day off
Friday's became my day off a few months ago, and they are a nice break from everything that is going on in my life right now.
I got to sleep in a little, watch ESPNews, and take some time to read... which has been sparse lately, but I've been trying to be intentional about it.
I finished up Blink by Malcolm Gladwell this afternoon. It was a good change of pace book for me and was really insightful to decision making. Lacey's dad actually got the book for me late last year where he heard Malcolm speak and got the book signed for me. Pretty cool.
The rest of the day I'm just chillaxing and will probably start a new book. Labels: personal
life's like a highway
Life is full of ups and downs, curves and twists, and warning signs.
When I drive a road I've never been on before, I don't know the potholes I may hit, towns I'm going to pass through, exit numbers, or unexpected curves. Maybe I've driven the road and it seems familiar in some sense, I still don't know the exact details of everything-just the general stuff.
Serving God is really not much different than driving down a highway. It's full of all the same things highways have. I just don't know the details of the trip.
I can know this though-the direction and location that I'm going. I'm to be Christ-like and follow Him wherever He leads. If I follow the signs and directions in order as they are given, I will end up where I need to be... both serving God and driving down a new road.
God never promised it would be easy or comfortable. He just said the path to Him was straight and narrow and that He would always help us.
Following the signs, staying between the mustard and the mayonaise, and following the directions is the easy part when driving. But I'm still working on that one as far as serving God.
Labels: christianity
a rodent meets a .22
We were walking in the door the other night at my grandma's house and noticed something weird. She has a box for her cat to sleep in in her carport, but her cat wasn't in the box... a possum was.
So, I pulled my old marksmanship skills out of my bag and loaded my .22 and decided to kill it. Bam.
Here are pictures with my game.
Labels: personal
nice to be home
It is nice to be back at my own house with heat.
I love going home to Arkansas to spend time with my family, but I also like a little bit of heat when it gets cold outside. We stayed at my aunt's house over Thanksgiving, but their heat went out a couple of days before. Which is not a big deal until it decides to get cold like it did the last few days.
The slow, rainy 6 plus hour drive is over and I get my own bed tonight. Nice.
Labels: personal
2007 thrive wins
God has done some remarkable things in Thrive over the past year. I have taken time over the past couple of weeks to reflect and remember onall that we've been able to accomplish with God's help.
Without all the quality leaders who serve so faithfully every week, Thrive would not have the impact that we have had and will continue to have.On a week to week basis we are able to influence and reach so many students,and we are truly impacting students to help them become fully committed to God.
This is what God has done this year in Thrive:
*25 first time guests from September 5-November 7
*7 first time salvations from September-October
*Increased weekly Thrive attendance from 25 average attendance to 60 average attendance
*Raised over $3500 in STL Golf Tournament
*Overhaul of student ministry meeting space, including necessary upgrades of sound, lighting, video, staging, and connection areas
*Created and developed three solid worship band rotations from no worship band
*Redesign of Thrive brand/logo
*Launched bi-weekly homegroups with over 85% student participation level with average attendance of 44 students and leaders
*Established Thrive presence on 6 separate jr. high and high school campuses
*Recruited and placed 21 adult volunteers
*Established and built 10 ministry teams with leaders and volunteers, involving 48 total volunteers
*Took 27 students, 3 leaders to Camp
*Took 34 students and leaders to Fall Retreat
*Developed students in gifts and abilities through Fine Arts, and advanced to National Fine Arts in six categories
*Hosted Thrive at the Park homegroup sand volleyball tournament with 83 in total attendance
*Numerous students’ lives have been impacted and changed by God
Labels: thrive
book review: going all the way
Finished up Going All the Way by Craig Groeschel last week. What a practical book on pre-dating, dating, pre-marriage, and a lifelong marriage within the Christian context.
Craig gets straight to the point that a relationship must be built on the foundation of loving God first. If not, everything starts off on the wrong foot. Loving God first is the only healthy way to having a relationship that goes the distance.
Loving God first helps us to love our spouse better, and loving our spouse is one of the greatest ways we can display our relationship with God.
Building a healthy, life-long relationship isn't easy nor is it the norm of our culture. But "if you want what few have, do what few do."
Craig's helpful practices would be great for anyone to read. Only having been married almost two years, it was a great reminder to continually develop my relationship with my wife. This book is a quick, easy read highlighted with practical advice for great relationships. Rooted in biblical truth, this book has the potential to take relationships to the next level. Labels: books
commitment to excellence
I always want to bring my best to the table. It really doesn't matter what I'm doing, I just want to do my best so that I have nothing to regret.
This is why doing things with excellence is such a big deal to me. I believe that God deserves our best. He gave His best, so I'm going to give my best.
Bob Russell , formerly from
Southeast Christian Church says, “Excellence honors God and inspires people.” I couldn't agree more.
Inside of all us is the ability to do things well. Not perfect, but well.
With those whom I lead, I want them to not settle for anything other than their best. This is why I am so detailed and demand excellence. It's a commitment to work hard and not be lazy even when it comes to details. No one's best is sloppy and half-way done.
A commitment to excellence is a commitment to putting forth maximum effort in every situation.
A commitment to excellence is a commitment to honoring God in everything we do.
Labels: development, ministry
sin
Last night in Thrive we talked about how God can't allow sin.
Studying for the night, I understood this principle a little more.
We could never meet God's standard according to Romans 3, but God in his kindness sent Christ to take our place so that we could be declared not guilty.
God was so fair and loves us so much that instead of leaving us trying aimlessly to get right with God, He gave up everything in His son. If we chose to live His way, we could then be in a relationship with God.
But when we sin, we choose to live life on our own and reject God and his attempt to be in a relationship with us if we accept Christ. So God gave up everything and when we reject that by sinning, it's like a slap in the face to God's love, kindness, and grace.
No wonder God can't allow sin. Labels: christianity
god can't
We started a new series last week called God Can't.
God can do anything, right? Almost. God can do a lot of things, but there are certainly some things God can't do.
Last week was God can’t fail. Week 2 was God can’t allow sin. And week 3 will be God can't reject. In this series, we will look at who God is and his characteristics by looking at some things He cannot do, so that we can know and understand God better.
Thanks to Seven for giving this series away at District Council. I had the privilege of being there when Pastor Dan and Michael taught this, and it was awesome then. I love the concept, so we took it and adapted it for Thrive.
Labels: christianity, thrive
determined to be like christ
In the middle of all the unfounded drama surrounding my world right now, I have determined I will be like Christ.
I will continually give it to God, because there's nothing I can do. I am taking every thought captive and allowing God to shed the truth on the situation. Integrity and character always stands out in the middle of all this. And I have nothing to be ashamed of or hide because everything is always exposed in the long run.
So, I let God direct my life as I follow after Him.
It's all I can do.
Labels: christianity, development, personal
church arrest
I had to go up to the church early today. A cop had a car pulled over in the church parking lot. Apparently, they had been sitting there for awhile.
A few minutes later, another cop pulls up, and then another later. Each individual was searched, as well as the car being searched.
Crazy stuff.
Labels: funny, personal
vision has a cost
Being able to see a dream or vision come true typically (well, almost always) requires the loss or sacrifice of things you like and sometimes even love.
This reality is starting to set in for me personally, as there are necessary "losses" that will soon take place in my life.
I'm excited about what will happen through these "losses/ sacrifices," yet sad over the reality of the change.
Seeing God accomplish a vision has costs to be counted... and it isn't always easy, especially when it is on a personal level.
Labels: ministry, personal
sharpening the blade
Great conversation today with a ministry mentor/friend of mine about some much needed advice in a lot of areas.
One area we really focused on was the subject of staying sharp in the middle of a transition. This entire year I've tried to continually develop by reading books, articles, magazines, and blogs; attending conferences; and listening to podcasts, sermons, and teachings from high level leaders. It has not been a focused and consistent as I would like, but I have made effort.
But I have struggled to stay sharp. I feel like I'm not as sharp as I was and that the transition of everything has taken my focus and I've become a little dull. And that honestly frustrates me. I want to continually grow with intentionality.
Here are some tips he gave me to continually grow and develop:
1. Set aside time for self-discovery.
2. Set specific goals in different areas.
3. Develop a laser-focused plan to reach these goals.
4. Bring a coach along side, even different ones for different areas.
5. Evaluate progress, growth, and effectiveness objectively.
Labels: development, ministry
new bible journey
This week I've begun a new journey through Scripture with a more focused attitude and desire. Along with my meditation on the book of Matthew, I've begun to journal my way through the book of Romans, which is quite possibly one of my favorite books in the Bible.
This could be due to a great class I had on it at SAGU though. My professor was Dr. Jeff Magruder. I always loved to sit in different classes where he was the professor and learn from him. He challenged me, was brilliant with his thoughts, and made Scripture come alive.
I want to be transformed by God... my mind and my heart. And I need to be transformed. This past year has been one of the most difficult times to live for God. I feel like I have been tested in so many ways, and honestly it's so draining.
I'm ready for this season to be over. I know following God will never be easy because it goes against everything my natural wants to do, but I want to feel God's strength in me. Labels: christianity
fall retreat
Our fall retreat is coming up on us so fast. It is going to be really, really sweet. Staybridge Suites, broomball, and a night to connect deeper with Thrive and God.
Ahh yeah.
Thanks to Tadd and Pine Ridge for sharing their design. Labels: thrive
the big picture
Last night was probably the worst service we have had in 10 months at Thrive. It was so tough to stay positive throughout the night. I had to remind myself so many times that God is still in control and that He was/is still working.
So many students didn't show up, there was no energy, and so much other stuff was just off.
Honestly, though. The problems last night were bigger than last night.
There are weaknesses in Thrive that I have been seeing for a few months, but we aren't able to fix at this point and some are only fixable by God.
We need to develop and train leaders and disciple students better. We have to improve communication and commitment. We have to reach students who don't have a relationships with God.
I'm seeing everything from this 20,000 foot level, so it's time to bring it to the ground, communicate it, and fix things that we can.
Labels: ministry, thrive
