This past weekend will go down as one of my favorite weekends in a long time. This past weekend the men of CCF put together an unforgettable valentines dinner for the ladies of CCF plus 30 of their ladies friends. The whole point of the evening is simply to love our ladies well. To love them with the love of Christ in a tangible way. A long the way one of the big goals was that the girls did not have to lift a finger the entire evening from walking in the front door to the car escort back to their dorms. The evening really started the day before around 3 when the food began to be prepared and lasted almost till Midnight in preparation then continued on the day of the event 3 hours before with the finishing touches on food being completed and decorations being completed. By start time the girls of CCF were served chocolate fondue for an appetizer while being serenaded by one of the men of CCF on a cello followed by a short car ride to the Presbyterian Center for a night of spoiling. The men of CCF did an amazing job of opening every door waiting on every table and entertaining the girls every minute of the evening. There were 10 acts in total ranging from poetry reading to quartets to juggling acts. I had no idea that our men were so talented but then again why ever doubt the men of CCF. In between acts our men did an excellent job of serving as singing waiters singing on requests songs ranging from Disney classics to “like a virgin.” There was no opportunity to serve and bless our girls that was not missed. This night not only made the girls feel like the amazing women that they are and how they deserve to be treated but also just grew our amazing group of men closer together. It also allowed us the opportunity to show the love of Christ to dozens of girls who have never set foot into CCF, so props to our girls for inviting their friends. A “win” on every front for sure. As the night finally wrapped up after washing all those dishes every fella went to bed knowing not only were the girls blessed but also coming away with great memories that we made together making less of ourselves and much of our sisters in Christ. Thanks for being so awesome CCF Family.
So according to new laws (as if anyone reads my blog) I now have to inform you that I was given a free copy of “Hear No Evil” by Matthew Paul Turner (@jesusneedsnewpr) Actually I was given two free copies (now I hope the publishers dont read this) on accident so just like I was given a free book I am gonna pass one onto you. Stay tuned on how to win (or just scroll down to the bottom). Any ways here are some of my thoughts.
“Hear No Evil: My story of innocence, music and the Holy Ghost” by Matthew Paul Turner is exactly what is titled. All I knew of the author before this book was his blog and believe me innocence was not a word I would have ever connected to Turner. If you are like me and follow any blog on a daily basis (and I highly recommend you follow his) you begin to “connect” with the writer in an almost stalker way. Turner has been a guy who I enjoy at times and hate at times. But then again I think he likes it that way. I loved how his constant poking fun at Christianity but I was turned off by his animosity towards John Piper. Needless to say the book explains Turner to a “t.” I had no idea how conservative of a background he came from. I mean really really conservative fundamental baptist. As I turned the pages I couldn’t help but laugh and wince at times at how fundamental his church and family were in his upbringing. Fundamental and conservative as in Sandi Patty was a sin to listen to. What makes the read fun is that he never holds back his thoughts or any part of the story. I wondered if his family or churches or friends knew how brutally honest he was going to be. There were awkward moments in the book where Turner does such a crafty job of putting you there that you can’t help but feel awkward with him.
This book is totally out of my comfort zone and a break from my typical readings of Keller, Piper, Miller (okay its similar to Miller), Mahaney and Driscoll. But provided a much needed break. If you are the type of reader that never pauses for a breath of fresh air then I would highly recommend “Hear No Evil” If any thing guys like me need to be reminded through the stories of Turner’s life such valuable lessons of how arrogant a calvinist can come across, how ridiculous a judgment houses are (aka God’s little house of eternal torment and shame), how easy it is for teaches to teach denominations and not theology, and how much pain and damage the church can do to those in and out of it. If you sit on either end of the extreme from the wound too tight conservative (like me at times) to the bruised and fed up with the church person this book brings a brutal honesty that will make you life, squirm and bring hope all while tying in a constant theme of the place of music in Turner’s life. As Turner so perfectly says ”Music reminds us to trust God when people fail us.” Now where did I put my copy of Desiring God?
HOW TO WIN A FREE COPY: Simply write down a “secular” song that has impacted your childhood and a snippet of how so. Make sure to include your email. Winner will be picked on Friday February 19th.
This weekend seemed like one of the busiest in a long time
In years past I wouldn’t have gotten so tired but man I am still tired from the weekend.
Mark was spot on this past sunday
“You either deny sin or deal with it”
Wonder if I might have a diet coke problem after Dan gave me a twelve pack for my birthday
“The problem with not confessing your sin is it is a sin”
I am so thankful for my CCF family, can’t believe I get paid to do this
Chick Fila owes me something for all the business I brought them Saturday
My wife is crazy awesome
If ya still wanna buy me books you can..Amazon.com
Its ridiculous how much cheaper flowers are the day after valentines
Thankful that Katie lets us celebrate Valentines after February 14th
I think I may have finally figured out what I am doing with CCF payroll
One day I will catch up on all the posts I want to write
Still digging bible in a year.
Paul is a hero of mine for sure, and so glad we gave MP the middle name “Paul”
“When things are kept in the darkness they rot us from the inside out”
“Resentment is the #1 reason fuel for addictive behaviors and self medicating”~Mark
“Pride trivializes sin” ~Mark
There is still something special about singing in the CCF house
CCF worship nights are too few and far between
“Deny sin=God is a liar, Deal with sin=promise of forgiveness” ~Mark
The Men of CCF continue to blow me away this year. The prayers of 4 years for our men are being answered and continue to be prayed for daily. God is blowing my mind through the men of CCF.
CCF Valentines Banquet= Total Success. What a great night. Not just for the girls but a great WEEKEND for the Men of CCF
Check out @Lecrae ’s song to come out in support of Haiti . Usually I am not a fan of Christian Rap but Lecrae is an exception to that rule. Check out this video and if you have done anything for Haiti yet. Its not too late to stop right now and pray and then give however possible
As if Nathan Uy doesnt do enough amazing things with the small groups he also came up with a last minute lip sync for CCF family vacation. This was by far a huge HUGE success and a ton of fun. Here are some of my favorites from the night but there are 11 total so check out the youtube channel here. The winner is at the bottom. Its amazing what students can create with only 24 hours warning.
This past weekend on what was one of the best CCF family vacations I have ever been apart of in 7 years we had the pleasure of hosting Dan Cole (best looking worship leader I know) and Craig Portwood (dynamic youth pastor extraordinaire) for the weekend. Typically when you go to a conference or a retreat you tend to “sell it” with the names of the speaker and worship leader but that has never been the case at CCF. The biggest selling points are the past ones, the people and the topic. This year’s retreat will be forever remembered for me by the people that are around me. From the staff of Nathan Uy and Kelsie Newman to the kitchen team of Kyle and Shannon Gower Winter, Matt Heimann, and Greg and Janine Garner with Jimmy Shane and Michael to the 75 plus CCFers on the trip. Those people are what made this trip so amazing. Having so many guests in the kitchen and on the stage just gave me a chance to brag about what God has done in the lives of so many CCFers. Having guests allows me to really look at where the kids are now and celebrate how far God has brought them since we first met them. This bragging on kids reminds me of Paul where he talks about the different churches faithfulness, zeal and growth. This bragging on what God has done in so many lives was not only an encouragement to me but also to the guest on the weekend with us. The icing on the cake though is the encouragement it brings to the kids you are bragging about. So if you are feeling down or just haven’t done much celebrating lately take some time to look at the people around you and brag a little on what God has done in their lives. I know for me that this weekend was a breath of encouragement and excitement for what God has done and will do.
The monday mind dump streak came to an end last week and I am sure some of you went into a mild depression but the end of one streak means the start of another
I am so thankful that I have a mother in law who is awesome and a sister in law that is too. Now if they would just move to tally
Still digesting everything that happened on Family Vacation
Honestly the best group of CCFers we have ever taken anywhere
Speaking of streaks no trips to the hospital breaks our streak of visits with this family vacay.
Major props to Craig Portwood from Milledgeville, GA for knocking it out of the park as our speaker
Best speaker we have had on a spring retreat in my 7 years around CCF
“What would your campus (or job) look like if every believer was as strong as you spiritually?” Rocked me!
“Have you ever believed a lie so long that now the truth seems like a lie?”
My lack of belief that I can overcome some sins is really a sign of too much trust in myself and lack of faith and living in the power of the spirit.
“The Holy Spirit is not here to condemn, it is here to convict, comfort and change His people” (in that order)
“We are the ones who stop the movement of God in our lives, NOT GOD” ~Craig
I love me some bagel bagel. Lunch sandwiches (the hombre) is amazing but breakfast is quickly becoming my favorite
“He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.” Ex 15
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14
Luke Skeen over at the Navs is the man, really believe in him and what they are doing
The lack of people signing up for tutoring is stretching to say the least
The reason the Holy Spirit convicts is to protect (John 14)~Craig
“When you ignore the Holy Spirit you ignore God’s interaction within you”
I am so proud of the men of CCF and thankful for what God has done in them
BUT the girls took a BIG step this weekend
Watching the guys in Acts praising the Lord in prison reminds me that I am to quick to whine and too slow to worship
Reading the gospels also encourages me that not every miracle ended with a conversion.
One of these days I am gonna catch up on my blogging, have a list of over 50 posts
Bringing in a guest always gives me the chance to brag about the CCFers
We do not need more of the holy spirit rather less of ourselves
Money at CCF is SERIOUSLY TIGHT. I hate to ask but if you are interested in hearing more, want to be added to our supporters list or could just pray. Please do and let me know. You can give.. HERE
The bible in a year is still amazing. Loving having a plan and a wife and great friends that are doing it with me
Once again I fell asleep during the super bowl but thats what highlights are for
You know the commercials were bad when the talk is not about the best commercials rather the worst
This Sunday we wrap up “Be.” One of my favorite series we have done as we have had our eyes opened to the truth that we do not “do” Christianity rather it is who we BEcome.
Major props to Stephen Icardi for such a quality graphic. Really all of our quality graphics
Its that time of the year that I begin to think a little about the future of CCF and this year I have been asking myself a unique question.
“What would happen without CCF?”
First off, CCF is not going anywhere… well as far as I know it’s not. I have just been asking this question to myself because I have really been thinking about how we “do” things at CCF. Is our vision spreading? Are people jumping on board and taking hold of it or are they simply coming because we are creating it. So here is how the question has played out. Without CCF would people still gather and talk about the Word in their apartments and dorms? Without CCF would people still be intentional? Without CCF would the heart of a hundred or so students still be broken for campus? Some times I just wrestle with this question because I wonder if we are doing too much creating. When I look at the book of Acts I wonder if this things just happened with natural leaders even appointed leaders. Take for instance small groups. Weren’t small groups what happened between people in the same neighborhoods and occupations. Interesting now how it is all so organized and structured for us. Some times I wonder if this structure and organization actually disables our students and congregations by doing it all for them. Instead of a group of people with common interests, jobs, and proximity gathering it has become at times forced and borderline awkward. There is no doubt God still works gracefully through all sorts of models but I just wonder what it looked like if groups were placed more in the hands of the students and congregations than from “the top.” If this sounds scary or you think everything would fall apart maybe we are doing something wrong. Maybe some things need change. Maybe…
