THE RESULTS!

Yesterday The Net officially launched. The night before left Chattanooga with a layer a freezing rain on the highways. I prayed that God would allow the sun to come out that night and warm things up! Apparently, he did. Sunday morning brought us 40+ degree temps and a turn out of 234 people. The experience was flawless thanks to 30+ volunteers who made it look like they'd been pulling off a church service for years and a God that can't stop loving us! I was overcome with gratitude for all who made it happen and all who came to visit with us.

Today the Times Free Press posted the results to our survey in the paper. The online version is available by clicking the following link: Results to the If You Hate Church survey!

Over the next four weekends, we will be tackling some of the tougher responses we received from the survey. We hope you'll join us this coming Sunday at 10AM at Rave Motion Pictures!

ANOTHER PRESS RELEASE...

The news has been so good to us. Last week we were interviewed by the Weekly. The writer did a great job of capturing what we are all about. I hope you'll take the time to read it. And I REALLY hope you'll take the time to come out to our Grand Opening this Sunday at 10AM at Rave Motion Pictures.

Click here to view the article.

A PASTOR EXPOSED...

In today's society, pastors are highly scrutinized. Today I have become the latest pastor to be exposed. We are a less than a week away from launching our church - The Net. The timing could not be worse. My past is catching up with me.

The attached photo was never meant to see the light of day. It was just one night! It was just one photograph!! And it was taken during college... and you know the old saying, "What happens in college...". Unfortunately, this one got out, thanks to the magic of facebook! Yes... I am Fester. And that doll of a girl is my wife, Wednesday.

God help us all for what embarrassment will come to each of us through the technology that has been created in the last few years! Is anyone safe?

CLOSING OUT 2008

Well, the year is almost over. I never thought it would end - not that it's been bad, by any means. 2008 gave my wife and I our first child and has allowed us to step into a new dream. But, I am ready for 2009. A lot has gone into preparing for this coming year and it's time to get on with it!

Selina and I decided to spend our last day of 2008 at Rock City with Gannon, taking in the Enchanted Lights. It was cold, but a great little getaway... and yes, I'm wearing a Georgia Bulldogs toboggan in the picture - NOT because I'm a fan, merely because it was a gift from my father-in-law and is my son's monogram... although, I did have some guy at Rock City tell me I would be going to heaven for wearing that hat - an interesting theology.

At any rate, having now returning from Rock City, we are settling in for the night with a hot chocolate and old reruns of the Twilight Zone. To be honest, we may end up sleeping in the new year - parenting will do that to you.

But, tomorrow brings a new day and a new year - and oh, what a year it shall be!

IF YOU HATE CHURCH: SERIES PREVIEW

The first 5 weeks of The Net Church will be devoted to unpacking some of the issues raised through the survey responses we received at ifyouhatechurch.com. The following is a 2-minute preview of the series. This preview will also be playing at Rave Motion Pictures before each movie for the first two weeks in January.

40 Days

Forty Days is a significant period of time in scripture…

Moses spent 40 Days on Mount Sinai.
When Noah was on the ark, it rained for 40 Days.
It took 40 Days to embalm a body in ancient Egypt.
Caleb explored the Promised Land for 40 Days.
For 40 Days Jesus fasted and was tempted.

In 40 Days The Net Church begins…
and I am believing that this 40 Days will be significant, as well.

JOB

Last night, I thought I was dying. A few days ago, I began noticing what appeared to be bug bites all over my body. They were small and a mere nuisance. Then yesterday, my hands began to swell and itch. But, last night is when it came to a head. My arms were itching while I laid in bed. It finally reached a feverish point, so I jumped out of bed and went to the mirror. That's when I noticed that both arms were covered in hives.

I went to our faithful 24-hour Wal-Mart to retrieve some meds - but, I couldn't apply them fast enough. By the time I returned the hives had spread to my back and legs. I was completely covered. I was a modern day Job and began to wonder if there was a discussion going on between God and Satan over just how faithful of a servant I was. While I wasn't ready to curse God, I gotta admit, I wanted to curse everything else!

Thankfully by morning the hives had subsided. Today my skin has been tender, but nothing like it was. I pray tonight I get a good night's sleep.

If this is a test, rest assured, I'm not going anywhere. In 44 days we launch The Net - and I wouldn't miss it for the world.