The Underdog

Underdog- One that is expected to lose a contest or struggle, as in sports or politics.
One that is at a disadvantage.

If there’s any word I can relate to a lot it’s that word! Especially the second sentence of the definitions “One that is at a disadvantage”! How about you? Do you identify with the underdog? The person who feels inadequate and constantly in over their head.

You know the sporting world is our showcase for the underdog especially at this time of year with MARCH MADNESS going on. We tend to cheer for the small school with heart over the huge school with money in any sport. Most people love the fact that the Final Four this year doesn’t have but 1 number 1 seed. We love to see small-market major league baseball teams take down the hated New York Yankees. In the recent run for the roses, there was a mix of shock and joy when “Mine That Bird” won the Kentucky Derby—a 50-to-one shot to win! Few BSU football fans will ever forget “Statue Left,” the final play of the 2006 Fiesta Bowl when upstart Boise State took out the crimson and cream storied program of Oklahoma.

People love the underdog!! It makes a great story. It’s so fun to cheer for the Underdog because it’s so rewarding when they win!

It isn’t just on the court, gridiron, ice, or field where underdogs find their showcase. Many underdogs triumph in everyday life. The kid who rises above origins of poverty and drugs to become an attorney. Refugees who fled political persecution with nothing who have become extremely successful. Business owners who lost everything, only to start again from scratch in a new business and make it twice as successful.

We love the underdog. The “against all odds” story resonates with us. There is something satisfying to see these kinds of “David vs. Goliath” stories. Perhaps it is more natural for believers to salute the flag of the underdog. Scripture is filled with them. No bookies in the ancient Fertile Crescent were taking bets that the guy building the big boat was right (You know, Noah).

Who was betting for Abram when he took off following a vision? Yet who in the Old Testament could be described in his caliber of success? What do you suppose the odds were of Joseph, when he was knee-deep in a muddy cistern, becoming 2nd most powerful man in Egypt? Did anyone really think Ruth would make it? Rahab? Gideon? Daniel?

For some reason it’s so easy for us to feel like the underdog in today’s world. More often than not, when God gives us a huge vision we don’t go after it because it seems too crazy and impossible. But when this happens we have to remember the underdog is a fitting vessel through whom God often displays his power. What WE see as impossible, God see’s it as very possible (Isaiah 55:8-9)! We just have to man/woman up, grow a set and follow God when he calls!

If God has given you a vision or opportunity that you think is too big for you and you can’t do it, you’re probably right! But the key is GOD CAN DO IT THROUGH YOU!! You just have to be the willing vessel. Just check his track record Jesus has been doing things that most people think are crazy for forever…

I’m going to steal a quote from my boy Mario Hood really quick that explains a lot…

-”We serve a God that left heaven and came to earth, That’s not Normal”!
-”We serve a God that was born of a virgin girl, That’s not normal”!
-”We serve a God that lived on this earth and was tempted but was still with out sin, That’s not normal!”
-”We serve a God that went to the cross, died and 3 days later rose from the Dead, That’s not normal!”

Bottom line guys, If you think you’re an underdog you’re in great company and a great place for God to use you!! So just keep chasing after the dream that he has placed in your heart! Who knows you might be holding a vision that would change the world for our Lord and Savior!!

1.) House of Grace!!!
We’re a group of people who exist to introduce imperfect people to the perfect God. Everything about our services, outreach, discipleship process, teaching and evangelism is driven by that mission statement.

Every Tuesday Night at 7:30 in the “Barn” you can experience passionate worship, compelling teaching and heartfelt community in a way you’ve never experienced. We believe that the clubs, sporting events and other organizations shouldn’t be the loudest places on earth. The biggest, craziest and most awesome celebrations should take place in the church! The days of boring church is over and if you don’t believe us come worship with us!

I love the fact that every Tuesday night I get to see Young Adults grow closer to God!  Seeing peoples lives be changed for the better is always a great thing. It’s also fun seeing them rise up and become leaders, realizing that God can use them in a powerful way!

2.) Letters To God!!!
A heartfelt tale of inspiration, hope and redemption, Letters to God is the story of what happens when one boy’s walk of faith crosses paths with one man’s search for meaning—the resulting transformational journey touches the lives of everyone around them.
I really believe in this movie and I can’t wait to see how God uses this! It premieres April 9th! Go Check it out!

3.) The Uprising Conference!!

On April 15, 2010, we are coming together to be equipped and emboldened to reach our communities for Christ by creating loving cultures of redemption.
Together, we are linking arms across our world and offering our lives to God to see the Church rise up and become the source of hope that the world has never needed more. via (http://theuprising.net/about/)
Who is Hosting the Uprising?
Quest Community Church (Lexington, KY) is a dynamic, Acts 2 community that has seen over 10,000 people come to faith in Jesus in just 10 years. Launched in 1999 with the mission of “transforming unconvinced people into wholehearted followers of Jesus,” the unique culture of Quest has been characterized by relational evangelism, radically-loving community, and passionate leadership.

4.) Exhale Youth Conference!!
Our Christ Chapel Macon Youth Pastor Jason Comer is heading up an awesome Conference April 23-25 called EXHALE!
Exhale is a weekend focusing on reaching out to our communities. We come together for worship on Friday night. Our speaker will be Anson McMahon! On Saturday we spend the day doing a community project such as renovating a city block. We come back for a concert on Saturday night. After the concert, the SportsTowne facility will be open for football, basketball, blowup obstacle course, concessions, and lots of other fun! We finish our weekend with a commissioning service on Sunday morning. Exhale is not about taking in, it is about giving out. For more information please visit www.exhaleconference.com.

5.) Rendezvous Conference 2010!!
My very good friends Pastor Rich and Dawn Chere Wilkerson along with Worship Leader Phillip Bixby are heading up one of the most anticipating events of 2010! The Rendezvous Conference will be an experience you will never forget. Hear the country’s most dynamic speakers as they inspire you to take your faith to new and exciting heights. Special guest speakers include Carl Lentz, Judah Smith and John Gray. The Rendezvous Conference is your meeting place – to connect with God and receive fresh vision for your future.
Check out their promo video

-I’m not a guy who speaks at Conferences across the country
-I’m not a guy who has lived the perfect “Christian” life
-I’m not a guy who has graduated seminary. And honestly I barley graduated from Lee University
-I’m not the greatest Leader and not even a great one for that matter
-I’m not a great preacher, in fact I’m still terrified of the thought of preaching most of the time
-I’m not as “deep” as half of the other Christan Leaders out there
-I’m definitely not the best “blogger” as you can tell from this site
-I’m not the best son, brother, or friend even though I try very hard to be
-I’m 27 and still single, so I’m probably not the best catch out there
-I’m definitely not the best with money which has lead me to being broke a lot and has been a painful learning experience
-I’m not deserving of being a leader in such an awesome Church
-I’m not a guy with a perfect past (FAR FROM IT)

So who am I?

I’m your typical below average guy who wants to abandon my worldly desires so that God can have my life 100% and use me in whatever way he sees fit! So many times I get caught up in all the talents/things that I don’t have that I forget the one most important thing I do have that means more than anything else, A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST!!

For the past few years I’ve really chased after things that can only bring temporary happiness. Blogs, approval of girls, twitter, new worship Cd’s, Conferences, clothes, etc. But I’ve realized life is not about looking for happiness in “things” or having the biggest College/Youth Ministry! It’s about all about leading myself and others closer to Jesus! Joy does not come in “things” but only a true, pure relationship with Jesus Christ!

Matthew 7 is something I think about a lot. I don’t ever want to be the guy who has things and does “work” for the Lord yet forgets that it’s all about the relationship with the Lord! I long to be that guy who hears the words of the Lord and puts it into practice and builds his house upon the rock (Matthew 7:24)! I desire to make my foundations for life on God and his word and not things that pass away that moth or rust destroys!

So guys take a look in the mirror…
Who do you see looking back…
Is it the person that God is calling you to be…
Or is it a lonely, broken and drained person who is trying to be who the world is telling him to be…

Even though the world tells us that we won’t be a man or woman with out certain “things”! We as Christ followers know differently? We know that the less things we have taking our attention away from God, the more attention we have to give to God!

“It’s all about God’s presence not his presents” Brad Cooper!

No matter how old you are…
No matter who your team is…
If you’re a College Basketball fan you’re basically like a kid the night before Christmas right now!
In less than 24 hours starts one of the most exciting times of the year!
MARCH MADNESS!!!!

Fill out your brackets!
Call over your friends!
Get your team gear on and get ready to have an awesome time!

So who’s everyone going for this year?

My top pick of course is my boy Bryan Narcisse and the CLEMSON TIGERS!
After that I’d have to say Kentucky is looking like they’re gonna be pretty hard to beat!

I thought I’d leave you guys with a highlight of this season for us Tigers fans! Beating UNC never gets old!

Every now and then I hear a new song and think, “that has legs.” This is one of them.

Jimmy Farrell is my Worship Leader and just a flat out awesome guy! Here’s an original song that he wrote called “Completely Abandoned”!

For those of you who were wondering this video was taken from our Dress Rehearsal of the “One Project” at our Church Chapel in Macon GA!

Take a look at the “One Project” promo video here!

The One project is a live Worship recording with musicians, vocalist and worship leaders spread out over 6 campuses throughout middle Georgia. We are bringing together a group of very diverse people with many different talents and gifts to create a project that brings glory to the name of Jesus. The reason we call this The One Project is because we are joining many different groups of people and kinds of people to come into a room together for a night of unified worship. We want to call on heaven as One voice, one people, One body. No separation, no disconnect just one people worshiping one God!

Come worship with us as ONE!
May 14th, 2010
7:00pm
Christ Chapel Sportstowne

I’m a huge fan of music…
I love everything from TI to Owl City to Hillsong…
I can never get enough of it…
So tell me some new music today…
What are three of your favorite songs right now?

My top 3…
“Awakening” by Chris Tomlin
“Assassin” by John Mayer
“You make it real” James Morrison

Your turn…

Every person has an emptiness in their life…

Some try to fill it with Food.
Some try to fill it with Guys.
Some try to fill it with Alcohol.
Some try to fill it with Sex.
Some try to fill it with Sports.
Some try to fill it by Running away.
Some try to fill it with Drugs.
Some try to fill it with Hurting people.
Some try to fill it with Cussing.
Some try to fill it with Cutting.
Some try to fill it with Lying.
Some try to fill it with Eating Disorders.
Some try to fill it with Girls.
Some try to fill it with Masturbation.
Some try to fill it with their talents.

For a moment the void may feel like it’s filled….
But at the end of the day you still feel empty…
And that’s simply because most of those things bring temporary “happiness”

But we can’t forget one thing…

Only the LOVE of Jesus Christ can bring us JOY and true fulfillment!
Let God fill your hole today!

Hi, my name is Adam Smith and I’m the author of http://jackalopekid.com. I’m here to talk to you today about compassion. No, I’m not talking about Compassion International, even though they are pretty awesome. I’m here to talk about the ACTION of compassion towards others. Actually, this is to challenge the church and myself as I write this to show compassion to anyone. I/we need to be the church and do something outside the four walls of the church for a change. When I think of showing compassion it ends up being about the homeless and my brain shuts off there. I want to think of something fresh and new and this is where you, the blogging community, come into play.

Can you help me out?

What are some ways we as the church can show some compassion towards others?

So many times we let our fears stand in the way of our dreams.
We loose focus on the things God has promised us because we’re too focused on our problems.
At some point we have to realize that we’re not perfect and never will be but it’s ok.
God just wants us to have faith, give everything we have to answering his call and walk with him while doing so.
Everyone has their struggles, faults and a past.
But thankfully God uses ordinary, messed up and uneducated people who will walk with him to change history (Acts 4:13)

-Noah was a drunk
-Abraham was too old
-Isaac was a daydreamer
-Jacob was a liar
-Leah was ugly
-Joseph was abused
-Moses had a stuttering problem
-Gideon was afraid
-Samson was a womanizer
-Rahab was a prostitute
-Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
-David had an affair and was a Murderer
-Elijah was suicidal
-Isaiah preached naked
-Jonah ran from God
-Naomi was a widow
-Job went bankrupt
-Peter denied Christ
-The Disciples fell asleep while praying
-Martha worried about everything
-The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
-Zaccheus was too small
-Paul was too religious
-Timothy had an ulcer
-Lazarus was dead!!!!!

…No more excuses now. God CAN use you to your full potential. Realize that you are fearfully and wonderfully made! Go after Christ today with everything you have and start living your life the way he’s called you to do it…WITH OUT FEAR!

Romans 8:28-30

A heartfelt tale of inspiration, hope and redemption, Letters to God is the story of what happens when one boy’s walk of faith crosses paths with one man’s search for meaning—the resulting transformational journey touches the lives of everyone around them.

Tyler Doherty (TANNER MAGUIRE) is an extraordinary eight-year-old boy. Surrounded by a loving family and community, and armed with the courage of his faith, he faces his daily battle against cancer with bravery and grace. To Tyler, God is a friend, a teacher and the ultimate pen pal—Tyler’s prayers take the form of letters, which he composes and mails on a daily basis.

The letters find their way into the hands of Brady McDaniels (JEFFREY S.S. JOHNSON), a beleaguered postman standing at a crossroads in his life. At first, he is confused and conflicted over what to do with the letters. Overtime he begins to form a friendship with the Doherty family – getting to know not just Tyler but his tough, tender yet overwhelmed mom (ROBYN LIVELY), stalwart grandmother (MAREE CHEATHAM) and teen brother Ben (MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER BOLTEN) — who are each trying to stand strong against the doubts that come with the chaotic turn their lives have taken.

Moved by Tyler’s courage, Brady realizes what he must do with the letters, a surprise decision that will transform his heart and uplift his new found friends and community –in an exhilarating act of testament to the contagious effect of one boy’s unwavering faith against the odds.

Inspired by a true story, Letters to God is an intimate, moving and often funny story about the galvanizing effect one child’s belief can have on his family, friends and community.