running in all directions

Posted on May 20, 2013 by stacy

It was a crazy busy weekend fro Team Sublett. Kim took off with Charlie Thursday night for the yearly “Bedford Yard Sale.” We try to get rid of all our good/useable/unwanted clutter once a year, selling it to the good people of Bedford at minimal prices. I don’t know the grand total, but Kim netted enough to cover a meal for the fam at Big Bowl Noodle House, so that’s something!

Josie turned 16 Saturday, and we celebrated by sending her to Wisconsin. Yep. That’s not how I would have drawn it up, but she plays rugby for the high school, and they got invited to the HS national tourney in WI. It was a good trip, even though they got smoked in their matches. Josie has had a blast with the girls, and they’ve been great to her. It’s been nice to see her make some friends.

Isaac and Sadie went to the middle school dance Saturday. I’m pretty sure that it was a dance for 7th graders. Sadie got to go because she’s on the student council, so she decorated and got to serve. The pictures make it look like They coordinated their outfits. They would have you know that it’s merely circumstantial. Check out the boy in the bowtie!

I preached at midtown Sunday. Sunday night we all traipsed back out to church for our monthly corporate prayer gathering, where all the Calvary folks come together to flood the valley with prayer. We call it Flood the Valley, cause we’re creative like that! We were praying especially for the high school students, and some of them helped lead worship. I started bawling just about the time we hit the door. Seriously. I didn’t stop crying until we were on the way home. I’m not sure what was up with that…

Here are some pics for your enjoyment…

is being cute enough?

Posted on May 14, 2013 by stacy

Sometimes I’m tempted to think so, that surface-y stuff is enough to get through the day, that looking the part or knowing the right things to say or having the right gear will carry the moment. But deep down, I know that it’s about CHARACTER. There have been lots of books and blog posts written about the importance of character. Sermons have been spoken, lectures have been levied…when it comes down to it, I want to surround myself with people of character.

Character is trustworthy. Character is genuine, more concerned with my good than personal gain. Character isn’t afraid to tell me that I have broccoli in my teeth, or that I need to apologize when I get out of line. Character is willing to hurt my feelings for the hope of my future, for the greater good. Character does the right thing because it’s the right thing, regardless of what it costs. Character speaks the truth in love. Character…

And at the end of the day, I want to be a man of character. It matters for me, and it matters for my family.

But it probably doesn’t hurt to be cute, either!

the best kind of meeting

Posted on April 24, 2013 by stacy

Kim called me several times today. Each time she found me in a meeting with one group or another. Tuesday is a meeting-heavy day if you’re part of Calvary’s staff, I suppose. And while I’m not really quick to self-identify, I’ve learned the value of facetime with quality people, and there are actually some meetings that I love.

Like tonight’s meeting with JT and Erin Bell.

JT and Erin are part of our volunteer staff at midtown. They work with the older elementary children on Sunday mornings, teaching as well as giving organizational leadership to our kids’ ministry. They are super-sharp leaders who love God, love kids, and love Calvary.

Kim and I met with them tonight to catch up, do a little planning and prep for midtown’s kids this summer, and to chat about a little trip that they’re taking this weekend…

to Ethiopia!

JT and Erin have been in the “holding pattern” that is adoption, specifically from Ethiopia. They’ve been waiting for years to bring home their two sons, and this is the week that it all comes together. They met the boys in February, which was AWESOME! But Sunday they’ll board a plane for their last trip as parents without kids. You can follow their blog here.

We intended to meet for about an hour. Either Kim or they must be long-winded, because we spent almost 3 hours with them! And I could have stayed longer. It is absolutely fun talking with people who have been wrecked by the gospel…

I can’t wait to hear their stories, to hold their boys, and to see how God uses this family to bless others. If you think of them, would you pray for JT and Erin, and for Carson and Noah.

Actually, now that I see it in writing, I’m thinking that this–parents meeting children–this is the best kind of meeting I can imagine.

When Experiencing God isn’t comfy

Posted on April 17, 2013 by stacy

Our church has been working through Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God. Pastor Dan’s been preaching up a storm and our lifegroups have been using the workbook to dig deeper, to dive in, to apply it to our lives.

That sounds great on the surface, and usually works for me until Wednesday.

Wednesday is the 3rd day of each unit (as I do them) and that’s generally the day that Blackaby takes off the gloves and applies truth to my head with all the finesse of a 2×4. That’s the day that he drops things on me like this:

If you have an obedience problem, you have a love problem.

If you have difficulty hearing God speak then you are in danger at the root of your relationship with God.

And this week’s gem: What you do after God speaks tells more about what you believe about God than what you believe about yourself.

We got into some good discussion tonight around the fact that I see tons of good/God stuff happening at Calvary, yet there aren’t many people making initial decisions to follow Jesus. There could be a lot of reasons behind that:
*maybe most of the people in town are already believers, followers of Jesus who are looking to be discipled.
*perhaps we’re sharing the gospel with people and they aren’t responding in faith.
*it could be that we aren’t (read that I’m not) doing a good job of telling the best news in the world to people in my town who definitely need to know.

What I do after God speaks tells what I believe about God. If God has placed me in this town to be a leader, a spiritual influence, a bringer of good news, then why am I not more actively telling folks I meet about the God who loves them.

I can hear my friends back in GA…that ain’t right, y’all.

Something’s gotta change. I’m pretty sure it’s me.

what i didn’t get to say at the dinner table

Posted on April 2, 2013 by stacy

When we do Highlight/Lowlight, it can be a little hectic. There are usually 9 of us around the table. The odds of something being spilled/launched/dropped/choked upon are fairly good. The chance of someone’s highlight or lowlight prompting a trip down a rabbit trail is fairly high.

Kim called an audible on the play tonight, asking the children to bless me by sharing something that they love or appreciate about me. We’ve done this from time to time around birthdays, but tonight got to me. Some of the things shared were simple or straightforward; others hit me in my heart. They touched on some of the things that God has been refining and transforming, affirming and building. That’s the kind of love that can fill my tank for a good while!

I made an attempt to thank the fam for their kind words, but I didn’t get to say what I wanted. So since this is my blog, here’s what I was thinking:

Charlie, I love your open-mouth kisses, your insatiable desire to be outside, your love for water, and the way you’re starting to mimic us when we’re teaching you new words.

Isaac, I love your laughter, the way you go after the top of Charlie’s head with your kisses, and your insane devotion to Duke basketball.

Lilly, I love your thoughtfulness, the way you seem to know exactly when Dad needs a hug, and your ability to shine (serve) even when you don’t have the spotlight.

Josie, I love your unbeatable spirit, the joy that you have in living, and your ability to see the good in everyone.

Annabelle, I love your willingness to do more than your share to keep our home clean, your desire to grow spiritually, and your courage to punch perfectionism in the face!

Sadie, I love your creativity in the kitchen, your willingness to take risks and try something new, and (secretly!) the fact that you still slip into “little kid voice” from time to time.

Levi, I love your courage to face your mistakes, the way you can make little kids feel like they’re the most special people on the planet, and your willingness to show me grace as I stumble along trying to figure out this dad-thing.

Kim…words really fall short here. You are my best friend, my encourager, the love of my life…I love the way you’ve helped me understand me, shown me what it means to make a family, prayed for and with me, allowed and encouraged me to lead…

I am a man most blessed.

the best birthday ever

Posted on March 27, 2013 by stacy

You’ve got one, too–a best birthday ever. I’ve had a lot of birthdays (45, to be exact) and some of them have been absosmurfly wonderful. But hands down the best ever was my 21st. Kim and Missy Parish threw a little surprise party for me. My buddy Phil Human (yes, that’s his last name) was supposed to get me to the party. The party was at a house we’d never been to, and I saw all the cars parked in the driveway on my birthday. Phil said, “Dude, they want to surprise you, so be surprised.”

That night was a turning point in my life, and it was indeed a surprise.

Kim and I had only known each other for a few months. She transferred into Toccoa Falls College in late January. My friends Rob & Ric Jacobs were Kim’s cousins’ cousins (wait, what?) so they knew her fairly well. To quote them: “Our cousin is coming to school. You’ll love her.” Kim’s brother Randy met me the day they dropped Kim off. When he got back in the van to head home he told his mom, “I just met the guy Kim’s going to go for.”

Turns out they were right. That night I held hands for the very first time with the woman who would go on to become the love of my life, my best friend, my partner in ministry. We have dreamed and dared together, laughed until we* peed our pants, wept until there were no more tears, and had our capacity for love and family blown out of the water!

That, my friends, is a great birthday! Everybody should have a birthday like that…

Check out these pics: from the birthday party, shorts and boots after a baseball game, at the Sadie Hawkins hayride, and our 1 year dating anniversary. I think we’ve aged prett well together!

*and by we, I mean Kim.

find your balance…drumline

Posted on March 26, 2013 by stacy

My brother was a booty-kickin’ drummer in high school–I’m pretty sure he can still throw it down if he needs to! So I’ve always had a thing for drumlines. While I’m rhythmically challenged, I certainly enjoy those who can get their hands and feet all moving in different directions with skill. Like these guys:

Do you ever feel the tension of being obligated to do things you’re not very good at, which in turn takes time, energy, and attention away from the things that you feel like you do with skill?

I believe that there has to be a balance. It probably won’t be 50-50, but there ought to be some trade-off: things that you absolutely crush/things that you love/things that feed your soul vs things that are difficult/draining/demanding.

If you don’t ever get to the things that feed you, you’re probably headed to burnout. If you never get to the things that are difficult, you’re probably not growing.

If you don’t know what that balance is you should ask your friends. They’ll help you sort things out.

sowing seeds of destiny

Posted on March 25, 2013 by stacy

I could tell by the look in his eyes as we took him from his “father’s” arms that he was a little scared. He didn’t know us. He was in a strange environment, surrounded by unfamiliar faces and sounds, and his “parents” were walking away. One day away from his first birthday, and his future is still up in the air.

Father and parents are in quotes above because although they have serving as his parents for the past year, they aren’t his birth parents, have had no official status as guardians, and aren’t sure what the future holds for this cobbled-together family.

Kim and I were at the county courthouse today to help with this beautiful toddler while our friends wade through the legal workings of the system. They would love to adopt him, to place their names on the line where their hearts have lived for almost a year now.

They are godly and wise, goofy and weird–the kind of parents that we want to be! Their family is a beautiful mix of colors and cultures. They are living out the biblical ideal of caring for the orphan, the marginalized. They truly want only what is best for this little boy, no matter what that means for themselves.

I held this happy, drooling boy for more than an hour. We sang and played peek-a-boo and walked the halls together. Kim read to him; I played trucks with him. As the time passed I could literally feel the tension leaving his body as he began to be more comfortable in my arms.

I prayed over him, silently, and the marble hallway became something of a makeshift sanctuary. As he warmed to me, he leaned in, tucking his head into my shoulder. I whispered ever so gently into his ear–into his heart–

You are loved.
You are precious.
You are wanted, and you are loved.

He may never remember this day or the guy with the goofy chin fuzz that he grabbed. But it’s my prayer that those words land like seeds in the soil of his heart, bearing fruit for the ages and becoming part of his story.

thank you Ann Voskamp

Posted on March 22, 2013 by stacy

Have you ever read something and wanted to share it with everyone you know?

I have.

So click here and read this article.

As the father, especially with a son soon headed off to face life outside the house, this hit home. I want to do everything that I can to prepare my children for life.

I’d heard of Ann Voskamp before. But having read this, I think I want to spend some time letting her words–and the Jesus who inspires them–shape my soul. If you haven’t discovered her yet, allow me to introduce you. Go ahead and click over. Spend some time reading, being refreshed, challenged, reminded, renewed…

how’s your service?

Posted on March 20, 2013 by stacy

What’s your favorite church holiday? Most of us land on Easter or Christmas, and that makes sense, you know, since Jesus is a pretty big deal to us. But are those actual holidays? When you have a holiday from school, that means that school is cancelled, right? But a church holiday generally involves not less church, but the exact opposite. Hmm…I’m not proposing a change for Easter or Christmas, but I do have an alternate for your new favorite church holiday, and it does indeed involve you not going to a church building on the holy day.

We value serving in our city to the point that we cancel our weekend worship gatherings and send folks out in teams to bless the people who live around us. The local paper ran a great article about CityServe this week. If you want more info, click here.

We’re going to be promoting CityServe this weekend at midtown and inviting people to sign up as individuals or groups. As a leader of a lifegroup, I can tell you that one of the best decisions our group ever made–one that actually shaped our group and helped us bond–was to dive into a pretty big CityServe project a few years ago.

At Calvary, we think everyone ought to be involved in a lifegroup, and everyone ought to be serving. When we serve, we partner with God where he is already at work, and that leads to all sorts of good/God things!

We’d love to have you join us! CityServe, April 13 & 14…

oh, and a big shout out to Greg Ford for his video magnificence, and Jeremiah Kingshipp & Curt Himmelburger for their awesomeness.

Stac's Place

life, faith, hope and home in Happy Valley

Category Archives: transformation