The Vents of Sammy Brent

Work 2 B Done

more work 2 b done

If a picture says a thousand words, my JUNKIE garage is probably spitting tens of thousands!!!

You can’t imagine how embarrassing it is to be showing the much-needed work that has to be done in there.

The interesting thing about this headache is that it’s almost OVER.  My wife and I are moving soon and it took a “date to be out” before I would take the PURGING PROCESS seriously.  

C’mon now, it’s so easy to just put things in the garage where there’s no need for a system, a hanger, nor a real designated place.  Over time (and I’d admit that it’s been a very short time)I’ve been able to turn my garage into a crack house!  Well, maybe not that bad although it could strike a true resemblance.  

Folks, I’ve got less than a month to get this done.  That may sound like more than enough time for you.  For me, IT’S GONNA BE TOUGH turning this thing around & I may need a little HELP.  My next few weeks (or I should say my weekends) are going to be some of my busiest of the year.  I’m in ATL only three (3) weekends between now and the first of April (actually, Dhati and I hit the streets during one of those…no garage work that weekend)!

Real soon, I will be revisiting this blog with updated photos of a more clean and presentable garage…until then, ENJOY THE JUNK!!!

“And the saga continues…”or a more fitting way of saying that we’re heading back down a similar road, “AGAIN?”

I’m once again part of an exciting church-plant team that’s looking to do some  really cool stuff in the city of Atlanta.  Although I’ve been down a similar path before, I’m all the more grateful to God for the opportunity and can’t wait to see what all He has in store.

My initial church-plant-team journey began in August, 1995 when my wife (who wasn’t even my girlfriend at the time) and over 20 others accompanied a man with a vision.  We were all young and full of creativity & passion to “do some good” in the city of Marietta.  And, some good is what we did: the church was built, lives were changed, families were restored and probably closest to my heart, students were impacted.

After close to a decade of it all, my wife and I transitioned out to focus a little more intently on the task set before us.  You see, shortly before the transition our son (Myles) was diagnosed with Autism.  To say it “rocked our world” would be a gross understatement. In spite of how difficult it was to even consider leave this incredible work (where we both were playing such significant roles) we were clear and resolute of what was required.

I was certain at the time that I was leaving a once in a lifetime assignment or opportunity.  I couldn’t fathom being a part of another church plant team at the time.  There was such potential & promise our team brought to Atlanta.  Some of it was realized…some of it wasn’t.  The bottom-line is that we were a team and a formidable one at that!

Again, I never thought I’d see another opportunity come my way like that one.  Quite honestly, I never prayed for it.  I met Dhati Lewis (lead pastor of Blueprint Church) while I was on a very specific track to get back into the classroom and eventually, become a principal somewhere.  That was my 10 year goal.  Church planting wasn’t even on the radar!

After much prayer and conversations w/ EVERYBODY (wife, parents, in-laws, pastor, small group leaders, mentors, best friends) I decided to accept Dhati’s opportunity to build this thing.  By the way, I did have a couple of friends ask me, “are you sure you want to do this again?”   Yo, I’ve got some GREAT friends around me…that’s one of those questions an effective leader WANTS TO HEAR!

Fortunately, I can say with excitement that this is EXACTLY what I want to do at this stage in my life.  Sure, it’s not going to be easy and there’s a ton of work to be done (also worth noting, the economy isn’t the BEST it’s ever been…YIKES).  I don’t fully know nor understand all that the Lord’s planned for Blueprint Church…I’m just glad for some reason ” He coerced me” (yeah, right) to be a part of it!!!