Flew into Durango, Colorado yesterday to finish up the last of this leadership tour.

The airport is about as big as the theater we rent on Sunday mornings for Elevation Church.  We were the only plane at the airport.  I don’t think I have been at an airport that small before.

Last night there was the smallest crowd we have had so far, but this area isn’t exactly booming with churches.

There is a guy that moved down here back in 2003 or so to plant a church.  He started a coffee shop to build relationships with the people in the community.  The coffee place is called Durango Joe’s.  There are now like 5 coffee shops and plans for 3 more this year.  They hold Bible studies in these coffee shops and everyone knows Joe in this community.  I guess I should go back in this paragraph and say, Joe did start a church.  He started a community of followers of Christ.  He has brought Jesus into the lives of so many people.

If you find yourself in Durango…check out Durango Joe’s.  In fact, there will be one in Delta, Colorado and there is one in Farmington, New Mexico. 

• Another great crowd of people this Sunday.  Maybe we have finally hit that word of mouth tipping point.
• Our worship leader Brendan Perko was focused.  I have never seen him like that.  Great job Perko.
• Joel’s parents were visiting from Illinois.  Go Cubs!
• I love talking about prayer.  I know I need more of it in my life…I don’t know anyone that can say they pray enough.
• Brandon’s videos are still the best out there…this one was even better than the last two weeks.  Check out the podcast to get the videos.  www.elevationpodcast.com
• Lots of people sick this weekend…
• I’m stressing out for some reason.  Got too much going on.  Getting canker sores like crazy.
• Knight Rider was terrible.  Sorry Andy…I’m sure you were crying last night.
• I love seeing people find Jesus for the first time.  Nothing better.
• Keep saying this, but it is the truth…we have a great group of leaders at Elevation.  It took us awhile to get where we are right now, but everyone loves each other and is committed to seeing Jesus in everything we do.
• Have you met Matt & Heather yet at Elevation?  Or Russell & Heather?  These two couples are just amazing.  I think both Heathers were sick yesterday…
• Joining the Journey (the second class) starts Monday night at my house.  Email me if you need directions to my place.  6:30-7:30pm.
• The building we have had our eye on for over a year is up for sale.  4.5 million.  If you wouldn’t mind dropping to your knees right now to pray for God to provide that would be rad.  I’m sure I will get an email from some prince in some African village that has a father who just died and they need to move his money from a swiss account to the U.S.  Who hasn’t gotten one of those emails?
• Last week of the leadership training!  I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed.

We are a little late this month on getting the e-newsletter together.  I mean we are even working on March’s e-newsletter and the Feb e-newsletter is just going out.

Click here to read the feb e-newsletter.

We are talking about prayer this Sunday in our 40 days of Nothing series…

I have to admit this to everyone.  Out of everything we are doing in our 40 days of Nothing, fasting and prayer are the two things that I need the most work on.  I’m doing better in the fasting department and man has that been such a touch of God…

The prayer thing these last two weeks as been amazing.  I’ve found myself waking up at night praying, falling asleep praying, sneaking off to pray…it has been great.  If this teaching series at Elevation and this season of LENT was only for my prayer and fasting life…it worked.

Flew out of SLC yesterday morning and spoke at another leadership development module yesterday in Greeley, Colorado.  Great people up there.  The town smells like crap, but what can you say.

I’m leaving the hotel now and heading into Denver for our last leadership development module this week.  I will be at Grace Community Church in Denver.  Flying home tomorrow morning.

Here is my thoughts from yesterday.

• packed theater.  My goodness if we keep this up we are going to need a bigger theater, but the next theater up seats something like 400 plus.  That was awesome and this is a good problem!
• did anyone else hear the cussing old guy in the wheelchair?  I haven’t laughed to myself like that in a long time.
• worship was off the chain.  Clapping and cheering…I had goose bumps.
• kids ministry changed two weeks ago…new check in table, new ministry methods.  Great job Brianna.
• ALL THE NEW PEOPLE.  where is everyone coming from?  I love meeting all these great people.  They are so rad!
• Joining the Journey class in the mornings is fun.  Great discussion and lots of people.  You rock Katie and Amber!
• My wife is really sick…yikes, hope I don’t get it (I made her sleep on the couch.  I’m a jerk.)
• There are TWO little girls in the nursery named TRINITY.  I officially have a girl’s name.
• Cambodia missions trip meeting and updates this last Sunday…I’m getting pumped.
• Said good-bye to Danni & Todd (moving to Tennessee) and Nate Cook (moving to Germany).  The one things I hate about living next to an Air Base.
• LOVE our prayer times at Elevation.
• Staff meeting was so awesome Sunday night.  Canceled the week before because of the Super Bowl…so it was great to reconnect.
• House Church leaders meeting went on Sunday night as well.  Jenny made dinner for everyone.  Great meal Jenny!
• Brandon did an awesome job with the 40 days of nothing video on the BIBLE.  It was sick!
• Did you pick a Bible reading plan?  Next sermon series will be on the gospel of John…might be a good place to start.
• Am shocked at how many people have picked something to fast for LENT.  This is one of the highlights of my time as a pastor here at Elevation.  Did you pick something yet?
• Travis (the ticket taker at the theater) is a stud.  I love that guy…he always makes me smile.  He told me he was going to run me down.
• remember…painfully practical.
• LOVE everyone at Elevation.

I had a first this morning.

As I was reading the newspaper and eating my coco-puffs (the best cereal ever!)…I came across an article about Britney Spears.  Now make sure you read this – I am not a scandal reader, Entertainment Tonight follower, TMZ fan, or a TABLOID reader.  I really DON’T CARE.

I’m not really sure why I read the article, I usually skip through the entertainment section of the newspaper, but for some reason I read the small article about Britney.  I’ve heard bits and pieces on CNN and other news programs about Britney’s troubles over the last year, but reading this article this morning broke my heart.  Literally…broke my heart.

I could feel the tears beginning to form. 

Why are we so interested in watching the underdog get to the top and then when they are there, we love watching the fall.  Her family seems to be the only ones running to her side to help get her on her feet.  Her ex-husband isn’t reaching out, friends are using her for her money, and the media just wants to watch.  Where is her manager, agent, or assistants?  Does Dr. Phil really care or is he doing this for the press?  I’m not sure what everyone’s motives are really…this is what it seems to me, but I could be wrong.

Bottom line for me:  there is this twenty-something young lady who has had her kids taken away. Was very successful in her career, is now on a career downward spiral.  Is in a mental hospital.  Has been out partying, drinking, drugs, etc…searching for some form of fulfillment outside of the family she had that is now being ripped apart.  And she is in pain.  She is hurting.  She has lost her way.

I’m rambling now about a subject I never thought I would write about…but my heart is broken for Britney Spears.  I see in her the same thing I see in so many of the people that walk through the doors of the Elevation community.  A searching for fulfillment.  

This seems funny for me to say, but if anyone knows Britney Spears or a contact close to her…tell them to contact me…seems like everyone is trying to help, but the only thing that can help Britney is God.  The only thing that can heal her is God.  The only fulfillment that can last is from God.

Britney…there is a pastor out here that cares.  

Today is Ash Wednesday.  The beginning of the 40 days of LENT.

We decided as a church that we wanted to encourage each other to find something to fast for 40 days as well as fasting two meals today.

Here we go…