This is after they made me wash off in the creek! I went muddin’ for the first time last week. I LOVED driving the Tahoe through the huge mud holes, but the rail buggy was another story. It makes me think of being in the ocean but instead of saltwater waves crashing over you it is cold muddy water. Not really the most pleasant sensation. But, it was a blast! Want to see it in action? Go to XL’s website and look for the video. 
Well, last night I did something I have never done before. You’ll have to come to XL on Sunday night to see the video of it. (No pressure, Craig). All I can say is that I DEFINITELY live in Georgia. Here’s a before shot. The after will be up on Monday.
When I surrendered to full time Christian ministry (that is what we call it in Baptist life when you follow God’s call into ministry as a career) ten years ago there were a lot of things I did not know. Exactly what kind of ministry I would be doing and where I would be doing ministry were some of the basic unknowns. I also did not know, however, how weird ministry could be. Here is a list of some of the most unusual things I have done in ministry over the years:
:):) I never thought fun nicknames would be a part of church work, but boy was I wrong! ) I have know Jarrod and Tiff for close to 10 years. I volunteered in his ministries for about 4 and have worked for him on staff for the last 6. God has confirmed to me many times in the last 6 years that part of my calling to ministry is to work along side Jarrod and support his ministry (and believe me, it has been many times because I have asked God many times! ). He is a man of integrity almost to a fault. As a member of his staff I know that I am respected and cared for, not merely managed or used. Don’t even get me started on Tiffany and the girls! Tiffany has welcomed me into their family with open arms when I needed family the most and I get to love on their girls on a regular basis. It is awesome. Tonight was another moment in time when God’s confirmation of my calling to be in ministry with Jarrod was solidified. I don’t give him and his precious family nearly what they are due on this blog, but I just wanted to say tonight it is a true privelege to be in ministry with Jarrod and to be loved by his family. I love you guys!
XL is hosting its first Air Guitar Championship! It is not too late to get in on the action. Email today (gscurlock@xlwired.com) and you, too, and rock it out on stage this Sunday, February 24!
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!
My fortune cookie today:
“You will be unusually successful in an entertainment career.”
Maybe all the times I’ve been forced into XL videos will pay off after all.
“In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
It’s the new series we started last night at XL. If you missed Cliff singing Weird Al’s Eat It you missed quite a treat! The whole focus of this series is the fact that salvation and God’s love are absolutely free. It’s an amazing, hard to grasp (if you’re like me) concept. Check out the video from last night for a view of what it means to accept and believe the truly free salvation that God offers. No work required – it doesn’t even help. Only Jesus does.
