visualize men in my community going on camping trips and sharpening each other to go all out for Jesus.  

Too many men in my community view church as feminine.  Everything about Jesus and the gospels paints a far different picture.  I can only hope that men at The Well will be on mission like these REI maniacs charging for discounted gear!

a well christmas

Sunday night over 25 close friends came together for the first ever Well Christmas Party.  We ate a lot of pizza, played “Dirty Santa”, had more dessert than we should have, and played a hilarious game called, “What is Yours Like?”.  The highlight of the night was giving away gifts to our adopted family.  Lindsey and Tuda have become good friends to us as they live right next store.  

Our boys have played together, Tuda and I have helped each other with tree limbs, and we’ve shared meals.  She is about to have a little girl and without anyone electing to throw her a baby shower – The Well jumped at the opportunity to express an authentic love to her.  Our girls layed hands on her and we lifted this little girl up to God.  This baby is already being formed in her mom’s womb and is a great delight in the mind of God.  I can’t wait to see this precious little girl – little does she know there’s two little monkey of boys next store!