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I don't have much to say - except that I'm extremely exhausted - but in a good way. As we prepare for DiscipleNow and get ready for other upcoming ministry projects, my heart (silently) rejoices in knowing that we worship an incredible God and that He IS totally in control of every detail of my life and the things going on around me!

That's awesome - and it means that I can rest!!! That's a relief!!!

It's Football Season!! I love this time of year, because we launch not only into a new year, but it's also time for some good ole' football!! The funny thing is that I'm not that much of a go get'em football type, but I love the spirit that comes along with the game. Tonight I had the opportunity to watch our Artesia Bulldogs win over Lovington. As I paced up and down the sidelines, I listened to the spirit of the players, the emotions of the coaches, the cheers led by the cheerleaders. It's hard not to be swayed into the spirit of it all when you are surrounded by the elements...

That reminds me of my Christian walk in a lot of ways. There are times in life when you surround yourself with the "things of the world", and all of a sudden it seems fun for a while. Opposite of that are the times when you surround yourself with the "things of God" and it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling.

As Christians, shoudn't we be familiar with what going on in the "world" enough to know and understand the elements, to understand the culture. There have been way too many times that I've lived inside the bubble of Christianity, surrounded by Christians, conversations with Christians, etc, that I've become all to unfamiliar with those that don't know Him. I'm praying that God would let me be "exposed" to some that don't know him. I want to understand them, converse with them, share with them and love them into the kingdom. After all, isn't that what we are here for?

Next Friday night, we'll be back in the same scene - different team, different location - but the spirit will be the same. If that's the case, then maybe God might plant someone in my life to share with. I know that is His desire - I'm doing my best to let it become mine!!!

It's been a good day. We "promoted" our students today in Sunday School and I felt like there was a descent amount of energy in the room. Then our youth workers had lunch together and met with Jason Bishop. Jason challenged us to be relational youth workers - to do more than our "one hour a week" commitment of spending time with students. I was challenged by something Jason said today. He gave our workers a list of qualities that will help us to be more successful in our ministry to students. One of the things he said was "communicate availability". God really landed on me with that one. I think back of all the times that I've communicated just the opposite because I have burdened myself with such a busy lifestyle. So hopefully I can do better at that. Not only will it help me connect better with students, but it might just make my life a little less intense. For those of you who like to pray, ask God to teach me how to be more available and at the same time, less busy.

I am learning though...I told our youth workers that I had failed to have our resource manuals updated by our meeting like I had said I would. I made a conscious choice this weekend to rest. I had intended on finishing that up this weekend in and around other projects at home, but instead felt that I needed to take a break. It was hard for me, because I am such a perfectionist.
Sure, I still have to get that manual done, but it will have to wait until I get to it. So, I'm learning - learning to take care of some of my own needs (rest, health, etc) instead of pushing myself to the limit over and over. May God grant me opportunities to continue to rest and most importantly, rest in HIM!!!

It was a great summer. Really, I can't think of a summer that has gone better than this one. God really moved in the hearts and lives of our students and adults. Now the rubber has to hit the road as we journey back into a routine of school, sports, church, etc...

My intern and summer staffers finished up tonight. They have done such a great job this summer, always working hard to make sure everything was ready to go for our weekly trips and events. I'm thankful for their help, more than they will ever know. I'm also glad to see them go - only because I know that God is going to use them to make a difference in the place of service He desires for them. I've learned alot this summer from them and look to see great things as God continues to shape them!!

I know this is random, but I love the first official wednesday night meeting of the school year. We have worked long hours to make sure we were ready to go tonight, even putting 2.5 hours in last minute editing for a video used in our teaching sement. We had a good group of students tonight and I am ready for a great semester with them.

Finally, I didn't get a chance to post last night, but wanted to share how important my kids are to me. I brought Baylor upstairs last night to give her a bath (and my wife a break). As I took time to talk to her, i once again realized how blessed I am to have the two kids that God has given me to raise. How I long to see God in them and pray that they will grow up to follow after Him with hearts of passion! I tell my kids "I love You" all the time - pray that God will give me the time to spend with them to prove that they are valuable to me!

Nothing profound - just thoughts of a weary traveler who is glad to have set out on this journey. I'm praying for a season of rest for my soul and physical body - that God would restore me to great health and allow me to see His work displayed hugely in my life. I'm also praying the same for my wife - that she too would not be able to "shuttie" about the goodness and greatness of God!

More to come....

IT'S OVER!!!

Well, not really, but summer has almost come to a close. Sure, it will still be a few weeks before "fall" actually get here, but when school starts, summer is all but over...

I'm sitting here this afternoon working on a video to play tonight at church from our New York Mission Trip. It's been well over a month, but God continues to use that experience to open my eyes to the world around me. It was a great week of ministry, but it was also a great week in His presence. Sometimes we forget that right in the middle of serving Him, He is trying to teach us to be more like Him.

God has been faithful this summer. There is still so much to do here in this community of Artesia. I wish it would all happen at once, but I'm learning to be patient. God is faithful.

I'm looking forward to the fall - I always long for the summer to get here, but honestly it's the fall I enjoy most. It brings a sense of renewal, a time to put feet to all of the commitments, and most of all, it brings some sense of normalcy back to this hectic life - it's gonna be good, because God is faithful!!!

They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common....

These verses out of Acts 2 keep coming back to me in my quiet time - let me reflect on the last couple of days. God has given us a priority as believers to behave and act according to His Word. The early church gave much priority on what it means to be a believer. The question that I keep asking is "do we place a high priority on our walk with Christ?" Look around at Christians today - are they concerned about the welfare of other believers (much less the welfare of non-believers), is there a sense of priority in their lives about reaching this world for Christ, do we even pray for one another anymore???

Selfishness - it surrounds us like cancer. When is the last time you encountered someone who was willing and gave of themselves unendingly? It's hard to find those people anymore...Our schedules are packed with "Things To Do", and we have become narrowminded about what God desires in us.

My prayer is that hearts would be open, lives would be laid bare as a token of appreciation...

What do you think - have we given up on one another, on Christ? There our guys in London who are living their lives totally devoted to their God - willing to die for the sake of their message. What about you - are you ready to die?

My heart is broken tonight. I can't share any details, but I must share that my heart hurts. It's 3am and I'm up wrestling with a lot of questions I have about life and the only response (the only one needed and reliable) has come from God's Word.

"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself. Luke 12:29-32 The Message

That's good isn't it - Steep yourself in God-reality. I hope that is true in my life, that I would live day to day in the reality of God. I would allow myself to trust Him completely...

I don't know all the answers - but He does...and in the next few days, He'll provide!!!

It's Wednesday night here at Super Summer and we are on the downhill side of a great week. God has been gracious to us this week and shown Himself mighty in working in and throughout the lives here at Super Summer. Of special note today was our Rainbow planning meeting. It is refreshing to be in a place with people who have a GENUINE desire to see the SPIRIT of GOD move in a UNIQUE way. As we planned for the evening service, it was evident that all of the personalities involved really had a humble heart in preparing for the leading of those God has called this week. My prayer is that students lives would be changed, that as leaders, we would be refreshed and as God's children, we would be abandoned to His priority of making His name famous across this world...

Ooops - I may have messed up. We are here at Super Summer this week and the Yellow School is doing a Napolean Dynamite theme. One of the small groups in the yellow school has taken the group name of "Llamas". Max told me that I should have named my blog - "No Touchie The Llama". I don't know if that has any spiritual meaning, but it's funny. Who know's - maybe we'll change the name down the way...

Welcome to my first post to The Way Of Life. I thought seriously for a while about what to name my blog. I chose The Way Of Life because it represents that there is only one way to live life. Jesus said, I have come so that you might have life - an abundant life. He also says that I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, No man comes to the Father, but by me. Where are you on your journey - are you allowing Christ to lead your life, live your life? I long to be a breath of fresh air to a stale world around me, an aroma of Christ to both those who accept and find life and those who reject and find death. May God use me to amplify His glory!!!