Twitter and blog changes

Assuming somebody still reads the blog and cares...I'm on Twitter. (You can see the latest updates on the left side of this page.) So if you're inclined, feel free to follow me. Can't promise anything interesting but we'll see how it goes. I'll try to post cool stuff going on at CCC and in my life that you might want to know. As far as the blog goes, you can probably see that blogging hasn't been my #1 priority lately. Maybe I haven't had much time or much to write about. But I've been thinking about making some changes here that will give me more excuses to post and maybe even help some other people along the way. It has to do with a spiritual next step I'm working on. I'm still thinking it through but I'll post as soon as I get it all figured out. Stay tuned.

CCC's New and Improved Website

In case you hadn't noticed, the CCC website has been redesigned!! It's a lot simpler to navigate. It gets right to the point. And we think it's a much better experience for people who are new to CCC or just checking out the church. Click on over and take a look. And while you're at it, invite a friend.

Christian Music

I'm often a critic of all things "Christian" especially the music. So, this made me laugh (mainly because it's true).

The view from my window this morning

Jedi Mind Trick

As a long time fan of Star Wars...THIS is one of the coolest things I've ever seen!!!!

For me...this is why it's a Happy Father's Day

My favorite thing from today's service...

One Prayer begins this Sunday

This Sunday, CCC will take part in a series unlike anything we've ever done. We're joining together with thousands of churches all over the world to do a series of messages called One Prayer. Some of the best communicators in all of Christianity have contributed messages around the topic "God is..." So for the next 4 weeks, we'll be discovering more about the God we serve along with brothers and sisters all around the world. It's an amazing thing when you think about it. Jesus prayed just before He went to the cross that His followers would be united as one. It's always been a sad thing to me that for the majority of history, the church hasn't been the answer to His prayer. (Incidentally, doesn't it change your perspective a little when your prayers don't get answered right away? Jesus' prayer still hasn't been answered 2,000 years later!) And even though this series can't repair all the damage, I think it's awesome that through the power of video technology, we can partner with Christians literally everywhere on the globe. We've seen over the past year what a powerful tool video teaching is (right, Madras campus??) and I hope you all can be there to witness this amazing series. I've previewed the 4 messages we'll be hearing and I'm telling you - this is something you don't want to miss. I know it's June and I know some of you have vacations...but get here! Look at it this way, you get a break from me and Ed. That's worth it right there!!!

Weekend Update

• It sort of surprised me the amount of response I got from yesterday's message. But it proved what I said. We all deal with the lie that we're not good enough.
• This Sunday, Ed talks about how we allow our secrets to define us. Should be another great service.
• Demons got into the sound system at the Sharpsburg noon service. I had to stop in the middle of the message twice. It was really distracting but we were able to laugh about it and the crowd was very forgiving and supportive.
• Remember when you hear the voices in your head this week, ask yourself: Who told me that?
• Our Madras campus kicked off another Starting Point group and I hear it went really well. Love it when we see people step out of the crowd and get connected to what God's doing here.
• Looking forward to partying with my small group this week.
• This Sunday you'll hear about our new teaching series coming in June. Like I said in my last update, it involves something we've never done before at CCC. 
• We've been working hard the past few weeks on planning teaching topics for the upcoming ministry year. I always love hearing what God puts in the hearts of our staff and dreaming about how He will use it to grow CCC.
• The Braves play every night this week!!! (if it doesn't rain, of course)

Weekend Update

• I haven't gotten around to posting one of these in a while. Don't know why. Just busy, I guess.
• One of the longest Sundays I've had in a while. I was physically exhausted when I got home. Still sore today. Preached 3 times. Then stuck around to set up for the AIDS project. Nearly 13 hours when I finally got home.
• The AIDS project was a blast. Loved watching entire families work together. It was also cool to see the video showing us precisely where the supplies were going and how they would be used to treat people all over the world.
• My small group ran the set-up and take down. Very hard work but I don't think I've ever had more fun with those folks. I have really fallen in love with my group since we started back in the fall.
• While I was there, I spoke to a guy who was working with the national AIDS hotline back in the 80s when the news broke about Magic Johnson contracting the disease. He had a really cool perspective on what we were doing.
• I can't begin to recall all of the great conversations I've been having from the marriage series. But here's my favorite...
• After week 2, a wife sent her husband text messages all week long that said "I'm starving!!" (if you don't get it, watch the message) He thanked me.
• Remember this week's challenge: Spend 7 days asking "How can I serve the needs of my spouse?" Then, whatever the answer is...say it or do it.
• We saw so many baptisms during this series. Between the 2 campuses I can't remember how many. Most memorable for me was a family of 4. Mom and Dad were baptized, then Mom turned around and baptized her 2 kids. That's what it's all about.
• This week, we start Identity Theft. We're talking about the lies we believe that steal our identity in Christ.
• For all you Sharpsburg campus people - we're doing another mission trip to Madras so you can experience portable church. No pressure or obligation but sign up and go. Who knows? You might like it and want to be a part of campus #3!!!
• We're planning a series in June that includes something we've never done at CCC before. Stay tuned.

iBible

This is for all my friends who love the latest gadgets...

Easter Weekend Update

• Where did all these people come from?? 
• Seriously, I love the buzz in the room on Easter. And I've never seen the room as full as it was at 10:30 at Sharpsburg.
• The legal capacity of our auditorium is around 500. We packed in 530. Don't tell the fire marshall!!!
• CCC Madras had a great day too, especially their 10:30 service. I hear the portable baptistery will be rolled out next week!!
• It blows my mind to think that next Easter we could be one church in THREE locations!!!
• How many churches in this county kick off their Easter service with Bruce Springsteen?? I love CCC.
• Saw 2 great baptisms today. One guy baptized his friend and introduced him by saying "...and he's about to become my former paper person!!!!" I almost cried like a big ole baby.
• I heard from so many people who had friends with them who accepted invitations. There's nothing like it, is there?
• For those of you who had friends with you for the first time: Follow up with a conversation this week and take advantage of what God did on Easter. 
• Also hearing stories of people trusting Jesus as Savior. One story from 2 weeks ago. We'll continue to see more baptisms in the weeks to come.
• Favorite Ed line from Easter: "They ought to have to hose us down!!!!"
• Enjoyed an awesome Sunday evening at home. BBQ pork chops on the grill. Mac & cheese. Tater salad (yes, we say it like that & we're proud of it). The girls hunted eggs in the yard. My parents, my brother & his wife joined us. I love my family.
• New series starts Sunday - Marriage Landmines: Money, Sex & Power. 
• I hate to be mean but this article got on my nerves. We're busting our butts to reach the 60,000 and this church is busy building a Jesus statue out of 30,000 Legos?!?! Give me a freakin' break!
• Watched my beloved Dawgs in the G-Day game on Saturday. They got lots to work on before the fall but I think they'll be ready (if we can hold off the injuries).
• How 'bout them Braves??? What a great start!
• Took Abby to the game on Saturday night. Best time I've ever had at The Ted. Abby agreed. Braves won and we got Friday night fireworks on Saturday night!