Matthew Robinson

We’ve had more people at The Well each Sunday than we had the week before for the past four weeks.

And it’s the summer.

And those people are individuals who are hearing an everlasting truth in and ever-changing culture.

And I can’t even begin to imagine what this Fall is going to look like!

As Dean wound down this summer’s Story series with Ephesians 2, I couldn’t help but get more and more pumped for what is to come.  Dean communicated the most clear and direct that I’ve heard him last night.  A few thoughts I’m still chewing on:

-”This city is captivated by a belief that there is something that “I” can do…”

-”I pity you that you would have the thought that you could stand in your own merritt before a Holy God.”

-”God has not saved us from something but to something…to be his agents of bringing about redemption (not from sin) but from everything else to the rest of the world.  To be his workmanship.”

-”We deserve verse three:

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature^[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

because of verse one:”

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…

I loved the version of Sing to the King that Teri and Scott lead us through during communion.

Saying goodbye to dear friend Meghan Hyatt was more tough than I has imagined.  Meg’s been a backbone of Well Kids these past few years, and her leadership this summer is invaluable.

We’ve got three weeks left at TRBC.  This summer has flown by!  Join us on Wednesday night at the new Warehouse!

Like only he can tell it…

He’s Dean Inserra, everyone.

I’ve been stretched as a leader this summer more than I could or would have possibly ever imagined.  And the biggest lesson I’ve learned: communicate.  As best as you possibly can.  And then even more so.

In five Sundays we will be having our first service at The Well’s new home.  This, I can not believe.  In about two weeks we’ll begin an exhausting run up to launch day as we prepare what we need and have to.  I’m so thankful for the many who have volunteered and approached and said “I want to be a part of this.”  It makes me trust and know that everything that has to get done, will get done.  I love our people!

I have learned more about relationships and raising children than I ever imagined because people in my life have trusted and allowed me to be a part of their families.  For this, and for my hopeful future wife and children, I’ll be forever grateful.

It’s not that people don’t have time to do certain things.  It’s that they won’t make time to do certain things.

I do not get adults of my parents generation (sorry mom and dad) who share email addresses.  To me, it just seems so…confusing.  Though it is available (I just checked) you’ll never see drandmrsrobinson@gmail.com.  It will be, and should be his@gmail.com and hers@gmail.com.

While the break has been nice, in the past few weeks I’ve realized how much I’ve missed teaching this summer.  The constant buzz and change and interaction has been much different, and I’m looking forward to the courses I’m going to be teaching this fall.

My friend Meghan is going to be spending two years in Africa in Senegal, which I keep calling “Sengala.” She’ll be living in a literal hut.  I can’t even imagine…

I’m pumped that another good friend, Teri Hill, will be joining us at The Well as our new Well Kids Director.  I’ve known Teri a long time, and I know Teri is going to do an incredible job!

The summer heat is killing me.  Sweaters, where are you???

I need a life size coffin (okay, I’d like a life size coffin) for something at The Well on August 1st.  If you have the hook up, lemme know!

I didn’t even know I left an impression until I randomly blog-stalked (and back read) a friend from her facebook profile.

Name that tune: “…Cause all I see is a tower of dreams / real love burstin’ out of every seam…”

You can not fail when you obey God.  Period.

For an evening of prayer and worship.

In an unfinished warehouse.

That’s going to be our home.

Bring a chair.  And your own picnic style dinner (or organize with friends!).

And it might be hot.  Get over it.

You won’t want to miss this.

(childcare will be provided in the Well Kids Storefront)

“The beauty of doing nothing.”

I haven’t read this Eat, Pray, Love book all the women are into, but when I saw ‘il bel far niente’ on a facebook status today I was interested.  After some investigation, the translation, and it’s probable source, appeared. (Thank you, Google.com.  I love you.)

Though the academic in me knows I should reach for the primary source to cross check references myself, I’m not going to this time.

Because I’m siting on the couch.

For the first moments in ages.

Doing.

Nothing.

And after I hit “Publish”

I’m going back to doing nothing.

And I’ll be enjoying the hell out of it.

“Generally speaking, though, Americans have an inability to relax into sheer pleasure. Ours is an entertainment-seeking nation, but not necessarily a pleasure-seeking one.” (allegedly from Eat, Pray, Love, that book all the women are into…)

“You can not free yourself from slavery” ~Dean Inserra

STILL chewing on that powerful statement from Dean’s journey through parts of Exodus tonight.

Some other take aways on an amazing day…

Pictures from Baptism:

(on facebook)

Nicole’s Story, a Well Short, that we showed during the service:

And the Three Year Anniversary Promo:

A bonus…Todd Doss belting Lay ‘Em Down, oh soooo good:

I made 8 dozen of the most amazing cookies of my entire life today.  So, so good.

If I were to restart blogging, I’d totally go with Tumblr.

I’ve tried to book tickets next week (I’m itching to go on a trip) to visit friends in LA, Chicago, or Denver.  And no one is available to play.  Hello…850.

I like video iChat-ing with friends in those places, though.

My rental while the Explorer is being fixed: a sweet white Ford Focus.  Eat your heart out, baby.

I’ve read a bit more for pleasure this summer, and I’ve really enjoyed it.

One of the best things going on right now at The Well is our Young Professionals Network.  It’s evolving so…naturally.

3 years ago Sadie came home to live with me.  You can read about her beginnings here.

I’m in the process of laying new floors at my house. And I’m feeling quite handy these days.  I’ve learned a lot about remodeling this summer.  Here’s a sneak peak:

Everyone has had an idea for something new (as well as somthing borrowed and something blue) at The Well’s new location, and most of them  have been good ideas, and most of them have been acquired.  James Parsons wanted color changing lights.  Scott Simmons wanted a rug.  Caleb Hall wanted a parking garage (I’m working on it.)  But Finance Team, oh that great Finance Team, they wanted the super snazzy all new Giving Box 3000.  It’s for all of you’s who make it late when the ushers ush and do their plate passer outer buisness. It’s narly:

I’m antsy about getting everything in order for everything in “my” life over the course of the next six weeks.  Two people close to me in as many days have told me I have “too much on my mind.”  That’s what I get for having  a fairly large head, I guess.

Steak and baked potatoes with great friends on a stormy night are simply…amazing.

Even with all the ill-hype, I still want the iPhone 4.  Need is another story.

I took two weeks off.

Not from life. But from answering emails and writing blogs that I didn’t necessarily have to respond back to.  Being a bit disconnected for a bit was…wonderful.

Observations on life:

• I can’t even fully put into words how excited I am for this Fall  at The Well.
• …and on that note…the team of interns I’ll be working with is amazing.  August 22nd is just the beginning…
• If you’re backing out of your garage make sure the trunk on your over-sized SUV is down.  A call to GEICO and $1,600 they had to pay later…
• If you’re driving in JAX, it makes a HECK of a difference if you’re saying “too 95″ or “295″
• I tried water skiing.  And got up on the second pull.  And I loved it.  Every muscle in my body hated me, though.
• Piece of Cake has stayed busy–it’s been fun baking away.
• My parents just got back from a cruise and I’m totally jealous.  But we’re going on a family cruise over Thanksgiving and I’m pumped.
• I’m not very good at Words with Friends.
• I’m a rock star UHaul driver.  Just saying.
• An 83 year old man shared this wisdom with Todd Doss and I yesterday: “Every day I do three things: (1) something to provide for my family (2) share my faith with one person and (3) something random and kind for a total stranger.”  He also told us a story about calling some guy at the Doctor’s office an aS%hole and about how the people who live the longest are comedians and that’s why he laughs and why he trys to make other people laugh.  He was a wise man.
• I haven’t taught a class since the end of April and it’s so weird.  Yet, I’ve managed to stay completely overwhelmed with the administrative part of my job at school, which I’m fortunate I’ve been able to work from home for.
• We sold 47 of the new Well Tallahassee shirts this past Sunday.  Get yours for only $5.00!
• Breaking news…we’re bringing back the Fall Retreat this October to Destin.  More details to come, but it’s 2 nights (October 22nd and 23rd) with no football game on the calendar and the first round of registration will be for only…$69!  A bargain!
• I have four more weeks “off.”  And they’re going to fly by!

The message here is simple.  What’s absolutely stunning is the motion, the filmography, and the concept.  Wow.