Christmas and Purpose

Merry Christmas!
I am finally home on my couch. Courtney, Carson, and Cameron are all in bed. I just got a second to take a look at the calendar for the next couple of weeks and months. I have to tell you that I am extremely excited. Passion in Atlanta, Retreats in the Ozarks, Ski Trips in the Rocky's, and a trip to Kenya. I am so excited about the opportunities God has laid out.
I think I should be tired from the Holiday's, Dinner Theater, Christmas get-togethers, and carting my clan around the last few days. However, I am not. I find myself focused and relaxed. I believe, I have finally discovered a way to find the Margin in the midst of all the chaos and tyranny of the urgent.... COURTNEY!
Courtney is my margin. She doesn't add stress to my life. She is a breath of fresh air. She handles everything in the family so well. I am more and more amazed at her ability as Mom. I was interviewing for a job one time and a man asked Courtney if she had been called to work with students like I had...he implied that we should be a team at church and she should have the same passion I do. She quickly answered, "I am called to be Jason's wife, one day a Mom, and do both of those the best of my ability." I was amazed and still am at the clarity in which she understands her purpose. She'll never have a website or be recognized on a major stage and she is ok with that...they were never in line with who she was created to be.
What is your purpose? Are you content in your purpose? I pray this Christmas Season will find you content in your purpose here on earth. Be You!

Results

The Dinner Theater was a success. About 1000 people came, we raised over $1200 in the auction, the tech team, prop team, waiters and watresses, and actors did an amazing job. The night went great. I was so proud of our students.
Last night we gathered together at 531 for Worship. The night was amazing. Three of our students were baptized last night. We took Communion together and worshiped. It was so refreshing.
Those are the facts. However, they may not be the most important results. Sometimes in life, the measureable results take a back seat to the unmeasurable. I don't know what the full impact of this weekend will be and that is okay. I don't know how many families will come to Rock Creek because of the Dinner Theater. I don't know what students will see that Jesus is better because of the baptisms. I am not sure what will change in some hearts after taking communion for the first time. I just don't know...and that is ok. I stopped living for measureable results a long time ago...I have found there are bigger results that can't fit on a scale.

Christmas Party

We had the Life Group Leaders Christmas Party this past Saturday night. It was a very fun night. Dennis and Karla Simpson let us have it at their house, which just happens to be one of the coolest houses I have ever been to. We played a few games and ate and everyone had a great time. Towards the end of the night, I began to give my speech before I gave away my presents to everyone. I have to admit that I really got emotional. As I looked around the room, I saw the faithfulness of God. A year and a half ago, not one person, other than myself, was involved in the students at Rock Creek. Now I sat in the middle of gifted, smart, passionate, leaders.... I was humbled.
These people can do anything they want in life. We have incredible college students, gifted professionals, smart medics, creative artists, entrepreneurs, and the list goes on and on. As I talked, I couldn't help but be excited. With this group of leaders, there is no limit to what God will do. I am so thankful to be at Rock Creek. I am passionate about the task at hand. I want to see God do things that no one dreamed possible.
I am excited about where God is going...and even more excited about joining him on the journey.

Dinner Theater

It is dinner theater time and that means that I am completely in over my head once again. Each Christmas, The Student Ministry puts on a performance that rivals that of any school play. However, most of the students have no acting experience and I definitely have never written a play. Some how, everything will come together. I found myself so busy yesterday that I stopped and asked the simply question, "Why are we doing this?" The answers immediately came to my mind and I was reminded of the purpose of an event like the dinner theater. However, can you imagine how depressing or frustrating it would have been if I would have had no answer. Purpose is the reason behind everything you do. There must be a purpose or there is no point. What are you stressed over this Christmas? What has you running wide open? Whatever it is, it is worth it? Does it accomplish anything at all? Busy just for the sake of being busy is a waste of time. Leave behind the good things this Christmas and focus on the great!

Friends

Well I am back. I know you have been lost without me. I just returned from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I am now the new head coach. No, I was visiting friends and speaking at Circlewood Baptist Church.
It was such a refreshing trip. Wednesday Night, after I spoke, a group of old friends went to eat some dinner. I was amaazed. I was blown away that they even wanted to see me much less take time out to do it. I know life moves on and it has been almost two years since I left, so I wasn't expecting much. I was wrong. I sat there and realized how blessed I am. As we took a trip down memory lane, I was close to a few tears. I know that is pathetic, but I was.
I have had meanigfull relationships at ever phase of my life. There have always been people there for me. The Tuscaloosa bunch is very special. There are many hours of dreaming and venting that have been spent with people at that table. I would not be the man I am today without them.
There is no application this morning. I am overwhelmed at how blessed my life is. May your be blessed as well....Merry Christmas.