As I sit here reflecting on the services this weekend I cannot help but be so proud and boast at the work of God.  We say it all the time; Fellowship is all about life change.  I never get tired of hearing the stories of lives that have been changed.  This weekend was one of the coolest Fellowship life change moments for me.  As we sat and watched the live feed video of baptism I got to experience life change with every dunk.  It was awesome!  The stories behind the faces tell of a great God who still works and still is in the business of taking the old and making it new.

Personally the weekend meant so much to me.  I have often blogged about the season I am in.  Part of that season was fear.  Part of that season was uncertainty.  God has done a work in my own life over the last couple months.   Last week I had the weekend off and just got away and caught my breath.  I came back this week and was as excited to lead worship in God’s house as much as I was the first time I led worship on stage.  God has renewed my vision.  God has renewed a steadfast heart.  God has brought me through the season standing stronger and taller than before. Let me share some key components to staying the course when you find yourself caught in “that season”.

1. Pray – Sometimes I wonder if God allows us to go through the valley so that we realign ourselves with Him.  Somehow pain causes us to remember HIM.  Somehow uncertainity guides us to trust.  Pray, pray, pray.
2. Listen – Lots of times we find ourselves stuck at #1.  We pray, pray, pray, and never take time to listen.  God has something He wants to say to you.  He really does.  God is a personal God and He has a word for you right where you are in this moment.  Listen!  He will speak.  Maybe not right now.  Maybe not tomorrow.  But stay the course and He will reveal Himself to you.  It is the waiting that the hardest.
3. Worship – I have come to find over the years that nothing gets rid of depression, fear, and other valley symptoms like focusing all your energy and might towards Worshiping God.  I am afraid to say this because I don’t know what’s around the bend in my own life but problems are a matter of seeing things through eternity’s eyes.  It is all about perception.  Worship helps put everything into perspective.
4. Give Thanks – A wise man once asked me “what are you thankful for?”  in the darkness of a valley moment.  I hadn’t even thought about all the things I am blessed with.  The more I give thanks, the more my perspective once again turns away from me and turns to Him.

These four things are just a few things that help me in my seasons.  I am so glad that I have been coming out of my season.

Here is the song list for the upcoming weekend. We are doing shortened worship time due to baptism.

It’s been a little while since I have blogged. I have been in a “season” as John likes to call them. A busy season with lots of celebration, lots of joy, lots of fun, but at the same time lots of challenges, lots of stress, lots of decisions, and lots of praying and thinking.
God is doing a work in me even now as I am enjoying a day at home with the boys. Last week we had Mason’s birthday, our Anniversary, and then Friday I turned the BIG 35 years old.
One of the highlights of the week was that Jennifer totally got me with a surprise Birthday party at Famous Dave’s. It is really hard to pull any surprises over on me but she totally did it. And it was a good one. There were 21 people that came out for BBQ and celebration that night. It really, really, made me feel loved and appreciated.

Saturday morning Jennifer and I headed down to beautiful, but cold and rainy Avalon Beach for a one night get away. Jennifer’s mom and dad watched the boys and we got to go away. It was much needed although one day was way, way to short. While there we walked on the boardwalk, had a great dinner at one of our favorite restaurants on the beach in Sea Isle City. We also managed to eat at our favorite breakfast place too…Uncle Bills Pancakes. Our favorite one is the one in Sea Isle but the one in Ocean City did just fine since our is closed for the winter.

I think one of the things that God is really challenging me in right now is trusting him. It seems like He is always working on me in that area. But now more than ever it seems, I am seeking His face and and trying to trust Him. I pray you are too.

Watch Live Today: Pastor Perry Noble & New Spring Church Unleash Conference Today!

Happy Day – Steve Fee
Cannons – Phil Wickam
Lead me to the cross – Hillsong
Nothing but the blood – Matt Redman
Heal the wound, leave the scar – Point ofGrace

Tonight Jenn is at a baby shower and it’s the eve of our son Mason’s 4th Birthday. As I was putting him to bed a few minutes ago, the thought occurred to me that tonight is the last night in Mason’s life that he will be 3. I am a pretty sentimental guy and I have to admit it made me a little sad.
Mason is growing up. It seems like it was yesterday he was born. Life moves fast. I am trying to teach Mason that life is a breath and a vapor. It’s one of those weeks that makes you take a look at life from a different perspective. Mason’s birthday tomorrow, our anniversary Monday, and my 35th birthday on Friday. It definitely seems like a few weeks ago I was just in college. Life flies and the older I get the more I realize that it really is short. This week reminds me of all the blessings I have been given and is a reminder that time keeps on moving.
Well, goodnight my precious 3 year old son. The love of my life! Tomorrow another year begins.

This week we as a team our asking God for big things. Currently we are short on volunteers for two environment teams. We have staffing needs for both our set up crew and our take down crew. We rely to heavily on the volunteers currently serving. If we don’t get some reinforcements we are going to completely burn our teams out. That would be a tragedy. We as a staff are specifically asking God to bring us 100 volunteers over the next couple weeks. We are also asking God to move 100 people to join a life group. There is a power of togetherness. We need your help!!

Saw this video today and thought it was so funny, but at the same time shows what we can do when we do it together.

Open Mic – Promo from Fellowship Today on Vimeo.

Check out our new series entitled “Open Mic” It’s going to be Awesome!!