Quote For The Coming Year

“I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."
Anonymous

Getting Ready

This morning, my sweetheart woke at 6:45 to babysit a real baby. She is taking care of Lela, a 7 and a half month old today with her mom. They are both getting ready for the real thing that is due on January 9th (or if El had her way...today). It was sweet to see the little girl look at me and smile that cute and innocent smile. It melted my heart. I am so excited to be a Daddy!

In related news-Well, I guess I have to share this with you and maybe get a little feedback from parents out there. I have been waking up in the middle of the night for the past few nights with knots of worry in my stomach, questions racing through my mind-"Will I be a good Christian father?" "Will I be there for her and her needs?" Will I teach my little girl that God is love and that her life is His?" "Will I help her to truly know Jesus?" All of this has been coming to me at around 2:30 or 3:00 in the morning. I am nervous and a bit scared. If you have any thoughts on this as mothers and fathers out there, please help me out by comment or email.

Happiness

I'm happy because...

Our new preacher-man has moved in and begun his ministry with us here in Marble Falls. I am ready to go to work with him.

Last Sunday evening 22 of us traveled to Gateway Villa to carol, hand out homemade Christmas cards and spread cheer with the elderly folk there. It brings tears to my eyes to see their joy from song and visitation from our teens and tweens.

Last night new people came to study from God's Word at our house. Greg Neill was also there to impart his wisdom on John 17: "The Real Lord's Prayer!"

My baby is going to come quickly!

My Mother-In-Law is flying in tomorrow. My wife is jumping up and down about seeing her mom again. It makes me feel good when El feels good.

Christmas is around the corner. I love this time of year!!

Truth Is Truth

"Whatever you do, don't limit your reading to religious books. Read recent novels, old classics, biographies, short stories, essays, articles. Christians aren't the only ones speaking truth. Truth is truth, regardless of who says it." - Mike Yaconelli

For Future Youth Leaders

"If I can get the kids to see me as their buddy, then they'll open up their lives to me, I thought. Well, it worked-unfortunately. That summer, as an intern I had a bunch of spiritually marginal kids treat me like a buddy. But there was a wee problem: It put me in a position of impotence. I had earned their confidence, but I hadn't earned a place of authority in their lives, the right to speak to issues from a godly perspective. I was just one of them-no more. Ministry-wise it was a total dead-end.

I remember John; he was just a sophomore, but he acted much older. He had a quiet confidence that made him way cool. I admired his self-assurance and hung out with him, hoping to gain his favor, to get an in with him. It wasn't all about my wanting to be accepted-I wanted to have a spiritual impact on him, though I had absolutely no idea how I would do this or what it would look like. I listened to-and laughed at-John's off-color jokes, maybe making an "oh, behave" face occasionally. I compromised to win his trust, and I got it. He trusted me enough to let me into his life. But I had absolutely no spiritual impact on his life. None. Zip. Maybe even a negative impact.

The role of youth worker is not to be a buddy or pal. If you hang out with teenagers all the time and see them as peers and best friends, something is wrong with you and you shouldn't be in youth ministry. Sure, you'll befriend kids. But you're their leader, and that defines you as a different kind of friend. Yes, you'll hang out and talk about things other than Jesus. But your relationship with students, as chummy as it may seem at times, needs to maintain the foundational understanding that your reason for hanging is not to be a pal-it's to have a spiritual impact on their lives." - Mark Oestreicher

The Most Wonderful TIme Of The Year

The last few days have been a blur! If you will indulge me; I would like to recount them here for you, dear reader:

Saturday - The teens got together for the Progressive Dinner/Christmas Party.
First, we traveled to the home of Chris and Julie Bridges for appetizers (spiral sandwiches, chipotle cream cheese, chips and salsa). There we played Christmas Song trivia and tried to guess how many M&Ms were in the Christmas jar (1924, to be precise).

Then we headed over to Bryce Gage's house for caesar salad and cheese soup. The teens made christmas cards for the elderly at Gateway Villa (we will be caroling for them this coming Sunday evening).

The 3rd stop brought us to the Futrell's Christmas Extravaganza Abode (I have never seen a house so chock full of Christmas ornaments and decorations. It is quite a sight to see!) where we stuffed ourselves silly with brisket, corn pudding, coleslaw, beans and rolls, but not before we sang carols for our supper.

We finally wound down to the Jamar's residence where we drank hot cocoa, wassail and munched on roasted marshmallows and all sorts of cookies. There we gave away prizes to the winners of the trivia and M&M guessing game. We also held the Dirty Santa gift exchange. What a great night we had!

Sunday - The teens got together in the evening and went to see the Nativity Story at the Driftwood 8. Great movie!

Monday - Marble Falls Middle School/High School held their Christmas Choir Concert. The house was packed and there were 2 standing ovations. Several of our teens and tweens participated and many from the church family were there in the audience. Our own Bryce Gage has turned the music department around so quickly and so well that parents and teens are flocking in droves to support and join what they are doing. I am so happy to see a growing arts department! It takes me back to the good old days at BAHS where the Choir and Drama Departments held full sway over the community.

Tuesday - I caroled the Marble Falls High School hallways with the combined choirs in the morning and subbed for the rest of the day.

Today - Getting ready for the arrival of a new colleague this week. Greg Neill will be coming into town on Friday and officially begin his ministry here with us. I am looking forward to it! A little nervous+a lot eager=very excited!!

Jessieville Lions Beat Junction City Dragons 20-19!

And it's official! Jessieville (my old stomping grounds near the Village) took home their first ever state championship in football. The Jessieville Lions roared into War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock and ripped into the Junction City Dragons, beating them 20-19 in the chilly 20 degree weather. I am very proud of the team-including some of my former youth group, and coaches Don Phillips and Jamie Saveall. I know they are relishing the sweet taste of victory tonight! My buddy, Jim Gardner, called me to leave me some exciting news of the win. We are proud of their awesome achievement! If only we could have been there to share in the excitement!

Baby Update

Here is a quick baby update on little "Pepo" as El and I have taken to calling her. Yesterday, El and I traveled to Georgetown to meet the delivering doctor for the 1st time. He is a great guy and put El's fears of possible preeclampsia to rest with a thorough battery of tests and a great bedside manner. He did a songogram on El and made a dvd of pictures and several 3 second videos of the little one. She has El's nose and lips! She is already a cutie! We are both very impressed with Dr. Matt Romberg. We will be seeing him every week until the baby comes. These are exciting times!

Little Bethlehem

This past Sunday evening 35 of us took both vans and traveled to see Little Bethlehem in Burnet. This was my first time to experience this great wonder.

Little Bethlehem, located in the heart of Burnet, is a small representative of what the town must have been like. It is complete with actors and actresses portraying towsnpeople, bakers, jewelers, candle makers, shepherds, criminals and Roman soldiers.

One can travel through the shops-watch as candles are made-peek into the tavern-find there is no room at the inn-pet the sheep, donkeys, and camels-watch the baker in action and taste the fresh Bethlehem Bread-and follow the star to see Mary and Joseph holding baby Jesus in their arms.

The members of the Baptist church in Burnet have truly outdone themselves in recreating Bethelehem. This was a great experience for EL, the Youth and me. I will post pictures of it in my next blog.

Merry December!

Happy first day of December! Elizabeth rolls her eyes at me because I usually get the Christmas spirit a little earlier every year. This year I started listening to a few select Christmas tunes before Halloween and she got on to me. OK, so I admit I am a bit overzealous this year, but I just can't help it. Don't be surprised, dear reader, if the December blogs are filled to the brim with hints of egg nog and figgy pudding!

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"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time" - Laura Ingalls Wilder

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The weather is cold here today. I am surprised that it can get down to the 20's and 30's here in the south central hill country of Texas. I like it! With the weather like this, I like to cook my favorite-Mom's Beef and Vegetable Soup and curl up with some good reading. In addition to my book, I have some extra reading today: "West Nile Vaccine Journal Review" by Elizabeth Mitchell (17 pages), "Abram's Animal Ceremony in Genesis 15: An Exegesis of Genesis 15:7-21" (9 pages) and "Preaching the Lord's Supper" (24 pages) both by my buddy Allan Stanglin. I look forward to soaking up some knowledge.

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Michael Bishop has been a strong and faithful member of our family here in Marble Falls. Recently, he has been afflicted with the West Nile Virus. Rarely does this virus bring great harm, but in Michael's case it has. Michael's immune system was too low and unable to fight the virus and he is struggling with the effects. His family is in need of fervent and faithful prayer. Please take some time out of your day and pray for the Bishop family.

Explaining Eternity

"If you have a steel ball, solid steel, the size of this earth, 25,000 miles in circumference, and every one million years a little sparrow would be released to land on that ball to sharpen his beak and fly away only to come back another million years later and begin again, by the time he would have worn that ball down to the size of a BB, eternity would have just begun." - Chuck Swindoll

"Along with that, even young children are having to deal with peer pressure and other societal influences.

Beyond the drugs, sex and rock'n'roll their boomer and Gen X parents navigated, technology and consumerism have accelerated the pace of life, giving kids easy access to influences that may or may not be parent-approved. Sex, violence and foul language that used to be relegated to late-night viewing and R-rated movies are expected fixtures in everyday TV.

And many tweens model what they see, including common plot lines "where the kids are really running the house, not the dysfunctional parents," says Plante, who in addition to being Zach's dad is a psychology professor at Santa Clara University in California's Silicon Valley.

He sees the results of all these factors in his private practice frequently.

Kids look and dress older. They struggle to process the images of sex, violence and adult humor, even when their parents try to shield them. And sometimes, he says, parents end up encouraging the behavior by failing to set limits — in essence, handing over power to their kids.

"You get this kind of perfect storm of variables that would suggest that, yes, kids are becoming teens at an earlier age," Plante says."

An email forward was sent to me from Allan, our associate minister, with this article tackling the topic of children as early as elementary school trying to live like teenagers. It is quite a sobering idea for parents out there and for those, like me, that have a child on the way, to deal with the issue of kids wanting to be older and wanting to make more adult decisions. It's my prayer that we can shield our children from this mentality and help maintain their innocence in a fallen world.

Experience

I have been getting my feet wet recently by speaking in the pulpit while Allan has been away. Although I don't feel like I am cut out to be a preacher, I do enjoy the experience of talking to the entire congregation from time to time. It keeps me on my toes!

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Last night 40 from this church family(it was our youth time with some older couples that decided to tag along) traveled over to the Driftwood 8 Theatre to see "Facing the Giants"- a movie about football with a strong Christian message. It was great. It is very evident that this movie does not have any actors, but after a while you forget all about that because the message is so powerful. If their is a theatre near you showing this film, I encourage you to take your church family to see it. It refreshed and renewed my heart for action.

High and Dry

Here I am, left by my local colleagues to hang in the wind! The entire church family is meeting in the auditorium to have a special Thanksgiving Service. Allan, our Associate Minister, has skipped town to be with family. Bryce, our worship leader, has skedaddled over to OK. Our new preacher, Greg Neill, has not yet moved here. So that leave little old me-the youth guy (who Allan lovingly refers to as the Volleyball Net Coordinator)-to come up with a plan. I will try to do the same for you one day!!

Well, I used the word local in the first sentence for a reason. My precher buddy Jim from another state has sent me some thoughts to help me have a nice devotional this evening. I now think that I will be able to stumble through somehow. Thank you, Jim, for all your help!

Well, it has been quite some time since my last blog and for that I am deeply sorry. Between working overtime getting ready for the Friday 5th Quarter, anticipating the visit from our new preacher and his family and substitute teaching, I have been away from my beloved laptop. And I really don't like being away from my laptop. Some of you may know what that feels like.

I will blog later today. Right now I am going to visit one of the teens that is in a residential treatment center and try to take him out to lunch.

Only A Little Bit

I don't have much time to type this. Here I sit in McNeil High School Library while I await the results of the 4 students from Marble Falls Choir and their TMEA All State competition results. I have once again agreed to chaperone and infuse some exciting energy in the students as they prepare to sightread and sing measures from O Schone Nacht by Brahms, The Conversion of Saul by Stroope and a piece by Ralph (pronounced Rafe) Vaughn Williams, among others, that are fairly difficult. It has been a pleasure to hear them as they rehearse their voice parts alone and then to hear them as a large group of Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses. What beautiful music!!

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I awoke the other night to the sound of my sweetheart crying out in pain. With a start, I turned to her and got ready to take her to the hospital, but it was not what I thought. Her calf had cramped so tight that she was feeling immense pain. Although I was relieved, I went over to the other side of the bed and massaged out the hard cramp until the muscle was relaxed and she was feeling no pain. After the whole ordeal, she laughed at me and told me noticed that I was on red alert lately and that made her feel good. I guess I do wake up more in the middle of the night if I hear a sound that is out of the ordinary.

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Well, I gotta go. They are shutting the school library down now. I will blog more tomorrow!

Quote Of The Day

"How seldom it is that the soul keeps itself silent enough for God to speak." - William Buckhouse and James Janson

Shower of Blessings

This past Sunday evening, EL and I were showered for our baby that is soon to be here! Wow, the days keep flying by. Anyway, our church family here is the greatest. They have given to us time and time again. So much so that A.L. Hahn jokingly took me aside and told me that we were not allowed to buy another house or have another baby in at least a year. He got no argument from me or a tired EL. We are so grateful to this family for blessing us in every way possible. There are no words that can describe how we feel about this congregation. Ms. Ann, our secretary, informed us that the baby will not be ours but will be the whole church's to pamper and spoil and raise. What fun! We are so excited!!

The Latest

Here is the latest that has been happening on the Marble Falls front:

Thursday-I subbed for the Middle School and had some great classes.

Friday-I worked at the office, ate lunch with Allan (who I haven't seen in a long, long time), and prepped for our 5th Quarter for the last football game of the season: Marble Falls vs. Burnet-what a wild game-2 of our guys got hurt one right after the other-Big John Bird (Marble Falls) and then Thomas Levens (Burnet). They are doing fine now.

The 5th Quarter brought 30+ teens and friends to our new house. I got to meet some teens that are from the school and community. The pictures you see are from the party!

Saturday-Kyle B, Thomas G and I babysat for the ladies patriotic brunch. It was fun. We watched Ice Age and played Ratchet & Clank in the Youth House.

That evening, EL and I sat out on the newly uncluttered back patio and played Gin while the sun went down. We only played a few games because it got cold quick.

This morning-In class we talked about how to love people that we can't stand. We came to the conclusion that it's a lot easier said than done, but that it is what Jesus calls us to do as His radical disciples.

Tonight-I will fill you in on the happenings tomorrow afternoon with more pictures to accompany.

I Love Trivia

Tell me what it is?

The word of the day (and the one you, dear reader, must define to me by comment or email) is:

Lenugo.

Inquiring minds want to know.

Hint: It is only found on two types of people!
If you answer with these as well you will get brownie points.

Whaddaya think?!?

Down With The Sickness

I just don't know what it is, but it seems that every year, around my birthday, I get a nasty bug that puts me down for a few days!! Well, now I am back on my feet almost normal again.

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Our yard is now fully equipped with a brand spanking new sprinkler system! Now it is time for the privacy fence in the backyard and (last but not least) the spreading of topsoil and the laying of sod. What fun!

Today

Today...
Jerry, Scott and Dennis are working in the trenches and holes that they have dug for the new sprinkler system. It is getting very close now!

Today...
I have been watching a young man that has been expelled from Colt Elementary. His mother did not take off from work and needed someone to watch over him while she was in the office. I took some time out to show him around the office, a little bit of what I do, my new house, and the Youth House. We spent some time playing with his toys and playing Ratchet & Clank and Jak & Daxter on PS2.

Today...
I have heard disheartening news of the struggle it has been for my mom to move into her new house. The seller has broken many legally binding items in the contract and is being very rude to my family in FL. My mom, being a Christian, does not want to take the seller to court, so there is not much that she can do right now. Keep her and the rest involved in your prayers as they go through this ordeal.

Today...
Civilians from Marble Falls are lining up right now to show support for the Fallen Soldier procession on 281.

Today...
I am going to spend the whole evening with my sweetheart!!

Today...
Is a good day

Quote Of The Day

"Character is what you are in the dark." - Dwight L. Moody

Where Have I Been?

Friday brought back so many memories of my own high school and university experience that it was overwhelming. I subbed for Bryce Gage-the Choir Director.

1st period was the Varsity Girls Choir. We worked on sightreading and memorization of Christmas pieces with emphasis in proper vowels, dynamics and proper breathing.

2nd period was Music History. We took a 70 question test that was not quite easy. I tried it myself and think I made around an 80%.

Last period was Music Theory. We worked on P, M, m and other intervals as well as key signatures and scales.

Wow, what a blast from the past. It was a great day and I am proud of the strengthening of the music program at Marble Falls MS and HS!

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Yesterday, Ann (our secretary) and I took Allan out to eat in celebration of his 40th Birthday! Wow, he is getting up there in years! Quite an old man! We went to Opie's in Spicewood. The barbecue there is so good, it was covered in a special on the Food Network! It has become our fave place to eat brisket and sausage around here!

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Today, Jerry and Dennis are cutting up our new yard and installing the sprinkler system! Elizabeth and I have been emptying boxes, putting up blinds, hanging curtains and placing art and pictures on the walls. Everything around the new place is starting to look like a real home.

Yesterday morning, we had a great visit by Jim and Helen Dobbs. Last night, we had our Meat Eaters Bible study in the new living room! It was great!!

Ahh..the new Mitchell Mansion is wonderful!

The Puzzle

One verse has continually come to my mind over the past few months. Going through the fear of having a baby with abnormal chromosomes, not being able to find a house and losing my good friend, Jim Gardner, to a great work in Fresno, California-all in the course of a few months-truly tested my faith and belief system. The verse that has kept me glued together through these crises and others from the past is Romans 8:28:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

I don't see how the pieces fit. I don't presume to know the future and how everything comes together to complete His will. I do know, however, that there is a Master Plan and that God is putting it all into place to carry out His perfect and awesome will. I rest in that! I tell my human nature to put a cork in it and let God do His thing. And that is the best we can do in this puzzle called life.

Villa Antonia

I had a typo for the hyperlink to the wedding center website. For those of you who tried to access the site and found nothing, here is the true link:

Villa Antonia

It is the most beautiful place to have a wedding!

Go Marble Falls!

Monday morning, I traveled with Bryce Gage and 4 students from the Marble Falls Choir to Vista Ridge for All State Choir Competition. It was a great, however long, day! Even though the tension was in the air, all 4 (Ariel M., Becca & Bethany N. and Cody S.) kept their composure. I am proud to say that they all passed on to the next round and will be singing in the All-TMEA Choir!!! I am very proud of them!

Let me go on to say that this is the first time in 20 years that Marble Falls has seen one of their own move on into this level of All State Choir competition. So for these 4 to move forward is amazing. Bryce Gage is working very hard with the students and they love him very much (even though he is tough!).

More Pics

Wedding Pics

Many Stories

Have I got a lot to tell you!

Sunday morning, Elizabeth and I helped with the new Spanish Ministry that has begun in the last month. I lead the singing in Spanish and helped with the Communion. It was great to see the growth! We went from 10 the Sunday before last to 17 this past Sunday. We are growing!

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That afternoon, Elizabeth and I headed over to Villa Antonia on 1431 near Austin for my first wedding to officiate! I was very nervous, to say the least. The rehearsal and wedding ceremony went very well. Many people came to me afterward and told me that the ceremony was one of the best that they had heard. Even the wedding planner (who works for the Villa and was on the 5th wedding that weekend) exclaimed how the ceremony was on of the best she had heard. I can't say that any of that was me, though. I have God and my good buddy, Jim Gardner, to thank for all of the help and guidance. I can now say that I have officiated 1 wedding and 1 funeral without any hitches. Thank you, Jim, for your great insight and support! I owe you big time!

I will post some pics of the wedding now!

Quote Of The Day

"Seize the day by seeking its Maker. Revise the bumper sticker slightly, to read Carpe Deum: 'Seize God'-and don't let go! If you have never reached for His powerful hand before, you're in for a great adventure. He alone is the source of true passion for all you do in life." - David Jeremiah

Again!

Well, it happened again! I have only been here for 8 and a half months and I have already 2 celebrities. First, it was Luke Wilson at the gas station. And yesterday it was none other than the host of Love Connection, Chuck Woolery! EL and I were in Horseshoe Bay for her Dr. appointment (which went very well, by the way), we were through and signing up for her next appointment when a man walked up to the receptionist's desk. I looked at him and to my surprise it was the gameshow host himself! I leaned to EL and told her to look up. She did and said "Do you know him?" I told her "That is Chuck Woolery!" She came back with "Chuck Who?" Oh well! I approached him, shook his hand and told him that his show was cool! He said thanks and we left it that because he looked a little under the weather.

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EL and I are so blessed! This past Sunday evening we were pounded and money treed by the church family!! We were overwhelmed with food and monetary gifts that we were speechless. I thank God for the family here and I pray that I can give them the leadership that God calls me to give for the teens and young families here.

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We were blessed also by another family here. They bought us 4 trees for our new house. 2 Oaks, 1 Peach and 1 Pear. We can't believe the generosity of this congregation. Thank you all for everything.

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And, Yes-My Roomie-Chad Joice, I do read my email!! You should have a reply in your box today!! I miss ya, man!

Shaping Young Hearts

I apologize once again for the sporadic blogging. With the new house, cleaning out the old one, counseling and subbing, I am constantly out of the office. I think next week will be a little slower.

I did something new yesterday. I substituted for 1st grade! What an experience and a hugely full day. I now have so much respect for Julie Bridges (whose class I taught) and others like her that work with elementary children. You have to be cut from a certain kind of special, patient, compassionate cloth to spend your days teaching young hearts and minds. Julie, you have what it takes and you are a great example to others out there and to people like me! Teachers: Thank you for all that you do! May you be blessed as you bless others along the way!!

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Well, now I am off to have my blood drawn for cholesterol screening. What fun!

Settling Down

Well, we are finally starting to settle down in our new place. This past weekend was a blur with the signing on Friday, moving the majority of our stuff from the 'Mitchell Mansion', going to the football game and 5th Quarter, then moving all of the heavy stuff on Saturday and now getting it all unpacked and put in the right place according to Elizabeth's instructions. I am beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

I want to gratefully thank Roy Swann, Jerry & Cindy Jamar (+ Kassidie), Berrilynn Daniell, Karla McCoy, Thomas Levens, Jasmine Nelson, Allan Stanglin and Sean Luke Henderson for helping us haul and lift heavy things! You guys saved me from a herniated disk!

I also want to thank George and Brad Offutt for all that you have done for EL and me! You are great! Where would we be without you guys?

EL and I now can't wait to have someone over to the new digs!!

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Now I am looking forward to spending some time today with our newly hired minister, Greg Neill. He is coming into town with his fam to househunt and see the sights here in Marble Falls, America! I am going to show and tell what I know.

So Excited!

Elizabeth and I are so excited!! Tomorrow morning we will sign the closing papers on our new house here in Marble Falls. After that, we will be busting it to put all of our stuff from the 'Mitchell Mansion' over into the new house.
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There will be a brief interlude of the football game (now across the street) and the 5th Quarter (hosted by Guy and Ruth Ann N.) in the Youth House.
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Then we will be back in the new house getting it ready to live in.

Saturday, we will be inviting everyone from the church to help us move the rest of the stuff out of storage with us.
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Another brief interlude of door knocking with the new Spanish Ministry for a few hours...
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Then back to the new house to try to get it somewhat settled! Man, we can't wait!!!

Quote Of The Day

"Here is a word for our churches. Every foreign country is our fatherland—we belong to Korea, Paraguay, Angola, Bulgaria, and Mexico. All countries are honored. All need Jesus. We belong to them all because God loves them all and all are in need of the kingdom of God.

But at the same time, every fatherland is a foreign country—even our own, even America. We do not trust it to solve our most substantial problems or look to it to fill our greatest needs. We do not assume it is always right or always good. And we do not consign to it our hopes or our future. Our future belongs only to God who is the ruler of all nations and who grants us the extraordinary rights and privileges of living as citizens, not here, at least not for long, but forever in his glorious kingdom." - Jack Reese

Chaotic

Today has been a crazy day and I am unable to blog much further. I am having all of my numbers and accounts changed for the big move this Friday. I am also meeting with David G and Brian J. I have had luch with George Q and my sweet wife, Elizabeth. There is also a baptism this evening. All good news this day but it has left me reeling!!

Be back later with more information...

Ministry In A Nutshell

"I have a special pass. The kind that gets some people into every athletic event for their school or that permits some people to park wherever they want.

Only my pass allows me to enter into the holy places of lives.

I’m a minister. I’m one who speaks the Word of God, one who shapes worldviews, one who challenges, chastises, encourages, teaches, forms, unforms, and guides. And because of that — ill-formed though my life often seems to me (dogged by doubts and shortcomings) and ill-prepared though I’ve always felt (despite those many years of Greek!) — I’m given a pass that permits me to walk into sacred places.

Places where vows are made. Places where last words are spoken by best friends before walking out to make vows. Places where grieving widows or widowers say one last word at the casket after everyone else is gone. Places where parents hold their breath and beg God, waiting for the latest MRI to come back. Places where people speak their secrets, needing reassurance that God still loves them. Places of grief, relief, sorrow, joy, fear, and ecstasy.

What would I say to a young person who’s considering ministry?

Well, let’s be honest. It isn’t always easy. (What job is?)

But it’s a privilege, a blessing beyond blessings. My pass lets me weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. And when that happens, I feel fully alive. Even with those hidden doubts and shortcomings." - Preacher Mike

That just about sums it up for me. I love doing what I do! I love ministering to not only the teens and tweens, but people of all sizes and shapes (and Ages).

I have always wanted to help this world in some way and I can think of no better way of doing it than sharing the love of God and His son Jesus Christ with a fallen race. It is my prayer that I continue to be melted down and reformed into His image as I reach out to the lost and the hurting.

Thank You, Lord for loving us and giving us Your Spirit to guide us in this place! Thank You, God, for making us in Your image and giving us the tools to spread Your good news to the ends of the earth!

Quote Of The Day

"Two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God; the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self." - St. Augustine

Mold Me and Shape Me

This morning, I visited the High School to hear the Ladies Varsity Choir under the capable direction of Director Bryce Gage. They have come a long way from last year-the difference is night and day. Needless to say, I am extremely excited about the concert this coming Monday night!!

This afternoon I am starting a premarital counseling session with a couple that I will marry in October. This is my first and I am looking forward to getting to know them.

After that session, I will be counseling a teen from my youth group.

In between and afterward, I will be working on my sermon for this Sunday evening.

Looks like I have a full plate today.

You know, I asked God to mold and shape me into the leader that He wants me to be and He is answering my prayer by loading my days with good, hard work for His kingdom.

Realize this: God answers prayer in ways we can't always foresee!

Service For Him

I am really excited about my youth here in MF! One of my teens is going to set a regular time with me each week to accompany me on my visits to the members here in from the congregation. Last week, David and I visited with Jim and Helen Dobbs before his forthcoming surgery. This week, we were able to help with a struggling, young mother of 2 pay for her medication at the HEB Pharmacy. OK, so it wasn't our money but we did do the middle-man work and it felt good, just the same. Every week on Wednesday, we are going to set aside some time to do something to lift the spirits of our flock, peers or community members. I love doing this!

Random

OK, I am back. Where was I? Oh Yeah, this morning I accompanied a parent and a teen for a counseling session. Now I have returned to finish recounting the events of this past weekend.

After the Faith Academy game (or slaughter), I got ready to take the teens to Hamilton for an Acapella concert. We had a great time rocking out and then filling up on Storm's burgers and fries. We left at 4:30 and got back home at around Midnight.

I got up early Sunday morning to look over my class materials and spend time in prayer. Elizabeth and I got to eat lunch with a ministerial candidate and som other interested families.

That afternoon, I prepared the songbooks and ice chest for a great time of devotional that evening at the home of Chris and Julie Bridges. After filling up on good Julie Bridges food, we jumped on the trampoline, played street basketball and wrapped up the night singing, praying and studying around a campfire. It was perfect weather for it, too!

Yesterday, I subbed in High School Algebra and then held Meat Eaters last night in the Youth House.

This afternoon, I am going to look over a sermon that I have completed because I may be preaching this Sunday evening.

Tonight, I am going to the Middle School to take part in a Teen Suicide Prevention Seminar.

Only 10 more days before E and I get to move into our new house! We can't wait!!!

Only a little over 3 more months before a new life enters the Mitchell household. God, help us to be ready! Can you ever be ready to raise a child?!?

Here

It has been a blur over the past few days!

Saturday morning, Elizabeth and I caught the football game of Faith Academy vs. West Columbia Christian. Clayton Bridges made a TD and a great interception! The game lasted only about an hour, though, because Faith won it 48-0.

My ride is here so I will return in about an hour. I will tell you more about it when I come back.

Quote Of The Day

"I can't think of a more urgent need than enabling young people to understand their faith and preparing them to defend it against the onslaught of secular thought they encounter in their schools and in popular culture." - Charles W. Colson

Jim and Helen

I have just returned from the home of Jim and Helen Dobbs. They were tearfully overjoyed!!You see, last night 26 from the Youth decided to make a little DVD for him before going into surgery on Friday. We sang some songs, read some Scripture and individually told him that we were thinking of him and praying for him to get through this surgery. I took them the DVD and prayed with them for this difficult time.

Jim Dobbs is a well-loved man. Many from the church here are going to show their support on Friday by praying and being there. His brother, Buster Dobbs, is coming into town this coming week to be with him and his daughter, Ann, is coming a little later to help him in his recovery. And all of us will be here lifting him up to our God.

Please continue to pray for Jim and Helen in this time.

Thoughts

Jim Dobbs, our minister emeritus in Marble Falls, is going in for surgery this Friday and I ask that you keep him and his wife, Helen, in your thoughts and prayers. He is a hard worker for the Lord and His kingdom and has brought many to a deeper understanding of God and our walk with Him. His love and intelligence seem to know no boundaries. He is a great example to me.

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Today, Elizabeth, David G and I are going to visit 2 homes. The Dobbs and the Hahns. I am excited about talking and praying with Jim, Helen, A.L. and Imogene. Good, quality time with brothers and sisters in Christ. I love it!!

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Tonight, I have something planned for the youth, but I can't let it out of the bag until this evening! It is going to be good.

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"To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. The closer we come to the heartbeat of God the more we see our need and the more we desire to be conformed to Christ...

James says: ‘You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions’ (James 4:3). To ask ‘rightly’ involves transformed passions, total renewal. In prayer, real prayer, we begin to think God’s thoughts after Him: to desire the things He desires, to love the things He loves. Progressively we are taught to see things from His point of view.” - Richard Foster

Quote Of The Day

"The general human failing is to want what is right and important, but at the same time not to commit to the kind of life that will produce the action we know to be right and the condition we want to enjoy. This is the feature of human character that explains why the road to hell is paved with good intentions." - Dallas Willard

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!

Elizabeth and I were thrilled with the news yesterday that our baby girl is going to be just fine. She is still due on January 9th and everything is great! The Amnio results came back healthy and normal! Thank you for your calls, letters and prayers. We love you all!!

On top of that, we closed on the sale of our house in the Village on Wednesday and we made an offer on a house here in MF yesterday. The offer was accepted with a possible closing date of October 6th! I can't wait to have devotionals and 5th Quarters this season in my own home!!

We just can't find a better church family anywhere than the one right here in MF! They have been so supportive and have helped us through all of the worry and pain. God bless them and all of you for what you have done!

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Now it's time for me to get ready for the Faith Academy game (with Clayton Bridges playing) @ 5:00, the reception at the Bridges that will follow, the Homecoming game (with John Bird and Zane Rogers playing-also David Griffin is up for Homecoming King) at Marble Falls @ 7:30 and the 5th Quarter that will follow at Bryce's house. From now to Midnight I have quite a bit to do!

Quote Of The Day

"Finally this morning, let me encourage you over the weekend to spend some time reading in Ephesians. It's hard to miss Paul's resolute desire that the identity of the Ephesian Christians would be formed by their connection to Christ and Christ alone.

Too often these days, we qualify our Christianity. "I'm conservative." "I'm liberal." "I'm progressive." "I'm traditional."

But spending time reading Paul reminds me that his calling card was "I'm Christ's person" nothing more, nothing less. I pray that my identity might be so singularly focused that, as was the case for Paul, others might see Jesus in me." - Jim Gardner

Even More

Tuesday came with a great time of fun for the High Schoolers. In the evening, I got to ride along with the Marble Falls High School Choir and the their director, Bryce Gage, in the Homecoming Float Parade. It was exciting to drive along and see all of the eager parade watchers and look on while the teens threw candy and gum with sprays of silly string at the members of the town. We then headed to the Johnson Park Pavilion for an uplifting pep rally getting us pumped about our Homecoming game this Friday against Del Valle. The band played, the choir sang, the cheerleaders cheered, the starlets starletted and the audience applauded! It was a great night!

Several More Things

David Griffin, one of my teens, is in my office right now. We are having a great time talking about life in general. You know, he is royalty-soon to be the Homecoming King!

When we were through with S3, Jasmine, David, Karla, Allan, Carrie-Anne and Elizabeth helped me and BOB move furniture and stuff out of the seemingly neverending Penske truck into the storage unit. Thank all of you for helping and making it so easy and quick!! You are awesome! Then on Sunday we...

Welcomed our new members in a New Member Luncheon in the large fellowship hall. It was good to get to know the newbies here in Marble Falls. We ate good that day and then rested up for...

The HS/MS Devo later that night at the home of Kyle and Marti Futrell. Swimming, Catchphrase Jr., Trampoline Jumping and a great time of singing with an outstanding devotional talk by Coach Futrell were the highlights of the evening! The next morning we...

Got ready to take BOB to Austin to return the truck and to depart for Benton, AR on a Greyhound Bus.

I even have more for later.

Several Things

Well, it has been a whirlwind over the past 4 days and I will bring you up to date on Marble Falls happenings.

First, my dad, Big Ol' Bear, came into town with a Penske truck full of our furniture and stuff from the house in AR. He got in on Saturday morning at 4:30. We got up around 10, had a great breakfast cooked by my sweetheart, and took it over to our Storage Unit. I left him at 1:30 to...

Begin the first ever S3: Second Saturday Servants here in Marble Falls, TX! This is anyone in the youth group that is able to come on the second Saturday of the month to serve this community in any way possible. 8 of us from the Youth Group packed up in a van and headed over to Gateway Villa, an assisted living facility here in town. We sang classics like: I'll Fly Away, In The Garden, Be With Me Lord, etc. then we shared some of our songs with them: As The Deer, A New Anointing, Sanctuary, etc. When we finished singing, we all sat down with the 25-30 ladies and shared our stories and listened to theirs. It was a perfect time to do it because Grandparents Day was Sunday and this week is Assisted Living Week! We then...

More To Come

Quote Of The Day

"What the gospel does is to administer a sharp jolt, to shine a bright light, to kick-start the brain, and the moral sensibility, into working properly for the first time." - Tom Wright

Out Of The Woods

We are relieved to say that there has been no damage to the baby due to the Amnio! Thank You, God, for an answer to our prayers!!

Now, we wait with baited breath for the results from that procedure that come in less than 2 weeks. These will let us know if our baby has Downs Syndrome or any other abnormality. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Update

Just thought I would let you know that Elizabeth has felt only a few mild cramps from the Amnio and the little baby is moving around all the time like always! That is giving us hope that we will make it past the 48 hour mark. Just 3 more hours to go!

Thank You

First of all, thank you for all of the calls, kind words and prayers. You don't know how much they are appreciated!

Elizabeth and I traveled to Austin yesterday for our appointments with the Texas Perinatal Group.

Our first appointment was the Advanced Sonogram-It went very well and there were no markers for chromosomal abnormalities. The Doctor said that was a good sign but that it was still not a total certainty that our baby did not have Downs.

The next appointment was Genetics Consultation-The counselor told us that the results from the new Sonogram brought our chances down to .5% of having a baby with Downs. That is not even 1%! We were left with the decision to either go home without truly knowing or have an Amniocentesis to know absolutely.

It was Elizabeth's decision and I am fully supportive of her. We had the Amnio done. It was pretty quick and painless. Dr. Ridgeway had me sit down because they have had more trouble with husbands when the needle is produced than with the actual patients! Thought that was a hoot! Anyway, it was done in a wink and relatively painless. We are not out of the woods for another 24 hours due to the Amnio, so keep that in your prayers.

We will know for certain in a couple of weeks. I will let you know when I know more. Thank you so much for all that you have done.

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"Put your hand in the hand of The One who stilled the waters
Put your hand in the hand of The One who calmed the seas
Put your hand in the hand of The Man from Galilee!"

At The End Of The Day

I am now home and able to blog. It is the very end of the day and I am exhausted!

Here's how it played out:

Elizabeth and I got up before the sunrise and left for Mesquite, TX where her mom, Mary, picked her up and took her back to HSV, AR to meet up with my dad, Jim, and pack up the rest of our stuff in the old house. We are supposed to be out before the 15th and this was a good weekend for all of them.

I came back in time to get ready for the football game of Marble Falls Mustangs vs. Llano Yellow Jackets. The game was an upset for me with a score of 41-10 Llano. It was not all that bad, though! I got to sit by the whole Stanglin clan and the Whittles. I also got to see a lot of the teens and hang with them.

After the game, several of us went over to the Lewis house for a 5th Quarter. It was great to shoot the breeze and play Catch Phrase!

Now I am getting ready to go to bed and sleep the night away!

What a great day.

Prayerful and Hopeful

I am coming very near to a place many like to call "Wit's End!" Elizabeth and I have been looking up and down for a place here in Marble Falls, TX to live and we are having 0% luck! We are both extremely exhausted and know that Donna C., Brad O. and Carrrie-Anne S. are tired out as well as they have been scouring the town with us. I am so appreciative of these loving hearts, but I am astounded that the search has become like 'looking for a needle in a haystack.'

At the same time, we are going in for a more advanced Sonogram because the first one did not deliver the results needed to figure out the reason for abnormalities on the blood tests. We have 3 appointments next Wednesday: one for the Sonogram, one for Genetics Counseling and possibly a 3rd-an Amniocentesis. We are strongly soliciting all the prayers we can get for Elizabeth and the little one.

Please keep us in your prayers as we try to overcome these hurdles while keeping a steady grip on God's unchanging hand.

God In Us

I was touched today to read the blog of one of my students. His life is a testament of freedom, true freedom in Christ, to me and many others. Please take a look at this blog of David Griffin. It will touch you.

Quote Of The Day

"I commend cheerfulness to all who would win souls; not levity and frothiness, but a genial, happy spirit. There are more flies caught with honey than with vinegar, and there will be more souls led to heaven by a man who wears heaven in his face than by one who bears Tartarus in his looks." - C.H. Spurgeon

Quote Of The Day

"Thirsty hearts are those whose longings have been wakened by the touch of God within them." - A.W. Tozer

Closer

"Some years into our spiritual journey, after the waves of anticipation that mark the beginning of any pilgrimage have begun to ebb into life's middle years of service and busyness, a voice speaks to us in the midst of all we are doing. There is something missing in all of this, it suggests. There is something more.

The voice often comes in the middle of the night or the early hours of morning, when our hearts are most unedited or vulnerable. At first, we mistake the source of this voice and assume it is just our imagination. We fluff up our pillow, roll over, and go back to sleep. Days, weeks, even months go by and the voice speaks to us again: Aren't you thirsty? Listen to your heart. There is something missing."

And with these first 2 paragraphs, Brent Curtis and John Eldredge begin a journey to draw closer to the heart of God in their book, The Sacred Romance. And just these beginning thoughts pricked me to the very core. I don't know where you are on your spiritual journey today, but this intro caught me off guard. It spoke to what has been happening in me as of late.

I have felt the same tug in the middle of the night.

I have cried at the weakness of my own spirituality.

My relationship with God has been lacking. And God's not to blame. He is right where He's always been. I am the one who's moved. I have grown far too comfortable with my life and my things here on earth.

I want to get back to my 'first love!'

I want the joy that I first felt.

The passion and the energy to grow within myself and reach out to others in world changing ways.

Where has it all gone?

If you have struggled with this, send me some thoughts about how you were awakened and what brought you closer to the heart of God.

Eating It Up

I am so proud of the teenagers here in Marble Falls, TX! They have a hunger and thirst for the knowledge of God and they long to share what they know with their friends. They have decided at the start of this school year to live lives of true purpose. Lives that commit to picking up their cross and following Jesus daily. I have seen that spirit growing in each of them over the summer and it is coming to fruition now. It just thrills me to see them bringing friends to class, worship and youth activites. But, even more so, I have been blown over by watching their friends bring friends! I shout AMEN to that. With that joy welling up inside of me, I would like to give you something (one of my earlier blogs) to eat while you "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (II Peter 3:18)

What do you feed your soul with? How do you fill up? Everyone needs to fill their soul with something and it shouldn't be just anything. What does it take for you? I recently read a quote from Jamie Lee Curtis about this. In the December 27 issue of USA Today, Curtis wrote "You can have all the money in the world. You can have everything under the tree that you ever wanted. And if you're sitting there alone, you are the saddest, loneliest human being on the planet, and there is absolutely nothing that money can buy that will fill your soul."

Interesting. A talented, famous, rich actress looks on all that she has and realizes that none of these earthly possessions will fill a person's soul. Our souls long for something that cannot be gained through earthly wealth or fame. The human soul longs for something else. Something that will last forever. None of the aforementioned things last. They all fade away with time and change.

But there is something that will last for eternity and that will fill the soul to the brim. Just 2 words: Jesus Christ! He is the only constant filler in this ever changing world we live in.
Do you have Him? Is your soul sufficiently fed? If you are using wordly things to fill up, you will constantly be hungry and lean. But if you fill up on Jesus, you'll never go hungry again.

Quote Of The Day

"According to one well-known saying, this book [The Gospel of John] is like a pool that's safe for a child to paddle in but deep enough for an elephant to swim in." - Tom Wright/N.T. Wright

Posted

Elizabeth and I were relieved to find out that, according to the sonographer, there are no visible abnormalities with our baby. That takes a huge load off of our minds and we will be able to sleep well this evening unlike the past few nights.

Our little bundle in the womb is very active and is 20 weeks and 6 days along. A little further than we thought! And the baby is a truly active little one! The only thing we don't know is the sex. We are still oblivious. We were told not to paint the room a certain color just yet!

Thank you for all of your calls of concern and prayers! They were heard and answered.

Just thought I would keep you posted.

Anticipation

I did not blog yesterday because I was scatterbrained. Well, more so than usual! Elizabeth and I are going to find out how our baby is doing. You see, we found out this past Friday evening that her testing came back with an abnormality and we don't know what that means. We will find out this morning at 11:00. Please keep us in your prayers this morning. We are a little nervous about the abnormalities. I will keep you posted.

Great Singers and Performers

The drive back from Austin yesterday got me thinking about great musicians and the music that has left lasting impressions on many people. Being a singer myself, more precisely a light, lyric tenor, I usually listen more to the vocal prowess or lack thereof in the singer rather than the guitar riffs and piano licks. I am going to list some of my all time favorite singers and musicians(be it Rock, Pop, Jazz, Opera, etc.) and I want to hear from you. It can be vocalist or instrumentalist. Whoever has left an indelible mark on you.

1. Freddie Mercury from Queen. Wow! Amazing voice.
2. The Beatles.
3. Roy Orbison. Quite an outstanding range.
4. Fritz Wunderlich (Opera). Beautiful Lyric Tenor.
5. The Eagles.
6. Alison Kraus.
7. Louis Prima.

This is just a few of the greats in my book. There are so many more, but the blog would go on for days. What do you think? Who do you like?

More To Say

The class last night was a smashing success!! It went over so well that the class ended well past its 7:50 stopping point. We wound up closing in prayer beyond 8:30. Many came to me thanking me for allowing them the chance to share what the Lord has done in their lives and to grow closer to their Christian family as they begin this new school year. Even some of my tougher critics were impressed with the openness and honesty of the evening. I am glad to see God in the hearts of these young believers.

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This morning my colleague, Allan S, and I drove Mandy, Trae and Tori G to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The preacher man and his family are now gone to California to start a new work. It was hard to watch them go as we all waved a fond, tearful farewell. May God bless the Gardner family as they embark on this new journey. I miss them too much already!

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My buddy, Allan Stanglin, is a pretty cool guy. I think I can stomach working with him for another stretch. Maybe!

Please keep the Marble Falls Church in your prayers as we look for someone to fill the shoes of Jim Gardner and keep us moving in a strong, positive direction.

Truth Or Dare

Tonight in class we are going to do something that I learned from a fellow youth minister: We are going to take part in a Truth or Dare Worship. Each of us will have a card that states we must tell a Truth (what God has done in our lives, what we like about Christian fellowship, etc.) or take a Dare (read our favorite Bible verse, lead our favorite song, etc.). It should be a very encouraging and uplifting time of worship! I can't wait!!

Prayer Requests

Please pray for Elizabeth and me as we await the results of our baby's Spina Bifida and Down's Syndrome tests and as we look for a place to live here in Marble Falls! We want something that will hold all of our stuff from the house in the Village and that will be great for raising a baby. We covet your prayers!

Explosion Of Thought

Well, I was unable to access the internet while I was away. I am sorry that it has been so long since my last blog. Elizabeth and I had a great time visiting my sister, mother, brother-in-law and 2 nephews. They were very gracious hosts and had many stories to share. I miss them already. I am not too sad because I know that they will be coming this January to see the newborn and share in our new beginning!

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We hit the ground running when we got back to Marble Falls! We had a great class Sunday morning about blessings that continually come from our heavenly Father.

Sunday evening we had a night of singing praise and reading from the Word followed by a great game of "Scene It"-the DVD Trivia Game.

Following that, some of us headed over to watch our own Ryan Smith play in the Community Coed Championship Softball Game at Johnson Park. Man, Ryan, you are a hard and great player! Good hits and catches!

And then yesterday morning, a group of teens traveled to the #1 Waterpark in the nation: Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. We spent our last day of summer freedom swimming, floating, sliding and boogie boarding before school started back up today! We stopped by Taco Cabana for dinner on the way back and then proceeded to come home and crash at around 9:00 last night. What a great day of fun!

During all of that, Elizabeth and I were able to sell our house in Hot Springs Village, AR. The perfect ending of a perfect time.

Now I am finally back in the office to play catch up on all of my emails and messages.

I will be back today with more blogging. I feel that I should make up for lost time.

Greetings From LA

I send this blog post from a room in the La Quinta Inn in Baton Rouge (Red Stick) Louisiana. Elizabeth, the Belly, Peanut and I are en route to Tallahassee, FL to visit my sister, Misti-my mom, Jean-my brother-in-law, Jeff-and my nephews, Kameron and Brenden. It will be a great time of R and R for both of us before we come back ready to hit the ground running once again in our Marble Falls ministry. We will be out of pocket for a week and I will try to blog as much as I can. Please forgive me, though, if they are sporadic for the next days.

In The Aftermath

I feel very strange because my friend and colleague of many years has left and his absence is now weighing on me.

I miss Jim Gardner.

When I came into full time ministry, he took me under his wing and guided me to be the best. I was truly wet behind the ears and he dried that off quickly.

When I didn't quite grasp the Word I was reading, he had thought provoking insight.

When I started to understand that churches come with bureaucratic red tape, he was there with uplifting words of wisdom.

When I was ready to get married, he was a listening ear to my thoughts.

When I was hurt by friends and family members, he was a shoulder to lean on for comfort and encouragement.

Whenever I needed a true friend, he was always there.

Now, he is not there. And I wonder if I will ever get to spend quality time with him in the future. I am having a difficult time in the process.

More on this later...

Kadesh

I have rested up a little bit from this past week. I am still a bit tired.

On Sunday the 23, I took a group of teens to Camp Kadesh at ACU. We got back in town this past Saturday from a week of strong renewal and service. For 6 days we prayed, studied, worshiped, laughed, cried and worked in the community in various service projects. Each of us slept for about 5 hours every evening - at most!

I have come back a changed man, though, and every day this week I will recount on this blog the wonderful life-altering events of Camp Kadesh in ACU.

It was, in the words of one of my teens, 'one of the most spiritual events in our lives.'

A Funeral-A Wedding-A New Birth

This afternoon the Marble Falls Church of Christ honored the life of W.R. "Dub" Kelso. Dub had lived to the ripe age of 86 and many of his friends and family gathered to recall with fondness the memories that he had indelibly imprinted on their hearts and minds. May God bless the Kelso family as they grieve their loss and look forward to seeing him again in the future.

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This past Wednesday I took my sweetheart to the airport so that she could spend time with her family in Arkansas and be with her sister, Katie, this evening as she enters into wedded bliss with the love of her life.

I will not be able to see her for the next week as she will be in AR and I will be with some students in Abilene for some spiritual renewal and Christian service.

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Now for the part that I have been chomping at the bit about for the past 3+ months or so.

My sweet wife and I are having a baby!!!!

We have been holding the news from almost all of our friends because we did not want to steal the thunder from Elizabeth's sister Katie and her special day. Well, now that she has tied the knot, I am able to let all of you readers out there on the Information Super Highway that we are having a baby: Due Date January 9th!

My dad's birthday!!

Isn't that crazy?

It is still too early to know the sex of the baby, but I will keep you updated as the trimesters progress. All we know is that it is healthy and growing at a normal rate.

Whew! I am glad that I can finally write about this! I will keep you up to date.

Quote Of The Day

"Should we not see the lines of laughter about the eyes are just as much marks of faith as are the lines of care and seriousness? Is it only earnestness that is baptized? Is laughter pagan? We have already allowed too much that is good to be lost to the church and cast many pearls before swine. A church is in a bad way when it banishes laughter from the sanctuary and leaves it to the cabaret, the nightclub and the toastmasters." - Helmut Thielecke

How To Clear Out A Swimming Pool

Our fun activity this afternoon came to a screeching halt. As 30 4th-8th graders swam and wrestled in the Marble Falls Community Pool, a loud cry brought our excitement to an end. The cry announced that someone had lost control of their faculties and let slip some fecal matter. We hurriedly jumped out with great dismay and watched in shock and awe as the lifeguards netted out some brown lumps from the shallow end. All of the diving, dunking and cannonballs were over. A quick way to clear out a pool! Hopefully tomorrow's activity will be uneventful, so to speak.

Silage and Other Juicy Morsels

Today was a first!! We began our First Principles Day Camp this morning and we were overwhelmed with more young, passionate students than we had prepared for! 35 came to sit around the table and study God's Word intensively for 2 hours this morning. Jim, Allan and I were shocked and overjoyed to see so many young thirsty hearts come in search of God's will for their lives. I pray that we will see even more tomorrow.

I will have pictures to share with you at a later date.

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I have been out of pocket for the past few days. It has turned into one busy month. Thursday morning, I traveled with my friend, Chris Bridges, to pick up the students that had spent 2 weeks growing closer to God and each other at Camp Bluehaven in New Mexico. We drove up Thursday-spent the night in Las Vegas, NM-and traveled back on Friday with a van full of tweens/teens and a trailer hitched on the back.

The next morning, Elizabeth and I got up to take 13 teens to Krause Springs for swimming and fellowship.

Yesterday was full of great worship and some awesome football in Johnson Park after evening services.

And, as I mentioned earlier, First Principles started today.

I am meeting with around 15 teens this evening to finish out the book of Genesis in our Meat Eaters class that meets each Monday night.

Whew! I am kinda tired right now.

Maybe things will slow down soon. Oh, who am I kidding! I am a Youth Minister. Things never slow down!!!

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While traveling to New Mexico with a great guy; I learned something new. I saw some strange things on the side of the road in an unnamed cow town that I could not quite figure out. Being somewhat of a city slicker, I have a lot to learn about farming and other rural events. As we passed by these stragne mounds, I asked Chris if he could tell me what they were. Happy to oblige, he told me that they were mounds of Silage.

A new word in my dictionary.

According to my friend, Silage mounds are piles of Hay (among other things) that are covered with plastic and left to sweat and (I guess) ferment. This Silage is then fed to the cows, causing them to produce more cream.

Cool! You learn something new every day!! And I love to learn.

Thank you Bridges family. Because of you, I now know about Silage and Javelinas!!

Quote Of The Day

"Let us, before all words, astound them by our way of life." - John Chrysostom

The Remedy

Last night I was disheartened because we (the Youth and I) were unable to have our weekly Meat Eaters evening devotional due to summer jobs, illness and other engagements. That made me sad.

Today was a day of unattractive bureaucracy. No one would think that bureacracy exists in the church, but, oh my, it does!

I have had a few run-ins with people who have a different approach than me and, even though the issue is settled, we all come off as a little impatient.

This day has gone that way for me.

Granted, these days are few and far between in my life, so by no means am I unhappy, But, when they come, they try to bring you down.

What is the remedy for days like today?

In the words (loosely quoted by me) of our Associate Minister, Allan Stanglin-Faith in our Awesome God!

Why does it seem that when we truly get down to business we think we have to come up with all the answers on our own?

Shouldn't we be seeking Divine Guidance?

Isn't our God big enough to handle all of our troubles?

Why don't we let Him do it, then?

That's the remedy!

Quote Of The Day

"Expend your energy not in fretting over what you cannot control but in opening yourself to the inbreaking of God." - Jack R. Reese

Significance

In a world full of supermodels with good looks, sports legends with physical prowess, business tycoons with billions of dollars, etc. you here in the real world find yourselves second guessing your almost on par with average existences. You wonder why you are important. 'What is so significant about little old me?' you might ask.

This brings many of us down. Our sense of self worth takes a nose dive. We lose confidence and our self-image plummets. We look in the mirror and do not like what we see. Then depression knocks at the door.

Last night in class we discussed how important we all are. Society may never come to the realization that we are special. Those around us might not 'get it.'

But that doesn't really matter.

You see, God made you with your own distinct set of blueprints. No one that has ever lived or that will ever come into existence shares those with you. The Psalmist writes that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Jesus said that what society values and praises is detestable to God. (Luke 16:15) Paul wrote in Ephesians that you are God's handiwork.

No matter what the world around you places on the throne of pop culture, there is Someone in a higher position that values you even more! You hold special significance.

How can anyone feel low if they are reminded that the all powerful, all knowing God put special time in crafting them? How amazing is that? The ultimate Creator and Judge took some time out of His busy schedule to create a unique human.

And that unique human is you!

Contact Revisited

I was reading the other night and came across this passage that truly relates to the student mission work in Tulsa. It put into words every thought that has raced through my head about Contact and the great work that its members are doing. I simply cannot pass up the opportunity to share this with you, faithful reader.

"On these streets are spoken the tongues
of many lands and still we understand
what people are saying. Here some of
the refugees of the world have found a
safe place to lay their heads, cradle their
babies, and sell their wares from folding
tables and tiny stores. Here the dement-
ed can still wander in and out of our shops.
Here some places have been made for the
young and the old. Here the broken are
received and the sick healed. Here the
Gospel is being preached and here, faulted
as we are, with our own griefs heavily
upon us, we are bold to say that God calls
us his people and we know that his name is
God-with-them." (Elizabeth O'Connor)

Relevant

"Many people these days feel an absence in their lives, expressed as an acute desire for "something more," a spiritual home, a community of faith. But when they try to read the Bible they end up throwing it across the room. To me, this seems encouraging, a good place to start, a sign of real engagement with the God who is revealed in Scripture. Others find it easy to dismiss the Bible out of hand, as negative, vengeful, violent. I can only hope that they are rejecting the violence-as-entertainment of movies and television on the same grounds, and that they say a prayer every time they pick up a daily newspaper or turn on CNN. In the context of real life, the Bible seems refreshingly whole, an honest reflection on humanity in relation to the sacred and the profane. I can't learn enough about it, but I also have to trust what little I know, and proceed, in faith, to seek God there." - Kathleen Norris

Quote Of The Day

"In the deserts of the heart
Let the healing fountain start,
In the prison of his days
Teach the free man how to praise."
- W.H. Auden

Contact Pics

Here are some of the promised pictures of the amazing trip some teens took to work with the less fortunate in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am so proud of all the hard work that the youth put into this last week!

Withdrawal

As tired as I am and as raspy as my voice is (It never fails to go out-whether it be Summer Camp, VBS or Mission Trip my voice just packs up and heads south every time); I am having an unusual amount of withdrawal. With Camp, I had maybe a small period of loss, but this is quite a bit bigger than that ever was.

I miss Sweetwater, Contact and Park Plaza!

I miss being on the road with excited teens.

I miss gathering in a circle and processing what we learned while serving others in the name of the Lord.

I miss shooting hoops with Bones, Isaiah and Cameron.

I miss the enormously huge Brit doing DDR on PS2 and getting a Perfect score every time.

I miss Blair's deflated mattress and hidden sleeping bag and pillow.

I miss the singing!

I miss Big Chris: a 6'4'', 350 lb. 13 year old.

I miss the Russian children and families at Normandy.

Oh, there are too many things to count that I miss!

I am going through withdrawal. Help me!!

Memories: New and Old

This past week has been full of new adventures and rekindling old friendships.

I have been blessed to forge a bond between Blair and Melanie Gibson, the couple that formerly worked here ministering to the youth in Marble Falls. They are now in West Texas at a little place called Sweetwater. What great servant hearts these people are! Such examples of faith and love like these two are few and far between.

The MF group was able to work with such passionate people as Bob, Ron, Chris, Matt, and others that love our God at the Contact Church of Christ.

Aaron Loney was awesome for allowing us to stay in the youth room and young adult room at Park Plaza Church of Christ. What a great facility for students to get to know God and each other!

At the same time that we were getting to know new people in Tulsa, I was surprised to see old friends and acquaintances from the past. I was happy to work with Chris, the cousin of my Harding roommate Chad Joice, who is presently working with the Contact church in Tulsa.

The Office Manager of Park Plaza remembered me from when I was in elementary and middle school. He and his wife had worked at Green Country Christian Academy when I was a mere pipsqueak, I mean pupil.

When we were done with our work in Tulsa, Elizabeth and I were able to take some of the teens over to Shawkat's Deli and Grill-voted as Tulsa's number one Mediterranean restaurant. It was not really for the Hummus, Baba Gannouj, Tawook, Baklava or Gyros-even though they are oh so delicious. I knew the teens may not be so hot on the new flavors. The main reason that I took them is because my Uncle Taha and Aunt Connie are the owners of this great establishment on 41st and Sheridan. Some of the kids from Contact were treated to a great meal. Wow!! It was great to see them and my cousin Bud with his daughter again. And to partake of some good eats once more.

Great times in Tulsa!! Pics forthcoming.

A Glimmer of Hope

This blog is going to be brief because I am just plain pooped out.

We have had quite a week working with the young children and families that have been pushed to the outskirts of society. Kids whose parents beat them or neglect them. Parents who have painfully watched it all fade away as they battled addictions and lost. Grandparents who have undertaken the raising of grandchildren because the parents want no part in the lives of the child they birthed. The hurt and the longing of the poverty stricken inner city.

It has been such a joy to see their eyes come alive with appreciation and hope for a better tomorrow as they see and feel the love of Christ through the teens and adults that have worked so hard with them each day. Tears have come to my eyes on numerous occasions as I heard the young children ask if they could home with us.

Jesus has worked in and through the teens and adults of Sweetwater, Marble Falls and Tulsa. Praise be to God!!!

Homey G

What's up, dog?!? Peace out, Homey G! These are the phrases that my buddy Kyle B has told me to pass on to the blogger world. So there it is, Playas!

Anyway, I want you to know that our Sidewalk Church went better today than yesterday. We had more time to set up and get the young 'uns gathered together. We had more kids today. More kids that could focus on the singing, puppet show, crafts, games and lessons today. They were extremely excited at the end when we pulled out the Slip and Slide for the water games. Quite a few parents came from their apartments to join in. It was great to see the love and appreciation in their eyes as we showed them Jesus.

The Normandy Apartment Complex had a few Russian families and they were more than happy to share their language with the teens and sponsors. Being a lover of languages, I was excited.

Tonight, we take young children from the Contact Church to The Incredible Pizza Company to share more time with them and to fellowship.

Tulsa

I am truly sorry that I have not blogged since last Wednesday and before that it was sporadic, to say the least. I have been greatly distracted by preparations for yesterday and this week. Please forgive me. I know now that I must get on the ball!

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It is 4:26 and our first day working with the young Tulsa city kids is over. 10 of us made the trip for Tulsa, OK yesterday after morning worship service. With a train, 35W traffic and Ihop, we made it to our intended destination in 10 hours.

Here is a list of the culprits that have made the journey: Jasmine, Brian, David, Carina, KK, Kellie, Laura, Kyle, Elizabeth and Yours Truly.

This evening, we are going to hold a video scavenger hunt with the combined groups of Marble Falls and Sweetwater groups at the Woodland Hills Mall. Tireless energy!! We have had about 4 hours of sleep and we're still running on full steam. I have a feeling that we will have a bunch of weary, bleary eyed teens in the morning.

It was great to see and love on the young children today and watch the teens from Sweetwater and Marble Falls work with compassion and care.

I will keep you updated this week from wireless Net in Tulsa.

Tonight's Lesson

This is a former blog that I would like to reissue since it is my lesson to the students this evening:

"...what constitutes a hero. Is a hero someone that is impervious to pain? Someone that is super strong? Someone that is faster-than-a-speeding-bullet?

Well, those traits are more seen in comic book domain.

I am talking about a real, human hero. What is that person made of?

I sometimes think that we try to attribute comic book powers to real people. Even ourselves. When we try to be impervious, all-powerful we tend to shut out emotions. We close ourselves off from the possibility of being hurt or crushed by others. At the same time, we close ourselves off from being loved and embraced. We become our own burden.

Is that a hero? No! A hero is not afraid to take a chance, knowing that maybe they will fail. A hero gets back up after a hard fall and continues making the journey. A hero is not afraid to love openly and deeply. A hero will admit fault and say "I'm sorry." A hero will take care of those who can't take care of themselves. A hero is someone who has bruised and scabby knees from kneeling and looking to the Source for their true strength.

That is a hero."

Quote Of The Day

"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us; just as the roof of a sunhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it." - C.S. Lewis

Our Beloved Preacher

It is with much pride that I present to you our beloved preacher man: Jim Gardner! We wound up with a grand VBS total of 169 so it was necessary for him to fulfill his part of the deal. I have never heard so many squeals of delight from so many kids and adults combined as the lights dimmed, the spotlight came on and Jim came out in full regalia to wave and perform the hula dance! his coconut top got a little sideways and needed adjustment every now and then. I think that is what he's doing in this pic. This is for everyone that has ever wanted to see the Gardner in hula attire.

Finally

Finally I am able to blog. Blogger has been having some technical difficulties for the past two days. Well, here it is now!

Here is a recap of the great Vacation Bible School that we have had this week in Marble Falls. SonTreasure Island is a place where the Son is always shining! Jennifer Burdett and Kate Schumacher are some great, hard working ladies. I am amazed at the caliber of this VBS. So many have worked so hard to bring this to fruition and it shows.

VBS Monday - 129

VBS Tuesday - 137

VBS Wednesday - 148

VBS Thursday - 150

VBS Friday - ?

It is gonna be so great to see Jim in the coconut top and grass skirt!! I can't wait!!

One Of The Wilson Brothers

While gassing up the van for the 6th grade Blessing this past Sunday evening, I looked over at the guy pumping gas next to me and realized that I was in the presence of Hollywood royalty-Luke Wilson.

As an admirer of many of his films (Legally Blonde, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Family Stone, Charlie's Angels and Rushmore), I walked over to him, shook his hand and talked to him for the length of time it takes a slow pump to fill the tank up to $ 70 dollars. We talked about golf, my ministry and the beautiful area of Marble Falls and Horseshoe Bay.

What was cool is that he was really laid back and easygoing. For 6 or 7 minutes we shot the breeze. I asked him how he knew about the place and he told me that his family is from the Dallas area and that he frequently traveled from L.A. to relax and hit the greens down here in this beautiful place.

Elizabeth is really upset because she was not with me and he is one of her favorite actors. My Youth Group went nuts and asked me why I did not invite him to the devotional that night. I just don't know what I was thinking.

How many of you out there have seen or met somebody famous?

YEAH!!

137, Baby!! 8 more than yesterday. It is creeping up to the 160 mark. Jim, the coconuts and skirt are calling your name. Yeah!!

David, Thomas, Kellie and KK: I am glad to hear that you have gone over your script for tomorrow 20+ times!

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Last Sunday evening was a special time for all of the young children that have graduated into the 6th grade: Youth Group Territory. After being kidnapped and driven to a mysterious location a Blessing was held for the honored guests that included a talk about spiritual growth, the partaking of pizza, jumping into Kyle and Marti Futrell's pool for a swim and singing songs 'til the sun went down! It was a great night of beginnings for the newbies.

VBS

Today, we kicked off the first day of VBS: SonTreasure Island with a bang!! We had 129 in attendance ready to learn more about God and His love. This morning we learned that God's love is giving! I am happy that we are able to have som of the teens help out this week. I am also so proud of David G, Kellie U, Kara Kay S and Thomas G for performing in the plays this year! A special thanks to the leaders of the pack-Jennifer B and Kate S!! You have worked so hard and it really shows. Allan, you are cool! Jim, you will be in the grass skirt and coconuts before the week is over! I can't wait 'til tomorrow morning.

Lyrics For Every Day

"Are we teaching the truth in love?

Telling it like it is?

While holding pure motives

And showing that we care

Are we teaching the truth in love? " - Acapella

We are just blowing alot of hot air on others faces if we are not motivated by love. Whether it be with our family, friends, fellow churchgoers or those we barely know-we should make sure that our driving force in anything we say or do is love. Without it, the Apostle Paul writes, we are nothing more than a "resounding gong or clanging cymbal."

Quote Of The Day

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." - Mignon McGlaughlin

Mawage

Jeff Bearden's surgery went well!!! Thank you, God, for being the Omniscient Answerer of prayer!

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Now, let me finish my story from yesterday. Where did I leave off when Scott came by for lunch (which lasted quite a long time, by the way. We just kept talking and talking about everything under the sun - from the Nephilim of Genesis 6 to the Heffingtons of Marble Falls)?

Oh yes, now I remember!

We were at the Quarry Market. A great place, by the way. We decided to catch a movie. Then we traveled over to one of my favorite places-Borders. I could have been in there for hours but we both got hungry for dinner and decided to eat over at Joe's Crab Shack-a place that I knew about and had always wanted to try. Good food! Elizabeth had the Coconut Shrimp and I had the Louisiana Platter. We walked away with full bellies and a couple of T-Shirts.

Great times with a great woman by my side. I could not ask for anything more.

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Speaking of that great woman-Today is our anniversary.

As of 1:30 today, we will have spent 3 years in wedded bliss! In those 3 years, we have lived in 4 different houses, we have been given a Beta fish that did not live very long, we bought other fish that did not live very long (there must be something to that), we have been given 2 little animals: a Schnorkie (Schnauzer/Yorkie mix) we named Peanut and a kitty we named Gabbi(surprisingly, they have lived!) and made one big move from AR to TX.

I love Elizabeth with all my heart and look forward to what the next 3, 6, 9, 20, 30, 50 years bring with them as we travel through life as one.

Elizabeth, I can't wait for what the future holds with you and me walking side by side through this journey. You are my song and my heart. You truly do complete me. I hope that you are as happy today as I am. I pray continually that God will help us to grow ever closer as the days progress.

I am going to end this with some words of wisdom stolen from the Princess Bride:

"It’s wot bwings us togeder today.

It’s that bwessed awangement.

It’s that dweam wifin a dweam.

Mawage.

Tweasure your wuv."

First of all, I ask for your prayers for my Jeff Bearden, a friend both to me and Jim Gardner. He is in surgery as I type this. Please take a moment out of your day to lay his needs before god's throne.

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Yesterday, my sweetie and I were able to get away to the beautiful city of San Antonio. We went to the zoo and spent some quality time with the animals there. After 4 hours of birds, hippos, leopards, okapi and the like, we traveled to Quarry Market. What a cool place!!

OK! Gotta run. My friend, Scott, and I are going to lunch. He has arrived and is ready to spend time in fellowship. I will return with more of the story later...

Verse Of The Day

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18)

Quote Of The Day

"The most infuriating aspect of radical faith is its adamant refusal to be impressed with the obvious...and [its] steadfast adherence to an alternative reality: God reigns." - Daniel Smith-Christopher

New Pics

I am excited that I finally figured out how to post pictures on the Church website. Not all of the pictures are up yet, but if you would like go ahead and take a look at it.