I just got home from XL’s Super Bowl (2 words for you, Mickey) party and it was so amazing. Really? Yeah, I’m not kidding. Here is why:
-We kicked off the party by baptizing 14 people. We had 12 lined up and God brought us 2 more before we started.
-Several other people talked with us during the night about their need for baptism.
-There was SO MUCH food – and it was GOOD! To all of you who brought stuff- THANK YOU!!!
-With over 350 people there (final numbers are still coming) we’re going to need a bigger spot next year! 
:):)
-Tons of people pitched in to make the night go so smoothly. I am afraid I will miss people if I start naming names. Volunteers worked the food tents, a team came to set up and more stayed to tear down, people brought grills to cook the almost 400 hot dogs, sound and light techs came early to make sure we were ready, one small group cooked wings, another family fried pickles (yum!) and okra, one guy picked up the nacho cheese machine, another made sure everyone had a seat, others kept the coffee bar stocked. This is just the short list. XL people are some of the most giving and servant-hearted people I know. At the end of the night I walked into the Atrium and I never would have known over 350 people had walked through our doors. One couple took it upon themselves to clean that entire room. Wow, I am so overwhelmed by that spirit of helping and generosity. And the coolest thing is that I saw that spirit all night long.
-The coolest thing was that I saw Jesus everywhere – in the hearts of those who were baptized, in the hands of those who helped, in the lives of those who shared with others. Some people may think that a Super Bowl party is not something a church should do. All I can say is that Jesus was everywhere at the party I was at tonight. I thank Him for letting me be a part of His work. I am truly grateful…and tired. I’m heading to bed!
Talk about a SUPER Bowl party… February 3, 2008
Oh my word! October 17, 2007
I love XL! What a place! People are finding Jesus for real in such great ways there. New believers finally finding the one thing that gives their life peace and meaning. Christians finding ways to give themselves away for the sake of God’s kingdom. Meaningful life change seen on a regular basis. That is something you can’t beat me off of with a whole bundle of thistles and briars! (I was reading in Judges 8-9 this morning)
I don’t even know what to call this one October 15, 2007
Last night at XL six guys in dark suits carried Jarrod from the back of the room onto the stage in a casket while the band played Hell’s Bells. He then spoke from the casket the entire night. You could have heard a pin drop as Jarrod, and then Mickey, talked about the reality of heaven and hell. The whole point of our Just Say No to Hell series can be summed up like this: You are the only person who decides where you go when you die. That’s awesome because you have a choice. That’s heavy because it is up to you alone to make that choice. Last night six people made their choice. They decided to accept Christ – to put Him in charge of their lives and accept His love and grace.
To see the whole thing check out www.xlwired.com. It was intense, a little creepy getting ready for it, powerful and well worth all that it took to make it happen.
XL: Weekend Wows 2 August 20, 2007
Oh my, oh my! Tonight we celebrated one year at XL. Check out the year in review video at www.xlwired.com. A couple of things you should know. Jason Alford worked his tail off for a month to put that together. And, it was an amazing look back at what God has done at XL in the last year. It was crazy to watch that and know that we really did all that stuff. I Peter 2:9 says, “that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of the darkness into His marvelous light.” That is what the XL One Year Celebration was all about – celebrating God’s excellencies! And, wow, has He shown off His excellencies at XL in the last year. I’ll say what I said earlier tonight – thanks to those of you who have been along for even part of the ride. I hope you will hang on and ride this Crazy Train a while longer!
XL Lifeswap 3 June 3, 2007
Tonight is week 3 in our Lifeswap series at XL. We’ll kick off in about 2 hours. I just want to go ahead and tell you what a great, powerful God we have. Brian Pelfrey has been working his tail off this week to get a car we need for tonight’s message. He made about 45 12-point turns to get it on the stage at the right angle, but he did it with a smile. (On the other hand, I had my face covered almost the whole time.) Matt Burnham gave us the other car we needed. Yes, I did say gave us. He and his family (thanks, Drew, mom and dad) along with Brian Pelfrey pushed it in the building and up onto the stage this week. Yes, Idid say push (it has no working engine). They were amazing. Matt worked his tail off this afternoon, too. Jarrod was in Canada as of just a few hours ago. He is now in Rome, with no flight delays or problems. The band is practing on a very recently reset stage (about an hour?) and we are set for an amazing night. I have seen God come through and work so much already. I cannot wait to see His plan for the rest of the night.
A tattoo can make a difference May 25, 2007
I just got off the phone with Craig, an XL volunteer. Actually, I should be clear - he’s the head of an entire XL volunteering, inviting, crazy on fire for Jesus family. His wife Mandi and their 5 kids are a HUGE part of XL. Anyway, a few weeks ago we gave out temporary XL tattoos to our volunteers and their families, commemorating our one year anniversary at XL. Today their 3 year-old still had hers on at the kindergarten end of the year program they were attending. A friend asked if that was the church on Martha Berry that she had been hearing about. Craig and Mandi got to talk with her about XL and they plan on coming. Who knew a three year old’s tattoo could make a difference?
People Who Rock: Brian & Randy May 14, 2007
I have to give a shout out to Brian & Randy who ran sound last night at XL. It was their first time and they rocked it. Cues were great, transitions were smooth and you could hear everything (that is not usually a problem out at the XL )! Other guys in the booth were awesome, too. Thanks, guys, for jumping in and nailing it!! You rock!
Happy One Year, XL! May 7, 2007
Today marks the one year anniversary of XL going public! Guys, thanks for celebrating with us last night. Joe and Kristy, thanks for sharing your story. You are why XL happens. Craig and Jonathan, thanks for making the timeline on the big screen. I could have done without the close-up shot of me in the football uniform, but what else should have I expected? Hector, you rocked it on the tattoos. Thanks for designing those! Becki, thanks for getting extra help to do childcare during the meeting so your and all the other volunteers could be there.My one year daily calendar had this Scripture on it today, “He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; He offers strength to the weak.” Isaiah 40:29. Keep on looking to Him and His power and might will keep us going for many more years to come!
People Who Rock: Jason & Becki Alford April 25, 2007
These are some cool people. Jason is the XL Program Director and Becki heads up the totspot out at XL. They are GREAT to work with and I think they are more on board with the ministry of XL than I am sometimes! They rock for other reasons, too. Becki will get a massage at Harry’s Market and wait while a 54 year-old, tan, Celine Dion-loving man gives me a makeover that does not look good in the name of “Girls Night”. Jason makes simple statements like “sit here” or “get in the ring” that usually end with an embarrassing picture on some big screen. Hard-working, fun, bent on making a kingdom difference, genuine, always helpful and crazy – these are the characteristics that make Jason & Becki people who rock!
Interesting blog to check out April 18, 2007
I’ve got a friend who is a police officer. He just started a blog with stories from his nights on duty – tasering guys, car chases and crazy stuff. If you like those things, you should definitely check out his blog:
