Blake Bouldin

30 Day Challenge Begins

Yesterday at WCC I issued a challenge and the challenge was this.  I challenged those in attendance to make prayer a priority for 30 days.  Here is how I suggested they do it:

#1 Start by committing.  Now that may seem simplistic, but I think we all know that without a REAL commitment to prayer, then the chances of us doing it daily are slim. I know in my life there have been times where I have literally gone for several days without a time specifically offered up to God in prayer.  This isn't something that I am proud of, nor is it something that I intended to do.  But I am convinced that the reason that times like these occur is because I have lacked a real commitment to pray.

#2 Find a specific place and time.  Everyone who exercises knows that if you don't block out a specific time that you intend on exercising then the chances of it occurring drop dramatically.  I can't tell you how many times I have packed my gym back and left the house in the morning thinking that I would find time during the day to go workout. What invariably happens though, is time gets away from me and I end up not going. However, when I schedule a particular time and place that I intend on going to exercise, most, it not all of the time, I end up exercising.  I believe this same principal works with prayer too.  Scheduling a particular place and time is crucial in maintaining a consistent prayer life.

#3 Enlist an accountability partner.  Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."  The emphasis here is on accountability.  You see, I don't think that the reason most of us struggle with prayer is because we are apathetic and lazy, no, I think the reason most of us struggle is because we aren't being held accountable.  When we know that someone is going to ask us whether or not we are living up to what we committed to do, it raises the bar.  Frankly, most of us need to have the bar raised.  Having an accountability partner insures that it will be.

#4 Pray boldy. John Ortberg says that "bold prayer means that you ask God to do things that, humanly speaking, you'd give up on." In other words, it means praying for the person who's the farthest of anyone you know from God.  It's praying for the healing of the most difficult relationship in your life.  It's praying for some need that you have that is beyond your ability.  It's saying "God, I need you to do something that is beyond my ability to do." 

I am taking this challenge very seriously.  I intend on being committed to this effort.  I hope you will too.  Hopefully, as we go, all of us who have accepted the challenge, will begin to make prayer the priority it should be.  I hope that many of you will have wonderful stories to tell of how Jesus answered your bold prayers as well. Here's to starting the week of right.  Here's to PRAYING.

Lazy days of summer

Here is a shout out to one of my favorite people.....Denise Sieges

I just got back from an absolutely AWESOME staff retreat that we had Monday and Tuesday.  I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but WCC has the very best staff we have ever had.  In fact, I blogged the day before we left about the fantastic job Marty Barrett and Mary Padgett are doing in their respective areas of ministry and check out what Mary sent me in response.  She wrote:

"I just read your blog for Monday...you are way too generous with your praise ....about Marty and I ......but I will admit it feels good to be appreciated! I don’t think we can take the credit though....it was really Denise that made it happen....really. She is a tiger......and went completely over the top and kept us all going when it felt overwhelming....can you write something soon about behind the scenes people......"

How about that for being a team player.  But, the truth is Mary is right. I do need to blog about our behind the scenes players more often. So today, in honor of my right hand (WO)man, I want to blog about Denise Sieges, WCC's Administrative Director/Church Coordinator/Jack Of All Trades/Office Mom/Life Of The Party....whatever you want to call her.  Since we hired Denise things have been dramatically different around the office.  She truly is one of the happiest people I know.  One of the pleasures I have of going into the office every day is seeing her.  She's the type of person that just radiates joy.  I have only known a few people like this in my life because they are rare. I consider the opportunity to work with Denise a HUGE privilege. 

But not only is she fun to be around, she is a hard worker.  I can't even begin to describe the stuff Denise does to insure that everything that WCC does is done with excellence and on time.  She gets more done in one day than some people could get done in an entire week. I get tired just watching her.  And here's the best part about it, she never complains or bemoans the fact that much of what she does is behind the scenes. In other words, she does the hard work and leaves the glamorous stuff for people like me. Not everyone would be willing to do everything that Denise does. But she just keeps on keepin' on.

We don't have any star players on our team at WCC.  Everyone of us continually stresses the fact that we are a TEAM.  We love each other, we serve each other, we trip out on each other.  It is an AWESOME environment to be in.  Having said that, every one of us knows who makes it all happen.... and it sure ain't me.  Denise, you really are the life of our party.  You make coming to work fun.  Your passion for people and more importantly the "Cause" of Christ has rejuvenated my weary soul.  I praise God for you!  So here's my first shout out to you.  I am sure there will be many more. 

Thanks for all you do for "The Cause"! You Go Girl!

Blake

Monday Reflections and Random Thoughts

What a packed weekend starting with Friday night and our Amazing Pet Show. Who in the world would have thought that so many people would have shown up?  I was literally amazed at the hundreds and hundreds of people who came out and even more amazed at all the dogs. Good Grief!  Here are some more of my reflections about this weekend.

• Mary Padgett and Marty Barrett are without a doubt the greatest Children's/Family Ministry Leaders in all of Charlotte. The coordination and excellence in which they put together the Amazing Pet Show was phenomenal.  I don't know if the people at WCC realize what we have in these two women....but they are the BOMBS!  Love you guys!
• Oh, and how about my boy Mark Patterson yesterday!!  Mark finished up the series on Seismic Shifts and absolutely blew it out of the water.  Angie and I sat down on the front row to offer our support and from the get go, Mark had me captivated with his humor and authentic style of communicating.  Mark, I hope you know this, but you are a fantastic communicator and leader.  God has some awesome things in store for you bro.  I am so excited to have the opportunity to serve along side you. You da MAN!
• My daughter Brianna and her boyfriend Zach just stopped by to say hi.  Both agree that WCC is in the best SEASON we have ever had.  They commented on all the excitement they feel.  I was blown away. I love my girl Bri and I am so thankful they are enjoying WCC right now.
• Speaking of excitement....just wait until you see what we have up our sleeves for July.  Holy Cow...what we are going to announce and attempt to do is going to absolutely blow your socks off.  In all my life, I have never been a part of a church or organization that has attempted something as BOLD OR CHRIST HONORING.  Just hold on to your hats is all I can say.
• A random thought just popped into my head.  Here it is. What is the deal with "Twitter"?  Have any of you heard about it or seen it?  It's this site that allows people to communicate what they are doing on line throughout the day.  For instance, some pastor's I read or know of are doing it and they will leave messages like, "Just left Starbucks to head back to the office to study."  I am sorry, but do people really want to know what other people are doing throughout the day?  The only people I really am concerned about are my family. I don't know, I just think it's crazy. Another way to waste time.
• Last thing....WCC's staff will be out of pocket until Wednesday as we head out together for a couple of days to gear up for some of the amazing stuff we are about to do.  Pray for us while we are away.  Pray for our Church.  Thank God for all He is doing!  Thank God for the amazing staff we have assembled.  I am so grateful to be along for the ride.
• One more last thing.  I am bumbed the UNC Tarheels lost to Fresno State last night in the College World Series.  Carolina fought hard but couldn't come back from losing a game early on.  Oh well, there is always next year.  All I can say now is Go DAWGS!

Mold Me And Make Me......

Yesterday, during staff, Marty Barrett did a devotional and used a potter's wheel and some clay.  The emphasis was on how God is in the business of molding us and making us into all the He wants us to be.  As we all stood and watched Marty mold a piece of clay while giving her devotion, I found myself very moved to say the least.  I begin to think of areas that I think God is molding me right now.  Let me be vulnerable and share a few.

I think God is molding me in the area of my faith.  The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God and yet I find myself faithless so many times.  I wish it weren't true but it is.  I am not sure why either because God has demonstrated Himself faithful over and over and over again in my life.  Right now in my family life and as a leader there are some decisions that need to be made that require faith.  God, mold me in this area. 

I think God is molding me in the area of patience.  Anybody that knows me knows that I struggle with patience.  I have all my life.  I want what I want and I want it now.  In some ways this kind of tenaciousness about my personality has been an asset.  In other ways, it has been a huge liability.  This is especially true when it comes to ministry.  Ministry is a strange animal and there aren't always clear cut ways to accomplish what I feel God calling us to accomplish.  Very often, in the past, this has been a huge source of frustration for me as I have wanted what I want and wanted it now.  Recently, with the help of some key staff, I am learning the virtue of being patient.  It is so hard. God, I am grateful for my staff and their encouragement in this area.  I pray that you will continue to mold me in this area.

Lastly, I feel God molding me in the area of being physically fit.  Don't get me wrong, I love to work out and am very physically active, but that doesn't mean I am physically fit.  Truth is, and I have said this from the stage, I could drop some weight.  My diet is the culprit here and I as much as I would like to rationalize it away, the scriptures make it clear that our bodies are temples where the Holy Spirit resides. The scriptures also make it clear that Jesus Christ paid a high price for our bodies and once we submit to Him as Lord and Savior, they are not ours any longer.  As such, I don't want to abuse my body or rationalize gorging myself with all the wrong foods just because I don't look "that bad".  Every time I have pulled on a pair of pants lately or looked in the mirror, I have felt guilty for not taking decisive action in this area. God, I pray that you will continue to mold me in this area of my life.  I need your help!

Growing up Southern Baptist, there was a song that became very familiar to me called "Have Thine Own Way Lord".  It's one of those songs that made an indelible impression in my mind. This may seem crazy, but I thought about it all day after Marty's devotion. I actually went to bed sort of halfway singing it under my breath. I think it means so much because I am convinced that this should be the mantra of my life. Let me close this blog with one of the stanza's.

Have thine own way Lord, Have thine own way
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay
Mold me and make me, after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still

For "The Cause"

Anybody that was at WCC this Sunday knows that I did one of the craziest things that I have ever done before from the stage.  In case you weren't there, let me tell you what I did.  I wore a Scooby Doo costume.  Now you have to understand, wearing a Scooby Doo costume is not something that I would ever do.  I mean, just ask my mom, when I was growing up from time to time we would have dress up days at school but I would NEVER dress up.  I don't know why, maybe I thought I was too cool, or maybe I didn't have enough self confidence to become vulnerable by wearing some silly outfit.  Whatever the reason was, I have always been anti wearing stupid looking costumes, and yesterday was no exception.  That's why, in most cases, just the thought of stepping up in front of a packed house with a Scooby Doo costume on wouldn't be something I looked forward to at all.

So why did I do it?  Well, let me answer that question.  I did it because of "The Cause".  Maybe you remember me blogging about this last week, but "The Cause" at WCC is reaching people and helping them become fully devoted followers of Christ.  We may get fuzzy about alot of stuff at WCC, but it is my intention to never let us get fuzzy about our cause.   In fact, I believe that in order for us to accomplish all the  audacious goals that God has placed in front of us that it is imperative that we have a clear cause, and a team of people that are committed to the cause first and each other second.  This may sound like it is over the top a bit, but I believe right now at WCC we have a team that is not only clear about the cause, but that is willing to die for the cause of reaching people and helping them become fully devoted followers of Christ.  It is this cause that drives us.  It is this cause that inspires us.  It is this cause that excites us into doing things that, on our own, we would never even consider.  It is this cause that made me want to make a fool of myself on Sunday by wearing a Scooby Doo costume.

Whenever you have a team of people that is clear about the cause, willing to die for the cause, and where doing crazy, foolish stuff feels like fun, a culture begins to emerge where people start to believe that we really do have the potential to change not only our community, but ultimately the world.  I feel like, for the first time, we have that at WCC and I am so excited.  I hope you are too! 

The picture that begins this blog was sent to each regular attendee or member of WCC this morning encouraging them to come help us by serving at the Amazing Animal Pet Show that we are putting on for the community this Friday at Weddington High School.  Normally, I wouldn't be caught dead in a monkey hat, but I had this picture taken and sent it out to hundreds of people for...you got it....."The Cause".  If you have a pet and aren't doing anything this Friday, come on out to the show. I guarantee you'll have a blast.  If you don't have a pet, but are interested in helping WCC with "Our Cause", give us a call at 704.225.0210 and we'll hook you up.

Have a great Monday! 
For "The Cause"

Blake

Here is a shout out to Mark Maddox...my nephew

Today I had the privilege of attending a graduation luncheon for my sister's son, Mark.  I say "privilege" not out of formality, but rather because I mean it.  Mark, to me, is one of those guys who just has "it".  I can't quite explain what "it" is, but he has "it".  I mean, Mark is the type of guy that when he walks in a room the spirit changes.  His charisma and never ending positive attitude have always been something that I have admired. I was honored to stand as one who congratulated Mark on his graduation.  When we all stood around and watched the video his dad had prepared it was all I could do to keep from losing it.  It honestly seems like just yesterday I was looking at a boy growing up.  Today, I found my self looking at a remarkable man!  Mark, dude, I am so proud of you!

Here's a few things I think of when I think of Mark Maddox:  aggressive, fun to be around, kind, tan, nice smile, strong, great basketball player, honest, full of integrity, committed, friend...

And one other thing.  And I mean this.  I am vertically challenged.  I know Mark worries about this, so I'm going to make this clear...It is a Bouldin characteristic.  I seem to have gotten the worst of it.  As a result, growing up, knowing that I hated being short, my dad would say to me from time to time was, "it's not how big the man is Blake, it's his heart that matters."  I remember thinking "yea right, dad!"  But he WAS right. Seriously. So let me say to you Mark, it really is what's on the inside that counts.  Right now the things that matter will pale in comparison to what God blesses you with.  Life is so much more than dribbling a ball down a court and shooting it through a rim.  Life is about family, it's about hard work, it's about loving the person God has chosen especially for you.  It's about raising kids and teaching them the lessons that your parents have taught you.  It's about loving God and honoring Him with the totality of your being. It is about making a difference.  I feel like I have been able to do all those things on some level, and here is the best part, I didn't have to be tall to do them.  You won't either.  And you got the looks!

Finally, let me say this:  Today, as I looked and you and tried not to stare, I honestly thought to myself (I really did) "There is a guy with a great big ol' heart.  There is a guy that is destined for great things!" I believe that about you Mark - with all my heart.  You are a reMARKable guy!  God Bless You homey!  Congratulations!  I'm proud of you and I love you!

Uncle Blake

Ahhh....rain at last.

Thank you, Lord.

rain, please.

OK, so it's june and the first day of summer for my kids.  The grass on the parkway to our neighborhood is fried already.  Can you believe how hot it is?

I have a hard time understanding the climate these days.  I mean, I was really looking forward to summer.  I was looking forward to my children getting a break and enjoying their time off.  Bryson had football practice tonight and all I could think about was his ability to stand the heat.

I don't know about you, but it makes me long for better days.  I cling to the verses left for us that give us hope about the future.  I love to think about the promise that Jeremiah left:  "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  (Jeremiah 29:11)

Hope....can you imagine?  Let's focus on that this week.  There is "hope" that Christ offers us, despite our circumstances, despite the conditions...Christ promises a plan that is good for us.  We just need to trust and believe in His grace.   Partner with me in believing in and claiming this promise as we press on towards the goal in Christ Jesus...

One More Shout Out to Josh and Tasha!

Hey, real quick before they take off, I just want to give a "shout out" to Josh and Tasha Via.  This is an incredible husband and wife team that has led us in worship several times over the last few months.  Those of you who attend WCC know who they are because in their humility, they have led in some of the most impactful worship experiences we have ever had.  Anyway, tomorrow, Josh and Tasha are flying to Budapest, Hungry to be a part of regional missionary conference there.  This blog serves as a thank you to Josh and Tasha and to ask everyone to pray for this couple as they go to be conduits of God in a foreign land.  Josh and Tasha, God Bless You!  We are praying and looking forward to hearing all that God does while you are there.

One more thing.  Check out their site at www.joshandtashavia.com Josh just came out with a devotional book on the gospel of John.  I am excited for him and look forward to reading it.