Tag: Thoughts

Posted on

Connecting Discipleship with Ministry

I am blogging at the PDYM Blog today. I will be posting once a week there now, so if you have any ideas for topics please let me know! Here is an excerpt of my article, head on over to the blog and join the conversation there, I would love to know your thoughts on the subject…

Hopefully we all have a strategy to lead our students into a growing relationship with Christ. Some may use the programs (Sunday School or small groups) that are in place at their church to emphasize spiritual growth, while others may emphasize growth outside of “programs” by utilizing tools such as the H.A.B.I.T.S. material.

How much emphasis do you put on involving students in ministry within your discipleship strategy? Is it a key element or do you hold back some of your service projects and ministry opportunities for your more spiritually mature students? READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

See you there!!!

Posted on

Conversations with a 5 Year Old (Part 5)

…about his hearts sin condition. Straight from a 5 year old’s mind and heart to his lips. (This conversation took place at MeMaw’s house)

Gavin: MeMaw!

MeMaw: What Gavin?

Gavin: (With hand placed over chest) I hate this sin in my heart

MeMaW: You hate the sin in your heart?

Gavin: Yes, how do I get rid of it?

MeMaw: You have to ask Jesus to get rid of it for you

MeMaw: How did you know about the sin in your heart?

Gavin: From 3D (Our children’s program at church for K-5th Grade)

As a parent I am excited to hear my son acknowledging the ‘sin in his heart‘ and even more his desire to get rid of it and to get it out of his heart…at the age of 5. I am reminded of what Proverbs 22:6 says about teaching our children the right things at a young age so they will stick with it at an older age. That is my daily prayer for my children…that they stay on the right path when Mom and Dad are not around.

I believe education, both secular and spiritually start at home, however I understand that we cannot expect to be the only voice in our children’s lives. That is why I am so thankful for the other voices in my children’s lives, such as 3D at TCAG, my mom-in-law, “Mr. Shane,” and many others who have taken a vested interest in my family. I appreciate my pastor pushing our children’s teams to provide environments that are second to none for the children in our church and the children in our community that have yet to be reached. Just a thought…don’t go at this parenting thing alone!

Other Conversations with a 5 Year Old Posts: Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4

Join the Conversation: Any interesting conversations around your house recently?

Posted on

The Ronald Reagan Library

After my airline ticket was purchased for the Gathering my uncle moved from L.A. back to Atlanta, so I got stuck in California for a couple of extra days alone. My friend Tom suggested that I go check out the Reagan Library, so I did. Reagan was my President. He was in office from the time I was born until I was 8 years old, and what a great President he was. I was blown away by this place, it is not ultra exciting as it is a museum of sorts, but the videos, the pictures, the letters, and the audio of Reagan playing throughout the building are awesome! The historical items they have on display are very cool. I got to see the very x-ray taken when Reagan was shot. I walked away thinking to myself three thoughts: #1 Reagan was a great leader, #2 Reagan loved his wife, and #3 Reagan loved this country…even if it was at the expense of losing popularity in the world. If you ever get an opportunity…go see it! Semi Valley is beautiful and when you look out at the land surrounding the library, it helps put into perspective how BIG God is and how small we are.

One final personal note. Neither one of our Presidential candidates could stand toe to toe with Reagan. I know McCain likes to say he is a foot soldier in Reagan’s army, but Reagan would probably disagree. On the other hand, if you are an Obama supporter, Reagan would eat your candidate for lunch and still need dessert. The words of Reagan echoing through this Library are powerful, and I could not help but to think how much trouble we will be in if Obama is elected. I will do a post in the coming days about a great story I heard from one of the videos that I watched at the Library, its powerful. Until then, check out the photos below. They are not the greatest as they are from my cell phone camera (Nicki would not let me take her camera). If you click the photo for a second time it will expand into a larger photo.

Posted on

The Bowling gods Hate Me

Last night the PDYM State Mentors went to Lucky Strike Lanes for a little dinner and bowling.

My Results:
Game #1 3rd place 114 pts
Game #2 4th place (I didn’t get serious until frame 6) 101 pts

Doug Fields showed all the youth pastors how to do it with the high score of the night at 159 and Jim Clark came in a close second with his strong effort of 139.

I even tried a little meditation…the bowling gods still did not smile on me.

I choked like the Chicago Cubs in the pursuit of a World Series Championship.

Despite facing the anger of the bowling gods, I had more fun than I have had in a long time.

It’s sad I only get to hangout with these youth workers once a year. We’ve had a lot of fun.

Unfortunately it all ends today at 3:00 pm PT.

The after party heads to Hollywood afterwards, so who knows what will happen there!

(This is for Ben Taylor)
Join the Conversation: When’s the last time you had a lot of fun?

Posted on

A Love Letter From God

My friend Hank Murphy sang this song at our CSRA See You At the Pole Event last night.

I like what he told the students…”Just listen to this love letter from God to You…”

I love this song, its called “How He Loves Us.” – I found this video on You Tube with it being performed.
(In my opinion Hank and his band did a better job…just my opinion 🙂 )

Here are some of the words that are my favorite parts of the song:

“He is jealous for me
Love’s like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me.”

“So we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean we’re all sinking
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
and my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way”
That he loves us,”

So sit back and listen to this love letter from God to you…

Join the Conversation: What is God’s Love Letter Telling You?