Currently Listening On the Road Again: 20 Great Truck Drivin' Hits By Various Artists see related

 Well, it's certiainly been a while.  A lot has happened.

I am currently in the middle of another transition.  God has decided that my time in Central Illinois is coming to an end.   For the last few months, it has been apparent that God is slowly closing the door on my time as youth minister here in Vandalia.

However...praise God that He opens one door while He closes another!!

Starting November 23rd, I will be assuming my very first pastorate at the First Church of God in St. Louis!   While this is a very exciting time..it has been a bit of a stressful time, in that I now have to sell yet ANOTHER house!!

I know God is able...but it is the waiting and the unkown, that can be so difficult.  God hasn't let us down yet...and I'm counting on YHWH Jireh to meet all or our needs according to His glorious riches!!!

If anyone still reads this...I would appreciate your prayers!

Thanks!!

Hello to everyone!

I've been buried in preparation for camp the last few weeks.

I got the pleasure and honor of being the "guest speaker" at the 5th and 6th grade camp in MO this past week.  It was hard work, but man....well worth every minute!!!  It was FANTASTIC!

I think there were about 10 kids that made new commitments to Christ last week... and the altars were FLOODED with kids praying about ALL sorts of things.   One of the things I heard the most from the counselors was family issues. 

A lot of the kids I talked to through the week are from broken homes...they refer to "steps" a lot... step-dad, step-mom, step-brother, etc...  A lot of these kids have had to deal with the terrible effects of divorce and trying to deal with all the ramifications of it.   There are a lot of hurting young people out there, and much of it comes from the break-down of the family.  It's just now how God designed it--but it's reality in today's society. 

The theme for the week's camp was God The Builder--Can He Fix it?  The theme scripture was based on Matt 19;26 where it talks about how all things are possible with God.  My focus in preaching was aimed at how God is the "God of the Impossible," and had several relevant topics regarding that for the kids.  I had never preached to that age group before, and was very nervous--but GOD is good, and HE delivered...Praise be to HIM!

I also got to meet some AMAZING people who were willing to put their lives on hold to see God do some amazing things in the lives of young people!!  CAMP SHARON ROCKS!!!

Now I am feeling the effects of the week...just a little worn down--but it's a good kind of tired.

If you read this blog, please pray for my family as we seek guidance from the Lord about a very serious matter.  Thanks

PEACE

Currently Gaming Need for Speed Most Wanted By Electronic Arts see related

Disappearing Act and Sharpening the Ax

Well... I am back from my vanishing trick... it wasn't really a trick... just trying to focus on important things and sorting some things out in my life, family, ministry, etc..

I have always known the value of spending time with the Lord... but never has it been so apparent to me than this past year.  I am a "do-er" ... I like action... I like to work hard... I like to see things happen... but I know that God has been showing me the value of sitting at His feet this year.   We can't do ANYTHING without the power of Jesus Christ in our lives...

I have been studying the way Jesus relates to His disciples and how He teaches them.  It is amazing how much we act like the disciples sometimes, isn't it?  Jesus gives us a spiritual whomp up side the head and says, "are you still so dull?"... I have to chuckle sometimes at Jesus' responses to His disciples... then cry because He is responding to me in the same way.

I was reading about when Jesus comes down from the Mount of Transfiguration.... a true "mountaintop experience" for a select few disciples... when they discover that the other disciples have been striking out down in the valley, trying to cast a demon out of a young boy.  Jesus ends up casting the demon out... and the disciples are perplexed as to why they were unable to cast out this demon.   Jesus' response?  "This kind can only come out through prayer (some manuscripts --"and fasting)".

I believe He was telling them that they had been too busy with ministry...they were beginning to rely upon their own strength--they had forgotten where all that power came from in the first place... they needed to go back to the power plant-- the prayer room -- and get a recharge from the Almighty!!

It is like the story of a guy who just got a job sawing trees.  He was the front-runner for a couple of days.. no one could match his tree-cutting output.  But as the week progressed he began slipping in productivity and eventually was at the bottom of the heap.  The boss recognized this slide, and inquired about his work performance.   The man couldn't understand, because he was the first on the job, the last to leave, and even skipped his lunch hour to work!   The boss asked him when was the last time he sharpened his ax.. the man said, " I haven't... I"VE BEEN TOO BUSY!".

When we get too busy to spend time with God... the same thing happens.  We become "dull" and we lose our "edge" ... our effectiveness...and often we lose heart.   Sharpening the ax is very important.  How's your saw blade today?

God's doing some interesting things in my life right now... giving me some challenges... challenging my obedience and faith.... it's all good.. but growing can be tough at times.  I wish I could share more, but I just can't right now.

PEACE

Currently Listening Don't Get Comfortable By Brandon Heath see related

I've had an interesting couple of days...

Let me back up... the last few weeks, I've been bogged down.. really feeling like there was a "connection" problem between God and me.   On Wednesday nights, there is a group of us that pray before the evening church "stuff" gets kicked off.   During the prayer, I was beginning to feel a bit nervous, because I was sensing a difficulty in praying.   I was actually AFRAID to PRAY!!  I was scared, because I really was in the mode of feeling very heavy, and not wanting to pray aloud.   I was scared I would seem "unspiritual" to those in the group... (everyone knows that pastors don't struggle, right?  NOT) 

Anyway, as the time went on...I did finally pray a brief prayer.. and the time closed out.   At the conclusion, I really felt like I wanted the group to pray for me.   I confessed that I have been harboring some bitterness and resentment for quite some time now, and i wanted to be free.   Pastor Tom (the senior pastor) got the praying oil and they anointed me and prayed for me as I wept.   I'm not sure what the others were thinking... with my being so transparent and vunerable... but i really needed the prayer.  

Fast forward to this morning.   I was still feeling a bit emotional as I sat in the stillness of my basement office (isnt' amazing where they put youth pastors?)... anyway... it was a bit unsettling, because I felt as if I had unfinished business.   I basically began spilling my guts out to the Lord... I told him that I am tired of living like this, and allowing the past to control my feelings, and hinder my walk.   I told him that I was powerless over this issue, and that I was looking to the Hills for my help!  

Finally, I just made a plea with Jesus, and asked him if He would come minister to me... it was a desperate cry for help!     And HE SHOWED UP!

In the stillness, as I had my eyes closed, I felt Him draw near, and I began to envision Him washing my feet!!!   I felt like Peter, and silently felt my spirit say "not just my feet Lord... ALL of me!"... then I began envisioning Jesus on the cross, and began to see drops of blood falling to the ground... and i felt as if He was telling me that each drop was payment for each of my sins.... WOW....

I felt like He was telling me that I had been forgiven MUCH... and I should do the same...  I couldn't hold back.... I began to WEEP uncontrollably... I'm really glad no one else was at the church this morning.. they may have thought I was losing it.... but it was very refreshing... and I believe Jesus rescued me from my despair... and I am committed to forgiveness and healing of these wounds... whether or not the person who hurt me repents or not.... I can't control that... but I can control my attitudes and thoughts.... because I know the SECRET of my contentment...

"I can do ALL things through HIM who givcs me strength".... strange that I just preached on that, this past sunday...

Friends... I want to share with you something Jesus said... He said in this world we WILL have trouble.... but TAKE HEART.... HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD!!! 

PEACE

Hey Everyone!   I can't believe how long it's been since I"ve been on here!

I haven't been on the computer in  over a month...which is a small miracle for ME!  so much has happened since last entry... don't know where to begin.

But we moved to Vandalia on the 15th of December... in the middle of an ice storm (WHICH WAS BIG FUN..HEHE)   Our house sold so fast after the contract, that we really hadn't had time to plan for a new house... We were on the verge of being somewhat homeless ... One of the couples in our church just happened to have an "extra" house... and it's pretty big.. and she has graciously let us live in it until we were able to find our own place.

As of Saturday, we found a house!  It looks like we will have a permanent residence by the end of February!  It's so exciting!

My wife is thrilled with the fact that she is able to stay at home with the little ones and be a full-time mommy and homemaker.  It makes such a difference when she is happy... (I love U sweetie).

My two oldest are going to the Jr high here.. and they are adjusting slowly to the differences from St. Louis.  I can't believe all the cliques here... and people were telling me that things were "better" here and so forth... I'm seeing issues here as well..just different ones.   For instance, the porn that the 7th grade boys are bringing to school and trying to show my son....grrrrrrr.   

But life is pretty good here.  We are adjusting to "small town" life... and trying to figure out all the whats and why-fors of this fine community.   Church is going pretty well too.  I think the folks are beginning to embrace me, as these things take time.  

Just wanted to give a quick update.. as my time on the internet is limited... i'm not in my own home yet... and the church doesn't have internet or anything like that... plus I'm in the basement and i can never get reception for my cell phone either!!  

PEACE