Untitled

It's baptism day!

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 08:13:13 -0400

“Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she’ll call her friends and neighbors: ‘Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!’ Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.” Luke 15:8-10

JVP 2 years ago Jax & myself went to the Dream Center to serve and it just so happened that the...

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:14:43 -0400

JVP
2 years ago Jax & myself went to the Dream Center to serve and it just so happened that the Team Impact was there and Jaxon was so excited. At the end of their show they prayed the typical salvation prayer and I was peeking around the room to celebrate salvations with the people across the room as they raised their hand and I saw the precious hand of our 5 year old slide up. And i thought…WHAT? Did that really happen? Can he even understand?……I’m 27 and was just now able to fully understand. So we got in the car and we both had been crying and Immediately call JP because he was out of town. We celebrated but never really pushed him with baptism bc he is so shy and crowds just aren’t his thing. Every now and then he would randomly say, I remember the day Jesus came into my heart. So, I thought maybe he did understand?
He is so compassionate, soft hearted and gifted and we know that God has big plans for his life.
Over the past few months he has helped Mrs.Emily teach on stage and he has prayed for his friends in quest from the stage so I knew God was up to something in his big heart for him to have this all of a sudden courage.
Last Sunday Jax went with JP to the childrens baptism class just because I was in another meeting(or so we thought) and he was hanging with daddy. Justin said he had to ask jax to be quiet and stop answering questions in the class to make sure the other kids where ready. So again, we didn’t push it or even ask and last Sunday night jax came to us and said, I’m ready to be baptized. Now tonight we are so excited for tomorrow as we get to be a part of this sweet moment as our son takes the next step on his journey!

Thankyou to everyone who has influenced our sweet son, prayed for him, spoke life into and encouraged him. This is nothing Justin and myself could have ever done alone! We have the most amazing church, ekidz depts, friends and family who have been incredible and helped us raise this child to become a Christ follower! This is just the beginning!

“Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them. Mark 10:13-16

Lights

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 06:37:11 -0500

Lights

Exposure: Read these passages about Jesus being the light. Research the beginnings of the tradition of Christmas lights. Drive around town with a group of friends or family and look at the different expressions of lights.

Exploration: How is Jesus the light of world? Think about the scientific facts you know about light. In what ways is light the perfect illustration God created from the beginning to illuminate who Jesus is?

Expression: Why do you think Jesus refers to His followers as the light of the world? What would that mean for your life to be a light in your relationships and situations?

Experience: How has your life been a light to those around you? Make a point to be light during this season.

When Jesus got word that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee. He moved from his hometown, Nazareth, to the lakeside village Capernaum, nestled at the base of the Zebulun and Naphtali hills. This move completed Isaiah’s sermon: Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, road to the sea, over Jordan, Galilee, crossroads for the nations. People sitting out their lives in the dark saw a huge light; Sitting in that dark, dark country of death, they watched the sun come up. This Isaiah-prophesied sermon came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.” (Matthew 4:12-17 MSG)

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 MSG)

Rediscovering Christmas

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 08:33:54 -0500

Imagine if you were a shepherd…..

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:6-12 MSG)

Can you imagine what was going through the shepherd’s minds when the angels appeared?

Think about this….. Have you had an experience where God interrupted your life with an important message? How was that a combination of terrifying and wonderful? Take time to pray—not to say anything to God, just to listen.

Remember this....

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 06:50:59 -0500

When you are thinking of getting out of the boat but worried about your reputation remember this: “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. (Matthew 5:10-12 MSG)

People Change

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 06:48:12 -0500

Someone said, ‘bitterness is like swallowing poison and expecting someone else to die’.

From what I’ve found, some of the most central principles of being a Jesus follower are forgiveness and grace. Whenever I hear about ‘brothers and sisters’ not associating with each other due to a disagreement or an argument, it saddens me. It’s a hard pill to swallow [so to speak]. Now, I’ll be the first to raise my hand and say I’m right there with the best of them, I’ve sneered at or passed judgment on someone due to what I’ve seen/heard of them. But the foundational issue with passing judgment or being bitter towards another is 1. It grows and spreads like disease. 2. It often times only ends up being detrimental to me.

Luke 6:41-42 says, “It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? …Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.”

Let us be a people who hold short accounts…a people who forgive and who forget. Thank God for grace. Thank God people change.

We don’t view ourselves as experts in the the matter of life, but rather we’re fellow travelers. Let us live on purpose and let us live for Someone greater than ourselves.

Big work day at 2008 Enolam Blvd! The more the merrier! Thankyou all for your hard work and time....

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 08:50:09 -0400

Big work day at 2008 Enolam Blvd! The more the merrier! Thankyou all for your hard work and time. You all are awesome :)

epicpotter: Tomorrow is Jaxon’s 7th birthday, but today was...

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 23:54:22 -0400

epicpotter:

Tomorrow is Jaxon’s 7th birthday, but today was such a gift for us all.

I got to join my Austin Football brothers for breakfast and a simple, but powerful message about Influence. Jaxon went with me because he hoped to meet his hero, Josh Walker.
He did. Good start to the day…

Later on, at Jaxon’s school - guess who shows up to talk to a few 1st grade classes about Responsibility… Josh Walker. Of course! So Jax calls me after school fired up!! And the day is only half over…

10:15pm - Jax comes home from the Austin football game, where he got to see an incredible overtime victory by his A-High boys who were down 20-0 at the half. He also got to see his hero fight through many tackles to score the winning touchdown, got a picture with him afterwards, & come to find out was even mentioned in the halftime speech by Coach, challenging the team to not let down the people that look up to them, like Jaxon!!

So, like I said, tomorrow is Jaxon’s birthday, and he asked for a couple tree frogs and a tank for his room. Somehow I don’t really believe that the frogs will outweigh the gifts that he got today.

He got to meet his hero, a big-time local athlete that turns out to be a great person overall and an incredible student. Someone that he can follow and look up to. That’s a gift for his mom and I as well as him.

So a major thank you to Josh Walker. You have given Jaxon a birthday gift that his mother and I never could have bought for him. I pray that your life is blessed beyond measure, because you have blessed my son.

So, to cap off the day with same thought I started with:

You never know who is watching, and you never know who you are influencing…

No matter where you are in life, where you go to church or maybe you don’t, I want you to hear...

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 13:44:48 -0400

No matter where you are in life, where you go to church or maybe you don’t, I want you to hear a life changing message at epic church today! Even if you have a church home come by tonight or login to iCampus to hear this measage at 4 or 6! After starting this journey 4 years ago we grew, learned and followed as much as we could but we never experienced the full life that God has placed before us until we understood this! It’s that powerful! Love you all and pray that everyone of you hear this today!

Quest is having so much fun playing games and finishing up our...

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 10:31:43 -0400

Quest is having so much fun playing games and finishing up our series on Individuality!

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it...

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 07:14:33 -0400

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

I can not wait for tomorrow! Week 2 of our Scare Tactics conversation is going to be great,...

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 22:00:33 -0400

I can not wait for tomorrow! Week 2 of our Scare Tactics conversation is going to be great, inspiring and life changing! Make plans to join us tomorrow at Epic! We have several locations and service times. check the website for more details www.epicchurch.tv

Awesome day 1 crew! They did work today!

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 18:10:07 -0400

Awesome day 1 crew! They did work today!

Great morning at the ballfield! Now to do some work on the house! So excited.

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 12:50:18 -0400

Great morning at the ballfield! Now to do some work on the house! So excited.

Why I love watching JVP's games....

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 07:06:39 -0400

If we do what we are good at doing, we will sense God’s anointing (presence and power) on our efforts. We will know we are operating in our gifts and that doing so honors God and ministers life to others. God speaks to us through this anointing, giving us peace and joy to know we are fulfilling His plan for our lives.

God’s word for you today: Do what you’re good at - it’s God’s gift to you.

In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)

Take control

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 07:03:07 -0400

Don’t let negative pictures play on the movie screen of your mind. You own the remote control. All you have to do is change the channel.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

1 John 3:1

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 21:32:27 -0400

1 John 3:1

Truth

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 06:38:22 -0400

You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’”

LEADERSHIP UNDER STRESS

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 06:13:22 -0400

Great family leaders possess an inner strength and faith that allows them to be patient and calm. Joseph was such a leader. On three separate occasions, he obeyed the instructions of the angel of the Lord even though his obedience came at a great personal and financial cost. In the face of frightening circumstances, Joseph’s actions do not seem to be driven by panic and fear. Instead, he conducted himself in a way that reflected his deep and convicting faith in God.

When we have faith in God, circumstances will no longer dictate our peace and contentment. We are able to be patient and wait on God’s timing instead of forcing our own agenda.

If you often find yourself overwhelmed and frightened as you lead your family, consider where you are putting your trust. Few of us will be challenged to obey in as dramatic a fashion as Joseph, but we can let his faithful example inspire us to lead our families in calmness and faith.

Let your faith give you the strength that allows you to lead with patience and calmness.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 06:36:03 -0400

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4