Monday morning Sunshine ~

It was awesome yesterday seeing the sun. After 4 days of rain and nasty dreary weather - the sun was a great addition to a great Sunday. I am doing some "Out of my comfort zone" stuff lately. I have been introduced to this thing called - "Zumba" - from a dear friend of ours. It has swept over our family and through our church and I am sure it will reach into the community level at some point. Honestly, I have never been much on dancing or even looking like I am dancing if you want to call it that :). Last night we had Rock Group at the new studio and I got the chance to be silly with everyone ~ especially the kids. It was a lot of fun and getting to see the other dads there was a hoot. If you know Sherry and Donnie - well, they have a lot of flash, style and an endless amount of energy! The opening of this new studio couldn't have come in more perfect timing for them and as an example for everyone else. As we wrapped up our Rock Group study on Prayer a while back - God opened the doors for this life long dream to become a reality for Sherry and Donnie. Things that normally would not line up to happen have taken place. A place to have a business, furniture, people coming from all over to go, functions for birthday parties and church youth events .... the possibilities are endless and when God is in the details of something... all we can do is hang on. I am so excited for them .......
A few weeks back I challenged our Rock Group folks to spend some time with God each day. We talked about when we should do this and for how long but the big question was actually, "Where do we start?" I asked everyone to begin in the New Testament and in the Book of Matthew. Being honest here, I have been stuck the last few days in:

Matthew 14:
Jesus Walks on the Water 22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance[a] from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
I am constantly in question of the things I am doing if I am keeping my eyes on Jesus. Keeping my eyes on Jesus brings me out of my comfort zone. So many things I do through my week I know I am doing so for the kingdom of God. Many times these are hard things and things I would have never done on my own. It is not about me but about Jesus. There are times where I just don't feel it when I go into the schools and someone questions me why I am there. There are struggles with, am I doing enough of/and the right things to lead my Rock Group families or reaching out to others in the practical love of Jesus. I want to have the right things to say, the right example to show, to be there for "MyKids" because dad is not around or for some other reason. Making a difference for someone and leaving them full of encouragement from the Lord is so high on my passion list.
I know when things are going good and everything seems to be working - I question myself with doubt about all of it blowing up in my face. Its not a question of "if" - its "When".
So many are losing their jobs, I am thankful I have one and if they wanted to cut my pay - then I am happy to do so just to keep it. I have folks all around me hurting, struggling, and often times questioning where God is in their struggles. I have so many of "MyKids" struggling with so many things ...there is so much I want to invest in them..... I am even reading a book about what a daughter needs from her father... Daughters? ... I don't have any daughters but God has given me so many that I love like my daughters. I am so blessed and thankful that I can invest in them and do life with them. I have even a more exciting book next on "Raising boys to be knights in the kingdom of God"..... can't wait to get into that one!!!
My eyes have to be even more focused on Jesus during these times so that I can show them Jesus. I have walked through some hard things in life and I have to say Jesus has never left my side. He has never let me down and He has always kept His promises. I must do this for others as well because at times everyone needs encouragement, something positive to hear or a practical example of Jesus. Everyone needs to feel wanted, loved and cared for in some way - especially when they are hurting.
Friends, God is using your struggles today to build your character. He is using them to shape who you are in Him. He is using them to show others how you completely rely on Him for all things. He is using them to finally get you to a point in your life where you basically cannot do anything else - except - to fully trust in Him. Its at this place and in this struggle and in your journey in life that God has you where you need to be. Focused on Him and fully relying on Him. It's there, that God uses people and really builds a persons faith and during these storms we grow our faith like never before. Be thankful for these storms in life because they teach us so much. For me, even during the struggles of those all around me - they too are my struggles and a reminder to keep my eyes on Jesus. I don't want to sink or doubt in my faith even an inch. Its my ministry and its not a private one ...as a follower of Jesus, I welcome those who are willing to journey together. With our eyes on Jesus - we too can get out of our boats and walk through the storms in our life fully knowing He will reach out His hands and save us - yet again.
Love you all,
Lonnie~

Open Invitation ~

For the next few weeks leading through the Sunday with Easter - Many will come to church. Some first time folks, some who make their 2 times a year passage through the doors and some who have not been in many years. I am thankful that I am serving our local community church. I am blessed that God has opened my heart and my eyes to serve not only those in our community but also the God who has made everything. As I walk along side so many folks today I am reminded of something that I have held close to me for several years.

God helps us and prepares us to help others. "He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us."

Our lives should reflect the promises that God has given us. Even through hard and difficult times our love and passion for our Lord Jesus should always be on our lips to share and show others. I am thankful for Rocky River Communuty Church - a church that has helped me to know Jesus, that has shown me the practical love of Jesus, that teaches me and challenges me to grow in my understanding of the things of God and helps me connect with others who have the same love of God as I do. We share tough times together, we go through seasons of pain and we also share in the seasons of blessings together.

I love the fact that Rocky River Community Church isn't about helping people become churchy--it's about helping people experience a transformed life in Christ that challenges folks to live out their faith daily in today's culture. Frankly, that's a lot harder than just being churchy. Churchiness is easy. You just follow prescribed rules and do what everyone else seems to be doing.
Real faith is dynamic. It's controversial. It's dangerous. It's constantly growing. It asks challenging questions. It involves mystery. You can't put it in a box. You can't explain it. You can't keep it quiet. You can't out-grow it. You can't out-dream it. It's more focused on others than it is on self. Real faith gives me peace but makes me discontent to let things stay the same.
It's amazing what God can do through a church that embraces that kind of vision for life together. It's revolutionary.

Love you all and hope to see you on a coming Sunday in the coming weeks.
Lonnie~

Whew....

Where in the world has this week gone? I have just been too busy to even post much or even put some thoughts together this week. Anyways, it has been a busy but a good week. My school lunch visits where all good this week even though there is lots of drama and some of "MyKids" not making great decisions in class. Not everyone though so for that I am thankful! I am getting to spend some quality time tonite with an awesome family and then I get to hang with "MyKids" as zumba is on the agenda for Carol and Donna.... I get the best part of that deal! :)

Anyways, busy day tomorrow. We have a special retirement party planned for a coworker here at work. She has been here 34 years and is scared to retire and entering the next phase of her life. Please pray for her... email me lrbatema@gmail.com if you want her name. I know she would appreciate it. I also wanted to ask for prayer for my cousin Scott. He did not get a good bill of health from the doctor today. Cholesterol up, swelling in his leg because of his sleep apnea and with that brings weight issues. Please lift Scott in prayer and for his salvation - Jesus is not in his heart and he needs that the most.
Well I have been in the Book of Matthew this week. Also flipping back and forth in Proverbs 3. I will share some thoughts on that tomorrow. Time to wrap this work thing up for the day.

Love you all and still praying for peace in some areas of my life and my walk with Jesus,
Lonnie~

The Tuesday Shuffle ~

Yesterday was a tiring and long day. Not fully recovered from Sunday and pressing on after work to get the grass cut, lawn mower tuned, getting some order to the garage and finally planting 1/4 of my lettuce until it was too dark to see - left me dragging this morning. On top of all that - I went to bed at 10:45 or so - almost made it through CSI - until 2am. Done for at 2am........ how does this happen? Dogged tired and wide awake. I got up to read a little, walked around the house looking through each window like there was someone outside looking in - getting something to eat and drink then finally going back to bed and trying not to keep Carol awake. Finally I wake this morning with Adger, our big husky, poking his nose in my face. Late for work ..... hating that but in a few ways - thankful that Carol was looking out for me! Thanks Carol!!! I guess she could tell I could use a little rest and isn't it funny that my lesson that I put together on Sunday night for rock group was just about that. I had a 1-10 scale that I broke into thirds and described each part of the scale - Gods zone to live you life in, the caution zone and the danger zone. I did my best to articulate the difference between the zones and have something practical to share as well as a video clip to further explain and I just felt like I did not deliver it at all. I guess I was wrong in some ways though because a few folks have stopped to talk to me or email me and share where they are. That is powerful stuff..... I have to be honest though that I am not a peace with a few decisions these past few days. I know I should just do what God is calling me to do - am I afraid? afraid to push on to this unknown area or afraid to let go of where I am? Am I too comfortable where God has me right now and maybe in some ways being complacent? I don't know ... - so many of us live in fear these days. Afraid to take the step to come to Christ in fear of what others may think - afraid to get off the sidelines and serve God - for some, afraid to even come to church, in fear of being judged or not having their lives right before coming to God- afraid to venture out on that business idea....whatever it is- being afraid keeps us idle and keeps us from moving forward. It keeps us in the danger or even in the red zone.
I just want to keep my dreams out of the way. I want to do Gods will and live His dreams above all else. I know His dreams are bigger and better than my own. This morning after my ride into work since I over slept - a song came on through my Ipod after my podcast lesson. Dude..... I tell ya it couldn't have been more perfect. God, You are so good. No matter your struggle today - is that something you could honestly say? "God, You are SOOO Good!" If you can and mean that with all your being - then you are in the zone.... Gods dream zone and that is where God uses his children. We are His hands and feet loved ones..... be CONTAGIOUS no matter what you are going through. Everyone is watching ~Show them who Jesus is to you~

Jeremy Camp - My Desire
You want to be real, you want to be empty inside
You want to be someone laying down your pride
You want to be someone someday
Then lay it all down before the king
You want to be whole, you want to have purpose inside
You want to have virtue and purify your mind
You want to be set free today
Then lay it all down before the king
This is my desire, this is my return
This is my desire to be used by you
You want to be real, you want to be empty inside
And I know my heart is to feel you near
And I know my life It's to do your will It's to do your will
All my life I have seen
Where you've take me
Beyond all I have hoped
And there's more left unseen
There's not much I can do to repay all you've done
So I give my hands to use

God, my steps are your steps. Lead my feet where they should go Lord. Help me to put my dreams at your feet so that I may live Your dream. You are bigger than anything I am struggling with and the things I am afraid of. Help us hear your wispers Lord that are full of encouragement and hope. Help me focus on You. Help us focus on You so that others may see You through us. Lord we thank You and love you for all that You have given us and have done for us. Use us now Lord - help us, help our church Lord, be Contagious for you and for your purposes and praise. Its in Your sons most awesome name in Jesus that I pray,
Amen

My drive in this morning ~

Monday ~ I have to say I do like Mondays but they for sure are not my most favorite days of the week. I am pretty worn out after a long day on Sunday. I had to apologize to one of "MyKids" yesterday for not spending that much time with her yesterday. I hate that but Sundays are the Bateman clans busiest day of the week.
I do have to say though - serving in Sunday school yesterday was over the top. Kids that normally are hard to engage in Sunday school - were engaged yesterday. We had our series wrap up party and being that it was swords, shields, knights, princesses and chariots - it was totally fun. Kim, one of our ministry leaders thought it would be good to end the day with a pie jousting contest. Lets just say I hit both times with a dead eye face shot. Kim did get me good the first time around - as my head hit her pie and hand and stars were seen and the pie swiped my ear and I couldn't hear anything for like 15 minutes as I tried to get the whipped cream out of me year :) - Hey the kids are worth it .... and it was fun. Even the adults were loving yesterday!
That is the type of energy our kids need and deserve. I just love being in there and to think I may have missed all this if I continued to do my thing and not the thing God wanted me to do. What a blessing all this is. Teaching kids about Jesus, having fun, making smiles and a church atmosphere that the kids want to come back - is just priceless.
This morning on my way into work - I did not have my Ipod with me. I turned the radio off and had nothing going into work this morning. Silence ~ It for sure was weird. I did not like it at all to be truthful. When was the last time you had silence on your commute in the morning?

Anyways - I am looking forward to getting home this evening. I will be cutting the grass for the first time this season. Its a long grass cutting season here in the south. One that I am not in shape for and it will take a few weeks to get used to. I have been slack on my gardening and flowers and all these past few years. The drought here in NC is not helping that any. It may be time to get back to the basics and get my green thumb going again. Vegi's will always be my thing but now it may be time to color things up some. Springtime ... my mom loved the spring. I am looking forward to grandma's greenhouse trip already this year...I will be bringing Kyle with me this year so he can experience this. Its something I look forward to as well as my granny Bateman and my aunts. Mom I miss your breakfast on my greenhouse day!!!!

Love to all -
Lonnie

"We have to live our lives like eternity will come in the next moment". Rachel Joy Scott (Columbine)

I have this written in my Bible journal on the front page. Rachel was the first person shot and killed at Columbine High School. Our countries worst shooting at any school. One just never knows when their time will come. I think about this every so often~especially after the passing of some close loved ones over the years. My sister n law, Denise, especially. Her death came sudden. Carol, Kyle and I were at the cabin when we received the news that something was wrong. Doctors at the time thought they could save Denise but as the next 24 hours unfolded - so did the life story of Denise. What a way to finish the story of such a wonderful and loving person. We all have a story - we live our lives and live out our story each and every day. Does your story end with a good ending? Will people know what you lived for and what your passion in life was? Did life live through you or did you just barely hang on?

The last 3 years now since following Jesus, I feel more alive than I have ever felt before. The things that I once thought were important are no longer that important. The things I thought I would never do - I am now doing because of Jesus. Rachel Joy Scott was a teenager and she lived her life with a higher purpose. Through her life and even through her death, God received the glory. Here is a little of her story:

Throughout her life Rachel was an incredibly spiritual person who often wrote to God in her diaries about wanting to "reach the unreached". She begged Him for the chance to show others the way, to let her life have some purpose in spreading His word. In 1998 she drew a collage of images that included a rose growing up out of a columbine, with several dark drops spiralling it (you can see this picture on the video Untold Stories Of Columbine). On the morning of the shootings, she doodled a reprise of the picture: a pair of eyes crying 13 teardrops onto that same rose - the same number of victims the shooters would kill during the massacre just hours later. Rachel had always been close with her brother Craig (who had been in the library during the shootings and miraculously survived uninjured despite being next to Isaiah Shoels and Matt Kechter were shot and killed) but had experienced difficulty connecting with her father. That last week before her death, Rachel and her dad had a long and bonding discussion, something that left both of them feeling incredibly happy. For Darrell that moment would later give him comfort when dealing with Rachel's death.

God knows the exact moment when our time will come on this earth. Not a moment before or a moment later. Are you making the most of this time? Are you reaching out to others and sharing the life changing love and grace of Jesus? Even through death, God uses people, He has already written the story. The days ahead for the family of Natasha Richardson is going to be hard. I pray Natasha knew Jesus ... and that God will use her story to reach others. Those left behind will experience pain like they have never felt. But for some of them, it might be a life changing pain. Nothing is wasted through the life that Jesus gave us. So my question this morning is - Are you ready? Eternity may be in the next moment......

Lonnie~

Be Contagious ~

Yesterday I pinned up a hand written card in my office from NewSpring. Thousands of these were hand written last Thursday at the Unleash conference in Anderson SC and were handed out to each person on the way out. It was just not signed by a volunteer - it had a note to go along with it.
May God use you in a mighty way. It was a pleasure to serve you at Unleash! Be Contagious!

Those words continue to flow out of my mouth, infiltrate my mind and is pumping me up. I have to say that I am a little connected through different avenues through church - Rocky River Community Church - and I am just loving the "BUZZ" that is taking place. Things are exciting and people are excited! There is a different feel about things lately and that just pumps me up. Tonight, we are meeting to plan out our Kids Ministry party. Should be awesome - I really want to take it to another level! Hope they don't mind me being a part of that planning meeting!

God, YOU are SO good! I am really excited for a good friend of mine. Last Sunday opened the door for him to a God who has loved him even before he was born. It has been 2 years in praying for him and for his family ... God is on the move there in those hearts. All I can do is smile and give God all the praise and glory for doing so. We do serve and awesome God!
Paul tell us something very important in Ephesians 6:
The Armor of God 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Working on a college campus has its battles. Todays kids are very much different than kids years ago but in many ways we were the same. I guess that makes sense but you know what that means. Anyways, I often hear - "Well, God made me this way." Usually this is in defense to a sin that is taking place or a lifestyle that God would not approve of. Its basically them trying to justify their actions.... we have all done it. But I have to say that God did not make you that way - Sin did. Sin has made you the way you are - God is the answer and the fix to that sin. Changes the entire way you see things doesn't it.
As God is moving in our church and in our lives - life change will only happen if we deal with sin in our lives. God is very interested in your character. This life change can't happen alone .... it is too big for you to tackle but with others around you .... God has placed certain people in your life for a reason. You know who they are that can help you, love you, encourage you and walk with you. Today, is the first day of a new beginning for some - a new journey with Christ.
I am excited for so many today.... when God is on the move........ hang on!

Lonnie~

March 16th ....

3-16. Those are some important numbers. I reminded everyone in our Rock Group last night who they are because of Jesus. We are His and we are held to higher standards in this world. We aren't subject to the ways of what this world says we should be or how we should act. Our eyes must be focused on Jesus and the things of Jesus. We are to be a light and a beacon for the lost of this world. I told the kids that God can use them just as much anyone else. There prayers are heard and have the same amount of power as mine, their parents or even Billy Graham.
It reminds me of my son Kyle, who led his grandfather in prayer in John 3-16. 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Those were his last words on this earth. After a life of running from God - he finally accepted Gods grace and love and he was led by an 11 year old boy. Have faith like a child, Jesus said.
Even our children can do great things for God ... encourage them, teach them, and lead them parents.
Just thought I would share that tonight,
Lonnie~

I am still trying to recover from yesterday. Sundays are such long days but often times, just jammed packed with such awesome stuff. God, You are SO good. The Bateman clan got to hang out with some new friends this past Saturday - a birthday party. It is great getting to know this family and I am excited about that! Saturday night we got to hang out with some other friends over some great food. The kids all hung out in the hot tub and the parents hung out in the house. What is wrong with that picture? Aren't the parents supposed to be out in the hot tub? LOL ~
Anyways, yesterday was just one of those days. God showed up in amazing ways and in many places yesterday. Let me just say that God flexed a few of His mighty muscles and many of us are still just smiling about it. Pastor Jimmy brought a great message yesterday and touched a part of his sermon on serving in the local church. He spoke about getting in the game and off the sidelines. Jesus came to serve others and He left us that example to follow by. Serving others gets your faith into action and a chance to grow. Over the last few years, I can honestly say that serving others, praying for those opportunities are life changing. Not only for me, not only for my family but for others. I am excited for our new volunteers that came and signed up yesterday. Your faith meter is ripe for growing..... :)
I have been in the book of Ephesians the last few mornings. I wanted to share the Ephesians 3: with you today. If you're wanting to know how to pray, where to start to pray, what to actually say when you pray..... this will get you started.
Ephesians 3: 14
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Love you all,
Lonnie~

Spinning Friday

It was a long day yesterday. Up at 4am because I was so excited to attend "Unleash" in Anderson SC. It is a one day church conference put on by NewSpring church. It was simply incredible. I told a few of my "peeps" all week that they would be jaw dropped and sure enough - it happened. We got to hear Pastor Perry teach Gods word, listen to the band rock the place out - we lauged, cried and laughed some more. Got to meet a lot of folks and learn a ton about the areas of ministry I am involved with. It is hard NOT to come back all fired up and ready to take on hell with a straw ... I love the people in my church that much ... I can't wait for Sunday. I can't wait for the birthday party that we were invited to last weekend from some new friends at church. I can't wait to serve our good friends Sherry and Donnie by helping them at their new Zumba studio tomorrow morning. I am just really pumped up and being this way is contagious - so look out.

Here are a few things that I took away from Unleash.
- Vision has to be casted and caught for it to work and be followed through. Am I doing that in the ministry areas I am leading? Do folks really know why they are serving God and how much of an impact they are making in the community for Jesus? Every Sunday is someones first time and first impressions are never given a second chance.
- We can juggle 3 things pretty well, these are things we are passionate about and can do really well. Add a 4th or 5th thing and we begin to drop the ball and the once good things we did, we begin to not do so good. Hand those balls off to someone else who needs another ball and get out of the way.
- People have to take ownership in what they do. For me, that means when leading in my Setup/Breakdown teams, I need to show people what needs to be done and then let them do it. Its now theirs.... I can't put out 400 chairs on Sunday mornings, they would be all over the place but there are some who can set chairs up in straight lines and make the Worship Center look awesome. Its there ministry - they own it and when they own it, they are behind it and believe in it.
- My Sunday school kids are not just kids - they are like "MyKids" and their families go with them. I love their families and I want to reach out to them by making a difference in the lives of their children and in the lives of their families. For the child to really know Jesus - they need Jesus at home also. Its a partnership .... and a team. So as mom or dad come to pick up the kids after Sunday School - we have to have done the best job possible to make sure we have given each of them the best possible environment to know Jesus and to be leaving with a smile!
- Showing "MyKids" Jesus is not just a Sunday morning thing but a life style that reflects the love of Jesus in everything I do and everywhere I go. That means even when my family and I are out to eat ... be prepared to share Jesus - not so much in your words but in your actions

- Leadership is not about being the best - it is about bringing out the best in others
- God gets all the glory for everything we do
- God can use the little ones just as affectively as adults

If its a God thing, you won't be able to excuse it, explain it, contain it, fully understand it or even handle it. Its bigger than we are ....

Love you all,
Lonnie

A Fancy Road Map ~

It has been a busy week thus far. Something seems to be going on at every turn. I am not complaining though and I continue to look for Jesus in everything and everywhere I am going. Tomorrow I am headed out early to head down to Anderson SC for UNLEASH. Its an awesome church conference with thousands of folks coming to learn and share experiences with other leaders in church from across the country. They even had some folks from England last year so I am thrilled to be going again. I will be attending the break out sessions for the Childrens Ministry as well as the Pastoral Care ministry. I am excited to learn as much as I can about these 2 areas that God is stretching me in and teaching me in. My mind will be on overload for a few days afterwards as I digest all that I will be learning and applying in my life and in the ministry areas in our church. Can't wait!!!!

I wanted to talk a little about a neat little device that I got to see and play with first hand while on the road to Charleston last week. For some this may be old school but for me, who never travels far from where I don't know where I am going, I just don't have a need for one of these fancy gadgets. I know a few people are laughing right now because of this ~ That is ok but let me share something ... A few times this little gadget had us going on circles and had us going on squares. Yes I said, squires. Leaving the hotel in Charleston, we actually made a square and went back to the hotel. We were looking for a place to eat in downtown Charleston and we had the address in and it was confused....and so were we! Out on the open road, this thing told us travel time, distance traveled, feet to the next turn, travel speed and who knows what else. The only thing it needs for it to be helpful to us - is a place to go. It needs to have a destination in mind.

That is so much like our walk with Jesus. Heaven is our destination. The road we travel across our lives leads us hopefully if we have taken the right roads is heaven. It is easy to get lost, it is easy to get heaven lost in the fog and desires of this world, that heaven seems to be a far off thing. It is something most people never give much thought to until they reach the end of their life or they get that phone call and life changes on a dime. The bible is our GPS - it is our instruction book that God has left us on living our lives and building a relationship with Jesus. Marriage, money, relationships, desires, purpose, raising our children etc... - its all in there. Those things have not changed over time even though so much has changed in other areas - like distractions, TV, Internet etc..... The bible, like our GPS, is our direction in life to keep us on the road, to remind us where we are going and to keep our eyes on our destination. Without it, we get lost among the twisted windy overpasses of life and may end up in a place that we don't have any idea how we got there. Making that big square that leads us back to the same place again and again ....... if your life is in this pattern loved ones or you just seem to be aimlessy roaming through life - get your GPS Bible out and get some directions. Guys, that means you too and we know how we are with directions!

So no matter where you have come from, what road you have traveled or in what direction life has taken you - God has some words He has left for us to keep us on our destination (Heaven).. this is from my quiet time this morning:

Ephesians 2:

You're no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You're no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He's using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.

Love you all,

Lonnie~

Back inland.....

It has been a few fabulous days. Monday morning came too quick and with the adjustment not made yet with the time change... its even harder. ( I know I am getting old :) ) Charleston SC is an awesome place! If you have never been, if you love to watch people and enjoy the finest seafood ever- then I suggest you make plans. Carol and I got to spend the weekend with some awesome married couples on a marriage retreat with our church. I have to say that it was flippin awesome. Our first marriage retreat and for sure not our last! Not only did Carol and I get to meet some new folks and strengthen our relationships with others - we got to spend some quality time together. We also took the time to work on a few things that has been needed to be worked out and get on the same page together but we also were reminded how much of the same things we love. Saturday night, we opted out of going with our peeps out on the town and to have a quiet evening over a great meal looking out over the water ways with boats going back and forth and watch the sunset dip below the horizon. What a pretty place to witness God showing off! Carol and I have always loved the water, watching the boats going by and over a terrific meal - It was awesome ... and time well invested. I am missing the seafood already .... hard to get that here inland in Charlotte.
I wanted to take a moment and reflect on a few things about the marriage retreat, the relationship with my wife and also the relationships that we have with those we made/have friends with. I look forward to these new and improved relationships... its very exciting! As I shared a thought with one of our new friends - they did not know many people in church and going on this retreat was a risk to meet new folks and kind of scary all bundled together - I told them that now that this hard part is over with and you have made friends with many other couples - your Sundays now are forever changed.... no more not knowing anyone on Sunday mornings! You will be missed when you don't show and you will have even more of that welcome and belonging feeling than ever before.... It was a great moment!
In my inbox from a few weeks ago, I wanted to share this from Pastor James McDonald. I really couldn't have the words to sum up this past weekend as good as Pastor James does. So let me share that here.... enjoy the read and let Gods words be applied to your life and the lives of others around you. So thankful for my wife Carol and for our new friendships that we made this past weekend. Yes, God, you are so good.
Love you all,
Lonnie~

The context of this is taken from Corinthians 13:4-7
One of the most powerful ways to communicate love to the people in your life is with words. Words matter. Yes, actions are necessary to back them up, but at the end of the day, you've just got to get some things said. Make it your goal to get these four phrases in your weekly, if not daily, vocabulary:
1: I love you. - Men, the key is to say it deliberately. Don't mumble it into the phone and then hang up. "Whew. I said it and it didn't get messy at all." Yeah well, it needs to get a little messy. Get her in your arms, look in her eyes, and get it said: "I love you." Or pull your kids to you, no matter their age and speak the words. They may fidget, but they'll remember and be altered by your genuine expressions of love.
2: I need you. - I've been praying that the bedrooms of every married couple reading this will ring with these words. How about it, men? In your private moments, tell that woman who has stood by you how much you need her. Go ahead: "My actions may sometimes communicate the opposite, but I want you to know that I know I really need you."
3: There is no one like you. - OK, ladies. Every man is one among millions. At work, he's one among thousands. At church, he's one among hundreds. So when he walks through that door each night, he desperately needs to know he is your one and only. He's first, highest, and best. Tell him. And that leads to . . .
4: I thank God for you. - Tell your beloved spouse, children, and parents that they are a gift from God to you. Better yet, pray aloud together. Let them overhear you tell the Lord how grateful you are that God gave them to you. Wives, tell your husband, "Honey, you've worked so hard lately and I so appreciate the way you try to take care of our family and the energy and effort that you put into providing for us. Thanks for being a faithful man." Husbands, look for your opportunities to say, "Babe, thanks for one of the greatest meals I have ever had. What you made tonight was fit for a king." And after she picks herself up off the floor, she'll be like, "Uh, thanks."Get the words said. Yes, it really matters. Expressing your love is a huge piece of making your spouse and your family the priority, lifelong relationship that God designed for you and that you all desperately want.

Thursday but Friday

Busy Busy Busy these days. I am pretty stoked for Charleston in the morning for the weekend. It has been some time now since Carol and I got away together. I am really looking forward to it ...just hope I have enough room in the E to fit everything - I pack light because I have to..... :)
I found out today that I could have taken a few kids to the Daddy Daughter Dance on Saturday night. These kids will not get to go now since dad is not in the picture. I am honored they thought of me .... and that makes my heart swell with joy.

Anyways - I will try and post some pictures over the weekend. Kyle will be at home - no, not alone - but with our friend Donna and her 2 girls ... they will be Kyle sitting and dog sitting for us. They are as close as family so its all good and hope its a good change of routine for them as well.

Not much else to report today - my mind has not been very focused the last 24 hours.... but I will leave you with this.

1 Corinthians 13:
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I pray that today - you are being a friend to someone around you in your life that needs someone. A true friend is all that 1 Corinthians speak of here - I am blessed to have many.
Thankful today .... and blessed beyond any amount of logic my little understanding can have.

Can you say today - "God is so good" - if not - refocus your thoughts and your heart on Him and let your troubles melt away in His hands and be thankful that you have true friends around you.
Looking forward to adding a few more this weekend and strengthening a few others.

"God, You are so good!"
Happy Friday everyone~
Lonnie

A fatherly word.....

I have been in constant thought to some things that our Pastor at church shared and challenged the men in our with church last Sunday. I just can't seem to shake it and many of you know that the kids I am doing life with are so very important to me, the kids at church are so important to me, the kids I go to the schools and have lunch with are so important to me - especially the ones without 2 parents at home ~ especially the ones who need that something extra in their lives ~ especially the ones who are struggling socially and in who they are..... man my heart just hurts for them. I look around me and really just have to be besides myself at where God has placed my heart. Yes I know that my son Kyle - I am his father but its also my obligation and what we are called to do for Jesus - in being there for others. Kyles friends ... the kids in Sunday school and in my rock group and in our church family.
Yesterday was a snow day and a day that God used me to invest in some of "MyKids". See - just being there is something they don't have. I may not be their father but I am a fatherly example. I am there to show them love and to show them Gods ways by my actions and example. There is something wrong when a child wants to hang out with me more than their parents. I am ok with it but there is something broken there and I will continue to serve the Lord by serving "MyKids".
Hearing the words, "Uncle Lonnie - come sit with me." "Mr. Lonnie - PLEASE get me a ticket to the ball game so I can go with you." "Unce Lonnie - I want to hold your hand while I learn this bible lesson." "Uncle Lonnie, can you come have lunch with me?" "Mr. B - can I ask you something?"
You know as parents we get so wrapped up into doing our thing. I mean we have work and a house to run, yard work, running errands, a real grown up life - I mean we barely make time to sit as a family these days and share a meal together. I think about all the kids who are at home and wanting to say - "Daddy, please come sit with me." but dad is not there for whatever reason.
- Carol and I get to have movie night from time to time with some of "MyKids" and it is such a treat when we do. It is not so much about the movie but just the togetherness of it all. A few of "MyKids" pull up next to me in the chair and I often times look over and catch them just staring at me. We get to share a smile ... and that is some special stuff taking place. It won't always be that way since they are growing so fast..... and we both won't fit in my chair forever ...but you know what I am trying to say. Its priceless......
"The power of Presence"
Sometimes as parents we need to put aside our lifestyle, wants and needs to attend to those around us. Our children are longing for YOU. If they don't get it from you they will get it from someone!!
I was so humbled this past Christmas and continue to be even today with this new gadget that my son got for Christmas. Nintendo Wii. See he has this wrestling game and for whatever reason - I just don't get it. I mean - I just can't do it.... I know I am getting old but I have never been one to say "Can't" - but I can't!!! I can pick the biggest wrastler in the game - 700 pound dude and I get whipped and I mean smashed by the tiniest wrastling chick going because my son has the controls. It really is baffling....... but it doesn't matter. Its quality time together. It's quality time when his friends are over and the smack down on Mr. Lonnie is taking place. Its the investing part during Rock Group that the kids can't wait to get there on Sunday nights. It's me pacing for 45 minutes before everyone shows up and I have paced 2 miles in the living room from excitement.
Its also pretty humbling when Kyle says - "Dad, just sit and watch and I will show you how to do it." The Power of Presence~ It only takes a few minutes...... its called stopping and smelling the roses right? Its basking in the sun for a few minutes to take the moment in. It's humbling to enter their world.... to listen to what they have to say. Often times our kids don't hear us anyway when we speak to them but our actions sometimes speak louder than words. I do know for sure - that is my calling in Sunday School. Hey I don't have to be cool, love hoodies, give out the best candy, say all those snazy words the kids use today - I just need to be there. Dads, we need to be there. You need to be there for your kids as well as the others who God has placed in your life. They need you as well .... not as their dad but in a fatherly role. Someone to speak truth into their lives ... a life coach, mentor - whatever you want to label it with......

I read this from Dr. James Dobson this morning and it is fueling my heart today~
Sometimes, doing something for my kids and getting it over with (quickly) so I can get back to what I want to do is nothing more than a broad road to ruin. The narrow road, the one that leads to life, it's not doing anything but being there, physically present, and resting in the promise that the Father up above is looking down in love and He's got the whole world in his hands.
Fathers, don't overlook the power of your presence. Power via humility. It doesn't make a lick of worldly sense. But it may just make an eternal difference in the lives of our sons and daughters.
Just sit with me dad. It'll only take a minute…

Be encouraged today dads.... and thanks Pastor Jimmy for the challenge you gave us men Sunday - to lead our families, lead our homes and live lives of significance for Jesus as godly men.
Lonnie~

4 inches of snow

Charlotte is shut down and schools closed for the second day. I am enjoying a cup of coffee this morning as Kyle and Carol are still sleeping. I got up to get ready for work and we have a delayed opening until 10. Hey awesome .... I have enjoyed the change of pace. Much needed~ Yesterday playing in the snow like a 12 year old boy was really fun. Got to spend time yesterday with one of "MyKids" who I have not spent time with the last few weeks and one that I get to see almost every day :) -
Carol and I are really looking forward to Charleston this weekend. We are joining a bunch of folks on a marriage retreat hosted by our church. We have never been and looking forward to checking things out, eating some great food, getting a chance to get to know some other married folks and tightening up some others!

This morning from Luke 8:18 is what I am wanting to share...
Misers of What You Hear
16-18"No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a washtub or shoves it under the bed. No, you set it up on a lamp stand so those who enter the room can see their way. We're not keeping secrets; we're telling them. We're not hiding things; we're bringing everything out into the open. So be careful that you don't become misers of what you hear. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes."

Do you pray each day for an opportunity to share with others what God has given you? Do ask for someone to come to you with a need of prayer or someone to talk to? This is the part for me that has changed so much. I am still learning in those situations because God speaks the loudest in them. I am learning that when someone has a need or in need of prayer - take care of it then. Whatever God is placing on your heart - get it accomplished. It could be just something simple but you are putting action to your faith. Generosity is a zone that I just love being in. This often times is the missing ingredient that leads to living a life of significance for Jesus.
Have a great and productive Tuesday loved ones,
Lonnie~

It has been an awesome Sunday! Sleeping in till 8 this morning was awesome and waking up with my family on a Sunday morning was pretty cool. Church was good, with Pastor J preaching a great message on praying for others and Sunday school was good with a great bunch of kids. There is no other place I would rather be and when Pastor Jimmy was talking to the men of the church and how we are to be leading our families in the things of God but also the kids we are doing life with ... I couldn't help but to think about my Rock Group kids, the kids I have lunch with in the schools and all the kids that I love so much in Sunday school. I am responsible in many ways for all of these kids - I feel it in my heart and with everything I have for these kids.
Today, it has been one year since Walt passed. Carol and I were sitting and talking about it last night and how fast a year has went by. Loved ones, I am here to share with you that you have a bright light shining for the Lord. If you are praying for someone to know Jesus - don't give up. Let your light shine by the way you are living your life.... it shines brighter than you realize! Walt was an athiest for almost his entire life but the last 4 or 5 years - he really began asking questions about God. He got to see our passion for the ways of God by how we are serving Him, serving in church, leading at church and this Rock Group thing. There were many conversations that took place, some not so good but even in those hard conversatios - God was leading and working behind the scenes. Don't lose hope loved ones....... Walts last words on this earth was accepting Jesus....
We have snow here in Charlotte NC - lightening to go with it - that is 2 times now I have seen that in my life and that alone is very special! Miracles do happen!!...

Have Sunday evening everyone - enjoy the snow day tomorrow. Be safe.....
Love ya,
Lonnie~