Edit:
Just found the words from his prayer last night:

“Father God,

This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.

We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.

We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.

Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.

Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.

Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.

Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.

Hep us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.

Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.

We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.

Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.

A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.

Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.

Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.

Lastly, father, unify us.

Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.

And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments—but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.

God we know that you are good.

Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.

I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.

Let Him be our example.

Amen.”

Still digesting it. Might add more later.

Yesterday I also drove down other roads that I have driven down many, many times. Roads to the Hospital I was born at, to the High School I graduated, to the many Beaches I frequented, and to the places and times that have had some role in shaping my being. Back home, where the Saline in the air just lifts my spirit and passion soars in me, is where I wish to be always as a piece of me is gained back. It is very comfortable…and change is welcome, although a short time it will be.

This is way too early to get up. I have started working from 6am - 5pm, Tuesday through Fridays with Mondays off. Having Mondays off is great, but getting up before the sun does royally stinks.

Jason, look forward to many more evenings of music and hot beverages with you bro. It’s great having you back in Fred-town.

As I looked at the photos taken by LayneMarie Photography at 5:30am this morning, I couldn’t help but smile at how “Great” God is. He had his hand on this event and he has his hand on this family we are part of at Redeemer. The word “Great”…. I have had people ask me why I go to Redeemer a few times. Truthfully, we are not advanced as some churches in the technical arena, program-wise, nor do we have a gamut of paid pastoral staff and secretaries. We even meet at a “borrowed” place. So why do I take my family to Redeemer? Simple: It’s a Great church.

“Whoever wants to be great must become a servant… [Jesus] came to serve, not to be served.” (Mark 10)

The Redeemer Family is Great because they serve…

They give to the needy and feed the homeless.

They have a heart for missions, not to see the people only in a relationship with Jesus, but to educate them and teach them to be self sustaining.

The leadership opens up the platform every Sunday and allows others to use their gifts and to bring something, a word, a hymn, a song, creative movement…

The financial board takes money that could be said to be needed elsewhere and invest in the people of this city through an event such as Break the Surface and, as such, God returns the investment.

They love children, they love youth, and they love adults of all ages….no one is left on this journey to fend for their selves.

The leadership trusts the people they serve and empower them to walk in their gifts.

The Redeemer Family is Great because they serve…

Some people have thanked me for leading efforts in “Break the Surface”. All I know is that all notable leaders are only notable due to a Great team or Great support from other individuals they lead. “Break the Surface” happened because the Redeemer Family wanted it too and for that I honor you and thank and bless you for being servants and being Great!

Our Family, Redeemer, is on the verge of great change coming these next few years. One immediate change this year will be our meeting place and where we call home. We will welcome this change and pursue what God has in store for us next. We will continue to serve and change the face of what an institutionalized church is and keep moving toward Kingdom work and bridging the body of Christ by showing love in all we do.

I look forward to this journey with you all.

Kingdom…
Gene

Be who you want to be…

Last night I got to catch up on one of my favorite shows, “One Tree Hill”. I watched the first two episodes of the season on line and then caught the third on the tube. Just as I loved “Dawson’s Creek”, I get stoked about this one as well. It may be that they are both filmed in my hometown of Wilmington, NC. So I identify readily with the places and associate feelings with them. Sometimes the feelings are the same ones displayed on the shows.

For a while now, I have found myself displaced about the direction of forward momentum that I should take with my life. There are a few things that I have given up on such as writing, music, the love of the ocean, my passion…. Sure, they are still part of my life to a certain point, but the love and endurance that I put into them has been replaced by a lackadaisical feeling toward them. The dreams have been given up, but not forgotten. This is the heart of my depression. An aching pain that I quiet and replace with more important things, but alas a creator must create.

There was a line in one of the episodes I watched last night: “It’s my life. I’m taking a stand” This spoke to me. I do love my life, but I miss a part of it. The part of me that my wife fell in love with, the part of me that made me desire more, the part of me that shaped who I am today. Kind of a paradox that the missing piece that made me who I am is no longer there. Can I reintegrate who I was into who I am and who I hope to be? Focus on what you used to have and love so that you can really love what you have now and where you are now. Interesting concept…

How is your life?

A new year…new game.
How will you play it?
Competition is fierce. Life’s not fair. It’s time to separate the men from the boys. Stand your ground and make sure its firm. Know yourself and Know your faith. Hold your head up high and do not deter.
An old adage, but true: It’s not about winning or losing, but how you play the game that counts.
Have you practiced…yeah, you’ve practiced this your whole life. Some of you have even been playing a while, but the score is looking grim. Time to ante up and raise your standards. Time to play…
A new year….new game. Play it the right way.

go here to register————-> breakthesurface.com

Blessings,
Gene