The Vents of Sammy Brent

What Is This Brutha Talk’n ‘Bout Now?

February 4, 2010 • 4:26 PM 0

First Month of Services

January was quite a month for Blueprint Church.  We began our Sunday services during some of the coldest Atlanta temperatures in years.  The Relapse Theatre where we’re meeting (actually a former church building) doesn’t have the best heating system.  In the middle of winter, that’s tough.  Yet, our volunteers stepped up tremendously and made our initial series, Unleashed a huge success.

In fact, one of our volunteers had this to say about our young journey:

Last year, a friend from college told me I should check out this church that was going to be launching in Atlanta.  I had no idea that just a couple months later I’d be growing, building meaningful friendships, and serving at Blueprint Church.

Since coming to know Christ as my Savior, I’ve brought a lot of zeal and fervor to serving God and sharing the gospel, but I began to realize my methods didn’t always reflect my Master. I’d been seeking God for biblical and practical guidance in those areas and my prayers were answered with the Upload and Unleashed series, as well as the regional groups.

Those series were inspiring, yet challenging, and opened my eyes to the concept of doing ministry where life exists. The discussions we had in our regional groups, along with the sermons, helped me understand that ministry is more than just preaching Christ; it’s building relationships with people coupled with a genuine love and concern for them that extends to eternity.

But not only have I been acquiring knowledge at Blueprint; I’ve also gained a sense of community, which is an integral aspect of the Christian walk. We enjoy freedom in Christ together and we also pray for, encourage, and challenge one another in the Lord.  Having that connection with other members and wanting to help in anyway possible led me to volunteer to serve, and although I was apprehensive about working in the Children’s Ministry, I now look forward to doing so as it brings me great joy.

Altogether, I am thrilled about how God is using Blueprint to impact my life and the lives of others in such a way that equips us to change the world.

Caresse Spencer

This is just one example of individuals and families who are plugging in and finding community through our environments.  On Sunday, we will be highlighting the importance of connecting within “circles of trust” as we prepare for Group Link, the official launch of our small groups.

Please know that your prayers and support are not only appreciated, but making a tremendous difference in the lives of so many.

Filed under: Action Speaks, Church Events

December 18, 2009 • 4:32 PM 0

Urgent Request

Hey there,

Hope you’re enjoying the last FULL WEEK before Christmas.  My wife and I would like to ask a HUGE favor from you.  As many of you know, I’m excited to be working as the Family Pastor at Blueprint Church and we’re only weeks away from our first service.  Unfortunately, extremely urgent needs don’t follow any given calendar.

Albert & Felicia Spaulding moved to Atlanta from Indianapolis back in October, and are a part of our church plant team. The Spauldings are on a journey that my wife and I know well.  They, too, are raising a son with Autism.

On Wednesday evening, 11 year old Justice fell from a 15ft porch severely breaking his ankle.  After taking him to the hospital and speaking with a specialist, the decision was made to perform surgery.  As if the traumatic experience and emotional toll wasn’t enough, the Spauldings (being new to Atlanta and WITHOUT health care insurance) were told they would need over $6,000 for the operation.

Presently, the family is at home contacting family & friends in order to raise money for Justice.  It all seems unreal, especially considering the calmness he’s maintained while enduring so much pain.  His mom (Felicia) and I were on the phone earlier and she described to me how the medical staff kept complimenting them on how pleasant he’s been throughout the entire episode (a real trooper)!

If you’d like to help the Spaulding family, please log on to our website, www.blueprintchurch.org.  If you click on the GIVE tab, it will provide you an E-give option at the bottom of the page.  Once you’ve signed in, E-give will ask for an amount and then provide a space for SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS.  At that point, note Benevolence.

Please know that we GREATLY appreciate this & I look forward to updating you very soon!!!
Thanks a lot…

Dula

Filed under: Action Speaks, Life, church plant

December 7, 2009 • 5:33 PM 0

Day 7 of SEVEN

Deuteronomy 5

Verses 24-33

“And you said, Behold, the Lord our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire. This day we have seen God speak with man, and man still live.25 Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, we shall die.26 For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived?27 Go near and hear all that the Lord our God will say and speak to us all that the Lord our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it. 28 And the Lord heard your words, when you spoke to me. And the Lord said to me, I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken.29 Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!30 Go and say to them, Return to your tents.31 But you, stand here by me, and I will tell you the whole commandment and the statutes and the rules that you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land that I am giving them to possess.32 You shall be careful therefore to do as the Lord your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.33 You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.”

Psalm 81

Verses 11-16

“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me.12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.13 Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!14 I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes.15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him, and their fate would last forever.16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Psalm 95:5-10

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice,8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,9 when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.10 For forty years I loathed that generation and said, They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.11 Therefore I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter my rest.”

Filed under: Action Speaks, Life

December 6, 2009 • 12:36 PM 0

Days 5 & 6 of Seven (WITH AN EXPLANATION)!

Yeah, I’m posting two days in one…you gotta problem with that?

I’ve been both inspired & PROVOKED by the efforts of a couple of dear friends to embrace the Sabbath and engage with family.  My wife and I have extremely busy lives SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY…that’s right, MONDAY for us actually begins on Sunday.  All the more reason for us to be intentional on the days we choose to unplug.

With that in mind, we’re modifying how we do LIFE on Saturdays and beginning to treat it as a Sabbath.  I’d be the FIRST to admit that it’s not easy, and we barely have a couple of consistent Saturdays where we’ve actually Sabbath(ed)!!!  I mean, just yesterday there was a TON of basketball & football games being televised and there were SEVERAL occasions I was  tempted to call, email, and tweet!!!

In those moments, I reminded myself of the scripture, “What does it profit a man to TWEET the whole world and lose his soul?”  Ok, maybe that’s not a passage from the Bible…the point is it’s not EASY to unplug.  We’re making the adjustments NOW, so we can offer our best to the areas where we’re most passionate.

Quick shout out to Jarrett & Jeanne Stevens for reminding me of what’s really important…be sure to check out the AMAZING work their launching in the Windy City!

Day 5 of Seven

Matthew 6

Verse 31-34

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear?32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

James 4

Verse 13-17

Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit–14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.15 Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Day 6 of Seven

Psalm 37

Verses 1-6

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”

Chapter 55

Verse 22

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Psalm 62

Verses 1-2

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.2 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

Verses 5-8

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah”

Verses11-12

“Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.”

Proverbs 16

Verses 1-3

“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

James 5

Verses 6-11

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Filed under: Action Speaks, Life, church plant

December 4, 2009 • 12:20 PM 0

Day 4 of Seven

Psalm 9

Verses 9-10

“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

Chapter 31

Verses 19-20

“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!20 In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.”

Chapter 32

Verses 7-11

“You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”

Chapter 91

Verses 1-2

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Chapter 119

Verses 114-117

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!”

Filed under: Life

December 3, 2009 • 12:35 PM 0

Day 3 of Seven

This is Day 3 of Seven and I’m getting antsy about sharing more details about this journey we’re on.  Probably not the brightest idea, although I will say it’s been an eye-opening two days and I’m looking forward to what the remaining FIVE have in store.

Last night, I shared everything with my small group and explained the areas of focus for this journey…having accountability and additional prayer is always a PLUS!!  Especially when it’s a burden/concern which they can share & own.

Ok, enough about me…

Exodus 14

Verses 13-14

“And Moses said to the people, Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Verses 24-25

“And in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic,25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, Let us flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.”

Deuteronomy 3

Verses 21-22

“And I commanded Joshua at that time, Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. So will the Lord do to all the kingdoms into which you are crossing.22 You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.”

Chapter 20

Verses 2-4

“And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people3 and shall say to them, Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them,4 for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

Judges 7

Verses 2-3

“The Lord said to Gideon, The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, My own hand has saved me.3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead. Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.”

Verses 7-15

“And the Lord said to Gideon, With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.8 So the people took provisions in their hands, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men. And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.” 9 That same night the Lord said to him, Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand.10 But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant.11 And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp. Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outposts of the armed men who were in the camp.12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance.13 When Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream to his comrade. And he said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.14 And his comrade answered, This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp. 15 As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand.”

Filed under: Life

December 2, 2009 • 12:44 PM 0

Day 2 of Seven

Exodus 3

Verses 4-6

“When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here I am.5 Then he said, Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.6 And he said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.”

Verses 11-15

“But Moses said to God, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?12 He said, But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain. 13Then Moses said to God, If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, What is his name? what shall I say to them?14 God said to Moses, I am who I am. And he said, Say this to the people of Israel, I am has sent me to you.15 God also said to Moses, Say this to the people of Israel, The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”

Verses 21-22

“And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty,22 but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”

Judges 6

Verses 13-16

“And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor. And Gideon said to him, Please, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.14 And the Lord turned to him and said, Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?15 And he said to him, Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.16 And the Lord said to him, But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

Filed under: Life

December 1, 2009 • 12:13 PM 2

Day 1 of Seven!!!

Ok, so this is Day 1 of a SEVEN (7) day journey I’m on w/ a few close friends.  I don’t have permission from them to fully explain it…even if I did, I’m not quite sure I’d want to this early.  I feel like the context will make more sense in time…not so much in the moment.

Just know this is Day 1 of SEVEN and we’ve got some exciting days ahead!!!

Deuteronomy 1

Verses 29-33

“Then I said to you, Do not be in dread or afraid of them.30 The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes,31 and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.32 Yet in spite of this word you did not believe the Lord your God,33 who went before you in the way to seek you out a place to pitch your tents, in fire by night and in the cloud by day, to show you by what way you should go. ESV

Joshua 1

Verse 3 “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.” ESV

Verses 5-9 “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ESV

Filed under: Life

October 30, 2009 • 4:53 PM 0

Halloween…that’s the DEVIL’S holiday!!!

the devil

If I had a dollar for the number of times I’ve heard this statement, I’d probably be “ballin-out-of-control!”  Sadly, it’s been many of my peers in ministry who have designated this day as being “the DEVIL’S day!  Doesn’t everyday belong to the Lord?  And, isn’t it He who’s given us the choice/opportunity to do during the day what we believe pleases Him?  Or maybe David (arguably one of the greatest & influential kings of Israel) misspoke when he said, “This is the day the Lord has made.” (Psalm 118:19)

So, how did the devil get his own holiday?  Perhaps a better and more serious question is “why would we give him this one?”  Think about it, the activities surrounding Halloween scream AWESOME!!!

Bobbing for apples.  Handing out candy.  Parents having a BLAST with their children.  That sounds like an “OFF DA HOOK” party to me!

bp block party
At Blueprint Church, we’re using Halloween this year to have our own BLOCK PARTY!  We refuse to allow this one day of the year, when parents & kids alike are out enjoying the evening, be the time we go hide and find something more Christian to do?  For us, the Christian thing to do is to join up with our Regional Groups (in multiple settings) to have fun while building new relationships and connecting with some of the local “trick or treaters!”     This is just one of the ways we’re allowing our words & actions to be congruent:  The gospel changes people and people change the world!

If you’d like more information, feel free to visit our website, or if you’d like additional details regarding our locations go ahead & email one of the bruhz below who lives closest to your area.

•    North Region (Marietta/Perimeter area): Sam Dula (sam@blueprintchurch.org)
•    Northeast Region (Decatur area): Dhati Lewis (dhati@blueprintchurch.org)
•    Central: John Onwuchekwa: (john@blueprintchurch.org)
•    South: Amisho Baraka (amisho@blueprintchurch.org)

Looking forward to seeing you & HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Filed under: Action Speaks, Church Events ,

October 19, 2009 • 3:43 PM 1

Grunt, grimace…naah, JUST BREATHE!!!

There’s plenty of ways to respond to bad news.  I think we’ve all been there and were forced to live w/ the regret of responding inappropriately or stand proud for responding the right way!!!

This is one of those times when responding inappropriately LOOKED SO GOOD!!!

My finally doomed G4...well at least the screen is history!!!

My finally doomed G4...well at least the screen is history!!!

The above photo is a picture of my DAMAGED vintage ibook G4 (yeah, it’s old & they were not calling them Macbooks when I got it)!

My eight year old son decided to carry my opened notebook by grabbing the top corners of the screen.  Oh, did I mention it was in the presence of my closest & dearest loved-one who will remain nameless?  Needless to say, it dropped from his little filthy hands landing on the carpet, sources say.

Now, I was informed of the incident three-plus hours afterwards and after I opened the computer to see, once again, the above pic (note to the audience: always provide an explanation immediately after a catastrophe…never let the victim learn they’re a victim on their own)!

In that moment, I wanted to lose it (key words: WANTED TO).  Instead of entertaining any of my “quite often used” options, I sat down on the couch, and started to watch a movie I had DVR’d earlier…just so happens to be one that the aforementioned “nameless” family member and I enjoy watching together!!!

For some reason, with all of the options going on in my head, a question took forefront.  And the question was this: Is it really worth it?  The attitude and silent treatment that I’d normally stink up the house with…sucking my teeth every time Myles comes in the room all because he’s ONCE AGAIN, broken one of my toys.  Is it all worth it?

After the movie started and I got to one of the early & HILARIOUS scenes, I started to reassess the damage.  I paused the movie and felt my blood pressure start to increase again.  Then, as if I was talking to someone else in the room, I told myself (albeit in my Daddy’s voice) BOY, IT’S A COMPUTER!!!  Stop worrying ‘bout this thing & get a grip, NEGRO…because CLEARLY Myles didn’t have a good one!” LOL

I believe that sometimes no response is the godly response.  The Scriptures speak on more than one occasion of not allowing our things to have us.  Jesus spent “all day” talking about how our attitudes should be during his famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 & 6).

Right responses are not at all easy ones and in my case too few to be the norm.  The goal is to have the “proper” response ongoing…even if it’s just breathing!!!

Filed under: Life , , ,

Dula-Man here…pleasure meeting u!!!

Vents from a brutha who loves Jesus, is CRAZY 'bout his wife and finds it a privilege to be raising a son with Autism!

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