I slept on this

Road trips are all about conquering. We blasted through 5 states (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania) and finally arrived in Washington, Pennsylvania. This piece of information means absolutely nothing to you but to 3 guys with bloodshot eyes from too many road construction signs, it is a landing on the moon for us. Take a look at this little video about what – the – heck just happened.

I need to also mention, only a few hours later I slept on a park bench similar to this with 2 pillows and a blanket because there was no room for me in the Escalade. I now understand how Jesus may have felt in Bethlehem … I also fond out the sun and birds wake up way – too – early. The Brightness!!!

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Tags: chicago, columbus, dayton, indianapolis, ohio, pennsylvania, road trip, summer roadtrip —

We recently returned from sunny, hot, humid Orlando, Florida but not before we had an amazing opportunity to sit next to an international church planter. Randomocity is the coined phrase I like to use when stuff like this happens. So here we are, row 10, American Airlines and Ricardo Tadeu from Portugal squeezed past us to secure seat 10F (window).

It wasn’t long before my head was buried in Colossians, 1 Timothy and some Proverbs. I of course glancing over to see what this young man was reading how had stolen that window seat which would have allowed a selfish American to SPREAD OUT. I noticed he was entrenched in a business communication book, nothing really eye catching, just appeared like any other young bloke trying to get an edge on life.

When BAM! he leans over to ask, are you guys Christians? To his response, I picked up my holy head up from my Bible and said “ya bro, are you?” He had an accent so I was trying to figure out where this convo was going but it soon was all understood when he let us know he planted churches around the world. My thought was wow!… 31 years old, seemed very excited, hailed from Portugal which sounded cool…. and someone sitting next to me I could be inquisitive with.

The barrage of questions was instantaneous…
What is church planting like?
How many churches have you planted?
Obstacles?
Victories?
What men are mentors in your life?
Why you in America… and on and on and on……

It was refreshing to talk to with international flavor discussing the Bible. It reminds me of how important it is to ask questions of others around you because you do not know where wisdom will come from. Ricardo Tadeu spoke for about an hour and it was better than going to the movies or watching American Idol….. it would be a tough call to put it up against the Chicago Bears…. but the moment and communication was divine and inspiring.

Are you wondering what he said he took away from the business book he was reading? Well, here it is…. :::PASSION::: Whatever you are communicating if it is not infused with passion, people most certainly will not take interest. You say, but I am a really good communicator…. The world these days are filled with so many great communicators it is your duty to become better…. if you do not, someone already has.

church planting is communication and without the Passion for changing lives through Jesus… your words will fall on deaf ears. You are doing Jesus a disservice when you remove passion. His passion for us is eternal life with him….. Damn thats hot! like whooooooaaaa! Turn your sofa over, throw some clothes out of your closet and live with PASSION.

i Hate church says: “embrace passion, explode the word of God internally”

Do you have :::PassIon:::

Hillsong United from chesman creative on Vimeo.

Tags: american airlines, chicago, church planting, hillsong united, passion, portugal, ricardo tadeu —

I receive a text from Justin Mayo in Los Angeles explaining to me 400 people need housing. We then go on to discuss Invisible Children which leads me to doing my own homework on their organization. My mind was racing, my heart began to beat faster…. was I actually taking part in something special?

In an instant, this simple text message went from odd to opportunity. I thought to myself, “why me?” and then i dismissed it and said “why not me?’ I instantly sent out an email to my dad Robb Thomson explaining to him this unique opportunity… to my surprise… HE JUMPED ON IT. The past 12 hours I have scoured the internet digesting all I can concerning Invisible Children and possibly hosting their team at Family Harvest Church in Tinley Park, IL.

I got ahead of myself here…. This organization began an “abduction” initiative starting in Los Angeles, California to raise awareness for children in Africa abducted by Joseph Kony. This man Joseph Kony resides in Northern Uganda and is responsible for abducting over 20,000 children and putting them into his army. Most of these children will never see their families again.

Which leads us to NOW… The Invisible Children team has been rescued by Oprah this morning in Chicago and will be in the audience for today’s show. We now wait and see if we can aid this group of nearly 500 strong which is building momentum in our church. Serving another, rooting another on is the simplistic nature of Jesus…. Maybe your church needs momentum like this?

SOLDIER from Invisible Children at UGA on Vimeo.

Tags: chicago, churchy stuff, invisible children, oprah, therescue —