I’m so excited we’re doing this series, White Flag. The story of Jonah is amazing. We get to address some questions like,
“Why do you run when things get hard?”
“Who is really in charge of your life?”
“When God asks big things from you, are you willing to listen?”
“When things don’t go your way, how do you handle it?”
“What will it take for you to wave the White Flag and let God be in control?”

Here’s what has got me so pumped- it’s talking about topics like these which lays the groundwork for God to do amazing things in people’s lives. For God’s spirit to move people’s hearts from feeling burdened & weary, to experiencing His grace and love. Case and point: Katie & Mikki. They’ve been coming to Forefront for 5 months. Mikki had some experience with church before this, Katie hadn’t really been around church at all until now. As roommates, they saw our website and decided to “give it a go.” Sure enough, they are both excited about what God is doing in their lives, serving with our Student Ministry, and connecting in ways that only point to God’s amazing work.

For Mikki and Katie, it was finally the time to go from seeing through a fuzzy lens, and getting clear sight from God about life. Living it with eyes wide open- which means coming to the realization that it’s time to wave the White Flag. Check out their stories…

Mikki & Katie Baptism from Forefront Church on Vimeo.

Seriously. I love watching God move through Forefront Church.
Got a story about how God has used His church here at Forefront to change your life? Email it to jason@forefront.org. I’d love to hear it.

Oh, and yesterday we showed White Flag Challenge #2: Paintball Edition. It wasn’t pretty.

White Flag Challenge #2: Paintball from Forefront Church on Vimeo.

• Toms Shoes wants to keep Movember going all year long
• I hate microwave beeping. This would change my life.
• Want to be the parent of the year? Get your kid THIS. (via Pez)
• Flipboard App has changed the way I read blogs/FB/Twitter.
• Blaine Hogan & team have a movie premiering at their church. Stories need to move us. This looks good.
• Ever struggled with identity in work, parenthood, etc? This article will hit home. (via echohub)
• I miss being a kid and just playing in the mud. Who says adults can’t still act like kids? (via gizmodo)
• Simplicity in a workspace makes my happy. I could totally work at Twitter’s offices.
• Confession: I’m jealous of all you iPhone 4s owners. For now I’ll have to suffice with this.
• Taking Chloe to the Dr. this morning to see if it’s chicken pox or not. Whatever you do, don’t. google. chicken. pox. Ugh.
• If anyone is looking for a christmas present for me (hint, hint).
• I didn’t get a chance to go, but sad this VB place closed down.
• A friend of mine picked up a velvet framed pic of Elvis for $5 at a yard sale this week. If anyone comes across this one, pick it up for me immediately.
• Forefront Christmas Service on December 23rd, 7pm at Ocean Lakes High School is going to be Off The Chain! Make sure to be there and bring your friends and family.

There’s artwork all over our office at Forefront.
It’s a way to keep the environment fun, exciting, and inspiring us.
This is a mural we just finished in the office kitchen.
Combined it with our series posters from “Identity Theft”
There’s something so enjoyable about creating something.

Where is your outlet?
What do you create?
When was the last time you turned off the TV?
Hit shutdown on the laptop and smartphone?
Decided not to click into the DVR or Netflix?
Just sit down with an instrument, paper, pencil…
Go out to the garage and build something.
Sit down with your kids and paint. Get crazy with it.

God is the Creator of the Universe.
We’re made in His image.
You may believe the lie that creativity ends with childhood.
It’s time to break free.
Go create something.

jdel

(photo progress here)

*jdel



“Late night motivation. Thank you Mr. Wallpaper for your Vince Lombardi ‘esk pep talk.”

(photo progress here)

*jdel

After seeing many friends take on the daily photo challenge for an entire year, I decided to give it a shot. What I didn’t understand or know at the time, is how it would change the way I look at life day to day. I don’t know about you, but if you’re like me- you get in a rut every once and awhile. The routine begins to chisel away at you, things become automatic with out even thinking, and the interaction you have becomes more robotic than it is quality/engaging.

This project has started to flip a switch in me. Each day I’m looking at the moments to capture and seeing my surroundings differently. The mundane is slowly being replaced with the vibrance and freshness that has always been there – I just wasn’t paying much attention.

I love what the writer pens in Psalm 19:8 “The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

When I walk closely with God and faithfully obey His teachings, there is a newness to life above all else. I see things more clearly, my day is fresh again, my interaction with people is more rewarding. It’s living in His joy and grace that makes me smile.

Learning a lot. All through a little lens…

*jdel