APC

I had an incredible time at Allison Park Church in Pittsburg this past weekend.  I was honored to speak the weekend services and be apart of their student Impact week.  They have a great thing going with some amazing leaders.

get away

I had the privilege Friday night to speak for hundreds of young men at the Ohio Pow Wow.  I'm believing God did some great things in their lives as men of God prayed for the young men of this next generation.  I then travelled to Pittsburg to speak at Allison Park Church and spoke tonight.  It is an incredible honor to speak for Pastor Jeff Leake at such a great church.  I'm looking forward to spending some time over the next couple days to be alone with Jesus in their guest house.  I want to get a hold of Jesus over a few things.  Sometimes a break in routine can open me up to hear His voice.

a few things

I had a mentor who told me once, "You can do a lot of things well. "  I thought that was great compliment until he followed it with, "And that is why you may never be really great at anything."  Um...Ouch!  His Challenge was to find what I can be the best at, and focus on it.  Like an olympic athlete who takes one thing and hones it to be the best.  I think the same is true for us in life.  We only have time to do so many things.  When we fill our lives with everything, we rarely accomplish anything.  What are the most important things to you?  Focus on them and make them the best they can be.  What do you need to focus on?

rite of passage

Last weekend, I took my 13yr old son on an overnight backpacking trip deep in the National Forest. We walked 4 miles each day of steep hills and beautiful scenery.  The distance was far enough to push his physical limits with a pack on, but not enough to break him.  After we had set up camp and each eaten our military MRE, we sat down and I spoke some important things into his life.  Then I gave him his first real knife.  It was incredible to spend that focused time with my son.

52 miles

This past Saturday I ran the Buckeye Buster 50 miler in the Salt Fork State Park.  I have to admit it was one of the toughest physical challenges I have ever faced.  The hills were constant and incredibly steep, which crushed my thighs.  At mile 30, I had to fight the questions going on in my head as I am taking evaluation of how I feel, how much I have left in my tank and how far I still have to go.  But, I chose to continue to push through.  I have learned that when you think you have hit your limit, you can go several times farther.  The human will can drive the body to do incredible things.  With every test, I feel that I have grown stronger.  That when my metal was tested, I was able to pass the test.  I had a lot of alone time with Jesus while I was suffering.  I find that in those moments, I am more broken and humble before God and I am able to connect with Him on a different level.  I know that I can do All things through Christ who gives me strength.

stirring

I feel like God is stirring me up and desiring to stir our church as well.  I don't know what that means, but I have an incredible peace and anticipation brewing inside my heart.  I'm just trying to stay open and available to hear His voice.  In the meantime, we will continue to Move Forward as a church.  Jesus have your way!