giver

God is the most extravagant giver in the universe! If we are truly His followers, then shouldn't we be givers as well? Not just with our finances, but with our time, talents and energy as well. I mean, why should God give you more, if you are only going to keep it for yourself? Are you a giver?

To or From

Are you running TO something or FROM something? Many people are running FROM things like their past, lies, consequences or fears. They live as the one who is hunted. There is no rest or peace for they know that if they stop, they will have to face what is chasing them. Then there are some of us who are running TO something. If that something is Jesus and we keep our eyes focused on Him. They we will live a life that continues to grow in love, peace and joy and the closer we get to Jesus the more things that fall off of us.
Are you running TO something or FROM something?

love appropriately

I want to love appropriately. There are some who need more love than others and some who need love showed in different ways than others. My heart is to love others as Jesus would, and do so in the way that they can best accept.

leave no doubts

I had this put on our sign at the church. This can be taken so many ways. For me, I want to leave "no doubts" with the way I live. With my integrity in both the big and the little things in life is one big area. Another would be with my communication to others, as far as delegating or what's expected on both parties. I am making an intentional effort to communicate more clearly. Do you leave doubts?

stuff

Yesterday, we spent the whole day laying straw on our new grass seed on the side of our hill and behind the church. Then I got to play in a double header one pitch softball game for C3 in a City league. This morning I went to our Area Ministers meeting and afterward met to plan for a Columbus wide church leaders meeting conference. I can't wait to head home tonight and play with my kids in the yard.

giving and receiving

God desires to give us more, we are just not able to receive it.

I know that with my kids, there are certain gifts that I cannot yet give them because they are not mature enough to handle them. As they continue to grow, the better and more valuable the gifts become. The same way with our Heavenly Father, the more we grow spiritually, the greater we can receive from Him.

7th string

I am the 7th string drummer for C3 Church and this week I am playing. This is the first time in almost 4 years where they have needed me to play the drums on Sunday morning.
I am excited about where our worship is going at C3. We have some amazing people and we just had an "all worship" meeting where we shared new structure, vision and our plan to get there. We will be implementing auditions, new sound system tweaks, forming of individual bands and more. It is an exciting time in the life of our church as our worship is now being lifted to a whole new level.

excellence

I believe God is calling us to excellence, not perfection. There is only one who is perfect...and that is God. I want to strive for excellence in everything I do. I want to do everything as unto Jesus and give it my very best. If I can say that I gave my very best, than I am satisfied. Giving my very best means that I have adequately prepared, using everything God has given me and then looking back to see what I could have done better the next time. Just like I tell my kids, "I only ask that you give your very best!"

delegation

I read a great book in 1 hour called "If you want it done right, you DON"T have to do it yourself!" It's all about the power of delegation and here were the main points:
1. Prepare beforehand
2. Clearly define the task needing to be completed
3. Give a clear time frame
4. Define their level of authority (recommend, inform and initiate)
5. Identify checkpoints of when you will review the progress throughout
6. Debrief

Simple, but incredible info...........if it's applied!

offensive prayer

Today while reading and praying, I was convicted about my prayers. How much of my prayers are defensive and reactive compared to how many are offensive and proactive? Not to say that praying for needs or current issues is wrong, but it shouldn't be all that I pray. I want to pray things into existence. I want move heaven with faith for things that are God's Will but have not happened yet. I want to play offense for the Kingdom of God and push back the darkness. How much of your prayer life is offensive rather than defensive?

owned up

Funny how right after I write my last blog, the guy owns up. We had been trying to get in contact with him for 3 weeks and heard back nothing. He explained the whole situation and did have some great excuses. I'm just glad he owned up and now we can move forward. Praise God.

own up

It bothers me to no end when people don't own up for something they are clearly responsible for. We are using a contractor for some personal work around our house whom we caught in a lie.....and he knows we know it. Now he is avoiding us like the plague cause he is afraid to own up. We have all made mistakes in life, but in my book there is a whole lot more grace and forgiveness given when you admit you did wrong and apologize from the heart. Sometimes owning up can be a tough thing to do, but in the end, it is the right thing to do. I have usually found over the years that if I own up as soon as I have done something wrong, it makes life much better. Much of the stress is thinking about confronting someone or admitting something. It's usually never as bad as I had imagined either.
Is there anything you need to OWN UP for?

keep em alive

We have made some great memories as a family on our vaction. We have swam almost every day and had a blast living with no real agenda. My goal now is to talk about the fun we've had together. I will do this on occasion to keep these memories alive for years to come.

rest

Enjoying my vacation with my family. Learning to find strength in rest. Sounds simple, but its easier said than done.

vacation

We are finally at our vaction destination. Huge thanks to keris mom and step dad who let us hang in their little place on a lake. With a dock, fishing, pontoon boat, canoe and a grill, what more does a family need. My kids will no doubt beup early and will spend the whole day in the water.

it's not your money

When it comes to tithing and giving of our money, God is not interested in our money, but rather in our TRUST in Him. It's funny how we trust God with our souls, but not our money. It's all about faith and trust. Do you really trust Him?

the most important week of the year

On Wed, will begin the most important week of my year. A week where key investments are made for a lifetime. A week where I personally, must fulfill my God given responsibility. A time of strengthening and bonding with the people who are closest to me. Because of this week, I will be able to operate at a higher capacity for the rest of the year. Especially at this season in my life, this week is the most important.....it is my vacation!
I can't wait to spend a week with my family doing nothing but spending time with each other. My wife told our 6 year old that he was going to get a whole week full of "daddy time." He was jumping up and down and going nuts! I'm already talking it up with my kids about how much fun we are going to have. Sometimes the anticipation is the best part.