Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
It's Been A While
Well I was shocked to see how long it has been since I last blogged. And quite frankly I guess I just got out of the swing of things. I have since turned to Twittering because they are short bits of thoughts and I can then move on. I guess some would call this laziness while other may just assume that I have nothing really to say. Both of which could be true on any given day. So what I have decided to do is at least post something new three times per week. One will be spiritual in nature, one will be personal, and one will be leadership oriented. I think this will help me be accountable to actually do it and I will have implemented a system. So we will try it and see how things go. Here will be the schedule:
Monday- Sunday reflections/ leadership "careful I am sometimes grumpy on Monday
Wednesday- Spiritual
Friday- Personal/ update This will probably be via video so we will see how that goes.
Since today is Wednesday and we are launching this thing today I guess I need to talk about something spiritual. Well this morning I was able to visit a dear friend who was recently involved in what should have been a fatal motorcycle accident, however my friend Fred Stubbs is now in a rehab facility doing amazing. I know that this does not sound extremely spiritual but when I was with him this morning he was sharing how he has so much more to do for God and BTW he is 70 years young. I could not help but think of all of the people in the Bible who when they were old they we still doing great things for God. Moses, Abraham, Noah, David and many many more. When I looked at Fred and the adversity he has endured through the past few months and then compared it to the men of the Bible who were up there in years I was struck with something. I meet a ton of young church planters and pastors who get mad and even run at the first sign of adversity and yet this man I was with today was saying I want to endure through this adversity so that I can have more opprotunities to share Jesus with people. WOW!! I think Fred has once again taught me something. Adversity does not prevent you from ministering, it can actually enable you to minister on a whole new level. Thanks Fred!! you have taught me something one again. I think I understand Paul's passage a little better now.
Phillipians 4:11-13 (NLT)
11Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. 12I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
I will choose to live in the moment that God has given me now and realize I will never have this opportunity again. So I will make the most of it. People around all of us today need to know that they can make it and it is our responsibility to let them know that they can through the power of Jesus. Thanks for modeling that Fred.
Monday- Sunday reflections/ leadership "careful I am sometimes grumpy on Monday
Wednesday- Spiritual
Friday- Personal/ update This will probably be via video so we will see how that goes.
Since today is Wednesday and we are launching this thing today I guess I need to talk about something spiritual. Well this morning I was able to visit a dear friend who was recently involved in what should have been a fatal motorcycle accident, however my friend Fred Stubbs is now in a rehab facility doing amazing. I know that this does not sound extremely spiritual but when I was with him this morning he was sharing how he has so much more to do for God and BTW he is 70 years young. I could not help but think of all of the people in the Bible who when they were old they we still doing great things for God. Moses, Abraham, Noah, David and many many more. When I looked at Fred and the adversity he has endured through the past few months and then compared it to the men of the Bible who were up there in years I was struck with something. I meet a ton of young church planters and pastors who get mad and even run at the first sign of adversity and yet this man I was with today was saying I want to endure through this adversity so that I can have more opprotunities to share Jesus with people. WOW!! I think Fred has once again taught me something. Adversity does not prevent you from ministering, it can actually enable you to minister on a whole new level. Thanks Fred!! you have taught me something one again. I think I understand Paul's passage a little better now.
Phillipians 4:11-13 (NLT)
11Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. 12I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
I will choose to live in the moment that God has given me now and realize I will never have this opportunity again. So I will make the most of it. People around all of us today need to know that they can make it and it is our responsibility to let them know that they can through the power of Jesus. Thanks for modeling that Fred.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Susie and I are excited to announce the pre-release book/workbook, “30daysexchallenge-A Journey to Intimacy”
With all of the buzz about 30 days of sex, 101 days of sex, and even 365 days of sex, we are confident that those who are looking to improve their relationship for the long-run will find that 30daysexchallenge-A Journey to Intimacy, will provide them with the knowledge and practical help that they will need in order to build intimacy, not just for 30 days, but for the rest of their lives together. 30daysexchallenge takes a holistic approach to intimacy and guides the couple into four mini-challenges: spiritual, emotional, sexual, and physical. After each challenge is studied the couple is ready to engage in 30 days of sex. However, the challenge is not just 30 days of sex. We have provided 30 days of questions that encourages continued intimacy in the four areas studied, and will cultivate and promote an environment of love and passion.
But don’t take our word for it. Hear what Dr. David Clarke has to say about the 30daysexchallenge-A Journey to Intimacy.
“Do you want to learn how to bond with your spouse spiritually and emotionally? Do you want a better-much better-sex life? Of course you do. I do. We all do. The 30 Day Sex Challenge will help you get the marital intimacy you've lost. It's easy to read, refreshingly honest, intensely practical, and based on the Bible. Best of all, it works!”
David Clarke, Ph.D.
Christian psychologist and author of Cinderella Meets the Caveman
To purchase a pre-release copy of the book click below:
Monday, June 16, 2008
Sometime I am too Blessed
I received an email from a dear friend and children's worker of our today and it was about my daughter Ashlyn through the eyes of two other children. I truly have never been so touched in all my life. I am blessed to have a daughter like Ashlyn and friends like this. I hope this blesses you as much as it did me.
I just a discussion with my sons that I thought I would share. I've been working in children's church the last couple of weeks. Today Wesly was watching Ashlyn. He caught me off to the side and began asking questions (for 10 I thought he was very discreet). I told him we'd talk later. As is our tradition at the end of the day when tucking them in we talk about things that happened that day and Ashlyn came up. As best I could I explained the situation. I explained that she was sick... and that despite her body growing up her mind was staying very much like a child. I couldn't think of a better way to explain it. Wesly had quite a few questions. After the expected bout of questions... how she got sick... was it contagious...etc. He looked at me and teared up and said... "Daddy... she's not going to get better is she?" My answer (through tears) was that there was no known cure. But that in history smart men have been blessed by God to find cures for things that were thought to be impossible to cure.... that I didn't know if we would see a cure in our lifetimes or not, but that it wasn't impossible. He thought about it for a while and began to cry. I asked if I could help him with something... and he said "I bet her mommy and daddy cry." Then we all teared up. After a minute he comforted me and said, "Daddy... when we get to heaven she wont be sick anymore.... remember... you said there is no sickness there." In amazement at that statement... I agreed and tucked them in and stepped out. After a minute Wesly called me back into the room. He explained that he no longer wanted to be an Ice Cream maker when he grew up (this has been his dream for a year or so). I asked him why not... and he told me that he wanted to be a scientist researcher... and find a cure because he wanted to see her better before heaven. After I composed myself I told him that he was a smart boy and if thats what he wanted to do I believed he may be able to do it someday.
At this point Jacob... who had been on the bottom bunk listening the whole time piped in and said, "I know what I want to do." Wes and I both looked and he said, "I just want to be her friend."
Wow.
I debated sending this email.... I'm sure you guys get alot of emails from folks about it... and I didn't want to be just another email or comment from folks about how they felt sorry for you... but the insight from the minds of children I thought was a blessing that I couldn't help but share. God has blessed you and placed a burden that we cant fathom and wont pretend to. Just wanted to let you guys know that our family prays for you and that there are two little boys over here tonight that have absolutely determined that they are going to be Ashyln's friend. And a daddy who cant stop tearing up.
She will be healed one day!!!! Thank you God.
I just a discussion with my sons that I thought I would share. I've been working in children's church the last couple of weeks. Today Wesly was watching Ashlyn. He caught me off to the side and began asking questions (for 10 I thought he was very discreet). I told him we'd talk later. As is our tradition at the end of the day when tucking them in we talk about things that happened that day and Ashlyn came up. As best I could I explained the situation. I explained that she was sick... and that despite her body growing up her mind was staying very much like a child. I couldn't think of a better way to explain it. Wesly had quite a few questions. After the expected bout of questions... how she got sick... was it contagious...etc. He looked at me and teared up and said... "Daddy... she's not going to get better is she?" My answer (through tears) was that there was no known cure. But that in history smart men have been blessed by God to find cures for things that were thought to be impossible to cure.... that I didn't know if we would see a cure in our lifetimes or not, but that it wasn't impossible. He thought about it for a while and began to cry. I asked if I could help him with something... and he said "I bet her mommy and daddy cry." Then we all teared up. After a minute he comforted me and said, "Daddy... when we get to heaven she wont be sick anymore.... remember... you said there is no sickness there." In amazement at that statement... I agreed and tucked them in and stepped out. After a minute Wesly called me back into the room. He explained that he no longer wanted to be an Ice Cream maker when he grew up (this has been his dream for a year or so). I asked him why not... and he told me that he wanted to be a scientist researcher... and find a cure because he wanted to see her better before heaven. After I composed myself I told him that he was a smart boy and if thats what he wanted to do I believed he may be able to do it someday.
At this point Jacob... who had been on the bottom bunk listening the whole time piped in and said, "I know what I want to do." Wes and I both looked and he said, "I just want to be her friend."
Wow.
I debated sending this email.... I'm sure you guys get alot of emails from folks about it... and I didn't want to be just another email or comment from folks about how they felt sorry for you... but the insight from the minds of children I thought was a blessing that I couldn't help but share. God has blessed you and placed a burden that we cant fathom and wont pretend to. Just wanted to let you guys know that our family prays for you and that there are two little boys over here tonight that have absolutely determined that they are going to be Ashyln's friend. And a daddy who cant stop tearing up.
She will be healed one day!!!! Thank you God.
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