X-Trials!

We just started our new series at ACF called "X-Trials" We're working through the book of James. It's going to be crazy challenging for us I think! We want to be a church with meat on its bones. A church that cares about what our God cares about. The X-Trials are the preliminary tryouts for the X-Games. It's where everyone finds out what we're made of. Maybe we talk a good game. Maybe we attend church on a regular basis, or we "know" a lot of good stuff. The book of James challenges us to come to terms with the reality of our spiritual maturity, or non-maturity. Does my life reflect Gods values? In some ways yes, but in many ways, no.

Got a new set up! Here's a fuzzy pic I took with my phone. Yep, that's a motorcycle in the background. It's actually used for ice racing. It ended up looking a little like a yard sale, but I think people will get the theme. :)


My parents fly into town tonight. We've got our first Music ministry BBQ at our place tonight also. The house is finally, mostly, sort of... done. Thanks to Amanda's parents for all the work they did! Who takes a vacation to Alaska to spend most of their time painting and assembling stuff???
Looking forward to some time with my family this week.

A Swift Kick to the Face.

I spent most of yesterday studying through the Book of James in prep for our next series. Talk about a swift kick to the face! If you haven't read this book, or it's been a while, get back into it. James communicates truth in a no-bull, eat-this, step-up, put-up or shut-up, get up and do something...sort of way.

James is like a trusted mentor that has the authority to speak honestly into our lives. Do you have relationships with anyone like this? In my life, I've had a number of men so graciously choose to invest in my life as a father, husband, pastor, and child of God.(typed in no particular order) I think of these guys almost as spiritual fathers who understand my strengths and weaknesses. Who know how to communicate and challenge me in a way that doesn't crush my spirit, but empowers and encourages me to be better than who I was yesterday.

God's word has authority in my life. I've chosen to believe that it is the inspired word of the most high God. Yep, that means we should listen up. I get a little more choosy with the men I give authority to speak into my world. But, as I read this book, I was challenged to make relationships with people who I can trust enough to speak into my life as well as to be building mentoring relationships with people who might allow me to listen and speak into theirs. It takes time and energy to develop that trust, but I see is as a way for us to invest in the "team."

As Christ followers, we are surely focused on impacting those who don't yet know God. It's imperative! But we have to remember that this is a "team" effort. It takes more than you or I to reach this world. If we buy the team driven approach, we will take the time to build mentoring relationships with people both in and out of the church. It may be a bit of a shift to see that mentoring can happen with people who don't even profess faith in Christ. But, Jesus did it, and we can too.

I think it begins with realizing two things:
-I don't know everything.
"But!"
-I know more than someone.

Knowledge is only part of spiritual maturity. With it comes an ability to actually implement what we know. This is a key theme in James! He often says "What good is it brothers......" Which is James way of saying, "What are you smokin'?" Knowledge without action isn't enough. So in your mentoring relationships, impart knowledge, and demonstrate action.

So find someone to be your James and be James to someone else.

Fast Forward

Amanda and I have both felt like our lives are in Fast Forward. The weeks seem to fly by and I'm looking back thinking "What just happened?" SO, I'm trying to take time to slow down and reflect on the things around me...I go nuts if I don't. I also often miss God's hand in our lives when I'm just holding on for dear life.

Had a great week. Baby Avery is doing wonderful. She just lost her bellybutton! I know..kind of cool...kind of gross...mostly gross. So, we put it in a ziplock and saved it in the freezer as a keepsake. No, we didn't...if you are a parent and have done this, God have mercy on you. :) Cadence is a great big sister. She's getting so big and learning so much. I can't even keep up.

Service at ACF was awesome this week! We had a full team and I've been experimenting with using a mac during worship to add some simple drum loops and shaker stuff. It really adds a ton if you can get over the fact that it's a loop. Someone commented that Newsboys uses a mac on stage...and If they can, so can we. Next I'm thinking eyeliner and a spinning drum platform. (Go watch Newsboys on Youtube)

It was a full week, attendance wise, for ACF. I think we're building some momentum around here. As I've said before, it feels like churchplanting. I'm not sure I expected that, but here we are! IF you've known a church planter, they are a special breed. IT takes a ton of vision, commitment, and energy. Rod really has the personality for church planting and the drive to make things happen. It's great to partner with him in helping ACF grow and thrive as a church.

We just finished up the Bachelor series. It's been a blast. I'm pumped for the X-trials series that's coming up next. We're doing stage tear down and set up tonight. The book of James has to be one of the most challenging books that I've ever read. Get into it! It will mess you up in the best kind of way. I'll also be preaching during this series.... No, I won't give away the dates so that you can plan your vacations accordingly. I always learn a ton when I preach, so it will be good for me.

I'm off to order a stock tank. We're gonna do some baptisms around here.

"Please stay seated until the seatbelt sign is turned off. Ladies and gentlemen....we've landed."

Wow, what a week. I'd like to announce our new addition Averianna Christine Cook! She was born on Wed. and was a healthy 6lbs. 14oz. and 20" long. Amanda did amazing. I'm telling you, theres nothing like seeing the birth of one of your kids. It's amazing! One second there is three of you...and then there is four. Indescribable...

Amanda is recovering extremely well! She says she feels better than after Cadence. I think everything just went smoother. We spent a couple of hours walking up and down the halls at Mat Su. Amanda would stop, grip the handrail and work through contractions. Then inevitably someone would ask if we needed help or a wheelchair. "Nope, we're walking this baby out!" we would respond.

We're now back to the house and getting settled in for the night. Amanda's parents are coming in at 1:02...AM!!!! We're looking forward to spending the next couple of weeks with them.

The next big thing around ACF is our Skating Rink Restoration project. We'll be heading over to Appenglow Elementary to do some work to the public rink. This place is well used during the winter and shows it! We'll be out there painting, doing repairs, and replacing boards...and I'm sure food will be part of this thing, it always is. Don't miss it!

Warp Speed.

Pardon the "Trek" reference but life is really moving fast right now... So, I wanted to give a quick update. Just got done with worship practice and I'm headed home soon. coming down with a cold and the timing stinks.

-We got ALL of our stuff loaded and unloaded at our new home yesterday! Mark and Michael helped me load for most of the afternoon. Once we got to the house, the people began to multiply! I don't know how many people showed up to help us unload but we got 2 pickups and a 26' box truck unloaded in under an hour! It was total chaos, but it got done and done right. It's good to be part of the church.

-And if that wasn't exciting enough, Amanda went into regular labor at about 8:00. She was having contractions about 5 min apart. We almost went to the hospital but then things slowed down. At her checkup, they sent her home with an emergency birthing kit! The doc said she might not make it to the hospital once this baby decides to come. So, we're really praying for 2 things: 1) I will be able to see this kid get born and 2) We will make it to the hospital instead of delivering at highway marker 45 or something.

-It's truly summer around here. Awesome day today. Nights are still cold though. We had snow in the mountains the other day! Only in Alaska.

-ACF is doing very well. We see new faces every week. This series has been a blast. We're doing prep for our summer series. Had a creative meeting about set design this week. Hoping to do some fun stuff to help communicate the theme. Rod's been doing a great job of communicating the message of Ruth. It's really hit home with me. I've watched God provide in so many ways in our lives in the last 6 months the same way He watched over Ruth.

-I've been reading through James...you should try it. I think it's officially my favorite book of the bible.

-Had our first "Breakaway" youth meeting. It was a blast. We discussed the affects of technology and things like facebook on youth culture. Great conversation!

I'm off for now. It just started raining. Good night!

New Logo

I've been working on a new logo for ACF. Got a banner on the way to put out by our entrance. Here's a pic.

Post Service Musings

-Great sermon by Rod today! That's all I gotta say. This part of the book of Ruth really brings the story together. Rod did a great job of capturing this excerpt, and I don't know what he ate for breakfast but it was like the half hour comedy hour...Rod made some funny's! Great morning.

-Fun set this morning. We did an extra song in the post sermon set. It felt a little long, but I think it worked. Beck did some killer Cello stuff on All Creatures. I really enjoy the Cello mixed with Electric lead stuff. It blended really well.

-I did announcements this morning. It was ok. I think I'll leave my guitar on next time. I don't know what it is, but i feel more comfortable speaking with an instrument over my shoulder. Not sure how that's going to work when I preach this summer.

-We left church and went to Wasabi Garden for som sushi. Great friends and great food. A good end to a morning.

-Rod and I have nailed down the summer series. We're going a little different direction than originally planned. I think it's going to be awesome! Don't miss it. We'll have to start working on set design stuff soon.

-I mowed "our" lawn today. Maybe you don't like mowing the lawn, but I'm tellin ya, after a few months of not having a place...I loved mowing the lawn! Going to have the contractors in there this week texturing the ceiling..then carpet..then we move in!

A Big Day

-We're closing on our home at 4:00 today! Wow, we're excited to settle into a home. We're going to spend the next week doing stuff to the place: Scraping ceilings, painting, carpet. Then, WE MOVE IN! YAHOO!

-Just found out Amanda is dialated to a 3. This baby is on it's way. The doc says that we probibly won't make it to the due date. In fact, we should probibly be camping out in front of the hospital because this kids going to come fast when she decides to.

-I just enjoyed coffee with another worship pastor from Eagle River. It's awesome to meet other like minded guys in ministry. We had a great conversation.

-The ACF Web Page is up and running!
Check it out @ www.acfak.org

-Looking forward to another Sunday. Going to have a full team this week (Minus drums) Still praying that God would bring us a drummer...a good drummer...a humble drummer...how about 3 drummers. Yea, that's what we're praying for.

-Been reading a book. "Integrity" by Dr. Henry Cloud. It's been a great challange. He discusses what he calls the "Wake Principal." He states that everyone in a position leaves a "wake." If you look at the wake a boat leaves behind, you can tell a lot about the boat, how it's running, it's speed, and where it's going. What kind of wake are we leaving behind? How can we improve out wakes? Good thoughts.

Post Rehearsal Musings

Just had a great Worship Team rehearsal. I'm itemizing receipts, organizing my desk and headed home soon.
Our Electric guy is off this week but we had a cellist sit in! How cool! She's a freshman in high school and rocked the house on the cello. It's gonna be great! Nice job Bek.
We're making our way through the "Bachelor" Series. It's been awesome so far. We just got a new camera that makes us look like we know what we're doing. Weekly, we have been challenging people to "Redeem" something in the world. This is the theme of Ruth.
Here are the video's for week 1 and week 2.



-We're having some fun with this! :)

-New web site is up and running. It's still got some holes, but it should be finished in the next couple of weeks. Visit www.acfak.org

Set for this week:
Awesome is the Lord Most High
Let My Words Be Few
Came to My Rescue
Come Thou Fount
Sing to the King

-House is still shooting to close on the 20th! Pray that all the repairs are made in time and that the paperwork goes through.

-Had an appointment with our doc this week. Baby #2 is "measuring a little small" but we had an ultrasound and things look to be just fine!

-Going to take the jeep out this weekend. Looking forward to getting some mud on the tires.

What "REALLY" Matters?

I'm enjoying a beautiful day here in Eagle River today. The sun is out, people are milling around, it's just nice....but it still feels like I'm on vacation. Every day, it feels a little more like home, but I'm not there yet.

I was driving home the other day and I started thinking about all the places I've lived. The people I've had friendships with. The experiences and adventures I've had. And all of a sudden life seemed so fleeting. I thought about how my old friends will soon make new friends. They will be JUST fine without me (Which is a good thing!). I thought about how our home in GJ is being lived in by another family, who I'm sure won't be the last to remember the house on Oxbow Rd. as home.

I wondered, what "REALLY" matters? When I'm gone, what kind of footprint will I have made on this earth? Will the world be any different because Brian Cook lived? When you move to a new town, you feel so small. You realize just how BIG this world is and how many people don't even know you exist! But, what difference am I to the people that I live life with here in Eagle River? We have, and will make new friends. We will be closing on a home on the 20th (Hopefully) and life will eventually slow down.

When it does, we need to remember this "new guy in town" feeling. It's a little rough, but it's been a great new start. When we loaded up the truck in Colorado, we had sort of a triage system in place. We separated the stuff that mattered from the stuff that could end up in the landfill. What was worth the effort to bring, and what was junk that we had acquired over the years. I think that's what's happening in our lives right now. It's a new start. We're getting rid of some junk. We're deciding what matters, and what doesn't.