I turned 35 yesterday! It's hard to believe that I'm that old! I truly couldn't imagine my life being any better that it has been! God has blown me away with a wife that is amazing and that I will cherish for the rest of our lives, our three children are truly gifts from Him (and the most beautiful kids I've ever seen)! I have great parents (I can truly say they are two of my trusted and closest friends) and a wonderful sister (though strongwilled at times)! My in-laws are anything but out-laws and I love them dearly! We have been blessed no matter where He has placed us to connect with and be challenged by great friends and He has blessed us to see lives impacted by His Gospel in every location! Truly humbling to consider all the He has done!
I can't wait to see what He has in store for the rest of my years! I will love and serve You with every beat of my heart that You grant! Thank You LORD!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Mr. Joe's Funeral
Our hearts broke for our dear friends Merlin and Stephanie Smith along with their awesome kids Lonnie and Bethany over the past three weeks. Stpehanie's Dad, Mr. Joe, passed away this past week. Hospice had been called in and they, along with Stephanie and the family, had been ministering to him for the past three weeks. On Saturday September 5th, while we were in West Virginia with our family, Merlin called to say that it was just a matter of time until he would pass away (hospice said it would be about 48hrs). I shed many tears that day for their family and our hearts sank when we recieved the call on Monday evening.
On Tuesday Merlin called and asked if I would speak at the funeral, I was humbled. It was an honor to speak at the funeral both in remembrance of Mr. Joe and to proclaim the Gospel he had embraced only one year before his death. I treasured my time with Mr. Joe and I truly cherish his family. It was a privilege to get to know him and proclaim the Gospel to him during our time together. It's an honor to share life with the Smith's, eventhough now it is at a distance.
While there the kids were able to love on Lonnie and Bethany and I was quite proud to see them embrace them as they did. Our kids truly look up to them both and they are great role models in that they both dearly love Christ and show that love to our children.
Thank you Merlin and Stephanie for the honor of speaking at the funeral and your hospitality in the midst of grief. Thank you to our friends that we saw on Saturday for your love of our family as well.
On Tuesday Merlin called and asked if I would speak at the funeral, I was humbled. It was an honor to speak at the funeral both in remembrance of Mr. Joe and to proclaim the Gospel he had embraced only one year before his death. I treasured my time with Mr. Joe and I truly cherish his family. It was a privilege to get to know him and proclaim the Gospel to him during our time together. It's an honor to share life with the Smith's, eventhough now it is at a distance.
While there the kids were able to love on Lonnie and Bethany and I was quite proud to see them embrace them as they did. Our kids truly look up to them both and they are great role models in that they both dearly love Christ and show that love to our children.
Thank you Merlin and Stephanie for the honor of speaking at the funeral and your hospitality in the midst of grief. Thank you to our friends that we saw on Saturday for your love of our family as well.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
This is a great story
I must admit I'm a huge Albert Pujols fan. He is born again and handles himself with a humility that most athletes of our day do not. I'm not neccessarily a St. Louis Cardinals fan, though it would be easier to be a Cardinals fan than an Orioles nut and Pirates fan (the start of every season brings hope then the let down happens at some time later in the season, some seasons it's earlier than others), but this story really tugged at my heart and I wanted to share it.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/A34B97533108A7C786257627000A2C90?OpenDocument
It's not the disability that matters it's the transformation that God brings about in the lives of those around those with disabilities that is truly amazing. I say this as one transformed in such a way. In college I worked for 2 1/2 years in a group home for individuals who were mentally retarded and developmentally disabled and God did a work in my heart through contact with these awesome individuals.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/A34B97533108A7C786257627000A2C90?OpenDocument
It's not the disability that matters it's the transformation that God brings about in the lives of those around those with disabilities that is truly amazing. I say this as one transformed in such a way. In college I worked for 2 1/2 years in a group home for individuals who were mentally retarded and developmentally disabled and God did a work in my heart through contact with these awesome individuals.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Chloe's 6th Birthday
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!
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!
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.
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