Am I a Revolution?

Dear Greenhorn

2011-12-22T14:34:00.001-05:00

“THE GREAT SHEARING:”
“The shepherd feels the silent gratitude of a well tended flock. This flock mind you, who while under the deliberate direction of this herdsman, is led each year into the harsh biting frost of winters deep jowls. It is only after he has bravely led them into a winter, to feed and drink on the scarcity of green, will he find himself the recipient of cold sheepish gifts.

We feel the warmth of our prize long after the sheep are fed, and grown healthy. We see the effects of our workings only after said healthy sheep have entered winters harsh freeze. What kind of mad man takes a perfectly healthy flock and drives them into the chilling elements, that are sure to call into question the four-legged confidence in the one who walks on two. Does it not seem it a bit reckless to the season of careful tending? Or could there be something more definitive happening beneath the surface.

I wonder, as one who is an understudy in the line of the first shepherd, if winter is more than just a inconvenient weathering, rather it is more attuned to a necessary thickening. Take a sheep for instance and place her in a tropical climate... A comfortable 80 degrees year round... And notice come spring the thinning of her woolish offering. Now take a sheep and put her in a place where the last season wipes way most traces of green, A place where the palm tree and the oranges are now but brittle corpses of Summers fatty warmth. You will notice a transformation so subtle and yet so monumental.

Out of the leanishness of winter, comes a spring shearing of sheepish bounty. A years worth of feeding, and tending prepare a flock for a season of bitter cold, and the payoff is a lasting reminder of the type of business we are in.

Ours, fellow herdsmen, is a calling whose deepest warmth only comes upon the passing of our deepest cold. Ours is an assignment of the now and the not yet, so we might clothe our souls in a fleece sheared from a labor bent on differed enjoyment. Our insulation in this world only matures when sheep grow like sheep are meant to do.

I wonder about the first shepherd... For there was no last years wool to keep him warm as he looked face first into the stinging cold. I wonder about the first sheep... For they did not have the stories of seasoned ewes to bolster their confidence in a half naked man, who for some reason was leading them into this winter.

I doubt it was an overwhelming surge of bravery that cause a relentless drive, and I don’t really believe it was deafness of his senses, which some say gave him an almost unfair advantage so as not to feel the bite of the frost.

However I think it was a complete understanding of his calling, his assignment and the gravity of what hung in the balance. A vision of a pasture so rich and green, teeming with the very essence of all that is life. For it is destinations that move hearts, not the other way around… and that is a movement unwavering, almost a gift itself.

Little did the flock know what was happening to them then, and to be honest little do we still realize. One moment a blinding white, the next moment the sound of shears singing with the wetness of the sharpening stone and the payoff of a peace to know we will not be so naked next winter.

Don’t be afraid GH, you look just as crazy as He did… the hope of spring will warm your heart and calm their sheepish doubt and move you all towards the rewards your after.

~b"

Here is what i am chewing on

2011-10-13T11:48:00.004-04:00

Ok... so i am a reader... thats not too much of a confession, but when it comes to preparing for a new conversation with my Element Church family... i tend to become a bit of a glutton.

Well... i am not even sure if people are reading this anymore (since i didn't post for over a year on here), but at the odd chance that someone says... hey i wonder what crazy things are going on in the head of Bobby's... here is my literary menu by which i hope you banquet your soul!

"With" by Skye Jethani

"God is closer that you think" by John Ortberg

"Walking with God" by John Eldredge

"Sailing between the Stars" by Steven James

"Orthodox Heretic" by Peter Rollins

"Tell it Slant" by Eugene Peterson

and as if that were not enough... i am listening to (which i believe is the same thing as reading) book 5 of George RR Martin's "A Dance with Dragon's i really have gotten hooked to this series.

so, thats what i am chewing on... if you have read them... or want to, i would love to chew with you!

Sage please

2011-09-07T13:42:00.002-04:00

I want to wield the bane of our enemy, and i can’t afford to pretend that i can forge it on my own. For its blade was made long before me it protected your kingdom and protected it well. When the fortress fell, you chose the grey-haired sage to wield it strength and sting... Not so he could relive his former glory of a kingly past, but to preserve the lineage of your people and to fend off evil. The once glittering edge provided safety of light amidst perilous darkness while young rangers found their hearts to wear their crowns.

Oh to be safe in the pitted bite of the fabled blade, so i might learn to be the shepherd who wields its furious authority. I cant help but wonder if the true power that strikes fear in the hearts of all who oppose your kingdom is not found in the forged metal of ancient kings, but rather in the grey-haired guardian who selflessly journeys with adolescent warriors. To know the hilt i long to hold is never the property of its holder makes me want to feel its ancient leather that much more... I long to have my hands made holy, rough and stained by the legacy of the sage and the victory of its passing.

Week two video

2010-05-12T21:47:00.001-04:00

Please feel free to use it!

UnComfortable

2010-05-02T13:54:00.002-04:00

So today we started a new series here at Element Church. Like always here is the sermon Bumper, and each week i will upload the illustration bumper. Feel free to use it! All i have to say is Chris Farrell is my favorite! well done bro.

Remember

2010-04-03T08:34:00.001-04:00

Like students cramming for an exame we often retieve knowledge just long to pass the test, only to find it as exacped our mind before learning has really taken place.

Many points in our lives as followers of Jesus, we are tempted to focus on the bright and shiney parts of our faith… things like life, joy, peace, freedom and love. Is it any reason why Easter is the most attended service each year… for both those who claim to follow Jeus and for those who appease the invites of those who claim to follow Jesus.

In our reveling of all things bright and beautiful we often forget at what price they have been given.

The cost of a father to willfully give His only son to be misunderstood, mistaken, mistreated… and to the great realization that Loves only child has been miscarried in the womb of own his creation.

The Tears of a mother who once held the birth of a promise made good on, who held her angelic reality to her breast and fed with all the wonder that nourishment can bring. The pain of abandonment as the weight of her temporary role was buried in a rich mans borrowed grave.

The bleeding agony that ripped through the heart of a an innocent man as he hung guilty… so those who wielded his torturous punishment might not. The willful searing that burred as oxygen fueled a fire that with its last breath ignited forgiveness. The sound of a of treacherous lips sealing the fate of their friend with a murderous kiss.

And yet somehow, we choose not to remember or too easily forget that is was and is because of us.

May you remember the price that was paid for you and your freedom… may you relieve the love by which it was paid.

Words

2010-01-27T10:53:00.003-05:00

So i have been working on a song with Davey for months now. Actually we worked on it a few months ago... and didn't really pick it back up till yesterday.

the chorus came to me one sunday morning when i was setting out Elements signs... and has left my head since.

I am excited because we are going to teach it to element this sunday... and as i was doing my studying (actually i am supposed to be writing my message right now) i came across this verse.

That pretty much has nailed me... that pretty much was the song God gave us.

I don't like to read into the words... or super impose scripture that was meant for someone else over me... but God's word is alive, and active... and i pray that this is his word for us.

as far as the song... well you'll have to come on sunday to hear it :^)

Isaiah 49:8-26 (The Message)

^8-12God also says:

"When the time's ripe, I answer you.
When victory's due, I help you.
I form you and use you
to reconnect the people with me,
To put the land in order,
to resettle families on the ruined properties.
I tell prisoners, 'Come on out. You're free!'
and those huddled in fear, 'It's all right. It's safe now.'
There'll be foodstands along all the roads,
picnics on all the hills—
Nobody hungry, nobody thirsty,
shade from the sun, shelter from the wind,
For the Compassionate One guides them,
takes them to the best springs.
I'll make all my mountains into roads,
turn them into a superhighway.
Look: These coming from far countries,
and those, out of the north,
These streaming in from the west,
and those from all the way down the Nile!"

¹³Heavens, raise the roof! Earth, wake the dead!
Mountains, send up cheers!
God has comforted his people.
He has tenderly nursed his beaten-up, beaten-down people.

¹⁴But Zion said, "I don't get it. God has left me.
My Master has forgotten I even exist."

^15-18"Can a mother forget the infant at her breast,
walk away from the baby she bore?
But even if mothers forget,
I'd never forget you—never.
Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands.
The walls you're rebuilding are never out of my sight.
Your builders are faster than your wreckers.
The demolition crews are gone for good.
Look up, look around, look well!
See them all gathering, coming to you?
As sure as I am the living God"—God's Decree—
"you're going to put them on like so much jewelry,
you're going to use them to dress up like a bride.

^19-21"And your ruined land?
Your devastated, decimated land?
Filled with more people than you know what to do with!
And your barbarian enemies, a fading memory.
The children born in your exile will be saying,
'It's getting too crowded here. I need more room.'
And you'll say to yourself,
'Where on earth did these children come from?
I lost everything, had nothing, was exiled and penniless.
So who reared these children?
How did these children get here?'"

^22-23The Master, God, says:

"Look! I signal to the nations,
I raise my flag to summon the people.
Here they'll come: women carrying your little boys in their arms,
men carrying your little girls on their shoulders.
Kings will be your babysitters,
princesses will be your nursemaids.
They'll offer to do all your drudge work—
scrub your floors, do your laundry.
You'll know then that I am God.
No one who hopes in me ever regrets it."

^24-26Can plunder be retrieved from a giant,
prisoners of war gotten back from a tyrant?
But God says, "Even if a giant grips the plunder
and a tyrant holds my people prisoner,
I'm the one who's on your side,
defending your cause, rescuing your children.
And your enemies, crazed and desperate, will turn on themselves,
killing each other in a frenzy of self-destruction.
Then everyone will know that I, God,
have saved you—I, the Mighty One of Jacob."

BGV's

2010-01-03T19:32:00.002-05:00

So tonight Jill and i cashed in one of our christmas gift cards, and took the family to Outback. Serious... you can't really go wrong with out back.

Anns was doing great eating macaroni and cheese, and we had a great dinner with a well behaved toddler.

On the way home i switched on some music... and i put on the We Are Element Cd, because

Anns loves it.

Little did i know, but half way home after multiple rounds of applause from the car seat... i hear the tiniest little backgrounds vocals... and yes, my daughter was singing the song that i wrote.

Talk about a highlight of the day... i was just thinking as we were driving... "well at least my kids can listen to this and know that there day was cool... even if it was only for a little while"... and then i hear her singing.

Talk about warming my heart!

TOP CHEF 7

2009-11-17T16:16:00.005-05:00

So, i have been thinking about doing this for quite some time... and after some prayer, and not so subtle nudging... i am going to apply for TOP Chef season 7.

Seriously if you haven't seen the show, one of the best displays of new culinary talent that is on TV. As soon as Chris get back in town we are going to shoot our 5 min audition video, and i am just finishing the 28 page application.

who knows, might make it on there... wouldn't that be crazy! So send out your prayers, if this is supposed to happen, than lets do it. If not, well... we will just have to see!

have you checked out my Chefs blog Lately?

a word

2009-11-12T11:47:00.003-05:00

My mornings start out like most mornings, i wake up to Annsley's voice over the baby monitor saying "Daggy... 'ere are you" like clock work at 7:15am. I get her out of bed with he 52 million blankets (her newest obsession), fix her breakfast (this morning "blue" cinnamon toast... which is not blue at all... don't ask... i don't know), i hop in the shower, eat, dress, go to work.

Each morning over the last year and a half i have been making it a practice to pray over my family on my way to work... this means i dont turn on 620 WDAE, or my latest audio book... but i pray for the things of God to fill us, protect us, and against the things or schemes of the enemy.

The last couple of days i have been feeling this closeness to God in my car... i don't know why... but i do.

this morning i made my way to Mike and Emily's new house to meet with them for their wedding which is this saturday. After an hour of good conversation, a cinnamon bagel, and a good cup of coffee...Mike, Emily, our good friends Joey and Niki and myself took the time to pray for this weekend.

Which is a HUGE story... Mike and Emily got divorced almost 2 years ago... and God took something horribly broken and has reshaped it into something so beautifully broken. As we were praying i couldn't help remember all the conversations, tears, questions, prayers that God used to lead them to this place of redemption.

I am so honored that i got to be apart of this morning... to see friends... to laugh, cry (yes i am a crier) to pray with people who are choosing to live a different way... the way of Love, of forgiveness given and received, of suffering and sacrifice, of second place, of Joy and sorrow intermingled, of purpose, of confidence and questions, of mystery and hope... people who are choosing to follow the way of Jesus.

After this celebration, Niki said she felt that God was speaking a word over me... She said "thoroughbred". Which in my mind has huge thoughts attached to it... not just my love of horses (which she has no clue about).

So i am asking God today to speak to this word... what does this mean... i am praying for the promises that God gave my family will come to be, and i am filled with an overwhelming richness today.

How did this not make the top 3

2009-11-03T11:10:00.007-05:00

So i am a little bummed, a couple of months ago Davey and I were given the info about the St.Pete Song Contest from Chris and Charity here at Element.

The basic idea was to write a song that would become the official Song of St. Petersburg. This song could be used in advertising, commercials, websites... So when we began the writing process we decided it would be best to write it with those avenues in mind.

After a week of tweaking... i got to say we were both pretty pumped about it. It has a great hook, it have the commercial relevance that we were going for, and a ton of energy.

"This is my City"

so today they announced the top 3... and as i bet you can imagine... we did not make it.

Now granted this whole recording was done on our Mac, with no external mics... so the recording in Ok...

I guess i am more bummed that it was passed over for 3 songs that sound alike (classic island rock) and that will continue to describe it as a sleep beach town, instead of a burgeoning art, music, and sports community.

All in All, i wish them the best... We spoke with some people from the office during the competition who were incredibly helpful and who has such a great sense of welcoming.

but any city's out there who want a killer new tune to use for their marketing... just let us know.

New Bumper

2009-10-08T09:41:00.001-04:00

Hey guys, here is the Killer Bumper that Chris and Melody made for our new series "Utopia", if you would like it... just ask and there are many more cool videos that we are doing for this series.

I freaking love EPIC series!!!

wow...

2009-10-05T14:49:00.004-04:00

So, i am not gonna lie... i google my name. Don't act so surprised you know you do it do. What came up today was a blast from the past. Besides the fact that my cheeks we significantly more chubby... i came across a video of a song i wrote about Jill and I... and i wrote it for my sisters wedding almost 5 years ago.

I was having coffee this morning with one of our element guys, he was sharing about some of the HUGE painful things that are going on in their marriage... and i feel like most our generation has not been taught how 2 become 1.

Sadly we learn it out the hard way, or hurt the very one who is supposed to be completing us, to the point of no return.

When i heard this song (which i haven't sung since... to be honest i completely forgot that i even wrote it), i had HUGE amounts of memories, some good, some painful, some still in process of our first couple years of marriage.

If i only knew then what i know now, right.

If you can look past the cheeks, and the pour audio recording... i think this song might speak to you like it spoke to me again.

Chef Bobby

2009-09-16T12:13:00.003-04:00

So i have my next big Chefs Table Wed September 30th at Chefs on the Loose here in Tampa. If you are looking for a great date, some killer food (if i do say so myself) and a fun time in one of Tampa's coolest places... well then i think you should come.

Check out my Chef's Blog, make sure you RSVP (seating is limited) and i hope to see you there.

Resonate

2009-09-15T12:10:00.003-04:00

i will let Paul talk to you just as he did with me today...

Romans 4

Trusting God

^1-3 So how do we fit what we know of Abraham, our first father in the faith, into this new way of looking at things? If Abraham, by what he did for God, got God to approve him, he could certainly have taken credit for it. But the story we're given is a God-story, not an Abraham-story. What we read in Scripture is, "Abraham entered into what God was doing for him, and that was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead of trying to be right on his own."

^4-5If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don't call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.

^6-9David confirms this way of looking at it, saying that the one who trusts God to do the putting-everything-right without insisting on having a say in it is one fortunate man:

Fortunate those whose crimes are carted off,
whose sins are wiped clean from the slate.
Fortunate the person against
whom the Lord does not keep score.
Do you think for a minute that this blessing is only pronounced over those of us who keep our religious ways and are circumcised? Or do you think it possible that the blessing could be given to those who never even heard of our ways, who were never brought up in the disciplines of God? We all agree, don't we, that it was by embracing what God did for him that Abraham was declared fit before God?

^10-11Now think: Was that declaration made before or after he was marked by the covenant rite of circumcision? That's right, before he was marked. That means that he underwent circumcision as evidence and confirmation of what God had done long before to bring him into this acceptable standing with himself, an act of God he had embraced with his whole life.

¹²And it means further that Abraham is father of all people who embrace what God does for them while they are still on the "outs" with God, as yet unidentified as God's, in an "uncircumcised" condition. It is precisely these people in this condition who are called "set right by God and with God"! Abraham is also, of course, father of those who have undergone the religious rite of circumcision not just because of the ritual but because they were willing to live in the risky faith-embrace of God's action for them, the way Abraham lived long before he was marked by circumcision.

^13-15That famous promise God gave Abraham—that he and his children would possess the earth—was not given because of something Abraham did or would do. It was based on God's decision to put everything together for him, which Abraham then entered when he believed. If those who get what God gives them only get it by doing everything they are told to do and filling out all the right forms properly signed, that eliminates personal trust completely and turns the promise into an ironclad contract! That's not a holy promise; that's a business deal. A contract drawn up by a hard-nosed lawyer and with plenty of fine print only makes sure that you will never be able to collect. But if there is no contract in the first place, simply a promise—and God's promise at that—you can't break it.

¹⁶This is why the fulfillment of God's promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God's promise arrives as pure gift. That's the only way everyone can be sure to get in on it, those who keep the religious traditions and those who have never heard of them. For Abraham is father of us all. He is not our racial father—that's reading the story backward. He is our faith father.

^17-18We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, "You're going to have a big family, Abraham!"

^19-25Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.

Lost Books

2009-09-14T21:12:00.002-04:00

So, over the years i have become quite a reader... and in that i have gathered quite a bit of books. Because i am so quick to geek out over a book, and i want people to read it and likewise get inspired by it... i loan books out.

But here is one thing that has not chance... my library is not organized... not even close.

So i thought i would put this out there, that if you have borrowed a book, or if i forced the book on you... (unless i gave you the book, in which case that was a gift) can you let me know that you have it.

If you are reading it... no worries, take your time. If you are done, send it back my way so i can share the inspiration with more people.

I should really get more organized... insert over exaggerated nod from my wife here.

Speaking of books... if you want to know what i am getting excited about right now, check out Calvin Millers Symphony Trilogy!!!! Some one should do an audio book of that!

I think this is so freaking cool!

2009-08-26T09:25:00.003-04:00

So for all of you who have been following our series at element called Joshua, i just came across something seriously creative, not to mention a lil graphic... that might help you understand (from a visual standpoint) what happened!!!

Seriously awesome... check out the circumcision page!

The Brick Testament

Our First House church meeting... man has it been that long

2009-08-20T16:07:00.004-04:00

I came across these pictures of our very first meeting as Element Church, this was over a year ago... and i guess as this week we celebrate our 1 year anniversary of our gatherings, its only fitting to know that they would never have happened without our house churches!

Reading List

2009-08-18T11:15:00.005-04:00

So i love to read, sometimes with actual book and paper... and others through the magic of I-tunes or Audible.com. None the less, reading is a huge part of my life as a dreamer and a leader.

I wanted to share with you some of the books that i have been reading that have been rocking my world... both as a follower of christ and as a story junkie.

Divine Commodity

Walking with God

Tipping Point

The Singer Trilogy (thanks to Lisa for this gem of a find)

Down River

the Last Child

All of the Inheritance Cycle (guilty epic read)

Let me know your thoughts... and Happy reading!

WE ARE ELEMENT

2009-08-01T13:09:00.004-04:00

so, i have been crazy busy as of lately... pretending to be a general contractor for the warehouse project, a husband, daddy, a pastor, administrator, and to my surprise... and artist.

Now i know I AM an artist, but i didn't think i would be in the studio... let alone one as amazing as Tropic Sound... let me explain.

Over the last few months the Element Band has been writing, and recording worship songs for Element. One of our ideas was to use the money from a CD or a Download to help with the build out of the new kids Warehouse.

Needless to say, the project turned out greater than i could have imagined!

and now all we need is you to help.

the Download is only 7$ and every penny will go to providing a place for our kids... we have the chord charts up there for free, so you can use the tunes in your church too.

I am asking for some HUGE favors here... i need you to please pray about purchasing this EP and in turn partnering with an almost 1 year old church plant!

go to WE ARE ELEMENT , I hope you enjoy the songs, they are a refection of where God has been leading and shaping us as Element

This is my assignment

2009-07-01T14:49:00.000-04:00

Way too Long

2009-06-27T18:31:00.002-04:00

So it has been way too long... sorry for the last of posting.

I just got home from a week with some INCREDIBLE students at ODEGO Student Camp in Cocoa Beach. The week was awesome, i felt like God was stretching all of us as leaders, and then all of the students in the way they wrestled with the unknowing part of following christ.

The week was entitled "Story", ( and i didn't even pick it... some of you what an epic junkie i am) and i went through the narrative of Solomon (special thanks to my good buddy Rabbi Bob)... his rise to fame, and His crash and burn... and what this means for us.

For the first time i taught in a 4 part native to High-school students, wasn't sure if they would connect all the dots, if they would wrestle with the tension, and if they would see the bigger picture.

But to my surprise... wow... what a HUGE success.

I brought Jill and Annsley with me... although we did have fun, and Anns loved the "Kids", the Music, and the pool... taking a toddler to a hotel for a week is never restful!

This morning our House Church pitched in to do a Yard Sale to help raise some money for good friends of ours who are in the final stages of the adoption process... hoping to have baby Landon here soon!

I am worn the heck out... but Looking forward to a packed day with Element, the Tampa Rays, and dinner with the In-Laws.

Home

2009-06-07T22:21:00.003-04:00

So Jill, Annsley and I just returned home after a few days in New Palatine Indiana... not going to lie, If Jill had never lived there before... i would not have known it existed. The weather was perfect... a perfect 70 degrees, which seemed taylor made for all the wedding festivities (BBQ, Touch football, and one epic Corn hole tournament).

Besides visiting a new town, their were a few other firsts to add to this weeks list of things.
Before heading out to INDY, the Element Band and i started recording 3 new worship tunes over at Tropic Studios with producer/genius/friend Steve Swenson. I have known steve for what seems like forever, dating all the way back when we almost recorded 9years waiting's 2nd record there (instead opting to follow the dismal advice of our manager, and not record there).

For all the people i have recommended Tropic to, i never myself have had the pleasure. WOW, would be the understatement of the year.

Seriously some of the most sought after talented and down to earth people, coupled with some of the industries most coveted gear is adding up to be a match made in heaven. I can't wait to hear what the guys have been laying down while i have been away.

Annsley, was a champ as she took to flight for the first time ever (although i am sure the kids benadryl helped a little), even during the turbulence and the crazy stomach turning landing she rocked it.

I had a conference call with the NGA about a project that has been brewing for our city, that looks like it might be GROWing into something much bigger than i have ever dreamed of.

On top of all of that stuff, this week was the first weekend i have not been at Element since we started gathering 9 months ago. To be honest i thought i would worry more... but in reality, not at all. There is something HUGE that happens when you have incredible people who take ownership in a vision... it no longer is just about me.

I was so proud to hear (from multiple people) how great Davey, Ashely, and Caleb lead everyone in worship, and how on point Grant was with he Message. But i think more than just the stage things... i love the fact that we did not take a vacation from being a church, when i was on vacation.

People still loved, still lead, still served, and still gave... and i am not just talking about Sunday either.

Granted this weekend i got way less sleep, i have an enormous amount of peace.

Its great to get away, and unplug for a moment... to lust over the great weather, and enjoy some time and space with family in the middle of corn fields... but i am glad to be home... and i don't just mean our house...

but here... i am, for too many reasons to count, glad to be here.

14, 14, 14, 14!!!

2009-05-20T23:48:00.002-04:00

So my 19 month old is WAY smarter than her daddy... i could attribute it to by dormant genius gene that i never really tapped into, or maybe even the fact Jill took good vitamins when she was pregnant... but really i think it has allot to do with these DVD's we bought for her.

The other day i heard Annsley count above 10, and although she has mastered the first 10 numbers, she ventured into a whole new world. She hasn't mastered it by any calculators standard but i think it is pretty darn cute!

She counted like this:

14!

Sounds like math to me... wait, maybe she did take after me after all!!!

Big weekend...

2009-05-04T09:52:00.002-04:00

So yeah, this weekend was pretty much HUGE. We had the launch of MOTION, which was everything and nothing like i expected it to be.

Friday night was pretty stressful... there we definitely variables that we were not expecting. Logistics, personalities, and a few unmet expectations... but still it was a good night. The films, the volunteers, and the Production went seamless. Everyone seemed pleased, people felt welcome... it was good.

I was not as pleased with the turnout on friday as i guess i had expected to be... but that was probably the best thing anyways. There are definitely times that success after successes leads to an unhealthy dependancy on your own strength or will.

Driving home around 12:30 that night God allowed me to see the way HE succeeded that night... and for the love, right... we freaking nailed everything.

Saturday... i had a huge peace. I got to spend some time with Bryan and Jen Timmerman before they headed back to the east coast... seriously some of the coolest people i know, and great friends to boot.

That evening i arrived at the theater along with the rest of our team... we were calm, cool, and we now had one night under out belt.

The night was perfect, the volunteers again were INCREDIBLE (Element people freaking rock!), the films were great, and the place was packed.

I had this feeling that Sunday's gathering was going to be something "thick" i don't really expect you to know what i mean by that other than... something was so evident that you could feel it, it was sensed, or maybe that i had this stick aroma of a fresh opened jar of peanut butter... lingering the entire time.

and just like i thought it was... there was a huge sense of energy, emotion... and family. I don't know... it was just God i guess. Which totally bleed over into our House Church Leader "Talk back meeting". there was a diffusion of ideas, incredible stories, not gonna lie LeEllen made me tear up, and this synergy... man was there ever synergy.

So, it was a big weekend... i am a lil worn out... but i just finished a great brian storming meeting for some creative Element stuff coming up

On the Eve of another dream

2009-04-28T16:25:00.004-04:00

So i am a serial dreamer... (enter exhausted groan from the MRS here), some of you might know about CANVAS and how that has been able to make a HUGE impact in our art community here in Tampa. Mike D and i dreamed about a church making an investment and creating a platform for artist that aren't in a church.

Not in the hopes to convert them, not in an effort to preach to them, but to make a friendship, to do what it takes to earn trust... and to ultimately leave our city better than we found it. What a cooler way to do that than to invest in a community of inspiration... these artists are the ones who have the power to bring beauty and life in so many ways to our city.

So kind of a phase two (that sounds too technical or planned out), is MOTION... our film festival. And incredible group of friends and dreamers have been working with me to plan this event. May 1-2 Channelside cinemas 8pm-10:30pm.

I was sitting this morning with Brand Tampa founder Julia Gorzka and she was asking me why... why do we do what we do. I have been thinking allot about that lately... i know how much crap i get for epic lingo, and for some of the "catch phrases" that i seem to say... but all of it is true... its real.

If we claim to be followers of Christ... then we would naturally leave a path of light, and life where ever we go. That is apart of our spiritual makeup if you will... i mean think about it right. We are supposed to have "Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control" so wouldn't that be something that would naturally make our cities a more beautiful place.

Not that we are not supposed be/do these things to announce or to promote that we are doing them... but i think they become a by product of following Jesus.

I don't know if the artists, or the film makers of Tampa will come to Element one day, or any church for that matter... that is not really my intention with the festival... but i hope that they will see that people who love God, and go to church... love those who don't.

Maybe they will see us as givers not takers, those who reveal the God colors and Flavors of this world... not yelling at the absence of them.

I think that is what Jesus would have done...

So.... i ask you to pray for MOTION, come to motion... do not be offended if the film were are showing don't line up with your lifestyle (thats not what this is about to start with), but pray for our film makers, support THEM as children of God... lets write another chapter in this legacy, and lets leave our city a little brighter.

I am excited!!!

Thoughts on todays Message

2009-04-19T21:03:00.002-04:00

So Lisa sent me this... man, this will make you think.

"I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.

Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine.

I don't want enough of Him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant.

I want ecstasy, not transformation.

I want the warmth of the womb not a new birth.

I want about a pound of the eternal in a paper sack.

I'd like to buy $3 worth of God, please."--- Wilbur Reese:

Our First Easter

2009-04-08T16:14:00.006-04:00

So this week has seemed jammed packed... i moved my office next the the christmas storage and the baptism pool, i have been working my butt off on MOTION (which is just 3 weeks away), and i have been prepping for Element's first Easter service.

Normally around this time of year we would working on a mailer/flyer/marketing piece... or i would be running ragged trying to be ultra creative in my planning for a Sunday service, or spending a lot of money on add campaigns... but not this year.

One, i don't really know if any of that works... or in the long run really matters. I am wondering if we will have a bunch of newbies this easter, (being that our only advertisement is on facebook) and i am wondering if "a bunch" if what we are really looking for.

What i have been chewing on is what if our people invite people that they have relationships with, that they do life with, and that they actually know. I think inviting someone to our gathering that way would have way more influence or potential for anything we say or do to actually matter or stick.

I consider my self a creative, and Element is full of creatives (incredible brilliant minds)... but impressing someone with our religious inspiration rarely (if ever) translates into a God that is tangible. If we say that God is real, that our lives here are a part of HIS story... then i think what would matter most is if we were just our real selves... not the polished Christmas and Easter selves.

I have a couple people i would like to invite to check out our Element gathering... and i am hoping that because of our relationship they would see it is not some religious sales pitch... but as a friend who is sharing a very real part of my life.

So i am curious as to what our first Easter will look like, i know that we have not done anything really out of the ordinary... we are looking at the resurrection from a personal angle, we are going to sing a song that has been really resonating with in some of us, and Chris is making a pretty killer video... i think we are just going to be ourselves... and let the hospitality, and simplicity of our call speak for itself.

If you think about us, please keep us and our city in your prayers... it is my Hope that people will find a place they can be apart of... grow in... and fall in love with God.

I'll keep you posted.

Out of the Blue

2009-03-31T09:57:00.002-04:00

Sunday afternoon i was in Dover performing a wedding ceremony at cross creek ranch, when i was informed of the passing of Nate's Dad. I fist met Tim, when Nate and i started a band called Jesus Shoes, which eventually and thankfully became 9 years waiting. Tim was a constant source of support and encouragement, he spoke truth and blessings over our music, and over our lives.

I can't remember a single time where when we left the stage that Tim didn't speak life into us. He was one of those guys... you know a contagious encouragement.

A couple years ago i went to visit him in the hospital as we recovering from a stoke... and it wasn't just 5 months ago that i saw him worshiping God and beaming with pride as Nate launched his newest dream Insideout (a killer student missions experience).

It is comforting to know that we will most definitely see Tim again, but it is still sad to know the void he has left. Please pray for Nate and his brothers Josh and Silas... and for Nate's mom Pam.

Nate is the guy who built our stage for us here at Element, a friend for over 12 years, and a brother who could use some encouragement right about now.

If you would like to send you love the memorial service will be Saturday April 4th

at Revival Outreach Center (ROC) At 225 N. Dover Rd Dover, FL 33527 At 4pm

Chef Bobby

2009-03-27T13:37:00.003-04:00

Ok, so most of you know that i am a foodie, and know how much i love to create in the kitchen. Well a couple of weeks ago i created my new Chef Bobby Blog, and have been loving sharing with you my thoughts and weekly creations.

I want to invite all of you to and eat my food, now before you start making your way over to my house, and before Jill starts panicking about the toys on the floor and the laundry thats still in the dryer... it not here.

I have been invited to do a Chefs Table at Chefs on the Loose here in Hyde Park. The idea is it is kind of like a live, hands-on gourmet cooking show. After you have satisfied your culinary curiosity, you will leave armed with the recipes and the know-how to make my inspirations yours.

If you would like to register (and i hope you do) go to Chefs on the Loose and they will make sure you are on the list. There is a 25 person limit, so please hurry up. The date is Thursday night April 23rd, it will be a great date with great food, and some pretty awesome friends.

See you there!

NEW READ!!

2009-03-25T12:29:00.003-04:00

Wow, Alan Hirsch is the freaking man!!! Check out his new book "Re-Jesus" i would be interested to hear your thoughts. Big read that is for sure... really gets the thoughts flowing.

SPREAD THE WORD

2009-03-25T12:01:00.003-04:00

Part of this idea of being the church is to bear the burdens of each other, to be inventive in hospitality, and to help. Good friends and fellow members of Element Grant and Hannah are in the process of adopting thier first child... and knowing both the stress and the financial strain i can't help but think the people that call themselves the church CAN help.

Please if you think about it pass this flyer out, come check out the benefit show, and we are looking to be inventive in our hospitality... and ultimately our investment into the future of this movement we call the church!

For more info check out The Heart of Adoption

High Flight Society will be in town from Nashville, and two of our local bands Beyond Ariose and Despite Distance are giving their time and their rock fists to this nobel cause!

Hope to see you at the show!

From all angles...

2009-03-24T09:21:00.003-04:00

So seriously, the last couple of days have felt like i have been under some major attack. now i don't know if it is because i have been reading a book that has caused me to think more about spiritual things, but over the last couple days i feel like i have been getting it from all angles...

Let me explain...

Annsley is out 17 month old daughter, really she is amazing... smart, funny, out-going, and since day one she has been a really good sleeper.

Over the last couple of nights (4-5) Anns has been waking up multiple times crying, I don't know if it is a bad dream, bad Chinese food (we are not really feeding here spicy asian cuisine), or what. But you know this as well as i do... if she is crying, then we are up. Sometimes she will get herself back to sleep on her own, but not last night.

We had our normal routine, bath, playtime, brush teeth, and cuddle on daddy's lap while we watch her "shows". Only this time she screamed bloody murder when ever we tried to put her in her crib. This wasn't the normal "i don't want to go to sleep" cry... it felt like something more.

finally she went to sleep, but at 2:30am she woke to screaming again... only she could not console herself. Needless to say Jill and i didn't get too much sleep last night.

To add to the weirdness of the Anns, over the past 6-7 nights i have been having weird dreams, the kind that wake me up multiple times a night... which coupled with Annsley have left me restless.

Sometimes the dreams are scary, sometimes that are just weird... but i cant help feeling that they are not internal.

So i pray, but the dreams and the sleeplessness keep coming back.

Sunday morning was the first time in the history of Element that i felt so under attack that i couldn't think straight.

It all started when a good buddy of mine slept through his alarm (he has a baby that was up all night too), normally that wouldn't have been the biggest deal... but i needed him to help me set up the Baptism pool.

So there i was, trying to get the pool inflated, filled, and not leaking... all before the band showed up at 8. Which meant i was in fix it, git-er-done, control mode. Practice was weak... not because of the band (these guys are freaking incredible) but because my head was not in it, i missed out on the prayer time before because i was behind on everything else... so i opted to run through my message again, set out signs, and fix a leak that had let out 20-30 gallons of water! Frustrating!!!!

By the time we took the stage to lead our church in worship... my head was far from being in the right place.

So i wasn't satisfied with the music, i felt extra vulnerable because i was imagining the thoughts going through people heads like: "Man, Bobby is off today" or "i wonder what that other church is like".

(As i just wrote that i feel like a ton of bricks just hit me in the head... how messed up are those thoughts.)

Baptism went great, people cheered and prayed for the Carly, Lucy and Marcos... someone even put an inflatable shark in the water (they know i am deathly afraid of the pool sharks).

there was so much reason for celebration... but i felt like my chest was going to cave in... i didn't feel like myself at all.

I know i brought this home with me... as much as i kept praying i feel like i couldn't quite shake it... of course it bleeds into my family and the next thing i know Jill and i are into it.

I have been through spiritual attack before, so i wonder why this one caught me so off guard... even when i sensed it was happening i don't know why i just didnt grab the guys and ask them to pray over me... is it because i feel i have to be strong to lead? is it because i feel weird asking for peoples attention?

What ever the reason i, we, can't afford to let it go.

So i am asking... please pray for my family, our rest, for peace and clarity. Please pray for protection against the things we do not see... and please... if you see me trying to pretend like i have it in control, but clearly you know i am frazzled... do not let me leave with out praying with me.

what happened this weekend was not a horrible service (in fact aside from a song or two i thought God really spoke to us), but what happened was i felt like my joy was stolen... i missed out on the chance to celebrate, and to have peace with Jill and Anns as well as my Element family.

NEVERWAS

2009-03-16T09:38:00.003-04:00

Ok, so maybe it was the awesome day at Element, maybe it was that i have been going a million miles an hour, maybe it was because i got to spend the whole day with my Annsley... but last night i think i watched one of the best movies ever.

Now most of you who know me understand that i am quick to bestow accolades when i am feeling good... but, well... maybe your right.

I put Anns to bed around 8ish after i made a KILLER DINNER ( go to my chef blog for recipe ) and i went through the films that just came in from netflix. I don't remember ordering this one, but that doesn't mean much as of late.

The movie was "Neverwas", and maybe it was because Galdalf's (Ian McElllen) voice is the first thing you hear, all of you know what a Lord of the Rings nerd i am... but probably it had to do with imagination.

There was something in my heart... literally that was begging for the story to be real... just for the sake of the Son... and i guess in some ways for me too.

To be honest i had never heard much about this film, and it probably only made it into my list because of Ian, but i cant stop thinking about the pain, the beauty, the childlike wonder, the perceptive... not to mention the acting, and cinematography of "Neverwas".

Puts me in a deep place this morning.

New BLog

2009-03-06T12:15:00.004-05:00

Don't worry, i am not doing away with this one by any means... just launching a new blog dedicated solely to the food i create.

If you are looking for a killer recipe, or maybe just a little inspiration check out my new blog "The Burning Tree". Feel free to share your ideas, ask any questions, and flaunt your culinary successes and failures!

Also... if anyone is looking for a private chef to rock your next party, just drop me a line!

Vote for one of our favorite CANVAS Artists

2009-03-06T08:23:00.002-05:00

Jeremy is one of our CANVAS artist, as well as a good friend. He is entered in a contest with HURLEY clothing company... if his design wins could be HUGE for his family.

Take the time, spread the love, and vote for Kenedik!

All it takes is a minute to vote.You can preview my tee here:
http://www.hurley.com/micforyouth/view-design.cfm?did=98 <http://www.hurley.com/micforyouth/view-design.cfm?did=98>

To vote you have to sign up to the right, then click near the Hurley logo at the top, Microphone for Youth, find my design again (Freedom Complex by Kenedik), and Vote 5. As soon as you vote it will cycle through to the other tees. (so don't keep clicking 5 or you'll vote for the others as well) If you want to see all the tees, just click the microphone for youth graphic.

If you could vote and/or tell a few friends to vote, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks man!!

Jeremy

Good Bye Rookie

2009-02-24T09:52:00.004-05:00

This morning i received an email from Emily at the Wiemaraner rescue of Florida, she was the awesome rep who helped us find a new home for Rook, our silver haired hyperactive family member.

the email was short and sad...

She had received word form Stacey his new mom that rook passed away last night from "Acute Renal Failure". She said the vet tried everything to save him... but it did not help.

Rook was our our first child... he was our first adventure as a family, he was the source of so much stress and so much love. He prepared me to be a dad, he taught me the meaning of the word patience, and he was my roller-blading partner... i wept the day he left us to go to his new family... and i am weeping today.

My heart breaks for his new family and the kids that he adopted as his own... i know they loved him, and i am so sad that they had such a short time with him.

You would think it wouldn't hurt that much being that he hasn't been with us for the last 6 months... but it does.

Every time i see a fly in our house i laugh to myself... i can still see him hiding in our closet, making a protective nest of shoes and dirty clothes. (Rook was scared to death of them)

He did everything extreme, he ran extreme, drank water extreme, greeted the door extreme, and he loved extreme...

I miss you bigs...

Please keep his new family in your prayers...

So a Pastor and a Rabbi...

2009-02-23T20:07:00.004-05:00

For those of you who were at Element this past Sunday you know that we have recently launched a new series entitled "Metamorphosis", where we are looking at some key people in the old testament. More than a character study... i am looking to find a moment, or an event that shows us that a dramatic change has had to of occurred for them to act, lead, follow, or even fail in the way that they have.

On Sunday, i taught on David... but not all the usual parts (at least not for me). The big idea was where he is in the cave, fresh from cutting off a piece of Saul's robe... inches from ending the stress, turmoil, and wrongful hunting he has had to endure for the last who knows how long... and he stays his knife... he doesn't kill Saul... he could have, probably should have (if we are keeping score), but he doesn't.

This idea about not taking matters into our own hands is a big one for me... at least 20 times a day i feel the need to be back in the drivers seat, to right the wrong, or to course correct... this idea of trusting God in and with everything is way harder than we like to admit.

For instance, Jen, (our awesome accountant) came to me this week during our weekly financial update and informed me that February had not been one of our greatest months as far as our budget is concerned. We were on pace to be 2-3K under what we needed to take in.

Dec and Jan had been the first 2 months in the short history of Element where we had made budget, and as it looked setting a trend that this would be the norm... so when Jen said it looked like we were off, i was bummed.

Instantly i fought ever urge not to be reactionary... not to make a sacrifice to the "tithe" gods (as some call them), not to scrap everything we were working on, not to make a huge fuss... and more importantly not to FREAK OUT.

I felt like God spoke, and said... let today be a day when you trust me. Literally two days before this two people whom i trust had felt like God was going to bring some provision for Element... so i was here all alone in my office trying to believe Him.

I came to the conclusion that regardless, we were going to be fine... and we would use this month to be a way to teach from if we made it or not.

So Sunday after the gathering when the counting team came to me to tell me that we had taken in exactly what we needed that Sunday to make budget i was blown away.

It was funny because i feel like i am teaching as a student... maybe that is the best way... but wow...

On top of that, today i had the pleasure of meeting with Rabbi Robert Goodman, i met him at his home, had lunch with his wife Mary (who was a great hostess) and got the chance to be a student again.

Something about perspective changes the way we look at the characters found in scripture... and to hear Rabbi's (he prefers i call him Bob) brought all sorts of thoughts rushing to my head. I have to say it was not a bad way to spend the morning, he even gave me some of his books about the history of Israel.
Looks like i have some reading and some listening to do... i am looking forward to what God is going to prepare me to learn this week.

The House Church

2009-02-18T12:11:00.002-05:00

So, our creative team is freaking amazing... check out this Mocumentary on our House Churches... shot like "the office".

Knowledge...

2009-02-16T15:20:00.002-05:00

So yesterday was an awesome day in the life of Element, and no it is not because our white bread band rocked out a tune with a whole lot of soul to it... but because of the story of Mike D.

For the second time in the short history of our church someone other than me took the mic and gave a message to our people.

There was this sense of bigness that happened the moment we got on our stage and struck up the band... there was unity in the singing, there was laughter, there was energy... it felt like family.

I noticed that even when Grant got up to share from his heart this idea of giving it just felt right.

So when Mike D took the stage to share his story i wasnt expecting what happened next.

Now in case you havent figured out, i am a control freak living in denile, even with people i love and trust, even when people have talents that far exceed my own, i have a hard time just being.

I worry too freaking much about stuff i can't control...

After he shared his story, after he told us of the work he did in portland, and that work God is doing in his life, we got on stage to close out the morning with a song.

The wiredest most unexpected thing happened to me, while Ashley and i were singing a chorus of Everlasting God, i looked up and saw my wife give Mike a hug... and i got all choked up.

I didn't know why... i mean Mike just shared his story... and Jill was simply encouraging him.

But the emotions hit me like a ton of bricks.

As we were getting ready to leave my father-in-law said to me, "we don't do this enough in churches anymore, letting people share what God is shaping them into... today was really a good thing."

As i was driving home i was chewing on the day, the emotions, the story, the energy, the comment from brian, and i think it made sense.... this felt like a family. We could know everything there is to know about God, his law, his word, all the theories and doctrines, and completely have no clue who He really is.

Just like we could show up every week, sing all the songs, pay all the bills, shake all the hands and still have no clue what it means to be the church.

I mean Mike didn't unveil any great mystery of God, and He didn't astound us with his knowledge of Gods laws... but he shared How he is falling more in love with the creator of this world and what it looks like in his life to follow Jesus. He shared the redemption that God has been working, and he brought inspiration to 148 people in a warehouse that morning.

Yesterday felt alive... it felt organic, a lil messy, but it felt connected to the vine and the fruit was so good.

I hope we share our stories often... for it is in our experiences that we begin to understand Gods truth, His grace, and his redeeming love.

I freaking love our church!

A Brief Cameo on the Ellen Show

2009-02-04T12:12:00.003-05:00

ok... so this is really brief, while i was filming i said a few lines, had more face time, but in the end... what did i really expect... right! This was while volunteering for the Super-bowl 43!

I am the guy during the Quarterback Challenge... check out this video

a few minutes to think

2009-02-02T13:15:00.004-05:00

Well... today is the day i would normally be in Nashville with some fellow creatives for the annual Recreate Conference... but being that we are only a few months old and our budget is not that large... i am sitting this year out. I do have to say that i am a little jealous of you guys... but know that i will be praying for you.

Yesterday was week 2 in our Rooted Series, we have ben going through the mission of our church and yesterday was Water/affection. I woke up, voice still on the fritz after battling this nasty weather change, 6 tons of mucus, and after volunteering 8 hours at the super bowl (by the way i am supposed to be on the ELLEN show this wed!). So needless to say i was a little worried if my voice could make it through leading worship and teaching.... or if i was going to gross anyone out from coughing to much or hocking up snot... not to mention if i could hot the notes and keep them in pitch.

Thankfully i have one of the best worship bands ever... and between everyone the day was awesome!

I have really been wrestling with this idea; that we as the church get ourselves all out of wack and beginto look at people as a means to an end, or tick on the conversion chart rather than people... people who God loves with his everything.

Friday night Jill and i went to catch a movie in downtown Ybor, and we were enraged and sickened by the amount of street preachers yelling hate to people in Ybor. No one looked at anyone in the eye, no one cared to know anyones name, no one loved... blanket statements were spewed out as to how, and i quote "God Abhors you".

I am sitting in my office and i am wondering how we can speak to these guys in such a way that they would put the hate down... how they could see that this is not working... how do we pray for them... most of me just wants to pray that they would be struck mute, or get knocked unconscious by their own signs... but i bet you that is probably not what God had in mind.

Is there a website where we can find what churches are sending these guys out... and if so, how do we get an appointment with them... how do we share out hearts... as well as the truth. I dont want to get into arguments... but i think something has to be said right?

Anyway... along the same lines... just not going that far... my question to you who are pastors or leaders n your churches... how do we avoid not making the same mistakes... how do we look at people not just as members, or giving units, or seat fillers... how do we engage each other... become family... i think When paul says if we say we love God we have to love people, applies to the people in our church as well as anyone else.

Just something to chew on...

So if anyone has any ideas... bring it on...

pretty amazing LOST blog

2009-01-29T09:25:00.001-05:00

For those of you who are fans of the show LOST... this might help give you a few insights into last nights episode... which i happened to throughly enjoy!

Check out this blog

Success!

2009-01-26T15:05:00.003-05:00

I have to say that this weekend was a HUGE success in the building of culture here at Element. No it wasn't our biggest sunday, No it wasn't the largest offering, but there was some thing so Huge... that could not be denied.

Unity... i don't know if it was just me... but the warehouse felt alive... it felt like people were starting to believe in people... you know, not just the i like you stuff... but rather the... i want to get to know you, we are part of the same family stuff.

Maybe it had to do with the success of our first mens breakfast... and no i do not mean the amazingly delicious "Orange Honey and toasted pecan butter" that soaked into the vanilla nutmeg pancakes.... i mean the fact that 33 guys, of all different generations sat together, prayed together, got to know each other... and talked about how important this really is.

I loved watching the conversations that happened after the music and the message were over, i loved seeing the new faces, and i loved talking to people even though i forgot a name (sorry kionai)... later that afternoon we had a bunch of our awesome e-Kids workers over for dessert and games... as a way to say thank you.

The spirit of God was HUGELY alive (is that even a word) and for that... i say, this weekend... major success.

Been a while

2009-01-21T14:31:00.003-05:00

Today is a particularly chilly day here in what is normally a pretty warm city. Instantly i can hear all of the northern people booing, and name calling... but call it what you will... today is cold.

Over the last couple weeks i have been working pretty hard on MOTION, our new film festival, and to my surprise it is coming together very nicely! The web site will be live here in a couple weeks, films and sponsors are coming in by the groves, and our team... well i couldn't tell you enough as to how thankful i am for them.

If you think about it the one thing that i still think we are missing is a good showing from the Tampa area... at least as far as filmmakers are concerned. Films are coming in from all over the country (even one from France), but we have only a few from Florida... so if you know of anyone... please get the word out.

Regardless... MOTION is well... in motion... and we are so excited.

On a bit of a weird note... for the last 5 years i have been attending Recreate conference in Nashville... and due to new church, limited funds, and the responsibility of our budget i will not be attending.

To all my recreaters... i will miss seeing you this year, i will miss your ideas and conversation... i will miss the incredible food (although at least i would have to go on a diet now), and i will miss the refection... but know this... you better say me a spot for next year.

If you are still looking for probably the best conference known to man (in the creative church world) then please sign up... tell Randy i said hey.

On another note... i am turning 28 next month... So watch out... that means i am getting old... crap!

A little Bay News 9 Cameo!

2009-01-15T21:59:00.003-05:00

So this morning i went to get my Super-bowl Volunteer Uniform at Super-bowl headquarters near the International Plaza. I was just there for the free shirt, windbreaker and hat... little did i know that i would me Anna of Bay News 9. Check out the guy with the spiky hair on this Video! click on watch the story.

Another question

2009-01-07T10:03:00.003-05:00

A couple of weeks ago i had breakfast with good friend and mentor David Spiecher at a local dive here in Riverview (decent pancakes, bad coffee). He and i used to meet once a week during the initial plant phase of Element... but with crazy schedules on both ends, our meetings have been way too sparse.

The conversation is always good... David is one of those guys who has words that seem to pierce your soul... you know, in some supernatural way God has given him the laser scope of truth and he can nail you right where you least expected it.

for the most part we were catching up... talking about the way Element is growing, what God is teaching us... he asked about our leadership team... and then he asks me this HUGE question which has been haunting me (in a good way) for the last couple of weeks.

He asks: "Are you going to use people to fuel your ministry production, or are you going to infuse your passion and direction to move people into the heart of God?"

One is all about me as the player in this game... Are the people we are putting into leadership, mentoring, serving... are they here to help me get done what i feel God is leading us to do...

Are am i creating a community of vision so the church, its people, elders, leaders, students, newbies are we carrying out the vision together.

Both can glorify God...

One as Major Limitations

the other...

Major Boundaries.

So i have been chewing on this, and this whole idea of reproduction... this idea of empowerment and vision is so much bigger than me... and really if we dream to BE the church... it has to be us.

So i have been praying big time about how to make the 2nd way a bigger part of our culture.

For some reason i feel like it is supposed to start with pancakes and coffee (maybe better coffee than before). For as much as i have tried to come up with a cooler way, i feel like we are supposed to do something a lil old school... a mens breakfast.

where the culture takes root in the foundation that is already laid out... we eat some artery clogging luv (bacon of course) and then we pray... pray for our city, our church, this dream we call element, we pray for our people... each other.

It sounds so elementary... but i cant shake the idea.

If we are ever going to be more than a 1hr gathering on sunday... we cant skip the most important meal of the day!

Christmas Eve At Element (pics)

2009-01-02T11:12:00.001-05:00

Thanks Lisa!

A New Must Read

2009-01-01T09:34:00.002-05:00

So most of you know that i have had this long time "Man Crush" (thats what Jill calls it) on Author and teacher Rob Bell. I know many people have mixed opinions about his books, or his ideas... but He has been used in my life to stretch me, Teach me, and to really get me thinking about some pretty big things.

Recently i just finished reading his new book "Jesus wants to save Christians"... and have to admit that it did not disappoint. There is a question towards the end of the book that has been ringing loud and clear in my head since i read it... and Sunday at Element i was to explore it a little bit.

for those of you who have not read it... and for those of you who do not listen to the Element Podcast, or are not in Tampa this week... here is the question.

He said... if your church was to close up shop today, fold up, pack up... who would miss you? Not talking about your members, or landlord... but what void would be left in your city if you were not here?

And if none... doesn't their have to be something wrong with that?

Chew on it, discuss it, but read the book!

Check out Davids Film Festival

2008-12-29T10:33:00.001-05:00

CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

The 7th annual HCC-Ybor Festival of the Moving Image (April 1-5, 2009) invites all filmmakers from around the world to present authentic, innovative and meaningful work to be considered for screening at the festival.

NOTE: This year's theme is "humor and satire" and the festival is looking for works in two specific areas:

Works that the filmmaker/director considers funny, satirical, humorous, and/or comedic. All approaches are welcome and will be considered, from the sacred to the profane. Material can range from suitable for all ages to adult only, from tender and sweet to aggressive, dark and edgy. The works can be in any genre and of any length. If not in English please provide subtitles if possible. Works must be in DVD format (NTSC or PAL) with Blu Ray projection available.

The festival is also looking for 'trailers' (short advertisements) for fictional or imaginary films. These can be of any length up to 120 seconds or so. By their nature satirical at the very least, these 'trailers' can be approached in any capacity as mentioned in the first section. Prize money will be given to the top five trailers and will be featured on opening night. Currently, the award is $100 per winner for the top five. The festival will also screen as many of the 'trailer' entries as possible at an "audience awards" event on April 3, to open the judging to the public. All entries will be notified of the results.

The absolute deadline is February 28, 2009. In consideration of the new economic environment, the festival offers all filmmakers a special flat entry fee of $10.00 U.S. Please provide the basic information of Title, Running Time, Director, Website (if available) and Contact email. DVD's will be returned only if requested and a mailer with correct postage and address are provided. Filmmaker or person entering work are responsible for all copyright issues and content.

Please send preview DVD's to, David Audet, Hillsborough Community College, 2112 N. 15th Street, Tampa, FL 33605. Make checks or money orders payable to Hillsborough Community College. For more info see www.yborfilmfestival.com.

Last week

2008-12-29T10:06:00.002-05:00

So i haven't really posted anything over the last week... but that doesn't mean that things haven't been happening. Last Wednesday night we had our first Christmas eve service here at Element... and i could not have gone any better if the whole night had been scripted.

We started out with a couple really good ideas from some of our great people... the first idea was to have everyone bring their own candles to the Candlelight service... i was a little nervous about this thinking that there would be a muddy mix of over smelly candles... or a small handful of candles that look completely out of place.

But like i am learning, Element does not disappoint. The eclectic arrangement of the different shapes, colors and sizes helped to portray the uniqueness of our people and it showed loud and clear the ownership that people take in not just our worship gatherings... but in our calling.

The Music turned out great. We did 3 acoustic guitars, keys, and a broke down drum kit and wrote our own arrangements to some classic christmas tunes.

All in all the feel in the warehouse was classy yet comfortable... we weren't pretending to be anything other than us... and i love it!

Immediately following the service, people swarmed tot he buffet of christmas treats prepared by all the people of Element. A killer Jazz trio took the stage, the kids and parents danced, took pictures, and got to know all sorts of people.

The party was short lived by design... and i was so grateful, that a good handful of people stuck around to break down all the sugary festivities... and as a lil christmas bonus... the jazz Trio continued to play until the warehouse was clean!

The crowd was great, and even though many of our regulars were traveling we were honored to have quite a few guests join us.

I got home around 9ish.... just in time to be a dad. It was weird being on the other-side of the gifting part of Christmas. I put together Annsley's first slide/swing combo... i forgot to bring home my drill... so needless to say after hours of doing it old-school philips head style... i was ready fro bed.

The fam, the food, the church... all in all i couldn't have asked for a better weekend... oh wait, a Bucs win would have been nice... but maybe next year!

Christmas present

2008-12-22T14:54:00.001-05:00

MOTION Film Festival is now accepting submissions

2008-12-22T12:01:00.003-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: MOTION Film Festival
Contact Person: Bobby Triplett
Phone: 727-204-9580
Email Address: bobbytriplett@gmail.com
Web Address: www.motion813.com

Tampa, Florida - Dec 4th, 2008: MOTION Film Festival is NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS via www.withoutabox.com, festival ID 7367. MOTION Film Festival is to be held in Tampa, FL on May 1st and 2nd and will spotlight short films from artists across the country. Special prizes will be available to local artists. Submissions must be less than 25 minutes and fall into 1 of 3 categories: dramatic short, animated short, or documentary short. Submission deadline is February 1st, with a late deadline of March 1st. Applicants will be notified by March 31st if their film is selected for screening. See www.withoutabox.com for submission guidelines and details (ID 7367).

DATES:
February 1st - Regular Deadline - cost is $15 per submission, $10 for students
March 1st - Late Deadline - cost is $20, $15 for students
March 31st - Applicants notified of acceptance
May 1st-2nd - MOTION FILM FESTIVAL

Awards packages will be over $3000 in total value - details to follow - see www.motion813.com.

MOTION Mission Statement
MOTION is a movement of investment into a community of inspiration. The history of the MOTION Film Festival began with the idea of CANVAS, an Art Premier. Over its last four installments CANVAS has been recognized as “one of the biggest and best known independent series in Central Florida (Scott Harrell, REAX).

With the success of CANVAS and its open-armed welcome into the art community of Tampa, we began our plans of investment into the medium of film making by launching MOTION. Our idea was born out of a desire to provide a springboard for both the artist and the craft. It is our hope that the art community of the greater Tampa area will continue to prosper from these efforts.

Together we set in MOTION our dreams, inspirations and creativity so that you might set in MOTION yours'.

The new MOTION logo

2008-12-17T16:28:00.006-05:00

Not that impressed

2008-12-15T11:00:00.005-05:00

So i have still been chewing on the whole idea of impressing people to come to church... vs. being ourselves as a church. Which for me is a constant battle... maybe its the performer inside of me... or maybe it is fear of rejection... but i am learning that people don't really care who i want to think i am... they just want to know me.

So if that is the case... how do we as the church continue to be the church authentically.

For instance... in addition to being the lead pastor, i am also a worship leader... i struggle with being myself as a worship leader sometimes... if i am myself completely then i feel like a football coach shouting, leading, rocking out together... but sometimes i think their is a little bit of a stigma that comes with that... and so i over compensate with not saying much.

I don't know if that is because i want to make sure that the people i am trying to reach don't feel left out, or churched out... or if i am trying to be this new kind of cool.

to be honest when i think about it too much it makes my head spin.

But Authenticity is key... so pretty much we are back to square one.

Any thoughts... by the way, here is our new Christmas eve flyer... tell me what you think?

Ah yes...

2008-12-13T15:26:00.003-05:00

Some of you may or may not know this about me... but before i was a pastor i was the lead singer for a band named 9 years waiting. We never got signed, but that never stopped us from traveling all over the country, doing conference, concerts, rally's... Flying, Driving, headlining and opening... you name it we played it.

We had the chance to play with some of CCM's bigger names, we got the chance to meet incredible people and make great friends. I loved it... i loved everything about it... i loved to write music, i loved to perform, i loved the networking... the idea that we did it ourselves (obviously with with help from friends and direction from God)... it was great.

I remember doing shows, getting advice from the guys who were now on the other side of the stage, i remember being on the cutting edge... in the know.

I say all of that, because last night i sat on the other side of the stage... i watched some great friends, and musicians play in some great bands... and i realized... i am old.

At first... i lit up the ipod with every Bobby Triplett and 9 years waiting song that i have (you know prove to myself that our songs were good, that we could still do this if we wanted), but then i have been thinking...

I do create, i do write, i still lead and perform... but more than that, i have learned quite a bit about the music business... what to do, what not to do. I love that i have the chance to impart that now to this new breed of dreamers and musicians...

I am sure everyone goes through these mini "I'm getting old crisis" in the head, whether it is about sports, business, even music.

But i am the first to laugh at myself...

As you can see i never became the Rock Star i thought i would... and i am sure you might read a few more "woe is me" type of posting every now and then... And don't be surprised if i am writing a little more, i went to bed praying for some new inspiration :^)

To all Potential Church Planters

2008-12-04T11:02:00.003-05:00

I need for you to read Chris Elrod's Blog... this posting in particular might help you get a perspective on your "calling". Read the post "you got to love this Sh@t!"

Sermon Bumpers are up for Grabs

2008-12-01T16:48:00.008-05:00

Hey guys, last month we just finished a series called "essence" based off of Matthew 5:14-16. It is a four week series that has 4 sermon bumpers all based off of this original one. My incredible friends Chris and Melody Farrell at Echo Media did an incredible job on them!

If anyone would like them, and the title and scripture slides... i would love to bestow them on you for FREE.

the coolest thing is each week they get more and more funny when no one is expecting it.

Roasted Turkey with Apple and Pear Stuffing

2008-11-26T14:37:00.002-05:00

Here is you ingredients list first for the turkey...

Herbs:
Fresh Sage, Fresh thyme, fresh parsley, green onion

Veg:
1lg sweet onion, 4-5 cloves of garlic

Fruit: 2 green pears, 2apples

Butter, sea salt, cracked black pepper

Prep. Cut the fruit into chunks, dice the onion, and smash 4 cloves of garlic... Mix into a bowl with chopped parsley, melted butter, salt and pepper.

In another bowl finely mince 1 clove of garlic and 3 leaves of sage combine with melted butter. Let sit for a minute so the flavors infuse. Take mixture and rub all over the turkey(try to get it under the skin too) then liberally season the outside and the cavity of the bird with fresh cracked pepper, and sea salt. Fill the cavity with the mixture of fruit and veg.

Make a bouquet of sage and thyme and put inside the cavity.

And bake till inside temp reaches 151-155 F. Let rest 20-30 before slicing.

GRAVEY
Take the drippings of the pan and deglaze with a couple shots of apple cider vinegar, add sliced baby bella mushrooms, fresh parsley, add thyme, sage, Dijon mustard salt pepper, red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley and butter. And simmer till thickens( if you need to you can whisk in some all purpose flour) . Remove the roasted garlic from the bird and mash with fork... Combine to sauce.

If needed you can extend your gravy by adding a can of chicken gravy to the mix.

And we are off...

2008-11-25T16:45:00.003-05:00

Well for those of you who have been in the loop... you might have heard me begin to talk about MOTION our new film festival that is set to launch here in May. For those of you who are totally lost right now... i will catch you up to speed.

2.5 years ago Mike D and i had a dream to fall in love with the people who have fallen through the cracks... and we felt that in our city, and in our churches... those people were the artist. So we thought, what better way to make an investment in them, than to put on a killer art show... but do it all for free.

So we launched CANVAS, and to our surprise... it has blown up. It is recognized as “one of the biggest and best known independent series in Central Florida,” (Scott Harrell, REAX) An honor that were never even aiming for.

But because of its success, we are looking to our next chapter of investment... the film community here in the greater Tampa Bay area. So MOTION is launching... we have an incredible board of people who have been working their butts off to get ready to receive submissions... and yesterday the flim maker portion went live. With less than 24hrs , and no advertisement or Press releases out yet (this is a soft opening before DEC 1) we already have two submission requests.

what the crap!

MOTION is a movement of investment into a community of inspiration. Please pray with us that the investment made in the people of our city will make our city a better place. I want people to see that Churches don't just do things to benift Churches... we are bringing out the essence of God in the way we serve our city.

I am pretty pumped... needless to say their is still a TON of work left to do... help get the word out!

incredible... wow!

2008-11-25T10:49:00.000-05:00

Busy Day

2008-11-19T09:07:00.002-05:00

It has been a great week so far, Sunday at Element was incredible... i know i keep saying things like that in most of my postings... but really it is. The energy, the new faces, the warmth... i can feel it from our people.

this week we are doing something completely different in our gathering. We are going to make a mile marker in the life of element, should be pretty memorable. Think about this, Food, Music, and thankfulness... the people that we have dreamed with, and lived for... i cant think of anything better (unless the Bucs want to start the game around 10:30am and join us).

Last night Annsley kept us up a little, i'm thinking with the change of temperature she caught herself a little cold. But even with the few less hours of sleep... i am filled with energy this morning.

I get a chance to meet with long time friends Josh and Tim, i have Lunch with David Audet of the Ybor film Festival, I get to talk ideas with our E-Kids leaders Laura and Brittany, and then... House church.

I have been so excited lately, about MOTION our new film festival and all the doors that are opening up because of it... i am pumped for Christmas (can't believe it is already here)... and to be honest... i am most excited about all the different people who are taking ownership of these dreams...

Well... better get going.

A new week

2008-11-11T08:46:00.002-05:00

So, do you ever feel like you are so prepared that you could fly on auto pilot? Sunday morning i felt a little like that... i was confident in the message God had given me, i was confident in out band, and volunteers, i even went to bed extra early (9:45... i know i am an old man).

So at 8:45 i felt like i was loosing a grip on my sanity. Nothing overtly awful was happening, but i felt so distracted. There were weird technical errors (like the spanish radio blaring over Daveys guitar amp), i dropped the ball on picking up coffee, and this huge head ache from my paintball wounds.

Auto pilot crashed and burned...

but what rose out of the rubble was God.

The band sounded great, but i was still not really feeling it. I remember having a conversation with God while singing and playing... saying... God i don't feel it this morning, i feel like you are not here... come on God do something.

Then i looked over and i say ashley signing with tears streaming down her face.

and it hit me... just because i don't feel Him, or see Him doesn't mean He is not here.

Instantly i changed... and i felt like the temperature of the place changed... (not like in degrees on the thermostat, but in a atmosphere of stress into peace.)

Sunday was awesome... great crowd, great energy, and the fact that my great God was here. I am thankful for the death of auto pilot that week... as scary as it can be... it was really freeing to watch him lead us.

So this morning, i am excited where he is taking us... i am praying specifically that he continues to make us into generous people who are motivated by love... i am asking for creativity, excitement, but i am really asking for God.

Amazing

2008-11-07T10:59:00.002-05:00

So you are never really sure if people are listening to your messages on sunday... you know the Jesus stuff, the life change stuff, the hope stuff... but i am sure that people listen when i tell self deprecating child hood stories.

A couple of weeks i told a story about being afraid to swim in my pool... because of the sharks that live there...

Well, this is proof that people at least kind of listen... thank Jeremy... this is freaking awesome!

Thoughts

2008-11-05T15:46:00.004-05:00

You ever get that feeling... and its a dangerous one mind you... like you need to always be doing more? Like even though you knocked four home-runs out of the park... you need to hurry up an knock out the 5th one ASAP.

I hate that i have a hard time being. I listen to a Rob Bell teach in one of his videos "Everything is Spiritual" and he said something that has been haunting me for quite a while. He said..."we are Human Beings not Human Doings"... but why do i feel more comfortable as a Human Doing.

Like even now i am writing this blog, partly to sift through my thoughts and partly because i feel the need to have my Blog updated with something more than a monday morning shotgun.

I have this feeling that God is trying to speak to me... for the first time in like FOREVER i started a book last week... and if you know me this is huge... in that i read a lot, but probably not since August have i really read something.

So... keep my in your prayers... i bet i am not alone in this either.

Pics from Trunk-n-Treak

2008-11-04T09:34:00.004-05:00

Elementers rocking it Wimauma style!

Monday Morning: the Shotgun edition

2008-11-03T09:13:00.002-05:00

- Incredible Morning yesterday... a packed House!

- We had our first House Church Q&A... I thought it went well... looks like 3-4 more house churches getting ready to start.

- Had lunch with the fam, grilled some burgers and had multiple heart attacks watching the Bucs actually win.

- Yesterdays Music was FREAKING INCREDIBLE... seriously our band rocks.

- Bunch of Newbies yesterday

- I have to work on MOTION and Christmas today

- if you are looking for a great indy have to read the subtitles movie... then let me recommend "Mongol" wow... long, but wow.

- I am having Ribs with the fam on Thursday over at mom and dads, i made my famous 13 spice "sweet and heat" rub.

- Annsley was so cute this morning lounging on her pillow watching praise baby videos.

- I love my wife today... i mean i love her everyday... i love it when all my girls are in cheery, smiley moods in the morning.

Slacker... I know

2008-10-31T09:15:00.003-04:00

So i haven't really updated in a couple of days, but rest assured i am here.

A couple of days ago i was looking at the old trusty calendar and realized that, "holy crap... Christmas is here in 2 months". Normally that wouldn't be the biggest of deals... but i guess because we are a new church , and this is our first Christmas... we don't really have any traditions to fall back on.

Then i began to think about it... maybe thats a good thing...

So here are my thoughts...

Every year churches all over america spend tons of money, tones of time, and tons of energy into putting together a killer production for Christmas eve. People who usually would never go to church on a normal basis come to these churches with their families because its Christmas eve.

so we work hard, bust our buts to impress these newbies in hopes that they might come back again... but as the herd of people pass in and out of our buildings... do we ever really get a chance to connect with them... do they ever really come back?

I know i never did. Now maybe that was because i was either on stage, directing, producing, leading worship... but pretty much i was hoping that my performance would be enough to bring them back.

But what is that saying to our city?

Now don't hear what i am not saying... i am an artsy geek too... i love to perform and produce... but has that tradition of christmas pageant kind of gotten in the way of making relationships?

So i have been thinking... what if we had a simple, slightly artsy, Christmas eve service. You know a couple great songs, light some candles, maybe even take communion together... We will do it well... probably rock the heck out of the place... but then here is my thought... what if we got out early... only to throw one killer Christmas eve party for the people there that night.

Hire a band, pass the cider and the christmas cookies, hang the mistletoe... and spend the next hour or so having fun, relaxing, and getting to know the people who came out that night.

Might be the worst idea... but it might be the best... i'll let you know how it works.

If nothing else, it will be way less stress than a HUGE production... and those that are serving might even be able to spend time with their families and still have the energy to enjoy them.

Some times it just hurts

2008-10-27T09:49:00.003-04:00

I the hate the fact that i get so freaking attached to my teams... and this weekend stung a little.

The two small bright spots in this weekend of sports were that the my Miami Hurricanes pulled out a win, and unless kickers in fantasy football have ever scored 40+ points all by themselves i should break my E.F.F.ing (element fantasy football) loosing streak.

But how heart breaking was it to watch the Bucs come off of a decisive victory last week to play like crap this week.

And yes, i was one of the people who stayed up to watch the Rays loose last night... i am still hopeful for tonight... but 10-2 really... that one hurt.

And then there is the USF bulls, what the heck happened you WERE IN THE TOP 10 at one time... and now, no where to be found.

Thankfully i don't make a living from being a fan, or my family would go hungry this week.

IN MOTION

2008-10-22T13:33:00.003-04:00

So tonight we meet with group of people who are interested in MOTION, our new film festival idea. The whole concept is we build off of the heartbeat of CANVAS and focus on making a major investment into the film community here in the greater Tampa Bay area.

I just left the Arts Council of Hillsborough county, i had an incredible meeting with two incredible people Art Keeble (executive Director) and Jenny Carey (Director of Program Services). I have to say my head is full... every-time we set out to follow a dream there are always more details than we ever thought existed.

I remember sitting with Mike D out side of Starbucks saying we should start an Art show... little did we know all that it took to break into the art community, to put together a concepts, let alone pull off the event.

Now it starts all over again... even though we have made incredible friends, and Contacts... this part is new. for example... i never even thought to ask if their were other Art Shows happening when CANVAS was scheduled... we just picked a date and then did it.

As i was sitting with Art and Jenny i realized if i really want to be a apart of this community i need to know those who are already in it... doing it... living it.

I had picked a date, kind of arbitrarily... and kind of not, but little did i know it was 10 days away on either side from two other film festivals here in town...

MOTION is already a success because of the wisdom that is being poured into it from people like Lindsey, Dianne, Jenny and Art and that is all before we even begin to wrap our brains around it.

Maybe it's the ADD, maybe it the new adventure... but i am pretty excited about MOTION and what it could mean for its participants and the city.

Be praying for me and the team as we figure out how to make the best impact and investment here... and how to keep our thoughts straight.

The cutest pic...

2008-10-20T11:47:00.002-04:00

Cousins Annsley and Ava

Incredible Day in Tampa

2008-10-20T11:38:00.004-04:00

What a Day!

When i left my house to head towards Element's Warehouse at 6:30am i could smell something new and fresh in the air... little did i know, as beautiful of a morning it was, what a perfect finish the day would have.

Element's Gathering went awesome 150+ people, tons of guests, the music was rockin, the energy was electric... and it felt like home.

Mom and Dad came across the pond to go to church with us and hang for the afternoon. We dinned upon publix subs, watch football with the AC off (such a beautiful day), and of course they went through a billion camera shots of Annsley.

The Bucs and the Rays took the field around 8pm and i was a schizophrenic channel surfer for 4 hours as both of Tampa's teams won.

I don't know how i didn't wake up my daughter with all the laughing, skipping, cheering, and running though the house i did around midnight.

all in all... one heck of a day!

My head feels like it is going to explode...

2008-10-15T15:40:00.003-04:00

But not in a bad way.

You know those days when you can't even begin to keep up with all of your thoughts, there are just way to many of them? for me... that's today.

This morning started with an incredible meeting with Lindsey and Dianne of the Tampa Bay Film Commission, about our possible collaboration for our Film Festival "MOTION". Here is what has my head spinning just a little bit... The Success of CANVAS and the relationships we had the chance to make with some AMAZING artist all happened independently of the Tampa Bay Arts council, any Museum or Gallery.

We dreamed hard, and worked harder... we made incredible friends with Creative Loafing, REAX, and RELEVANT magazines, we watched God provide the spaces, the finances, and the artists.

And it is a HUGE success...

BUT WHAT IF.... we begin to work together? Could our investment into the community of inspiration here in Tampa be that much bigger if we begin to create relationships with people and organizations who are doing the same things already.

I am asking myself... would that open more doors for our artists... would that open more doors for relationships?

So i feel like my head is about to explode... because i am so excited... because i found two people today who have fallen in love with the art/film community here in tampa... and because a dream that God gave Mike and I is really happening...

With that... we have a ton of work to get ready for motion here at the end of March... and who knows what other kinds of relationships this might open here in the city!

Monday Morning: the Shotgun edition

2008-10-13T09:20:00.004-04:00

- How is it possible that i am gonna loose in Fantasy Football again this week?

- The Bucs and the Rays are two amazing reasons to be a Tampa Fan!

- Element gathering was amazing this week... we were a little light on numbers (somewhere around 120 with kids) but what an awesome day.

- Had the chance to baptize 6 people yesterday!

- My chicken needed a little bit more chipotle powder in the rub... not enough heat for me.

- One of the greatest compliments i have heard about Element came from a 75+ guest yesterday. He said, "the greatest part about Jesus is He never dies... and that was proof here this morning".

- I can't believe i have a 1 year old... i am an old man.

- PREDICTION: Rays are going to sweep the sox in Boston.

- All this BBQ, and Birthday cake has me begging for the gym.

yes...

2008-10-09T16:40:00.004-04:00

So i will have to keep you in suspense for a couple of weeks... but i just got the final edited version of our new bumper for our upcoming series entitled "Essence". It is a look into the fruit of the spirit.

What i will tell you is if you look at the Message version of Matthew 5:14-16 when it says "we are called to be the salt seasoning that brings out the God flavors in the world" you might get a bit of an idea where we are going with this.

can't wait to show you

Yesterday

2008-10-06T09:37:00.003-04:00

So this is our third week of Sunday Gatherings and i have to say first how proud i am of everyone. Those who cleaned, Setup, brewed the coffee, Rocked the band, pushed the buttons, worked with the kids, greeted, took up the offering, counted the offering, made people feel welcome, and invested in each other... to all of you i am so proud.

Yesterday went great... quite a few "Newbies" ... i hope one day i will master getting to meet them all. There was this couple in the back row She had Blonde hair, he had a killer full sleeve of Tattoos, and i felt like i was supposed to talk to them... but i couldn't get off the stage in time. So if by chance you are reading this... come introduce yourself to me next week.

I did get the chance to meet a guy named Brandon, he is in the very beginning stages of Church planting he wrote a pretty insightful review of his experience here @ Element's Gathering. One of the cool things was that he is pretty interested in ELI, so hopefully He and i can steal some time this week and i can fill him in on how awesome they have been in the planting process for us.

We had our first Baby Dedication... Three Babies, were dedicated... what a great time. If any one would like the details... i will gladly pass them on.

All in all... with kids and everything their was right around 150 people, quite a few guests, and a whole lot of energy!

I can't tell you enough how tankful i am for what a blessing everyone who makes up Element has been to me. Jill and I both are so proud of you guys... thanks

Ahhh yes... Monday Morning

2008-10-06T09:30:00.002-04:00

So to start off this post i want to shot gun a few thoughts out to you:

- Greise is out... Garica is in.... i am Happy!

- I have never married someone in a living room before... but when it is raining what else are you gonna do.

- I fell a sleep on my couch with Jill somewhere around 9ish... i am getting way too old.

- Yesterday at Element was FREAKING AMAZING!

- Thank you to Wade, PJ, and Jay for coming through on the substitute speakers.

- I love my band.

- Annsley ran (ok waddled really fast) up to me after i got home from the wedding... she had the cutest grin as she welcomed me home again.

- I predict the Rays clinch tonight.

- Did i mention yesterday went awesome.

- I lost in Fantasy football... how could McNabb have done that to me... he let me down big time.

What a Difference

2008-10-03T11:31:00.003-04:00

So a couple weeks before the first preview service i was so guilty of stressing out. My nature is when a lot of money is being spent, whether in the home or at work, i start to get tense. In the beginning we had a TON of construction cost, we needed everything because we really didn't have anything.

I found my self on the way to lunch with a huge cloud looming over my head. I began to listen to the lies of the enemy..." it will never work, they will never give...", " too many of them are not old enough to understand what it mean to tithe, or give, or tithe and give consistently." I began to listen to the fear of the enemy saying; "your name is on this lease... you are gonna crash."

For a couple of days i began to operate under the idea that i would have to put the church on my shoulders and "make" it work.

When has that ever been a good idea for anyone?

Fast forward to this morning... we are going into our third week of Sunday gatherings, energy is high, life is electric, new people are finding themselves at home in Element... and none of it was due to my "making it work".

I spoke with our accountant and amazing friend, and she was giving me the report for the month of september, and we are still about 3,000ish off from where we need to be. Now some of you might say that is nothing... but when your monthly budget is around 11-12,000... it's kind of allot.

Surprisingly... my first reaction was not fear, it wasn't panic, it wasn't i have to get on stage and rally the troops... i didn't pace the floor, and i didn't try... i didn't give the lies a second thought.

I shot an email to Grant (launch teamer, good friend, and offering guy), asked him to share the facts, and encourage them the same way he has been doing all month long.

I have a peace... a peace that God knows our hearts, sees our hard work, knows how we love him and His people... and he will continue to shape us into generous people.

What causes such a difference...

How does one moment become so big that it blacks out all hope, and then the very next time... it rolls right off my back?

Maybe its faith, maybe its trust, maybe it is because its my day off... or maybe its this... Maybe i am beginning to believe that this thing called Element is really God's idea and not just mine. And if it is his... then maybe he knows what we need, what my family needs, what our church needs, and he has already started taking care of it.

I think the more we chase after the wisdom and the heartbeat of God, for the story of God... the more our church will continue to reflect His generosity and his hospitality.

And by the way... our people are freaking awesome... their generosity and hospitality are second to none... maybe thats another reason (just thinking out loud)... our people care about the call of Element... they really do... which might be why i don't feel the need to pick us up and run... everyone of us is already sharing the weight... what a difference!

Common Sense Plan (Dave Ramsey)

2008-10-02T08:57:00.003-04:00

Maybe more voices could make a real difference. What if this was to work... please check this out.

What a Weekend

2008-09-29T14:51:00.004-04:00

Well... today is the first day that i have had two seconds to unplug and unwind after an incredible weekend.

To fill you in, Friday night was our Art Premier entitled CANVAS ( our 4th show), and needless to say all the work and effort paid off in a huge way. The Turn out was over 1000, the artist were incredible, the music phenomenal, and the the atmosphere was so great.

One of the coolest things was the ability to create some awesome relationships with both the artists and the art enthusiasts. Being that i kind of double dip (as i am the pastor of Element who sponsors the show) i get to see something awesome happen for out city and i get to meet people that i might have never got the chance to meet.

With that being said, after a massive setup, cleanup, and breakdown for sunday... i got hope @ 4:30am with some aching feet and sleepy eyes.

Sunday was absolutely awesome as Element gathered @ the warehouse to worship God and seek out his truth for our lives. Even though a good bit of our core team was not there (a Bucs home game... not that i blame them) we had a TON of guests come hang out with us.

Seriously i got to meets some great people... and even with a few technical hiccups... the day was awesome. The count with kids was around 128-130ish... and hopefully we will get to see some of our Newbies again soon.

When asked where they had hear about us, i think one was from the art show, a couple from Face-book ads, a couple from creative loafing ads, but the majority came because they were invited from someone they knew.

Which shows me that relationships are what really matter...

I am proud to say that i am the pastor of a church that desires is to show the people of Tampa that we love God by loving them... Our people are seriously freaking great.

Please continue to pray for our people... and the people of our city, that our relationships are genuine and that our HOPE is brimming over.

So today... i went to the chiropractor (oh yes), i had stylist Leah Hanson rock my hair out, i took my daughter swimming, and lets see... oh yes i gloated over my Fantasy football victory... and later me and the grill shall meet!

Window and Doors, and a CANVAS 4 Setup

2008-09-24T14:51:00.002-04:00

While Prep for canvas is in full swing, i thought I'd give you a heads up into all the development! Keep us in your prayers... and see you friday night!

Its official

2008-09-22T09:26:00.002-04:00

We just wrapped up an amazing weekend with our FIRST public service (kind of like a grand opening), and i have to say it went amazing. Our windows and doors finally came it with thier install it makes a HUGE difference in the overall feel of the warehouse.

I have a good friend of mine, Bryan Timmerman, come in this week to give me a third party opinion of the feel, was it easy to find, did it look as if people were made to feel welcome... you know... and opinion from someone who is not afraid to tell me the truth.

One of the coolest things he said was... "from the moment i walked in the room i could feel the energy and the excitement... and you people went out of their way to make those who looked like they were new, feel so welcomed!"

With Kids and Adults their was 150 of us... and i can't begin to express how proud i am of all of our team.

So next week... here we come... oh and did i mention we have CANVAS 4 on Friday... i better get busy!

Ad in Creative Loafing

2008-09-17T14:22:00.007-04:00

Well Done Rob Stainback... Well Done!

More pics from the Preview services

2008-09-17T14:22:00.006-04:00

here they are better late than never!

For Real Yo

2008-09-17T14:22:00.005-04:00

So i totally realize that i am way to white bread to title this post like that... but none the less... i did.

This week has been a little more than nuts... and for the first time in quite some time getting all my stuff together to write the message for sunday was way harder that it has ever been. Maybe its the distractions of all the details still left to be done here at the warehouse, maybe its the emotional drama that happens when you begin to fight for people, and maybe i just didn't drink enough coffee...

Or maybe it is that this Sunday we go live... our "grand opening" if you will... and believe you me there has been more than enough stuff to keep me distracted. Maybe there is something that doesn't want us to be ready (like we really ever are), to look more at our own inadequacies and failures and less towards the hope of the future... maybe thats why...

If you think about it... please keep us in your prayers.... as we work to be God hope and love for the people in this city... our gathering starts @ 10am... and if your here in Tampa... bring it on we would love to have you with us!

Also... be praying for our house churches... God is doing some huge things in them...

"Burning Bush"

2008-09-17T14:22:00.004-04:00

So now adorning my new office wall is a gift and new piece of art from good friend and fellow Dreamer Mike D. Its Called the "Burning Bush" and i have to say... i freaking love it.

Sweet & Heat Soft Tacos (Recipe)

2008-09-14T19:40:00.002-04:00

Wet Rub:

Chipotle Pepper power (A lot)

Cumin

Garlic

Powered Onion

Dry Mustard

Ginger

Cracked Black Pepper

Chili powder

Sea Salt

Dry Parsley

Worcestershire sauce

Extra Virgin Olive oil

2 limes (Juiced)

Dark Brown Sugar (A lot)

Cucumber Cilantro Sour-cream:

1 diced cucumber

2 good pinched of fresh parsley

Cracked Black Pepper

Sour-cream

Sliced Green Scallion

Place all ingredients in a ziplock bag, with strips of chicken breast... let marinate for at least 2-3 hrs.

Once grilled combine with:

Flour Tortilla

Cucumber Cilantro Sour-cream

Sliced cucumber

Shredded Cheese ( preferred feta)

Grilled Chicken Breasts

Fresh Pic-de-Giallio (recipe in older posts)

Homemade Guacamole (recipe in older posts)

end of a Sunday

2008-09-14T19:28:00.003-04:00

Today was a good day, a weird day... but a good day.

I spent most of the morning doing all my prep work for a Thank you BBQ for some of the people who helped us work on getting the ware house construction and painting done.

I did some amazing South American Chicken Soft taco's (recipe to follow) which i am really considering renaming ( opinions welcome ). Around two people started arriving, and it was good... i have some freaking awesome friends and partners in ministry (the way is should be). I just finished watching the Bucs dismantle the Falcons... so that makes me happy... i do have to say that i am really bummed that Jeff Garcia is not behind the helm... i mean no offense to Brian... but Jeff has this contagious charisma that makes me want to follow him anywhere (not that the Bucs have been calling me to come play D-End or anything).

I am die hard homer... in that i love my team... Dad and i even bought season tickets last season... but i wish we put more stock in people... invest in those who have invested in us... you know.

But we won... my food was freaking killer... and now i get a few moments to blog my thoughts...

on another note... about people being amazing... I got a text from one of my guys informing me that he had taken it upon himself to unpack all 300 chairs, breakdown the 150 boxes, and stack them neatly so we can get the warehouse ready for next sundays Launch of Element.

Amazing i tell you!

Tons to do this week... in the midst of everything we still have CANVAS to plan!!!

Pray for us...

the chairs are in!

2008-09-11T15:46:00.003-04:00

ZAP!!!

2008-09-11T10:52:00.003-04:00

So i found this on Chris Elrods blog... and i have not been able to stop laughing!!!! if your having a crappy day... just laugh at these guys! Wow... one day i might be as cool as the guy with the beard singing backup... one day!

...

2008-09-11T10:27:00.002-04:00

So this morning i had a couple of great experiences... one, on my way to have breakfast with long time friend and fellow revolutionary Ked Rhodes, i heard that the Rays did indeed pull it off last night... snapping this dreaded hex that old of how they could never win in Fennway. But after 13-14 inning (i fell asleep) they beat those Sox in their own backyard!

So needless to say i was more than pumped.

Then breakfast...

Ked is one of those guys that when you get the chance to converse with... you are so glad you did. For years he had been the kind of friend that is not afraid to ask you the hard questions, to challenge the norm, and wrestle out loud with you. This morning it was great to share a plate-o-food and catch each other up on our worlds.

So now, i am at the office... i just finished installing our new security system, i have tons to clean/organize, and i am hoping to dive into next weeks message.

With that in mind... i must depart

Preview two in the books

2008-09-08T09:15:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was our 2nd preview service here @ Element... and it was awesome!

I never ceased to be amazed as to how incredible our people are... everyone has place, everyone carried their own weight, and the joy and excitement is contagious!!!

We have a bout 40 fewer people for this one, but that was to be expected (tons were out of town)... but as for energy... wow! The music was electric, and i swear you could feel the fact that we were not alone in this.

Right around 9am stress hit me a lil bit... i am one of those kind of guys who has a tough time letting go of the details... not that i have to micro manage them... but i will get distracted by them. everything from a computer glitch, to blowing breakers, to where is she at and why is she not here!

But i began to pray... that that would not be my obsession... but rather i would focus on what really matters.

We had some great newbies come hang out with us, and we are looking forward to the 21st... I am so thankful for the opportunity to play part in this legacy.

Live Stream version 1.0

2008-09-06T23:17:00.003-04:00

So one of our awesome people here @ Element will have tomorrows service live.

Here is Will's plan for tomorrow:

We are going to be streaming the Element Services live, starting with tomorrows preview service.

Obviously this is the first time we've tried something like this, so there will be some kinks, but if you can not make it to tomorrows service please visit http://www.ustream.tv/channel/element-sunday-gathering to see Bobby's message live.

We'll also, hopefully start recording them for a YouTube channel as well, and that information is to follow.

I'm not sure what the exact copyright laws are recording the broadcasting of our band's worship time, so we will more than likely not be broadcasting worship, but you should be able to tune in by 9:45 am to start seeing the crowd come on in, and by 10:15 to 10:30 for Bobby's message. The page does have a chatroom and I will do my best to keep an eye on it to make sure I let anyone who comes in know what is going on.

You do not need to necessarily sign-up for any service to watch the stream, and if you decide you want to sign-up, Ustream is free.

Signing-up will allow you to chat.

Hopefully it works out for those who can not make it!

close of a saturday

2008-09-06T23:12:00.003-04:00

So i freaking love football season... The USF Bulls, got a lil cocky but pulled this one off... To my Hurricanes, we believe in you... i know this is a young rebuilding year, and next year we will have something to get revenge for!

And tomorrow, after the 2nd preview gathering for ELEMENT... the Bucs kick off the NFL for us here in TAMPA!!!!

And as much as i love the Rays, (baseball, i know) we need to get our heads in the game here boys!

So with that... i'm hitting the showers, going to try to get a lil shut-eye before we rock out an amazing morning @ Element!

THE WORDS ARE FIXED!!!

2008-09-04T15:34:00.002-04:00

So, new warehouse, new systems, new bugs! but as of this moment i have conquered both Pro-Presenter (amazing software, for all you mac users out there... this one is the best) and our Projector... and there will be no more cut off words!!!!

let the people rejoice!!!!!!!!

One less thing to stress about

Morning

2008-09-03T09:08:00.002-04:00

You ever have that feeling like there is al of this stuff to do, but you have no clue how it is going to get done, and then on top of that the stuff you need done is out of your control anyways... so stressing is futile... even though we still feel a little stressed?

Yeah that is kind of me right now...

I am sitting in my office @ 9am and i wrote my to do list... yep, lots of things!

On a non stressful note, when annsley woke up this morning it was my turn to rescue her form the confines of her crib. When i poked my head round the corner i was greeted with the biggest, cutest, goofiest smile in the entire world... that little girl knows how to melt her daddy's heart!

So thinking more of the latter than the stressful, i am going to work on this weeks message...

what a morning.

Me and the Mrs.

2008-08-31T17:38:00.004-04:00

So after a great leadership meeting, and round or two of hanging some curtains, and a few hours helping the Radebaugh's paint their new house... Me and the Mrs. are off to have a date.

Thats right, i said it... a date. This is round two of what was supposed to happen last night, but never did... So, the grandparents have the baby, and we have dinner and a movie!

So with that being said... i am going to take a shower... ( not that you really wanted to know that part)

Sitting, thinking...

2008-08-28T15:06:00.003-04:00

So after a much needed day of rest, and a few days of making lists and checking them twice i have five minutes to blog!

I can not begin to tell you how incredible sunday was, the vibe in the place was electric, the music was incredible... and the people... our people have taken such a huge ownership of both the warehouse and of Element as a whole.

We have been working on putting together my office, and i have tried to hang and re-hang a stupid TV for the kids that does not want to cooperate with me.

I even had a few minutes to work on our next sermon series and order a few things that we are missing!

Thank you to everyone who has given of themselves, who has prayed along side of us, and who has been apart of such a great beginning!

Oh... by the way, huge answer to prayer... our friends at the crossing church have decided to donate to us the fund needed to purchase our chairs!!! so for the 21st... we will have chairs!

More Preview service pics

2008-08-24T20:46:00.002-04:00

INCREDIBLE DAY!!!!!

2008-08-24T20:29:00.004-04:00

Well, besides me getting a little emotional during our opening prayer... Today was exceptional! the energy was electric, the anticipation had been building over the last six months as we as a church have been meeting in each others houses.

All of the hard work, the construction, the planning, the ownership paid off as we Prayed, we sang, we gave, and we dove into the bible together. I was blown away... seriously, our team and all of our leaders were amazed.

On top of all of that, We had some amazing friends from CFAN come out and film our opening preview for us...

to everyone who prayed, donated, busted their butt, invited someone new... from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

We had 145 Adults and 11 Kids!