New Monday!

Wow.  I can’t believe it!  This is the first week of my new work schedule.

Due to my need for more time to invest in getting this church planting thing underway, my office has agreed to allow me to change up my work schedule.

From now on, I will be working 9-10 hour days, Tuesday-Friday, and will check emails and take phone calls on Mondays to fill in my 40 hours, but will not be “officially” working for the office.

I don’t want to waste this opportunity.  It’s now noon and I’ve met with the guys at Journey, written several emails, am working on some local research in Towson, and am going to spend some time this afternoon working on an architecture job search in Maryland.

I have a few other contact issues to follow-up on . . . so having this new schedule is going to make a HUGE difference.

If you want to hang out with me in Auburn on some Monday, let me know!

20-hit update

We’ve been back from Baltimore since Tuesday, and I haven’t even had time to write an update.

That’s the nature of vacation, isn’t it?  You have a great time relaxing, being rejuvenated, reconnecting with your wife, etc. etc. etc. . . . and then you get back to the piles on your desk at work . . .

Well, here’s the update:

1. Emily and I are convinced that we will be locating to Towson, Maryland . . . Probably around January.
2. We fell in love with the community, had a great time talking with some locals while attending some local 4th of July events.
3. I made some connections in architecture.  One in particular was extremely positive and I’m looking forward to how it all works out.  Having a job in the area would give Emily and I a ton of peace to know that God is at work.
4. Enjoyed the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra set to fireworks a whole lot more than dealing with the crouds and rain for a merely good fireworks display at the Inner Harbor. 
5. Inner Harbor fireworks had two launch-points — most from Ft McHenry, and some from a barge in the harbor.  Either one would have been bettern than Auburn’s usually are.
6. Spent a lot of time driving around in a silly little KIA . . . but we got to know the area well and have zeroed in on a couple of specific communities within Towson to watch for a house/townhome to meet our needs.
7. It’s more expensive in Baltimore, but not quite as much as we had originally expected.  I’m hoping I can find a job that will fill in the difference. Would be nice to get full-price on our house here as a help . . . and One more outside job, like an average-sized house plan would pay off one more debt before we go . . . anyway . . .
8. We took a lot of things slow for our vacation.  Emily is getting bigger.  I am excited to be a daddy!  Less than 10 weeks left!  It’s funny how walking around with the cutest pregnant lady ever becomes an automatic conversation-starter.
9. Drove through Towson one night . . . passed 4 Starbucks stores with no more than 3 customers.  Obviously not a good place to meet people during the evenings on a holiday weekend in Towson.
10. Went to church at another fairly new church in the area.  Am glad to see them doing what they are doing . . . but was also glad to see that they are a different flavor than our vision, so we’ll be able to reach different folks and impact Towson together. One of the pastors said he would hook me up with a local ministerial association that really wants to get things done.  I would love an opportunity to network with other local pastors to Transform a city and region!
11. Towson University is in Towson . . . They are the Tigers and have an Auburn Drive on campus.  That MUST be a sign from God!
12. Several possible meeting locations came to mind . . . but actually getting into them may be a challenge.  This will be a God thing!  So many possibilities, I’m confident we will be able to grow at least one relationship to opportunity.
13. Already have a location in mind for a church office.  Awesome location, and it’s pretty cheap, too!  Long-term issue, but couldn’t believe the possibility fell in my lap!
14. Spent tons of time just praying as we saw  people in neighborhoods, walking down streets, navigating through the mall, filling a ski-slope to watch fireworks, etc.  The area won’t be an easy area, but it already feels a bit like home.  People need a life-changing encounter with Jesus.  I want to be the delivery man to take it to them.
15. Was glad to see Roxie healthy when we got home (was sick when we left).
16. Roxie was definitely glad to see us.
17. Roxie is being very dilligent to protect Emily’s growing belly.  Definitely not a typical Chihuahua.  Curious to see how she does with Katie when she is born.
18. Was extremely glad to have absolutely no contact with my office while I was gone.  First time since we started the company 3 years ago that I was 100% unplugged from the office.
19. Since our vacation, God has just been working on my as I read the Bible like He hasn’t done literally in years.  I’m getting really fired up for everything that is happening over the next several months.
20. I’ll be glad to get back to Journey Church tomorrow and see what’s up with our new series, “WAKE UP!”

Well, I hit 20, so I need to stop. More later.

Quick Hits

I’ve been really busy lately, but I want to keep everyone up-to-date . . . here are some quick-hits:

• I’ve been spending a lot of time praying lately.  A LOT of time.  I’ve been praying and meditating in my car.  I’ve been extending my prayer time in the morning.  I’ve been praying during pockets of my day.  I’ve been carving out time to pray most evenings.
• The biggest prayer I have right now is for God’s eyes to meet people where they are.  This prayer has been ovewhelming me both for Auburn and for Baltimore.
• I’m praying for God to do BIG things during our scouting trip in July.  I want to see him do such BIG things that I don’t even know what to pray for!
• I’m praying to be a godly husband and father.  WOW.  Father.  Craziness.  Baby Katie is due to arrive in less than 100 days!
• I’ve been spending a good bit of time putting together parts and pieces for moving to Baltimore and starting a church.
• Technology stuff is expensive.
• Praying for our house to sell at just the right time.
• Starting looking for options in architecture for a job between relocating and launching the church.  Found a couple really good prospects.
• Started compiling my resume for architecture for the first time since 1997.  Slightly out of date.
• Emily’s mom is coming in to town this weekend for a baby shower.  Should be fun.  Seriously. That’s not meant to be sarcastic.
• Seeing some big stuff happening at work.  Finally seeing some fruit for some things I’ve been working on for almost 3 years.
• Started praying with my bosses about how to make some transitions and adjustments to prepare for Katie’s arrival and for me to relocate to Baltimore. 
• I’m absolutely loving ONE PRAYER at Journey.  Why didn’t somebody think of this sooner?  1,400+ churches joining together.  Over 800,000 Christ-followers seeking the same thing.  How awesome is that?

Finance major? Computer Tech?

Here’s entry number one into finding a job in Baltimore:

Do you have a background in finance?  Several companies in Baltimore are expanding their financial staff!

Are you a computer techie?  Companies in Baltimore are looking for IT professionals.

Here’s the news to prove it:

http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/03/03/daily19.html

Come join us in Baltimore, and help us start a new church!

Want to make a difference?

Do you want to make a difference with your life?

Have you always had a sense that God is calling you to a “normal” career, but you want to use it to accomplish great things for the Kingdom?

Maybe you’re about to graduate and don’t have a clue what is next.

Perhaps I can help.

Today, I’m starting a new category on my blog: Baltimore Jobs.

I’m going to list links to articles I find online related to finding jobs in the Baltimore area.

Why would I do that?

I want to help folks find “normal” jobs in the Baltimore area . . . and use those jobs as a platform to help us plant a new church.

Come join us!