I really do like my Accord and have had no intentions of selling it, really! I have been nothing but happy with this car and was ready to commit. This is big for me, because you guys know my propensity to go through cars like David goes through pets. And even though I had been thinking it would be nice to have an automatic so that Audra could drive it, I wasn't prepared to do anything about it because I love my manual transmission. Then last night my neighbor comes over and says his father-in-law has been out car shopping but it didn't go well. He was just looking for an older car to get to south Florida on and wanted to know if I'd sell mine. I said I'd always consider selling, so my buddy goes over and tells him a price that's about $1300 more than I paid for it. He drove it last night and gave me the money today, so I'm currently without a car. I'm looking around and have been able to find some that are automatics and with the extra money I got I'll also be able to get one a little nicer. I'd like to get another Accord and found a really sharp one, but I'm also calling about an Audi A4 I found in Tallahassee. Hopefully I'll have pics to post soon of a car that isn't slightly purple when the sun hits it just right.

To all 3.5 of my avid readers, here's the situation. We're still in PSJ and will be staying. I resigned from student ministry a year ago and while it's been a very interesting year for us, it's also been the best year of our lives. I worked at our local marina and it changed my life to be out of the church world and out in the real world and around people who didn't go to church. God really gave me a passion for them, and as I prayed for them and built relationships, I began to see why most of our churches are dying and why they aren't reaching these people. I really considered staying there, just continuing my job and loving those people. After a while I knew that I was supposed to be preaching and teaching, but I didn't know where that would lead. I've spoken and interviewed with several churches all over the place, and one by one I turned them down knowing that God had something different in store although I didn't know what it was.

I started doing pulpit supply for a local non-denominational church in town, Faith Bible Church. The thought of "what if" crossed my mind a couple times, but I never gave it much thought because it seemed like the least logical thing to consider. Then the lights clicked on and we knew without a doubt what we were supposed to do. Long story made short, I'm pastoring this church now.

Actually, I will be the interim for a time, but that is only until we all know for sure about a few things. They also have a very successful and highly respected Christian school, but their former pastor (a good friend to me) was both pastor and school administrator. I told them that I not only had no experience in school administration, but I had no desire to gain experience. It's just not my thing and I know it. So we're waiting until we can get that position filled before we make this permanent.

A couple of people have asked me what the difference is between the Southern Baptist Convention and Faith Bible Church, as far as beliefs go. The easiest way to put it is that they are Baptist without the SBC affiliation, and that is a very accurate thing to say. This is how the members themselves have described it to me (the ones who know much about other denominations). Doctrinally, it is all the same. Their former pastor grew up Baptist and was SBC educated.

Faith is a very small church (35-45) and mostly senior adults. There are 2 families with kids about our kids ages, and one 13 year old boy, and the rest are seniors. They kept telling me they knew they needed to grow, so I met with them one evening to really find out what their heart was. I made it clear to them that if they did not grow then their church and school would not exist within 10 years or less. I also made it clear that growth meant reaching young unchurched families, and doing that meant change. They knew all of this right up front but they are sober to the position they are in, and they know things must change.

They told me they wanted a young pastor, and that is what they got. I wear khakis and a shirt on Sunday mornings, and jeans and flip flops on Sunday nights. Yesterday morning however, we had lunch after church followed by an egg hunt, so I wore blue jeans, and it went over very well. They have been singing "Gloria Patri" every morning to close their services for years, but I took that out this week, and there were no issues with that either. Although they are a small traditional church, they don't seem to get too caught up with sacred cows. I don't know if it's because they are non-denominational, because they realize they will die out soon if they don't change, because God is working, or a little of all 3. Whatever the reason, I think it will help with the transition to cultural relevance. It will be very slow change, but they are willing to begin that journey. So here we are!

please!!!

For the love of God! SAVE THE ENDANGERED HUMPBACK CHUB!!!