sundays @ the well

 Despite the Weather

 Yesterday afternoon as the snow began to fall….. and fall some more…… I was getting a little edgy.  A few calls were coming in and it was funny to see those from the north foam at the mouth to actually put their 4×4’s to use vs. those from the south that the second a snowflake appeared were already bailing out.  I was truly preparing for our lowest attended Sunday yet.  Besides our launch on Feb. 22 this was one of the largest crowds we’ve had.  Is a little snow going to stop the Wellers?  Are you kidding?  Bring it on!  Well, O.K. I won’t go that far! 

 Parking Crew

I love our rotation of guys that stand out by the main road and wave at on coming vehicles that drive by.  I always ask them if anyone ever gives them the “The Well is #1″ signal but so far so good.  Some of you will get that in a minute.  It was cold and these guys roughed it out making our guests feel welcomed before they ever step into the doors.  

Last Minute Fill In

You just can’t beat a volunteer team that is willing to do whatever it takes, be flexible, and be willing to jump in when called upon.  Our Children’s Pastor wasn’t sure if she could make the drive today and her assistant that lives close to the theater was called upon the day of to stand up!  Even after I encouraged her to be simplistic in the teaching today, oh no, they still went at it with incredible excellence!  

5 Taking the Plunge

Next week 3 adults and 2 kids will be taking the plunge in our first ever water baptism.  I can already feel the tears coming as they will be making their commitment to Christ public.  I always think of when we receive Christ it is personal between us and him like our engagement.  However, the wedding is the public ceremony to tell everyone of our full commitment – that is what baptism is all about!  5 people will hop in a heated horse trough next week outside the theater to tell the entire community that they are unashamed about the name of Jesus!  It simply doesn’t get any more raw than that – gosh I love this church!

Visitor From Out of Town

I loved what someone recently emailed me, “I wanted to let you know how cool it was that my relative enjoyed the gathering.  He’s very hesitant to go to church but has gone in the past for our kids’ stuff. Nothing more though.  We’ve been talking to him a lot lately and we can tell God’s working in his heart like never before.”  

An Authentic Team, Community, and Family

Tonight it was obvious that the garage has been missed greatly.  Our team fell in love with each other over 6 months time frame meeting weekly.  Something occurred and special happened in us during those months that will stay with many of us for a life time.  We now meet monthly and can hardly wait.  We still have it and tonight was nothing short of selfless love and true authentic community.  I can no longer say we are just Team Well – we are truly The Well Family.  

We are a brother and sisterhood that care deeply for each other.  After volunteers one by one drenched each other in affirmation, several of our ladies banded together for prayer – I had a hard time keeping my emotions back.  The bitter sweet moment that hit me tonight was when I realized the memorable garage can no longer handle this growing family!

 

As always Amy and I were able to head to lunch with some friends that we hope to have for years to come.  Davey and I were able to sneak off for some good guy to guy conversation, not to mention run off a little chinese.  What a day!  I love this!

For those of you that experienced today, what was your greatest moments?

a little septic humor

 Have you ever read some crazy stuff on the back of vehicles?  As I was driving back in from inspections Thursday evening, I drove up behind this septic truck.  Can you guess what their slogan said?  I must relay it to you as it is so stinken hilarious, 

“If you can dump it, we can pump it.  Because your #2 is our #1″

a couple of ventures

 This past Tuesday evening I had a meeting with several couples from our team, but before I went me and Cambo took off to Oologah lake for a little venture.  The skies were turning darker and as the rain sprinkled down it didn’t stop us from playing swords with sticks and throwing rocks into the water.  Camden learned for the first time what “skipping rocks” meant.  It was also cool to find small shells along the bank.  This time reminded me that just because I say “I love you”, it doesn’t matter to him, unless I back that up with spending quality time, uninterrupted, and all focus on him.  I wish I could say that I always have this nailed down.

 This afternoon we got an unexpected downpour of snow.  I love living in an area of the country that although snow doesn’t overwhelm us, we get taste of it yearly.  Even though it was nasty and wet, that didn’t stop the VP boys 

from hopping out in the backyard.  As we are heading out to the back deck and the boys got bundled up – older brother tells little brother, “Cale you have a large hiney heeehhee!”  Besides my relationship with Jesus Christ and my wife, these guys are my life.  I tend to be an extremely focused guy and put my head to the plow.  I put a lot of time in preparing messages, planning upcoming serving opportunities, and relational time with those involved in The Well.  I just hope it is never a second guess to my family that they deserve far more time invested in them.  God help me never forget this, for some reason I don’t believe I will – my lovely wife is a daily reminder

 Do you ever get focused or lose sight of those that are closest to you?  What do you do to just get away and make sure it is realigned as a major priority?  Does your family know they are important  and if so how do they know?

the trifecta questions of the week

 

Recently I took a tour of Will Rogers Downs with our Leadership Rogers County class.  Our guide told us the meaning of the word trifecta.  In horse racing terminology, a trifecta is a parimutuel bet in which the bettor must predict which horses will finish first, second, and third in exact order.

Well here’s our trifecta list of questions for our current teaching series called God in Sandals.  I absolutely love the church culture that is being established within The Well.  We are not afraid to hit on direct issues, tackle the hard stuff, and just flat out get real with each other.  It’s truly amazing that when you begin doing this your relationships deepen like you never thought possible.  I’ve been encouraging those coming on Sundays to wrestle with doubts and ask questions.  Here’s the three I’ve received recently:

 

1. Why did they hang “witches” when most were doing what Jesus did..they healed.. And Most Wicca’s believe in mother nature how is that worshiping Satan?

2.  Since God is all knowing, why did He present the Old Covenant to Abraham when He fore knew it wasn’t as good as the New Covenant and that He would have to send Jesus anyway to completely restore mankind to a proper standing with Him?

3.  How is intimacy really possible in a relationship with God?.  I’ve never really felt that with Him. It’s been frustrating seeing others who obviously do and not be able to understand what it’s like.

Anyone want to be in my shoes?  These questions stretch me more than you know.  I sure don’t have all the answers, but enjoy wrestling with them.  So…… as you read these questions what would your answer be?  I’d like to hear from any of you before I make my attempt.

a journal entry come true

 Last night was a highlight as always to head over to Rogers State to support our college students.  It was a blast hanging with students that call The Well their home, including my good friend Allen who makes all of our AV happen for our Kids Team.  After running all over campus playing capture the flag, reminding myself that I’m out of shape, I had the honor of speaking into their lives.  To this day if I didn’t feel such an overwhelming call to be a Lead Pastor, my next option would most likely to be on campus full-time.  As I drove away I was reminded of something that I wrote in my journal in December of 2007:

“On December 2nd while driving back into town I had what I can only call a holy discontent. I’ve grown tired of hearing about people driving into Tulsa to go to a more relevant church. After attending five services of the main churches here in town, it became obvious to me that they are mostly traditional and have an average age of 40-55. While doing a “prayer jog” through Rogers State University recently I came to the end of a trail that ended up right behind the new dorms. God impressed upon my heart that inside that building were students that were not being reached and he wanted me to do something about it.”

sundays @ the well

One Of Us

I almost lost it this morning while setting up with the boys this morning, when Billy lit up the speakers just as Davey was passing by.  The backward flip over the 3rd row far seat will forever be a memory!  It was a pretty sweet moment to walk into the auditorium to hear our band cranking it out to “One Of Us” by Joan Osborne.  Despite Amy being out sick, the band made it happen and led us into an amazing time of worship.

Tat Church

I’m wandering if we need to change our name to the Tat Church.  It appears as though every male in our community that has one is like a magnet to the theater.  I’m hearing one after the next tell me what a barrier that has been to their acceptance in the past.  I’ve never understood it.  I gaze in awe at some of the designs and…… still makes me itch to get my M dot after Ironman Louisville.

Well Kid’s Making a Difference

Although I don’t get to see anything that does on down the hall, the reports keep flooding my way!  We continue to see the kids area exploding and it doesn’t seem to be letting up.  I took Camden to Reasor’s to get some groceries this evening and he wouldn’t let up on his vocals as he kept singing about Jesus!  I love that my kid can’t wait to go to the Well church every Sunday and told me today how he knows how to PUSH (pray until something happens!)

New Couples & College Students

About a year ago Amy and I were down in Dallas surrounded with others that felt the call to plant a church.  As we prayed, brainstormed, and truly attempted to get narrow in our focus it became clear.  God had given us a narrow focus to create an environment for all people, specifically those in their 20’s and 30’s.  I lost count this morning at how many college students came and the amount of new couples.  It is really cool to see it all developing!  I was the old fart sitting at lunch with over a dozen RSU students today – my loss of hair didn’t help the cause!

A Friend’s Fresh Perspective

The absolute highlight of my morning came with my new friend Derek agreed to share some of his story with everyone today.  If anyone has any excuse to give up on God he had every reason.  If there’s any Dad that has a reason to go another route he has it, but…… he’s chosen a different road.  It’s a must you download our podcast from this morning – fast forward the first 25 minutes of boredom to get to the real message.  

Sandals at Church

It was probably the first time on a Sunday I’ve ever worn sandals to a church gathering.  Although I almost fell pulling out a case this morning out of the trailer it was worth the comfort!  I’m hoping our band and many will start wearing Jesus sandals over the next 3 weeks as we dive into the life of the man that wore sandals 2000 years ago on this earth.  I love the thought as we will be bringing in any old sandals and shoes and donating them to a great cause.  I love this church!!!

Tonight was a relaxing evening with the family and the puppet show was classic tonight!

wings & brotherhood

Last night I was literally blown away by the amount of guys that showed up to put away some Wings!  We had our first ever guys night out with a band of brothers from The Well.  We kept adding more tables and the wings kept coming.  When I got up to the register I ordered a dozen mild wings and a friend behind me quickly kept me accountable by saying, “Ricky mild did you say?”  I quickly laughed him off and said, “Just making sure you were checking – of course….. they will be HOT please!”  My manhood was quickly tested but approved.  I couldn’t be more humbled and honored to see the men that God is gathering together to serve and love a community with a genuine manly love.  After knocking out the wings we went over to our gathering location to see a flick.  The Knowing was almost perfect to lead into the series we’re talking about this month.  

After the movie about a dozen of us hung around in a circle like a bunch of junior high girls that kept “throwing wood on the fire” and sharing story after story.  It was a true display of men sharpening each other.  I inwardly thought, “here’s a bunch of guys that long for relationships and know one wants to be the first to make the move to leave!”.  I know I didn’t and ended up getting home at 130am.  I love these new brothers and looking forward to these relationships deepening and adding new brothers to this band!

god in sandals

This coming Sunday we tackle a new teaching series called “God in Sandals”.  I’ve been looking forward to this for about a year now.  My generation seems to second guess the evidences that make the Bible real.  Part of the skepticism is the fact that our beliefs were handed down to us from our parents and grandparents and……. we never questioned anything.  If we did perhaps it was a sign of disrespect or an inner sin issue to actually be struggling with questions about our faith.  As a result did our faith ever become real?  I think for many once they hit a specific age, specifically college, the moment they are challenged by a roommate or a professor, they throw in the towel – why?  Perhaps many answers to that.  I think for me it was that I just really didn’t know the answers and didn’t have anything to back it up.

 I recently had a college student ask me questions about creation vs. evolution.  She’s being challenged as she writes a paper.  She wants to give up because she can’t figure it out.  I challenged her to keep going with it, bring in all of our doubts and fears and struggles, and keep researching and studying to find the truth.  We should never run away from truth that we hold so dear.  We should not come across like we have all the answers either, for there will be many we will not know.  The Bible says there’s certain secrets that only God knows.  We just have to come to grips with that.  I’m looking forward to the next 4 weeks as we openly, transparently, and unashamedly tackle some controversial questions amongst our culture today.  

What are some questions you wrestle with?  What are some of your doubts?  What answers are you searching for?

our little leaguer

 Two months ago we signed our oldest up for soccer.  I made him repeat after me, “Daddy, this is just to keep me in shape.  Daddy, this is to just a warm-up for baseball”.  From a day old he would wake up to a room filled with baseballs and Red Sox memorabilia.  So….. naturally we would play around when he was really little.  I think he must have caught a little of the fever, because soccer doesn’t seem to be appealing… wonder why?  I admit I’m a die hard baseball guy because that was my thing, but I hope he finds his own love.  Amy and I had no idea that when we signed him up for t-ball a few weeks ago it would start so soon, we thought it would start after soccer season – nope!  Time to juggle.  Although it is straining on our schedule, we are absolutely loving it as a family.  We have practices on Monday night for baseball and soccer on Tuesday nights, as well as Thursday.  It’s crazy, but Camden and Cale love to be outside and it is allowing our family to have some amazing quality time together, as well as meet new friends in our community!  

This world of parenting is quite a ride and I’m loving it.  I didn’t start playing until I was in 3rd grade and Camden at 4 already has a pitching wind up!  I’m thinking about contacting a Red Sox scout shortly!  I think right now he prefers to bat.  Whatever he wants to do I pray that Amy and I can expose him to all sorts of arts, sports, and anything else his little heart wants to go after.  If we can cheer lead him onward and support any giftings he has then that is our goal.  May God give us the wisdom, patience, and love for our boys to help guide them in life.  More than anything may we have the passion for Christ that will spill out onto them that they may discover their own relationship with the greatest joy in life – Jesus.

sundays @ the well

 Stripped of Ourselves

 Some of our creative team came up with the idea to hang out clothes all over the front of the auditorium to end out our first teaching series.  I loved the added measure of hanging clothes on the drum shield!  Everyone that came was handed a strip of clothing to remind them to keep stripping themselves so that Christ could make them who they really are.  A 12 year old face booked me saying the message, “really spoke to me” how cool is that?  I’m never going to live down the fact that everyone knows I was once a hair clubber!  

 Amy & The Muffins

 There’s a joke going around about the name of our Well band.  Amy brings homemade muffins each Sunday morning from a very sweet neighbor of ours.  So…… for now that is what they are calling themselves.  I love this team!  They rocked it out during our pre-gathering to some blues.

 

 All You Can Eat Nursery Buffet

 One of our nursery coordinators brought in some bite size cupcakes.  My boys acted like they had not touched any food in weeks!  Cale was beside himself and I think when he was done the cupcake looked like it had took a bite out of him!  Our kids team informed me that we had close to a dozen more kids than usual today and it was the largest amount we’ve had in our first month!

 If I Had Hair

 Teddy is one of the smartest boys I know!  He is so intellectual and has such a servant’s heart – he gets it from his parents!  He came in this morning and I still can’t believe how centered his mohawk is!  How does that happen.  I made up my mind – if I had hair this is the way too go!

 

 Pastor’s Dessert

 Last night was our first ever Pastor’s Dessert and it has been one of my favorite moments we’ve had.  About a dozen guests came and downed Amy’s famous oatmeal cookies.  We turned our garage into a movie theater as we put the projection on our garage door!  It was a blast going around our living room sharing stories and hearing how The Well got started.  I choked up hearing about a young couple that has become good friends share how they heard about The Well during a Mom’s Club meeting and later heard our band banging it out during a Pre-view gathering – they live right behind the theater!

It was an amazing day and I loved eating mexican with new friends during lunch.  As tired as I was the beautiful afternoon pulled me out with some close friends on a 15 mile bike ride.  I hadn’t been on my bike in six months – lets just say no longer an Ironman – I’m now an Ironboy!