The Catalyst Conference starts today. You can check back here for my thoughts and comments throughout the next few days. Better yet, checkout Conference Channel to watch live interviews with speakers and video of what is happening.

What do you use to keep up with the blogs you read?

I’ve been using Flock’s built in RSS Feed, but it has been acting squirrelly. I think I need something a little better. Suggestions?

I have no idea what the context was for designing this shirt, but I think I could wear one. Could you wear this shirt, too?

There’s a lot that I think I’m entitled to, owed, or deserve. Why do I think that my position in an organization entitles me to certain power, authority, or benefits? Why do I think that giving my time means I deserve special consideration? Why does my wealth, education, family tree, or age make me think I deserve to skip over a few lessons from the school of hard-knocks?

Thank God, for Jesus who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b] of a servant…

How can I let God make me more like Jesus today? What’s one practical thing I could let him transform in me right now? How could I lead the charge in this for my family?

… in jinxes? You don’t talk trash because it might cause you to lose.
… in luck? You reenact a ritual before a game or blow on the dice.
… in chance? You say, “What are the odds?”
… in charms? You wear the same socks for sales presentations.
… in coincidence? You say, “Funny meeting you here of all places.”
… in curses? You avoid certain words, actions, or places as dangerous.
… in omens? You see certain events as a sign of what’s to come.

Click and vote here: YES or NO You go first and I’ll tell you why I do or don’t.

Leave your caption to this picture in a comment…

This post comes direct from the top bunk of Gavin’s room on Sunday night at 7:50pm (love the iPhone).

Tonight we were all reading the story of the paralytic whose friends lowered him through the roof for Jesus to heal. When I asked Sophie (3 years old) what that guy’s friends wanted Jesus to do, she replied, “I would want Jesus to play the piano.”

We laughed so hard.

If you could get in front of Jesus and ask him to do one thing, what would it be?

I think these just about sum it all up for Gavin’s first day…

He had a blast. I loved riding bikes with him to drop him off. He walked in with his neighborhood friend, Andrew. It was fun to meet him at the bike racks at the end of the day to go home.

There are some HUGE things in the works at Access for the fall. But before revealing them in the next couple posts, I just have to share what I’ve been able to see God doing lately. It seems like there is some serious momentum and the snowball is gaining momentum:
- We had a GroupLink last week where over 40 people joined new groups for singles, young couples, empty-nesters. The majority of the people who joined weren’t at Access a few months ago!
- Sunday evening we had baptisms out at the beach. We watched the stories of those being baptized, worshiped, and celebrated. I got to baptize one of the guys in my community group! What an honor to stand with him.
- Involvement this summer has been amazing! We keep meeting more and more people each time we meet. New people are jumping in to serve. A growing group of people are trusting God with giving to Access.

Thank you Heavenly Father for what you are doing- not for Access, but in our city and in my life. I love that I get a front row seat as you leads people into a growing relationship with you son, Jesus.

The best is yet to come! Check back for the unveiling of what’s next…