A Visit to Atlanta

Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Atlanta. Wow, there are some really cool people down South. I even got to have grits, just like my grandma used to make! It was NASCAR championship weekend coupled with college football rivalary weekend so things were amping.

My flight left at 11:30pm from Seattle. With time changes and a layover in Charlotte I was scheduled to arrive in Atlanta at 9:30am. Red-eye flights hurt the eyes, but feel better in the wallet. Actually since the church that invited me was covering the flights I could have taken something less painful, but flying red eye meant one more afternoon with my wife and kids. And they are worth it.

So this is what's cool. I was sick for two days prior to departure. Kinda that flu bug I suppose. Over the course of the two days it moved from my chest straight into my sinuses. The night I was leaving my head was pounding and I was talking like a bald guy with a metal bucket over his head. None-the-less I grabbed my Kleenex and luggage and trotted off to the airport.
No kiddin', as I was walking down the walkway to board the plane I felt a little "pop" in my head and whammo! my head was clear. Sinus pressure and cold symptoms disappeared. God's so cool.

So my buddy Eric and I went to the men's retreat and saw God do some really great things. 35 men willing to get real and open with God and each other. The message of authenticity resonated in our meetings regardless of each man's career status or race. It was cool.

Sunday morning I shared at large Atlanta area church. There I found 700 people who LOVE to worship and serve their city with the gospel. Perhaps the most powerful experience I had was sitting in on the pre-service intercession gathering. I often enjoy sneaking in on intercession meetings when I am a guest. It gives me a chance to sense the spiritual climate of a church. These guys and gals where not interested in building their own kingdom but God's kingdom and I could sense God smiling upon them. I felt tingly all over. :-)

Sunday night I shared at an emergent church service. Great vibe and the pastor is one right on brother. No pretense about him, just a love for Jesus and his family. That evening I shared some of my story and God's redemption in my life. I heard later that during my teaching on of the gals in the group said, "Hey, I've heard that story before. I think he stole it from Relevant Magazine!" Then she realized that I WAS that guy in the magazine article and felt sorta bad for judging me. :-)

Next stop: Emerging Leaders Intititiave gathering in Seattle! God's on the move. The message and the lifestyle of authenticity seems to be resonating with many these days... regardless of age, denomination, or gender.
Live the Life my friends. And thanks for praying for me.