Racquets, Gadgets & Resources

Turning 40!

2011-12-23T08:17:00.004-05:00

On the eve of my 40th birthday I find myself reflecting over four decades of life and as I’ve been meditating on lessons learned and evaluating a host of experiences I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve been thinking about this past week. I know I’ve been tremendously blessed and am humbled by the journey that began in Neosho, MO and has taken me to Pittsburgh, PA with stops along the way in Sheldon, Archie, Cassville, Gallatin, Ash Grove, Buffalo, Fayette, Springfield and Nixa.

As I ponder how to summarize my musings it seems fitting to group my thoughts into four areas that I am most appreciative for as I enter a new decade. I give thanks to God for Faith, Family, Friends and Fruit.

FAITH

The bottom line of my life is that I owe all that I am to my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Having trusted His work at the cross when I was five years old I’ve had the joy of walking in His steps for the whole of my life. My faith in Him has directed the course of my life and His Word has been the guide I have tried to follow every day since I drew my first breath as a new creation in Him.

My relationship with Jesus has grown steadily but has not been without it’s seasons of struggle. I’m grateful for His faithfulness to me in those times when I’ve not followed as closely or listened as intently as I should have. I’m overwhelmed when I pause to think about the countless ways His grace and mercy have been shown to me with each new day. The wisdom I have gleaned from His Word has guided me into an abundant life and has saved me from so many poor decisions.

I am a living example that Jesus can call a person at a young age to live for Him and follow His path through the rough waters of Jr. and Sr. High school, college and into adulthood. This has not been done by my might or by my power, but by the Lord sending His Spirit to guide, convict, comfort and embolden me in the face of trials, temptations and a myriad of choices that He’s helped me to make with the counsel of others who have had my best interests in mind.

I’m so glad that I was taught that I had a heavenly Father who loved me and wanted to know me personally. He has proven that love every day of my life and has reassured me that I’m valued and accepted not based on what I do or don’t do. I’m convinced my relationship with Him is secure because of what Jesus did at Calvary to ensure my standing with my Father. He has never left me nor will He.

This faith journey I’m on will continue as I enter my forties. I look forward with great anticipation to the days ahead as He directs me into His will. I long to follow Him more closely in the second half of life than in the first half. By His grace, I’ll do just that!

FAMILY

You don’t get to choose what family you’re born into so when I reflect on my family words can’t describe how unbelievably blessed I am to have such loving, caring, deeply and authentically spiritual parents. They have lived and led by example. They love the Lord without reservation and have been faithful to model what it means to follow Jesus at every turn in the road. Both of them have demonstrated integrity, selfless service, generosity and humility for the whole of my life. They poured into me a balanced, Biblical worldview and to this day I do my best to see life through the lens of Scripture. They embody what it means to live a Spirit-filled life and I’ll forever be grateful for the sacrifices they made to ensure I would have a solid foundation to begin life on my own. I rely daily on their prayers and their continual encouragement. Their listening ears and constructive feedback have proven time and again that they are worth of honor and respect. I love them dearly and outside of what Jesus did in giving His life for me, I count it my greatest gift to have been placed in their care by my heavenly Father.

Speaking of gifts, I’ve also been the recipient of the richest of blessings in my wife, Amie. To say I married “up” is the understatement of a lifetime! She is gentle, humble, patient and such a constant reflection of what a follower of Christ should look like to me. When I look in the mirror it’s not hard to picture what a mess I’d be without her. Loving her is easy – I cherish each day we have together and I look forward to coming home to be with her. She’s beautiful inside and out. She has loved me well and is my best friend. I know I’m not easy to live with so the fact that she’s stuck with me for 20 years of dating, engagement and marriage is a testament to the sustaining power of Christ in her life!

I can’t help but also mention how thankful I am that Amie came from a family that has welcomed me as one of their own. Her parents have also shown me what it means to love God and have been faithful to one another for nearly 50 years. I couldn’t ask for more kind, supportive and generous in-laws than Bill and Connie have been to me for 20 years. Their example will serve as a model of what I hope I will be someday to the spouses of my children.

That brings me to Joshua and Jenna. There are no words that can fully express how deeply these two younglings have shown me the areas of my character that need to be developed. Having children has been a tremendous joy and I consider it a privilege to raise two kids who love the Lord and are serving Him. Being a parent is a humbling process that brings new challenges with each new chapter we face together as a family. I enjoy seeing how each one of them is uniquely shaped to follow Jesus and look forward to helping them mine the gifts and talents they are wired with in an attempt to equip them to face the transition from childhood to adulthood. I love them with all my heart and commit to demonstrating that love faithfully and unconditionally as they continue to mature.

FRIENDS

The Scriptures teach that “bad company corrupts good character” and that those “who walk with the wise grow wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” One of my core convictions is that I’ll never be all God wants me to be or do all God wants me to do without the right people around me. So I memorized these verses at a young age and I firmly believe that I have benefited from having close friends of good character during each leg of the journey. I can’t help but name a few who have made all the difference along the way …

Birth to age 10: Danny, Todd Bridgman, Aaron Tate

Ages 11 – 20: John-Mark Gardner, Shawn Chastain, Cliff Hathcock, Dan Justin, Chris Will, Jim Kreyling and Steven Cissell

Ages 21-30: Scotty Gibbons, David Messner, Jason Jones, Joel Wilkie, Donnie Marsh, Mark Anstis and several of the staff at JRAG & RCC

Ages 31-40: Butch Wise, David McCutcheon, Sam Masteller, Todd Pugh, the leadership team from Married Life, many of the RCC small group leaders, the guys in the men’s groups at RCC as well as the Leadership Network I’ve been a part of in our district.

In addition to these key friends I’ve benefited from mentors (who ARE my friends!) like Monty Hipp, Paul Kirk, Bill Ellis, Greg Hollis and Dan McNaughton.

Without the value of these friends over the decades I can’t imagine how empty my life would be and so today I pause to give thanks to God for the men and women who have helped to shape who I was, who I am and who I will become.

FRUIT

As I look back over the decades of my life I feel compelled to celebrate the fruitfulness of life transformation that I’ve been privileged to be a part of along the way. It’s encouraging to know that there will be some people in heaven because I’ve given my life to helping them discover that God loves them. I’m thankful that marriages have gotten off to a good start or that relationships have been strengthened as a result of the efforts I’ve made to invest in couples. I’m grateful for the leaders who have been developed and the ways in which others have embraced the joy of life together in Biblical community because of any attempts I’ve made to create safe environments for them to grow spiritually. I know there are some men and women who are more confident in following Jesus because I’ve passed on to them what was first given to me. There are those who have been comforted, healed and equipped to fulfill the call of God on their lives and I’ve had a small part in that process. For these things and a host of others I give praise to the Lord! Apart from Him, I’d fall flat on my face. But because of His power that is made perfect in my weakness and because of the great team of Christ followers I’ve taken the journey with along the way, I turn 40 with the assurance of two things: we reap what we sow and it’s more blessed to give than receive! To that end I will continue to sow good seed and give my next 40 years to the One who knows me best and love me the most – Jesus!

“Creating A Small Group Culture”

2011-03-21T13:30:00.001-04:00

This week I'm at Valley Forge Christian College to share with college students the vision of a community of believers who are connected in small groups. Here are some of the thoughts I'll be sharing with them from a leaders lens ...

There must be a passionate and focused leader who is able to devote time and energy to researching, educating and implementing the DNA of “life together” throughout the local body. This individual must have the ability to make changes in all departments and at all levels of the organization.

The lead pastor must support, participate in, and communicate life together with a deep level of conviction. This is not another program to be implemented but rather a way of living.

Raise the awareness of the priesthood of the believer. Many people still believe that only the “paid professionals” can minister to those who are in need. You need to teach and convince them that they are ALL ministers. You must be willing to let go of the idea (and control) that as the “paid professional” you must do it all!

Provide initial training and ongoing development & renewal for all small group leaders.

Allow weekly programs and services to be altered or discontinued to permit people to SIMPLIFY their lives and create margins for life together.

Encourage creativity and celebrate ingenuity when people want to try a group.

Give people the chance to transition from group to group without having to make a long-term commitment.

Keep the value of “life together” continually before the people.

Develop yearly themes to keep the family focused and moving forward together.

Be willing to get dirty – lives are messy and don’t fit into a nice, neat package. There must be a level of transparency that permeates all levels of the church to foster an honest environment.

Small Group Resources

2011-03-16T13:40:00.002-04:00

Below are a list of the most helpful resources I've read over the years as it relates to creating churches that are gathering in small groups.

Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson, The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2002)

Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson, Building A Church Of Small Groups (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2001)

Bill Donahue and the Willow Creek Small Groups Team, The Willow Creek Guide to Leading Life-Changing Small Groups (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1996)

Randy Frazee, Making Room For Life (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2003)

Randy Frazee, The Connecting Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2001)

Carl F. George with Warren Bird, Nine Keys to Effective Small Group Leadership (Mansfield, PA: Kingdom Publishing, 1997)

Ted Haggard, Dog Training, Fly Fishing, & Sharing Christ In The 21st Century (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2002)

Neal F. McBride, How To Lead Small Groups (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Navpress, 1990)

John Ortberg, Everybody’s Normal Till You Get To Know Them (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2003)

Andy Stanley and Bill Willits, Creating Community – 5 Keys To Building A Small Group Culture (Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Publishers, Inc., 2004)

21 Day Daniel Fast

2011-01-08T20:15:00.002-05:00

This week at RCC we're encouraging everyone to begin what is known as a "Daniel Fast". This fast is based off the model set out by Daniel 10:2,3 ...

"In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. I ate no rich food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled."

Foods to Eat

Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley

Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas

Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon

Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.

Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% Fruit Juices, 100% Vegetable Juices. You may drink protein drinks if they do not include dairy products.

Others: Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts

This list of foods is merely a first step to get you thinking about making better food choices. Remember, this fast is about growing your relationship with God. And He's not as concerned about what is in your stomach as He is about what is in your heart.

Daniel's decision not to eat the king's food was an outward symbol of an inward commitment he had made to God. Let your choices over the next three weeks reflect the hunger your have for God's presence in your life.

Since there is no definitive list of foods for the Daniel Diet, it is truly the spirit of Daniel's decision that we are imitating over the next 21 days. If there is something that is not specifically listed that you think still qualifies, then feel free to adjust this accordingly. The details of the fast are between you and God - use this time to focus on Him.

Foods to Avoid
• Meat
• White Rice
• Fried Foods
• Caffeine
• Carbonated Beverages
• Foods Containing Preservatives/ Additives
• Refined Sugar
• Sugar Substitutes
• White Flour and All Products Using It
• Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products

Do not treat them as laws, if you have taken something by accident, do not feel condemned, or you will not benefit from this fast.

Special Note: If you have health issues, please be sure to contact your health professional for advice before committing to any fast including the Daniel Fast.

Fasting Tips

How to Begin - Start with a clear goal. Be specific. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Pray daily and read the Bible.

Preparing Spiritually - Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3-4). Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2).

Deciding What to Fast - The type of fasting you choose is up to you. You could go on a full fast in which you only drink liquids, or you may desire to fast like Daniel, who abstained from sweets and meats, and the only liquid he drank was water. Remember to replace that time with prayer and Bible study.

Deciding How Long - You may fast as long as you like. Most can easily fast from one to three days, but you may feel the grace to go longer, even as much as 21 to 40 days. Use wisdom and pray for guidance. Beginners are advised to start slow.

What to Expect - When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains. Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus' example when you fast. Spend time listening to praise and worship. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God's face.

How to End - Don't overeat when the time comes to end your fast. Begin eating solid food gradually; eat small portions or snacks.

Fasting Guidelines

FOCUS - The fast is a spiritual discipline designed to better connect us with God. As a small group, we are fasting in order to deepen our relationship with God and to walk in step with His plan and purpose. A great way to do this is to redirect our food source. This is accomplished through substituting our regular food intake with Bible reading, praying and journaling. The overall goal is to experience a genuine hunger for spending time with God.

MENU - The Daniel Fast is a partial fast, which means that we will eliminate some common things from our daily diet, but will have generous options available. We will focus on eating fruits and vegetables that are pure and simple. We have included a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid. If you have any condition which would prohibit you from being a part of the Daniel Fast, there are other options. Choose something from your daily routine (i.e. specific foods or beverages, television, other technology, etc.) and fast in that manner for the next 21 days. Remember, the details are not as important as the spirit in which you participate.

Here are some areas we can join together in directing our prayers towards during the Daniel Fast:

Week #1

PRAYER FOCUS - PERSONAL ALIGNMENT

• For an openness to spiritual reality in our lives
• That we will personally hunger for a move of the Holy Spirit
• For a growing hunger for God in each of our lives and in our families
• For a renewed hunger for reading and studying God's Word
• For a renewed passion for fasting & prayer
• For a growing passion to reach the unsaved
• That we will be sensitive to open doors to present the gospel
• That we will have a renewed personal commitment to Pentecost

Week #2

PRAYER FOCUS - BROKENESS

• For a strengthening of moral and Biblical values in our nation
• That people would turn to God in times of need
• For strong marriage and family relationships
• For a powerful sweep of the Holy Spirit across our nation
• For our government - that our President and leaders will seek divine guidance daily
• That the oval office will be a place of strong, moral leadership
• For God's protection for our nation
• For God's wisdom for our leaders
• That all believers will stand for morality and righteousness

Week #3

PRAYER FOCUS - CORPORATE VISION

• That our church will have a positive impact on our community
• That a culture of prayer will develop in our church
• That effective ministries will continue to develop in our church
• That we will collectively seek God's presence and power through fasting & prayer
• That our congregation will resound with testimonies of God's help in answer to prayer
• That we will reach out to all cultures and ethnicities
• That we will help people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ
• For outreach opportunities in our community
• That the gifts of the Spirit will operate powerfully in our church

Five Conversations I Hope I Never Have With You - Part 5

2010-10-22T09:00:00.002-04:00

One final chat I have with others on a frequent basis is, “You have been asking the wrong questions.”

Typically we ask ourselves questions like these: "Will this make me happy?", "Can I afford this?", "How close to the moral/ethical line can I get without crossing it?", etc.

But those really aren't the kinds of questions that will lead us to the destinations we truly want to get to in life.

So the principle in this conversation is: learn the art of asking questions.

Here are the questions I find myself wrestling with every day that benefit me the most ...

1. Am I Being Completely Honest With Myself?

Why am I doing this, really? ... If someone in my circumstances came to me for advice, what course of action would I recommend?

2. What Story Do I Want To Tell?

God’s will for your life will always line up with His law, His principles, and His wisdom.

3. Is There A Tension That Needs My Attention?

When you’re making a decision and one of the options raises a little bit of tension, PAUSE and allow it to get as big as possible before you make the decision.

4. What Would Be Most Honoring To God?

5. In light of my past experiences, my current circumstances, and my future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing for ME to do?

This applies to my use of time, my morality & how I handle my finances.

Five Conversations I Hope I Never Have With You - Part 4

2010-10-21T09:00:00.001-04:00

Okay, it's day four of this journey through the challenging conversations we adults have from time to time. This one tends to be the most "fixable" of them all and it goes like this ... “This is the price you pay for playing around for so long.”

Here is the principle: pay now, play later.

We can all have the tendency to procrastinate. But some of us are unhealthy, one way or the other. Here are four kinds of people ...

The "Pay Now, Pay Later" types ... all you do is work. You don't know how to have fun. You view leisure as weakness. This is unhealthy!

The "Pay Now, Play Later" types ... you need to finish your work before you can have fun.

The "Play Now, Play Later" types ... these are the people who take 9 nine years to finish college. They never seem to get around to taking responsibility in life. They're just out to have a good time. This is unhealthy!

The "Play Now, Pay Later" types ... you need to have fun before you can buckle down and get to work.

We all need to find a healthy balance between work and play. As adults, we need to model a healthy work ethic for our kids and yet give ourselves permission to have some fun. Where do you find yourself in these four types of people? In what ways do you need to grow to become more balanced?

Here are some challenging words from Jesus ... “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.” Luke 9:62 (MSG)

What are you putting off today? Don't delay!

Five Conversations I Hope I Never Have With You - Part 3

2010-10-20T09:00:00.008-04:00

Another conversation I find happening in my office centers around the topic of marriage and it goes like this ... "Your marriage is headed for a train wreck.”

This happens all the time and for a myriad of reasons. My prayer is that the teenagers I spoke with last night will learn early not to settle for less than what God has for them as it relates to the issue of marriage. God has a fantastic plan in the covenant in marriage and I hope they won't short-circuit what He wants to do in them. As adults, I hope we won't either!

Here's the principle: be the person you want to marry. Or, if you're already married, be the person to whom you want to be married.

How would you summarize a marriage that will be successful? A marriage that will go the distance? I'd summarize it in this one word: Selflessness. I think our goal in marriage should be to ask this question every day ... "How can I accurately estimate and adequately supply my spouse's needs today?" (note that it's not his/her wants, it's needs). If I do that, life will be good! On the days I don't ... watch out, it's going to be difficult.

Here is how a selfless marriage is described in the book of Ephesians 5:21-28 from The Message paraphrase …

“Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives.”

Five Conversations I Hope I Never Have With You - Part 2

2010-10-19T09:00:00.003-04:00

The second conversation I seem to have with lots of adults is one that I find particularly hard ... “What do you expect? What goes around comes around.”

Here is the principle: you reap what you sow.

This has implications in all arenas of life: relationally, morally, physically, financially, educationally, etc. And I've been surprised at how few adults ever learned this principle growing up. They don't have specific memories of getting this from their parents, teachers, or even in Sunday school. I hope that can change as we relearn this ancient truth ...

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)

Four truths about sowing and reaping …

We reap WHAT we sow. If you plant beans in your garden, you're not going to get corn.

We reap WHERE we sow. If you plant in the northwest corner of your back yard, the crops won't come up in the southeast portion of your yard.

We reap AFTER we sow. Sometimes we have to wait months and even years before we see a harvest come in, but rest assured, there will be a harvest!

We reap MORE than we sow. When you plant seeds, you sow just a few. But the results are considerably more than what you have put into the ground.

I hope you're making the connection here. Another way of saying this is that we reap later and greater.

For some this is discouraging. But for those who allow this principle time to work in your life it’s a tremendous blessing. This principle isn’t fair, just, balanced, even or 1-to-1. It can work for you or against you. I hope you'll leverage it to your benefit. If you sow seeds of righteousness, you'll reap a harvest of righteousness!

Five Conversations I Hope I Never Have With You - Part 1

2010-10-18T08:39:00.002-04:00

Last night I spoke at our Sr. High Nexus Student Ministry service. It had been over 13 years since I'd spoken to a group of students in that kind of an environment and I had a blast! It was so cool to see them worship and I was humbled to share with them some of the things I've learned over the past 20 years since I graduated from high school.

Since I normally minister to adults, Donnie (our student ministries pastor) asked me to share about some of the reoccurring conversations I have with adults that I hope I never have to have with the students who were there last night. I found the idea intriguing and thought I'd spend this week blogging about it for the sake of all us "grown-ups" ... I hope these thoughts will inspire some growth in us all.

Here is the first conversation I have with adults on a regular basis when they come in to talk about where they've ended up in life - in their marriage, career, with regard to their physical health or their spiritual condition ...

“You’ve been headed down the wrong path for years.”

The principle we need to understand is this: Your direction, not your intention, will determine your destination.

The scriptures are full of passages that speak to the direction of our lives. I like this one in particular ... “Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.” Proverbs 23:19 (NIV)

You win or lose by the path you choose. It is not where you are that is the issue; it is where you are headed. And there is often a disconnect between where we want to end up and the path we choose. The wisdom literature of Proverbs depicts this clearly ...

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” Proverbs 27:12 (NIV)

In other words, wise people are paying attention to where they're headed. When they see trouble coming they take action. Fools see the same thing, but they continue to head into disaster with the mindset that life is disconnected. What a fatal flaw that envelopes us far too often!

I have a favorite prayer I pray on a continual basis these days. It goes like this ... “Lord, help me to see trouble coming long before it gets here, and give me the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it.”

Choosing the right path begins with submission, not information. Submission to the One who knows where each path leads, as well as where it doesn’t lead. Submission to the One who knows what’s best for you better than you know what’s best for you.

One other thing that influences the destinations we arrive at is this: What (or WHO) gets our attention determines our direction and, ultimately, our destination. We all give our attention to something or someone or both. This has a direct correlation to where we end up in life.

So, what has your attention these days? Who is getting your attention? The answers to those questions will tell you a lot about where you'll end up in the coming weeks, months and years.

5 R's For Resisting Temptation

2010-08-06T11:04:00.002-04:00

At the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit this week I heard Pastor Adam Hamilton do a talk on "When Leaders Fall." In it he shared the following principles that focus on how to resist temptation. I pray they're a blessing ...

Remember who you are. You are a child of Jesus Christ. Is the sin you're considering consistent with who you are?

Realize the consequences of your action. Pause long enough to think. How will I feel afterwards, ashamed or proud? Will I feel more human or less human? Closer to God or farther away?

Remove yourself from the situation. Avoid situations that are going to cause you to be tempted.

Rededicate yourself to God in prayer - whisper a prayer to God for strength. Don’t do it in your own strength. Stop and pray. This is one of the most basic things and yet we often neglect this.

Reveal your struggle to a trusted friend. Some of sin’s power is the secrecy. That's why the Bible says we are to confess our sins to one another that we might be healed.

Make A Decision!

2010-05-28T10:57:00.002-04:00

I have to share an email I received this week. Has God ever emailed you? I got an email from God this week. Well, to be precise, it was from Monday Morning Insight blogger Todd Rhoades but it seemed more like the Lord was writing to me than him. Anyway, it was a bit strange for me. It’s interesting that since I'm going to be talking about the work of the Holy Spirit in this Sunday's message I have had a greater awareness of His presence as I've been preparing.

For the past few weeks I’ve been wrestling with some ministry decisions at RCC. I desperately want the Lord’s will but it’s been somewhat of a struggle to discern the wise choice. On Sunday afternoon as we were driving home I shared with Amie how frustrated I am that it’s taking so long to make the decisions. If you know me very well at all, you know I’m a pretty decisive guy. So Monday morning I come into the office and this email is in my inbox …

Subject Line: Would You Just Make a Stinkin' Decision Already?

[Seth Godin writes] … It doesn't have to be a wise decision or a perfect one. Just make one.

In fact, make several. Make more decisions could be your three word mantra.

No decision is a decision as well, the decision not to decide. Not deciding is usually the wrong decision. If you are the go-to person, the one who can decide, you'll make more of a difference. It doesn't matter so much that you're right, it matters that you decided.

Of course it's risky and painful. That's why it's a rare and valuable skill.

Seriously, Pastor. Make a decision. Don't be stupid, but do make a decision. Stop your teetering. Pick a side. Be decisive.

Seriously, Church Leader. Make a call. The facts will never ALL be in. The situation will never be perfect to make the perfect decision.

And most decisions have some inherent risk involved. That's ok. Risk is a good thing.
So... you've got five minutes. Just make the decision.

And you know exactly which decision I'm talking about. The one that's been dogging you for days, even weeks or months. Should I do this, or should I do that?

Most decisions do not take weeks or months.

If you need to … start out slow. Small decision. Any decision. Just make one.

Well, I'm happy to say my decision has been made and I'm at peace with it! Hope you'll have courage to make a decision in your life too.

The Principle Of The Path - Part 2

2009-08-01T12:39:00.002-04:00

It's time again for some further reflection on Andy's book. The central passage for the entire book is found in Proverbs ...

"The prudent (wise) see danger and take refuge, but the simple (naive) keep going and suffer for it." Proverbs 27:12 (NIV)

The wise person understands that all of life is connected (there is a cause-and-effect relationship between what we choose today and what we experience tomorrow).

The wise person asks, "In light of my past experience, and my future hopes and dreams, what's the wise thing to do?" The naive live as if life is disconnected. They don't necessarily believe that to be the case but they live as if it's true.

The primary difference between the two is not what they see but how they respond to what they see. The prudent act as if then is now; as if the future is the present. The simple respond as though tomorrow will always be tomorrow. The simple suffer for refusing to act on what they see. They overlook the fact that every path has a destination.

So with that in mind, what do you do and what should you expect? Andy gives us two clear thoughts ...

What To Do: Do Something - Act on what you see!

What To Expect: Embarrassment (you may look silly or fearful) & Relief

He closes with this powerful prayer ... "Lord, help us to see trouble coming long before it gets here. And give us the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it."

The Principle Of The Path - Part 1

2009-07-24T12:26:00.001-04:00

Here are the big thoughts from recent reading ...

Recognizing the distinction between a solution and a path is the first step in understanding the Principle of the Path.

Direction - not intention - determines our destination.

The Great Disconnect - people don't connect the dots between the choices they make and the outcomes they experience. They've come to believe the popular notion that as long as thier intentions are good, as long as their hearts are in the right place, as long as they do their best and try their hardest, it doesn't really matter which path they take. They believe somehow they will end up in a good place.

This passage provides insight into our tendency to disconnect direction from destination ...

Proverbs 7:6-27 - Solomon described an encounter he witnessed from the vantage point of his upstairs window. Note the number of times the word "path" appears.

Self-examination ...

1. Are there disconnects in my life?

2. Are there discrepancies between what I desire in my heart and what I am doing with my life?

3. Is there alignment between my intentions and my direction?

iMarriage Seminar

2009-07-24T12:23:00.002-04:00

I'm excited to announce our next Married Life Seminar - "iMarriage" is coming up September 25-26, 2009 at the Mills site. This one deals with desires and expectations in marriage and it's for married couples as well as dating and engaged couples. This seminar contains content from Andy Stanley and I'm looking forward to seeing how God strengthens relationships as a result of our time together!

Thought-Provoking Message On Parenting

2009-02-18T11:51:00.002-05:00

Today I was listening to Larry Osborne's podcast from North Coast Church in Vista, CA. The title was "Passing The Torch" and it dealt with some great principles for parents to help their kids become all God has in store for them. Check it out!

Great Parenting Thoughts

2009-02-18T11:41:00.002-05:00

Recently someone gave me this and I thought it was too good not to share. I think this speaks of the responsibility we have as parents to help our kids take ownership of their own lives and the decisions they make. I wish I could give credit but the author is unknown.

From Parent To Child ...

I gave you life but cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things but cannot make you learn
I can give you directions but cannot always be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom but cannot account for it.
I can take you to church but cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes but I cannot make you lovely inside.
I can offer you advice but I cannot accept it for you.
I can teach you to share but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect but I cannot force you to honor.
I can advise you about friends but I cannot choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you the facts of life but I cannot build your reputation.
I can tell you about drinking but I cannot say no for you.
I can warn you about drugs but I cannot prevent you from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals but I cannot achieve them for you.
I can teach you kindness but I cannot force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins but I cannot make your morals.
I can love you as a child but I cannot place you in God's family.
I can pray for you but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can teach you about Jesus but I cannot make Him your Savior.
I can teach you to obey but I cannot make Jesus your Lord.I can teach you to live but I cannot give you Eternal Life.

Second Service Added @ the Mills

2009-01-10T11:16:00.002-05:00

Great news to share ... last Sunday we launched a second service at the Pittsburgh Mills site. Now our services are at 9:00 am and 11:00 am. There were 167 in the first service and 79 in the second. What a wonderful beginning to the new year!

If you haven't visited us there yet please consider yourself invited.

And while I'm at it ... the Oakmont site went to two services as well - at the same times. Things are off to a great start. I'm anticipating God's move in marvelous ways this year.

Wise Words From Max Lucado

2009-01-10T11:12:00.001-05:00

My friend Don Greb passed these on to me this week. I loved them and had to share ...

The Laws of the Lighthouse contain more than good ideas, personal preferences, and honest opinions. They are God-given, time-tested truths that define the way you should navigate your life. Observe them and enjoy secure passage. Ignore them and crash against the ragged rocks of reality.

Smart move. The wise captain shifts the direction of his craft according to the signal of the lighthouse. A wise person does the same.

Herewith, then, are the lights I look for and the signals I heed:

-- Love God more than you fear hell.
-- Once a week, let a child take you on a walk.
-- Make major decisions in a cemetery.
-- When no one is watching, live as if someone is.
-- Succeed at home first.
-- Don't spend tomorrow's money today.
-- Pray twice as much as you fret.
-- Listen twice as much as you speak.
-- Only harbor a grudge when God does.
-- Never outgrow your love of sunsets.
-- Treat people like angels; you will meet some and help make some.
-- 'Tis wiser to err on the side of generosity than on the side of scrutiny.
-- God has forgiven you; you'd be wise to do the same.
-- When you can't trace God's hand, trust his heart.
-- Toot your own horn and the notes will be flat.
-- Don't feel guilty for God's goodness.
-- The book of life is lived in chapters, so know your page number.
-- Never let the important be the victim of the trivial.
-- Live your liturgy.

To sum it all up:

Approach life like a voyage on a schooner. Enjoy the view. Explore the vessel. Make friends with the captain. Fish a little. And then get off when you get home.

New Mills Location Launched!!

2008-10-11T17:16:00.004-04:00

Just before we left for vacation we launched our new site at the Pittsburgh Mills. It was an amazing team effort to get there in just under 5 weeks. We relocated our theater church into an 8,000 sq. ft. storefront and now have a presence there 7 days a week! In our first service we set a new record of 242. I'm thrilled with this new adventure and look forward to returning to continue getting settled in.

If you're in the area please come and join us! Service time is 9:30 a.m. and you enter through Entrance #5 next to where Linens & Things used to be.

Vacation & Great Read

2008-10-11T17:12:00.003-04:00

This week we're having a wonderful time visiting Amie's family in Nixa, MO. It's been sunny and in the 70's nearly every day. We've feasted and relaxed and read and watched movies. Life is great!

I've just finished listening to William Young's "The Shack". It's a great book and I've really been blessed by it. I'd encourage anyone to read it. It's fiction but has a great message that offers a lot of hope. It's definitely worth your time.

EPIC

2008-09-08T23:20:00.006-04:00

Wow! It's finally here. Yesterday we launched the EPIC adventure that I've been praying for and waiting for these past 6 months! I'm so pumped and ready to grow personally, in our family and with my church over the next nine months. If you're not familiar with EPIC let me point you to our web site at www.riversideconnect.org or our EPIC blog which is www.rccepicblog.blogspot.com.

Our family began our devotions over the weekend and I'm already feeling more deeply connected to Amie and the kids knowing we're going to be on this journey together for the remainder of the school year.

I hope you can join us!

Divine Vision

2008-09-08T23:11:00.002-04:00

Yesterday we kicked off the new Fall Semester of small groups at RCC. It's been great to see things get underway again and I'm thrilled with the excitement and enthusiasm our church family has when we return from the Summer break.

Last night at our Small Group Leadership Training I asked us as leaders to consider what kind of a vision the Lord would give us for our small groups in the coming months. In that talk I shared some qualities of divine vision that I thought I'd include here too. They are from John Maxwell's Leadership Bible notes ...

Divine Vision …

1. It is not discovered or created, but revealed.
2. It doesn’t compete with others, but completes others.
3. It is captivating, not optional. You can’t get it out of your mind.
4. Its goal is to meet needs.
5. Its success depends on serving others.
6. It stops me before it drives me to act.
7. Its fulfillment rests on simple obedience.
8. Its purpose is to glorify God!

Great stuff! I hope you will be able to see the divine vision God has for you personally.

U.S. Open Concludes

2008-09-08T23:07:00.003-04:00

Serena and Roger ... not too much of a surprise on either front. I've been too busy and haven't had the chance to see much of either final but am looking forward to watching them on the DVR later this week. I'm glad Nadal didn't take the title and am pleased Murray had the chance to get his feet wet in a grand slam final.

Now that the majority of the tennis season is over ... I'm heading for the racquetball courts again.

Family Updates

2008-09-08T23:02:00.004-04:00

It's hard to believe but the school year is underway once again. This year Joshua is in 4th Grade and Jenna is starting 1st Grade. Both of them are being taught by Amie as a part of the PA Cyber Charter School.

Joshua is taking tennis lessons at the Monroeville Racquet Club and enjoys hitting with me which I love too.

Jenna is going to be taking cheerleading classes at the Penn Hills YMCA. I'm not sure how I feel about this but at age 6 I suppose this dad can handle it for a while.

I'm praying that they both will continue to grow in character, knowledge and wisdom as they embark on these new educational experiences.

Jenna's Journey

2008-08-21T07:05:00.002-04:00

Saturday - August 9, it was on this day that my daughter (nearly 7 years old) placed her trust in Christ!! To say I'm thrilled about this would be a bit of an understatement!!! Words can't fully express the joy of a parent as they watch God's grace being extended to their child. It is a day I will always remember. For all of you who offer up prayers of thanksgiving ... Now would be the time!

Vacation - Sandusky, OH

2008-07-26T07:32:00.002-04:00

We've just returned from 5 days in Sandusky, OH. It was a wonderful adventure for our family as we visited three locations: Soak City, Cedar Point and Castaway Bay. We had a blast at each park and they all had their own unique flavor.

On Tuesday we spent the day at Soak City. It's a water park that overlooks Lake Erie. Amazing! The kids loved it and there was something for all of us from a toddler area to the lazy river to the family slide that scared us all. We thought sure Jenna was going to get thrown out of the raft! Thankfully she didn't but don't expect to see her on that ride again anytime soon. Not fun for her! That night we returned to the Breakers Express hotel exhausted, burnt and hungry but those were all good for it meant we'd given ourselves fully to the experience.

Cedar Point is the roller coaster capital of the world as far as I'm concerned. On Wednesday we made our way there. We're not that adventuresome but we thoroughly enjoyed watching people risk life and limb by riding at speeds that topped 100 mph and defied the laws of gravity.

We did enjoy Planet Snoopy, Camp Snoopy and the Kiddy Kingdom. As far as family rides go, the Sky Ride, Giant Wheel and the Train were about as thrilling as we could stomach. Our kids loved meeting the Peanuts gang in costume and it provided hours of entertainment as we journeyed from kids ride to kids ride without having to wait too long.

I think the most unbelievable aspect to the whole day there was the cool weather. God was blessing me as it was at times even cold. PTL! At one point it did not only rain but actually hailed on us. After a return trip to the hotel to dry off, change clothes and get geared up again we were back in the saddle and off to the races. We finished up that day with a lights/fireworks display that was truly amazing.

Thursday was a slower day as we spent it at Castaway Bay - an indoor water park. It was nice to relax and read while the kids played in their respective areas. We had a lot of fun in the wave pool and Amie and I had the chance to take in all of the slides and even a tube ride together.

Some of our memorable meals were pizza, burgers, pasta, salmon, chicken fried steak, pancakes/french toast/eggs/bacon, donuts/muffins, chocolate milk and ice cream. Can anyone say, "It's time for the diet to begin?!"

It was wonderful to have all of the time to relax and detach myself from technology and the demands of ministry. I'm off again next week so I'm still very much in vacation mode. I did want to journal a bit about our experience before I forget some of the details. I hope you have a great summer vacation too!

Father's Day

2008-06-17T22:12:00.002-04:00

This was a special weekend for me and my son. I had challenged him at the beginning of the school year to memorize the books of the New Testament and if he was able to do that then I'd take him to Splash Lagoon near Erie, PA. In addition to memorizing them he had to learn to spell them which proved to be more of a challenge but he's mastered them and has learned many of the Old Testament books too.

Part of my goal for this trip was that we'd begin to have some official "Father/Son" talks with this one being the inaugural conversation. The topic I chose this time was what has become known to Amie and me as the "Pre-Puberty" talk.

As a part of our weekend I threw in comments about how his body would change as testosterone was released into his system and the impact that would have on his mind as well as his physique. It was fascinating to watch him learn new things and ask questions along the way. He's still very innocent and I didn't shatter that but I did want him to know that our relationship would begin to morph into a more intentional discipleship and mentoring role. I'm looking forward to the years ahead and the chance we'll have to grow together.

In addition to going to the water park we sat together on Presque Isle and watched the sun set over the horizon. As we neared the end of our evening we bowed our heads and prayed for one another and for his mother and sister. It was a special time that I will hold dear forever. He's one of the best gifts God has given me and I love him more than I can express.

As we left to head out for our overnight trip away my daughter cried and begged me to take her too. As hard as it was for me to leave her I know that our time away together will quickly approach and we'll have a bond that is unique to Father/Daughter relationships. I look forward to that season as well.

I wonder how you learned about things like puberty. Who told you? Did your parents talk with you about things like that? Will you talk with your kids about these important matters?

10 Years

2008-06-04T07:42:00.002-04:00

That's how long we've been at Riverside Community Church! It's hard to believe that at 26 and 23 Amie and I packed up everything we owned to move out to Oakmont, PA so I could be the Associate Pastor. And it's even more amazing that we're still here a decade later.

This past Sunday I was completely surprised when our Student Ministries Pastor (Donnie Marsh) show up at the Mills theater where we hold our services weekly to present me with a certificate for us to go to the Cincinnati ATP Masters Tournament in July. In other words, I'll be going to a professional tennis tournament for the first time in my life! This has been a dream of mine for over 20 years so I'm as excited as I can get!

In addition, an amazing video (fantastic job Chad!) was shown that encompassed my love for Star Wars and had people describing me as an excellent, sweaty, anal, organized leader who has compassion for people. Quite overwhelming to say the least! I'm still processing all that was done and said. And if that weren't enough ...

On Sunday night they surprised me with a party where 65 of my closest friends and family showed up to celebrate with us this milestone in our ministry. Several of those who know me best spoke and shared memories and stories of things we'd been through together. It was hilarious to reflect back on some of the crazy stuff that has gone on.

At one point my parents spoke which was probably the best moment of my life to this point personally. Their love and support have meant more to me than I can possibly express and I'm still trying to digest all they said and the moments we shared together. If you ask me, God broke the mold after He made my parents. They are the best!

This entire experience was led by Bill Ellis and Donnie and Laurie Lesoon. I know they worked tirelessly to make it especially memorable and it certainly will be. Chad Zollo put in countless hours on the video and the Section Leaders (Shawn, Heather, Bob, Joe, Jill & Mark) gave of themselves so generously too. I'll never be able to adequately thank all who participated but I know that my love for them has increased beyond what I thought was possible.

All of this has been incredibly humbling and I'm so blessed by the family and friends God has given me at RCC. Thanks for allowing us to be on the journey with you!

Baptism

2008-06-04T07:40:00.003-04:00

This Sunday at RCC I have the privilege of speaking on the subject of Baptism.

I was baptized in a swimming pool at Roaring River State Park in MO when I was about 7 1/2 years old by my father.

When were you baptized? Where? Why did you do it? What did it mean to you?

Two New Parks

2008-06-04T07:34:00.002-04:00

Memorial Day weekend was wonderful for our family. I had the chance to take my parents to two parks I'd never been to myself.

On Saturday we went to Keystone State Park out past Murrysville and saw an Osprey plunge into the lake to catch a fish. That was so cool. The kids had the chance to play in the "beach" for just a few minutes and thoroughly enjoyed it. I left questioning our use of the word "beach" here in PA. I think we use that term pretty loosely. Do you?

On Monday we went to Moraine State Park and saw all kinds of birds and waterfowl. That place is huge and we were all amazed at how big parks are here in PA when compared with the parks in MO where we are from. Simply put - we didn't have real parks there.

What did you do for the holiday weekend?

French Open

2008-06-04T07:29:00.002-04:00

Have you been watching it? Can you believe that Maria Sharapova and the Williams sisters are out? Wow! What a shocker?! I have been recording it all and watching as much as I can among all the other things going on in life.

The league I'm in (East Hills Summer Tennis League) has begun and we've played one doubles match. So far we're 0-1. I'd say we were a bit rusty and looking to knock some of that rust off in the weeks to come. Right now it's pouring down rain and is supposed to for the next few days. Hopefully it will end soon so we can get back out there and get going!

Allowance

2008-06-04T07:17:00.002-04:00

Wow ... so much has been happening since my last post so I'm going to write about a few different things today.

Last week we began giving our son an allowance based on reading. He has the chance to earn up to $5 each week if he reads for 30 minutes Monday through Friday. Let me explain how this works: he earns $1 each day if he reads a book of our choosing for 1/2 hour. This does not apply to Saturday or Sunday and if he misses a day he can't make it up the next. If he reads more than 30 minutes he doesn't earn anything extra - it's just a bonus for his own personal edification.

Each week he is required to perform basic household chores like taking out the trash, picking up his room, making his bed and other cleaning chores. But we have decided that those are part of being a member of our household and they are expected so he doesn't get paid for those tasks.

I came across this idea several years ago when I read John Maxwell's book, "Breakthrough Parenting." In it he described how his parents took this approach to the allowance and how it had produced three adults who LOVED to read. I thought it was brilliant at the time and have been waiting for our kids to be old enough to read and responsible enough to begin teaching them wise money management.

Each week he is paid on Friday and we are teaching him to tithe 10% and save 10%. In the two weeks we've done this he's really beginning to develop a habit and looks forward to reading. It's been wonderful to watch this switch get flipped in his life.

I'm curious, did your parents give you financial counsel as you were growing up? I'm so glad mine did and am prayerfully passing it on to the next generation.

Carry-On

2008-05-15T08:51:00.002-04:00

I just finished a book by my friend Scotty Gibbons entitled, "Carry On". It's a quick read about leadership with an emphasis on Student Ministries, Youth Pastors and Volunteer Leaders. I found it to be refreshing and exceptionally entertaining. I highly recommend it not only for youth pastors but also for lead pastors so they can fully appreciate what their staff members face. I think it would help both to work better together and assist in fostering open communication. Thanks Scotty for sharing your life, stories and insights with us all. I respect you for 15 years of student ministry experience - in the same church! Wow! What a legacy!

Good Leadership Messages

2008-05-03T11:42:00.002-04:00

Today I've been listening to two different messages about leadership that have encouraged and challenged me to continue pursuing self-leadership. This is an ongoing discipline that as a leader I must pursue.

I'd like to recommend that you listen to Greg Boyd's podcast from Woodland Hills entitled, "What Kind Of Leadership?" It's from the book of Luke and in it he exegetes the dangers of abusive leadership and then challenges us to become the kind of Christ-honoring leaders that will bring healing and hope to our world.

The second podcast I'd refer you to is from Mark Batterson's current series, "Potential" and the message is "Dimensions of Leadership." He's the Lead Pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. In this message he deals with Paul's list of leadership qualities from 1 Timothy 3. Although it's a long list he does a good job of walking through it in a manner that will inspire you. I found his candor about his own leadership refreshing. He is going to be one of the guest speakers at the Pennsylvania-Delaware Leadership Network Ministries Summit next week that I'm going to. I'm looking forward to hearing him there. His church was the inspiration for our theater church in the Cinemark Theaters at the Pittsburgh Mills.

Anyway, I think one of the great things about being a leader in this century is the ease with which we can connect to great leaders. Some of my favorites include John Maxwell, Andy Stanley and Bill Hybels. Who are some leaders you respect?

Tennis Season Underway

2008-04-27T22:29:00.001-04:00

Today marks the beginning of the 2008 tennis season for me! I had the chance to hit with my double's partner today for about an hour and I'll have to say it was wonderful. I'm looking forward to playing doubles again this summer and hoping we'll be competitive in the top level in our league.

I also had the opportunity to watch a "classic" tennis match from the 1984 French Open between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. I was pulling for Chrissy but to no avail - she got crushed. But it was enjoyable to see a bit of tennis history.

What sports do you like to watch or play?

Home From Vacation

2008-04-22T14:41:00.000-04:00

Wow ... it feels really great to be back home in PA after a long drive last night. We had a wonderful time in MO and as always - it's hard to leave. As we were driving away Joshua and Jenna were both crying and calling out for Amie's parents (Bill & Connie). It was a heartbreaking scene and in the moments following I found myself wondering why God has had us so far away from them and the rest of our family for these 10 years. I wish I had a ironclad answer but alas, all I have are guesses. At the end of the day all I can say is that I feel blessed to have such a great family.

Speaking of long drives ... I actually had to pay $3.55 per gallon at one stop - the most I've ever paid before! That was difficult to say the least. How much are you paying for gas?

As we were passing through the various states yesterday I had the chance to listen to numerous podcasts. Below are some of my takeaways ...

Catalyst - Nancy Ortberg was talking about her first book ("Looking for God: An Unexpected Journey through Tattoos, Tofu, and Pronouns") and in the interview she made mention that as far as we know Jesus never journaled. For a guy who has been raised in the church and told that journaling was the way to go that was quite a revelation. Why do we always have to add stuff to our lives to make ourselves feel more spiritual? Nothing against journaling ... but now I won't feel guilty for not spewing all my junk onto paper. I wonder, do you journal? If so, what do you journal about?

Then Nancy mentioned the fact that Mary would not have had access to a Bible and she may not have known how to read or write. If you think about that for a minute then it follows that she wouldn't have had the kind of "quiet time" that is always prescribed either. Interesting. And yet, she was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. Fascinating.

Later on in the day I was listening to Matt Chandler's message on Truth from The Village Church and he made some insighful comments that left me asking two questions: What is it that robs my affections toward Christ? and What is it that stirs my affections for Jesus? Wonderful questions. They address a deeper level than just a list of do's and don'ts.

Before I close for today I'd like to give props to my good friend Butch Wise. He is the Lead Pastor of Journey Church on the other side of Pittsburgh. Yesterday I listened to his sermon podcast and you can now listen to him online if you go to http://www.journey-church.net/ and click on Resources. From there you can subscribe to the messages through iTunes. Enjoy!

1st Post - Vacation!

2008-04-18T17:43:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone! I've been thinking about getting into this whole blogging arena for a while now and so this afternoon I've had some free time while we're on vacation so I've been working on getting it up and running. I'm not sure I'm the type of person who will blog often but we'll see. It will be a nice way to keep my random thoughts in a collected place.

I hope to be able to share with you my life and family as we journey through this life together. In addition, I'd love to pass on to you great ideas, resources and quotes from what I'm reading, hearing and reflecting on in my personal devotions.

Right now I'm sitting in Nixa, MO. It's day five of our vacation. It's been wonderful to sit back and relax and get away from the pace of the normal schedule! We've done a lot of "nothing" - just resting, eating, taking walks, reading and watching movies. In between all of this we've been to Incredible Pizza, went shopping, horseback riding, to the park, and to the go-carts. Below are just a few pics ...

So that's it for my first entry. Where are you going for vacation this year?