Father's Day Tribute

Great Song and Video in honor of my Dad and all great, God-fearing dads out there:



I've been very blessed to have amazing men in my life who taught me, model godly values to me, and show me hard work, sacrifice, and how to live a life fully surrendered to God.

BUT NONE have blessed me as much as my own father. I am who I am because of him. This is my personal tribute to Pa (as we grew up calling my dad).

There is no one I know who is more selfless and hardworking. He willing did without so that we could eat, have warm clothes, and enjoy the little things in life. He did it all without one word of complaint. He went without the warmest coat in winter even though he'd work out in the cold, so we could have coats. He traveled a ridiculously long commute- either from Oregon to NY then from the suburbs to NYC- to make sure he was putting food on the table for us 4 boys.

There are moments growing up with my Dad that are priceless and left an indelible impression on my life:

• watching my Dad pray- whether he privately withdrew to pray at home or knelt at the altar at church, I know my Dad loved and loves God. He fears God more than man and cares more about what God thinks than what anyone else thinks. He has always been willing to express his love for God through humility and worship. He isn't the loudest or most visible in expression, but certainly the most consistent. There has never been any doubt that my dad is completely sold-out to God.
• I can only remember about 3 times when my dad yelled when I was growing up, and one of them was at me. I was in the formative 15-16 year-old stage, when boys think they're men. I had ignored him several times, and he finally yelled at me, picked me up off the ground and let me know he was still much stronger than I was. Then, he teared up and apologized. I felt horrible. I had so exasperated my dad that I had driven him to tears, and yet when he was completely justified in thrashing me soundly, he gently let me know that he was sorry for his rough treatment but expressed his disappointment at my disobedience. Oh, that I would someday be that kind of father.
• my dad is faithful, as faithful as anyone I know. When he gives his word he'll keep it no matter what. He's been faithful in marriage to my mom for nearly 42 years. He has been a faithful employee, friend, father, and Christ-follower. That's a pretty good track record!

And the results? Of his 4 sons- none of us are star athletes, multi-millionaires, or in political office. BUT each of us without exception is a faithful husband, loving father (my parents have 11 grandkids), hardworking, and deeply committed to following Jesus and serving His Church. My dad may be the richest man I know. That's legacy!

I admire, love, respect, and look up to my father. May I, and the fathers I influence, grow to be something like my dad. I know that he would say he's imperfect, but he's truly following Jesus, and that's the best example anyone man can ask for.

What do you admire about your father? What moments with your father changed you?

Testosterone Sunday

Here's the deal guys: Besides the Superbowl, there's ONE SUNDAY out of the year when it's finally ALL ABOUT THE MEN.  That Sunday is called FATHER'S DAY.  Or a Lifehouse, we prefer to call it...

TESOSTERONE SUNDAY.

What does that mean for the men?

1.) Sport your favorite team apparel.  Hats, jerseys- you name it.

2.) Come hungry.  Cafe is preparing breakfast fit for a MAN.

3.) Be ready to compete.  We'll be having 3 contests to test the fella's STRENGTH OF BODY, STRENGTH OF APPETITE, and STRENGTH OF CHARACTER.  Winners will choose from gift cards to places like Dicks Sporting Goods, Home Depot or Best Buy.

4. ) Come with your family.  This is the best time show the kids what it means to be a man.

Testosterone Sunday...you're gonna wanna be there.

Great Moments in Life

This past Sunday, May 29th, we got a chance to CELEBRATE! First and foremost, it was Laura and I's 12th wedding Anniversary! So grateful to have such a loving, supportive, and amazing wife and helpmate. It's been an incredible 12 years. Excited for many more ahead.

Next, it was Memorial Day weekend, so we took an opportunity to remember and thank those who have honorably served the USA. Thank you for offering your lives in sacrificial service to protect our freedom! We owe you a debt of gratitude.

Finally, I got the privilege of blessing and sending my "spiritual father". We had Terry and Jo Ann Broadwater at Lifehouse for all 3 services. Why? Terry just accepted the lead pastor role at Grace Community Church in Centennial, CO. So, I wanted to return to him a small portion of what he gave me as we started planting Lifehouse nearly 8 years ago.

Here's what Terry gave me when he invited me to come to Hagerstown to plant a new church:

• Gave me a chance- I didn't need someone to hold my hand and do all the work for me, but just a chance, a God-ordained, significant opportunity to matter for eternity,
• Believed in me- at key moments when I felt very discouraged and wanted to give up, Terry said to me, "I believe in, and in this moment, I believe in you more than you believe in yourself."
• He saw God's purposes in my life- he would continue to share with me, "I see you pastoring a great church that will grow significantly to impact this entire Hagerstown-region for God's Kingdom."
• Invested in me both personally and in my destiny- Terry spent time with me, every Wednesday morning for 5 years alone, and another 2 years with the other church planters. He took me on missions trips, to conferences, and invited me to speak in leadership settings. He also rallied Bethel to start by investing in us financially on the front end, and offer office space, and copiers, and borrowed rooms for meetings, etc. Words are nice, but actions make a difference.
• Stayed the course with me- Terry endured through times of tension, hardship, and discouragement.
• Spoke life into me- Terry took time to pray over me and for me. At times, he shared prophetic words that he believed he had received from God for me. This was like breath in my lungs.
• Set a great example- Terry should me what a pastor- warrior was like. I appreciate his example and passion to follow God by faith. He spoke my language and understand my passion.

On Sunday, I got the privilege of returning a little bit of that!! We invited Terry and Jo Ann up so we could pray over, bless, and SEND them out from Lifehouse. It was great to have Pastor Curt from Lifehouse- Bethel at our 1st service, to join in praying over them.

We challenged Terry with a verse that he has spoken over us many times- Philippians 3:13-14!

Terry, we love you and will miss having you so close. Thanks for the investment of your life. I'm confident that there are many young people who need these same investments in CO.

Lifehouse is full of spiritual "grandchildren" of Terry, and Lifehouse- Hedgesville could be considered his "grand-church". It's a honor to honor him! The Bible says to give honor to whom honor is due!

Re-discovering Masculinity in a Love-crazed Culture

Subscribe, download, or just stream weekly podcast sermons at Lifehouse Church East.  Currently in a series called Love & Other 4 Letter Words, and examining what it means to love as Jesus-followers, and how that love impacts every part of our life.

Most recent message addressed the identity and role of men according to the Bible.

Yes, it's counter cultural. Yes, it'll offended some people. Yes, it will challenge you to live different than what you've been taught by our cultural teachers of TV, news, and movies.

BUT guys need a challenge and a fight worth fighting.  In a generation plague with fatherless homes and male role models like Charlie Sheen, we could deeply use an infusion of counter- cultural teaching that goes counter- intuitive to our own desires and nature.

To a generation that has seen the role of men torn down to nothing more than negligent sperm-donors or helpless saps.

We need a strong teaching and model of what it means to be real MEN. HUSBANDS. FATHERS.

Listen to this teaching from Ephesians 5:25-33. and discover what it means to BE a MAN!

You can save a baby's life!

The Hagerstown Area Pregnancy Center is an incredible organization that serves those in a crisis pregnancy, as well as their unborn child.

Several churches in our area have rallied support behind the Center to raise funds to help them become a full-care center open 5 days a week.

If you're collecting coins for the Hag.Pregnacy Center, fill your baby bottle and bring it into Lifehouse by the end of February! (Please return unfilled bottles as well.)

Thanks so much for turning your change into a BIG change!

Where are the moms?

I gave the moms fair warning that I would post this picture:

After stepping into nursery area to say "hi" to several moms after they finished their life group, I was startled when I started walking down the hallway. I saw a few (look closely to see for yourself) baby carriers WITH the babies IN them! Yea, where are the moms? Literally, I stopped in my tracks...

Not reporting, just saying. In their defense, I know that being a mom is the hardest job in the world and that they are intimately involved in every detail of their kids' lives.

Just thought you'd like to see what I saw.

Is TRUE LOVE only in fairy tales?

ALL sermons for "is TRUE LOVE only in fairy tales?" series are up here. See the previous post for the trailer for the series. I'm strongly encouraging you to download the mp3 files and SHARE them. Get your kids to listen to them, pass them on to your friends, classmates, or secretly load them onto someone's iPod.

We took a lot of time on this series, and I addressed some tough, but very relevant issues, as we walked through the Song of Songs. These messages are straight from the Bible with no fluff, just honest, timeless truth that will profoundly impact the lives of those who will live them.

Really preached my heart and guts out on this series. Hope you enjoy and are impacted for eternity!

We'll also have the whole set on CD available on this Sunday, March 14th.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Here's a "poem" that my daughter Rebecca wrote this morning about Christmas. Amazed at how well she can communicate what seems so hard for so many adults to comprehend.

Jesus is God's Gift to Us, by Rebecca Grach

Jesus is God's Gift to us,

He died on the cross

for our sins,

He is the reason we celebrate Christmas,

His death gave us Easter.

So thank God for sending his son,

and giving these two holidays to us.

Couldn't say it better myself. I have a feeling some day she'll be communicating the life-transforming message of Christ more powerfully than myself. My greatest dream come true. My deepest prayers revealed.

I take time nearly daily to pray over my girls that they will grow to love God, follow and serve Him, and that their life-destiny would dwarf my calling and ministry.

Daddy Tips for Christmas

’Tis the season for Dad to drop the holiday ball, stress out as the money is being spent for presents, and miss yet another providential opportunity to lovingly lead his family.

This is a repost from Mark Driscoll's blog at Mars Hill Church. So good I had to pass it on.

So, this blog is intended to help dads not fall into the same old rut of holiday humdrum, sitting on the couch watching football and eating carbs, but rather intentionally plan out the upcoming holiday season. Our children grow quickly and if we miss the sacred moments God opens up for us to connect with and bless our families, everyone suffers and we set in motion generations of missed opportunity.

#1 – Dad needs a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?

#2 – Dad needs to check the local guides for what’s going on to make fun holiday plans for the family. In Seattle it’s here.

#3 – Dad needs to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is your calendar ready for December?

#4 – Dad needs to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?

#5 – Dad needs to give experiences and not just gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?

#6 – Dad needs to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?

#7 – Dad needs to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt and bless?

#8 – Dad needs to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?

#9 – Dad needs to schedule guy time with his son. Dad, what are you and your son going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?

#10 – Dad needs to help Mom get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?

#11 – Dad needs to ensure some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, and can you smell cookies and cider in your house?

#12 – Dad needs to snuggle up and watch some fun shows with the kids, especially the little ones. Dad, is the DVR set?

#13 – Dad needs to take the family on a drive to see Christmas lights while listening to music and sipping cider. Dad, is it mapped out?

#14 – Dad needs to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do the little kids get lights or a small tree in their room?

#15 – Dad needs to read about Jesus and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?

#16 – Dad needs to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?