The Brick

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Regardless of what you do for a living there are weeks that are better than others. Most weeks are mundane. Most weeks you wonder if you have any value or if you’re making any impact. Then you have a week where you realize that you are doing what you were born to do. This past week was one of those weeks. It was absolutely amazing. This past week, I felt like we were finally living out the purpose for which we were called to launch the Antioch Movement. I was reminded through practical living that we were not called to start a church. A churchRead More →

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When you’re looking to launch a movement that is focused on something more than its own growth but looking to send laborers who will multiply their lives for the kingdom you become enthralled by Paul of Tarsus and Jesus. These two guys were all about multiplication. One of the things I am more and more thankful of are Paul’s letters. I like them because they give us glimpses into Paul’s thoughts and heart. For a very long time I have loved the letter to the Philippians. I think I’m drawn to it because of its tone of love and kindness. Paul isn’t dealing with anyRead More →

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My son is a pitcher for his baseball team. He has a decent fastball, but it’s the curve that makes him most effective. The reason is simple, it keeps hitters off balance. A hitter that doesn’t know what’s coming will have a hard time hitting the pitch. And when that happens, it’s pretty funny to watch. When it happens in real life, it’s not always very fun. The question becomes, how do we respond? What do we do when we find ourselves facing a curve? As we launch this movement I am finding that the curves come fast and furious. We expect one thing andRead More →

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One of the hardest things to do is rest. We live in a world where many work seven days a week and wish there were eight. Our down times are filled with events and things to do. We go place and run all over town. It is very rare that we just stop and rest. I am not a very good “rester”. I struggle to stop. I have a hard time just turning everything off and entering a state of restfulness. This past Monday I chose to rest. I made a conscious decision to not work. I would not write emails, blog, call people, raiseRead More →

ypsilanti-building-a-house

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For most of my life the last thing that I would want to do on a Sunday morning when I was exhausted from a long and hard week was to go to church. I am an extrovert and people generally energize me. But there was something about going to church that always seemed a little overwhelming. I think a part of it was because I have been a leader in the church for a really long time. You see often when you’re a leader there is a level of expectation that comes with showing your face at church. You are supposed to have it allRead More →

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We are all defined by something or someone. Maybe we define ourselves by our job or maybe by our family name. However we define ourselves, this definition often determines much of our lives. Therefore, one of the most important questions anyone can ask us is “Who are you?” One of the beautiful things about the Christian faith is that we are not just called out of something but into something. The old is not just gone but the new has come. Check out how Paul of Tarsus puts this in 2 Corinthians 5: From now on, therefore,  we regard no one according to the flesh.Read More →

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In 2 Corinthians 5:11 says, “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.” This verse is interesting because it points us to a couple of significant truths that we must grapple with. First, we have this phrase, “fear of the Lord”.  The word here translated as “fear” carries with it the connotation of respect, reverence, awe. It is not an irrational fear, the kind of fear that I have for needles for instance. Fear of the Lord is something that is the result of whatRead More →

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There may be no more important question that someone can ask you. “Who are you?” How do you answer it? One man answered it this way: If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. — Saul of Tarsus Paul was the man. He was as good as it gets. He knew he was. He could answer this question without hesitation or doubt. Then he met Jesus andRead More →

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There was a disciple in Damascus by the name of Ananias. The Master spoke to him in a vision: “Ananias.” “Yes, Master?” he answered. “Get up and go over to Straight Avenue. Ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus. His name is Saul. He’s there praying. He has just had a dream in which he saw a man named Ananias enter the house and lay hands on him so he could see again.” Ananias protested, “Master, you can’t be serious. Everybody’s talking about this man and the terrible things he’s been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem!Read More →

Ypsilanti Church Hope

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I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. 2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. 3 When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah 4 You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I consider the days of old, the years long ago. 6 I said,“Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search: 7 “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? 8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promisesRead More →