I just finished reading "The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson.  As always, I am left encouraged and challenged by Mr Batterson's books.  I still wish I would have gone to Ebeneezers the last time I was in DC.

Now I'm on to a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the most curious and admirable men I've ever heard of.  I'm really excited about it as of now.  Granted, I'm only in the first chapter and all it talks about is his family life, but I can already tell I'll be hooked into this one soon.  Not because it's well written (but it is), or because of German names I cannot pronounce (which are there), but because of this man's dedication, heart, and love for the Lord.  

So what biography would you like to read? Better yet, who could write yours and would there be anything worth reading in it?

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I have been challenged to read 3 types of books this year: 

1. Christian Leadership/Living Books (for obvious reasons)

2. Biographies (to glean {yep just used that word, deal with it} insight from great men/women, learn from others with differing view points than have I, and to hopefully get better leadership skills)

3. Fiction (to help boost my creative side. Recently it has gotten a kick in the pants just being around some of the people I've surrounded myself with for the past month, but Ted Dekker will always help me be more creative)

So that's my reading challenge for 2012. What's yours?  As a bonus, my goal is to read at least one blog post per day.  I usually miss a day or 2, and then try to play catch up.  As long as I get one blog in per day, I will be happy.  Hey Scott Moore, that means you need to write more.

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Then I started waiting on the ride. I was hoping that I would hit the water just right and have the perfect take off from the water slide. White Water didn't have nothin on this. There was even a countdown to hold my breath. I guess so I wouldn't get overtaken by the power of the water.

But then my time was over. The nurses opened the MRI machine and I got to go home. But man, for a little while anticipation was on high alert. I had an MRI so my cardiologists could see my heart now while it looks good so if they ever need to do surgery again, they have high quality pictures to refer back to. So if you have an MRI scheduled anytime soon, relax and let your imagination have fun!

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When the waters rise around me I am safe; In the valley, Lord, You are near always; You have me surrounded by Your grace; when my strength is gone, I wont be afraid, You are with me always

 

So the past few months have been crazy!  I am sitting in my office in Columbus, GA and getting a little nostalgic. I look back at the places God has brought me and the trials/circumstances He has seen me through and I'm overwhelmed.  Just 6 months ago, the song quoted above (Casey Darnell: When the Waters Rise, if you dont have it, go download it on iTunes... NOW!) meant something totally different than it did just 3 months ago and completely different today.  

Not to get too personal, but it took a lot to get me to where God wanted me to be.  I think of the hurt, the excitement, the confusion, and the grace in 2 very different areas of my life that God has used in incredible ways to not only get us here, but to be adding to my family.  And you know what, I'm not sure I would change anything were it be done over again.  The lessons I learned, the increased leaning on the Savior and trust that we've had to show... well, it's not been easy, but it's been good.  Isn't that what you lion chasers in MS talked about this summer.  So let's continue to embrace and stand through the tough times.   I wont be afraid, You are with me always!

Oh, and just in case you havent downloaded the album yet (and for the life of me I cant understand why), here's a little taste.  And dont worry, that was enough serious posting for a while.  Anyone wanna go get a chaco taco?

02_When_The_Waters_Rise.m4a Listen on Posterous

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So I haven't written in a while.  There's been a lot going on.  Here's what has happened in my life in the past few months:

- Moved to Columbus, GA from Muscle Shoals, AL.

- Getting back into leading worship on a semi-regular basis (starting in January)

- Trying to sell a house (anyone wanna buy one?)

- Having a baby (well, I'm not, but the wife is)

I'll write more.  Promise

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I guess I need to call my friend Scott Moore and ask him how he handled it.  For several years he was a Bama fan living on Tiger territory.  So Scott, when you read this, will you please answer a few questions for me...

1. Is "Roll Tide" still an appropriate response to any question? What about just an "RTR?"
2. Can I compare the mellow mushroom there to the mellow mushroom in Tuscaloosa and not get beat over the head with a pizza pan?
3. Is Mikes Merch still there (I know there's not one in Tusc, but we have one here in Muscle Shoals and as long as there is a Mikes Merchanide near, I never feel too far away from home)?
4. Do they sell Bama shirts anywhere around?
5. Did you ever slip up and call Auburn, Opelika, or any other surrounding areas Tuscaloosa? 
6. If so, what happened?
7. Are you allowed at Toomers?

So Scott, I was going to go with 10 questions, but 7 is the number of completion, so I just stopped there.  Most of my other questions will be answered within these or over time.  Roll Tide

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I am always interested to see what other youth ministers, youth workers, and churches are doing to develop, build, and utilize (although that sounds like a terrible word) student leaders.  As I began my new journey at Highland Park, I sensed an leading from the Holy Spirit not to simply throw students into leadership positions, but to pray for God to reveal students who He wants to lead.  I have made many mistakes in my past concerning student leaders, and in an attempt to not repeat those mistakes, I would like to hear from you.  Please comment and tell me how you use student leaders, how you pour into them, and all other parts your student leaders play in the student ministry of your church.

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Tonight begins a new season of high school football. I am excited about it and pumped to see what our students can do this year.  Some of our students are at MSHS and are more excited about this year than ever. Some of our students are at DHS and while it looks like it's going to be a tougher year than last year, I'm sure they are still expecting big things, as they always do.  Same goes for our students at CCHS and SHS - new year, new excitement.  And whats really cool is that I can go to 3 out of the 4 high schools and watch one of our students play QB. 

But it's also the kick off to another FIX Quarter season.  This year, we have some great bands.  Tomorrow night we will feature Scenic Heights, who just signed with a label. Those of you who went on the April Renovation trip will remember Chase and his band really well. But it doesn't stop there... next week we have Wavorly and in October we have Rush of Fools and new this year a Fall costume party!  It's going to be great!

Here's why I wrote about all these... if we just let them come and go without being intentional with inviting and investing in others, they really dont matter.  What's the difference between Christian entertainment (I feel stupid even writing that term) and real ministry? Intentionality. We dont do all these things just to give you something to do on a Friday night.  You've got enough to do.  Let's come and support these events by inviting others to come along with us (bring them with you, dont just say come, say come with) and then following up with them to other things.  This is the year to invest in others. If not now, when? Let's go!

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I cant believe it's almost back to school time.  One phrase that I always think about when it gets to this time of the year is "NEW BEGINNINGS."

All the stuff that happened last year is in the past.  We can start again.  The summer is always a time or refreshing and I have seen God work big time in our students lives, and in my life as well.  I feel that after this summer, a bigger passion to see students be 'fected (to be so infected with Jesus' love that it effects everything they do and affects others in a big ways).  Okay, I know that's really cheezy, but I think it gets the point across.  I really hope that what God has begun this summer in the lives of so many of our students will continue on for years and years. It would be so incredible for them to look back on the summer of 2011 and say, that was the turning point, that was when I really began to walk with Jesus in a new way. 

But in just a few days, we will go back to sitting in classrooms, worrying about homework (or forgetting about it), and planning out who we will sit with at lunch.  I pray that all the day in, day out routines of school, fall, sports, band, clubs, etc. will not replace what God is doing in your life.  We must be careful to not let anything stop us from running hard after Jesus.  We have a new beginning this year; a chance to mend broken relationships, to pursue the students who have not been reached, to partner with brothers and sisters from other churches and pray for the lost in our area.  To act, move, and love in a way that defies logic - to be His hands and His feet.  Let's start this thing off right!

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Well this week all my preconceived notions were thrown out the window. I have never been to a camp that I get was prayed over and about like this one. I saw an excitement in our students that I haven't seen I quite a while. If you are a student pastor and are even considering remotely to do a SL camp, let me encourage you t pray about it and jump in with both feet, if the Lord is leading. Your students will thank you.

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It was a great night last night at the Powerhouse.  We had several  students get up and share with others about what God did in their lives during our mission trip to Oxford, AL with Renovation Ministries.  We heard from several students who are excited about what God did there and are pumped up about seeing the same thing happen both here in the Shoals and when we go back to Oxford.  

God really is in the business of changing lives for eternity and wants to not only save us from Hell, but give us peace in this life because He lives in us.  Probably the most exciting thing going on is that God is building up the area of Little Mexico through local churches in the Oxford area.  God is not about seeing lives changed and then people just staying there.  He wants them to grow deeper in their relationship with Him and that is what He is up to in Little Mexico.

I cant wait to serve with these students throughout the summer!

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I still love technology… always and forever.

Okay, my wife absolutely hates the movie Napoleon Dynamite.  Not really sure why; I guess It could be because I laugh out loud at parts of the movie that no one else will and so she gets embarrassed.  Maybe the humor just isn’t her kind of humor.  Maybe it’s the fact that Kip’s mustache is just too glorious to gaze upon for longer than 5 minutes without uttering the words “why not me? I want that!” in your head.  Who knows?  But one part that sticks out in my mind is the wedding song.  And particularly, the fact that technology brought Kip and his lady love Lafawnduh together. 

I wouldn’t call myself a technology junkie, but I do enjoy some techy stuff.  (Although I have always heard the first step to recovery is admitting the problem exists.)  I have friends who are way more versed in the technological arts than I am. Really, I just say I know enough to cause problems without offering productive solutions (You can ask my friend Todd Greenlee about my computer!)

However, I am trying to master technology to make my life easier, more managed, and to help offer a more efficient use of my time.  I use Evernote for notes, and just recently began trying it for my to do list. I also use toodledo (but have trouble with it from time to time) and keep my lined moleskin to organize my daily tasks.  Really, I just want to be like this guy. 

I also use xtranormal (thanks to my friend Scott Moore) for my announcement videos in our student ministry (along with L.T. – a flash video redneck dude I supply the voice for from time to time) because I have found students will watch announcements much more effectively than me just talking.   

My problem is that technology can eat up my time.  I can get swamped by youtube (which is easy to do – they let anyone put stuff on there in case you didn’t know), ministry questions, and other stuff.  I am trying to balance more and more each day and letting all that stuff work for me and not the other way around. 

I would love to hear from you.  What are some good ideas for making technology work for you? And for your enjoyment, here’s an extranormal version of Kip’s song. 

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A quick word to all who listened to the radio in the mid 90s – do not look up Del Amitri’s “Roll to Me” on youtube.  There’s nothing wrong with what’s on there, but it may unleash a desire that you want to keep hidden in the closets of the past.  Here’s my journey:

As I was driving to work this morning, the chorus to Roll to Me popped in my head. Not really sure why.  Not only did the words pop into my mind, but they were the wrong words.  I guess I forgot. It’s been a while since I rocked out to them.  But they a strange desire crept up – I wanted to listen to Hootie and the Blowfish.  Ok, so that only lasted about as long as it took me to type in their name on youtube, but it still happened. I quickly made my way to Better Than Ezra and then on to Gin Blossoms with a little Dishwalla thrown in.  After all was said it done, I had a nice soundtrack to work to this morning and a winding trip down memory lane. 

Is it sad that I can still sing along with most all BTE’s songs?  I don’t think so.  That was a good way to start the day. But maybe memories of those songs are better than the actual song.  Maybe I should leave them on youtube and just sing them in my head.  Maybe I should get the words right…

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Last week we had a 7th grade student call and share the  gospel with a college student and lead that guy to Christ.

What are we scared of?  Why do we hesitate in doing this?  Let's be bold. Let's dare to share.  

God created us to be with Him

Our sin separates us from God

Sins cannot be removed by good deads

Paying the price for our sin Christ died and rose again

Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life

LIfe with Jesus starts now and lasts forever

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Yesterday, I took a look at who God's Word says I am.  As I continue this journey through these scriptures, I want to look at what exactly happened to me when I became a Christ follower... So what exactly did happen to me...

What Happened to Me? 

Rom. 5:1 I have been justified (completely forgiven and made righteous).

Rom. 6:1-6 I died with Christ and died to the power of sin’s rule on my life.

Rom. 8:1 I am free forever from condemnation.

1 Cor. 1:30 I have been put into Christ by God’s doing.

1 Cor. 2:12 I have received the Spirit of God into my life that I might know the things freely given to me by God.

1 Cor. 2:16 I have been given the mind of Christ.

1 Cor. 6:19, 20 I have been bought with a price.  I am not my own.  I belong to God.

2 Cor. 1:21 I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God in Christ.

2 Cor. 5:14, 15 Since I have died, I no longer live for myself, but for Him (Christ).

2 Cor. 5:21 I have been made righteous.

 Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.  (The life I am living is Christ’s life.)

 Eph. 1:3 I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing.

Eph. 1:4 I have been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame before Him.

Eph. 1:5 I was predestined (determined by God) to be adopted as a son.

Eph. 1:7, 8 I have been redeemed, forgiven, and am a recipient of His lavish grace,

Eph. 1:13, 14 and have been given the Holy Spirit as a pledge (a deposit/down payment) guaranteeing my inheritance to come.

Eph. 2:5 I have been made alive together with Christ.

Eph. 2:6 I have been raised up and seated with Christ in heaven.

Eph. 2:18 I have direct access to God through the Spirit.

Eph. 3:12 I may approach God with boldness, freedom, and confidence.

 Col. 1:13 I have been delivered (rescued) from the domain of darkness (Satan’s rule) and transferred to the kingdom of Christ.

Col. 1:14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (the debt against me has been cancelled).  (see Col. 2:13, 14)

Col. 1:27 Christ Himself is in me.

Col. 2:7 I have been firmly rooted in Christ and am now being built up in Him.

Col. 2:11 I have been spiritually circumcised (my old, unregenerate nature has been removed).

Col. 2:10 I have been made complete in Christ.

Col. 2:12, 13 I have been buried, raised, and made alive with Christ.

Col. 3:1-4 I have been raised up with Christ.  I died with Christ.  My life is now hidden with Christ in God.  Christ is now my life.

 2 Tim. 1:7 I have been given a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Tim. 1:9 I have been saved and called (set apart) according to God’s doing.

Titus 3:5 I was renewed by the Holy Spirit

 Heb. 2:11 Because I am sanctified and am one with the Sanctifier (Christ), He is not ashamed to call me brother.

Heb. 4:16 I have a right to come boldly before the throne of God (the throne of grace) to find mercy and find grace in time of need.

2 Pet. 1:4 I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God by which I am a partaker of the divine nature (God’s nature).

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If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come 2 Corinthians 5:17

This week is a really fun, exciting week at our church. It is our first ever Kingdom Advancement Conference. We want to see what God is up to in the nations and how we can be a part of it. So while we are doing so, I wanted to look at something that has been on my mind a lot lately - our identity in Christ.  I am going to share with you a whole lot of  verses about who we are in Christ (thanks to Dustin Neeley and his team at Crossing Church, in Louisville KY for doing all the hard work of finding these and the permission to use).

Today, I want to look at what the Word of God says I am because of Jesus. In Christ I am:

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The Word of God Says in Jesus Christ… 

I am faithful (Ephesians 1:1)

I am God’s child (John 1:12)

I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15)

I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:20)

I am a member of Christ’s Body (1 Corinthians 12:27)

I am assured all things work together for good (Romans 8:28)

I have been established, anointed and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

I am confident that God will perfect the work He has begun in me (Philippians 1:6)

I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)

I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)

I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)

I am blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)

I am chosen before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, 11)

I am holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4)

I am adopted as his child (Ephesians 1:5)

I am given God’s glorious grace lavishly and without restriction (Ephesians 1:5,8)

I am in Him (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:30)

I have redemption (Ephesians 1:8)

I am forgiven (Ephesians 1:8; Colossians 1:14)

I have purpose (Ephesians 1:9 & 3:11)

I have hope (Ephesians 1:12)

I am included (Ephesians 1:13)

I am sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)

I am a saint (Ephesians 1:18)

I am salt and light of the earth (Matfthew 5:13-14)

I have been chosen and God desires me to bear fruit (John 15:1,5)

I am a personal witness of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8)

I am God’s coworker (2 Corinthians 6:1)

I am a minister of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5)

I am raised up with Christ (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6)

I have been shown the incomparable riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:7)

God has expressed His kindness to me (Ephesians 2:7)

I am God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)

I have been brought near to God through Christ’s blood (Ephesians 2:13)

I have peace (Ephesians 2:14)

I have access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18)

I am a member of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19)

I am secure (Ephesians 2:20)

I am a holy temple (Ephesians 2:21; 1 Corinthians 6:19)

I am a dwelling for the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:22)

I share in the promise of Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:6)

God’s power works through me (Ephesians 3:7)

I can approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)

I know there is a purpose for my sufferings (Ephesians 3:13)

I can grasp how wide, long, high and deep Christ’s love is (Ephesians 3:18)

I am completed by God (Ephesians 3:19)

I can bring glory to God (Ephesians 3:21)

I have been called (Ephesians 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:9)

I can be humble, gentle, patient and lovingly tolerant of others (Ephesians 4:2)

I can mature spiritually (Ephesians 4:15)

I can be certain of God’s truths and the lifestyle which He has called me to (Ephesians 4:17)

I can have a new attitude and a new lifestyle (Ephesians 4:21-32)

I can be kind and compassionate to others (Ephesians 4:32)

I can forgive others (Ephesians 4:32)

I am a light to others, and can exhibit goodness, righteousness and truth (Ephesians 5:8-9)

I can understand what God’s will is (Ephesians 5:17)

I can give thanks for everything (Ephesians 5:20)

I don’t have to always have my own agenda (Ephesians 5:21)

I can honor God through marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33)

I can parent my children with composure (Ephesians 6:4)

I can be strong (Ephesians 6:10)

I have God’s power (Ephesians 6:10)

I can stand firm in the day of evil (Ephesians 6:13)

I am dead to sin (Romans 1:12)

I am not alone (Hebrews 13:5)

I am growing (Colossians 2:7)

I am His disciple (John 13:15)

I am prayed for by Jesus Christ (John 17:20-23)

I am united with other believers (John 17:20-23)

I am not in want (Philippians 4:19)

I possess the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16)

I am promised eternal life (John 6:47)

I am promised a full life (John 10:10)

I am victorious (I John 5:4)

My heart and mind is protected with God’s peace (Philippians 4:7)

I am chosen and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12)

I am blameless (I Corinthians 1:8)

I am set free (Romans 8:2; John 8:32)

I am crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)

I am a light in the world (Matthew 5:14)

I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)

I am the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)

I am safe (I John 5:18)

I am part of God’s kingdom (Revelation 1:6)

I am healed from sin (I Peter 2:24)

I am no longer condemned (Romans 8:1, 2)

I am not helpless (Philippians 4:13)

I am overcoming (I John 4:4)

I am persevering (Philippians 3:14)

I am protected (John 10:28)

I am born again (I Peter 1:23)

I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I am delivered (Colossians 1:13)

I am redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13)

I am qualified to share in His inheritance (Colossians 1:12)

I am victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57)

I pray that we can remember this at all times. 

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