Because you have asked...

Over the past couple of days, I've been receiving emails, calls and text messages asking what you can do to help us as we move to weekly services this Sunday.

1. Pray

Pray that I (and we) we'll trust God.
Pray that I will focus only on what I need to focus on.
Pray for marriages.
Pray for strength.
Pray against discouragement  

(due to poor planning on my part - 

I just discovered that our local colleges don't start back until the 14th - 

So pray that most of our college students will make it back this Sunday to serve.)

Pray that people will show up (do any of you struggle with this?)

2. Give

Give of your time 

(Some of you are still on the fringe - don't worry - there's room for you.

So what are you waiting for - jump in - we'll be at the bar beginning at 7 am this Sunday)

Give things

We still have a few tangible items that we need - Perhaps you have one of these items.

1. A large television for our Parents with babies space to watch the Worship Experience.

2. A few couches for our elementary space and parents with babies space. We don't want your junk though.

3. Portable walls (like cubicles) - We have walls that work, but they aren't that portable.

4. Chairs - We can always use more chairs.

Give financially

We still have a few more things to purchase

1. Because of the size of our venue - we are using an In Ear Monitor System.

We still have to purchase three more units (they are $750 each)

2. We are trying to put a 5 ton heating unit in our children's space.  

We have folks who can do it - it's just going to cost us a couple thousand dollars.

You can give online, right now, by clicking here.

If you want to give in any way (time, things, finances) you can contact me at joshtalks@me.com or 706.409.2379

or if you want to send a quick email (or leave a comment) letting us know that you are praying it would truly make my day.

tomorrow...

Today - folks on our launch team worked on our children's space and cleaned up the bar.

Today - I had lunch with a dozen really cool people that was purchased by one of the wisest people I know.

Today - I ran some electrical wire, did some drywall, and chatted with my new neighbors.

Tonight - I'm going to enjoy the evening w/ my beautiful bride.

Tomorrow starts the last week before we go to weekly Worship Experiences.

I'll post more regularly then.

You have 7 hours and 57 minutes (well at least at the time of this post)

to make a 2008 financial contribution to Connect Rome.

you can do so at

http://becomesimple.com 

And happy new year.  2009 is going to be incredible.

perfection.

Familia es muy bueno.

it doesn't get less scary

We're 13 days from the opening of Connect Rome.

And it's exciting.  

People are showing up.  

Lives are being transformed. 

We are gaining influence in our community.

And all of our bills are being paid.

We have a great facility and an incredible launch team.

Our lead team is capable, willing, and courageous.

My wife is spectacular.

Julie and I have eliminated all of our debt besides our mortgage.

Life is grandioso.

But I've never been more scared in my life.

The truth is it doesn't get any easier.

In fact, I think it's the opposite. 

This is tough.  

Eternal souls hang in the balance.

I feel the weight of that.

If I would have known the pressure, stress, sleepless nights, diarrhea, and anxiety that I would feel, I would have been more hesitant to jump head first.

But I'm grateful that I jumped.  

I'm grateful we've taken the road less traveled. 

I'm grateful that we've already got to see God move.  

I'm grateful that my leadership skills have been stretched.

I'm grateful that our finances have been stretched.

I'm grateful that our marriages have been stretched.

I'm grateful that our faith has been stretched.

I believe strength comes through stretching.

Julie and I never prayed for success.  We simply prayed that God would be clear in His calling. He was. So we jumped.

I think we are defined by the moves we make after God clarifies his calling for our life.  

I'm so proud of some of my family members for hearing God's voice and then courageously chasing after God sized dreams.  

My prayer is that God will give us all the wisdom to know what to do, and then the courage to actually do it.

So which one do you need right now.  

Do you need the wisdom to know what to do?

or the courage to actually do it?

If it's wisdom, ask God for it.

If it's courage - jump - I promise you, It's not going to get any easier.

But it's worth it.  

Merry Christmas

Christmas Goodness

I consider you guys family.
It's proper to share pictures with family.
So here you go. 

Feel free to print these off and put them on your fridge.