Feb

 

I announced yesterday that we would not “GO” to church on Sunday, March 8, 2009…instead we would “BE” the church.  Cedar Creek West will be stepping outside the walls of the building and tactically committing random acts of kindness throughout west Aiken and the valley.  I have challenged all of our folks to get hooked up with some kind of outreach opportunity during that week and on Sunday March 8 between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.

H.O.M.E. groups, families and individuals will be reaching out in different ways to show the love of Jesus to complete strangers simply because of His love.  There is no agenda.  There are no strings attached.  We just want to see the church BE the church.  Jesus said, “they will know you are my disciples if you love one another” John 13:35

If you need ideas for outreach opportunities check with your H.O.M.E. group leader, visit the Welcome Center next Sunday or click here.  You can also hit the Cedar Creek West Facebook page and contact Kristi our Outreach Director at kristi@cedarcreekchurch.net .

We want to hear your stories and see the pictures when you’re done so…take along a camera and send stories to Cindy B.

Now go BE THE CHURCH!

Feb

 

Valentine’s Day has come and gone, however, my son has just returned from the Middle School Ski Trip.  So, in keeping with my recent “Valentine” blogs, I wanted to share some thoughts about my son, William Wesley Holbrook.  Here’s what I love, um, I mean, some things that  I think are really COOL about him:

 

I think it’s really cool that he seems to like hanging out with me.

I think it’s really cool that he makes better grades than his dad ever did.

I think it’s really cool that he can flat chunk a baseball or a football.

I think it’s really cool that he is a BEAST.

I think it’s really cool that he cares about what is right and what is wrong.

I think it’s really cool that he tolerates and, sometimes, loves his little sister.

I think it’s really cool that he notices when his friends are not doing well.

I think it’s really cool that he trusts Jesus.

I think it’s really cool that he loves his mom and shows her respect.

I think it’s really cool that he can be dangerous.

I think it’s really cool that other adults compliment me on his manners.

I think it’s really cool that he is taller than me.

I think it’s really cool that his musical tastes are diverse…like mine.

I think it’s really cool that he likes to hunt and fish with me.

I think it’s really cool that he can drop bombs from the 3 point line.

I think it’s really cool that he jumps in the swimming pool on New Year’s Day.

I think it’s really cool that he is becoming my kind of man.

 

I love you son.

(you knew I’d have to tell you!)

Feb

 

Before today passes and another Valentine’s Day has come and gone, I wanted to share some thoughts about my daughter, Hannah Lee Holbrook.  Here’s what I love MOST about her:

 

I love how she sings in the shower…really, really LOUD.

I love how she rubs my neck when I ask, and sometimes when I don’t.

I love how she does not let much bother her.

I love the space between her teeth that is just like the one I had before braces.

I love her laugh.

I love how she shows the love of Jesus to other kids.

I love that she is sweet and tough at the same time.

I love her hugs.

I love that she still asks for me to tuck her in bed at night.

I love how she can cry when you are crying and laugh when you are laughing.

I love that she wants to be a choreographer AND a veterinarian when she grows up.

I love how she never meets a stranger.

I love how fearless she is…like walking the village streets in Mexico to make necklaces for the local girls.

I love to watch her dance.

I love how creative she can be.

I love that she hates to take a bath/shower…like I did when I was little.

I love that she can be “girlie” and a “tomboy.”

I love how she wears Christmas socks on Valentine’s Day.

 

I love you squirt!  Happy Valentine’s Day.

Feb

 

 

 

It’s after midnight and officially VALENTINE’S DAY!  So…here is a list, in no particular order, of the things that I admire, respect and love about my wife, Keli Swinson Holbrook:

 

I love how she is cold ALL THE TIME.

I love her smile.

I love the way she says my name.

I love her heart and passion for kids and children’s ministry.

I love how she knows when something is bothering one of our kids.

I love how she honors her parents AND mine.

I love that she used to listen to “Air Supply.”

I love how she knows the words to all the old hymns.

I love her sense of style.

I love the feel of her skin.

I love her loyalty to family and friends.

I love how she loves Jesus.

I love how she loves me even when I’m an idiot.

I love how she thinks flowers are a waste of money but lets me give them to her anyway.

I love her eyes.

I love how she is never happy with her hair.

I love that she plans most things 12 months in advance.

I love how she cares for hurting people.

I love how she hates being called a preacher’s wife (nobody ever called her an Agent’s wife before…)

I love how she smells.

I love how she puts others before herself…always.

I love that she loves the TV show “The Waltons.”

I love her macaroni and cheese…and her homemade chicken pot pie.

I love her honesty.

I love how she loves me unconditionally.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day honey.

 

 

 

Feb

 

Jesus Muzik – Lecrae from Reach Records on Vimeo.
 

I am a child of the 70’s and 80’s.  I grew up, for the most part, in south Miami and then the suburbs of Atlanta.  My music tastes ranged from Motown to heavy metal.  In the late 70’s, I first heard “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugar Hill Gang and I was, for a season, hooked on rap.  Or, if you like,  Hip Hop music.  I had every cassette of Grand Master Flash and The Furious Five, Run DMC, UTFO, Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew … you name it.

 

Late in the 80’s the face of rap began to change.  It was taken over by a less desireable crowd.  The birth of gangsta rap happened and the songs themselves were less about who had the best crew and who could out-rap the others and turned more toward the self-indulgent, gansgster / hustler lifestyle that caused “Explicit” labels to be put on records and CD’s.

 

I have not been a fan of any rap since that time and, believe it or not, I’ve missed it.  Then I heard Lecrae.  Actually, I saw him perform on a video posted by Mars Hill Church, on their website, sometime last year.  His song, Send Me, blew my mind.  Lyrically it was straight gospel with a missional focus.  Musically, it was classic rap with the driving beats and rhythms that are the signature of the genre.  And now … I’m hooked.

 

As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that for the church to reach the culture, especially the younger generations, we will have to let people younger than us lead us in worship and, sometimes, with a style that many folks may not embrace.  But that’s okay.  After all, it is not about us…right?  It’s about Jesus.  It’s all about Jesus.  And I believe that the Lord is honored when those of any generation sing about his goodness and his love for us.  When they sing about his sacrifice and the free gift of salvation that He provides, no matter what style of music they choose, the name of Jesus is lifted up.

 

As it usually happens…what comes around goes around…and I am a fan of rap once again.  Actually, I am a fan of Jesus muzik!

Feb

 

I ran across a blog post today from Ed Stetzer.  It is pure TRUTH when it comes to the way we see and think about the unchurched and those who do not believe at all.  Don’t just watch the video from Penn Jillette.  Read the whole article.  I think it will challenge you.  I pray that it will challenge you.  I first saw the Penn video a month or so ago and posted it on my facebook.  It was unbelievably insightful, as is Stetzer’s post http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/2009/02/can-we-learn-from-atheists.html.

 

Greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city!

 

SERVE Sunday is coming…

 

Get Ready.

Feb

And I thought my buddy Glenn had something with his log cabin!

Feb

Make a Smilebox slideshow

 

A little something my wife put together…

Feb

Last Sunday some 412 people from birth through adults attended Cedar Creek West at the USCA Convocation Center.

 

Age appropriate worship experiences were held for 2 – 4 year olds, 5K – 5th grade, 6th – 12th grade and adults.

 

Approximately 40 people showed up (most by 6:00 am) to help set up each worship area and convert the Convocation Center into a church.  They showed up to create an environment where people can meet Jesus.

 

They all sang songs and had corporate worship together and a time of teaching.  Whether in the adult worship area or in small groups throughout our Kidz Creek areas, they all heard a practical message from God’s word with life applicable teaching points.

 

While all that was going on…someone met Jesus.  Many who already knew Him learned more about Him and His plan for their lives but one woman, a 35 year old mother of two (let’s call her Maria), met Jesus and committed her life to follow Him.  The bible says that when that happens there is great rejoicing in heaven!

 

In Luke 15, Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep  where the good shepherd has left the 99 sheep that he has to go find the one that was lost.  When the one is found, he celebrates and tells everyone.  Jesus concludes the parable by saying in verse 7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

 

Just as no one saw the shepherd in the parable as he found his sheep, no one saw Maria meet Jesus.  In the privacy of her own heart, somewhere during the message or response time, Jesus, by his Holy Spirit, drew Maria to Himself and she said yes.  She accepted His free gift and was saved from an eternity spent apart from God.  And all of Heaven celebrated!

 

That is why we do, what we do.

 

Whether parking cars or preaching, leading worship or handing out coffee, everyone at Cedar Creek West is a part of creating an environment where people feel comfortable to come and meet Jesus.  When they do, their lives will be radically changed.

 

THAT is what matters most!

Feb

Whether a pastor or a president…a surgeon or a senator… I wish the talking heads would remember that the object of their criticism is also a husband, father, grandfather, uncle or brother.