Panama 2

I'm so proud of our team. They worked very hard today, putting up the last truss on the church our first team began. We put on some more of the roof and began building the walls with blocks. Our team mixed all the concrete by hand. It was a great day of work. Trips like this are like a marathon, you have to pace yourself to make sure you finish strong!

Panama 1

We arrived last night, the 16 of us ate together and had a devotional as a team. This morning we went to the new church our first team began. I was given the honor of preaching the first message under the new roof and it was Pentecost Sunday. We had 3 people come to Christ this morning and our team did amazing praying for the people. Also, we heard the Pastor share an amazing story of how he was discouraged and about to give up. He felt God tell him to stand strong, so he gave God two months. That's when God moved huge. Within that time, we were here and built this building. The real miracle is that for us, this was plan C. Only because 2 other opportunities fell through we're we going to Panama. Then the missionary to Panama that we were working with, was setting us up in two other places that fell through as well, and so this was again a plan C. But in Gods equation....it was an answer to both our prayers. It is an amazing feeling knowing that you are in the Will of God.

memories

Today, I'm going to my boys schools to take them out early just to spend time together. I have a special couple hours planned that I know they will love. They have no clue I'm coming and I'm looking to create a memory they will have forever. I was blessed to have a dad who did this for me....and I still cherish the memories.

take it all in

I have a philosophy in life, that I want to get to the end of my life having used every bit of energy, gifting, finances, and love to enjoy this life to the fullest. I want to live as close to "red lining" as possible to take it all in and enjoy everything that God has given me. Yesterday, I was up early, preached 3 services, grabbed a quick lunch, ran a 5k race near the church, crossed the line and jogged to the church, showered, straight into a missions meeting and then off to a Pentecost Rally, prayed at the altar for people and then headed home. I was exhausted, but I felt I took in everything that I possibly could. I guess my point is, let's make the most of everyday and every opportunity. Wherever you are...be there...all there and in doing so, enjoy the richness of life.

friction

Friction makes rough things smooth. Friction removes the rough edges on something. The same goes for our lives. Friction may be painful, but it has a way of making us more like Jesus.

weight

In life and especially in ministry, there is always weight to carry. Some of it is our own baggage, but much of it is the baggage of those close to us. It is so hard not carry it when your heart breaks for them and their situation of what they are going through. We all shoulder this weight differently, but the real key is to lay it at the feet of Jesus. He already carried and died for every burden and all sin. What weight are you carrying?

Mom

I want to thank my mom for all that she has done for me. Over the years she has sacrificed, prayed and invested in me. I know that much of who I am, I owe to her. My entire life has been spent knowing that she believes in me and that she is always praying for me. My mom gave up some of the best years of her life to pour into me and because of that investment, I am able to go farther and reach higher. So now my moms legacy will live on in my life, and that of my children as well. I love you mom!

at what point

At what point will you jump into something before anyone else does? At what point will you give up and call it quits? At what point will you stop being generous? At what point is your patience gone? At what point will you stop loving, changing, growing and moving forward? Whatever that point is, reveals a whole lot about you and me.

MI District Council

Sitting in the airport, waiting to return from Lansing MI and just reflecting. I had the chance to speak the morning session at the MI District Council on church planting and reaching the Millennial (Gen Y) Generation. God is so good and is at work all across this great nation. My prayer is that today church plants were conceived in the hearts and spirits of church planters and ministers left challenged.

evangelism

Jesus gave us an approach on how to reach the lost in Luke 10:5,8-9. The steps are simply: - Speak peace to them - Fellowship with them - Take care of their felt needs - Proclaim the Good News For too long Christians have been at war with the lost. God has called us to speak peace and blessing over them. As we do this, God opens the door for fellowship. Again, we are not sharing the Gospel yet, other than with our lives. After we have fellowshipped and gotten to know them, they feel comfortable enough to share their heart and biggest needs. At this point, we share we have been praying for them and that we will pray specifically for their need. From there, God either answers their prayer or uses us to be the answer. Then their heart is now open to hear the life changing message of Jesus.

Shift

As a church we are in the process of shifting for the next phase of growth. We are creating more roles for more Leaders to fill. We are praying this new structure will help us continue to grow to the next level. A growing healthy church really comes down to 2 words, problem solving. First you have to identify them, then have the courage to deal with them.

Great Sunday

We had several people come to Christ and we baptized 5 on Sunday morning and 1 more in the evening prayer service! A question for us all today: Are we living our lives for a purpose? A purpose that keeps us focused and living fulfilled and that keeps us motivated. Are you living life "on purpose?" We will not make a mark on this Earth for Christ, if we don't live with purpose....HIS Purpose.