Inspired

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZLvSnr6s50

Happy MLK Day!

2011 Prayer: Give Me Faith

Right now I am at Ma’agan on the Sea of Galilee and God has really presented an incredible challenge in my life. I believe that He is loving me by calling me out on my lack of faith and compelling me to place more faith in Him.

This is my 4th trip to Israel and I have prayed specifically in two ways. Lord, give me a refreshing love and passion for Your Word and challenge me toward Your Vision for the future. Dr. Warren is walking us through the book of Acts this week and he presented some great truth from Acts 1 tonight. He explained how he didn’t necessarily like the fact that the disciples were casting lots for the 12th disciple replacement for Judas. However, he also explained that their method isn’t the most important thing in this text. In the previous verses after Christ ascended into Heaven, the disciples gathered to pray and prepare for this great mission. Dr. Warren went on to say that our methods are useless unless our lives are prepared to respond to God and His work.

With this being said, we drove from Mt. Carmel (where Elijah and the prophets of Baal battled it out) and I listened to one of my favorite new songs (Give Me Faith - Elevation Worship). Here is a video of this song led by my buddy Chris Brown.



This wasn’t by chance, this was orchestrated by God. I was anticipating for God to speak to me clearly and He chose to bring this up on my new ipod shuffle. For those who don’t have one of these, you basically can put up to 250 songs on it and then it just randomly shuffles songs when you hit play. I couldn’t have chosen it myself.

Here I am sitting on the Sea of Galilee and God asks me to “Give Him Faith”. I mean how stinkin awesome is this! There are too many to cover on this blog, but consider the encounters people had with Jesus about their faith in the book of Mark.

To the paralytic who was carried through a roof by four friends near Capernaum:
Mark 2:5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

To the disciples on the Sea of Galilee:
Mark 4:40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

To the woman who touched Jesus’ garment by the Sea of Galilee:
Mark 5:34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

2010 was an amazing year. There were definitely some major ups and major downs. In regards to family, we went through quite a roller coaster ride with the pregnancy but by God’s grace we welcomed Mack and Birk into our lives in July. Annabeth and I are so thankful for them and our Bolt. In regards to school, I am almost done. I never thought that would happen. This has been a slow process but I am thankful to learn and grow. In regards to ministry, I am amazed by the evidences of God’s grace with Vintage and MissionLab despite my failures and inabilities. I am so thankful that Jesus has set me free from the burden of trying to do anything, He has simply called me to surrender to Him and follow Him. I wish everything was great this year but I also went through some intensely difficult times. I am hoping to one day share these journeys as God has shaped and molded me through pain. I’ll be completing my 6th year leading MLab and have been thankful for every minute of this growing ministry. Vintage is at an incredible place where truth, love, and community is being multiplied through individuals, community groups, and gatherings.

With all that said, God is challenging me on my level of faith. He is reminded me through His Word that He has even greater things in store. Things that I can’t even imagine. No matter what I face in 2011, I am praying that God would give me a faith that anticipates His glory continuing to shine in my personal life, my family life, and my ministry life. Thank you Jesus for loving me by the Sea of Galilee.

Please Lord, Give Me Faith.

Fall 2010 Reflections: First Chapter Down!

This past fall we started a journey in I Corinthians called "In the City. For the City." We took a few breaks but we spent 13 weeks walking through the first chapter of this great book. You can go to www.vintagenola.org/inthecity/ to catch up with our journey. I've joked around with our Vintage family by stating that we might be hanging in this book for the next 40 years...that might be true.

Here are some reflections from our journey so far:

> THE GOSPEL - A lot of people dive into this book because of the craziness of Corinth or the controversial issues that Paul addresses. Above all things presented in the book, the Gospel is major anthem that is proclaimed. Paul's desperate plea with this young church plant was our memory verse for the first chapter which is an incredible proclamation of the Gospel:
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." 1 Cor 1:30-31

> THE CITY - The more I study, the more similarities I find between the city of Corinth and the city of New Orleans. The other day at one of our Community Group Leader meetings, a CG Leader stated that he was amazed at how similar his group is to the struggles found in Corinth. This book is a timely book for our church family. Paul loved this crazy city and he believed in the great potential impact in the world if Corinth was reached by the Gospel. I believe that God is going to teach us so much about how to be in New Orleans for New Orleans and the glory of God.

> CELEBRATING STORIES - Some of my favorite moments this fall have been hearing and witnessing the many different stories of our Vintage family being the church in our city. I could fill a book with all the incredible stories. You can watch some of the stories at www.vimeo.com/vintage. Thank you Jesus for moving through us in our city!

> LIFECHANGE - The Gospel is transforming people in the city of New Orleans. I am blown away by His grace. We have had so much fun witnessing people being saved and baptized. Join us in praying that God would save every soul in our city for His glory. Here some pics from our baptism gathering in September.





> UNITY - Most of the first chapter is Paul's plea in the Gospel against the division that was leaking into this young church plant. God really humbled me throughout this first chapter and helped me get past sin in order to remain focused on the main thing. I have loved witnessing our church family grow stronger over the fall. We are currently gathering around 200 people on the weekend but our unity isn't found when we gather, our unity is found as we scatter. We have around 250+ gathering in homes all over our city. These community groups are living out "truth, love, and community" and I am crazy in love with them.

Vintage Family, let's stay humble and focused upon the Gospel. I can't wait to launch back into I Corinthians in the Spring.

In the City. For the City.

This past Sunday we launched our new journey through I Corinthians. We have called our series "In the City. For the City." I want to invite you to take a ride with us over the next 2-3 years. We probably won't even get out of the 1st chapter this fall. You can find all the available resources (intro booklet, podcast, sermon notes, & discussion guide) at www.vintagenola.org/inthecity

Our prayer is three-fold as we journey through this book. We are praying that our Vintage Family would "live the Gospel, love the city, and be the church". You probably recognize this. This is our mission statement. I am so amazed by all that God has done in and through our church over the past 2 years, but I really believe that the best is yet to come.

I love New Orleans! There are times when I don't necessary like it, but I do love it. I feel crazy blessed to serve Jesus, raise my family, and pastor a church in my favorite city in the world. Although NOLA has survived and thrived through Katrina and is on the rise, there is a ton of work to do. Many of the traditions that are so unique about this city have remained but there is also a new wave of talent flowing into my city. I am so excited about this "New" New Orleanian because of the potential for our future. There are so many new creatives and professionals. We, as Vintage Church, can't afford to remain stagnant. In order to keep up with our culture, we are going to have to push the limits of creativity as we proclaim the greatest message in the world.

As we journey through this series, I pray that we would recognize that as the church God has a bigger plan for our city. He has called us to be "in the city, for the city". I am praying for a movement of God to hit our city in such a way that only He would get the glory. What will this look like?

The church (people who are saved by the Gospel) will start to truly love the city instead of despising it, fearing it, ignoring it, using it, & indulging it. Click here to listen to our week 1 message as I walked through these different types of people. Families will commit to raise their families in the city teaching the next generation to love the city. I have begun to pray that God would save every person in our city. I might be crazy, but I believe that nothing is impossible with Christ.

As I watched all of the attention New Orleans got as we remembered 5 years since Katrina, I believe that God placed an incredible vision upon my heart. I am not sure when this will happen but I believe that I will witness it. I am not sure what role Vintage Church will have in it, but I know that we will be a part of it. On a future Katrina-Anniversary (next year, 10yrs, 25yrs, 50yrs) I saw all the media outlets of the world focused on our city. During this anniversary there was one major difference. As the world looked at New Orleans, they didn't only see the social justice organizations, they didn't only see the new homes and neighborhoods, they didn't only see the new leaders and businesses, they didn't only see the 15 Vince Lombardi trophies in the dome, they saw the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed through every street of our city. They saw the church living in the city and for the city and as a result the Gospel was glorified in all nations.

Believe with me in this very simple prayer,

"God, move in such a way in New Orleans that YOU ALONE receive all the glory."

2010 Where Ya @?

We are celebrating a 2-year journey as Vintage Church. Thank you Jesus for leading us on this amazing ride. THE BEST IS YET TO COME! Enjoy our highlight video and podcast from our Where Ya @? Celebration:



For the video go to http://vimeo.com/14375945

For the podcast go to http://vintagenola.org/podcast/2010/8/22/where-ya-082210-judges-6-7.html

I Can't Wait

Hey Mack and Birk,

Today is your birth-date. I am hanging out with your mama and you are about to enter this world. I just wanted to write you a little note from your daddy. Your mama and I love you so much and we haven't even met you.

I have watched you wrestle with each other inside your mama's tummy. I'm sure this won't be the last time that you guys wrestle it out. Bolt and I can't wait to jump in. I have also spent the last week listening to your little heartbeats. We have spent an entire week at the hospital waiting on your arrival. I am so grateful to God for this time because I know that it has made you stronger. Every single beat is an amazing miracle from God.

As you enter this world, we are thanking God for this amazing miracle. The last 8 months have been filled with crazy excitement. This time has also been filled with a ton of prayers. Gentlemen, I want you to understand something.

You are not ours. You were created by and created for the Lord. He owns you and loves you way more than your Mama and I ever could. He loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die upon a cross in order that you might have a relationship with Him. I have prayed everyday, as I pray for your older brother Bolt, that you might be saved by Jesus Christ. This is a decision that your Mama and I can't make for you, your friends can't make for you, your church can't make for you. This is a decision that is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.

Your Mama and I are super-pumped that God has entrusted both of you to us. We will daily lift both of you up in prayer asking for God to save you and to use you for His glory. I know that God has placed you in this world for His purpose and glory.

I can't wait to watch you play ball with your older brother, I can't wait to watch you play tricks on us because you are identical, I can't wait for the camping trips and beach trips, I can't wait to watch you hug and kiss and take your Mama on a date, I can't wait to watch you fall in love with Jesus, I can't wait to watch you celebrate the Saints 10th Super Bowl win, I can't wait to watch you fall in love, I can't wait to watch you get married, I can't wait to watch you serve the Lord, I can't wait to watch you as a proud daddy of your own kids.......I can't wait.

Mack & Birk, Your daddy loves you! I can't wait for this journey to begin.

Daddy

Be a Rebel. Get Involved.

There is a big discussion taking place in the tribe that I hang with called the Southern Baptist Convention. Honestly, I am not too sure about everything that has taken place. I do have certain convictions about the many things that have been brought up by the Great Commission Resurgence.

Here are my two cents, thanks for reading this mom:

For whatever reason, every generation has an inward desire and passion to rebel against the previous generation. As a third generation preacher in my family, I have loved hearing the stories of men from the past who have stood against the crowd to attempt something great for God. The Southern Baptist Convention has been filled with these stories.

When Christ called me into full-time ministry, I had no idea that church planting was even an option, because I had always viewed it as “church splitting”. As I continued to learn about church planting, I found and continue to find many guys who have turned to church planting because of a drive to rebel against “the man.” On top of this, many church planters have chosen to rebel against their denominational heritage.

Planting a church in Uptown New Orleans was never an act of rebellion for me. Post-Katrina New Orleans is in desperate need of a thousand new churches. I was however influenced by this rebellion to consider the option of abandoning the Southern Baptist Convention. One of my close friends recommended for me to look into the Acts 29 Network. As I pursued them, I had the privilege of talking with Darrin Patrick (Lead Pastor of Journey Church in St. Louis) who is the Vice-President of Acts 29 and a Southern Baptist. God used Darrin in a powerful way to show me the importance of honoring my heritage, moving against the crowd that was jumping ship, and getting involved.

The Southern Baptist Convention has been an amazing blessing in my life. My South African parents sold everything, moved to New Orleans, and began studying at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. They were immediately adopted and equipped to proclaim the Gospel. Today I join my dad, my brother, my uncles, and both grandpas in proclaiming the Gospel through the umbrella of the SBC.

Sure, the SBC has many issues…but so does every church…and so does every church leader. Southern Baptists have been used by God in a mighty way to proclaim the Gospel all over the world. I am proud to continue this cooperative journey into the future.

With so many in my generation turning away from the SBC, I feel like the new rebellion is to get involved. I have really appreciated the work that has gone into the Great Commission Resurgence. There has never been a greater time for us to unite around the Gospel for God’s glory. BE A REBEL. GET INVOLVED.