Alright so it’s Friday again! That means it’s time for “The Friday Four”, the four things that are weighing heavy on my heart.

1.) GROWTH – (–noun 1. the act or process, or a manner of growing; development; gradual increase.)
I heard a man way smarter than me one time say “Healthy things grow by default”. I agree, but at the same time find it funny that although growth is natural, with people it seems like we are an exception. In other words the growth process seems to elude us. The key though is “HEALTHY” things grow by default. If I’m not experiencing growth in any specific area of my life, then maybe that area just isn’t healthy. If it’s not healthy then there needs to be some attention and time spent evaluating that area of my life.

You see maybe I’m crazy, but I believe God wants us to grow. I believe God wants increase in every area of our lives. Why is this heavy on my heart, honestly, I want more. I don’t want to be one who just settles for what’s currently there. Some people will work harder for a nicer car, some for a nicer home. I just want more for my life. I know that sounds vague but when I close my eyes and picture my life, I see more. I want the picture I see with my eyes closed to be my reality. I want what I dream about at night to become what I live during the day.

So if I’m not there, then there is room to grow. If I’m not growing then I want to know why? Those answers aren’t just going to fall in our laps. We have to pursue the giver of those dreams. We have to be willing to ask the hard questions, and do something about the answers. Remember that smart guy from earlier? Well he finished that statement with “Growing things change!” So in other words:

“Healthy things Grow by default, but Growing things change”

2.) GROWTH

Yes #1 was growth as well but just follow with me for a minute.

This week I was excited to be able to go & celebrate with my friends Brian & Kari Jennings at Breakthrough Christian as they launched there Saturday Night Service to a packed house. Not only did they launch there Saturday Night service they also broke through with 250 in attendance for the weekend.

Then I got a text from a friend Micahn Carter who hit 400 on sunday.

I’ve been excited for these guys all week as they see God doing some big things in their ministries here in Yakima.

3.) Sun Stand Still -

It’s no secret I’ve been a fan of what’s been happening out of Elevation Church in Charlotte for awhile now. This week Pastor Steven’s first book “Sun Stand Still” launched. We’re using this book as our Small Group material at our house on Sunday nights. To say that it’s good stuff would be an understatement. Pastor Steven broke the mold by not only writing a great book, but also by producing dozens of top notch resources then had the audacity to offer them to everyone for free. (Thank you by the way!) We’ve got a good group of people that meet us at our home on Sunday nights as we worship, pray and dive into this idea of believing God for the impossible.

Why is this so exciting? I don’t know, maybe it’s watching the tears roll down cheeks as God really speaks to people in your living room. Maybe it’s fact that in this group is the potential to change the world, I don’t know. What I do know is you need to go and order this book.

4.) Tre’s gonna be 10!

Yeah I know I’ve got a couple weeks before it actually happens, but dear Jesus my son is gonna be 10.

Tre(bow

I Love you buddy! (Wow I need to change that light switch)

Alright it’s time for another new feature here at my lil’ home on the net. The Friday Four is going to be my attempt to post 4 things that are heavy on my heart from the week. Now these might be posts that I’ve read from others, something I’ve listened to, something serious, maybe something funny. Honestly like I said earlier just four things that are heavy on my heart. Why Four? Well someone already had “The Friday Five”!

1.) A Divine Slap In The Face – Perry Noble
Perry wrote a convicting post that I believe any believer especially one with children would be moved by concerning God’s heart for he lost…

However, later on that evening I felt the Lord say to me, “Now you know how I feel about lost people.”

2.) The Church by Elevation Worship “Kingdom Come”

Kingdom Come is the latest Album released by Elevation Church in Charlotte NC, one of the most influential churches in America. I don’t know how else to say this than this song has been on repeat pretty much since the day the CD came out September 7th. With lyrics like:

Verse:
now’s the time for us to rise
and carry hope and let love shine
and show this world that mercy is alive
now’s the time for us to rise
and carry hope to hopeless eyes
and show this world that mercy is alive

Now the whole album is great go get it if you haven’t yet…

3.) A Few Tweets that moved me & why…

heretolead: if you don’t serve, give and invite people to your church, then don’t kid yourself…you are not committed to it. 5:56 PM Sep 10th via web

Here’s the thing, as another Pastor recently put it “The world is waiting for change, God’s people are the change the world is waiting for.” In other words the Local Church is the change that the world is waiting for. Now this isn’t aimed at anyone in particular but it always amazes me how many people have an opinion of the Local Church but how few are willing to submit and get involved. I believe if these people were as committed on the job as they are in church they’d be fired, if they were as committed at home as they are at the church they’d be, well, alone…

OraiaSpeaks: In the middle of nowhere, eating oatmeal on the side of the road & thinking how grateful I am that God is not intimidated by my questions 4:35 PM Sep 11th via mobile web

Right about the time I read this I too was asking God some deep questions, and like my friend Katy said I as well am glad that God isn’t intimidated by what I was asking.

4.) The Other Side – Pastor Judah Smith (The City Church)

Alright time for a little confession, I’ll admit it today I was a little jealous reading all the tweets from a certain Leadership Conference that I didn’t attend in Anderson, SC. And I heard that a fellow Washingtonian named Judah Smith tore it up. I proceeded to read that he preached a message that just might have been preached at his home church a few months back. Although I’m sure it wasn’t exactly the same I needed to hear it. After listening I really understood why I needed to hear it. And that’s about all I can actually say right now (maybe more to say soon, but not today!) Anyways I would strongly suggest that you stop what you’re doing and go take a listen right about now…