Reggie McNeal

I spent the past couple of days with Reggie McNeal. Actually we flew Reggie up to Northern Ohio to spend the first day with our staff, Elders and leaders. The second day was with our Kingdom Synergy Partnership church planting network.

Reggie, among other things, is the author of "The Present Future" and "Missional Renaissance"--both of which I would HIGHLY recommend.

Here are some gems that I wrote in my journal from my time with Reggie . . .

"The church doesn't have a mission--the mission has a church."

"Everywhere we are, the church is."

"Where in the New Testament are people invited to church?"

"There has never been a more challenging time to be 'a' church. There has never been a more opportune time to be 'the' church."

"We don't grow 'into' service, we grow 'through' service."

Baptism weekend

This morning I'm trying to recover from this past weekend's incredible "God experience." A close encounter with God always quickly energizes me and then later drains me.

Over the past three weeks at RiverTree we have been involved in a teaching series which we titled, "Immersed." Week one was "Good Is Not Good Enough." Week two, "Faith Is More Than Believing." And the culmination on week three, "No More Excuses!" You can listen to these teachings online at www.rivertreechristian.com or simply go to itunes.

At the end of each of our services this weekend we offered an invitation for people to fully trust and obey Jesus with their lives and then to be immersed in Christian baptism. 223 people made the commitment and were baptized!!!

My daughter, Tabitha, was one of the individuals who fully committed her life to Jesus and was baptized. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life as I buried her with Jesus in baptism and raised her out of the water to live a new life.

I drove home thanking God that I get to be part of such an amazing church, the Body of Christ fully alive and well on this earth.

Canton experience

Last night Julie and I had an outstanding Canton experience.

We started with dinner at Iris restaurant downtown. The food was excellent and our time with our friends, Jon and Kelly, was wonderful. Jon is the Director of the Canton Players Guild. I had a unique appetizer: Dates stuffed with chorizo, wrapped in bacon and served in an oriental marinara sauce!

After dinner, Jon had to head to the theater so Kelly, Julie and I went to Muggswiqz for coffee. Muggswigs is my favorite local hangout for a cup of joe.

Finally, we went to the theater to watch a production of Rent. I sat there amazed at the quality of our home-town talent. Rent, despite its renown for dealing with very challenging subject matter, is an amazing story of redemption and love. Jon, who played the lead role, showed why he once played the same lead role on Broadway. One of the things that touched me deeply was that two of our RiverTree Partners were in the cast. I love that they are influencing our culture for Jesus.

My only regret was that we weren't able to attend the "after party." We were invited but it didn't begin until midnight--a bit too late for us before a big weekend. The party was being held at Crew, a popular gay bar in downtown Canton. It was a fundraiser to assist those struggling with HIV. I am certain that it was a gathering Jesus would attend. Actually, through some of the cast members, I'm sure that Jesus was there.

Deception Point

Yes, I picked up Dan Brown's newest release, "The Lost Symbol." I'm 50 pages into it and hated putting it down already.

But before "The Lost Symbol," actually three books before, Dan Brown authored, "Deception Point." I had been hesitant to read it because though many friends recommended it, many others said Brown hadn't yet developed his gripping narrative style. "Deception" is a government conspiracy novel with a "not of this world" twist.

I loved "Deception Point." Found it hard to stop reading. Read it while I was fishing in Canada (the fishing was slow).

For a purely enjoyable page-turner, pick up "Deception Point!"

Thoughts from 10,000 feet

Flying home from Southern California. Spent the past couple of days as part of a Pastors' Council for Compassion International. Amazing plans being discussed. Strategies that I believe God is using and will further use to bring His Kingdom now and forever. Compassion now ministers to more than 1.1 million children worldwide. Join my family in sponsoring children at www.compassion.com.

While in California I was privileged to hang out with some very cool leaders. Spent a lot of time with my good friends Jud Wilhite and Mike Foster. Those guys are lighting it up for Jesus!

Julie and I walked on the beach--always incredibly refreshing.

And now I'm writing on our flight home. My first time experience with in-flight internet access. Technology continues to advance. From 10,000 feet . . .

40 years of Canada

I just returned from a week long fishing trip in Canada with my dad and 12 other men. We drove 13 hours north into Quebec at Grassy Lake. Although the fishing wasn't stellar . . . the time in the wilderness was wonderful. Here are a few of the highlights:

*We were TOTALLY unplugged for 6 days. No internet, phone service, electricity or even running water. Makes you realize how little we can actually get along without.

*One morning my dad and I were having a cup of coffee together on the shore at sunrise. He reminded me that 40 years ago he had been on this very lake, staying in the same cabin, with his dad. Priceless. I hope that one day I'll have the same experience with my son, Elijah.

*Just to be in pristine nature is a spiritual experience, but this trip we added a Spritual component. On two nights we shared communion together. Every night we had a Scripture for the day. One evening one friend talked about what it means to be a Christian man of character. It took the trip to an entirely new level.