Q Crashing

About 12 years ago I found myself stepping into Mexico and falling in love with the people there.  A few years in the group I was working with decided to check out a new location.  Roy, who narrates the video, was with us.  We were all broken and immediately in love with the people.  We looked upon shacks made our of pallet wood and knew that there could be more.  That group decided that day that we would do all we could to show God's love to those people and to help their living conditions.  Today there have been over 100 houses built for families, a school, a church, and a safe house.  Groups still go throughout the year to spend time with people who have become like family to them.  It is amazing.  I miss it.  Since moving to Oregon to do mission work here in Eugene, I've not been able to go back.  I think this will change soon as my brother and his wife are moving down there this coming year.  Yep, they met both doing ...

Yesterday was an amazing day of church. I hesitate using that word "church", because it automatically conveys sitting in some seats and singing or listening to someone teach.  And while this is church, it is only a piece of the church.  In fact,  we are the church.  So let me rephrase. Yesterday was an amazing day to be the church. It started out downtown listening to Mitch Lee teach God's word.  He is an awesome pastor who just moved into the area and is Kingdom minded.  A real breath of fresh air.  Here is Mitch and two of his kids.  Awesome folks. Then I got to teach out of James chapter 1 at The Beautiful Mess followed with Open Mic Night.  It was great hearing all the different talents being shared.  The church is so beautiful and diverse and talented. I left a little early with all intention of heading home, but I couldn't keep myself from going by the basketball under the courts to see if any of the guy...

I just want to be honest and say I'm getting frustrated with how we act like we have it all figured out about God.  The more I study and think on God the less I'm certain about.  I create ideas and beliefs and then find them stretched and changed the very next year.  God is such a mystery. There was this guy that lived around 300 years after Jesus named Gregory.  Known as Gregory of Nyssa.  He and his brother were instrumental in putting together the Nicene Creed that is so famous. The Nicene Creed I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Hol...

So in the last few weeks I've got to wee two amazing miracles of God.  The first is Crater Lake.  I know it's not your traditional idea of a miracle, but the fact that a volcano blew up and left amazing beauty  in its stead is amazing.  It makes me think that sometimes in our life when things seem like they are erupting into chaos that God maybe taking us through a refining process.  And what is left after the explosion can be beautiful. The other miracle is that my friend Derrick and Thania got married.  The miracle is not that Derrick found someone (I know some of you guys were thinking it), but that God brings people together that two years before were living thousands of miles apart.  God writes beautiful stories full of mystery and awe.  Enjoy a couple of pics of the guys preparing for the ceremony. Derrick, I'm proud of you. Added bonus is a pic of my daughter Journey.  This is how she would end everyday...

So I'm super excited.  I love when God sends people here to Eugene to join us on our journey.  Sometimes it's for a week and sometimes a year and sometimes longer.  Hence the Emanuels.  Me and Erik began talking years ago about being involved in church planting together and now it's happening.  So here is the back story. Erick was on staff at Lifepoint, a church I was one of the plant pastors at.  We dreamed about church plants (especially in Ireland) for months.  I came out to Eugene to start planning and implementing The Crash idea.  He saved up money, found a job, and came out a year later. Nutshell. With what has been going on with The Crash and the planting of The Beautiful Mess this has been such a blessing.  This is the first family other than us who have made the jump into The Crash.  They bring so much gifting and passion to the table.  I can't wait to see how God is going to use them here in Eugene.  Just this m...

So I should start by saying how much I've missed my family this last two weeks.  I cannot wait to see them tomorrow.  Can't wait to hold my wife and girls and laugh together.  It's been tough without them, but I pray that the memories my kids make with family in Alabama will be the stuff of legends and that one day their stories will be laced with the summer experiences. In the mean time I've really tried to seek God out on what is happening and how and when and where and all that good stuff.  I really just wanted to ask God to make things clear to me.  He used some amazing people during my time alone to do that.  Erik Emmanuel came to visit and just talking through all the thoughts in my head and remembering the desire to really step out on a limb for God was so refreshing.  It made me realize the necessity of faith in all of this.  It helped me understand that it's not about the product, but the process.  The watching God do it all. ...

So my family is headed back home to Alabama to visit at the end of July.  Here is my list of places I must visit. 10. Jamoka's     In Oregon we have more coffee stops than gas stations.  That being said, if you breathe air, you drink coffee.  This fact alone make Jamoka's a no brainer.  Also, I've had some great conversations and moments in this coffee shop.  Come hang with us there. 9.  Mentone     This is the place where me and Audrey really began.  It is also one of the most beautiful spots in all of Alabama.  It holds it's own with the beauty spots in Oregon.  I've hiked here, swam under falls here, and seen amazing spiritual things happen.  I just want to breathe the air there once before I head back. 8.  Lifepoint     The first church plant I ever helped plant.  It reminds me what God can do with a dream, courage, and faith.  I get to teach here this Sunday which I'm so excited abo...