Get the HELL out of your HOLY Huddle.

So there are few things that really get me going but I gotta vent a little on this one. Before I get started offending people let me put a disclaimer. *This is NOT directed at ANY specific INDIVIDUAL or ANY specific GROUP!!!* This is just something that in the future if I feel I have the authority to say so I will speak out against it and restore anybody that does it gently and with Love. However I wont let it stand anymore.

Holy Huddles, we've all got them and we find comfort in them and they build us up when used correctly. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. However if that gets in the way of your ministry or your fellowship it needs to stop and it needs to stop now. I'll try to pull some examples from different scenarios I've personally experienced so that you can see it from a few different angles in a few different settings.

To start lets get one premise set, in our Christian meetings whether it be Church, Youth Group, a Campus Fellowship, or some form of Church function (i.e. a pot luck or picnic or information session) we typically have some form of Ice breaker or meet and greet or games or something that the objective really is to build community, and through building community with the people there we build community in our _____________ <<<< Insert church, fellowship, club, youth group, whatever.

Lets take meet and greet for instance we do that at the campus fellowships I've been to, and my church back at home does it. So heres what you're aiming for...... Pastor or person directing the flow of the meeting says something to the effect of "Meet someone you dont know" or "Get up and shake someone's hand". Alright well lets pretend that we as Christians arent perfect and that doesnt quite happen... Lets say person in charge says their line and then this happens.....

(*Disclaimer again* I'm talking to myself too, if i were in a room preaching this to a group of people I would leave a seat open on the front row in the middle to represent where "I am sitting" to show the image that I need to learn this stuff too I'm no better than anybody. I'll also use myself as an example)

I turn to my right say hey to my Girlfriend because thats easy and I enjoy getting hugs as it is, so thats easy..... however I know her very well ... at least I'd like to think I do. Then I turn to my left shake Dannys hand...... ok hit the people in front of me and behind me, thats easy it varys from week to week but its still comfortable. Then I sit down.....

Heres what wrong with that picture if it didnt jack you in the face yet, I DIDNT MEET ANYONE! 5 minutes ago we had first time guests raise their hands and we said "Hey Thanks for coming out! We're glad to have you here!" WTF IS UP WITH THAT!?! (WTF - stands for What The Friggincrap and yes Friggincrap is one word) Now there obviously would have been a couple of people who would have gone over and introduced themselves which honestly is what I try to do but even that is a little shallow, we need to let people know we want to invest our lives in theirs because when they get that, understand that and, experience that they will want to be a part of what we are doing.

Honestly this is just a short blurb of something thats been eating me for about a year and a half now. So if you catch this, feel its valid, and think it can benefit your _____________ <<<<< (Insert - Ministry, Church, Fellowship) Pass it on to your friends or Church Family. Again this just a blurb and if you wanna know more about my heart on this matter email me JesusFreakDH@gmail.com and we can talk or if you're in Charlotte/Banner Elk we can do that in person but I know one thing for sure. I'm not gonna get to heaven and have God ask "Why did you want to be comfortable in your clique, when it would take a second of awkwardness to breakthrough to a lifetime of friendship and benefit?" Maybe its just me but I'm not into letting God down. Do us all a favor, and Get the HELL out of your Holy Huddle.

to be continued at a later date probably....

THR3E

So, its been a little while but heres what up. Yesterday I skipped the last day of classes with my friends Aaron and Kirstin. Sounds horrible right? Well it was amazing, we went to Carowinds rode roller coasters puked on people and Kirstin got in a fight and won! ok so thats all a lie......

In actuality we volunteered all day at an Event titled THR3E. It was hosted by Elevation Church and brought in 175 Church leaders and planters from over 20 different states. It was nothing short of Mind-bottling. (You know, like it has your mind in a bottle?) A lot went down in a 12 hour day and I took 10 pages of notes for just 2 of the 3 sessions. I'm a crappy note taker so I can only imagine how many pages good note takers took in there.

Anyways, in volunteering my role was simple. We had one rule really, which was Honor. Honor these leaders in any way shape form or fasion and do it with the Love of Christ. The day started out with a quick briefing by Elevation's very own Larry Brey. (He Loves loud (as in its very apparent that he Loves Everyone) :) I like him a lot.) After that a large group of us stood outside and looked on watching and waiting for these church leaders to show up wearing our THR3E shirts armed with notebooks, pens, and Krispy Kreme Donuts.

From there as we began leading people/groups in, we became their hosts for the day which meant we gave them a card with our name and phone number on it. If they needed anything, like oh say I dont know maybe a Big Mac? We would make it happen. (that did happen and I thought it was funny but we'll get to that part in a little bit) After we got them to Booth Playhouse in the Bank of America building we would assist them in getting checked in, and show them to the food or bathroom or anything they needed. Then run downstairs and start it all over again. I got to host 6 awesome Guys! (even got to tell one of them they had a little bit of shaving cream behind their ear, and yes I did this in the nicest most tactful way I knew how.)

After we got everyone checked in and seated we started session 1 which I sat out of and helped set up lunch stuff and move tables and such around. Had a blast just hanging out and serving with Elevation's Finest. I garuntee you will not find a better plethora of volunteers at any other church in the world. I was even reunited with some friends that I hadnt gotten to talk to in over a year because we go to different campuses and what made our paths cross in the first place was a student event Elevation used to do called "Pulse".

Lunch was fun the girls who delivered the food talked to us a little and one even said she would come try out our Providence campus. (a day of victory all around is what yesterday was. We really couldnt lose.) I enjoyed catching up with my guys seeing if they needed anything and seeing how the session had gone for them. Had a nice time running around checking on everyone and anyone and taking trash for them and just all around trying to see if there was anything that could or needed to be done for them.

After Lunch I sat in on Session 2 which made a solid 5 pages of notes and put a lot of insight into what I intend do with my life in the coming years. Who knows I may post later on what I've been able to flesh out and digest from these sessions in coming days. Later there was a break I caught back up with my guys checked in on them and did a little run through checkin on people and such. Then went in to sit in on session 3 was all settled and ready to go then I get a text. it read.....

"Scott wants a big mac...... is this possible?" so I text back... "Are you serious?" but before getting an answer I decided who cares lets make it happen if nothing else it will at least be funny and I can eat it. So I ran outside asked where the closest McDonalds was and proceeded to take Jamie's phone which I used as a GPS and credit card and run around the block searching for the McDonalds. well long story short after asking about 3 people and running around for about 10 minutes I got back and ran inside and made the delivery to which Scott was very delighted. Funny thing I learned after this is that Scott didnt even have a phone on him at THR3E he asked the guy next to him to text me.... thats hilarious. But I loved every minute of it and I wouldnt trade that day much less those 10 minutes for the world. (this story isnt to go "Oh look at how high and Holy Brett is [I'm not I promise but I love people so its pretty easy to serve them])

After delivering the Big Mac I got totally thrashed by Pastor's last session. It was all about "The Cost of the Call" and what it takes out of you being in the ministry. I'm not to the point where this is applicable yet but its good to know whats coming so I can prepare for it to better myself and eventually hit the challenges head on.

That in a BIG nut shell was my day at THR3E. I'll be unpacking all that went on for a while to come. I'm pretty sure it was probably one of the best days of my life. I doubt I will ever be a part of an event that will be executed as well, as powerful as as Honorable as yesterdays THR3E was.... that is unless Elevation puts on another event in 3 years....... Thanks Elevation for all that you do and like Pastor always says. "The Best is Yet to Come!"

The Harvest is Plentiful, The Workers Are Few....

Over the past few weeks I've been traveling across North Carolina a lot and in the past Month I cant say that I've seen the same preacher speak twice. As I've been moving around for various occasions such as the wedding I attended Yesterday here in Raleigh, Easter last week in Wilmington at my Sister's with my mother and my cousin and her fiance, and the weeks before either being in Charlotte for Elevation or volunteering with Motion, I have (as you could imagine) seen many people and done a lot of things.

The reoccuring theme that keeps coming to my head though as I see so many different people in so many different places is The Harvest is Plentiful, The Workers Are Few....

Luke 10:1-8

[1] After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. [2] He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. [3] Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. [4] Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

[5] "When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' [6] If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. [7] Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. [8] When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you."

With this theme reoccuring in my head I also started to wondering about what God would have me do with my life and where he would have me live it, such as when I am done with college where am I going to go?

Home? I dont think so at first personally (sorry Mom).

Stay in Charlotte? Maybe... I do enjoy Elevation but theres no designated Ministry for what I want to do really.

Seminary? Sounds cool but where?

And then I started thinking. The Harvest is plentiful the Workers are Few. And (though not audible) God kinda told me through the voice in my head, I'll use you wherever you are and whatever you do. The Harvest is plentiful anywhere you go so be my worker and reap the harvest. So through the coming years I intend to do God's work "as I go" and I look foward to seeing where I end up.

Recap on last night

So last night for those of you who don't know, Intervarsity hosted Mack Brock for Worship and Nick Cook brought the word. It was nothing short of Epic. It brought in a nice crowd to Woodward 106 and already some new people have dedicated to come back to IV Next week! (WooHoo You Guys Rock!)

If you missed it, heres what Mack and his Buddy James laid down for us.

Set 1:
Glory To God
To Know Your Name (chorus only)
A Reprise
How He Loves

Set 2:
Savior King
Mighty To Save
You are Holy (chorus only)

Then Nick bringin the word preached his sermon on:
"Synergy Within The Ministry Breeds Unity Within The Body:.. A Recipe For a Radical Revolution." Base Scripture 1 Cor 12 (However it didnt stop there, I don't think I've ever heard so many bible pages turning at IV.)

Again it was a great night for Worship fun and fellowship. Hope everyone who came out enjoyed it. And next semester we're gonna do it again! So if you missed it you get another shot and if you came, get pumped cause round 2 is next semester!

The Barbarian Way

When I was a senior in High School I read this book by Raphael Erwin McManus. It was titled "The Barbarian Way" and it changed my life for the time being. However its hard to maintain good change these days. I was looking through my old Bible a while back and found some note cards I wrote on. They reminded me of some values I gleaned from the book and reminded me of honestly how crappy a Christian I've been lately. The whole purpose of being a barbarian is having a raw untamed faith that lets God work in and through you. Neither of which I have been doing efficiently if at all as of late.

So heres a few of the things I'm relearning and trying to re-implement into my life.

The Barbarian Way is about Love, Intimacy, Passion, and Sacrifice.

Barbarians Love to live and live to Love.

Barbarians are guided by the wind of God and Ignited by the Fire of God.

"Unleash the Untamed Faith within, live life The Barbarian Way."

"Fight for the Heart of your King!"

"Live Life with no Reserve, no Retreat, and no Regret."

Have an "Untamed Primal Faith."

"Dont just be a Believer, be an Experiencer."

"Being a Disciple was never intended to be the equivelent of being molded into a steriotype"


I hope that these little nuggets will either encourage you in your life, or encourage you to buy the Book "The Barbarian Way" its a good read. Definately worth your money.