I think this will be a great way to share “off the cuff” ideas with everybody. Here’s where I need your help…What should I call these “off the cuff” ideas? Should I call them: Pocket Podcasts, Thought of the day, Word of the Day… I know some of these are lame. Help a brother out! Leave me some ideas in the comment section.

The Lord has been and currently IS with you.  Take some time today and thank Him!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 26th.  Pastor Michael Lukaszewski and Oak Leaf Church are hosting the NUTS AND BOLTS CONFERENCE.  I have personally learn a ton from Michael and Oak Leaf.  This is a must attend conference for all church planters.

What is it? Nuts and Bolts is a one-day conference for church planters, church leaders and their teams.  There will be two main sessions and one breakout session (you’ll choose from about six of them)

When is it? Saturday, June 26.  We chose to do this on a Saturday so bi-vocational pastors or church planters with day jobs can come and can bring people.  It starts at 9am and it will end with an early-edition of our weekend service.

How much does it cost? $10 a person.  We wanted to keep the cost extremely low because we’re not trying to make money…we’re trying to equip church planters.  And 100% of the registration fee goes to church planting.

Pastor Brian has done a tremendous job of describing what a life of freedom looks like.  One of the thoughts that rang through my head while reading was this, “finally someone has de-weirded what it means to talk about spiritual powers, demons, and The Holy Spirit.”

Brian’s writing style and verbage will obviously rub some people the wrong way but it didn’t bother me.  I find it refreshing when I meet someone who is willing to put their TRUE self out there rather than censoring themselves so as to not offend others.

Not only did I devour the book but I quickly passed it along to a friend.

Here is a snippet from the first page…

Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up,

that to be low is to be high,

that the broken heart is the healed heart,

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

that to have nothing is to possess all,

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

that to give is to receive,

that the valley is the place of vision.

Let me find thy light in my darkness,

they life in my death,

they grace in my sin,

thy riches in my poverty,

thy glory in my valley.

• All Couples Fight!  Good couples fight clean.  Bad couples fight dirty.
• When it comes to conflict the issue isn’t IF you fight but HOW you fight.
• Yes I said you know the honeymoon is over when she’s brushing her teeth and he’s taking a dump in the same bathroom.  You married couples know it’s true!
• Conflict is the biproduct of unmet expectations and unfulfilled needs and unhealthy communication.
• My amazing wife, Michelle, joined me on stage for the remainder of the message.
• She almost had to stay home because of two kids with the stereo virus…you know, when it’s coming out of both ends.
• Yes she said, she didn’t like sex…but she likes it now.
• We had a very disfunctional sexual and marital life for the first 7 years.  Yes I said “7 years!”
• I referenced a quote from a book by Dr. Eggerich’s book Love and Respect.  Crazy Cycle–Without love she reacts without respect. Without respect he reacts without love.
• We discussed the 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. My top two are 1) Words of Affirmation and 2) Physical Touch.  Michelle’s top two are 1) Quality Time 2) Acts of Service.
• Take the Love language test for yourself at 5lovelanguages.com
• We shared 5 rules of engagement during the second service.  (I didn’t have time to get to them in the first)

No hitting below the belt–Avoid the Cheap shots.

Avoid the “Always and Nevers.”

Leave the In-Laws out of it.

Leave the Past in the Past.

Keep it in the ring.  Don’t take your conflict to those who can’t help you with it.

• Our band played “No One” by Alicia Keyes.  Great job guys.  I have been loving the quality and passion our team has been putting out this series!
• When in conflict, do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with Good.
• Leave room for God to change their heart.
• Make it right before the sun goes down.
• Michelle and I are in the healthiest place that our marriage has ever been right now.  It has taken tons of work and countless awkward conversations but the benefits are WAY worth it!
• I got to share a little bit of my parents story today.  Trust me when I say that you want to be at Lifepoint Next week.  You are going to hear one amazing story of restoration.
• I fully believe that there nobody is too far gone for God to restore.
• Here are a few of the tweets from today’s service:
• @_aaronj  Many husbands are off striving for financial security while their wives are at home emotionally bankrupt.
• @cakinney  The success of your relationship doesn’t depend on if you fight but How you fight.
• @_aaronj  When your world is shattered God can pick up the pieces and create a mosaic that is more beautiful than you can imagine.
• @wes_rose  dude I checked @lifepoint’s page on youversion and I’m super stoked for the peeps to hear the message this morning!
• @joshstephens  The waters may be rough right now, but remember, God can calm* the storm.
• @jillbarbour  @mkapusta “I didn’t really like sex” best in church quote ever
• @JanellJ Love it when @mkapusta is on stage! So honest and graceful! http://twitpic.com/176rsc
• @mkapusta “I didn’t really like sex” best in church quote ever// make sure everybody knows I LIKE IT NOW!!
• @jillbarbour  Hahahaha just to be clear, @mkapusta likes sex a whole lot now. Watch sundays message on Tuesday night married people!

That just about wraps it up!  Have a great week!

I had the privilege of sharing this weekend with our church that the first of our Fresh Water Well Projects has been completed. This first Project took place in Namibia.  You can download the report from Living Water International here.

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• Our teams were cranking on all cylinders today!
• Our band not only covered Justin Timberlake’s song “My Love” but they took it to a HNL!
• Daniel has definitely showcased his vocal range over the past two weeks.
• Patrick was holding it down on the rap!
• Jeff Hughes absolutely tore up the guitar solo they added to the song!
• Our background girls were killing it!
• Mashburn on the kit was stellar!
• Way to Go Guys!!!!
• I loved to see people connect during the service today!
• I talked today about the Wedding Day and Night!
• It was definitely the most awkward message I have ever preached!
• I think we’ve struck a nerve with this message series.
• Attendance was very strong today!
• We had our highest attendance ever for our Midtown Campus!
• 2nd service at Ashley High was at capacity!  We really need about 100 people to move from the 11am service to the 9am service to open up seats for our guests!
• Apparently I said a few comical things during the services.  My team always gives me a hard time about putting my foot in my mouth!
• I got to read another one of my love poems during the service today.  It was a real treat!
• I got to share today that we have already rehabilitated one well in Namibia thanks to the generosity of Lifepoint!
• I think I preached my longest message ever today!  I’m not sure what to say about that…
• Pomegranates, Hebrew Kisses, and Baby Fawns!  Need I say more!
• Did I mention that we need 100 people to move  from 11am to the 9am service?
• I heard some incredible stories between services today of what God is doing in peoples lives.  I am humbled to think that God allows me to be a part of that!
• Next week we talk about CONFLICT.  Yup, you should be there.  Drag your spouse.
• I have this sense that God is positioning us for something pretty incredible.  It is my prayer that we continue to take whatever steps of faith He puts in front of us.
• Thank you Lifepoint for trusting Jesus and for being the kind of church where we can talk about REAL issues!
• By the way, 9 people made a decision to trust Jesus as their LORD and SAVIOR today!