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Our Easter series is off to an Epic start!  I don't know that I've ever been more excited to develop a series of messages than I am about the messages in Epic.  We kicked off the series this past Sunday with an intro called The Story We Find Ourselves In.  I'm really hoping that many of our guests on Sunday will connect for the rest of the journey.

Click here to either listen to or download the kickoff to the series.

You can also subscribe to the podcast here.

It's tough seeing Mayor Kilpatrick's mug shot every time I pick up a paper or turn on the news.  Detroit already suffers from a rough reputation across the country.  It's time for our city to begin making positive news.  For this to happen, it's imperative that all followers of Jesus spend more time praying for our city then whining, speculating, complaining, or gawking.

This week at Church of the King is Week of War.  Tonight at our midweek prayer service we'll be praying over Metro Detroit.  We'll be specifically praying for the urban blueprint in Isaiah 65.18-25 to become reality in our city.  It's an awesome collection of characteristics that will define the New Jerusalem.

Since Jesus told us to pray for heaven to come to earth, we'll be asking Him to make the New Detroit look like the New Jerusalem.  This vision is a blue-print for change.

Our mission is simple: Connecting our City to Christ.  And if that happens there just isn't any aspect of culture that shouldn't change.

Click here if you'd like to access the prayer guide including notes and prayer points.

Wow!  Trying to catch my breath today from an AMAZING weekend.  Here are some highlights:

Happy week after Easter!  Let's make it a memorable one:)

I'm really proud of JT.  She has taken the upcoming Epic series and customized it for the kids in our church.  She's written our own curriculum so that parents and kids can journey through the series together.

Yesterday she and Leah finished T-Morp 7.46, the Epic time machine.  Can't wait for the kids to meet him on Sunday:)

On Friday I read an article detailing some elements of Barack Obama's campaign strategy.  He is drawing crowds of more than 20,000 partly because no one has to buy a ticket.  All you have to do to attend his "megarally" is turn over your email address or phone number.  One of his organizers shares why:

"Events are not just an opportunity for us to put Barack in front of voters.  It's a chance for voters to be in a captive environment where we ask them to sign up and do more for Barack--to make phone calls, canvas, get out the vote.  We don't want people to just come to an event--we want them to become part of this movement."

I wish every church could claim that last sentence as their own. 

What if we launched a similar movement this week on behalf of King Jesus, not to get him elected, but to see that He is exalted. 

Easter is a serendipitous window of opportunity.  So let's rock the vote!  Do what you can.  Get on the phone.  Canvas.  Walk through your office building.  Drop in on your neighbors.  Let's get them to church this Sunday!

I really enjoyed kicking off Passion Week yesterday with our church family.  My dad preached from Philippians 2 and painted a vivid picture of the uniqueness of Jesus.

At the end of the service we handed out wrapped Easter baskets to everyone in the church who was willing to give them away to a friend this week.  The baskets were filled with various goodies, as well as an invitation to the launch of the Epic series this Sunday.  They're all over Metro Detroit today!

82% of people who don't attend church say that they would attend if a friend asked them.  82%!  With Easter just six days away, we've got a real opportunity this week to put Jesus in front of hundreds of neighbors.

This afternoon I had the privilege of spending about three hours with Dr. Gary Collins.  Previously I've got to know this Christian counseling pioneer through his big books I've been required to read for class.  But reading the books can't quite compare to conversation with the author. 

Several things struck me as we sipped our lattes.

Gary (the name he insisted I use) redefined for me what it means to be seventy-three years old.  He works out several times a week.  He published a new book last year and revised an old one.  He actively seeks out opportunities to hang with young men.  He constantly asks great questions.  And he's extremely well informed regarding current trends in ministry.  Three of his most recent reads: UnChristian, Off Road Disciplines, and The New Christians.

Dr. Collins also shared the backstory to much of the criticism he's had to face as a pioneer in his field.  He began writing several years ago, at a time when psychology was really looked down upon by the majority of Christian leaders.  It was fascinating to hear how he braved a fierce debate and blazed a trail for hundreds of Christian counselors.

Some of the nuggets of advice that will stay with me:

On Marriage:

On Life and Ministry:

On Getting Published:

Toward the end of our conversation, Gary asked me how he would be able to continue to learn from me.  Yep, you read that right:)  My response:

I might be willing to coach you, but I'm not sure that you can afford my rates.

OK, not really:)  But he did ask the question.  And when he did he reminded me that good teachers become great teachers because they never stop learning...

from anyone they can:)

Brand new pics of the world's finest nephew!

I'm at class this week studying interpersonal techniques for helping relationships (which is a fancy marketing term for pastoral counseling).  Here are a few random thoughts that have stood out:

Dr. Gary Collins is with us today and tomorrow.  He's the godfather of Christian counseling and has written about 60 books.  Pretty cool to get two days with a guy who's had so much infuence.

We're at the tail end of a redesign of the Church of the King website (the church I planted and continue to lead).  We decided to use Church Plant Media to do the project.  They were really high touch during the design process and our team is really happy with the content management system.  If you're looking for help with some web design I'd recommend them.

Pretty excited about some of the new capabilities the revamped site gives us.

Check it out here.