• Started a new series today called Man to Man.
• 5 weeks of preaching without notes. Scary and a little anxious at times.
• Met two cool new people this morning.  One just recovering from brain surgery and 17 years old, the other a nurse.
• I LOVE EpicChurch and the family which is being created.
• Really enjoyed lunch today after the Gathering.
• Best part of my day, HANDS DOWN, was the family time at the mall and then swimming tonight.
• Totally stoked about the TTT coming Tuesday from the Tour de France.
• Really enjoy eating Milk Chocolate with my daughter really late at night.
• Pretty excited that my mom is on Facebook and Twitter.
• Amazed that the life of a follower of Jesus is easy yet extremely hard all at the same time.
• Excited that Sunday started another great week. Not excited about the amount of trash piled up for me to take out.
• I really enjoy having Mat Johnson at EpicChurch as the Emcee.
• Feeling guilty that I didn’t ride at all this weekend but looking forward to this week riding with Jackson and Kyle.
• I love being married to my best friend, Jennifer. Oh yeah and she help proof read all my posts!
• Last…  I predict…  M. Cavendish, T. Farrar, T. Hushovd

Thanks again for all the Birthday wishes.  I am totally excited I get to spend the day with some of my family (not all SORRY MOM).  I am super excited to goto Jonnies for dinner tonight and some OKC friends will be there too.  In the meantime, check out this:

I have been stuck in the Atlanta airport today since early this morning.  I have been reading a bunch and working on the iLife series which starts this weekend at Epic Church.  But, I came across this thought provoking equation.  Read it.  Think about it.  Wrestle with it. Pray about it. Talk about it with others. Then share your thoughts.

Building + Clergy + Program = Church.

Body + Mission + Kingdom = Church.

*from http://threadsmedia.com/index.php?/store/detail/sent-leader-kit/

It seems to me the first is a very common way of “doing” church and even starting churches here in North America, in Tucson to be specific.  We find a location to meet, we raise some money to hire staff, we structure the best program we can think of for: children, youth, adults, bible study, and so on.  Then, we feel we have a church!  And the things I hear and even at times, I confess… think, if we just get a better place, get more staff, and have better things to do then we have a more successful church.

The later has a focus on relationships.  The relationship with Jesus as its foundation.  With the “body” being those who have accepted the forgiveness from Jesus Christ and have made a decision to journey with Jesus though life.  That journey is made with others toward the common focus which we hear over and over though the pages of the New Testament which is about brining the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.  Which leads the final addition to the equation; a Kingdom focus.  Not a “my church”, “my denomination”, “my city” focus but a Kingdom focus.  One that says, “I don’t care if my name ever become great, or if my church ever becomes great.  I desire for the name of Jesus to become great and that the Kingdom of God/Heaven is multiplied here on earth.”  When those things happen we have a church being born.  A place where you can be you.  Where you can journey with others toward a common goal, and serving our cities, friends, nation, globe, family… in the name of Jesus Christ.

I have more thoughts about this but thought I would share what I have thus far with you.

Finishing up here in Ohio.  It has been good time for sure.  The people of Ohio are wonderful and gracious.  I got the chance to stay with the pastor of First Baptist Church Mason, Ohio for the weekend.  He is a wonderful man of Jesus and excited about what God has done in his life and has a great passion for the people of his city.  I mean, this guy knows the scores of the local high school sports like Cross Country and girls Golf.  This man is passionate about this community and just a few moments with him you know it. His wife is kind, funny, and so supportive of her family.  Just a great family!

As I have been here a few things came to mind:

• The Kingdom needs all types of churches for all types of people.

• Southern Baptist Church building styles are the same NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO IN THE US.

• God is good and works all over the place.

• The Cooperative Program totally ROCKS.  It not only supports Epic Church but over 10,000 missionaries, students, hunger programs, disaster relief, community programs and so much more.

• If we are to reach our country for Jesus we need to start in the cities and we must start SIMPLE. Complex, highly funded systems will not transform our cities and our nation. (Benesh taught me that)

I have enjoyed my time here but I am excited to get back to Tucson and continue investing into the people of Tucson to transform our city for Jesus!  Anyone with me?