A Few Pics from our Vacation

We had a blast getting away, spending time with friends, and just relaxing. On our trip to Charleston we did several things we have never done (even when we lived there). We went to Charles Town Landing (the original site of the city of Charleston) and visited the Charleston Tea Plantation (the only tea farm in the U.S.). We also got joy out of seeing Micaiah's first experience at the beach (he loved every minute of it and threw a fit when we had to leave).

So here are a few pictures of our vacation for you to enjoy:

Cyndi & I on our date night downtown (Thanks Mark & Courtney for babysitting)

Me being locked up at Charles Towne Landing

Micaiah being buried in the sand

Micaiah loved the beach!!

Why I Love Vacation

I am a firm believer in family vacations! My family tries to take at least 3 vacations a year. One is always just the three of us. One is always just my wife and I. And the third is usually with our extended family and friends. We love this!!!

There are a few reasons that I believe vacation is essential for our family:

1. Regular life gets way too busy and we need the time to just unwind and relax

2. We have the opportunity to reconnect as a family that sometimes gets lost during our normal schedules.

3. I LOVE TRAVELING. Seriously I cannot wait until I get to visit Europe and Asia!!!!

4. Vacations usually stimulate great ideas for me...had a few great dreams and ideas last night and its only day one.

5. Finally, I get exclusive time with my best friend, love of my life, and my partner in everything...CYNDI. And that leads into some great memories and awesome times with our son!

I LOVE VACATION! Why do you love it and where is your favorite vacation spot?

Hosea - Chapter 1

I am currently reading through the book of Hosea. I am writing a few of my initial thoughts as I read through the book. Here are my thoughts on Hosea chapter 1:

To read the passage click here

• Hosea was God's messenger...reminds me that I too am called as a messenger of Jesus! vs.2
• I'm not sure how I would react if God would have ever told me to go and marry a prostitute...instead thank you God for sending me Cyndi! vs. 2
• The image that Israel was acting like a prostitute is very clear. Is God like Hosea, in that He is married to Israel the prostitute? I think many times Christians today are very much like prostitutes. vs 2
• Gomer...what a name for a woman! I think I may name my daughter, Gomer. It has a nice ring to it, Gomer Michelle Brown. vs.3
• What's the power of a name? God seems to use people with name's that have powerful meaning to accomplish powerful acts in the Old Testament. I am glad we chose to name our son "Micaiah," as it is a rhetorical and humbling question: "Who is like God?" The answer is NO ONE, therefore He is the one we serve and worship!!! vs. 4
• A pattern is occurring among the names of Hosea and Gomer's children. God tells Hosea to marry a prostitute, like God is married to the prostitute, Israel. Then God commands Hosea to name his children after how Israel's relationship is going with God. vs.6-9
• How would you liked to been named, "Not-Loved?" Self-esteem issues? PROBABLY! vs. 6
• Sometimes I don't understand why God would allow Israel to be so disobedient, so distant, so unlike the chosen nation, but then turn and give them another chance. Chance after chance after chance - He loves ALWAYS. I'm sure He was disappointed and hurt, but He knows the future and sees the day that Israel is no longer described as "not my people" but instead "children of the living God." vs. 10-11

That's What I'm Talking About!

I love Indiana! And I am glad that I am involved with ARC because they love Indiana. Last Sunday, iTown Church was launched in Indy and this video got me pumped about planting a church!

itown church launch from Dave Sumrall on Vimeo.

Dave Sumrall is the lead pastor of iTown and he comes from Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, AL. He is passionate about reaching my home state! If you are in the Indy area and are looking for a church...check out iTown!

Be Careful About What You Pray & Fast For

Recently I decided I was going to take a few days and fast. If you know me, you know that it is a struggle for me to fast from food, it may be my Italian heritage that makes it a struggle, but none the less it is a struggle. So a couple of weeks I really felt compelled to give up food for a few days.

I felt during this time that I should pray for LifeGate Church and that God would step our impact in Lexington. I also pleaded with Him to bring more people to fill in key roles to help us accomplish our impact. During this time I prayed for our people, our staff, and my Pastor.

-the very next day after I started my fast our Pastor received a call from a young man, wanting to be a part of what we are doing (this is just one example of what God is doing)

I also felt compelled to pray for Generation Church. This is the name that keeps coming to mind regarding the church I feel very called to plant. I was praying for vision, clear direction, and asking God to already stir in hearts the people who are to lead and join GC. I have felt as though we are to go to Indiana, and possibly the Indianapolis area. We felt as though God was opening a possibility for this to happen within the next year.

Finally, I felt compelled to pray for my family. I was seeking clear direction to lead them and if we are to plant a church it is going to take all of us.

What I discovered through my fast is that God wants me to trust Him and come to Him with all the desires of my heart. He wants me to just lay them out before Him so He can be God and do what He needs to do. ALSO as a result of my fasting and praying (and an answer from God) we know that right now is not the time to go to Indiana. I realized that I was wanting to go to Indiana more than I think God wants us to go to Indiana.

We are in fact moving to Ohio. I know it is terrible being a Michigan fan and moving to a state that houses our biggest rival (by the way, I am looking for a NBF (New Best Friend) that holds season tickets to OSU and will take me to a Michigan vs Ohio State game). It is in fact a great move for us because Cyndi has been asked by the University she works for to start a brand new campus in Dayton, OH.

These were all major answers to the things that I was praying and fasting about. Although, I may not want to move to OH, God is opening many opportunities that I never even thought about. The point is that we must be obedient and faithful even when we may not like the answers God gives...HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST!