Taking a Big Breath

Yes I know at the rate I blog, it's more like a week long summary everytime. If I could begin to tell you how crazy July has been for us though you'd understand. It's midnight and I'm sitting at the church with Billie while she finalizes our mission trip video to show in church tomorrow. It's looking great!!!! Let me catch up on all that's transpired since my post about Billie's birthday.

July 19th - Restarted Discipleship for church, started our youth ministry back up and had our first youth service. I'm the interim guy again. We had 16 teens and 13 decisions and rededications for Christ. Awesome!!!

July 20th and 21st - Worked at the church all day setting up for our VBS.

July 22nd - First day of Studio Go Vacation Bible School. Had a good group of kids. Teachers and workers did a tremendous job!!!

July 23rd - My parents came to town for my birthday. It's on August 4th, but school will be back in and my dad will be driving a school bus and my mom is teaching. Ate some good food at Red Lobster and had another great night of VBS.

July 24th -Played golf with Jacob McLemore at International City and played horribly. I mean bad. Then went and picked up a piano and delivered it to my house with the help of Jacob. That thing was heavy!! Then had lunch with Roy Holton at Sonny's. Good food. Spent the rest of the day gearing up for the last night of VBS. Speaking of that, the boys won and I got to put a huge whipped cream pie in Billie's face. Pictures are coming.

July 25th - Youth Car Wash. It was supposed to be at a parking lot owned by a local furniture store. They forgot to mention when I scheduled it that they didn't have water . . . Hmmm . . . so we had to come out to the church and do it which was not good considering we're out of town about a mile. But it all worked out. We had almost 20 of us washing cars and we made about $300. Great day. Had dinner with the Pitts' tonight and the steak and shrimp was amazing. Great people. Great food. Great fellowship.

Now, I'm going home. Tomorrow is church and God is really dealing with me about a really tough word so we'll see what happens.

Happy Birthday Billie

Today Billie turns 24. In about two weeks, I turn 29. Rob the cradle . . . na . . . Someone told me you could train a younger woman. That person should be lined up in front of a firing squad . . . lol

It's Billie Day. That means whatever she wants us to do, we've done today. We started off by eating birthday cake which I surprised her with. Then we went to Johnny G's in Warner Robins and played Deal or No Deal. Billie really got sick at herself over that game. She took a deal for 56 tickets and she had 400 in her suitcase . . . yeah, not good. Then she picked O'Charley's for lunch which was great as usual. Finally, I went with Billie and watched the new Hannah Montana movie. I will say, we stuck out like sore thumbs. We didn't have a kid, and everyone else did. Several adults walked in and giggled. Oh well. I will admit that it was a very good movie. Just don't tell anyone I said that. The in-laws are coming in tonight so we'll have a full house.

Anyway, I just want to wish my wife a very Happy Birthday. You deserve everything good in this life as you've given me more happiness than I've ever known. You're my wife, my best friend, my partner in ministry, and my everything. I love you with all that I am. Happy Birthday!

Man in the Mirror

In the wake of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson's, death, I've been on an MJ binge. The man was no doubt creepy in many ways and where his soul is today is anybody's guess. I hope he made things right with Christ before he passed. Above all else though, the man was no doubt one of the greatest entertainers to ever live. I love a lot of his stuff, especially the older stuff like Thriller and Bad, Beat It, and Billie Jean. While in Illinois, the Wal-Mart in Mt. Vernon had a sell on Michael Jackson albums and I picked up a copy of Bad. While driving around listening to it today, I came across the popular song Man in the Mirror. What a great song. What a great message.

Maybe it's because I had pizza for supper and it's 2:30 AM and I'm not asleep, but I'm really taking a hard look at myself . . . the man in the mirror if you will. I just got back from an awesome week in Illinois ministering to people in the state and working with pastors and city projects. It was so wonderful to be doing ministry without stress. I wasn't worried about deadlines. I saw the people I was ministering to, and I was focused on the moment . . . not 3 months down the road. I'm a visionary so to speak so most of my thinking is future tense and while that's not altogether bad, I'm beginning to see that I'm putting much unneeded stress on myself and I'm suffering because of it.

To say we've had to work hard in Perry would be an understatement. To say we don't still have a lot to do may be an even bigger one, but I'm beginning to recognize in myself, that if I don't start making some changes, I'm going to lose out on the joy of ministry and life. Decemeber will be 2 years I've been pastoring and I'm a different person, both good and bad. The bad is what bothers me though. I've gained weight from eating due to stress. My health is failing on me as I'm developing stress and sleep related issues. This scares me because I've always been a relatively healthy person, but sitting here now, I can think of at least 4 reasons I should probably consult a doctor. I'm taking too much work home. If I'm not careful, my ministry will become my job and not my calling. I'm not liking what I'm seeing in me. While in Illinois, a few people, and maybe at least half way jokingly, told me I looked in my mid 30's. I turn 29 in August. I've got to get a handle on things. Some of that is handing stuff off and trusting the work I've already put in at the church is going to pay off. Some of it is learning to say "no" when I need to. I want to start a family next year and at the rate I'm going, I'm not going to be healthy enough or free enough to enjoy it. I'm looking in the mirror and not liking what I see.

Why bare my soul on a blog like this? My words will hold me accountable hopefully. I've seen the need for this change for quite awhile, but after our trip and being home for a couple of days, the difference is night and day. I ask for your prayers as I try to break some old habits and get some stuff together. As the song by Christian group Tenth Avenue North says, "you only get just one time around." I need to make the most of it.

We're back from Illinois!

We arrived back home about 6 PM. What a trip!!! It was so much fun. Part of me was so ready to get home, but there's a big part of me that is sorry it had to end. Billie and I took three of our youth with us, Jacob, Sarah, and TJ.

We left Sunday, July 5th right after service for Decatur, IL. We had an amazing service that morning and God really showed up and brought deliverance and help to many folks. We finally pulled out of Perry at 1:30 PM. We drove straight to Decatur and got there about 12:15 AM central time. That was with 4 stops so we did pretty good. We drove straight up so we could spend Monday in Chicago. We spent the first days of our week with good friends Dow and Debbie Moses. They pastor the New Vision Church of God in Decatur and are doing a fabulous job. We met last year when Billie and I went up to get our church van. We spent Monday with them in Chicago. We went to the John Hancock building and ate at the Cheesecake Factory, which was a first for the teens. We love the Cheesecake Factory. Billie got to walk around the American Girl Doll store. We went to Navy Pier and rode the famous nonstop ferris wheel. We went inside Bubba Gump, another one of our favorite restaurants, and walked beside Lake Michigan. It was gorgeous. We saw Soldier Field, US Cellular Field, the Sears Tower, and then we took in the Braves v. Cubs at Wrigley Field that night. It was a lot to pack in and there was so much more we wanted to do, but it was amazing!

Tuesday, we worked with the New Vision church with their food pantry and boxed up about a hundred boxes. We went swimming afterwards and then checked out the mall in Forsyth where I got a new Jack Nicklaus putter on sale for $20. Sarah found a little toy in Hallmark that sounds just like her when she laughs. And I got asked a very weird question again. At Wrigley, some random guy walked up and asked if I had any weed. At the mall on Tuesday night, so guy walks up and asks me for a cigarette. Wow!

Wednesday, we worked at a house for the homeless that the New Vision church is preparing. Jacob and TJ helped tear out some old flooring. Me and Billie and Sarah painted some rooms. Painting wasn't Billie's thing and Sarah painted herself more than the walls I think, but we had a lot of fun. I preached that night at Dow's church and got to play the drums for worship. I really enjoyed that. I'd not played drums for a worship service since I left Vidalia to pastor in Perry almost 2 years ago. We also got to eat at Culver's which is a real treat for us. They specialize in butter burgers and custards. We love the place!!!

Thursday we got up and evangelized for the church in a nearby trailor park. Sarah and I got flashed by a 4 year old little boy whose mom didn't seem to care. Definitely interesting. We probably hit over 100 houses. Later that night we went back to Forsyth to watch Night at the Museum 2. Great movie. It was better than the first one to me. One of the greatest parts though was TJ. He had only been in a movie theater once before so he had no idea about movie etiquette. We were all watching the movie when this monkey jumps out and goes to screaming. It impressed TJ so much that he screamed back at the monkey! Ben Stiller's character then made the statement, "I don't know what we're going to do." TJ had the answer and he broadcasted to the theater, "I DO!" Hilarious!!!!

We left Friday morning from Decatur for Mt. Vernon and it looks like we'll be back to Decatur soon because Billie has her heart set on some puppies about to be born to the Moses' dogs. We made it to Mt. Vernon a little before lunch and had Fazolli's. I'd not eaten Fazolli's since Billie and I interviewed for a youth pastor position in Florence, SC years ago. We checked into our hotel and then met Larry Comer at a transition house where we would be working for the day. Jacob and I worked on dry wall while TJ, Billie, and Sarah helped with insulation and an extended room. We had as much fun as we could considering the job, and we went over to the Comer's house for supper. We met the Comer's last year when we got the van. They were the pastors we bought the van from shortly before they moved to Mt. Vernon. We had a great time of fellowship with them. Friday night thought was one of the most eventful nights of the whole trip. About 1:30 AM while Jacob and I were sound asleep in our beds and TJ was sleeping in the floor between the beds (that's what the guys decided), we were awakened to a horrible sound. TJ in his sleep began to scream bloody murder and throw fists at the air. Jacob thought we were being attacked and laid like a dead man. I tried and finally got TJ calmed down, but my blood pressure was probably out of the roof. Jacob and I layed in the bed for the next 30 mins without moving scared out of our minds. Later one TJ sat straight up in his sleep and yelled, "NO!" and fell back down into a deep sleep. Very eventful.

Saturday, we were supposed to help at King City Church of God's family fun day, but we got rained out, so instead we took off to St. Louis about an hour or so away. We walked beside the Mississippi River, took our picture with Lewis and Clark and their dog, went up inside of the Gateway Arch, saw Busch Stadium, the old courthouse, Edward Jones Dome, and went to the St. Louis Zoo which is FREE!!! It was definitely a highlight for all of us. Did I mention we also ate at Hardee's. I miss Hardee's in GA. Saturday night wasn't as eventful for TJ, but I did watch him get out of bed and stand up, look around, and fall back in the bed asleep. We made a deal with him. If he started screaming again like he did Friday, we were tackling him!!!

Sunday morning, I preached at King City Church of God and we sang a worship song, "You are Holy." I feel like the service went really well. We had a good response in the altar service. It was so much fun to preach there. I enjoy going and preaching different places. I think it helps you stay fresh. We ate at Ryan's Steakhouse for a few hours with Larry and his wife. That night, we met up with Cory Respondek and preached for him at his church, Bridge Community Church of God. Cory is doing a replant of sorts by taking an old community Christian church in a small little town and is bringing it into the Church of God. We led worship and I preached and we had an awesome move of God. We all ate at Bob Evans which was a first for all of us. It was a great time with Cory and his lady friend, Sarah. I think great things are ready for his church.

I always enjoy my time in Illinois and I'm already looking forward to my next trip up that way!
I'll try to get back to regular blogging now.

Catching Up

It occured to me today that I'd not blogged in a week. Oh I know you all missed me . . . whoever you are and how ever many you are . . . lol

So let me try to give a synopsis of the past week and what's up next . . .

Friday, June 26 - Got back from Hilton Head Island. Had a great little getaway. Wished it was longer and further away. Working on that!!!! Picked up our dog Bossie from some friends and she was extremely hyper.

Saturday, June 27 - Took the teens to Ichetucknee River in northern Florida to tube down the river. We had a great time. I got majorly sunburnt and one teen lost his shirt. Sorry Hunter. Oh, and Hunter also had a baby cockroach in his milkshake from Steak 'n Shake in Tifton, GA. No apologies from the manger. Just took the shake off our ticket. Yeah . . . you just lost my business.

Sunday, June 28 - Started a new sermon series entitled "All in the Numbers." I'm going through some numbers that have spiritual significance in the Bible for the next few weeks. I preached on the numbers 3,7, and 10 and we had a great move of God. Sunday night we had our first ever youth service. The kids opened up singing "Jesus is my Superhero." The teens led in worship with myself on the electric guitar! They did a great job especially Jeremy and Sarah who sang in the mics for the first time. They performed a drama to the Casting Crowns song "If We Are the Body" and conviction hit the congregation. I preached a message entitled, "Who wants to hit their body with a hammer first." You would have had to have been there! Awesome job by the teens and kids. It went over great and everyone is looking forward to the next one. Mark the calendar for August 30th!

Monday, June 29 - Finished up our 3 week long Leadership Class with the leaders of the church and those interested in leadership. Everyone had a lot of positive things to say and I believe that through the class, God is going to spur all of us forward!!! Thanks for attending everyone!

Tuesday, June 20 - Billie and Bossie went to Donalsonville. Home alone!!! It was fun for awhile but it got too quiet and I was bored. I went to eat at the Mexican restaurant in town with some church folks who are like my family!

Wednesday, July 1 - Quarterly Conference time. We discussed our upcoming plan for growth which involves trying to get some plans made to build a new sanctuary. Several little projects are going to accompany it and we'll get started on those soon. As for now, we're about to install some stained glass windows which haven't been used for awhile in the foyer extension. Oh, and we're getting a keyboard for the church too!

Thursday, July 2 - Little bit slower day today. Was supposed to hook up with an old friend, but something came up. Got to talk on the phone for a bit anyway and that was good. I'm working my Sunday prep and also tomorrow night's Church Picnic and Movie Night. We have a poll up on the church website (www.perrycrossroadscog.org) on the movie to be watched. As of this moment, Prince Caspian is edging out Facing the Giants. Should be interesting to watch it the polls tomorrow. We're going to be watching the movie outside under the stars with food and fellowship. After the movie, we're shooting fireworks. Everyone is invited out at 7:00 PM to enjoy a good time together!!! Oh, and I've got a Men's Ministry meeting tonight at the Mexican restuarant at 7:00 PM.

We're leaving Sunday immediately after church to head to Decatur, IL for a Mission Trip. Here's our schedule:

Sunday, July 5 - Drive to Decatur, IL
Monday, July 6 - Fun day in Chicago
Tuesday, July 7 - Thursday, July 9 - Mission work in Decatur, IL
Wednesday, July 8 - Preaching in Decatur, IL
Friday, July 10 - Saturday, July 11 - Mission work in Mt. Vernon, IL
Sunday, July 12 - Preaching in Mt. Vernon, IL and driving to Nashville, TN
Monday, July 13 - WE'RE BACK HOME!!!!

I don't know how much internet access I'll have between working and having a good time with the teens and the pastors we're working with so I'll give a full update definitely upon getting back!

Have a good one!