Everyone complains about it. It stresses everyone out. Some thrive on it. Others want to die over it but busyness overtakes us all sometimes. By the way, one book I read several years ago about stress said that “the absence of stress is death.”

Because of some complications with others schedules today I ended up double booked. A meeting that had to be rescheduled concerned the implementation of a computer system/tracking system/thing that is going to do amazing things for West Ridge Church. But…..the other meeting is for coaching church planters. Guess which meeting I’m attending?! (Also has to do with our church.)

So when you feel like the pressure is getting to you and you are so busy that the stress is seemingly unbearable just remember, “the absence of stress is death.” That doesn’t excuse anyone from taking care of business at home with your family. That should come first. To that end I’m taking a few days away to spend with my wife in the hills of Tennessee. I’m looking forward to getting away and not having to worry about schedules and time lines, etc.

The day after I return from TN I head to Washington, D.C. and the Baltimore area for a series of meetings with a national network of church planting churches and then to Baltimore where our good friend and former WRC staff member Ellis Prince is starting Gallery Church Baltimore. I get back on Friday night and the next day bright and early is our Church Planting class for March.

Church Planters, Pastors, and whoever else decides to read here’s the best advice I ever got on busyness, stop spending time complaining about being busy, spend your time working on the issues, and you’ll get the job completed that much faster. Oh and take some time to rest each day, spend time with loved ones, and there will still be an office in your future tomorrow.

 Thank God for busyness, it means I ain’t dead yet.  

I have avoided this. I have dreaded this. I have come to the realization that if you want to talk to the world you gotta jump on board. I won’t promise that I’ll post daily. In fact you probably will never see a post on Saturday and Sunday. God just needed one day of rest, but I’m not perfect so I need two.

It is also unlikely that I will do Brain Burps because I assume you won’t be interested when I am constipated, having a bad hair day, or kicked my dog this morning. I will post mainly on church issues and specifically on church planting. The only exception being is when the DAWGS beat Tech or some other opponent. I promise I’ll comment on that. I’ll post mainly on church issues and specifically church planting.

I love church planting. I wish I could say that early in my ministry someone had exposed me to church planting but alas I spent many years in the wilderness doing counseling and working with children and teens. I work for the greatest church in Georgia. West Ridge church has sponsored over 20 churches across the country. We are 10 years old and reach 0ver 4000 each week on our campus. We work with four foreign countries. We love Jesus and love to make Him known in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

 I have a great family. My beautiful, talented wife has tolerated me for 28 years. (We met 30 years ago this month.) My oldest daughter Brooke graduated from UGA and teaches 5th grade. My youngest daughter will graduate from UGA in August and will be married two months later and wants to work in public relations.

Well, thats my introduction, Hello World! Jim is now blogging.