Aftermath, a worship experience

We had our first "Aftermath" worship experience Sunday night. I am so excited about what we're doing! This is going to be a worship service unlike any other I have been involved with or even attended. We had an artist painting during the whole worship service, a huge piece of butcher paper for anyone to write their thoughts, poetry or even sketch as part of their worship, too. Tiffani did an outstanding job with worship (she is incredibly gifted in worship as well as so many other things). And Charley, our worship leader, did what Charley does so well, sit down, teach from the Scriptures, and make it so understandable. I learned a great deal from his teaching (I have grown to appreciate Charley the more he is here. He has given me pearls of wisdom on several occasions when we've talked together).

Sunday night at 6PM. A worship experience unlike any other, worshiping the God of all Creation, The One who is worthy of all our Worship, Jesus Christ

Starbucks and the future

I was hanging out, doing some studying and drinking coffee at one of the 503 local Starbucks in the area, when I read one of their posters (advertising Brazil coffee):

I have partnered with Starbucks for 10 years so that we can grow
high-quality coffee for the next 100 years.

Great thought, great planning, to invest in the future.

New Worship Service

this is our newest worship service, or experience. We're beginning it this Sunday, April 22, at 6PM. The worship service came out of a desire to reach people in our area (primarily young adult) that are more of the artistic type. Here is the info:

The Aftermath is a place for the misunderstood, the extremely understood, the miscreant, and the goody-two-shoes. The Aftermath is not your grandma’s church service. It is a worship experience that strives to be different, a different type of church service; a place for those who have never felt as if they belonged and those who have always belonged. Each week, we will look at Christ's words in different ways from the mold of many other churches. Every service a new band will lead worship, each week we will find new ways to experience Christ's Glory in new and old ways. The Aftermath Staff is excited to delve into this new type of evolving ministry that LOOKS AT THE SAME GOD AND THE SAME TRUTH IN NEW WAYS. We want to be culturally relevant and keep Christ the forefront of our lives.

purpose of life

I'm reading this book called, "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day," by a pastor of a church in Washington DC. His name is Mark Batterson. The book is a great read (the blog is really good, too), and one of my favorite quotes is this:

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop criticizing and start creating. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences.

Too many of us play everything too safe. Jesus said "I have come to give them life abundantly", and abundant LIFE is not found in safety.