Youth Devo

Here are some pictures of the youth devotional over at the home of Jim and Susie DuBose. Last Sunday evening we loaded up and headed over to the house to eat chili and have some devotional time with God. It was great to have 40+ there to meet and greet the new minister and his wife. Their children, Tim and Emily, were there also to get to know the youth and parents.

Amazing!

There are no other words that come to mind. Vince Young is simply amazing! I could not sit still last night as I watched the #1 team, USC, duke it out with #2, Texas. How many times did the lead change in the second half?!? What a nail-biter! But in a crunch, Young showed the stuff that sports legends are made of. What a player! I bet old Jim Gardner is eating yesterday's score prediction from the spoon of overjoyed Texans right about now.

Since I am soon to be moving down to the Austin area, I guess I will have to become accustomed to wearing burnt orange. I look forward learning to hook 'em horns, to singing the fight song and to living in the land of champions.

2006

For those of you that are attacking 2006 with resolutions, change and the honing of mental and physical health I have a suggestion. Read the following article by Mike Cope. It puts to words what has been on my mind for the last few years better than anything I have read lately. Here it is:

"For a better 2006 . . .

STOP SPENDING MONEY YOU DON'T HAVE

The gap between what you really need and what our consumer society shouts out that you really need is growing rapidly.But that gap wouldn't matter if people couldn't pay to stretch themselves too far. And that's where credit cards come in. Enjoy now. Pay later. Slide the card. Take out the loan. Borrow just a bit more. And we ministers see the broken results all around us. People are in debt up to their eyeballs. They aren't free to do the things they want to do like respond generously when they see others in need because they have no financial margin.So here's the difficult truth: your children don't need cell phones; you probably don't need a cell phone; you don't need a health club membership; you don't need an expensive vacation; you don't need an SUV; your kids don't need the latest fashions; your family can survive without high-speed internet and cable. I'm not saying these are wrong. If you can afford them while living with generous hearts, then great. But they are not worth living without financial margin.

STOP DIETING

Wacky diets continue to come and go. Stop the starve-and-balloon diet process. Eat right. Don't overeat. Cut back -- WAY back -- on fast food. (If this is hard for you, check out "Supersize Me" and watch it every couple months. That should help.)Veggies. No secret there. Veggies, fruit, beans, nuts, lean meat (most of the time). But enjoy a steak. Slap on the butter when you want it. Just eat reasonably most of the time. Party on Friday.

STOP OBSESSING ON THE LAST TEN POUNDS

When anorexic models are plastered all over the covers of magazines, it's easy to obsess on getting rid of those last ten pounds. To be honest, that isn't very reasonable for people who are over 30 and can't hire a personal chef and don't have four hours a day to work out with a personal trainer.For health reasons, keeping weight down is usually good. But it's a huge leap from that to our obsession with being perfectly fit and trim. Part of what happens in a health club is, well, healthy; but much of it isn't.Find a work-out routine that works for you. Something to get the heart rate up a bit: jogging, climbing stairs, biking, walking, etc. Get into a regular routine.The goal here isn't to ditch those last few pounds (though if it happens, you won't be offended!) but to get your heart pumping a little harder. That releases energy that tends to spill over into other areas of your life."

Quote Of The Day

"Good equippers do it like Jesus did it: recruit twelve, graduate eleven, and focus on three." - Lynn Anderson

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For the next few weeks I am going to be focusing on a great group of teens and tweens in the 7-12 grade. I will be passing the baton on to them as I leave. I am so proud of the strength that they exhibit. Now, more than ever, it is time for each and every one of them to use the gifts that they have been given for the edification and building up of the body. They have been given the challenge to be encouragers that are constantly positive and to know that the future holds great things.

I look to the strong guidance of Jim DuBose, John Kirk and Mike Sykora, along with others, to lead and aid the continual spiritual growth of the youth in the Village. The men listed here and the other young parents are highly capable mentors in the faith and I know that the youth will lean heavily upon them in this time of transition.

I also look forward to what God has in store for this group in the next leader. So many blessings are coming this way!

I have not blogged very much in the past few days quite frankly because I did not know what to say. So much has been going on around here lately and so much has been going through my head. I am spinning around.

I am excited and happy!

I am frustrated and sad.

I am torn between two loves.

I am emotionally exhausted.

For those of you that do not know. My wife, Elizabeth, and I are moving to a new work down in Marble Falls, Texas. We are happy about the new work and I look forward to working once again with my friend, Jim Gardner. I can't wait to get to know Allan Stanglin and Mrs. Ann. The youth group is exciting and ready to grow.

But, I love the people here so much and will miss them more than words can express. The youth here mean the world to me and it hurts me to leave them. I wan them to know not to take it personally. But, there is nothing I can say to ease the pain of loss. I am going through it, too.

Everyone on both ends has been supportive and helpful. Thank you for everything.

All the wisdom.

All the advice.

All the love.

Quote Of The Day

"If I ever reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there:
first, to meet some I had not thought to see there;
second, to miss some I had expected to see there;
and third, the greatest wonder of all, to find myself there."
- John Newton

Youth

Well, I know that most of you out there are enjoying the holidays. I know that the guys and girls from my youth group are having a blast. I know that for sure because I got a little visit from Ruey and Brett this afternoon. They certainly have too much time on their hands. If you have ever been here, you would know that they are trouble with a capital T without all the free time. lol

Anyway, I am exhausted from the overeating and the lack of sleep over in Conway. My mind is full of future events and memories of past friends. I will fill you in on more of my mind at a later date.

To The Gills

I sit here stuffed to the gills on Christmas Dinner. You see, I am celebrating Christmas with my wife's family today. Because they are in Conway and I had to work yesterday, we are having special celebration today! I am so full and they are calling me in right now for dessert that my sweetie made. Here goes round two...

His Memory Will Live On

Yesterday, we got the tragic news that Jim Mabery, a hero in the faith to me and countless others, has gone on to heaven to be with his Lord and Savior. While traveling down to Tennessee to share Christmas with family, Jim and Charlotte were in a horrible accident. While Charlotte was scraped up a bit, Jim sustained fatal injuries.

Words cannot express what this great man has meant to me. As a matter of fact, this is the very same man that I blogged about earlier for being a living testimony and tireless worker for the Lord. He has left an indelible mark on the hearts of everyone that has worked with him. For example, his mission work in Ghana has inspired many natives to name their children after him. It takes a powerful servant leader to leave this kind of legacy with his disciples.

My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Charlotte; his children Diane, Chris, Gail, and Lance; their spouses Dimitri, Rick and Shelly; his grandchildren Alexander, Brittany, Greg, Cody and McKayla. I know that I have left many others out, but I pray God's comfort on all that knew and loved this great man of the faith. His memory will forever live on.

Out Of Pocket

My sweet wife, Elizabeth, and I will be traveling this Friday to Texas for a weekend of 'R and R.' Before she even gets the chance to cry "Calgon, Take me away!" we will take some time to recharge our batteries. She has been completely overwhelmed with work for the past couple of months that I know she is ready to get away for a week or two. I don't know what it is about Texas that draws us, but this will be the 3rd time that we vacation down in the South Country.

Pray for us that we will be safe and that God will bless us while we are away. I know that the youth group here is in the competent hands of Clyde Berry, John Kirk and Mike Sykora. At least until I get back. I am sure that the 7-12 graders will be happy to see some fresh faces in there for a few days.

Also pray for the group while they are celebrating the holidays with some time off from school. Pray that they will focus on the right things and live with the purpose that God has given them while at home, work or play.

The Shadow Knows

Today, I have with me young master John Withrow. He is from the Jessieville Middle School and his job today is to shadow me in the inner workings of youth and family ministry. I am excited to have someone that is interested in carrying the torch for future generations. It is my prayer that he will leave here with a better grasp and feeling about working for the Lord in a paid/staff position. Pray for us today!

Quote Of The Day

"To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God." - William Temple

Living Testimonies

Every once in a while, someone great comes into our lives. We have the chance to see them in action. We get to ride along with them and learn from them. They are different than the others. They march to the beat of some other drum that you have not yet heard. These people constantly raise the bar in all aspects of ministry and evangelism. Don't get me wrong. I am a minister. I love working for the Lord and His people. It is just that I have not made it there yet. I am a slow work in progress. These great people, mentors/guides, if you will, seem to have all the wrinkles ironed out. They are so comfortable in their skin and they want you to feel the same and know the same things they do. One such person, to me, is Jim Mabery. I cannot believe what passion and tireless energy he has. He means so much to me that words fail to explain. His love for the Lord is so evident to anyone that comes in his presence. I do not seem to remember a day or time that he has not been reaching out and working in the Kingdom. His life is a priceless testimony to those that know him. He is a wonderful ambassador for Christ. God bless him and others like him that keep the torch burning. May we see more of these people in the future.

Youth Devotional

Wow! We had a great youth X-mas devotional last night. 40 teens gathered around my living room and discussed the true reason for the season. Yes, we discussed that Jesus was most likely born in Spring or Summer, but we realized that we have a great opportunity to reach out to the lost that normally don't consider God or His son, Jesus, yet ponder Him in December. We, as ambassadors for Christ, should be motivated to reach out to these people and share with them the Good News of our Savior. God left the glory of heaven to become a humble servant and to ultimately die for our sins. Why not let this time of the year be a time for approaching others, who usually may not reflect on His glory, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

After the devotional, we had a Dirty Santa gift exchange and ate til our stomachs were bursting. Some then went out to play flashlight tag and hide and seek in the neighborhood. The rest of us stayed inside to play Scene It, the DVD Movie Trivia game. Too much fun! Here are some pictures of the event.

Let It Snow

This morning we here in the Village awoke to a nice white blanket of snow covering the houses, cars and yards. Jessieville school declared it a 'Snow Day' and all of the kids are jumpin' up and down. Consequently, the young man that had picked my profession to shadow, did not come in this morning. John Withrow will be accompanying me one day next week.

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Only one more day 'til the opening of C.S. Lewis' allegorical masterpiece "The Chronicles of Narnia." How many of you out there have already purchased your tickets?

Johnny

I look forward to 'Walk the Line' the biopic of country legend Johnny Cash. Even though country music is not my favorite, Johnny's work has a way of reaching out and grabbing my attention. This man has left an indelible mark on the shape and sounds of today's music. Not just country, but rock and pop as well. As I type this, I am listening to "When The Man Comes Around." What a great song about the return of the King!

Frost On The Pumpkin

On the way home from my Dad's house last night, I saw on my Jeep temp gauge that the outside weather had dropped to 23 degrees. Wow! It was quite cold, to say the least. Sitting in the warmth of the Jeep and listening to 94.9 (the station that plays constant Christmas beginning the day after Thanksgiving), I thought about the thrill of changing weather. Some get excited by the warm days of Summer while others await the blustery wind and snow of Winter. Fall brings the changing of the leaves and Spring brings the rain. Each season has an admirer. And God made them all and saw that they were good. It is a thrill to me to watch and embrace the nature that our loving Creator has made for us.

Dad

This afternoon I will spending time with my Dad. We are going to be moving furniture and other items of the labor variety. Not really my cup of tea, but the time spent with my Father will more than make up for the sore back and shoulder muscles.

Time with family members is not a necessity or an obligation, but a great gift that should be seized upon and taken for what it truly is: Bonding and Growth.

I look forward to spending time with my family. Put all of the arguments, rushing and 'trying to find a place to lay your head because the house is just too full' aside and enjoy the quality time that is available to me.

Time spent with those dearest to me.

More Transition

I sit with misty eyes this morning as I await the arrival of our former secretary, Jeanne Lessman. We are heading over to the Shack for burgers, fries and fried mushrooms. But more than that, it will be a time of saying our goodbyes. What a blessing she has been to me not only as a friend and coworker but as a Mother Hen. She has kept me in check many times. She has imparted much wisdom to me through her words of advice and her loving example of sterling Christianity. She has meant more to me and to the other ministers than she can ever know...
I continue to pray that she and her husband, Myron, will bless and be blessed in their new home - Neosho, MO.

I will continue this blog when I return from our time together.

Injustice

Last night in the youth group, we talked about baggage.  Not the kind we carry with us on vacation, but the emotional baggage that burdens us down every day - the burden of being scorned, wronged, abused, hurt or mistreated by our friends, family or fellow man.  Some of us have the chemical makeup to strike back immediately, but if you are like me, when someone has wronged you, it is easy not to say anything at all and let the pain stay with you until it builds into a festering wound that threatens to destroy.  Either way, no good comes of the situation.  Something needs to be done by someone to make everything right again.    

Last night was a breakthrough for many in class.  In a world so full of “just wait, they’ll see”, I’ll get them”, and “I am going to make them wish they had never messed with me!’ we came to the Biblical conclusion that we are not to avenge the injustices committed against us in the world.  That is God’s business.

He is the one in control.

He knows the hearts and minds of everyone.

He sees the good and the bad.  

We don’t and we can’t.

Isn’t it great to know that Someone more powerful, insightful, loving and forgiving is in control of you and me.  Let’s give all of it over to Him.  He can handle it so much better.