27 minutes late....

Carol and I got to do something very cool this morning. Please read about it here. It was worth being 27 minutes late to work - even if I have to take personal time to do it.

I want to thank those who emailed me yesterday to find out about my post yesterday. Yes as you can tell I was a little ticked and to be honest I still am but I am better now and will continue to keep this under prayer.

This afternoon, Carol, Kyle and I and a great family we love are headed to the cabin for the weekend. I hate that I am going to miss church on Sunday - with the k-5 party, a great message from Pastor Jimmy and getting to see everyone - I will be big time ready to get back on Sept 7th- Which is a special day all in itself being we are having a Baptism that day at the 11:00 service. AWESOME!!!

I am thankful to a family who invited Kyle to go to their church services on Wednesday evening for bible study, supper, music and crafts. Its 2 hours long and its a chance to get our kids together. I appreciate that them for asking, for thinking of Kyle and loving my son enough to have him share time with their daughter and son. The 3 do make a fun bunch and to be spending time in church! Awesome!

I wanted to share something today that I have been thinking about for a few days now.

Let me share a story about this picture. This is taken on the property of a church in Mill Spring NC and it is backdropped by the mountains. It is such a wonderful and beautiful spot. A place for folks to come and visit with a loved one long passed and enjoy the scenery. See those who don't know Jesus end up there in the ground near those stones but the folks who put their trust and hearts into Jesus - will be over that mountain, living with all the loved ones passed and with our heavenly father. Jesus said- that we cannot serve 2 masters. We either serve people or we serve Him.

Friends, you may be a person that puts high value on your friendships - above even family. But let me share with you that people change. We all have differentt demands and they change at every moment. We can't please everyone. People all want different things. When living this way~ you end up all over the place, like a juggler and how long can you juggle? Eventually it all comes crashing down. Some may have friends who just need all the time - they base that friendship on performance and not acceptance. They will never be happy - meet their expectations and guess what - expectations go up and thus around it goes again. They are waiting for you to drop the ball on them. People pleasing, nothing wrong with making people happy, but to live for that is destructive.

Focus your life on pleasing Jesus. Please Jesus and those in your life will also be pleased. If you see the mountains in the picture and not the graves then you are looking at it in a great perspective.

I recently read somewhere that they want to see the small things in the rainbows, the sunsets and sunrises. Friends, let me tell you that God reveals those beautiful things in such vibrant, humble and majestic colors that you cannot see on your own. All things will take on new meanings and people will be seen differently with Jesus in your heart.

I remember talking with my friend Joe last Christmas while heading to the Salvation Army for the Angel Tree program. There was a sunset that evening and we just were amazed at the beauty of it. Joe has brain cancer and each and every day is a blessing on this earth. A chance to see a sunset differently that anyone else. A chance to thank God for creating that sunset. I shared my story with him about my near death experience back in 1999. I too know that awesome wash me over feeling looking at something so incredibly beautiful. We are so small and God is so big. It was a time shared that I will never forget because we both got to see a sunset differently than those who don't know Jesus.

I will stop at this spot this weekend and I will have a few dear people in mind. I want you to know I will be praying for you. Praying that you too will also get to see the sunset differently and that you will see the mountains in the picture and not the graves. Are you one of those I will be praying for? Email me, if you want me to......

Gods Peace -

Lonnie~

Increasingly Frustrated

Let me vent with you just for a few minutes today. I am increasingly frustrated today and honestly -well I wont say........
BUT WHY?
Well there are 2 reasons but let me start with this. Giving advise to someone.... Do you have someone in your life that you can speak with honestly - advise them in their life? Would that same advise work for, say, your daughter or son when she/he is of this age? Would that conversation actually take place? Would that same advise be given with their parent there with them? Probably not - so why would you give advise and examples to a young person who is finding their way, lost in the world, willing to maybe expand on the freedoms of being underneath the parents rule for the first time in her/his life by experimenting or doing something she/he would not normally do? - WHY on earth would you steer them in directions that could be bad for her/him?
I talk to "MyKids" just as if I am talking with my son Kyle. I talk to the kids here at the university just like they were my kids. I give them the best advise I can give them ... I try my best to show them Jesus and that my door is always open for them to come in and sit down and really talk. It is frustrating to be really honest. I remember telling my pastor about a year and half ago that when the time comes for me to move on from stage in life that I wanted to serve at the church full time... I wonder sometimes why I have not already excersized that option.
What do your children see when they look at you? Do they see a person that is living their life trying their best to be like Jesus? Or do they see your running over poeple, always getting what you want, using people mean just to get what you want from them or living for more, more, more?
What are we teaching kids today? I mean really - They learn about Jesus through their parents. If they don't see Jesus in us - then chances are they won't see Him at all. We are creating a "Give Me Generation".
How do you start your day now that school is back in swing? Screaming, hurrying, yelling, fighting over finished homework? Most kids today have maid service, they don't have to do much in the home - minimal responsibilities but yet they have cable tv in their room, $400 cell phones with blackberry contact so they don't miss a friends email or IM - always connected on the internet with no regard to safety and hiding behind the monitor. Cell plans that cost $100 a month and they can't seem to stay within the 100,000 minutes a month plan. Life would end if the internet connection went down or the cell didnt have 2 bars. You email them, call them, text them and you get no response back or maybe if you are lucky a 1 line text through the phone. If our kids are the center of everything we do and the center of everything we give - where does Jesus fall into their lives? He will have NO place in them!
So many parents I know just keep their kids busy to keep them busy. Running them to scouts, soccer, fallball, football, to the mall - run run run. Family values like sitting down at the dinner table hasnt happened in years, or at best once a week/month. Movie nights as a family have been over since Jr. was 8. Is all this worth giving up a relationship with Jesus Christ over? What do you think upsets you the most about your teenagers or young adults? Is it their attitude? Selfishness? Lack of respect for others? - or - is it their character?
Deep down maybe that is just what it is ... their character - who they really are. Are you modeling that character for them? Is all this worth given Jesus the chance to shape your teenagers character?

Carol and I have a good family who goes to our church and with all the rain the area the last few days, many folks are in shelters from being flooded out of their homes. The children in this family held a meeting - they voted and came to the parents and made the announcement. They wanted to open their home up to a family who had been flooded out. Parents jaw dropped.....Man - that is awesome and this family is on the right track. This family knows Jesus - the parents model Jesus in their lives the BEST they know how to do. God is fitting into their childrens lives by watching and learning from their parents.
Kyle bugs me to stop and see the seniors at the Heritage Home almost every time we drive by there. You see he knows that when we stop and visit these folks - it makes them really happy, to have a visitor, to spend some time with them. He knows we are serving them but we are also serving Jesus. What we do to others, we also do to Jesus.

We cannot just run our homes to keep our kids happy. We have to learn to be the teacher and respond as apposed to reacting. We need to look for those teachable moments - build our children up - and learn about Vitamin N.
Vitamin N? What is that? "Vitamin NO" - it needs to be part of our childrens lives. They need to take part in the running of the home and not get everything for free. Are we raising our kids to live in a hotel or do we want our children to grow up in a home?
I want "MYKids" to have the ability to make good decisions. To care about others by serving them and putting others first. To see Jesus in not only me but also in their parents. Kyle is now at the age where he askes what he should do when he has to make a decision. We give him the same question back - letting him decide - praise him for good decisions and explaining those lessons learned when he chooses poorly.

Ephesians 6
Children and Parents 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."[a] 4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Parents, we have a tough job with raising kids. Without the guidance of our heavenly father - the lessons we learn and teach our kids by being Christ like - we have no chance. I don't even want to imagine the outcome - but I bet you know someone right now who is on the verge of that cliff. It might be down the road just a bit but you can see the footsteps on the path.

heavy hearted today....
Lonnie~

Serving ... What does it mean to you....

Would you be willing to share here or through email (lrbatema@gmail.com) what it means to you by serving at your local church?
How did you get started, why you continue to serve, how has it changed you and what has God taught you in the process....... that would be great. Anything you wish to share would be awesome. It can even be serving others if that is your thing.......

Thanks~
Lonnie

A new day ....

WOW - the sun is out now. Its been 3 days since seeing the sun. According to my weather station here at work on the roof - we got 10 inches of rain in 48 hours. We might have got most of that last night. As many of you know, many creeks and rivers were out of their banks, roads closed and homes flooded. Did take me 45 minutes to get to work this morning and once again - came into work wet and my shoes soaked. But, hey - I am not complaining - we needed the rain. I can do without the stack of firewood, 2 tarps, 2 potted plants, landscape timbers and a pile of mulch that is somewhere downstream now in another county or stuck up in the top of a tree somewhere! We did not get flooded and I can live with those answered prayers.
Work has been busy the last few days and have not had much time to post much but that doesn't mean I am not thinking about some things :) I am glad school is back in session here at the university... It feels like a college campus again and I am enjoying getting to know my 3 new students we hired. Should be a good semester ahead.
I am out of here...everyone be safe and enjoy the sun when it comes out. It's a new day...
Lonnie~

Sunday ,....

Man am I wore out. I am tired tonight and that is not a good thing with classes starting tomorrow, school starting for Kyle and all "MyKids" and new routines taking shape.
BUT - let me tell you it has been a great day and worth me being tired. We had a great church day today... a new worship leader leading worship today - Pastor Jimmy giving me 2 pages of notes to shape me and challenge me with.... Sunday school was crazy and awesome all at the same time. It is always fun serving with Carol, Mike and Lori. We had a good turn out at the 11:00 service and the kids decorated bags and filled them with school supplies to give to Sherry who leads our Ladies Bible Study and is taking these school supplies into the schools. AWESOME!

Tonight we kicked off our official Rock Group with style - back to school style - folks came and ate... swam in the pool and just enjoyed hanging out tonight. We have some new families that have got connected and this was their first time plugging in and we are just so excited to doing life with everyone. I got to show the last 2 years in a video slide show on the TV and asked everyone to think ahead 6 months and put themselves into those slides pictures. I have been up since 5 this morning but there is nothing like spending some time with the folks we love. Pastor Jimmy spoke about friendships today in one of his bullets - we become those we hang out with - Man I am liking that because our Rock Group families- we have some awesome folks....and that just raised me up a few notches :)

Going to hit it early tonight. Have to call my grandma tomorrow - touch base with "MyKids" on their first day of school and check on one of "MyKids" who is at the beach and missed her and her mom today @church.
I am done serving for today but praying for tomorrow - someone needs to hear about Jesus tomorrow. I am in..... are you?
Share Jesus with someone tomorrow and get out of that comfort zone - you will be amazed at what God wants to teach you.
Have a great day back to school tomorrow ......praying for all.......
Lonnie~

2 Special kids....

I wanted to share a few of "MyKids" today. Carol, Kyle and I got to spend some quality time with these 2 kids over the last few weeks - other than our time together at church. They come to us from different places but all through a church family. These kids are like my daughters and would do anything in the world for them.
Over the past few years, I have taken the time to invest in these kids - as well as many others - to just make a small difference in their lives. I am appreciative and grateful for their parents to trust me and let Carol and I invest in them. They are great kids and I look forward to sharing many more smiles over the coming years. God has placed these kids in my heart for a reason and I am not questioning why - I thank Him daily for them.
Carol and I were not blessed with daughters - but a wonderful son in Kyle - but our family is full of daughters like Hayley and Kaylee ..... and we love each of YOU!!!!!
Kaylee and Hayley - ya'll are welcome in our home anytime. We love you both and may God continue to bless our relationships and our times together. May many more smiles come and we look forward to each and every moment invested in you both.
Love and prayers,
Uncle Lonnie and Carol

Friday blues....

I tell you - the older I get the harder it seems to get going in the mornings ~ especially after a late night. Last night was our summer right of passage Kenny Chesney concert. It wouldn't be summer without seeing Kenny in concert here in Charlotte.

I was only approached 2 times last night with someone thinking I was Kenny - either they need better glasses or had 2 extra beers :) - but its a compliment being that Kenny is the real deal.

Here are a few pictures from last night - a great night, no rain, fans having fun with an evening of people watching and just plain ol'summer fun!

Kyle especially loves his music ... and has a few posters in his room. We are phone/camera challenged these days so we didn't have a great camera to work with. Hopefully we will resolve that soon - Carol takes pictures of everything so I am sure she will be happy about that. Missed ya this year sis! Kenny played one song last night that he honored a friend of his and spoke about faith and trusting God and that one day we will see our loved ones again in heaven. It was awesome........

I will be sleeping early tonight :)

Lonnie ~

Thursday thoughts....

Today is going to be a cool day.... Tonight Carol, Kyle and I go and get to meet Kyle's teacher this year. I am a little nervous about it ... mainly because I want to start the year off right. I am sure I have this cloud that hangs over me and even last year it started off tough but things got better through the year and by the end of the year... I think folks started to understand a little bit more about me and my passion for the kids. I am looking forward to seeing what kids are in Kyles class.... its always an exciting time for the parents but also for the kids too. 5th grade ahead and looking forward to a great year!

After that we are headed to our yearly concert for Kenny Chesney! Kyle was trying his Kenny hat on last night and it is always a fun event for us. I am sure his Kenny posters will be hanging in his room again real soon! I am praying the weather hold out and thankful Fran has decided to stay around Florida for the time being.

I will share some things that the Lord has been teaching me over the next few days..... stay tuned. Until then .... Its 5:00 somewhere....

Lonnie~

I am sitting in my office today getting a few minutes to breath inbetween appointments, follks walking for help, training and answering 100 questions and on my desk is the sweetest picture. Kyle has a friend from school who is part of a group of awesome kids that have stuck together because they like each other and the parents keep in touch, plan things, invite and accept doing life along side each other - their daughter was having a birthday party. Lots of kids from that 3rd grade class that got me started with "MyKids" and moving me to a place to really love and enjoy my time with them. This picture has me and about 5 other kids hanging on me in the pool. All of us have smiles and last night while in the pool - we were laughing, talking, swimming and just really enjoying each other. That picture will bring me smiles for some time to come. Kyles friends mom told me I was like a magnet... and I pray for this season in my life to continue to be used by God and for His purposes. Everyone needs a little encouragement and a smile to lift ones spirit. We never know who in life that we may come across who may need that smile, that word of encouragement or that friendly talk about things.
I think of many of "MyKids" who need that in life. I wish I could be there to breath that on them, to hurt with them when they are hurt and laugh when they need to laugh. I just want them to know that no matter what is going on life - they can aim higher. That they have value not because of me - but they have value in Gods eyes. I pray for mistakes that they can learn from and pay the penatly for their choices. I pray for better decisions - hey we all make mistakes and there are a few of my older kids who are not making wise decisions right now. I pray for that child who has nobody to eat lunch with at school or who has never had a visitor visit them - to feel special and the other kids who ask "Who is that?" I am honored when I am "Uncle" or their "Stepdad" - I am ok with whatever role in life that child needs.
I am passionate about "MyKids" - the kids I am in contact with in Sunday School - I want that 1 hour a week to be awesome for them! I want them to walk away knowing that they have a friend, a place in Sunday School where they can bring their friends, where they can forget about the problems at home or missing their dad who walked out on them, where they can cry or laugh and where they can find Jesus.
The Bible tells us to encourage one another. We just might not know how much it means to someone "You can do it" - "I believe in you" - We all have greatness inside and sometimes we need just a little extra to bring it out. That once shy kid in Sunday school that started coming with his/her family 3 weeks ago - look at em now.
Think about our Olympic atheletes - where would they be today if they did not have someone talking encouragement into their lives. We each deserve that chance..... a chance to turn the corner. We may just be that person to impact someones life. There is potential in each of us.

I know life is hard for so many - for all of us at times - I am thankful for the families that I am doing life with and for the families and those children I am trying to impact for Jesus - to speak encouragement into and cheer them on.
Many of you don't know that in my Sermon notes where I write notes in I have pictures of some of "MyKids, some Sunday school artwork and little drawings and notes from them... they are my prayer kids. I pray often for their families and for them. Some of those kids have a broken family, maybe a dad who left or a dad who was mean and abusive - maybe they have other struggles or a parent who has passed on. Maybe we have just connected in some special way that Jesus is keeping us bonded together.
I am here to encourage them - to share a smile - to sit at their level and know I care. It is where Jesus wants me now. I never thought I would be doing this, care about this, share this or even fight for this. They are worth fighting for... those families..... those children.

I heard recently something that I won't soon forget. "The Devil is in the Details". For these families - the devil is in their lifes details. Think about it - piece by piece he is taking and shredding all the things that keep families together and keep our eyes on God.

Who around you today needs a word of encouragement? Who could use a smile ... or someone to walk with them in lifes struggles? "You can do it - I believe in you".

Lonnie~

Not just a normal Monday....

Nope its not. Not only is today a start of the work week - it is also the start of the work season for many of my friends who are teachers. THANK YOU for being a teacher, for caring and loving what you do and the love you have for our youth. There are success stories every day as you pour yourself into your students. You may not be able to reach every single one of your students - some will continue to have problems at home, some may never be organized enough, continue to forget their homework and a host of other things - but for the next 9 months - YOU will have more time with these children and youth than many will have time with their parents. Some have a missing parent and those children have to fight, claw and scrape just to be noticed. You are a major influence on their lives. Its hard no doubt - but then again what is easy that is worth fighting for? Those kids are worth your fight and your struggles. Teach them, love them and you will change them. Those kids will be a different child 9 months from now..... because of you.

I am here to encourage you as you begin to plug back in. Our faculty and students here on campus will be coming in this week as we gear up for the fall semester starting next Monday. I too am in your shoes but without the time off during the summer. What did God reveal to you during your time off? What have you learned that is preparing you for what is ahead?

I recently had a conversation with a dear child about starting back to school. She too was wanting summer to last a little longer and she has already started back. I shared with her that the summer season is just that - a season in time. The new season which we will begin now is a change of scenery and with it comes new friends, new opportunities and new challenges that God wants us to learn. He wants us to grow and the only way to do that is if we move through the seasons in life. Its an exciting time!

Pastor Jimmy spoke yesterday about everyone having value. Each of us is valuable to God. He gave up everything for each and every one of us. Those children that you have contact with every day are no different. Even though you may not be able to share Jesus directly with them because you are in a public school - it does not mean you can't show each of them the practical love of Jesus. Let your light shine so that they all may see something different in you.

Carol, Kyle and I have a busy week ahead. Carol was up and adam this morning at 5:30. Had the PTA breakfast at school for all the teachers. My cousins will be here this afternoon for a few hours to visit. Looking forward to that! Tomorrow - I am with "MyGirls" and Kyle - headed to a birthday party for another one of "MyKids" ... they are having the party at their local pool. Should be a blast!!! - Hoping I won't have too much grown up things to do and I get to play with the kids for 4 hours! :)
Thursday is back to school night, we find out who Kyles teacher will be and meet the other kids from the class. Always an exciting time! Thursday night - is KENNY CHESNEY - Just in time for Hurricane Fran to show up and drench us - we are going anyways!

Thanks Kaylee for spending time with us this past weekend. Thanks Hayley for spending yesterday with us! Ya'll are some special ladies........ we love you both. Look forward to "Next" time already.......

There is much in life to be thankful for.........

Have a great Monday everyone,
Lonnie~

Home tonight...

What a great day today. I tell ya - there is nothing like seeing a smiling bunch of kids on the back of a tube, hitting the waves, hanging on for dear life - even seeing a tubing momma smiling and just enjoying every second of the day on the lake. Our afternoon was cut short by t-storms but we made the most of it anyhow. We are home now - Kaylee got picked up by her family. It was sad seeing her go - she even has it planned out for our next trip to leave on Thursday evening and stay till Saturday evening - KNOWING - we are not missing church. Aint that awesome?!

Anyways - on the way home we stopped at McDonalds - I wanted one of those ice coffee's - Carol has me hooked on them now but from our local Harrisburg Coffee place. I have to tell ya - that was the WORST coffee ever! I mean that - it was so sweet and I don't put anything in my coffee except cream. I don't know what they use in those ice coffee's but I won't be getting another one any time soon.

Carol and I just chillen tonight - got some music on my Apple TV playing. Kyle is laying down already - I told him he was going to have to toughen up when hanging with his gals..... better get used to it!!! Ah - the things guys do to impress those girls :)

Church tomorrow - spending the afternoon with on of "myKids" - it will be her first time at the house and spending time with her other than at church and school lunch. Man I am pumped about it ... Rock Group tomorrow night. Our kick off meeting for the semester.
God has us in His hands..... awesome place to be.
I am still rockin from the boat today - those memories today will have a lasting affect I am sure.

MSNBC time now - Obama and McCain talking at Saddleback church.... imagine that! Cant wait to hear what Pastor Rick Warren is going to ask them......

Later,
Lonnie~

Saturday Morning...

How much fun is it when you get to sleep till 8:30 and there is nothing but smiles on the faces of everyone?
The Bateman clan is at the cabin until tonight. We got here late yesterday afternoon and RAN to the boat. Got in some swimming, tubing and rock jumping - we even got to go to the beach yesterday and thats a spot on the lake that is ALWAYS taken. It is such an awesome place to get off the boat, swim and enjoy the sand under your feet. There is nobody around since its in a cove and water is really clear there. Water temps is 81 - a little cooler than last time we were here.
Last night swimming was a blast! Had the lantern going and we watched the spiders doing their work because of the light. Got to see a few stars but it was a little cloudy. We had our own "Olympic" competition to see who could JUMP off the dock the farthest. I took the Gold, Kaylee and Kyle tied for silver and Carol took in the bronze. Everyone took a medal!
We are excited about today - kids are already asking to get going but I have to finish my coffee because the coffee at the cabin - there is nothing like it anywhere! mmmm........
Kaylee is such a great kid and we love spending time with her and the Davis girls. Carol and I have already discussed keeping her... but that might ruin future plans for her and Kyle down the road...... so we just laughed and smiled about it. :)

Well - headed back to the porch to finish my coffee - plan out todays activities - revenge my loss to Kaylee on the air hockey table - get the cooler packed for lunch and snacks and just enjoy the day - God is so good to give us this time together - to invest in each other and be thankful for every single moment.

Please be in prayers for my Grandma - Grandma Hazel is in the hospital .... I will get an update today to see how she is doing. She is my moms mom......

Love you all,
Lonnie

Meeting people where they are.......

Every Christian has a purpose and that purpose is a personal ministry to walk along side of the lost folks in our lives and show them Jesus in a practical and loving way. We have to actually walk the walk and not just talk the talk.
There are some things that really upset me in this life and times. I am upset at some of the music that folks listen to - I am upset at some of the things they put on TV today... - I am upset with people just living for themselves and not giving a -bleep- about anything else other than how they are doing, how they feel, or getting what they want from something or someone.
But as a follower of Jesus - we have to go to those hard places where these people are. We have to communicate on their level so that we can be on their level. We can't show the love of Jesus to our teenagers if we can't communicate with them. They will not come to our level but we have to go to their level, speak on the terms that they are communicating today, and speak their language. Is that scary at times? SURE THING!
Why is a 42 year old dad and husband bothering with a childrens ministry at church? Why am I so passionate about those kids and spending time with them? Why do I invest my lunch hours in the schools visiting kids and having lunch with them? Why am I thinking about investing more time in our Youth Group (project 252) at church?
I will tell you why - I am going to have a teenager soon. Kyle is 10 and kids mature and grow up much faster than when we were kids. I need to know the things that kids are facing today. As a parents I need to continue to learn to communicate with my son - I need to learn to communicate with the kids I am investing in, those kids I am at lunch with, those kids that I am sitting with down on the floor mats and getting them excited about Jesus and His church on Sundays. I need to learn how to communicate with the child that has just lost her mother or a father to cancer - I need to learn how to feel the pain that one "MyKids" deals with everyday because her dad walked out on her. I need to learn what to say when a teenager comes to me and wants to talk about something that they don't feel comfortable talking to their parents about.....
We have to relate and learn to be at the level that people are at in their lives. We can't share Jesus with them if we aren't. A lost teenager doesn't give a crap about what Jesus did for them on the cross when they don't even believe that God is real. If I talk about the blood of Jesus they will be thinking that Jesus had an operation or something.
Over the last few months, I have opened a MySpace account. 42 year old guy with a Myspace account. I still can't believe it. After the death of my sister n law - I need a way to communicate with my neice. I love my neice and I am willing to go to the place where she communicates - where she does her life - even if that is through texting and myspace. I am not checking up on her or pounding her for what she is doing wrong. It is not that in anysense whatsoever! I have to go that place so that I can walk along side of her, remind her that I am there for her, tell her I love her over and over again - to show her the practical love of Jesus and live that example. Otherwise I will never reach her. Jesus may never enter her heart unless He gets of hold her some other way and a way that may not be what we would all want. God has that ability to get our attention real quick!
Friends, we have to be willing to go to those places that are hard to reach people for Jesus. We can't just push them aside, call them sinners and unbelievers and walk away from them. We have to associate ourselves with others, not just our church friends, our small group families and other followers of Jesus....we have to take the message outside of our comfort zones and get the "Good News" into the hearts of those around us.
I will continue to go into the schools and invest my lunch hours with those kids. Not only am I investing in them but also their friends. They too will get to see the practical love of Jesus. Has that been tough in the past - you bet! Parents asking why I am there when I don't have a child in their son or daughters class. I cannot have lunch with this child because its disrupting and some rule says I have to be a parent in order to have lunch with the child. I am getting parent notes being sent in for permission, I have GREAT teacher friends going to bat for me so that a child will have someone to have lunch with. I was heartbroken last year learning that a few of "MyKids" had never had someone come and eat lunch with them. That just really breaks my heart. I am willing to go to those hard places because Jesus has told me that is what I should do.
It brings me more joy along the way than I EVER would have thought it could.
My MySpace account will be used for the glory of God. It will be used to walk along side of my "Friends" and the people I meet there. Meet people where they are ....... so that God may get the chance to get to their hearts. To let them know that someone is with them and they have a friend. Someone who cares and loves them because God loves them.
You wont find me sitting on the back row in our childrens ministry - I am there down on the mat sitting with those kids, down on their level - is that scary? You bet ............ but there is no other place I would rather be.
I was recently asked if Kyle could get a myspace account - I thought how scary that is going to be when we cross that point but the reality is parents - if we say NO - guess what...they will find a way to get it. If we tell our kids they can't do something,,,, guess what - they want it even more and it will happen. We need to get our heads out of the sand - talk to our kids and engage them on their level. If they have questions - answer them - hit it head on and point that conversation towards Jesus after answering their questions. If God is moving in your life and real in your life - You will do anything to get Gods message across.
May Jesus move you out of your comfort safe zone today - for Him.
Love you all,
Lonnie~

I have been blown away ......

Really - the last few days I have been just amazed. I am really pumped about our leadership meeting last night at church. The vision and excitement of the upcoming season, the timing of it with school, new folks coming in - everything is starting to just click. Could this be the time for us to gain momentum that will take the name of Jesus to our communities? Is this the season where we can begin to build a place for folks to come and give us the chance and resourses to really spread of the name of Jesus deeper into our communities? I am believing it is......

The other day I went through my ITunes and downloaded Thirddays news album. It is - by far - their best work ever! I have been a long time fan of theirs and every time I listen to it.... it just blows me away. It brings me to a place where I know in my heart that God is there...... I also want to say that Brandon and our church band has been knocking it out the last month or so. I mean really worship music and a message from Brandon while leading us has been awesome. The 2 together are really working on me - can you tell?

For more information or to check out WHO Thirdday is - go to: http://www.thirdday.com/index.html
Or give them a search through Itunes.......
Here is the words to one of the songs that is just amazing.......

Born Again
Today I found myself, After searching all these years,
And the man that I saw, He wasn't at all who I'd thought He'd be,
I was lost when You found me here, And I was broken beyond repair,
Then You came along and sang Your song over me
Chorus
1 It feels like I'm born again It feels like I'm living For the very first time For the very first time, In my life
Make a promise to me now, Reassure my heart somehow,
That the love that I feel, is so much more real than anything I've a feeling in my soul,
And I pray that I'm not wrong, That the life I have now,
It is only the beginning
Chorus 2
It feels like I'm born again It feels like I'm living For the very first time
For the very first time It feels like I'm breathing It feels like I'm moving
For the very first time For the very first time
Bridge
I wasn't looking for something that was more, Than what I had yesterday,
Then You came to me, Then You gave to me, Life and a love that I've never known,
That I've never felt before
Final Chorus
It feels like I'm born again It feels like I'm living For the very first time
I'm living for the first time It feels like I'm breathing It feels like I'm moving
For the very first time I'm living for the first time, In my life

If this doesn't speak directly from my heart - I just don't have any other words to describe it.
Awesome job Thirdday!!! May God honor this album and do amazing things through your music all for the glory and praise to Jesus.

Enjoy .... get downloading!
Lonnie~

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of taking a few of our student workers out to lunch. They are both from India and I have enjoyed our conversations over the last year or so about politics, family values, education systems, God and being a Christian - Hinduism and culture. It is really great talking with people from across the world and hearing about their country.
One of the things that really took a hold of me during the lunch conversation was from a question concerning child/parent respect. The conversation repeatedly used the term - "Liberal" meaning that kids today talk back to their parents, use bad language, don't listen and respect their parents and rebel every chance they get and the parents do not punish their kids or let the kids get away with these actions. It was an interesting conversation to say the least. The word "Liberal" really stuck with me long after our lunch conversation. It is a word used in various topics and places ... from politics, parenting, social things amongst a few.

Liberal from Dictionary.com - favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs~ open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.

Basically what this is saying is that everything is open for debate. Everything is open for discussion and reasoning. Everything is open to change. Parenting styles will likely to change... ~worst thing in the world for our children~ Our government is open to change as is our court systems. I wonder why the 10 commandments was originally put in our county, city and state official buildings? Do you think we needed something in this country that basically said - this is the rock - the thing that won't change? The thing you can base everything in life from?
Over the last few years, my family and I have put God at the top - center stage - in the front - of everything we do. God is first put first in our marriage, relationships, parenting style. God is not changing...... God is the foundation.
I have heard the people today are more spiritual than ever before. I would have to agree with that.... but I also have to say that more and more people are dying and going to hell than ever before too because of it.
When we take God out of the picture - Its not that we don't believe in nothing - We believe in ANYTHING.
The old days of Christian vs. Athiest are long over..... especially when there is a host of other "options" to God - to heaven and being spiritual. The bible is clear that the only way to heaven is through Jesus. No other way....
Friends, we can be spiritual all we want, go to church and be nice to the neighbors, serve at the local food pantry and be a great person in this life - but without Jesus - Your eternal home will be seperate from God. Why do people wait until their lives are falling apart and crumbling or a death in the family before they come to know and trust Jesus? He has been there all along - seeking and waiting on you. Heaven is not open for debate - there is only one path.
If you are looking for someone genuine - someone real - someone who will not change directions - someone who will not lead you on feelings or emotion - someone you can count on and trust - someone who will give you direction and purpose in your life - someone who is in the the miracle business - someone who can fix your marriage - someone who will listen and be there for you until the end - someone who loves you more than life itself.
His name is Jesus.

Someone need to hear this today - I pray for you today.
lrbatema@gmail.com

Love you all,
Lonnie~

Monday in the Carolina's

I just can't remember a more pretty day here in the Carolina's than today. Low humidity, temps in the 80's and blue sky that is just incredible......

Looking forward to getting out of here in a bit..... makes me wish I was at the cabin or fishing on a pond with my Aunt Sharon and Uncle Buster on their farm ... hanging with Carol and fishing man Kyle, my cousin Patty, my brothers, my dad and his lady, my cousin Scott and his wife Shannon, maybe even with Taylor and Morgan, so they can experience life on "The Farm" - with cows in the background - where cell phones don't work, email and blackberries go to the black holes of electronics and nothing but quiet still peace in Gods country. I hear nothing but the whip of Uncle Busters fly pole line hitting the water and he and Kyle in stiff competition over the most fish......

Have some thoughts for tomorrow - will try and get them worked out and will try to share then. Praying for some sleep tonight but I am good if God wants to me stay up with Him... I am sure He is not afraid of the dark. :) - especially since He is the light!

Later...
Lon

Not my imagination...

Last night I had one of my non sleeping nights. Yesterday morning brought me to church running late and found myself a few people short. As usual the setup teams pulls it together and gets things done and had time for a few laughs, some dounuts and washed down with OJ and coffee. Church yesterday had a special flavor to it for some reason - maybe because we had some extra new folks there or some old faces that have been missing for the summer came in - it always happens when the school year is around the corner. People are looking to re-engage into life and move away from the play time of summer.
At the 11:00 service we had a good turnout of Sunday school - especially the 4th-5th grade kids. They are just my sweet spot and I just feel connected with those kids. I do love all the kids, the little ones and all the project 252 kids but I especially love investing in the 4th and 5th graders. It was the first time Carol and Kim had a full staff for Sunday school all summer.... it is great turning that corner!!!
After church we got to hang out with some dear friends of ours - Rich, Chris and Payton. It has been a long time since we have seen them and as always - we enjoyed the afternoon with them and time flew by yesterday! We found ourselves in Kyle's room playing the WII and just laughing and carrying on. It was a lot of fun......
So will all this great stuff happening, why can't I sleep sometimes? Is there something that is bothering me - is God wanting to keep me awake sometimes so that He can talk to me? I often wonder how come God doesn't hit me in the afternoon or first thing in the mornings? I do know for sure though that I am more in tune with what God is trying to say to me in the early morning hours. My way to work is mostly spent listening to something on my Ipod - this is after my morning time in my Bible.... but even still - God keeps me up at night sometimes.
I know for atleast 2 hours - I spent those hours praying for you. My family, my rock group families and our season coming up - my church family, Pastor Jimmy and his staff. I had time to pray for the kids yesterday ... and for this coming weekend when we take one of "OurKids" to the cabin with us and then on Sunday when after church we will have another one of "OurKids" until after Rock Group. I love this invested time.... I love this family that God is placing around us. I am excited to see what God is going to do next..... the thought of ONE continues to be in the front of my mind. A church of "ONE" - I am especially excited for our new members who took part in our membership class yesterday. I am thankful I knew most of the folks there and have a relationship with them already. I look forward to helping them "Plug -IN" and seeing what God uses them for.
I am feeling a turn on Sundays - God is doing something ....... can you feel it? Do you see it?

Come with me...... and I will show you someone Genuine .... My neice wants to meet someone Genuine .... I know just that person and He is waiting on you.......
Love you all,
Lonnie~

Nothing better....

There is nothing better when a parent comes to pick up there child(ren) in Sunday School and the kids are having so much fun that they don't want to leave.


I see many parents standing and waiting for their child(ren) to come to them so that they can go - the smiles on their face are worth all the effort into leading these children each and every week.


I know for a fact that many times, kids have an amazing ability to get parents to church on Sundays. I was just the opposite growing up. My brother and I did not want to go so we stalled, crabbed, complained and fought until mom eventually gave up. Church was not fun, had to dress up and listen and do some very boring things. Carol and our dear friend Kim lead the Sunday School ministry at church. They invited leaders to come and teach, some are teachers across the county and some just LOVE being with the students and have a passion for sharing Jesus with them. Carol and Kim also sign on assistants to help this ministry - they plan the activities, crafts, games, snacks and are part of the planning on all the major events our church puts into the community.


Tomorrow is our VBS outreach and though it is a short version this year and not a week long event every evening, I am getting pretty excited about it. I love spending time with the 4th and 5th graders. They are just my sweet spot - old enough to understand and not old enough to know it all. I am also looking forward to school starting only because of "MyKids" - not because they are in school but I get to see them more and invest in them. All the other planning and get togethers will be a bonus!


Anyways - this fall I am really praying for our k-5 ministry.


- That new volunteers step forward that have a passion for children and a passion for showing them Jesus.


- I am praying for renewed energy and excitement in everyone involved because the leaders energy needs to pour out and into the energy of those kids.


- This ministry enables children even at their young age that they too can experience Gods grace and salvation


- To remind them all that they are important and each of them are wonderfly made and special to God


- That they are never alone and that they always have a friend in Jesus


- They remember what we are teaching them through the week


- That their parents begin to see a change in their attitudes and that they are growing different (in a good way)


- That they invite their friends to come - even if they have to have sleepovers, birthday parties - what ever it takes to get their friends to go to church with them


- That we invade the school we are in and we see 5-6 kids from each class and their parents attending Sunday worship services and attending Sunday school and their older brothers and sisters are with Pastor T - in Project 252


- I would love for parents to beg to be a part of what is going on


- I pray we can teach and reach every single child in their own way that is meaningful and they understand at their own levels

- We can fully assure that mom and dad with 4 children that their kids will be fine and taken care of while she gets to hear about Jesus on her level and get an hour of peace

- For the one hour they are with us, the problems at home are fogotten, the feelings of missing a parent are removed, the struggles of fitting in and friendships and everything else a young person struggles with - is gone .... and God has a chance to get a hold of a heart like never before


- That our kids will go into their schools, neighborhoods and families knowing Jesus and showing the practical love of Jesus to everyone they are around



Tomorrow is a big start ....are we ready? Are we prepared? Are we giving our best? Do we have the team around us to make it happen for them? Nothing should keep us from our goal ....

Think the stakes are high enough? Our kids are so worth the struggles...... I found out today that our student worker here at work is leaving - she will be doing her student teaching this fall and she will be teaching 5th grade..... and I held out my hand and said - There is nothing better.

Corinthians 5:20
We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to them

Just my Friday afternoon thoughts..... Have a great weekend everyone.
I am outahear.....
Lonnie~

8-8-08

Its finally here. The opening ceremony of the Olympics. Its always a great time watching the athletes compete over the next 2 weeks.... Carol and I especially like watching the gymnastics and the other hyped up sports but all of them are important and each athlete should be proud of themselves, proud of their countries and proud to be standing and representing there sport in which they worked so hard for.
Many of you may not know but the Olympic dream was very much a part of me when I was a teenager. Long ago in 1980-1984 time frame - I had the Olympic dream that I was chasing in Judo. It was something I was working very hard for - something my mom and dad went to great extremes to provide this path in life. Many vacations around the country wrapped around a competition somewhere. Practice almost every day - working out sometimes 2 -3 times a day. Everything in life was focused around it and there is not a moment, looking back, that I would have traded in for it. I loved those memories - even though some mornings I am hurting.... because it does take a toll on your body putting yourself through such vigorous training. I know the sweat, blood and tears that it takes to make it at the level the Olympic hopefuls are at.
I hope they enjoy each and every moment of this experience. Win or lose - doesnt really matter. For a few moments, a few moves, a few spot lights, a few minutes - they will be center stage.
It is awesome for the world to come together like this... even with all the differences. We are all different but yet the same. Now that I am a parent - their parents also get to share in all that glory that their sons and daughters are enjoying.
I remember my first East Coast Judo Championship - It was held in Metuchen NJ at the local high school there. The trophy I won for 1st place was bigger than I was. My dad had to work that day and I remember carrying that trophy into his place of work with my mom and brother along side of me. I just remember how proud they were of me. There were many memories just like that.
We should all take a moment tonight and be proud of our Olympic Athletes - from every country. Looking forward to it...even if it is happening right now since China is 12 hours ahead of us....
What sports will you be watching? ... for me it will be Gymnastics, diving, swimming, and Judo even if Judo is on at 3:30 in the morning.
Let me know........
lrbatema@gmail.com

Lonnie~

Come with me......

Do you find yourself today looking for greener pastures in life? Tired of the every day job - same routine. Up early to go work, boring job, come home, eat, read the paper, watch TV, interact for a few minutes with your teenage son or daughter, get to bed after Letterman for some sleep - only to do it all over again? Lost the passion and love in your marriage? Best friends don't call much any more and life just seems to be going by....... Filling that void in your life seems to be a never reaching thing.... newness of a new car only last a while, bigger home means more hours at the office, Plasma TV doesn't look that good anymore, no time to ever catch up and really relax. Vacations are running and going with every minute filled... never time to sit by the pool, read that book, sleep in and sip coffee in the morning while enjoying time with your family. No time to really talk with your wife... You know it will never be enough. You are forgetting who you were when you were young and full of life .... things that were important seem to be a forgotten memory. Someone close to you passes away .... life takes a turn to a new misunderstanding. You feel like you don't understand anything these days.... You ask yourself "WHY" to everything - Your child is not acting the way you want them to, almost embarrassed at times - they are not making good choices - you realize that the lessons in life are YOUR lessons in life that you have taught them - they are acting like you! They are mean to people, fuss at the lady at McDonald's because she didn't say "Thank You". That void in your life is getting bigger - the world is telling you that you need more...... Alcohol erases the pain but only temporarily ..... there is the next day. Your knocking down fences to find that greener pasture ... you are tired of looking. No matter how hard you try - it never seems to be enough. You feel alone and scared... no place to turn and no place to hide.....everyone is wanting something. You are a people pleaser but in return, you are miserable.

Friends.......
I am not claiming to have the answers......but I am clinging to the "One" who does.

So come with me
And I will show you Jesus
And He will give you More than you could ask or imagine
Come with me If you're looking for a savior If you're looking for a friend
I know someone you should meet ~ So come with me

Sunday morning, come with me...... and I will show you a place and introduce you to some folks - who know Jesus..... So Come with me~ He changed my life and He can change yours
lrbatema@gmail.com
Lonnie~

Shoulder to Shoulder

Yesterday during our Sunday school service, we did a little exercise. We grouped the kids by the same height, had them stand back to back and cross their arms together - then together sit down and then stand back up.
If working alone.... you would not get up..... but working together - it was easy to stand right up. Then we grouped the kids in 3's - then 4's and then 5's.

This has me thinking even beyond our Sunday School lesson -
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two men can stand back-to-back and conquer. Ecclesiastes 4:12

It is comforting knowing that I have a family of folks who are walking and doing this life with. I think many football players play well past their prime is becasue of that huddle. They get to come together, get direction, encouragement and guidance all while standing shoulder to shoulder with 10 other guys on that field. They are on the same mission - to win the game. There is purpose and meaning in that huddle. When they fail - they fail together - when they win - they win together.
I am encouraged today because of my family, my Rock Group families and our church family. We are standing together, we are doing life together, we encourage each other and pray for each other. When we fail, we pick each other up and get them back in the game. Every person needs a safe place to shoulder the things in this life. When we win a battle in life, we win together. How much better it is to go through life with a strong network of support. When you share your trials and triumphs with others, you soon realize that you are not alone. And somehow, when we stand together, life's challenges don't seem so hard anymore.

Be encouraged today and thankful for the support system God has given you. We are never alone - look around your huddle in life and see those who are standing with you. I bet you would be surprised if you haven't looked in a while.

Lonnie~