Facebook & Twitter are great.
Connecting with people, sharing life, celebrating things that are going on.
But negative status updates bum me out honestly.
Therefore, I figured I’d check out some of the 901+ people I know on FB and other peeps I connect with on Twitter and say thanks to someone who isn’t crying their eyes out over their drive-thru meal getting messed up, having a bad hair day, whining about their job, or simply complaining about life.

This week’s Status Update of the Week” winner is… Brandon Bates.

“Virginia Beach has had a lot of people stand on corners with homeless/hungry signs in the past couple of months. We should all start carrying food in our cars to give to them.“

I love it.
Go by and congratulate Brandon on Facebook by clicking here.

I say congratulate because- this kind of heart is a rare find. To think past ourselves and be about others is such an awesome thing. It inspires me to do more, be more, wear my faith on my sleeve.
Congrats Brandon. You inspire me and others to think counter-culturally.
To be pro-active in reaching out to those in need.
Remember everyone, people are watching… the good and the bad.
Let’s spread a little love.

Jason *over and out*

I try to get face time with every person that comes to Forefront Church.
I enjoy learning from them.
Hearing their story.
It’s always such a cool experience.

Recently, I had been talking with a few different couples who disclosed that they had met online. Their stories were very cool. I was glad that they had found someone (I’m actually performing a wedding for one next month). But, it got me thinking, “How big is the online dating scene?” If I had never met my beautiful wife, as much as I love technology- I’m not sure online dating would be the avenue for me. I’m just an old fashioned kind of guy. I use a computer all day, I wouldn’t want to use it again to find someone.

But, let’s face it- finding a true, deep, and meaningful relationship is tough.
Especially when it comes to meeting someone who shares your same love for God.
So, I did a little research and came across this graph that breaks it down to show just how big the online dating industry is.
It Blew My Mind.
I had no idea that many people used the internet to find companionship.
To me, this speaks to the fact that a lot of people out there are lonely.
They want someone to share life with.
The best foundation for sharing life, (in my opinion) is to first give your life away.
To allow God to lead us.
When we submit to Him, we are in a much better place to enter in to a strong, healthy relationship.
Check out the graph to see how big the industry really is…

Facebook Welcome Page

It’s easy to just set-up a Facebook Fan Page and spread the word.
We have a HUGE number of people who hear about us via Facebook.
Of the people who visit our page, we have about 40% actually check us out on a Sunday morning.
So… we’re trying to leverage the page with a cleaner look & information.
Check it out here

Jason *over and out*

Very few people know, but I’m a HUGE fan of spoken word.
It’s possibly one of my favorite forms of art.
I have dozens of pieces written.
But… never have performed a single one. I’m a total scaredy cat.
Yep. I said it. No shame in my game.
But, I’ve been vibing to a group called, “Listener” lately.
They’re amazing. Check it out:

What about you?
What’s a hobby or interest no one knows about?
It’s time to open the flood gates and let people know!

Jason *over and out*

Facebook & Twitter are great.
Connecting with people, sharing life, celebrating things that are going on.
But negative status updates bum me out honestly.
Therefore, I figured I’d check out some of the 894+ people I know on FB and other peeps I connect with on Twitter and say thanks to someone who isn’t crying their eyes out over their drive-thru meal getting messed up, having a bad hair day, whining about their job, or simply complaining about life.

This week’s Status Update of the Week” winner is… Brian Urunkar.

“loving life! today was a great day.”

Nothing flashy, no long paragraphs, just things are great (and for a Monday even!).
Go by and congratulate Brian on Facebook by clicking here.
It doesn’t hurt that Brian listens to David Bazan, Appleseed Cast, and Further Seems Forever.
Just don’t hold it against him that he enjoys the movie “The Notebook.”

Congrats Brian. Thanks for being positive. It made my day better.
Remember everyone, people are watching… the good and the bad.
Let’s spread a little love.

Jason *over and out*

It’s true.
Clothing logos. Status updates. Bumper stickers. Sports team jerseys. Eye wear. Blogs. Auto Email Signatures. Billboards. TV Commercials.
Everybody’s communicating something.

Sometimes it’s things we agree with and love, other times it’s things we are against and disagree with. A few decals on vehicles I see everyday on my way to work as I drive through the neighborhood:
- Calvin urinating on a Redskins logo
- PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals)
- Terrorist Hunting License: Let’s Kill Their A**es!
- Don’t Blame Me, I Voted For BUSH
- Keep Honking, I’m Reloading…

It’s easy to be negative.
It feels good to let out frustration on another person.
When we don’t get what we desire, we throw fits. Get angry. Shout louder.
My daughter hasn’t liked a meal in almost two weeks. Every time she pushes her food away and screams “I want pizza!!!”
She’s not getting pizza. Period.
And… she’s acting foolishly. But she doesn’t know that yet.
Because she is only a child.

As the news of health care reform being voted through spread across the air waves…
Christians began to respond in ways that I prayed they wouldn’t.
It broke my heart.
I believe it broke the heart of God as well.
I have a plea.
A word of encouragement.
(following is an excerpt from a recent response, see full article here)

- Instead putting our “hope” in healthcare, let’s  put our HOPE in the power of Jesus to save, heal, and deliver. We must transition from fairy tale subscribers, to true witnesses of the life changing power of God. When a world is dying, a building is burning- the call is to the church. Let’s be like Jesus in this hour!

- Instead of labeling people liberal or conservative, why don’t we see them as people who are far from God in need of Jesus? Without forgetting, that aside from God’s grace & love we would ALL REMAIN dead in sins. Love mercy, do justice, walk humbly.

- Instead of lobbying for schools to teach creation, why don’t lead our children into encounters with the creator, settling all doubts.

- Instead of being divided within the church over as to what our role is in the political process, whether it be to be activist, or pacifist, how about we work together to advance God’s work here on the earth, following the example of Jesus. The message of Jesus transforms hearts, transformed hearts transform the culture.

So glad to be serving at Forefront.
Where we strive to Love God, Love People, and Turn The World Upside Down.

Jason *over and out*

We sent out a team of 8 to Las Vegas to help with the Verve Church launch. It was great to see old friends, but even better to see people come to church, some for the first time, and see them laugh, cry, & engage a loving God and His message of life change. Our team was truly impacted from being there and enjoyed every minute of serving. Here is a recap video of the final hours as we got the facility finished and the services on Sunday/Monday:

Here is a rundown of my thoughts as I served with the team in Vegas:

• The culture out there is much different. I enjoyed talking with locals and hearing their stories.
• The overt sexual sin that is readily available there is unreal. You don’t need to visit to see, just take my word for it.
• As much as my heart breaks for that city, if I lived there- I would ruin my family. Addictive personality and the City of Sin would be a horrible combination.
• The turn out for all three services was more than I anticipated. Vibe was almost electric.
• People loved it. Heard them saying amazing things about the service.
• Our team worked HARD! They busted their backsides doing door hangers, fliers, and working at the Venue. Great job team! I am so proud of you.
• Being there reaffirmed to me that God still has a lot to do through His church at Forefront. And I’m excited to see what He’s got in store for us.
• I sat for roughly 48 hours and did graphics in Adobe Photoshop. I officially hate Photoshop now. Sorry Adobe.
• Left town knowing 1 person was interested in getting baptized, then got a call that 3 were baptized. So excited for those guys and really bummed that I missed it.
• Whether it’s Vegas or Va Beach, God is actively moving His church forward. The question is ” Are we are allowing Him to use us to help the process move forward?”

If you want to check out some photos of the Verve’s space and the trip, check out my Flickr feed on the side of the blog or click here. Better yet, view the slide show.

Jason *over and out*

Hey Gang, it’s Carrie. I’m coming to you live from my living room in the heart of Kempsville (woot woot). Each Sunday Jason gives his side of the service, message, and how things are going. Well, here’s… The Other Side.

The service yesterday was inspiring.

I am so excited that weekly now people are getting baptized and giving their lives to Christ.  That is definitely a testimony that God is working through Forefront Church. If you hadn’t heard, 5 people came talked with Jason yesterday about getting baptized (That’s 10 people in the last three weeks. So cool.)

The bible passage in the message, Mark 7:31-37, was eye-opening. How Jesus, even in the midst of healing a deaf and mute man, thought about all of the temptations and trials that man would now endure in life- it was a change in perspective for me.  Up until being healed, he had never been influenced by a dirty joke, curse word, or angry rant- he couldn’t hear it. He had never been tempted to say an evil thing, yell at someone, or speak in gossip- he couldn’t physically do it.

Lady Gaga, via Google Images

In thinking on that, it reminded me of the “innocence” of children. How they are slowly being exposed to all the negative influences we see in culture/society (as is everyone else who interacts with society). And it only took jumping into our car right after service to see it all go down first hand.

As we drove to lunch, we had the radio on and Lady GaGa’s “Poker Face” started up.  Jason went to change the radio station and our 22 month old angel in backseat became unruly as she started screaming “NO! Song! Song! Daddy! Song!” She wanted to listen to Lady GaGa (seriously? she’s 22 months old!).  Definitely not the influence we want Chloe to seek.  But even at that young an age, she is already being exposed to the negative influences all around us.  I am not saying that we shouldn’t listen to the radio or watch TV.  I love TV (speaking of TV, any LOST fans out there? I love that show).  But, we need to stay focused on God constantly so we do not become desensitized to the things around us.  Once we become desensitized, we more easily give into those negative influences and the temptations they bring.

Wasabi Gospel by Shawn Wood

I finished a pretty good read recently, titled Wasabi Gospel by Shawn Wood.  He takes a deeper look at key Bible passages that some of us have read 100 times and never thought much about, or maybe some of us have never read ever before.  The main themes revolve around “true forgiveness” and “overcoming sin.”

At one point Mr. Wood discusses Matthew 5:27-30, where Jesus is teaching on sin and our actions, “If your eyes cause you to stumble, take it out, for it is better to loose an eye than for all of you to end in destruction.” The point the author gets to is that at the root of all sin- is our heart/mind. What we fill them with will ultimately be what we give and show to the world and others around us.

I was challenged on Sunday…
To share my story.
To live a life that makes people go, “Do you follow Jesus?”
To be a better woman of God.

Until next time, Carrie

Every week someone else is coming to us asking to get baptized.
It is such a humbling thing to see people’s lives changed.
Thanks God for the way You move.
Thank you Forefront for being a community of people who accepts every person, no matter what their struggle, and showing them what it means to love Jesus.
Here’s what happened after service last Sunday…

What about you?
Has God been pulling at you to make a decision?
Are you looking for every reason NOT to experience His love by making excuses, ignoring Him, etc?
I’d love to talk to you about it…
Hit me up

Jason *over and out

Inked. Branded. Marked.
What does it look like to be marked by God?
By His love, healing, restoring power?
A couple of weeks ago we launched a series titled, “Inked.” We’ve been looking at the healings of Jesus. People’s lives being touched (branded) by Jesus, they are healed, and life as they know it is never the same.

As we filmed for the series bumper at Fuzion Ink, we hung out and talked with the artists (one of which attends Forefront with his family) and it was so cool to hear their stories.
How life has moved them.
How their lives and their clients stories intertwine through this artistic medium.
How a community of artists who many people are scared of just because the way they look (craziness!), is actually an amazing family of people who look out for one another.

This is Tony Scambony and his story. Enjoy.