People You Meet On The Journey

As many of you know, I am a complete goofball. I love to laugh, play and pull pranks.

But...

I do have a serious side to me and one of the aspects to this side is gleaning as much knowledge, wisdom, life application and work ethic as I can from colleagues, friends and mentors (not as many mentors as you might say, Larry!) along the way. What follows is a bit of what I have learned from these great people in my work.

Jim Gardner showed me how to 'do ministry.' I came in greener than a gourd and he carved off the greener bits here and there. It was not the easiest of processes, let me assure you! He taught me how to accentuate my strengths and daily improve upon my weaknesses. I learned how to just be with people through bible study and visitation. I learned how to improve my work ethic. I look to him as a prime example of what true preaching is all about - an intimate conversation with the audience. There is much more, but I will leave it at that for now.

Jim Dobbs imparted wisdom and love in what seemed like every breath. What an amazing man! I had a nickname for him while we worked together - Yoda. Everyone looked to him for counsel. I miss being around him on a weekly basis!

Greg Neill showed me how to get in there and get your hands dirty. I have never met a harder 'behind the scenes' worker who also was the full time preacher. He was always willing to bend over backwards to get the work done. What a true servant in the Kingdom.

Allan Stanglin rekindled a Godly passion within me. He brought such energy and tirelessness to the work that sometimes left my head spinning. I can't wait to see him in August!

Mike Knappier has helped me cultivate grace and grit in my ministry. Equally a man of extreme compassion and Godly confrontation, he has helped me understand that it is important to speak up when it comes to God's work and His people here on earth, but to do it with a spirit of love from above. I am still able to sit at his feet and I know I will continue to learn as we work together here in AR.

These are just a few of the great men that I have had to privilege to work and worship with along my journey. I'm sure there will be a part II somewhere along the way.

I Shall Change Your Name To...

Jimmy's Law!!!

As many of you may have already heard through the grapevine, the group of 25 did not make it to Mexico.

Can you say 'Hello Dolly?!?'

Due to Hurricane Dolly, we traveled no further south than Austin, TX. We stayed with some great families from the Brentwood Oaks congregation for a couple of nights and then hit a Red Roof Inn for the last night. God's plans are not our own and things like this remind us of Who is in control.

We wound up getting connected with some churches in the Austin area and doing some of God's work there. We did several things: cleaned outside and inside a church building-organized a benevolence pantry-organized a clothing area-purchased and filled (thanks Tony and Leslie!) 60 new backpacks with school supplies for children of non-English speaking immigrants-stuffed Prayer Bears for children-traveled door-to-door handing out 140 loaves of bread (tickets) in Jesus' name-played with kids in low rent apartment complexes-handed out bible correspondence courses in Spanish-pretty much found work in other parts of God's Awesome Creation!!

I would like to personally thank Sandy W for helping us with the accommodations with Brentwood, Tony and Leslie P for getting us in the groove with Westover Hills, Denise, Scott, and Rick for giving us something to do in the Austin area and all the Austin families and friends that supported us while there! What a great time of service in the kingdom!!

Murphy's Coming!

25 of us head down to take part in a mission to Matamoros, Mexico tomorrow. We will be meeting up with several other churches to do a combination of manual labor, service, devotionals, personal bible studies and a children's day.

We are staying overnight with families from the Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ in Austin tomorrow night, so it will be great to play catch up a little with Shay S, the youth guy there. It is going to be amazing!!

I believe that Murphy (from Murphy's Law fame) will make another appearance. The weather forecast has a tropical on the horizon that may or may not hit on Thursday. I think Murph likes me a little!!

I will be out until next Tuesday. I may or may not be able to blog during our stay there.

Til then - A Dios, Amigos!

Why So Serious?!?

What was, I thought, just a small group of students and parents who made plans to stay up late after the final night of a rousing VBS and view the special premiere of the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight, became much more than I thought. It went from 20 to 30. Then it climbed to 35. And now it has tipped up over the 40 mark. It may even be 50. Wild!!

Anyway, I know I am just begging to wear my body and brain out again by staying up for a midnight movie after a full week of VBS. It is just too much fun!

The above picture was created some students (Tyler, Jennifer, Wayne, Parker, and Cole) in my youth group and their friends that will soon be in the group whether they know it or not. I just had to share it with you because I think that they did an amazing job.

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VBS was wondermous!! Dawn Mitchell is a powerhouse leader and worker! I will post some blogs and pics in the near future.

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Boodle did great during the procedure this morning. The scope showed clear shots of upper GI. They did a biopsy and we will get the results on the 30th. She and El are at home getting some well deserved rest. Thank you for your prayers!!

Keep Praying

The neurologist gave some good words to friends and family of Jared Swaim yesterday afternoon. He feels good about the situation and believes he will make it back albeit through a long recovery period. So, thank you for all the prayers that you have been lifting up!! There is such power in this.

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Mark Gober was opening his eyes and smiling yesterday afternoon when Mike and I went to see him. His platelets are rising to better levels and he is becoming more and more responsive. God is more powerful than we could ever realize, isn't He? Thank you for your prayers.

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We are taking Boodle in to Children's Hospital this morning for an upper GI Endoscopy. She has severe acid reflux and the gastroenterologist wants to take a closer look at her problem. Please pray for her and us as we do this. The procedure is set to happen at 11:00 this morning. I will post again today to keep you updated.

In Need of Prayers

One of our young men here at Northside, Jared Swaim, age 24, is in critical condition at the Saline Memorial Hospital. His parents, Freddy and Paula S, as well as his grandparents, Fred and Edith S, and Jessie Mitchell are members of our congregation. Please lift them all up to God at this very moment. Thank you.

At Long Last III

Just a cute pic with a happy little Boodle!

Lock-In Madness with R & C in Conway. This shot was taken at 7 the next morning when all had been said and done. Some were still asleep in the pews while others didn't have the power to stay all night and left at around 1 or 2 a.m.

Some students taking over my office iMac. That happens a lot these days!!

At Long Last II

The oldest boys cabin making fun of their fearless leader! I can't believe it.


Random shot of us waiting in the van for the rest of the travelers to go see Acapella in concert at Harding University.

Some of Northside's great chaperones. Really, where could you find any better?!?

Random Melissa and Steven P (I mean soon-to-be R) shot. With guest appearances by Steven's mom, Allison F and an arm!

At Long Last

I have promised you over and over that I would post some pictures of some of the recent summer events. Well, here are a few of them. I will probably have to do several posts to include all that I want with a little commentary sprinkled here and there.

The kids at Camp Barton were really sweet!

Especially when they saw the camp director coming with 'My Precious.'

They had a great time playing water games in the hot, hot heat.

The makeshift 'Slip & Slide'-created by Ding Dong Philip and Tappmeister Greg was so cool!
They would be slip-sliding away...

and they would wind up in the mud pit at the bottom of the hill.

We got some grit in our teeth if we went down face first. Yummy!!

VBS Begins

We started our Vacation Bible School off with a bang tonight. One of our elders counted 225 in helpers and children. That does not include the 100+ that were in the auditorium listening to Dr. Tommy South speak about who Jesus is. What a great success!!

I will post some pictures tomorrow.

The Vegetable

I am quickly becoming a vegetable.

This, of course, is due the all the recent work and play with the Northside crew!!

Last night, I took 13 to meet up with the Robinson and Center youth group and have a wild lock-in. I was gone from 8:30-8:30!

Never slept 'til I got home.

I actually took a 3 and a half hour nap before getting up and going back to the building to meet up with 7 different students for our S3: Second Saturday Servants. We walked around in the heat of the day (from about 2:00-4:00) hanging some advertisements about our great VBS beginning tomorrow.

I then did some work in my office and came home about 5:30 tonight. Things are starting to get blurry now.

So I got to spend some quality time this weekend playing with and getting to know 21 students from my ministry. What a wild and wacky crew-also very sweet, striving hearts.

I am a very blessed man to be doing what I do and working with these great and wonderful people!

I will be posting some choice pics from several recent events soon, but as for right now, I am going to get some well needed rest.

Long Days

I am sitting here at 11:04 p.m. waiting on my food as it is nuked in the microwave. El has gone to bed already. She gets up at the crack o' dawn to travel over to National Park Community College for an exciting course in Organic Chemistry!

Anyway, as to why I am eating so late, the day was just so wild that I just did not have time for dinner. Too much going on. And with the Elders/Ministers meeting right after Wednesday evening class and Oasis, it is just plain wrong to not grab a quick bite before the appointed time!! I will blog more tomorrow about how this week full of VBS setup has been going.

Out and About

Just so you know-I have not been negligent in blogging. I have been out for a while. I did, however, neglect to inform you of all the traveling that I would be doing this last month and I apologize.

Here is a quick rundown of why I have been gone for so long:

On June 8th, I left with 4 recently graduated young men for Africa. We did not return until Thursday the 19th.

Upon my return, I quickly downloaded information from Mary Jo N. about their work at Harding Uplift. Much to discuss. I even did some fast counseling with some students.

I then, before resting my laurels too long, left for Summer Bible Camp at Barton on Sunday the 22nd. 80+ of us returned on Saturday the 28th. My Mom came in to visit that day, too!!

On Sunday the 29th, Howard Norton brought some great energy and excitement to our 5th Sunday Series on Growing in Grace in 2008. Later that night, instead of resting a bit from Africa and Camp, I took 25 to see ACAPELLA in concert at the Benson Auditorium at Harding U.

The following week (Monday, June 30-Saturday, July 5th) I struggled with something. I found out just why I felt overtired/sluggish and like I was swallowing shards of glass every time I ate or drank-I had Strep Throat! I got much rest that week with no looking at Internet. That was hard to do!!

Sunday the 6th, the young men and I gave a full Africa report for a combined class and combined worship service. That night, the entire congregation celebrated with Fernando Toledo as he embarks on a full time work here as our Hispanic Minister. What a great and passionate guy!!

Yesterday was just an off day. After I traveled with our preacher, Joel, to see one of our members in the hospital, El and I took Boodle in to see a Gastroenterologist about her tummy condition. Later that night, I held a Prayer Vigil with 60 people from Northside to lift up Mark Gober and his family to the throne room of God. He is in the hospital on dialysis and a ventilator. The doctors and nurses do not know what is wrong with him. I ask that you pray for him, his wife, Sarah, and their children, Jesse and Morgan.

So that is what I have been doing and where I have been hiding as of late.

I am here with you until the 21st when we take a group of families to join forces with the Stillwater, Crosstown and 29th & Yale Churches of Christ to take on Mexico!! We will return the following Monday (the 28th) night.

I have definitely been out and about.

Africa Revisited

If you are wondering about our recent Youth Mission to Africa, then the above picture says it all. 'Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong' is an understatement to us now.

On Sunday the 8th, 4 recently graduated HS Senior boys embarked on an unforgettable journey with their fearless, though in pain, leader-Jimmy Mitchell. What follows is a list recounting all that went completely wrong:

1. Somehow, and I can't quite explain it because we were sitting right there for over an hour listening for them to call it (which never happened) and waiting to see people get up and get in line to board (which never happened), we missed our connecting flight in Atlanta.

2. The flight we were supposed to get on in NY (and that we were to hook back up with in Senegal) was delayed for a few hours due to fog leaving us in a bare bones holding cell in Dakar, Senegal. A place where Carlton and I were unable to look around for a place to fill our growling bellies because they would not allow us to leave our holding cell and potentially get mixed up in the other people waiting for a different flight!

3. Our South African Airways flight from Capetown to Windhoek (our final destination) was canceled. They put us on Air Namibia.

4. Our luggage was misplaced. It was brought to us 2 days after we had arrived in Namibia.

5. My pain during the flights (which, when added together, was about 24 hours in length) became excruciating. What I had thought was hemorrhoids turned out to be something worse, much worse. I should have known due to the amount of pain. I just thought that I was a wuss!! Upon investigation by a German doctor in the Maerua Mall, I found out just what it was that was bothering me so much. Hemmies? No, not that nice. Fissures? No, much worse. What could it be?!? How about a Deep Tissue Anal Abscess!! One that needed to be operated on that night. Anal Surgery in a 3rd World Country is not my idea of a great start to a student mission trip!!

6. Carlton, one of our students, vomited for 2 days straight. He drank out of a water fountain at one of the schools we visited. We think that was what did him in.

7. Xenophobia was high in the part of town where we stayed and we went nowhere without a native counterpart.

8. Mike K lost his front tooth while eating a candy bar that I had provided. Not too good, huh?

9. While out late one night with Steven, a Namibian counterpart, 3 big women started saying something in their native tongue. Steven prompted me to hurry along the street. One of them had seen me and wanted me to be her white husband. When she switched over to English, I turned back to smile and wave. She promptly told me to stop smiling. There was nothing funny about it to her. She wanted me now!! Steven, in all seriousness, told me to pick up the pace even more because they might try to rape me.

10. On the flight back from Dakar to NYC, a passenger, unbeknownst to anyone, had a heart attack and died. The flight was 10 hours in length, so it was an honest mistake by the flight attendants. I'm sure they thought he was asleep like many others on the flight. It was probably when they came to tell him to put his seat back in the upright position that they found out the truth. Once we landed in JFK, the medics came in and tried to revive him. He was gone.

11. Due to the death, we were delayed and almost missed our flight to Cincinatti. The women at the counter were yelling at us as we ran to board. We had run across the whole airport and were drenched with sweat. Not a pretty sight, let me tell ya!

I think that's about it. Other than these undesirable events, the trip went smoothly and was a great success!! Needless to say, when we arrived home yesterday evening, we were full of stories that seem too epic in nature to be true. I will tell you more about it and post some pics chronicling our adventures in the days to come.

Church of Christ Joke

"My tired friend told me the other day that if he were to come back in another life, his preference would be to come back as the 3rd stanza in a 4 stanza hymn-that way he wouldn't ever have to do anything."

I heard this the other day and chuckled.

I enjoy jokes that poke fun at the way we sometimes get caught in a rut-how we do certain things here in the Churches of Christ. We have been known to be a quirky bunch every now and then.

Don't get me wrong-I love my faith heritage. I just think that if we can't laugh at ourselves and be silly sometimes, we would be in a very sad situation.

Do you have any fun jokes to add to this one? Send them to me by comment or email.

Boodle

17 months ago today, a sweet little bundle arrived.

Jenniva came into our lives.

And nothing has been the same since.

In amazing ways!!

I can't think of life without her.

We lovingly call her Boodle-short for Jenniboodle. She has completely swept us off of our feet and put so much joy and light in our hearts.

I get misty just thinking about her.

She is so sweet.

Even when she throws wild temper tantrums!

What I Love About My Sweet Girl:

I love the way she hugs my arm or leg or chair with her little head!

I love how she lights up when she sees a ball, or anything round for that matter, and yells "Bee!"

I love how she bounces up and down, her version of dancing, when she hears any music or singing!

I love her grabbing something she thinks she is not supposed to have, looking back with that mischievous grin, and taking off in the other direction just hoping that DaDa will come chasing after!

I love when she hollers really loud when MaMa and DaDa are not paying enough attention to her-and then letting loose the huge dimples when we do look.

I love that she gets jealous of anyone or anything that is in MaMa or DaDa's lap.

I love when she shouts out and makes silly noises just for the fun of it!

I love when she brings her book to me and wants to sit in my lap!

I love breakfast time together!

I love when she splashes so wildly in the bathtub that I get drenched!

I love when she reaches for me when she is in MaMa's arms. That rarely happens.

I love when she picks up trash, takes it to the can and throws it in!

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I could go on and on, but that will be it for now.

I've Been Tagged!

I have been tagged by Brian Nicklaus, a preacher friend of mine in New England. I kinda like this meme thing.

A. Attached or Single: Attached

B. Best Friend: My sweetheart of 5 years this past Saturday!

C. Cake or Pie: Pecan pie from Home Plate in the Village and fudge pie from the Bluebonnet in Marble Falls!!

D. Day of Choice: Friday!!

E. Essential Item: TV and internet

F. Flavor of Ice Cream: Chocolate chip cookie dough

G. Gummy bears or Worms: Worms

H. Hometown: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

I. Indulgences: Any Starbucks drink and a Pelvic Elvis (protein shake with peanut butter and bananas and a dash of ginseng) from Fitness Unlimited. Deep Tissue Massage!!!

J. January or July: A Toss Up!

K. Kids: Jenniva (17 months this Thursday)

L. Last Movie I saw in a Theater: The Strangers

M. Middle Name: Shay

N. Number of Siblings: 1 sister-Misti

O. Orange or Apples: Apples

P. Phobias or fears: Fear of upsetting people-which seems to happen no matter what you do!

Q. Quote: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. - Paul

R. Reasons to Smile. My sweethearts

S. Season: Fall

T. Tag 4. Elizabeth, Mike K, Jim G, and Brad P!

U. Unknown fact about me: I can really be calm sometimes.

V. Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: MEAT!!!

W. Worst Habit: Chaotic, disorganized procrastination

X. X-rays or Ultra-sounds: X-rays

Y. Your favorite food: MEAT!

Z. Zodiac: Scorpio

TTOW!

Today is a very special day. A very special day indeed! If you have been a constant reader of my blog over the past (almost) year, you will have no doubt seen comments made by a reader that goes only by the name of Eric. He always has great words of encouragement and uplifting thoughts to contribute. He has been one of my biggest commenting fans!

Well, today is Eric's 32nd birthday! Eric has been a constant and consistent source of positive feedback in my ministry-whether through singing a beautiful bass when I lead worship services, encouraging me on my speaking and making comments on my blogging. He has been a great brother in Christ to me!

I want to ask that all of you spend some time this morning celebrating with Eric on his special day.

Is anyone else out there celebrating a birthday, anniversary or special day today? Let me know how it's going.

So, I would like to leave you with TTOW! A phrase that Eric took from BJ and Tyler (contestants from a past season of the Amazing Race) that has been a daily motto for him.

Parents, Take Note

"In recent years, adolescents have had fewer opportunities for times of interaction and communication with their parents and other adults. Many families have experienced divorce; and in those families where Mom and Dad still live together, members get busier all the time thanks to schedules full of meetings, activities, clubs and sports. The other extreme is also occurring in a growing number of families, where members may all be at home in the evenings, but everyone retreats to the "aloneness" of their own rooms to interact "solo" with the TV, computer, or any number of media outlets that fill their personal spaces.

All of these factors keep families from eating together on a regular basis, and these realities have certainly contributed to the fact that when teenagers need advice, they're more likely to turn first to a friend (55 percent), followed by Mom (44 percent), a boyfriend or girlfriend (23 percent), and then Dad (20 percent). When push comes to shove, American dads and moms are devoting less time to bringing up their sons and daughters, thereby allowing someone or something else to raise their kids for them." - Walt Mueller

An Amazing Story

I was going to blog about something else, but this story just could not be ignored. Click here and then click 'Listen Now' to hear this powerful 3 minute tale.