Oh...the places Tim will go!!!

Bartman...

2011-09-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

I haven't had much time to watch a lot of TV lately. I am way behind on Top Chef and haven't seen an episode of The Office on Thursday nights since it started back up. (Not that I am missing a lot...R.I.P. Michael Scott.) But I did find myself watching E.S.P.N.'s E60 this week on Steve Bartman. Know him? You may not. But if you followed the Chicago Cubs back in 2003 or just baseball for that matter, then you know that on one fateful night in October 2003 an incident happened that has defined the Chicago Cubs and baseball for that matter since then. In the eighth inning of Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, with Chicago ahead 3–0 and holding a 3 games to 2 lead in the best of 7 series, several spectators attempted to catch a foul ball off the bat of Marlins' second baseman Luis Castillo. One of the fans, Steve Bartman, reached for the ball, disrupting a potential catch by Cubs outfielder Moisés Alou. If Alou had caught the ball, it would have been the second out in the inning, and the Cubs would have been just four outs away from winning the National League pennant. Instead, the Cubs ended up surrendering eight runs in the inning, giving up the lead. They went on to lose the game. When they were eliminated in the seventh game the next day, the "Steve Bartman incident" was seen as the turning point of the series.

Now, I don't wanna be overly dramatic, but seriously. Chicago...you went on to give up 8 runs. Was this incident a momentum killer. Probably not. Did maybe you all leave the pitcher in too long? At the time it was Mark Prior was on the top of his game. He was an all-star that year and finished 3rd in the voting for the Cy Young award and even finished 9 for National League MVP. So more than likely he had enough gas. Did he maybe get rattled? I don't think so. Here's why. No one even really knew that it was a catchable ball until fan's outside the stadium kept showing the play on TV's and then the crowd lost it. It was just a routine foul ball. Bartman did nothing more than anyone else would have done.

What happened after that? To me, this is the very reason why the Chicago Cubs should never win a World Series. The needed a scapegoat. The blamed the entire loss on a man that went for a foul ball. Shouting "we're gonna kill you!!!" and calling him all kinds of unmentionable names. Throwing brats and hotdogs on a him. Spilling and throwing beer on him. Seriously. I mean this, I felt like crying for this man even when I watched it live. The Cub's fan's needed someone to beat down for a loss, but it was gonna be a guy that went for a foul ball. What about Dusty Baker who is notorious for leaving pitchers in too long? What about the error on the shortstop on the next pitch?

A man was threatened to the point of death. Over what? Chicago...I had inadvertently forgotten just how bad you treated this man, who is STILL in hiding, until the other night watching it on E60. The Cub's don't ever deserve to win a World Series. At least until they give the key to the city to Steve Bartman and a huge apology!!!

This goes deeper though and should hurt much more than just this one incident. Father's fighting father's over foul balls. Coaches yelling at 15 year old umpires over ball's and strike's. Kid's standing over players when they make a good play or chest bumping each other after making a good play. We have gotten to a point where we need to get some perspective.

What is love...baby don't hurt me!!!!

2011-09-14T06:46:00.000-07:00

I have been very bad. I have to let you know a little secret about me. I put everything in my phone. As a matter of fact, if it isn't in my phone, then it probably doesn't get remembered unless it is a routine event that happens or my beautiful wife remembers it for me. As a matter of fact...every week I get an update that says, "UPDATE BLOG". I mean every week! And yet this is my first blog in months!!! I am very ashamed. (Though I am not sure anyone is listening anyway.) So, my first order of business is to say, "I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while." Confession is good for the soul...

I work with some amazing families at church. I mean totally amazing. I have experienced families come around each other in time of need, in times of celebration, and times of sorrow. That is what it's all about. Love. Loving one another. Now I am basing this on the John 13 kinda love. The love that means I will help my brother when they need it. That means giving them conversations when they need to be changed a bit or an "iron sharpening iron" position. The problem we get hung up with from time to time is that we don't truly "love" the way we need too. There are some out there that have their own opinions on how to "love" each other. They do it by chastising in the name of the Lord without any dose of love. For me to love my daughter the way I need to, I must correct her bad behavior. I need make sure she knows what she did wrong, why it is wrong, and how does she not fall back into that again. Because I love her and care about her future...this is a non-negotiable.

Love doesn't mean that we let someone off the hook, but it also doesn't mean we "discipline" or correct out of anger or to make someone look less then they are in God's eyes. I think what would help us with "loving one another" would be to check the scope in which we want to discuss behaviors or issues with someone. Questions like, "Is this person ready for my comments?" This can be tricky, because, I am sure there isn't a great time to be disciplined, but if I were to discipline my baby girl in the midst of a tantrum, she isn't going to understand what it is I have to say. Typically, I remove her from the situation...let her calm down...and then I will talk to her. We have a tendency to try to drop correction or rebuke when the other person is having a difficult time with something. Or they are hurting over something else. Let me be clear, this doesn't mean we don't talk at all, this just means we frame the conversation with all that in mind. Questions like, "What's been going on lately?" can help defuse things before they go to far.

Love also doesn't mean I am rebuking someone to make them look bad so that I look good. Many times I feel like we have believers on different levels with their faith. Maybe they are stunted in one spot, or maybe they are just starting to get it. Either way, correcting someone that may not understand something needs to be scoped with that in mind. Or what if they aren't a believer at all? What if they are being rebuked and they aren't a believer. Listen to what the Gospel of John records in chapter 8, "

2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

What I see in this passage is a man who wants to make a long standing impact as upposed to a threat that won't mean anything. Now we don't know what happened to this lady, but we do know that God has used this verse to help shape us with other situations. I coach football and am around players all the time that use less then perfect language. Now, I could go off and thump them with my Bible or I can walk to them and ask them not to use that language around me. If they aren't a believer, what is going to make more of an impact? Me chastising them for something that is tolerated even in their own home, or coming along side of them and actually have a basis for why I am saying what I am? I think I have made more connections with kids that way then any other way.

Love is a tricky thing. Love can't just be a feeling...it has to be a desire to honestly want what's best for the other person. Good and the bad.

I'm just sayin'!

You had me at the "rudest"

2011-04-12T11:59:00.000-07:00

I was listening to a podcast recently and the speaker digressed for a quick moment that took me way off track. He said that this generation of kids, 12-22 is the "rudest" of all generations. I was shocked when I heard this. Not surprised as I had been yelled at my some students recently, questioned by some kids as I officiated a volleyball game, and watched a kid completely shut a door on an old lady at a store. I mean, I have seen it around, but to be called the rudest generation in history? Man...that's kinda harsh. So, I decided to do some research on my own. In a recent article on MSNBC I read this, "...their kids are, well, rude. It may be that today’s parents are so fixated on their children's emotional well-being that they’re teaching them that the well-being of others is comparatively unimportant...”

Is this true? I asked some kids recently if that surprised them and they mainly said "no". They also said that they didn't like it. But I think students now-a-day's just are too afraid to make a difference.

I can remember sitting down by our little pond on the farm throwing anything I could in that oversized puddle. I can remember just tossing things in an watching the ripple. I am sure I was secretly trying to knock a duck over or something, but what I remember is the smallest of objects could cause a ripple all the way across the pond. That's what kids should wanna be remembered for...not being the rudest kids EVER!!!

Ouch...now that hurts!!!

2011-03-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

Check this passage out...

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. For the LORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’” So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb.” Exodus 33:1-6

A little background if I may...WE have been going through a series within the Student Ministry here at Mt. Carmel called, "Are We There Yet?" It has chronicled the journey of the Israelites as they were freed from Egypt and all that has followed to this point in Exodus 33. What have they seen? Oh, not much.

1. Freedom. NO biggie. They were an oppressed people that God took from slavery to being made free.

2. The RED Sea being parted. Big deal...I would think so, but they forgot about that quickly.

3. Food Delivered to their Door. That's right, manna from Heaven. Food for them to have.

4. Various crazy situations with their leader Moses. Rod turning into a snake, hitting a stone and getting water, so on and so on.

You get the point. Very cool stuff. Oh, yeah...where was I. Aghh...telling you about all these things happening. Well, the passage listed above came out of even more doubt from the Israelites as they, after being left alone for a time, (40 days-ish) they made an idol out of gold. Is it any wonder that God reacted this way?

How bad do you have to get for God be that disappointed in you. I remember hurting my dad's feelings when I was a kid. Often times I would get spanked...I called it the BackSide Olympics...anyway, the swats never really stuck with me. What stuck with me was my dad saying how hurt and disappointed he was in me.

Our heavenly father has to be the same way. How disappointed is He in our actions now? Are we that far off from the Israelites? WE are just fortunate to have a gift in Jesus that, we too often, will take advantage of. What a tough realization!!!

To thine own self...

Consider it pure joy?

2011-02-15T12:53:00.001-08:00

Constant movement...fast, slow, up, down, upside down, downside up, you name it I have been through it. Listen, we all have. Life is a constant battle of ups and downs. You are either coming out of something, in something, or on your way into something. That's life right? We had staff meeting today and Didi Bacon, our Sr. Minister, mentioned James 1:2-4. Not familiar, let me remind you, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." As I sat there I began to ponder what it means to consider something joy? This doesn't come to us very easily as human beings. In the midst of a loss of a loved one, losing a job, fighting with a spouse, it doesn't even sound remotely appealing. But lets think about this. In our journey of life's ups and downs what makes those events bearable? It's knowing our perspective. If you are a believer and you are "considering it pure joy" then you know that what is on the other side will be what can carry you through. If you have gone through those events then you know that you have been made stronger as a result of them. The word that stick out is "finish". In a time where houses goes unfinished, work projects in the basement go unfinished, contracts by pro athletes aren't seen to their finish, etc., finishing seems like a big issue. We are noncommittal. But we have to finish...it's a part of being mature. I want my life to be a reflection of a desire to grow in a way that will show others what life can be if you push through. So...fight for your marriage, push through those issues in life, etc. God will use us when we allow Him.

Still smiling...after all these years!

2011-02-05T19:06:00.001-08:00

My wife and I started a new game where we, sneakily, access each others Facebook account and we post random things on the status. Childish...maybe. Funny...yes. Stressful...always. I am always on the lookout. I am always keeping my guard up. Though, she is very good. She is a very cunning person. Dare I say I have met my match? (Never!!!!)

The whole point here is I am crazy in love with my bride after all these years. She has made my life so happy here on Earth. We still play. We still have fun with each other. I think that is important to any relationship. Keep it fun. Aside from love, honor and cherish, I think having fun with each other is important.

So...if you are married, getting ready to or looking for someone, remember to have fun with one another. Keep love, honor and cherish in front of it all, but remember to have fun!!!

Love you lovey!!!

On the edge of...

2011-01-07T07:31:00.000-08:00

I think most of my close friends know that I am a huge OSU Buckeyes fan. One of my baby girls first memories will be watching OSU football with her Daddy. Though she might not remember the first one as she was only 11 day's old, but I have the memory to share with her. At any rate, I was watching my Bucks play this past week in the Sugar Bowl. Needless to say the first half was awesome, the second half it became more of a game than I had hoped for. Not to do an entire play by play of the last 6 minutes just know, if you didn't see it, that the end Razorbacks blocked a punt with nearly no time left in the game. Up by 5 the Buckeyes had to bear down one more time and come up with something to stop this high-powered offense. The defense forced the quarterback to make a bad pass and the ball was intercepted by OSU and the rest is history.

The point is I was on the edge of my seat the entire second half. I was sick to my stomach, nerves had set in, and I was going grayer by the moment. It was a tense moment. Partially because it's my team...we want to see the team make it. Partially because I told one of the boys in my student ministry that if OSU lost I would wear his Florida Gators shirt, and I can't stand that program. On the edge...

Life is full of situations that make us feel like we are on the edge. It's how you respond. How will you carry yourself through the "on the edge" times? How will you respond to hostility? How will you respond to adversity?

As a football coach we tell our team that when things go wrong, there is a "sudden change" that can happen. We coach our team to come out and make a bad situation turn into a good one.

I think God asks us to worship Him through the good and the bad in life. Isaiah 25:9 says, " “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” No matter what is going on in life, our worship, true devotion, truly living bold for Him, means that no matter how bad it gets, or on the edge we are, we rely on a power that only God can give.

My goal for this year is to live through the "on the edge" situations and come out knowing that God will have my back the entire time.

Hey Friends...

2010-11-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

This has been a very quick year. I seams like time calendar turns faster than an old school cartoon flip book. Then were to we find ourselves but just one day older and begging for time to slow down a bit.

My bride and I celebrated 12 years of being married this year. I can remember, literally, how I felt when she walked into the student ministry room on July 27th, 1997. My heart was full of excitement and wonder as I would start a journey with her. Later that year I proposed and we were married just a few short months after that. I'd never change a thing. I would only change our wasted moments. Moments of worry. Moments of doubt. Moments of bickering and moments missed. I would want all of those moments back so that we could turn our focus towards growing even closer together in Him.

My baby turned 2 this year. Two years old. I hate this. I mean, she was just small enough for me to wrap like a chipotle burrito. What happened? Now I have to beg for kisses goodbye. Now I live for "Wuv yu", when I leave. She certainly is my baby girl. She's a constant reminder that God does what only God can do. Provide true and total happiness in life. Every good and perfect gift comes from the father in Heaven.

As we turn the page in a month or so to a new year, I am reminded by a passage in the Bible. Psalm 33:11 says, "But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." Through Christ our lives become so much better and have more moments that can be enjoyed. Even if the calendar moves as quick as it has been, our moments through Christ can be so much more.

((FOCUS))

2010-08-13T06:35:00.000-07:00

"Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Man, am I encouraged by this passage today. How many times I have tried to do something that I was so juiced up about only to lose focus and sink! Peter was a guy that was constantly doing things that just took the focus off where it needed to be. He lost focus in the water and nearly sunk, he pulled the sword and cut off a soldiers ear (John 10:18), and to top it all off, he denied Jesus not once, not twice, but three times (Luke 22:54-62). I am not encouraged that Peter failed, I am encouraged because of what Jesus said he would do through a willing Peter, He says, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16:18)

The point here is that God will use you despite your flaws or lack of focus. My thinking though is how much more could Jesus use us if we were to stay focused. I know for my own sanity, I need to slow down and acknowledge God. Acknowledge Him in the good, the bad and the normal everyday blessings. Focus starts with a "point". The direction you need to be headed must have a fixed destination. God is solid. That is the direction to head.

15 Years...Seriously?

2010-08-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I have stepped into a whole new realm today. I realized that it has been 15 years since I walked the halls as a student at New Richmond High School. It is so funny how time has just flown by. High school to me was fun. I loved my friends and loved the experiences that I had. From school plays to roaming the halls more then a cell phone in Montana, I had an absolute blast!!! I got to thinking though...I hear parents saying all the time, "high school is the best time of your life." Man I hope kids don't listen to that. I mean, it was fun, but what happens after graduation. Well, that's it folks, no more fun, no more enjoyment, nothing will ever be as fulfilling. Students, there is life after graduation. I have had more fun being out then in and again, I loved high school. Graduation has brought me college, a bride, a baby and a wonderful job. These have been the best years so far. So, what? Well, I want to remind everyone of a passage I recently read. The Apostle Paul is addressing the Ephesians as they began to lose their way a little bit. Well, more then a little bit. The passage opens up in chapter 5 with a directive, we are to be imitators of Christ. In all things we are to imitate Christ, but then it goes on to says in 5:15-16, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." If we are in the midst of all the chaos of life, we should make the most to imitate Christ and make the most of every opportunity. To me, graduation was a point where we could elevate to the next level in our walk with Christ and in life. Make the most of all the opportunities you are given. Love when you can love. Laugh when you can laugh. Cry when you need to. Make the most of all the life you have been given.

Broke but not broken

2010-06-04T07:18:00.001-07:00

Picture is a repair of the labrum in the shoulder...

I have had a couple of weeks that have totally tried to bring me down lately. It started with prognosis of hearing that my shoulder was in need of repair surgically and hasn't stopped since then. There something about being laid up and having to depend on people that makes you feel totally helpless. It is a bummer, it's depressing, it's painful, you name it the I have felt it lately. So, I had surgery and I thought it was going to be a slam dunk. That it would be three weeks and I would be back to enjoying my summer. NO such luck. 12 to 16 weeks they said. Really? Couldn't you do a better job then that? They told me the damage was pretty extensive and that your body needs time to heal. So, they showed me the 2 anchors that are holding my arm in place and I left depressed. "Surgeon to the stars huh?" (Same doc did Mic Jagger's knee...I only know that because I was in the Mic Jagger room.) Anyway, I am in the midst of the recovery. Missing most of my summer will be a bummer. I love to play softball with the church team, play tennis with my friends, work out, golf, you name it. But I know that this is not permanent. It is temporal.

Such a small thing. Such a small little tear in comparison, but such significant damage. Pretty crazy. Isn't that the way it works? Those small things begin to tear away at us. Very seldom is the BIG the problem. It is a series of the small that will tear you down. You grow away from God because you don't spend any time with God. Not even a quick prayer? No 10 minute devotional? No time with a body of believers? Then all the sudden you are torn away and one thing, generally little, will set you off and then we blame God for our demise. Growing away from the wife? Started out doing the small things to win the affection of that special person and then you just stopped. No flowers just because. No kiss goodbye or goodnight. No subtle comments about how nice she looks or thanks for cooking dinner. Then you find yourself disgruntled and you are pulling away. One thing leads to another and then you are away from the person you love the most on Earth. Not clicking with your kids? Remember when you measured your kid with the little things? They can turn over. They can sit up. They can stand. They can walk. They can be turned around in the car seat in the car. You were right there. Every step of the way. Not just sitting back for the ride, but reveling in it. You begged for her to say "Daddy". You taught her all the small things, but at some point the small things weren't enough to keep your attention. Then she's 18 and graduating and she's gone. No little things and it's gone.

I say all that because we are all in need of a gut check sometimes. Small things like a small tear in an arm, can limit you for a while, but they are temporal. I am broke right now, but I am not broken. God makes me complete. Reveling in my little things. Just some thoughts. More next week.

Godspeed.

Boundary-less, limitless, infinetly more...

2010-03-02T22:00:00.000-08:00

Jack Welch is not an average CEO. Welch, the CEO of General Electric has a laundry list of successes to his name. I believe that his approach to things is what makes him so successful. To take a look at something and decide that even though it works well, it could work better. In order for this to happen, a mindset had to change. Welch decided that the corporation would need to change to a more bold company. For Welch,the business philosophy would need to radically change and thus a new term was coined by him: the boundary-less corporation.

"Boundary-less means that you look everywhere in the world for better ideas," Welch says. "You realize that every time you meet someone, there is a better idea. There is a better idea out there every day. And the job of every person at GE is to find a better way."

"The major benefit of a 'boundary-less team" is the limitless amount of possibilities that come along with serving in that company."

This idea of "boundary-less team" has been something that I can't stop thinking about. As a minister to families I want parents to dream big for their kids. I want students to dream big for their lives. To me this is a reflection of who God really is. He is "boundary-less". We serve a God that wants us to dream big, to fulfill calling's, and to serve with passion. Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Even though Jack Welch of General Electric may not have been thinking along the same lines as the Apostle Paul, isn't it awesome to think that the same passion that was placed inside this corporate genius is found in the heart of a warrior poet like Paul and hopefully, and ultimately inside us too?

Where are you putting boundaries in your life? Should we look to be a boundary-less church moving forward? Are we on the cutting edge or have we stopped looking to the future with new and inventive ideas?

Just food for thought.

Before I formed you...???

2010-02-25T14:58:00.000-08:00

Well, I gotta tell you today I was struck by my reading. Which is a good thing. I mean, you need to feel something when you read God's word. At least some sort of emotion should be evoked when the Creator of the universe is speaking through His text!!!

So...enough about that, this is what I read...

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." Jeremiah 1:5

Okay, how cool is that? I mean with all the things that need to be taken care of, God was thinking of me back in 1976 when I was in the womb and even before that. He knew how I was going to be wired. Who I was going to become. How I would love my wife. How we would meet. There is something very warm and "wool sweater" about that. I mean, God was all about me at that point in history and still is.

I want to focus on the last part today. "...I knew you."

"Hey, I think I knew you in High school."

"I think we have met."

"I think I knew that about you."

"I knew you were like that."

All of these lines we have heard before. The funny thing is no matter how well you know someone, you really don't know them as good as God does. There is something very powerful about that.

Sometimes I think about what Elizabeth, my baby girl, will do with her life. Will she be a tennis player...I sure hope so. Will she play the piano...if I can help it. What kind of relationship will be have...hope we are so close!!!

Despite who she is now and who she will be in the future, I know that God knows her better. And I am so thrilled about that. I am thrilled for her that I can one day tell her the story of the struggle of getting pregnant and finally, in God's timing, having her and how she had been prayed for even before she was in her mommy's belly.

::Deep sigh::

I am in love with the fact that my God is sovereign. That he is the only...he is the forever...he is my all.

Resting in the fathers arms!!!

How to live a guilt free life....???

2010-02-09T06:57:00.000-08:00

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

This came to me as I was reading in Galatians this morning. Hope it helps provide some insight into your life.

At some point in our lives we must realize that our own musings will take us down a path that will lead to total destruction. We have this amazing gift as Christians of Christ living in us and yet we have this pull that takes us away from Him. Why do we snap in traffic? Over spend our money? Watch too much TV? Snap at our spouses? It is because we don't truly acknowledge the one that lives inside us. We are stuck in this mode where we feel like we have to be in control After all, for the most part we control nothing in this world. Job loss, death in the family, or the way we are treated by others. What we can control is our relationship with Christ. If we were to wake up every morning and spend time with Him and ask him to guide in our relationships, jobs, and personal challenges we will win. We have the greatest compass ever made in the whole spirit, but we seldom take it out to see what direction we are going in.

If I let go, and let God, I can begin to live free from the worldly things that grip me. My own weaknesses will cease because the God living in me will provide insight, wisdom, and comfort that I need.

Been out for a while...but I'm back now

2010-02-04T04:34:00.000-08:00

I have been having a really tough time lately where to take this blog. Is it an online journal? Do people even read it? (Not really, I've tracked the numbers.) Is it a source of inspiration? Not sure. But one thing I know is...I love it!!! It is an opportunity for me to get back into writing on a consistent basis.

So if you will indulge me...these will be my memoirs to God. Have fun snooping...

God,

Today I read out of your word in Galatians. I am struck by what Paul says write off the bat. Here's what he says, but you, I am sure, already know this...

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Galatians 1:3-5

Now, this isn't like a mind blowing deal until you figure out what he is doing. Just a few verses later he begins to talk about God and man. Basically, taking a paraphrase here, I am working for God and not man, so deal with it. Even to the point where he says, "...look if I were working for man, then this isn't the line of work i'd be in." I give it up to him for making a really a bold statement to folks who were trying to abandon their faith.

What a great reminder this morning to have Paul tell us that we serve a God the one and only God that is worthy of praise.

Today, I will think about opportunities that I have to better serve God with my life, may calling and my family.

"Thank you God for the blessings of being called your servant. I dare say there is nothing sweeter then to know your Son. God, the blessings you have given me are to many to mention, but here are a few that I wanna thank you for daily. My wife. Amy is beyond a helpmate. She is my lover, my encourager and friend. I thank you for her as I serve in the ministry with you. My opportunity to serve at Mt. Carmel. God you have taken our little church to new heights and we grow daily. I thank you for allowing me to serve in such an amazing capacity for as long as I have. My baby girl. What a blessing. As I sit outside in Savannah, GA today, I think about how I pined away for a child for so many years and now, I am a daddy to that beautiful lil girl. You are amazing. Show me God, today what you would have me to learn at this conference. Open the hearts of our staff as we grow together to try to guide this church to new heights under your command. Love you God. Love you Jesus. Guide my spirit."

Godspeed Everyone!!!

Near Misses

2009-11-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

7:AM the alarm goes off. Hit the snooze? Get out of bed? Sure is warm under these covers. Look to my left and Amy, my beloved bride, is still fast asleep. (3:20a.m. feedings will do that with a 12 month old.) Gotta get going. Too much to do today to stay and snuggle in bed. Yeah...I said snuggle.

My pace begins to pick up because I don't want to be late. I begin to systematically get ready to go. Pick out clothes...check. Shower...check. Brush teeth...check. (Isn't it weird that I brushed my teeth last night and my breath stinks this morning?) Pack up my back pack...check. Wallet, keys, phone...check, check, check. Start car...check. One moment to check out the scores on SportCenter. (Hmmmm...wonder if LeBron is out for a couple games. Wish I could dunk a basketball like that.) Grab my coffee cup and out the door.

Getting into my warmed up car with my heated leather seats is awesome. Gotta jet. Want to make it to Caribou before the one outlet is taken to plug in the laptop. Frantic pace. Get to the light at GlenEste Withamsville Road and 32 and sit in the turn lane. Man this light is long. Oh...there we go...green arrow. Go lady in the Ford Freestyle go!!! Quit looking down. Just drive. Just about to blow my horn and send her on her way...a transport ambulance runs the red light doing at least 60MPH. No lights on or anything. My heart begins to race as I think about had I blown my horn would that person in front of me been hit? Would I have been hit? Would I have been killed? Would they have? I didn't kiss the baby this morning. I barely kissed my wife goodbye. I didn't tell her I loved her. I didn't...I didn't...I didn't...

Near misses...

Passions

2009-09-25T05:33:00.000-07:00

I recently got the new Phil Wickham album. This has to be one of the most substantial album I have heard as far as depth of lyrics go. Why is it that some songs resonate and some don't. I have seen Phil in concert and the one thing that comes to mind when I hear him is that passion that comes through from the stage. It's not just because he is putting on a show...it is the fact that the lyrics that he is sings are from the heart.

Do we do anything from the heart anymore? Do we just go through the mundane of the day and think that that is enough? I recently posted on my twitter account that it is time to stop living in complacency. Living as if there is no tomorrow would make people see how valuable life can really be. But what does it take? How can we use our passions in life.

For those that don't know, I have the absolute privilege of coaching at my alma mater New Richmond, and had the opportunity to coach against three of the greatest kids I have come to know from my youth group. I was torn by my desire to win and my desire to see them play to their full potential. I am passionate about seeing them succeed as well as the boys on my team. My passions as a coach aren't much different then they are as a minister. I desire is to see these young men grow up and be men of honor and integrity. That means we win with character and integrity and we lose in the same manner. My passions for these young men make me want to be a better person, coach, husband, father and student minister.

What are your passions? Are you lining up with the desires that God has for you? Think about that today.

What's going on?

2009-09-16T06:07:00.001-07:00

Did you see Serena Williams completely blow up at the US Open? Follow that up with the Senator of South Carolina calling the President of the United States a liar and then Carlson picking a fight with Jorge Posada in the Yankees/Blue Jays game. Why are we so fired up lately. I am watching people just absolutely blow up at each other in a condo association board meeting and I am kinda shocked. When did we start to lose our cool? Or have we always been like this. What Williams said to the line judge at the US Open is just reprehensible. It's a shame there were kids there watching this icon in action. Then in the post-match interview, she blew it off and said she was known for her competitive spirit. Catch this...THAT'S NOT A COMPETITIVE SPIRIT IT'S JUST PLAIN CARELESS AND UNKIND!!! Why do we put up with it? Why do we think it's okay for Senator Joe Wilson from South Carolina to publicly call our President a liar in that forum. Despite how you feel about the president that just wrong. Civilized: adequate in courtesy and politeness. We have just lost our minds.

Mom used to always says, "Treat others how you wanna be treated." Jesus put it like this in Luke 10..."He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Not real different than what momma said. Can we get back to the basics. This is what Jesus boiled it all down to...can we?

Better stop and listen

2009-08-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

I can remember my Grandpa saying people are more important then production. I never really believed that. I always thought that you have to have something to show for your work at the end of the day. Never had time for interruptions. I can remember though we'd be busy burning brush or cutting grass and my grandpa would stop whenever there was an opportunity to have a conversations with someone. Grandpa had a friend named Dave that would walk down and we would have a long discussions with him about next to nothing. Like what the doctor said about his ingrown toenail or how to get groceries at a better cost. Dave always had something to say. He and grandpa would talk about he war, the depression and the changes that the area has seen. I am not sure why I would sit there and get agitated. There was a wealth of knowledge and stories that both of those guys would say. I found out today at an impromptu lunch at a coffee house in NR all kinds of information from an awesome group of men talking about sports. Both were writers for a local paper and it was awesome hearing them both talk. It is important to stop and listen when people are around you that can truly share their hearts and knowledge. So next time you have the opportunity just grab a cup of coffee and enjoy yourself!!!

Muddy Road

2009-08-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

Recently I was honored to be asked to speak at my good friends camp for Jr. High students in the Catskill mountains of New York. It was an absolute blast. From getting to know the staff to having great conversations with the kids, I was made to feel like I was at home. The entire week was awesome despite the rains and some hiccups trying to get home.

One of the cool things I got do do was watch the students have their "mud wars". It basically consisted of all the students jumping in this big mud pit. It was crazy to see them just come alive. It took a while for them to get heavily involved in the mud, but eventually they dove in full throttle. Kids were throwing mud on kids...some were belly flopping in the mud pit...others were just swimming in it. It truly reminded me of what we as believers are supposed to be doing.

There are times where we just need to jump right in and truly immerse ourselves in the mission that God has called us to be a part of. We need to be sold out when we share our faith. We need to be on the forefront of social issues, not with our political platforms and our desire to get our guy elected, but with our desire to make sure that we are putting all we can into reaching those that are hurting and need the love of Christ.

Mud...the mire...the muck...lets dive in!!!

how big are queen sheets?

2009-07-01T14:16:00.001-07:00

So I went to a internet search engine to find the size of queen bed sheets. Which doesn't sound like a big deal, but you wouldn't believe the ordeal that I had trying to find that specific information. It was funny. You should have seen all the places that have positioned themselves to the top of those search engines so that you see their websites first. Target, Wal-Mart, Sheets Emporium. It didn't matter. They weren't even truly trying to answer my questions. They were trying to sell me sheets. I just wanted to know the size. After pointing and clicking I was able to find the size on a page that just so happened to be answering some different persons random question.

I think it funny. We get so inundated with things around us that we lose sight on what we set out to do in the beginning. Scripture says in James, that we are like a man that looks in a mirror, walks away, and forgets what he looks like when we know what is expected us of and yet we don't do it. My goal was to find my answer to the size of some bed sheets. So I looked all over the place getting side tracked often. I had to remind myself of what I was doing. What are we doing? What are we supposed to be doing? I don't want to see God work in my life and just walk away and forget it. That's just my prayer.

Just food for thought.

12 hours in 4 days...

2009-06-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

It's funny, I know I talk about my daughter a lot, but I have spent a lot of time with her lately. Most of that taking place around 2:AM-4:30AM. You see she just can't sleep for some reason. My wife, such a wonderful mommy, has tried to go with many different solutions, but to no avail. Everyone and their mother has an idea about what we should do which just complicates things. If you are 100% certain that she will sleep then bring on the ideas...if not, please don't confuse the issue!!! (That's sleep deprivation talking.)

Despite the sleep deprivation I fall in love with her a little more every night. She has a this thing she does when I go in to put in the pacifier in her mouth at night, she will grab on to me with her hands and feet. She kinda wraps herself around my arm like a koala bear. She just wants to hold on to me and know that I am there for her. She wants me to comfort her. In my arms, to her, is the safest place to be. I love that feeling.

In a very small way, I get to experience what God gets to experience when we are right where we need to be with God. Resting in his arms. Psalm 4:8 says, "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." I love that...I love knowing that despite my fear, I can rest in the Lord and in his loving arms. It is the place where I feel the safest. When I need rest...he is there. When I am scared...he is there. When I am in need of encouragement...he is there.

Grab onto God like a koala bear. With all that you have hold tight in all things.

Ouch!!!

2009-05-07T12:46:00.000-07:00

So, I have had some tests done lately on my brain. Fortunately, there is one in there and I am doing well, so please don't worry. The funny part to this entire story comes now. I had to go to a closed MRI location. This just means they stick you in the tube and you feel pretty claustrophobic as they scan your brain. I could have sworn that things was going to blow up. All that noise. Well, that isn't the half of it. I guess technically it was the halfway point of the MRI though. They took me out and then the fun part started. I had to get a contrast die injected into my body so that my brain would light up like a Christmas tree. Now, I am a pretty patient guy with people, especially the medical field but this poor lady got on my very last nerve. She stuck that needle in me 11 times looking for a vein. Now, after the 6th time, I was a little put off by her inability to stick the needle in my HUGE veins. She stuck me in the elbows, hands, and back again. Unfortunately there was no one there to help her and I was strapped to the table. (Which was probably good as my initially reaction was to punt her "In the name of Jesus!") All that to say it was a pretty frustrating day. She finally got it in and I finished my scan.

The pain we go through, the rough patches of life, if we look at them the right way, we can totally see how God is working in our hearts and in the way we respond to the tough situations we are put through. I had to go through that pain in order to get the results of this very important test. Such is life. Pain to get to the end. I am encouraged by knowing that God has me in his loving arms. Protecting me, guiding me and opening my eyes to His plans.

Just a thought!

Oh...that's right...FAITH!!!

2009-03-11T06:55:00.001-07:00

Isn't it funny that we hold so tightly to our faith when something is happening to other people? Let me unpack that just a little. When something goes wrong with someone, we offer to pray for them. When someone is going through divorce we offer to counsel them with all the spiritual information that we can. We dig down so deep that we will offer prayers when the world says that we are crazy. We will hold tightly to God's strength and try to push through, what would seem insurmountable. Isn't it funny though, that sometimes when it comes to ourselves, we forget what we hold so tightly in our grip for others, that we think it won't work for ourselves.

Take for instance going having surgery. We can know that God will take care of us, but we begin to feel an anxiety that really shouldn't be there. "Will the surgery work?" "Will I wake up during the procedure?" "What if the doctor cuts me in the wrong place?" "What if the doctor falls asleep?" This is where the rubber meets the road. Will we hold on to the faith that helps carry others, when it needs to carry ourselves? To many times we will fall back on our old ways and forget that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the same God that will take care of us. The very same God that help make the lame walk and the blind see is the same God that will sustain us when we go through trials. This is the same God that sent his son to die on a cross for you and me.

God is big enough to handle our struggles and weaknesses and he knows how well we can handle each thing that happens that might sway us. Our faith in God is more than just a knowledge of his existence, more than just knowing that he is everywhere and knows everything, our faith is about building a deep relationship with the creator. Lanny Donoho, author, speaker, creative mind, once said, "Sometimes you have to go through the worst of life where you almost lose your faith in order for it to become real faith." While God never wants us to lose our faith, he definitely doesn't want you to hang on to a faith that really doesn't mean much to you.

Farm livin, ripples and ducks

2009-02-19T18:31:00.000-08:00

I used to love living on the farm. In case you didn’t know, starting in the 3rd grade I grew up on a nearly 60 acre farm outside of New Richmond, Ohio. I loved every aspect of living on the farm. We had room to do just about anything we wanted. We would play hide and seek in the corn, camp out in the woods, play in the creek, you name it. But I think one of my favorite things to do was to hang out by our little pond. It seemed huge to me. I mean, I would sit in a small little row boat and watch the fish underneath me, play with the ducks, or just lay back in the boat and look at the sky. I was so carefree and I remember when I was in the boat, anything was possible for me to dream up.

One thing I truly loved...the ripples. Sounds weird but it was true. You could throw something into the water and it would make ripples that would run from one side of the lake to the other. I like the ripples because fish would come up to see what it was that was making such a commotion, or the ducks would be moved by the ripples, the cattails would sway a bit. I loved what would happen when you could make ripples. It was an action causing a reaction. It was awesome.

I think about my life now, am I making ripples. Am I causing people to move, stand up and take notice, or even acknowledge anything is even going on? Jesus says in Mark 8:35, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” Are you even putting yourself out there? Is there an area of your life where you could be putting more effort in making ripples? Just a thought.

3:AM Feedings

2009-01-20T06:17:00.000-08:00

As I write this to you my eyes feel extremely heavy. So it might not be a good article for me to write at this very moment. I love being a daddy. I can tell you that even through the sleep deprivation I have never felt so connected in my entire life. I see things that God is growing me and opening my eyes through being a father to Elizabeth. She is amazing. She is growing like a weed and is beginning to smile, giggle and make the most beautiful sounds ever. I was in the office with her last week and she woke up very hungry. We found that we have a limited amount of time to get her fed right away before she goes completely ballistic. So I rush around looking for something to heat the bottle in and balance a steady bounce/rock as I am walking with her before she lets out a LOUD SCREAM!!!

Now, I have not once let her go without eating. WE feel it is important to the growth of our child to feed her every three hours or so. (DUH!!!) It's funny because you think we must have let her starve to this point in her life. But she eats, 8 square meals a day.

Aren't we like that with God? The little hint of pain we go through and we panic. We try to scream and kick and try to make things right on our own or try to direct things ourselves. In a way, we are little babies searching for God to give us we what we need RIGHT NOW!!!! The reality is, God has never let us go without. We have made it to this point in life. He also know just how much to give you. With my daughter I can only give her three ounces. Anymore and its Mount Sovious. It will come up on her. God knows exactly how much we can handle and how much we need.

That to me is comforting!!!

`09 Commitment

2009-01-09T14:51:00.000-08:00

My commitment in 2009 to advance the kingdom is to stop saying that things are "just fine". Let's be real here, if we could just focus on the blessings that are right in front of us we will be sustained by that goodness and things would stop being "just fine". I want to live beyond "Just Fine" in `09. I want to make every moment count. It is time to live in the moments of each day. Conversations with people, laughs with my co-staffers, holding my little girl, kissing my wife before we leave in the day. I want to make each and every moment be more than just "fine". I want to break the mold. The mold of people thinking that people who follow Jesus are intolerant, two-faced, and unfriendly. I want my friends and family to wonder why I am so different. The change we need in our church can be found by us simply looking in the mirror.

The Wonder of It All

2008-12-15T20:25:00.000-08:00

I have seen some pretty amazing things in my lifetime. As I approach the ripe old age of 32 next week I am amazed by God and all he is doing, not just in my life, but in the world itself. I came across this article this week, check it out,

AFP/WWF – This undated handout picture released on December 15 by WWF Greater Mekong Programme shows a Gumprechts …

* More species discovered in Asia Play Video Video: More species discovered in Asia Australia 7 News

"Scientists have discovered more than 1,000 species in Southeast Asia's Greater Mekong region in the past decade, including a spider as big as a dinner plate, the World Wildlife Fund said Monday.

A rat thought to have become extinct 11 million years ago and a cyanide-laced, shocking pink millipede were among creatures found in what the group called a "biological treasure trove".

The species were all found in the rainforests and wetlands along the Mekong River, which flows through Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the southern Chinese province of Yunnan.

"It doesn't get any better than this," Stuart Chapman, director of WWF's Greater Mekong Programme, was quoted as saying in a statement by the group.

"We thought discoveries of this scale were confined to the history books."

The wonder of it all. Can you imagine? I mean, just when we think we have it all figured out, all the texts books are updated, science can begin working on the things that we know to be true about certain species, all of the sudden we declare there are more than 1000 more that we just now found? I mean, the wonder of it all.

David Crowder sings this song, entitled "The Wonder of it All" and I am reminded that the bigness of this world pales in comparison to the bigness of God. In the song it reminds us this,

"The wonder of it all is you came here...for the rescue of us all, that we may live." That is just how big our God is.

Some thoughts on the election

2008-11-05T09:03:00.000-08:00

This was a thought that I came to me last night in a reading. Maybe I am too much of an optimist but none the less I feel a peace because of my strong faith that God is bigger than so much of what we are seeing.

I want to make it very clear with what I am about to say. I am hearing a lot of people call our President-elect as being evil. To me, we need to still understand that despite our thoughts and feelings, God requires Christians to be subject to the authority put over them.

Here are the words from Paul...
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

So, why would Paul call Nero, "..God's servant to do you good?" (13:4)

Nero, the Roman emperor at that time, would not be considered a great servant of God. This man persecuted Christians and, in some cases, had them executed. (See 1 Peter 1:6) But in a limited sense, Nero did right when he punished criminals or maintains law and order. Paul made it a point to urge the early church believers to pray for their rulers so peace would be kept and the gospel could continue to thrive and spread. Paul more than likely prayed this for Nero.

So the question remains, does God support bad Government?

God wants rulers and it doesn't matter the system of government or political ideology and he wants it to be ruled fairly and with justice. God may use human agencies and institutes, such as the ballot box to promote justice in some way or another.

In some cases, God permits unjust rulers to take power and authority on Earth. This, in no way means God will take part in evil. Still, he can direct human deeds--good or evil--to accomplish his greater plan, which is always bent toward good. For example, God allowed wicked Babylon to discipline the nation of Judah. (See Hab. 1 6, 13) He permitted brutal rulers to conquer his people in the hopes that his people would turn again to him and of course we know the outcome of that.

So I guess in closing, I know there is a sense of fear and trepidation on the parts of people, especially the "evangelicals" whatever that means this day in age and that will only be taken care of through a stronger faith in Jesus Christ. Can we say the fruit of what we have seen in a man would lead us to believe he is evil? I would say yes. But we must remember that God has a plan for this president just as he has a plan for you and for me.

If there is one thing I know, and have learned in the last year and a half, God's timing is perfect. He is constant. He is steadfast. He is my Lord. Selah.

Some food for thought!!!

2008-10-01T10:40:00.000-07:00

We are called to, “Go into all the world...” this is our mission. We are to “preach the Gospel.” We have an obligation to “...spread the Good News.” However you want to put it, our job is simple in many ways. We are to share the spread Jesus to as many people that we can. This seems like it should be as easy as baking a pie, but we know as Christians it is not.

Jesus teaches us in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8, that there are different reasons why the job of sharing the good news can be so difficult. We are told by Jesus that there are different types of soil that we are dealing with. Those different types of soil can help us to take a better approach to our task at hand and thus be successful as we deliver that message worldwide.

We are told that in the passage the farmer begins spreading seed all over the place. This might be the first problem that we encounter as Christian evangelists. We can’t spread our seed without sometimes, taking care of a few issues first. In the farmers first instance, he casts the seed on the path. Now, I am not sure why he spread it on the path, maybe it was most convenient for him. He didn’t have to go any further so he just spread it where he was. That see was either trampled on or eaten by the birds. When we just do whatever we can to dump on people the message sometimes they just simply aren’t quite ready to hear it yet. If we aren’t willing to go beyond the path, we may never see our seeds stick.

Next we are told that the farmer casts his seeds on the rocky terrain. This is also problematic because without the right resources the seed may grow for a while, but it will die out. This is just like when we witness to people that are in the midst of searching for our savior, but they don’t look to the right places to get them into a better situation. They grow quickly, but it is false growth. Growth without stability isn’t growth at all, it is a temporary flash in the pan that will soon, die out. We must lead people to better soil and show them the error of there ways in a way that is loving and prosperous to them and their faith.

We find the farmer casting his seeds on the thorny terrain next. This can be easily chocked out once it begins to grow. Again, this is a situation of laziness on the part of the farmer as the farmer is not willing to pull and destroy the thorny area. If we aren’t willing to do the work it takes to change the terrain, we will quickly loose what we started.

The final stop is when the farmer places the seeds on the good soil. In good soil the seed will survive. If we are willing to help cultivate the soil, by helping people in their lives to see a better way of living, then fruit will come of the seed and the message will be shared to everyone who comes in contact with it.

a young lady's BIG prayer

2008-09-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

Well, Amy and I are back from our vacation to Seagrove, Florida. We had a wonderful time. On the way down to the beach we were accompanied by the Bacon's and their kids. The time was a little stressful because of hurricane yIKEs barreling down through the Gulf of Mexico. What I found to be the best part of dealing with all of this were the prayers of a young lady named Maddie. As we traveled down she asked God to move the hurricane away from our little vacation and to protect those that were going to be hit. The best thing about the prayer of a young lady was how genuine it was. She continued to pray for those that were going to get hit by the hurricane and continued to pray for their protection. To see a young girl pray with all her heart and mean every single word was a blessing to me and my wife as we are going to have a little girl in December. I pray that my daughter will have instilled in her a faith that can move hurricanes and a passion to pray for those who may be in dangers way. I pray that my little girl will be a servant and will one day grow into a young lady that believes in BIG prayers.

If we don't try...we won't win!!!

2008-08-26T05:50:00.000-07:00

Recently we did an event at the church for the students in the youth group and their parents called the "Make a Difference Dinner." I was so pleased that so many people came to the church to support their kids as they get ready to go back to school. My goal for the evening was two-fold, first, I wanted to just get families together. As a student minister my desire is to bring families to a relationship with Christ that will make both parties grow in their faith. It is my belief that if we, the church, can become spiritual partners with families our church can grow and help other families come to know Christ as well. My second reason was to encourage students to try. Try and make a difference this year with just one aspect of their life. Either bringing one friend to church or starting a bible club, etc. I just want kids to know that we, the church namely me as the student minister, and their parents are going to be there behind them...100%.

In the Old Testament Book of Isaiah it says, "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations," says the Lord. While this verse is applied to God's house, I believe we can apply this to our homes as well. Make your home a house of prayer. Each and everyday. For your students, others students, and those families are represented as a whole.

Godspeed,

Timmy :D)

Ah...the biggest let downs

2008-08-24T04:29:00.000-07:00

I think the biggest let downs in life come from under achievement. I mean, those opportunities you know could be great, just don't turn out to be great, they turn out to be more of a bummer than anything. It could be your favorite team, (My Reds have been horrible this year.) it could be a friend, a family member or even the dog you have trained to stay out of the cat box, but he just can't resist!!! (What's up with that...by the way?). Through the years though I think the biggest let downs come from when I see a student, parent, friend, family member fall short of where I know they could be.

In the book of Revelation we are informed about a church that became, or at least was on the road to becoming, a big let down. The church is Sardis. Great in size, people, and influence. But something happens. Laziness, complacency, a lost heart? John writes to them and says, the church that once was, is now not, but could become again. Essentially, he tells them to right the ship. Get back on course and make the advancement that everyone knows you could be.

Don't we get warnings all the time? I mean, I believe the Holy Spirit guides us if we just listen to the still small voice. It is very clear at times to me that I am not who I could be. I make mistakes. Doubt here, road rage there, etc. etc. But the point is we are created to be so much more.

RISE TO THE POTENTIAL GOD HAS PLACED INSIDE OF EACH OF US. MAKE A DIFFERENCE. TAKE A STAND.

Something to chew on...

2008-08-14T15:28:00.001-07:00

Here is something to think about...

I have a book on my shelf in my office called "Five People I You Meet In Heaven." This book has been on my shelf for a very long time and unfortunately I have yet to read it. (Of course, I haven't had a single minute sense being in college to pleasure read anyway.) It got me thinking though, just the title alone makes me wonder what kind of people that I will meet in heaven. Sure, there are those I love that have gone before me, Grandpa Coulson, John Maddox (long time Mt. Carmel member), and a plethora of others; but I wonder about the eyes I look into everyday. Now, being a church staff member I can say that the people I work with here at the church have a relationship with Jesus and live for Him and my close friends and of course my lovely bride; but those that I see hurting, lost, confused, where are they going? Have I done enough? Could I send someone to speak to them? Could I speak to them myself?

We live in a cynical world where people have a hard time believing in anything. Politicians let us down, star athletes leave (Thank K. Griffey!!!), even our family. It's know wonder people don't believe in much. But is that because we Christians have stop believing as well? Could there be more that we can do?

James 4:14 says, "Why, you don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." What have we don people e with our time? We need to live for the moments that God puts us in. The waiter that wants to talk...the gas station attendant you see all the time, your local barista at Starbucks...we work with...God has sent many people out to do his work, ready, willing and able. Are you one?

Go go go...

2008-07-31T15:08:00.000-07:00

Pace, Schedules, Priorities...

Sunday...Get to church at 7:AM or so, Party at Woodland Mound Park home at 4 to do homework

Monday...Shopping for maternity clothes...wow...thats big business, leave for game at 5:30 home after league meeting at 11:PM

Tuesday...Staff meeting at 9, lunch with my friends, football at 4:30, home at 9

Wednesday...Meeting at 8, back to church at 11:AM, meeting at 11:30, back to church at 3, meeting at 7, home at 9:30 after work.

Thursday...Up at 5:AM, begin Two-a-Day football practice, back to office at 2, go to a game at 6:30...

Tomorrow...Same as Thursday...other than the game

I know that I am not this busy all the time, but I wanted to let you all know how important it is to stop and breath in the midst of busyness. I like to listen to music and pray in the car, shower, in my office, before bed, when I wake up...Never stop seeking out time with the Father.

Busy or not!!!

Fight the Good Fight

2008-07-08T14:56:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how busy I have been lately. I have truly been running like a mad man recently. I love working with students. They have a sense of urgency about them. Things have to happen right now for them or they are discontent with where they are in life. I have often told them they it is critical that they continue to fight the good fight. Fight where they know their efforts will be needed. I don't want students to just walk through life thinking that it is just a series of events; moving from the next one to the next one. They will never learn to stand for what they believe in if they are moving 90 mph going from one thing to the next. Stay and fight. Make sure you are getting it done.

I know that in my life, I need to fight for what I believe is absolutely true. Where is God leading me...where do I need to make an stronger effort. God wants the best for all of us, but if we are willing to put in the time...what's the point?

Ever changing dreams

2008-06-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

You know the funny thing about life is once we feel like we know what we want, God shows us something different and we want that instead and most of the time even more than what we wanted before. We are like a kid a Christmas who has just opened the perfect gift. We are thrilled that we received this awesome toy and we play with it for all of about 2 hours until our cousin walks in with an even better gift. Now...Christmas is ruined because we did get what we wanted, but we didn't know there was something else out there.

My dreams have been pretty simple. Find a great ministry within my church I love deeply (check), marry the woman of my dreams (check, check), own a home (check), have a good running car (check), start a family (soon to check), and just serve God. The funny thing is, I am never content. I mean, I love the things that I have in my life, but the last part just really is so ever changing that it leaves me feeling discontent. I want to see God move. I want God to move in me and my family and my church. I want to see Southwest Ohio changed for Christ. I want revival, sanctuary, peace, love, hope, and God to rock the worlds of those that are turning away from Him.

This is my dream. Not just the things I have checked off in my life, but the things that God can do, I just want to help with.

Pretty simple?

Is it the destination or the journey?

Find your dream,

Timmy :D)

Is it any wonder?

2008-02-13T04:28:00.001-08:00

Is it any wonder that we feel lost when we are sad?

Sadness is like one of those really itchy blankets that only your grandparents have. Its feel is enough to make you cringe without even having it on your body. Once you feel like you can manage the feeling of the blanket touching your skin, you move or adjust and it just starts making you itch again. You can never really get rid of the blanket though. It's like the blanket become a part of who you are. Or in some familites the blanket just keeps getting passed down from family member to familiy member. "Oh, we can't throw out that old itchy blanket, it was Grandma's." Then the cycle just continues.

When sadness is upon you the only thing you can do is try to remove the sadness completely. Begin talking it out or start praying into the sadness. What do I mean by praying into the sadness? Have you ever been playing around and leaned into someone to make sure you didn't get knocked over? It's kinda like that. You don't really want to get knocked over so you have to lean into the problem. Prepare yourself. Have some type of force behind you. I prefer to think about it as if God were leaning against you leaning against the sadness. He can't just snap and take away all the pain, although I guess from time to time he does, and could anytime if He wants, but I think the sadness and pain are what makes us who we truly are.

Don't get lost in sadness. It is easy to do. Find strength at the source.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7

When God Speaks

2007-11-05T21:45:00.000-08:00

Okay...here's a thought. When God speaks to you...is it ever like just totally clear? I mean when I think God is speaking to me through BIG things I tend to miss what he is really saying to me in the first place. I am reminded of Elijah in 1 Kings where he is told to go to the mountain and God will pass by. Here is the account found in 1 Kings 19... "Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by."
A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper." How many times have we seen God in the BIG things? I mean it is scary to think how many times I have missed hearing what God has said because I have been to busy looking in the "obvious" places. What is important is slowing down and truly quieting ourselves and really listening in places where we are usually not expecting the "Word" to speak to us.

God's voice=Quiet Whisper

Getting to the heart of it.

2007-11-01T11:36:00.000-07:00

Here is a little fodder for everyone. I mean if I were to look at my relationship with God, I realized that I was spending more talking than I was listening. I spend way too much time just crying out loud my wants, desires, and passions. I have been recently studying the monks of the 8th and 9th centuries and what I found was, besides the fact that I couldn't be a monk, was that they spent most of their time in reverse of what most of us do. They listened. They spent many countless hours in silence.

I am trying to adopt a new way of spending time with God, it is a version of lectio devina, it is focusing on one word that I want to use to focus me in on God. Resting myself in a quiet place and simply allowing my heart to get recharged as I sit quietly waiting on God. Letting him do most of the talking. Of course it is still important to spend time reading scriptures, but this is time where I can just focus on the "still quiet voice.

My Heart

2007-10-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

There isn't much to say about tragedy is there? I mean it is just something that we have to live with. We have found ourselves, my wife and I, going through a tragedy. People keep asking me the same thing over and over again. Don't get me wrong I know that people mean well. As a matter of face other people keep telling me that same thing. "Oh they mean well." I mean come on could we come up with something else? Could we say something else. On both sides of the coin. I know that I am just truly exhausted right now. Anyone that has gone through what we have would be tired. This was sent to me recently and this is where we are. Right in this moment. It is found in Romans 8:26-28 "Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." Make sense?