Leap Day in Leap Year!

Since this day only comes around every four years, I thought I would take advantage of the day and blog... Leap Day in Leap Year.

February 29th represents an opportunity. An extra 24 hours in your year to do something for God. For me, it begs a question... How many have missed an opportunity? All of us have missed opportunities in life. It happens when we choose a lesser option over the best option. The best option brings about opportunities, not only to stretch you as an individual, but to bring about God's purpose in the life of another. Many of us choose the wrong option simply because of self. How does it benefit me? God's plan doesn't center around you! God's plan is much bigger than you or me. So, for us to see opportunity, we have to look beyond ourselves at the bigger picture. How is this going to impact others? Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient, even to death. God's plan was His end!

What opportunities have you missed? What opportunity have you overlooked because of you! You have an extra 24 hours today... look for the opportunity and change your world today and... everyday!

God In The Movies, Sermon Series

New Sermon Series at Hendersonville Student Youth Ministry in March. Come check it out!

Snow Day Blog

The kids are out of school and youth service has been canceled for this evening. The snow has been falling all morning. We have one to three inches... I love it. The weatherman says its not supposed to get over 33 degrees today (freezing tonight). It's weird not having church, but it's better to be safe than sorry. We live in a state where snow shuts everything down. I'm not complaining. Anyway, have a great day and enjoy the snowball fights and the snowman building... I know my kids are outside in the middle of all of it.

A Game of Cat & Mouse

Have you ever had a bad day? A rough week? A challenging year? My thoughts go to David this morning and how his life became a game of cat and mouse. Saul wanted to kill him. David was on the run. I can see David's despair in I Samuel 27:1, when he said, "Now I will perish one day by the hand of Saul." Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever thought if something doesn't give that you will perish? As you probably know, life can be difficult. Life doesn't necessarily play favorites. Problems, pressures, and stress affect us all. David lived everyday looking over his shoulder wondering if today was going to be the day. But I'm encouraged when I read I Samuel 30:6, "But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God." Where do you find strength from? Where is your out? There's always a way out. God never allows you to be crushed only tried. Pressure will come, despair will come, but in those times learn in the moment and strengthen yourself in the Lord your God! God will lead you out and you will be stronger because of the valley. Think about it!

Today's Quote

Here's a quote for you today...

"What is born in innocence is deadly in adolescence." - Max Lucado

Think about it!

Tennessee Youth Conference

I had a great Friday and Saturday at the Tennessee District Assemblies of God Youth Leader's Conference in Franklin, Tennessee. Our speaker was Shawn & Sonny Hennessy from Revival Outreach Center in Michigan. He spoke very candidly on Friday night about his life and ministry. It's nice to hear someone be real and honest. A great word for the YP's of Tennessee. Sometimes you just need to get away and refresh. It was nice to set with friends and be ministered to.

One thing I took away from the conference was... Be you! How many times do we try to mimic or copy someone else and their ministry or life? God didn't create us to be them. God created you to be you! So... be you!

A Gift of You!

I've been talking with my students over the past two weeks about what the Bible says about sex. There has never been a more relevant topic than this. We are bombarded on all sides, yet the truth of God's Word still rings true and strong. No matter how you slice it, look at it, or factor it out... God has designed sex for the marriage bed. That's hard to swallow in the world we live in for some people... maybe most! However, if we will honor God and His Word, we will find out what sex is meant to be... a gift of you to be given to the one to whom you said, "I do." Only then will you find the blessings of God.

Game For Youth Ministry

Here is a great game for your student ministry.

Holy to the Lord

In the book of Exodus, chapter 28, the Lord gives instructions to Moses about the priestly garments. Basically, God told them what to wear and how to wear it. There was one thing that caught my eye as I read. Beginning at verse 36, God told them to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, "Holy to the Lord". This plate was to be worn on his turban (hat) suspended by a blue cord and placed over his forehead. The reason, it "shall take away the iniquity of the holy things which the sons of Israel consecrate, with regard to all their holy gifts;... that they may be accepted before the Lord." I know we don't wear pendants with an engraving that says, "Holy to the Lord", but the observation is this... Are we? Are we living a holy life before God? Have we been marked with that spiritual characteristic? What does God see? The New Testament commands us to be holy because He is holy. The word 'holy' means sacred or sanctified. The priests were set apart by God from the tribes of Israel for the sake of ministering in the tabernacle. In the same manner, God has set his people aside from the rest of the world and called us holy for the purpose of ministering grace and mercy in our world. Are we living up to that command and calling? Let us be holy to the Lord! Let us be a people who live a life that honors God, bringing glory to the name of our God! Think about it!

Tornados In The South

Our prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones due to the storms passing through the South.

Super Tuesday

Did you vote today?

It's a very critical time in the history of the United States of America. America is divided over what kind of leader they want and need to lead them on issues such as the war in Iraq, health care, the economy, immigration, and the list goes on. The question is... What kind of voice will you be? What will you contribute? It begins with our vote, but continues with our prayers. Let's be a prayer force for our country. Let's not be lazy when it comes to our future and the future of our children. Let us get involved by voting and praying for God's will. God has a plan for America. It's through our prayers we learn to trust and believe for the impossible. God is in control.

The BIG Win!

The Giants did the unimaginable! They beat the New England Patriots. As I sat and watched the game last night, I was amazed how a team rallied around a common goal. The constant pressure on Tom Brady, the coverage on the receivers, shutting down the running game and an offense that kept doing the basics... moving the ball were key. In the end, the Giants outplayed the 18-0 Patriots (now 18-1). It just goes to show you... no matter how intimidating a situation might be, if you will go out and do what you know you should do (play the game)... anyone can be victorious. Ecclesiastes 9:11 says: "The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all." Everyone has an opportunity to win.

What about you? What desperate situation are you in? What unimaginable win do you need in your life? If you will do what you know is right, playing by God's rule book... your situation will turn out for the good! Don't start the challenge with defeat. Begin the challenge with trust in God. He will work it out for the good. Our win is coming. Don't give up!

Flu Central

This has been an interesting week. On Tuesday evening, my two middle girls came down with a fever. Throughout Wednesday we medicated them hoping they would come through. When they did not, we decided to make them an appointment for Thursday morning. They never made it. On Wednesday evening their breathing had become irregular, so we took them to the emergency room. After a breathing treatments and chest x-rays, they did a flu test and bingo... it was the flu. We got in bed around 3:00 PM Thursday morning. On Thursday, my eldest awoke with a fever and by Thursday evening, my youngest felt like she wanted to join in the party. My house is flu central. Four girls down. Jenny and I are just trying to stay well. I told her yesterday that she's not allowed to get sick. Hopefully, she will listen.

Struggle is part of life. I think we all know that, but let me ask you a question. Is God absent when you go through a struggle? My Bible says He never leaves us. Christians are not exempt from life's ups and downs. We go through them just like anyone else, but be encouraged in knowing that God is with us. Sometimes we forget that when life becomes stressful. I know I have from time to time. Everyday we learn to lean more and more upon Him. Life is not meant to push you away from God but life is meant to be lived with God. Remember... He is Jehovah Shamma (The Lord is there) Ezekiel 48:35.

My girls are sick, but God is there! He knows! He cares! He understands! He will bring our family through the struggle.