Summer Initiative

Today I've spent some time brainstorming on our summer initiative called CONTACT. We've set a goal of meeting over 1500 people from the surrounding community specifically so that we can gain the pulse of where the greatest needs of our community lie. We'll be introducing each phase of this project, that will last from June through September, in the coming weeks. There will be a ton of ways to participate, and their is lots of flexibility with summer schedules. I'm looking forward to sharing more with you.

How would our church look different if 1500 people were introduced to a member of Severn River Church simply asking how we can help the community?

More importantly, how would our community look different if we were a church that was better at being the church when we're not at church?

--Ben

Time Keeps Ticking

It's crazy the older I get how much faster time gets. The weeks just fly by at this point. It is really hard to believe that April is over. And frustrating that I keep seeing adverts for things that I'm interested in that are on like April 22. And I think, "I'd like to go to that." Only to realize that the date has passed. Man, time flies.

--Ben

Small Group Celebration

I just wanted to let you know that the newly redesigned mini-golf course in Severna Park is the real deal. The old days of clown faces and windmills are definately gone. Today's mini-golf is more like putting practice for actual golfing. Each green is a fairly straight forward layout that depends heavily on you actual putting ability, and leaves nothing for your clever angle ability or sense of timing. It was pretty tough par for 18 holes was 41, and I finished 9 over; a little bit embarrassing, but it was a great way to end a small group semester.

Sign-ups for new groups will begin on May 11.

--Ben

Assessment

I received an invitation to assist in a church planting assessment at the end of next month. It's the first invitation I've received, and I'm looking forward to it with a bit of trepidation. Sitting on that side of the table lends itself to the expectation that I know something about church planting. In fact, I feel like I know very little about church planting.

Thankfully the assessment is set up in such a way, that it is simply an investigation into the habits and patterns of the candidate. It is based on the theory that past performance is the best indicator of future results. The Assessment takes hours to complete. It focuses on a number of core competencies that are neccessary in church planting. If a person doesn't have any past record of performing those competencies then they are unlikely to perform them in the future without significant attention and training.

The benefit of the assessment is that it gives you a snapshot of who you are as a planter, and what areas you are weak in. It is similar to the Natural Church Development model in that it focuses on the idea of the shortest stave. A stave is a piece of a barrel. One of the wooden pieces. If one is shorter than the rest that is where water will leak from. So that barrel is limited in it's capacity by the shortest stave. If we can learn where our shortcomings are, we can work to improve, thus raising the capacity of our ability.

--Ben

What's going on?

Do you ever feel like that's the question of your day? "What's going on?" There are times that life gets whizzing and whirring around you, and you need to take a moment to breathe and say, "What's going on?" I do this from time to time. I take a moment to get my bearings and plunge back under.

If there is an important lesson that I'm learning right now it's pacing. It's understanding the season that I'm in and making the most of it. I'll be honest and say, that much of my learning is not because I get it right the first time. It is usually because I fail on the front side, around the sides and through the middle. I'm just hoping for a success on the next go around.

What's going on?

--Ben

Ouch

We had a really low attendance yesterday. It was definately one of those days that we needed to remember that God has been doing good things at SRC. I believe yesterday was no exception. There were definately people that were touched by the message.

I spoke on the motivations of faith. They are really the five motivations for everything in our lives. Love, Hate, Fear, Pride, and Guilt. If you want to catch the message you can visit our sermon site HERE. It should be up by Wednesday or Thursday at the latest.

--Ben

Back to Work

I'm back in the saddle again this morning. I enjoyed yesterday very much. I felt like I maximized my day. I had a four, five and six o'clock appointments. I really enjoy pre-marital counseling. I'm meeting with two couples right now and I love them. They are very different, but interesting and unique. I enjoyed my meetings last night, and just sharing in a very personal way. I am very open about my own life and experience, because I believe that the Bible is right when it instructs that older should teach the younger, and though I'm not much older by age, I am older in marriage experience. I challenged both couples to consider how their marriage is going to improve other's. How will the way they communicate help a couple who will marry in a few years? How will the way they handle finances be an example for others to follow?

I believe that the essence of pre-marital counseling is to peel away as much of the artificial views of marriage as possible, dig down below the answers that each person "knows" their spouse wants to hear, and get down to the true actions and beliefs of each person. That's when we can face the next 60 years of our lives and say, "I choose these fights, these battles. I know that anyone I marry will bring tension and struggle. But before we wed I can choose the struggles I'll have till death parts us."

Isn't that romantic!?!

--Ben

Working Girl

My wife has some tremendous qualities. One of the outstanding qualities is that she knows what it means to work for something she wants. She is not an instant gratification person. She knows the value of things, and will work and save for them. We are currently planning to buy a minivan, and she has secured a long term substitute position to save up for her down payment. She is really looking forward to it even though it is a big commitment.

I'm proud of her.

--Ben

With the Band

I picked up a guitar for the first time during my freshman year of college. It was the thing to do. My roommate had a customized Guild electric guitar, and would play it loudly while I tried to take a nap. One thing led to another, and I started learning chords from him. He got me started, and then I went on from there. I would take another friend's guitar with me to the boiler room, where I worked the graveyard shift. I would practice for hours a night. That's where I learned to play the guitar.

I was recently asked to play for a Royal Ranger Pow-Wow with the worship band. Pow-Wow is a camping trip for boys that are in Rangers, a church scouting program. It should be fun. We rehearsed last night, and I'll tell you, I much prefer playing than leading. I never wanted to be the lead guy in the band, that's just how things usually end up. This time I get to just be with the band. Nice.

--Ben

Out to Hagerstown

This morning was my monthly trip to meet my coach, Pat Grach. We met over breakfast at Bob's Evans. It was a great discussion. Probably my favorite part was when I asked my first question, and he said, "Oh good, I have a brief answer for that." 40 minutes later he finished up his answer.

I gotta tell you though, it feels so good to hear from someone who has been right where I am. I can share what I'm going through, ask questions, and am guaranteed that he will identify and have direction for me.

--Ben

Thankful for talented friends

I'm so thankful to have talented friends. Recently I've just had a number of projects that I can't do, and they've come through for me. One is an art guy, the other is a computer guy. Either of these guys stands out to me as someone that can do anything I can think of, and if they can't, they'll figure it out. The art guy enjoys anonymity, because it provides more authentic critique. But I come up with the content, a rough idea and send it over to him, and he turns it around for me with great results. My computer guy probably gets a little more frustrated with me, but is always very helpful when I have an idea. He is a high logic person, and works to make my dreams a reality.

I'm so thankful for talented friends.

--Ben

Chamber of Commerce

Yesterday I joined the local chamber of commerce in Severna Park. It has been on my list for a long time, but lately I've been re-prioritizing my schedule and feel that being involved in the community is a better use of my time these days. I'm getting information in the mail tomorrow about events that are being hosted by the chamber, and I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of new people in the community.

--Ben

The Rest of the Story

Someone sent me an email regarding our series, Losing the Faith. In it they confided that they believe most if not all of the people in our church have been through this very journey. Sharing my story of faith crisis was an encouragement to him, but he wondered if I'd be sharing more about what happened after I got back to school. (For the first part of my story check out our Sermons page.) I will share the rest of the story this Sunday as part of our teaching Motivations for Faith. Thanks for the feedback. Remember if you have a question, I'd love to receive it in time to include it in an upcoming message. You can e-mail me, ben@severnriverchurch.com.

--Ben

Digging a Fishing Hole

I have had such a burden lately for people to come to Christ, and recently have been taking account of opportunities to share my faith. I find myself becoming more and more boxed in by the church. Not their fault, mine.

So I'm digging a fishing hole and want to ask for your help in prayer. Jesus' promise was to make us fishers of men. Well my nets have been empty for a while so I'm casting on the other side of the boat.

Would you start praying for Leadership Growth Group. It is a group for business professionals to develop leadership through the discipline of reading and discussion. It is a small group but is not religious or connected to SRC in any way. Just a place that I hope to be able to connect with unchurched people to share my faith. Thanks.

--Ben

Rained Out

We planned a picnic for SRC yesterday, but unfortunately we got rained out. I really like the way we are doing church picnics so I thought I'd share why:

1. We did online sign-ups. (Thanks to our webmaster)
2. We didn't put out any money for a pavilion.
3. It was low stress. Come if you want to, stay as long as you like, and remember, we're just friends hanging out so relax.
4. Get there however you want.
5. Bring your own food.
6. And, oh by the way, if it rains, we'll just do it another week. No big deal.

I love that. Yesterday was my favorite church picnic ever and we didn't even have it. Forgive me, but I've just been to so many picnics that we so heavy with agenda and activities that they just took a lot of work. Picnics should be places to relax. Just my thoughts.

--Ben

Losing the Faith

We kicked off Losing the Faith yesterday, and I really feel like it was a solid connection. I got to passionately share my own story and struggle with Faith, and why my heart breaks for those who struggle as well.

I'm really looking forward to the next three weeks.

Fight On!

Sunday morning early. Just me and Jesus. Like a trainer taping up my gloves, the Holy Spirit is reminding me to duck and weave. Jesus is saying that he's already fought this fight, my opponent has been KO'd already. I'm not going into the ring for my adversary, but to proclaim the freedom that has already been won.

Tears are streaming down my face as my breathing speeds, because I know what it is like to sit outside that ring. I remember when I was in darkness and in need of seeing a great light. And today is fight day, fighting for the souls that Jesus laid down his life for.

--Ben

Party Dude

Today we celebrated my birthday. I had a birthday party, and I had a lot of fun. A couple months ago I told Corie that this year I wanted a birthday party. In fact, I'm thinking that for the rest of my life on the decade years till 60 I'd like to have an actual birthday party. The rest of the years can just be a family observance. But it gives mile-markers in life to reflect, and I don't want to go through life alone. I want to be able to share a special day with those that mean the most to me.

Today was a special joy. AND I got presents. HA. I didn't really expect any originally. I just wanted to get together with my friends, but then people started asking and so I told Corie to say, "No gifts are expected, but if you'd like to give a Home Depot gift card that would be appreciated." I don't know. I got several of those, and a gift card to FIVE GUYS (I love that place). And a motorcycle from Germany, and a couple books off my wish list. It was fantastic. Thanks to everyone; not just for the gifts. Your presence was very special to me.

I hope in ten years more of you can make it. That would be fun to have an open invitation to blog readers. Then maybe I could meet people from Hurst, TX and Winter Park, FL. You all are an important part of my life as well.

--Ben

30

Today is April 18 as you can tell by the time stamp of this post. Today is my 30th birthday. Someone asked me how I felt about it, and I shared with them the truth. I want to be older. It seems to be a contrarian view more and more that there is venerability with age. More and more we are a society that esteems youth, but I believe that age and experience are vital to fulfilling the mission of our life.

I view my life as preparation. In thirty years I have tried to prepare myself for the future that God has in store for me. In thirty years I have met the woman of my dreams, married her, and started a family. I've learned what a father's heart feels like in the elation of love that I feel for my girls and the pain of the fear that I may lose them. I've purchased a home, started investing in my future, bought and sold real estate. I've graduated high school, college, and plan to graduate from grad school for the first time this year. I've given my professional life to ministry to God and others. I'm proud of the church that I started and love each person that makes it what it is. I've established a track record of a good name and heart, all while walking with feet of clay. And while some of these seem like achievements I view them more as prerequisites. Things required in advance. In advance of what? Destiny.

I have a destination, but it's not here and now. It is there and then. I choose to live my life preparing so that when the moment comes, that deciding moment, when the destiny of my life reaches its climax I will be prepared.

My preparation has taught me that I'm weak and frail. That I'm not smart or clever enough. I'm not capable of loving pure enough, or of protecting strong enough. I can't trust in the provision of wealth or race to gain it. I am secure then in my destiny. I am not destined for greatness. I am destined for grace.

Whatever my life may prove to be, it is all preparation for the life that is to come. Prepare for tomorrow. Live like there's no tomorrow.

--Ben

Recovering

I made it through the virus storm. Thanks to those who tossed up a prayer for me. I'm feeling much better today.

For what it's worth AMC's movie lineup isn't bad, not great, but it was about all I could do yesterday to lay on the couch and watch old movies.

--Ben

Losing the Faith

I posted a lot yesterday, so I wanted to repost this. It's our new series called Losing the Faith. Please pray with us for a special work of God to build our faith over the next few weeks. And invite a friend that could use a faith-lift.

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (Super Trailer)

This movie is being released on Friday. It may be difficult to find, but probably worth the trip. I think Ben Stein is an excellent communicator. Hope you enjoy it.

--Ben

For a more fun theatrical trailer I recommend www.expelledthemovie.com to find a theater that is playing it click here.

Vermont!?!

I'm excited to announce that this summer I've been invited to speak at a camp in Vermont. I'll be the adult Bible teacher for the first full week of August.

Pretty interesting how it happened, so I thought I'd share it with you. The camp is a family camp which promotes bringing generations together in worship. The camp has convened annually since 1887, so it has a long history. The association's president, Michael Gantt, is from my father's home town in North Carolina. They became followers of Jesus Christ at the same time and both went off to Bible college together. Though the years have led them in different directions their personal histories create a strong bond between them. Last year Michael was trying to track down information on my father when his search engine turned up my website. He has been a reader since that time, and we exchanged e-mail a couple times.

Recently he downloaded some of the sermons from www.severnriverchurch.com. While listening he felt prompted to invite me to teach as part of the camp. I'm looking forward to it. Mark Batterson says so well, "Change of place and change of pace equals change of perspective." I'm looking forward to camp for that reason.

It's catching up with Daddy

Sydney is getting over her illness. But last night Daddy had the fever, and this morning my tummy is not feeling so good. Ugghhh.

--Ben

Losing the Faith

If there is one question that has stood out in the 18 months that I've been a church planter it is "I feel like I'm losing my faith. What do I do?" Can't wait to get into our new series...

Tax Day

Well, it's April 15th, tax day. That means today is about printing forms, writing checks and finding the big blue mailboxes. Hope you enjoy it. I am.

--Ben

Sydney's Sick

Please pray for my daughter Sydney. If you'd like to check in on prayer needs click here.

--Ben

Book List * Updated* (Links Fixed)

Yesterday I invited my congregation to check out this book list of recommended reading on finances. These are books that have influenced me, and informed me on different areas of finances. Happy Reading!

The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach

Smart Couples Finish Rich by David Bach

How to Manage your Money by Larry Burkett

Your Money Map by Howard Dayton

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsay

For further reading and resources check our www.crown.org.

Chipotle and the Service Host

At Severn River Church we want part of the weekend service experience to include a service host. The service host is a person who helps people navigate the service. For several months Rob Noeth has done that job for us, but we're working him out of that position. For the next month or so Mike Jones has volunteered to help out with it. He'll be starting this Sunday. Yesterday I sat down with him and some other guys after the service to explain why it was so important to me that we have a service host and how it should be done. Here's kinda how the conversation went...

Have you ever been to Chipotle? I remember my first time in a Chipotle. I walked in expecting Taco Bell, but what I found was really different. I remember walking in and looking up and the menu and knew immediately that the menu was laid out in a different fashion than any fast food restaurant I had experienced. I stood confused; I'm sure with a "deer in the headlights" look. And then the manager who happened to be picking up trays or something near me said, "Can I help you?" I turned to this new-found friend and said, "Yes, I've never been here and I'm not sure what to order." He said that it was no problem and then he took me to the counter and took me step by step through the ordering process. What ended up happening is that I found one of my favorite restaurants, and had an unforgettable experience.

Have you been to the Noodle Co.? I went last week and the food was pretty good. I walked in and realized immediately that this restaurant was like Chipotle. The menu was laid out similarly, the decor was the same. But no one helped me. I stood there and was unsure of how I was supposed to order until the very last moment, then wondered if I had done it right. Like I said, the food was pretty good. But I don't think I'll go back.

So what does that have to do with service hosting? I think that many people feel the same way when they come into SRC. They come in with an unsure feeling, because it is not like other churches that they've been to or heard of. Sometimes I see them walking through the hall with the same confused look that I had in Chipotle. What stands between them having a good experience, even an unforgettable experience, and walking away saying, "That was ok, but I don't think I'll go back" is the person who steps up and says, "I will walk step by step through this with you." That person is the service host. The service host addresses the questions and fears of our guests. The service host fights confusion with clarity, by explaining exactly what the group norms are. The service host puts the person at ease knowing they can do what they're supposed to because they know what they're supposed to do. When it comes to hosting I'll take clear over cute any day. As long as it's presented with the guest in mind explaining what we're doing and why we're doing it. The rest is up to them and God. And they can eat that burrito however they want.

--Ben

A good talk

This morning I got to sit with a mentor and friend, Phil, and catch up on things that are going on. He said, "So how are you doing?" I said, "good". He said, "HOW ARE YOU DOING!?!" I started filling him in on things that are going on for about 15 minutes. What a break. I needed to share with him. I'm thankful to have a friend like that. Have you talked to someone to tell them what's going on inside?

--Ben

Shameless Plug

Someone reminded me that INGDirect.com offers a bonus for referring people to start a savings account with them. So even though I said I didn't get paid to advertise them yesterday during my message, it turns out I could. So just letting you know in the interest of full disclosure.

The book list will be up later today.

--Ben

An unusual silence

It feels like it has been a while since I have posted. I have been working on the house and it has been a consuming task. I have a personality that really is rather compulsive, I think. Pretty much I get consumed with projects and I can't do anything else until it is complete. It is a great side of my personality, but it is a dark side too.

I have to struggle to remain balanced at certain times because I'm so compelled to pursue one task. As you know, much of life is about balancing many things at once. While I capitalize on my compulsion, it really is not entirely healthy. And I haven't yet fully figured out how to turn it on and off. There are some projects that I wish I could use it for, but it just never gets juiced. My life, my curse.


--Ben

Daddy's Day with his Darlings

Fridays are my day with the girls. Corie is working today and I'm home watching the angels. Later today I'm going to take them to the park. I will get to leave Sydney there with Grammy, that way I can slip home and hopefully get a coat of paint on the basement floor.


--Ben

Housing Update

I've gotten a lot of questions lately about the house project, so I thought I'd fill you in. I have my basement 80% cleared out. I have to paint the floor and steps, refinish an area of concrete, and put up a railing for the steps. That will complete the basement. Corie is painting some touch up spots today, and that should pretty much finish the upstairs, then there's only a hand full of things to do outside, so the basement is the big project right now. Hoping to be finished by next week.

--Ben

Another reason I love my team

Last night we had our weekly Operations Team (OT) meeting. We met online again and tried some new stuff. Meeting online involves video conferencing, a method in which each person uses a webcam to simulcast themselves with others in the meeting. It combines the elements of a conference call and video. We thought we could do this with a program called Skype, but no. It only allows one on one conversation. (It does provide great one one one application though, and good conference calls)

This week we tried ooVoo a program in Beta that allows up to 6 in video conference. We had a terrible time with feedback echoes though. It got to the point that we tried audio from Skype conference call with video from ooVoo, but then the audio of both programs conflicted and gave us really bad loops.

We ended up cutting back to a conference call on Skype.

Now I must say that it takes a lot of patience to work with me. I tend to be forward looking, and will experiment till I find a way. To me the value of being able to meet online is huge. We wouldn't have to drive to another location, instead from the comfort of our own home we can have a true 60 minute or 90 minute meeting, and not lose drive time etc. Further I'm looking forward to when we have interns from VFCC. This technology will allow them to participate in our meetings. And finally I look forward to being able to connect other leaders from outside our church to our meetings without them having to drive from where they live. For instance, I'd love for my coach in Hagerstown to be able to join us for a meeting. Through this type of technology that would be possible.

Last night through all the goofs, my team showed great patience. That's another reason I love my team.

--Ben

Small Group Conference

I'm currently attending a small group conference from home. I recently received materials for educating our new small group manager, Christine Duerling, and I can't keep my ears off of them. I love MP3 technology, it's great that you can get stimulating content from your own home. I'm really proud of Christine too for the way she is hungry for learning how to do small groups better. She is running a great group on Thursday nights and I believe she's going to do a great job of leading others to lead great groups.

--Ben

A call from a friend

Today my friend, Doug Grace, chaplain for the USMC called. He's recently been on leave and was sttling back into the office, and gave me a call. I was so glad to talk with him. He and his wife are doing well, and he is enjoying the ministry there. He is expecting deployment sometime between November and January for about seven to nine months. So keep him and his wife, Michelle, in your prayers.

One of the things he called for was to thank the church for the care package that they received. Over the last several months we've collected a handful of stuff and sent out to them. They particularly enjoyed the pictures of the kids. He made it clear that they consider SRC their home church even though they're away. We miss them very much. Doug was the first person that I told about my dream of a new church. He and his wife were extremely instrumental in the formation of our church, and we miss them.

It was good to talk to him, he's hoping for a visit before his deployment. But we'll see.

--Ben

A Growing Group

I have said often that I love our section*. Today we met for prayer and had 17 ministers there. It is so encouraging to pray together. We pray specifically for church wide needs. For instance, we pray for Twin Rivers Church because they need a place to meet, but we don't pray for sister Bertha who broke her hearing aid. Does that make sense? Our Presbyter, Don Cox, does a good job of leading that prayer time, and I really feel that the pastors are growing in connection to each other. We're learning that none of us is at this alone. I also like that it is only what it is. (That's a profound statement. :-) What I mean is, it is only prayer. Sometimes we have meetings where we never know what it's going to be (business, prayer, church service). These meetings are specifically for prayer and that's all we do. I like that. It was a good trip to Owings Mills this morning.

--Ben


* A "Section" is the term used to describe a portion of our area that is designated for oversight of churches. In the Assemblies of God we are broken into geographic areas that create manageable presbytery oversight. These "Districts" are broken up into sections. Mine is the Eastern Section.

The time of prayer

Our section of churches has dedicated the first Tuesday of the month as a day to come together to pray. We are rotating the meeting place to different churches and interceding together for the needs of the churches. We want to see a move of God's Spirit against the powers that hold us back. We pray from 10:00-11:00 if you think of it, please pray with us from wherever you are.

--Ben

New Blog

I just found out about a new blog that our district has started. I encourage you to go check it out.

Ben

Thank you

I know that none of you are trying to help me break records or anything, but you helped www.benjaminrainey.com reach one of its highest readership weeks ever last week. I'm pleased to be able to share my life and ministry with so many. Thanks for checking in.

--Ben

Inside

You all know that I am a pretty transparent person. I think lives hidden behind veils and facades are wasted. So I wanted to let you in a little on what's been on my mind lately. I recently was able to be in contact with a friend from college. She and a good friend of mine got married during their time at school, and nine years later are getting divorced. It hurts my heart every time I think of it, and it's actually multiple times a day. I pray for them both, because I know that it is such a painful thing to go through, and the pain won't subside quickly. And I know that it has much greater impact than just on their relationship. Their are children in the mix and that is just painful.

None of us lives a sheltered life that is unaffected by the lives of others. Our lives affect their's too.

--Ben

Weekend thoughts

I had a great time this weekend. Here are some thoughts:

• It must have been SRC spring break and no one mentioned it to me. We had a lot of people gone, but I enjoyed being with the family at church.

• I love the new lobby. People seemed to really relate well out there, and it is more comfortable with the chairs to unwind and catch up with each other.
  

• Yes, that is my voice on the Children's commercial. Yes, I did have to speed it up to fit the spot. Ha ha mousy voice...

• My daughter loves singing at church. She even is learning to clap with the same moves as some of you! Watch out!

Looking forward to wrapping up this series on Sunday. Yesterday was the theory lesson, next week we put it into practice. See you then!

--Ben

I can't wait for tomorrow.

Sunday is back again. It's game time for me. I'm really looking forward to being back in our home field and getting down to things. See you there.

--Ben

For the Children

Alma (our Children's Ministry Manager) mentioned last night that she needs volunteers as helpers in Kids Church. A helper is exactly what it sounds like. They just help out. We have a great team of teachers that organize the lessons, but they need helpers to help them while they teach.

Alma is forming a list of helpers to work on a rotating schedule so that no helper is over used. If you'd like to volunteer CLICK HERE.

--Ben

Remote Meetings

We tried something new last night with the OT (operations team), remote meetings. Our OT meets weekly, Our meetings hit three areas: 1. Leadership Development, 2. Spiritual Formation, 3. Operational Needs. They typically last about an 90-120 minutes. We often meet at Panera Bread, but over the last couple months we've been staging for remote meetings. We intended to try it last week, however I left my web cam home while I was at school, so we ended up canceling the meeting. But I decided this week we'd give it a go. It was my understanding that Skype allowed a three-way video conference. But we got to the meeting last night and found that they only allowed a two-way conversation. So we ended up doing a conference call without video.

I suppose I should be glad for the opportunity for remote meetings, but what I found was that it was really difficult to have the same type of conversation without being able to see each other. We are currently looking for another protocol that will allow multiple feed video conferencing. If you know of any, please let me know.

--Ben

Picnic

We're using our first online sign-up, and you're invited. We're going to picnic together after church on April 20, 2008. If you want to join us or for more information CLICK HERE.

--Ben

Using it for all it's worth

I posted a video a couple days ago and it was part of a devotion I shared last week at class, then I used it on Sunday in my message. Today I used it again at ACA.

I get really great comments from each place I use it, but the fact is I think I like using it because I'm still trying to learn the truths in Romans 8. I'm still learning what it means to put to death the spirit of death, and live in the Spirit of God. But the Spirit has given me sonship in God, and is interceding for me.

That's good to know, but right now I'm just learning.

--Ben

I needed to read it twice

I read this quote twice today from two different sources. I guess I needed to learn it. Oliver Wendel Holmes said, "A mind stretched by a new idea never returns to its original shape."

Wrap your mind around that!

--Ben

Digging out *Updated* (Link works)

I'm currently sorting through 80 emails that got stacked up over the last seven days. Some I replied to, others not yet, I have to figure out which end is up. But I've got a full day scheduled here at my desk, so it'll come together.

BTW, if you haven't visited in a while you should check out our prayer page. I'm praying for some needs right now, and you could help.

--Ben

Where wasn't I?

I feel like the better question lately isn't where was I, but rather where wasn't I. I have been traveling for the last week and a half. I'm so tired of traveling. I'm looking forward to just being at home and in my office, catching up on office work that has been on hold.

Last week I took my last AGTS course that will require travel. Then Monday and Tuesday I spent in Falling Waters at a class for basic assessment of Church Planters. There's no way to share my schedule without whining so suffice to say I'm glad for a break.

--Ben

ACA Chapel

This morning I'm speaking over at Arnold Christian Academy. They do a chapel service on Wednesday for children grades k5 - 8th grade. It's quite a span in ages. I enjoy speaking there because of that challenge. I have a habit of pulling the 8th graders up in front of everyone to start my message. It's a little bit embarrassing for them, but they love the publicity.

--Ben