Today is Chloe's 6th birthday! I remember this day 6 yrs ago well. From the time Jill was induced to when the Doctor said the Jill would need a c-section to finally getting see and hold Chloe for the first time it was such an amazing day! I'll never forget certain memories about the experience.
I remember prior to the day that we went through years of frustration trying to concieve and the thoughts in the back of your mind that you may not have children. We went through tests and started the really early stages of fertility stuff. Then God graciously allowed us to conceive and it was awesome! Our church where we were serving at was ecstatic because they had been praying for us for some time!
I remember on the day itself getting wisked away from Jill and told to put on some disposable scrubs over my clothes and wait until somebody would come and get me. I put on the scrubs and waited, waited, and waited some more for somebody to come, nobody came. Finally one of the janitorial staff came through the area I was in and I asked him if he was there to take me to my wife and he looked at me as if I were crazy (I later found out that he did not understand English that well when he went and got another gentleman who then went and found somebody to take me to her). By the time I arrived in the O.R. they were about to start. It was quick and Jill and Chloe were both healthy. I got to carry Chloe to the nursery and when I arrived there were over 20 people from our church outside the big window! They erupted with cheers and we all were crying!
Fatherhood has blown me away ever since! We've obviously added more blessings to our family but each day, even the frustating ones, are such a gift! Chloe you will always be Daddy's Girl - I love you! Happy Birthday!
My prayer for Chloe is this: May she embrace Christ as Savior and be a passionate servant of The King! Thank you Lord for all of my children!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
I.A. Camp (pt.3)
The Gospel transforms. When someone embraces Christ as Savior it is truly amazing to see. This year at camp evidence of transformation was seen in so many ways. There are two stories I want to share of how God moved and transformation happened.
This year we had an attorney who brought some students she was working with. She is an amazing woman that loves the students she represents. She brought one boy (she brought a couple students) with her that had a hardness about him. He was there to get community service and nothing else. On Monday he wanted t0 leave but after talking with his Mom, Billy, and others (myself included). We moved him from his room to Billy's room with Billy and his son Ridge. From that night on you could see the Spirit move on him each day. On Thursday evening we had our closing service and it was there that he emabraced Christ as Savior! It was so amazing to see the transformation that God brought about from a hard kid to a young man who had embraced the Gospel! Wow! What an amazing God I serve!
Tranformation as happened in the lives of couselors. On Monday (Monday was a rough day in the sense that God was plowing the field, things really started to happen after this day) during the Jr. Counselor meeting I did something that I rarely do and that is raise my voice. I raised my voice because there was no response happening from the Jr. Counselors as the Spirit moved campers. Most of the campers are unchurched and when the Spirit moves they do not understand what it is to respond to His prompting so as counselors who know Christ as Savior we need to be open to the Spirit's prompting to go to that camper and minister to them. Also they were needing my prompting to go and separate campers that were too close (middle school hormones) and talking during worship times and this should not be needed. After the meeting and one-sided conversation God prompted something pretty awesome in one of the rooms as their Jr. Cousnselor returned. The Jr. Counselor got the attention of her room and apologized for her actions! The rest of the week all of the Jr. Cousnselors were awesome in the openness they had to the Spirit's prompting and in many cases did more than adult counselors! All of our counselors were awesome from Tuesday morning on! God used their willingness to serve to see 25 campers embrace Christ as Savior! My King is amazing!
The transformation that He works is humbling to see! It's a privilege to serve Him as He does this! I praise Him for this opportunity! WOW!
This year we had an attorney who brought some students she was working with. She is an amazing woman that loves the students she represents. She brought one boy (she brought a couple students) with her that had a hardness about him. He was there to get community service and nothing else. On Monday he wanted t0 leave but after talking with his Mom, Billy, and others (myself included). We moved him from his room to Billy's room with Billy and his son Ridge. From that night on you could see the Spirit move on him each day. On Thursday evening we had our closing service and it was there that he emabraced Christ as Savior! It was so amazing to see the transformation that God brought about from a hard kid to a young man who had embraced the Gospel! Wow! What an amazing God I serve!
Tranformation as happened in the lives of couselors. On Monday (Monday was a rough day in the sense that God was plowing the field, things really started to happen after this day) during the Jr. Counselor meeting I did something that I rarely do and that is raise my voice. I raised my voice because there was no response happening from the Jr. Counselors as the Spirit moved campers. Most of the campers are unchurched and when the Spirit moves they do not understand what it is to respond to His prompting so as counselors who know Christ as Savior we need to be open to the Spirit's prompting to go to that camper and minister to them. Also they were needing my prompting to go and separate campers that were too close (middle school hormones) and talking during worship times and this should not be needed. After the meeting and one-sided conversation God prompted something pretty awesome in one of the rooms as their Jr. Cousnselor returned. The Jr. Counselor got the attention of her room and apologized for her actions! The rest of the week all of the Jr. Cousnselors were awesome in the openness they had to the Spirit's prompting and in many cases did more than adult counselors! All of our counselors were awesome from Tuesday morning on! God used their willingness to serve to see 25 campers embrace Christ as Savior! My King is amazing!
The transformation that He works is humbling to see! It's a privilege to serve Him as He does this! I praise Him for this opportunity! WOW!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
A Phone Call, A Conversation, and a Few Thoughts
Sunday we were driving home from Jill's parents home and I received a phone call. The call was from one of my former youth in Sumter, SC. I had not heard from him since he graduated 5 years ago. I thought he had gone in to the service but it turns out that he had not. He had fallen out of fellowship with the Lord and had recently repented and been restored. It was amazing to hear of God's graciousness and the moving of the Spirit in his life. It was also amazing to hear that he is now 6'11'' tall! Our conversation lasted for about 15 minutes and it brought me to tears as he shared thoughts of God's use of Jill and I in his life - truly humbling! I'm so thankful that God grants calls like this one! This is the second such call this summer and through each God has stirred the affections of my heart toward Him in ways indescribable - He blows me away!
That brings me to today. I have been trying to meet up with Steve Wright all summer. He is a youth minister in Raleigh and has been there for over 11 years. He's been in youth ministry for over 20 years! He has started InQuest Ministries as well as having a great blog (see the link for The Lasting Divergence on the left). His books are well worth the read for anyone remotely considering or presently in youth work. We were able to meet up and go to lunch and talk, it was well worth the wait. He was a great encouragement and provided a wonderful challenge. Many of my thoughts on youth ministry are similar to his and to sit with someone who has given 20 years to this work full-time was awesome. I will continue to correspond with him and keep in touch, what a great meeting.
Both of these have stirred thoughts about where God will have us when I finish school next May. We have been talking about it and praying for discernment. Many see youth ministry as a stepping stone to the pulpit, others see seminary as a stepping stone to a "big" church and a payday. My heart is to be where He wants us and make sure that we are obedient to His call and leading. I have no idea of where that may be but I'm excited to see where and what that ministry is!
God has placed a deep love for His Word and Bride (the church) in my heart and getting to serve Him through each is a passion! He is using this time here at school (though it is difficult academically along with being away from full-time staff work) in great ways in my life and I'm looking forward to His continued shaping and molding this year.
That brings me to today. I have been trying to meet up with Steve Wright all summer. He is a youth minister in Raleigh and has been there for over 11 years. He's been in youth ministry for over 20 years! He has started InQuest Ministries as well as having a great blog (see the link for The Lasting Divergence on the left). His books are well worth the read for anyone remotely considering or presently in youth work. We were able to meet up and go to lunch and talk, it was well worth the wait. He was a great encouragement and provided a wonderful challenge. Many of my thoughts on youth ministry are similar to his and to sit with someone who has given 20 years to this work full-time was awesome. I will continue to correspond with him and keep in touch, what a great meeting.
Both of these have stirred thoughts about where God will have us when I finish school next May. We have been talking about it and praying for discernment. Many see youth ministry as a stepping stone to the pulpit, others see seminary as a stepping stone to a "big" church and a payday. My heart is to be where He wants us and make sure that we are obedient to His call and leading. I have no idea of where that may be but I'm excited to see where and what that ministry is!
God has placed a deep love for His Word and Bride (the church) in my heart and getting to serve Him through each is a passion! He is using this time here at school (though it is difficult academically along with being away from full-time staff work) in great ways in my life and I'm looking forward to His continued shaping and molding this year.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Caitlyn's 4th Birthday
Today is Caitlyn's 4th Birthday! Daddy's baby girl is growing up so fast! I can remember how we moved to Conway from Sumter 1/2 way through the pregnancy and how at the end of the pregnancy we were making the 90 minute drive every week for appointments. Most of all I remember being in the O.R. when Jill had the c-section and getting to hold her for the first time! Being her Daddy is a distinct honor and privilege! My prayer is that she will passionately embrace Christ as Savior and live for Him with every beautiful ounce of her being! I am humbled by the gift God has given me in Caitlyn! I love you Caitlyn.
Monday, August 3, 2009
I.A. Camp (pt.2)
An amazing thing to see is how God has His hand on this camp and provides the needs that arise as the camp draws near. As of two weeks before the start of camp 70 sponsors were needed. To sponsor a camper is $175. In two weeks God in His graciousness provided for this need!
I left on Friday the 25th to go to Billy's house so that I could be there for the putt putt tournament fundraiser that was the next day which was the day before Camp started. In hand I had my fee and two full sponsorships. These sponsorships came through the giving nature of the 2 small groups we have been involved with at our present church, North Wake Church in Wake Forest, NC. While there God provided another through my sister-in-law Denise and her husband Eric. I'm so thankful for the giving nature of these people and the fact that God has placed them all in our lives.
Another humbling example of God's provision is seen in this story. On Saturday while at the tournament their where various people who came and played and participated in the silent auction. Billy, his son Ridge, his summer intern Adam, and myself formed a team and were playing on the course when Billy was approached by a woman. This woman was quite tall and slender and it could be seen that she was excited to talk to him. I talked with Billy after she left and was blown away to hear that she was a recovering addict who had come to know Christ as Savior who had come to support the camp. She did not have enough money for the $15 fee per person to play so along with her friend they put together the money the had on hand and paid the $15 to help support the efforts of the day on behalf of the camp! Wow! I was humbled to hear this!
Through donations such as these God covered the needs of the camp! It's so amazing to see Him at work!
I left on Friday the 25th to go to Billy's house so that I could be there for the putt putt tournament fundraiser that was the next day which was the day before Camp started. In hand I had my fee and two full sponsorships. These sponsorships came through the giving nature of the 2 small groups we have been involved with at our present church, North Wake Church in Wake Forest, NC. While there God provided another through my sister-in-law Denise and her husband Eric. I'm so thankful for the giving nature of these people and the fact that God has placed them all in our lives.
Another humbling example of God's provision is seen in this story. On Saturday while at the tournament their where various people who came and played and participated in the silent auction. Billy, his son Ridge, his summer intern Adam, and myself formed a team and were playing on the course when Billy was approached by a woman. This woman was quite tall and slender and it could be seen that she was excited to talk to him. I talked with Billy after she left and was blown away to hear that she was a recovering addict who had come to know Christ as Savior who had come to support the camp. She did not have enough money for the $15 fee per person to play so along with her friend they put together the money the had on hand and paid the $15 to help support the efforts of the day on behalf of the camp! Wow! I was humbled to hear this!
Through donations such as these God covered the needs of the camp! It's so amazing to see Him at work!
Tim Tebow at the recent SEC Media Day
At the recent SEC Media Day Tim Tebow admitted without hesitation when asked that he is a virgin. The Media was stunned by the admission yet Tebow was unfazed. In light of the developments in the death of Steve McNair and the lifestyle of many other athletes who publicly profess faith in Christ yet their personal lives show nothing of it I think its totally amazing to see someone who practices what he preaches. To see Tebow spend his summer sharing Christ in prisons and on mission trips during his spring break is something that should be commended especially in our culture. I am in no way a Gator fan but I am fully in love with Christ and when He is glorified in any way that's awesome! I will be in prayer for Tebow and his witness to remain pure in the glare of stardom.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
I.A. Camp (pt.1)
I'm going to write some posts about the I.A. Camp. I.A. Camp is a camp that I've been involved with for the last 4 years. It's unlike other camps. The campers are sponsored by my friend's ministry. My friend, Billy Wayne, has been in evangelism for over 20 years. He shares the gospel through Music and the Arts (which is awesome because as Christians we have abandoned the Arts in many ways and have lost a wonderful avenue for the Gospel to be expressed). His ministry is Vision Productions. I have to admit that he is unlike anyone in evanglism that I've ever met. He is nothing like the stereotypical evangelist that comes to mind (you know that suit and KJV type that screams at you until you relent). His heart for seeing lives impacted by the Gospel and especially for youth is what truly blows me away.
Vision is based out of Fall Branch, TN which is just outside of Kingsport. It is here where the offices and the Theatre are located. The theatre is Lamplight Theatre where there are performances throughout the year and where the Gospel is presented at each performance. The theatre has been in existence for 5 years and in that time there have been 5000 people who have come to know Christ as Savior through performances and events held there (this number represents those impacted by the Gospel solely at the theatre not through other endeavors wher Billy shares the Gospel). Along with the theatre Billy tours regularly performing in various venues and churches along with leading camps and other events where he can share the Gospel. He also serves as the tour Pastor for Decemberadio.
Billy has this amazing way of connecting with what he calls the "shag nasties" or those others don't reach. He takes people into his home and into his ministry and they are transformed by the love of God. This camp is like that. Most of the kids that go would not be able to go if it were not for that fact that Vision through donations pays their way to go. Along with paying their way to go there is also a clothes closet set up so that they can have clothes and shoes along with providing a backpack of school supplies. Many of the campers come from abusive backgrounds, are in trouble in some fashion, and are "unchurched". They are the type that more than likely "slip through the carcks" or, let's be honest, they don't fit the mold of what most churches will attempt to reach. It's amazing to see what happens each year as lives are transformed by the life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This year there were 70 campers and 40 couselors. This was a change from years past in two ways: the first being that this was the most campers in years and the second being that our ratio of counselor to campers was the lowest in years (the ratio is usually as close to 1:1 as possible since the kids really need loved well with the love of God so this made things much more hectic than usual). My job changed drastically than in years past. For the previous 3 years I had been a counselor and this year I was the Camp Dean. The Dean handles issues that arise with both counselors and campers, you are part shepherd and part disciplinarian along with keeping things on schedule (which is a scary thing for me especially since I'm not always that best at sticking to a schedule and like to adjust on the fly as the Spirit moves - that is why Mary McClure was co-Dean, she is an awesome woman of God! She is also wonderfully creative with a great servant heart!).
This post is focused mainly on Vision and Billy so that a groundwork can be laid for further posts about the camp. It may sound like an advertisement and in a way it is because if it leads you to donate to the camp or sponsor a camper then that is great. I must say that I'm totally passionate about this camp and it has impacted me.
Vision is based out of Fall Branch, TN which is just outside of Kingsport. It is here where the offices and the Theatre are located. The theatre is Lamplight Theatre where there are performances throughout the year and where the Gospel is presented at each performance. The theatre has been in existence for 5 years and in that time there have been 5000 people who have come to know Christ as Savior through performances and events held there (this number represents those impacted by the Gospel solely at the theatre not through other endeavors wher Billy shares the Gospel). Along with the theatre Billy tours regularly performing in various venues and churches along with leading camps and other events where he can share the Gospel. He also serves as the tour Pastor for Decemberadio.
Billy has this amazing way of connecting with what he calls the "shag nasties" or those others don't reach. He takes people into his home and into his ministry and they are transformed by the love of God. This camp is like that. Most of the kids that go would not be able to go if it were not for that fact that Vision through donations pays their way to go. Along with paying their way to go there is also a clothes closet set up so that they can have clothes and shoes along with providing a backpack of school supplies. Many of the campers come from abusive backgrounds, are in trouble in some fashion, and are "unchurched". They are the type that more than likely "slip through the carcks" or, let's be honest, they don't fit the mold of what most churches will attempt to reach. It's amazing to see what happens each year as lives are transformed by the life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This year there were 70 campers and 40 couselors. This was a change from years past in two ways: the first being that this was the most campers in years and the second being that our ratio of counselor to campers was the lowest in years (the ratio is usually as close to 1:1 as possible since the kids really need loved well with the love of God so this made things much more hectic than usual). My job changed drastically than in years past. For the previous 3 years I had been a counselor and this year I was the Camp Dean. The Dean handles issues that arise with both counselors and campers, you are part shepherd and part disciplinarian along with keeping things on schedule (which is a scary thing for me especially since I'm not always that best at sticking to a schedule and like to adjust on the fly as the Spirit moves - that is why Mary McClure was co-Dean, she is an awesome woman of God! She is also wonderfully creative with a great servant heart!).
This post is focused mainly on Vision and Billy so that a groundwork can be laid for further posts about the camp. It may sound like an advertisement and in a way it is because if it leads you to donate to the camp or sponsor a camper then that is great. I must say that I'm totally passionate about this camp and it has impacted me.
Our Night Away
Jill and I recently had a chance to go out of town together. It was the first time in at least 7 years that we were able to do so. Living so far from family and having 3 children puts a damper on that. It's difficult to find someone willing to watch the kids overnight so we've always spent our time together after they've gone to bed. Our wonderful friends the Pauley's know kids, since they have 3 as well, and Wendy is supermom so they agreed to watch our 3 so we could go outta town for the night - we had watched their crew for their 10th anniversary in May.
We booked a dinner cruise on Lake Norman outside of Charlotte along with staying a night in a hotel not far from the lake. I have to admit I was like a nervously excited schoolboy on a first date! We talked and talked leading up to leaving and the weekend was beyond anything I expected! We had such a blessed time together! The time together and the cruise were amazing and I'm so thankful that God gave us this time!
We've been married for 10 years and each day gets better! That feeling of an excited schoolboy is one which I get to experience on a continual basis with Jill in my life. I have been so blessed that my mate is my best friend! Lord I thank you for Jill and the blessing she is in my life.
We booked a dinner cruise on Lake Norman outside of Charlotte along with staying a night in a hotel not far from the lake. I have to admit I was like a nervously excited schoolboy on a first date! We talked and talked leading up to leaving and the weekend was beyond anything I expected! We had such a blessed time together! The time together and the cruise were amazing and I'm so thankful that God gave us this time!
We've been married for 10 years and each day gets better! That feeling of an excited schoolboy is one which I get to experience on a continual basis with Jill in my life. I have been so blessed that my mate is my best friend! Lord I thank you for Jill and the blessing she is in my life.
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