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I don’t usually watch The Ultimate Fighter looking for bits of wisdom, but I happened to come across one as I watched the reality show last Wednesday.

The Ultimate Fighter constestant said, ‘I realized that the enemy was the inner-me.’ The biggest problem that I have is Todd.  So often, I get in the way of what I am trying to accomplish, whether is be lack of discipline, laziness, or just plain ol’ stupidity.

This is something that is a struggle every day of my life.  I know who/what God has called me to be/do, now I just have to stay out of my own way:)

I am writing this post to get some stuff off my chest after watching the Clemson game today.  Here are my thoughts:

*We are terrible.  We should have beaten Maryland by 3 touchdowns.

*All we have is CJ Spiller.  That’s it.  That’s not an exaggeration.  That’s the truth.

*Scouting report – Play D on CJ.  Don’t worry about anyone else.

*Our offense cannot move the ball.  It’s never good when your kicker has more points than any other kicker.  It means you can’t get the ball in the endzone.

*Some people will be calling for Dabo’s job.  You’ll have to give the dude more than a year.  I’ll at least give him 2:)

*CJ is the most electric player in college football.  Period.

*Can we trade both of our QBs for 1/2 of a good one?

*  Bottom Line:  It’s going to be a long season!

{End Rant!  I feel better now!}

1.  Pumped about the BRAND NEW SERIES that begins on Sunday – Forgiveness: The Real F Word.  I really believe that this series is going to be our greatest ever!  So many people are going to be set free!!  Make sure to be at Barber Middle at 9:30 or 11:00!!

2.  Watched Kimbo Slice fight on TUF this week.  His fight wasn’t impressive, however, I am impressed with the dude.  With a little coaching, I think he could tear through some people.

3.  We are in the process of overhauling the Guest Services area at Freedom.  Changes to come (prob around first of 2010)!  We are taking honoring our guests to a whole new level!!

4.  I am seriously in awe of the team that God has assembled at Freedom!  Extremely grateful!!

5.  Clemson play at Maryland tomorrow.  They’d better destroy the Turtles!

6.  Is it really October already??

During the entire Old Time Religion series, our office had a little challenge going on.  During the challenge, the rule was that anytime you were in the office, you were required to refer to people on staff as ‘brother’ or ’sister’.  If you didn’t you received a tally mark.  At the end of the series, I was tied for last place with Ian.  It created a very fun atmosphere.

As a punishment for our terrible atrocity, we were required to perform a song at our monthly All Staff Meeting.  So, T-Money and King Pizzle went to work.  Lyrics are listed below for your enjoyment and I’m sure the video will find it’s way to the internet soon:)

Boom, Boom, Boom (4x)

Boom, Boom, Boom, gotta get, get (4x)

Yo, we got beat in the game
Now we praisin’ your name
We got mad respect for you, mad respect for you

The game was a hit, in the back we’ll sit
We got that boom boom pow
How the beat bang, boom boom pow

I like that boom boom pow
Them churches jackin’ my style
They try copy our swagger
I’m on that next stuff now

I’m so 3008, You so 2000 and late
I got that boom, boom, boom
That future boom, boom, boom
Let me get it now

Boom boom boom, gotta get-get (4x)

Last Thursday, I placed a call to the GA DOT to see when a couple of major access roads were going to open back up.  The roads had been affected by the extreme amounts of flooding.  The person on the other line told me that the roads weren’t going to be open until this week.

So, what do you do when your 2 main access roads are closed and you’re a portable church?  We immediately began making plans to move our worship experiences to North Cobb High School.  Our team worked like crazy to make it happen.  By the end of the day, we had everything in place to make the move.

I bet you can guess what happened next…..the roads opened!  We were glad to be able to meet at Barber this past Sunday and not have to move.  However, I think we enjoyed the rush of going into super-planning mode. I went home that night exhausted from my mind racing the entire day.

This was another reminder to me that the team that God has assembled at Freedom is special.  Everyone is very fluid and is willing to do WHATEVER IT TAKES!  The bottom line is we desire greatly to see people far from God experience life in Christ.  We are willing to do whatever we have to do to make sure that happens!

I’m grateful to be along for the ride!

1.  This has been one crazy week.  ATL flooding has displaced people, ruined many homes, took some lives, and closed some roads.  I never would have believed you last week if you would have told me this would happen.

2.  Yesterday, we thought we were going to have have to move our location for this Sunday.  It isn’t going to happen because a major road opened back up.  See you Sunday at Barber!

3.  It is hard for me to tell if the Gamecocks are any good or if Ole Miss was just that bad.  Nevertheless, a big win for the chickens.

4.  Date night tonight!  Oh yeah!!

5.  Clemson plays #15 TCU tomorrow.  I’m a little nervous about the game.

6.  I can’t wait for the series that begins on Oct. 4.  You’ll have to be at Freedom on Sunday to hear what it is:)

7.  Please continue to pray for the families affected by the flooding

8.  Just watched Ed Young on Nightline in a debate about adultery.  Nails!  Watch it here.

9.  Don’t miss the last week of Block party this week!  See you at Barber on Sunday at 9:30 or 11:00!

Stop what you are doing.  This will take just a moment.  Spend a little time praying for those that were impacted by the floods in the metro Atlanta area.

The people of Freedom Church are inviting machines.  We are averaging 40-50 first time guests per week.  They are doing an incredible job getting their friends and family to church.  This is just proof that if you give people something to be proud of, they’ll tell everyone they know!

The cool thing is that our people are playing a HUGE part in what God is doing in the lives of their friends and family.  It excites me when people are telling their story and it begins like this, ‘It all started when ________ invited me to church.’

Freedom Church, keep it up!  You are doing a great job!!

1.  New series called Block Party starting on Sunday.  It’s going to be grand, beautiful, and sexy all at the same time.  Seriously, I promise that it’ll be one of the most effective series that we have ever done.  We’ve got a special challenge for all the Freedom peeps!!  See you at 9:30 or 11:00!!

2.  I’ve been at a conference for the past 2 days.  Great time hanging with Pastor J.R. and Mark.  I learned a little too:)

3.  I’m not a Miami fan, but I love the swagger of the U.  Looks like they are back!

4.  Headed to the Clemson – Boston College game tomorrow.  Let’s go Tigers!!

5.  Pumped about hanging with my parents and sister tonight!  I love my family.

6.  Speaking of family, being away from my family for 2 days this week helped me to be reminded how important they are to me and how much I love them.  I’m a blessed man!!

1.  If you ever doubt the importance of children’s ministry, you should read this.

2.  I agree with Carlos that this video makes the case that people do not want to show up and be sung/talked to.  People desire to participate and be a part of something huge!

3.  I love stories like this and this and this!  It is the very reason why we do what we do!  Keep up the good work Freedom Church!!