Almost forgot ...

I got this yesterday during KidsRock (Childrens sunday school @church) from one of my sweet kids. She is such a great kid, with great brother and little sister and her parents are awesome as well! Love them ... but it just makes ya smile when you really only see a child for an hour a week - providing that mom and dad come to church and they come in with something that they made for you. It really shows what they are thinking of you and how much we are really making a difference.

You know who you are ... I love you too sweety and I am blessed to be doing life with you and your family.

Mr. Lonnie~

Monday morning....

I woke from my "coma" this morning and managed to get into work on time. I am so thankful that the Lord created coffee. I mean, these past few months, I just can't seem to get caught up and without a little kick in the mornings - I could see too many things slipping in life and I am not one to slip. I looked over my calendar this week and sure enough - its a busy week ahead. I am really excited to be headed to Mt. Airy NC tomorrow after work and spend some time with my dad and my brothers. I will be working at my grandma's on Wednesday in the greenhouse. It is a busy day working but a day that I look forward to all year. I always surprise them when I come because I don't let anyone know what day it will be but they know I will be there. I always love hearing my Aunt Judy - scream out - RANDY - TODAY IS THE DAY! We enjoy working all day together and catch up on life and family. Life on the mountain doesn't change all that much but it sure feels different the past few years with the passing of my mom and all of us getting older and kids (cousins) moving away or having families now. My grandma's front porch will always be the gathering place for family to sit, share, rock and talk.
I will be wrapping up our Rock Group series this coming Sunday on money. There is so much to learn about financing and what God has to say about it. I will challenge myself for the month of May to read Proverbs - there are 31 Proverbs and 31 days in May.... sounds like a good plan and I am excited to learn what God will teach me through this. I know so many of us are struggling with things. Loss of job, bills, debt and marriage issues from all that - I want to refocus myself the next few weeks to really listen. I want to really remove the distractions when people are talking to me, to not finish their sentences or already in my mind know what I am about to say before they are finished. To be a good listener is hard ... its something that people really don't teach you how but it is so necessary to communicate and understand. What if we never really listened - listened to our teachers, our bosses, wives or husbands - what if we didn't listen to our children when they wanted to talk with us about something important going on - what if we are not listening to God. Our lesson in KidsRock yesterday which Carol did an awesome and fantastic job at leading - was about listening.... even with distractions, Ipod, TV, Radio, friends, just all around life noise. We still have listen for instructions in life -
So for the next few weeks I am going to do my best to listen more and talk less. We should preach the Gospel every where we go and use words only when necessary.
Doesn't talking and our opinions just get us in hot water most of the time? Speak before we think?
Want to join me? Let me know, so that I can be praying for you and for your spiritual ears.
Love you all,
Lonnie~

Heavenly Father, I thank You for this day Lord. I pray that today brings a new level of listening like one we have not had in a long time. Something different and on a new level. Help us remove the distractions Lord in our daily lives so that we may hear the directions and encouragement that You are giving us. Lord help us really tune in to what people are telling us, really focusing in on what they are saying, give us patience for allowing people to finish what it is on their hearts, help us not complete their words before they are finished and Lord I ask that You help us not judge folks by what they are sharing. Lord I pray for those important relationships that we have, wives, husbands, children, bosses and from You - that we really take the time to listen - to pause before we speak and be humbled by what we hear. Lord thank You before hand as we tune our ears on the things that give us direction and encouragement. Lord I ask that You speak to us now in a clear and understanding voice and guide us to the things of You.
I pray all of this in Your sons name in Jesus,
Amen

Push the the last part of the week,,,

It has been a long week. I am glad its Friday. Got plans to serve with Carol, Kyle, Madison and myself at the talent show at Kyles school. We are not IN the talent show but we are serving it, meaning drinks, cookies and smiles. I am really pumped about it and there is something special about seeing our young ones serving along side of us. Proud of Kyle and Madison for doing so. Too many kids today are all about themselves, drawing the most attention, screaming with every word and action hey its "ME".......
Anyways, yesterday was one of my out days. I was just dragging and maybe that is because I am not getting enough sleep, I am too out of shape to keep up or I am just not getting the proper rest these days but I tell ya, I slept in, got home from work and after supper, I dosed off for like 2 hours and then slept all nite and could have stayed sleeping this morning when the alarm went off. We did have a great time at Texas Roadhouse for lunch - Carol and I got to go with the PTA president, Kyles teacher and their entire class for lunch there. It was a lot of fun sitting with the kids and really just hanging out with them. I think the grown ups were glad I was there to talk and entertain the kids so they could have a peaceful lunch... heck I even ordered off the kids menu! Hey, being with the kids is what I am all about..... just in case you didn't know.
I am looking forward to the weekend. Some of our good peeps are headed to the coffee shop tomorrow evening for some ice coffee, icecream and listen to our worship pastor play the shop out. Should be a great time together as the weather should be good and relaxing. Looking forward to investing some time into these relationships and having some fun to boot!

I want to leave you today with a song played last night on the Dove awards by an amazing young band ... Tenth Avenue North - "By Your Side" - they accepted the Dove award and said that this award one day will just be dust, like me and you but we will have the chance to place it at the feet of Jesus and that is why we wrote this song, so that people would experience Him through this song.... it really is an amazing song. YouTube, Itunes... its worth getting.

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away
Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run To where will you run
And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life
(Chorus 2x)
Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

Love you all, Praise God for Him never letting us go and for loving us that much. What a picture of our face, covered in tears and pain and Jesus holding it in His hands...... His hands with scars for what He has done for us and they are on our cheeks loved ones.... He smiles and tells us to lift up our face, don't turn away, He has us ... right in His hands.
Lonnie~

Some things I am learning...

I feel like I am learning a LOT these days. God has really been working on me to step it up a notch in my ministry walk. If that is confusing to you, ministry walk, then let me just say that you also have a ministry walk. When you accept Jesus and commit your life to following Him - that is your ministry walk. Pickup up your cross as you have probably heard is something we need to do every day. Ask God for direction and seek His will over your own. He will provide the way and make your paths straight. He will also bring people along side of you to keep you encouraged, to pick you up when you fall and to give you grace because they too have felt grace from our heavenly father.
I finished up the book I was reading - "What a daughter needs from her dad" by Michael Farris and I have to tell you - it was awesome. I don't even have daughters but it opened my eyes to so much. I am looking at my role in life, the leadership example I am for many of "MyKids" who I am a role model for, I am looking at the future of my son Kyle as he begins to take shape as a teenager soon... there is much to learn. I am now into the "The Servant" by James Hunter and if I didn't take notes and reread certain parts of this book over and over again- I would have it done already. Randy, thanks for this gift and insite in leadership! I will have it back to you soon....
Last nite as I was winding down from my day - I got to open the book but I didn't get far.
What I read on the page really got to me. Thats about as far as I got :)
Intentions - Actions = Squat
We have all heard the quote - "All the good intentions in the world dont mean a thing if they dont line up with your actions." - isn't that the truth! Man I want so much to be a man of action when it comes to giving my word. I want to follow through and not let folks down. I want my life to have action behind what is in my heart. I want to be in the game and not sitting on the sidelines. I am proud of many of our new volunteers at church. They are getting into the game and making friends, learning about serving God and the community and many times - all they need is an invite. God will handle the rest of it ... I often think about the folks serving on setup so early on Sunday mornings and those who are in the band - I know they just want to play it but they are part of setup as well for now. There is a LOT of work that goes into setting up a mobile church and one that is growing and is alive and is on the move. If you are wanting to know more about Jesus, if you are looking to further your understanding in the things of Him, if you are looking to be plugged into a church family who loves and cares for you - you must get off the sidelines. All your good intentions sitting in the chair each Sunday morning keeps you in the chair until you decide to get up and get into action.
Intentions + Actions = Will
Its only when our intentions align with our actions that we will be leading and you will be doing your ministry walk. It is who you are in Jesus.... His hands and feet filled with His actions. No more sidelines.... no more excuses.... you are ready to do what God is telling you to do.
For me, the past few weeks means that some things are going to be changing. I am excited to be changing and taking on new roles and responsibilities. I will say more about this later on but for now know that change is sometimes a great thing!
As I continue to read this leadership book - I am humbled to know that leadership really boils down to a smile four word job description. "Identify and meet needs".
Jesus being the greatest leader of all time lead by serving the needs of the people. He loved us so much that He came for us and died for us.
Psalm 100: 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
1 Corinthians 13:
2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
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. 8Love never fails.

Man, you just have to love the people you lead and the people around you. It's as simple as that.
Lonnie~

Going at it ......

It has been a bit since last posting. Sorry about that but the Bateman clan had a few days off with spring break. We got to spend a little extra time last week at the cabin. Enjoyed some nice down time, got the boat in the water and enjoyed getting back on the lake again - very pumped about another summer up there! Got some work done around the cabin and even put in an address sign so folks can see the address. Some might be a little happy about that and you know who you are :) - anyways, we got back into town on Saturday evening. Sunday came quick as we had a few folks on the schedule for setup on vacation so being short handed really wears on me. I didn't sleep all that good knowing that its extra pressure and tension getting stuff done and ready for 400 people in Sunday mornings. Life change happens when people meet Jesus and I serve hard to make sure everything is done the way it should be done and all excuses are removed for that person. Some of our leaders got to visit another local church and see their kids sign in software. Very grateful for them opening up their doors and answering our questions. Awesome when Gods people are on the same team especially when churches work together - there is enough people to go around who need to know Jesus.
Rock Group was pretty amazing last night. I spent all afternoon in study, pacing, reading, preparing and praying for each person. We were talking about money and for the next 2 more weeks, - I am, we are, really expecting God to show us what it is He wants us to do and know concerning us managing His money. It is all His ... we own none of it ... but if we are good stewards of the little, we can be trusted with more. As the economy is in bailout mode ... everyone is wanting their little slice and fair deal. We are in this mess for a reason and our greed and wants having blinded us of being held accountable for our spending and actions. Needs and Wants are 2 very different things. Most of the worlds people live on $2 a day .... we have the extreme and are all rich beyond our imagination... the funny thing about being rich and I mean wealthy now ... is that you become more of what you already are. If you are a jerk - you are a rich jerk. If you are a giving person, you will be even more of a giving person.
I want nothing more than to be a giving person. I want to be a good steward of Gods money so that I can give and make a small difference. I closed last nites meeting with this - after asking God to give me something in His word that I can close out the meeting..... I can't say I have spent a lot of time in this chapter and that is what makes this a little more special.
Jeremiah 29
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord.

The devil is going to use every weapon he has to keep you blinded. He will keep your ears hearing the lies that you can't make it out. Your debt is too big, you will never pay for this, you are a slave to the lender - You might as well give up. You can't make enough and this bleeds into your relationships. Your wife and children will see it and feel it. You might sink into depression or alchohol..... to numb the pain. God has a different plan for you. Seek Him with all your heart and invite Him to be a part of your decisions and money. You will find Him if you are truely seeking Him. Life will then take the turn......

Paul said in Philippians 4: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation., whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength”.
Love you all,
Lonnie~

April 15~

Tax day for America. 20 years ago today, Carol was sitting at her mom and dads house at their dining room table - doing her taxes. The last day that she was single. Carol and I have been married for 20 years today.

Proverbs 18:22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.

I do feel in many regards, that we have received favor from the Lord. Carol and I met in high school. She was dating one of my buddies. We hung out a lot and always thought she would never go out with me because she just had too much class and that she was just so much FUN to hang out with. I took a chance on a Friday morning sitting in the parking lot of McDonalds. Sorry mom, we skipped first class to get breakfast~ I asked and she said yes. WOW - life changed from that moment on. For many years we did our thing. We went... we did.... we played and we had fun. Our first apartment we had lawn chairs for living room furniture and a soloflex machine to hang our clothes on. I moved out of my mom and dads 6 months before we got married. Yes we dated for 5 years! I remember my mom saying it was like someone died when I left. Looking back, I agree... because one day we will get that same experience with Kyle. We bought a townhouse in Robbinsville NJ, right outside of Princeton NJ. I worked at Princeton and Carol commuted to PA with the current company she works for today. I can honestly say that those days were all about us. It was about skiing weekends, weekends on her mom and dads boat wherever it was docked. We always had friends over and weekends was time for fun. 1995 we moved to NC and God began to be a part of our life. 1997 we had Kyle and our family was started. I don't think we ever planned to have just 1 child but living away from family and friends sure made it more difficult. I got sick in 1999 and the doctors told Carol to contact my family because they didn't think I was going to make it. Carol standing by my bed having to make those decisions and phone calls were some dark days. I have always felt bad that I put her through all that but looking back now - I can see God working all things for the good and for His glory. He had better plans for me than what I was living. We stopped going to church towards the end of 2004 for a host of reasons so we started praying for the Lord to point us to a church home - one that we could experience Him and get our lives pointed in a good direction. We found Rocky River Church that Easter Sunday 2005. July 10th of that year I was baptised and God was rocking our world. Carol dragged me into Sunday school to help teach the kids, I started serving on setup and breakdown and we started to get to know people. These people were just like us and have the same struggles as us. We were getting connected to people and God was speaking in real understanding ways that made sense for the first time in our lives. Feb 2006 my mom passed and God had His hands all over us during this tough season. We experienced His love and grace like never before. We came through that season stronger and trusting Him like never before. Feb 2008, Carols dad, Walt passed from a long battle with cancer. Again, God showd His grace and extended His love to us like never before. We were surrounded by a church family that was walking those dark paths with us. After years of talking and discussing and answering heaven and Jesus questions... Walt was still not a believer, God used Kyle to lead his grampa to Christ on that last day that he was awake and with us. Today God is using Carol and I in our local church to serve Him, serve others and doing His will over our own. It is hard work but it has more rewards than I ever imagined. Serving God, serving others, serving in our community, investing our time into "OurKids" is the most important things this life can offer and we have it in both hands just hanging on for the ride. Life is no longer about us anymore. Looking back, I can see God working in this situation and during that season of time. He is faithful even when things around us have been hard. I look forward to the next 20 years with you Carol. Serving God in the capacity that He wants from us. Being His hands and His feet as we serve Him together. I can't think of anything, anyone or anywhere that I would want to be today than right here. You are my better half and you make me a better person. You keep me encouraged in all the right ways when I need encouragement. You and by Gods love and grace, complete me. I can be a better father, a better friend, a better husband all because I have you and God that make me whole. Life has meaning and purpose and the best part - we will have eternity together because of what God did by sending His son Jesus.

The next 20 are going to be awesome... many seasons in life. Changes that will shape us and continue to teach us about life, love, and joy.

I love you with everything I have to give. Our 20 years today is going to be spent with Kyle and his buddy Brody as we head to the cabin for a few days. One of the only places that we feel connected, relaxed and at peace. We can look up at the stars in the heavens at nite and talk to our moms and your dad. We can connect with the beautiful scenery and nature that God has created. Coffee in the morning on the front porch as the sun comes up over the mountain. It is a little piece of heaven here on earth.

As Proverbs 22 tells us ... I have found my treasure and I do feel I have favor in the Lord.

For all "OurKids" out there... God is shaping your better half today, even if its years down the road before you even meet... He is working behind the scenes! Don't settle for the crumbs when God has the loaf of bread.

Love you Carol - Happy 20!

Lonnie~

Easter Sunday ~

What a great day it was! That third day .....
Easter Sunday…. The grave is empty. The stone has been rolled away and the tomb is empty. Women find the empty tomb… during these times women were not trusted, they didn’t vote or even count in a court of law. They spread the news …. Everyone comes running and sure enough – empty. Nobody can find the body.. Rome wants peace and quiet… they want things easy so they can rule and govern the land without the big shots from Rome coming there…. The Jews wanted an end to this Jesus stuff …. They were tired of it all and they wanted to go on in life …as things were…… but that’s not the case. With no body … nobody coming forward to claim they have it …Jesus appears to his followers for 40 days…. He shares the holy spirit with them and they start the church.
They spend the rest of their lives preaching and teaching and also dying for what they know to be true. Jesus was the son of God ..our savior and if they hadn’t believed and had the holy spirit …. The movement would not have pressed on and made it. It would have just been a good story, an awesome man this Jesus…. And one who would be recognized in books.
By Jesus coming, dying for OUR sins, being raised from the dead …. We have eternal life with Him and he has made a place for us to have a heavenly home.
There is not much sadness in all this …. Because He came to accomplish what He set out to do. We have a relationship with God now … not a God who directs us and smashes us when we mess up. But a loving and caring Father who wants nothing more than to have a relationship with you.

Yesterday at church -I have to say it was the most powerful message I have ever been a part of. About 25 people at both services wrote and shared, on stage, their card board testimonies. If you don't know what that is, let me tell you it is sharing YOUR personal testimony by you writing it on cardboard. I was this ...... and now I am that. We all got together behind the stage and behind the curtains as the band finished up an amazing song. Pastor Jimmy came out and shared his testimony with everyone. How he was once a Notorious Sinner and now he is forgiven. I looked around and read some of what others had wrote... tears were HARD to hold back knowing that folks were stepping out in faith to share some hard things. Folks with drug addictions, jail, abusive relationships .... and now made complete with God because of His saving grace. He is using them ..... in powerful ways to reach others for His glory and His kingdom. It is an amazing experience when we finally come to a place in life and give it all to Him. His will and His ways ..... over our own.
I am especially proud of Kyle and Emilee yesterday being the only kids up there on stage. Their testimony proves that God uses the little ones just as much as us adults. May they shine their light bright for the Lord!!
Let me share Carol, Kyle and my testimony this afternoon. I am not in the picture but Carol is holding up my Cardboard Testimony. 460 people in church yesterday and not many dry eyes could be found. God brought it yesterday ....... so humbled and thankful to be serving our Lord with such awesome people!

3 days....

I am thankful this morning for coffee. Otherwise, I wouldn't have made it this far. I am wiped from yesterday but I am thankful for the down time after church and I even went to bed before 9 last night... long overdue for some extra sleep.

Saturday was such a busy day spent in the yard. Kyle and I were up early and headed over to the Peele's to help build a raised garden bed. I can see this new adventure for them is going to exciting as they venture in new "Ground". We spent the rest of the day working in the yard. It was also the day after, the crucifixion of Jesus over 2000 years ago. I want to spend just a little time on this day. ~The Day After~ Imagine how the disciples felt that day after spending 3 years with Jesus, seeing him heal people, raise people from the dead and to listening to Him almost every waking moment. 3 years of learning about things they had so little knowledge of but knowledge that grew day by day. Now that is all gone... after a hard day watching their friend and King killed on the cross. Beaten beyond recognition and publicly humiliated. They hid in the upper room, afraid, sad, and fully lost in what to do next. That Saturday must have felt like we feel after losing a loved one. It is a hard time and time during these periods of great sadness, time seems to stand still. We are like in a fog, we often think nobody knows what we are going through, we have guilt, anger and just a feeling that this is all a dream feelings. We often times, are numb and unable to cry any more.... we are spent. The Romans knew they killed an Innocent man.... and the Jewish leaders of the time were happy to have this all behind them... as was the Roman leaders... they wanted things quiet, easy and in order. Today ... that Saturday ... they got that..... all was quiet because they didn't know the ending of the story.
Holy Saturday as it is called now, was a day of rest and a day that Jesus was in the tomb. It is a day of suspense between two worlds, that of darkness, sin and death, and that of the Resurrection and the restoration of the Light of the World. This day between Good Friday and Easter Day makes present to us the end of one world and the complete newness of the era of salvation made possible by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
More to follow......

Good Friday~

How does one say, "Happy Good Friday?" - Seems weird to me but it is a day to be happy about. Only because we know the ending of the story and what Jesus did for me, for you and for everyone. It wouldn't be happy if we didn't know the story. Jesus would have came and died for just you ... but He didn't. He came for all people. As you go about your day today ... visualize in your mind 2000+ years ago the pain and suffering that our Savior took for us. Here is what the death penalty looked like back then. Not only was it a way for the Romans to punish someone for their crimes, it was also a way for them to show their power and authority over people or groups of people. Do this and this will be done to you. Keep the people afraid and in their place...... Christianity is not a religion, for Religion is what got Jesus "Fixed to the cross", but it is a relationship ~ a relationship with Jesus. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This is what He endured for you..... He loves you that much.

Definition: The word crucifixion comes from the Latin "crucifixio," or "crucifixus," meaning "fixed to a cross."
Crucifixion was an ancient method of execution in which the victim's hands and feet were bound and nailed to a cross. It was one of the most painful and disgraceful methods of capitol punishment. Victims were usually beaten and tortured and then forced to carry their own cross to the crucifixion site. The Roman cross was formed of wood, typically with a vertical stake and a horizontal cross beam near the top. Different types and shapes of crosses existed for different forms of crucifixion.
The Roman form of crucifixion was not employed in the Old Testament by the Jewish people, as they saw crucifixion as one of the most horrible, cursed forms of death (Deuteronomy 21:23). In New Testament Bible times, the Romans used this tortuous method of execution as a means of exerting authority and control over the population.
Before nailing the victim to the cross, a mixture of vinegar, gall and myrrh was usually offered to alleviate some of the victim's suffering. Wooden planks were usually fastened to the vertical stake as a footrest or seat, allowing the victim to rest his weight and lift himself for a breath, thus prolonging suffering and delaying death for up to three days. Unsupported, the victim would hang entirely from nail-pierced wrists, severely restricting breathing and circulation. This excruciating ordeal would lead to exhaustion, suffocation, brain death and heart failure. At times, mercy was shown by breaking the victim's legs, causing death to come quickly. As a deterrent to crime, crucifixions were carried out in highly public places with the criminal charges posted on the cross above the victim's head.

A little something....

Busy day today folks and I will have to cross over some paths that are pretty painful but I am thankful to be walking with them. We will carry this load together and you know who you are. I am headed to school this morning to have lunch with some of "MyKids" and for that I am thankful. They always bring me up a few notches, even as we talk about issues they are dealing with or struggles in class or at home ... it is always a time that is shared with smiles. I do love these kids and I know God has called me to be there.
As I learn some new things in some familiar territories - I am being stretched in my faith and understanding of the things from God. I am learning new ways of compassion and the real love of people. Seasons of hurt will do this and I am thankful for this season. It seems though that God is putting folks into my life to teach me some things. I have been asked to join the Pastor Care Ministry Team at church and since then ~ It has been one thing after the next and God is really telling me to go there. I have always said, Lord point my feet where they should go.

I will leave you with this today:
"If we keep doing what we have always done, we will keep getting what we have always gotten."

This means the things you do in life, your decision making process, relationships as well as where you spend your time and money. If you are not happy with the results of things today ... you need to make a change. If you are unwilling to change then you are accepting less than what God has for you. If you willing to change and what a better result, then it is time to take charge and do something different........ It is that time.
May God move you to a new level,
Lonnie~

If I had a camera....

I would have taken a picture this morning of something just absolutely beautiful. Kyle and I drove up to the bus stop this morning and we were running a few minutes behind. We stopped and just kind of sat there, almost half asleep. One of our neighbors were in the driveway and we just sat and watched the dad love on his children. They have 2 kids and they are in 2nd grade and kindergarten and they all were just smiling so big. He was hugging on them and his daughter was hugging his head with her head on top of his. I was just a wonderful picture of what a father is supposed to be doing with his children. The bus came and I told Kyle my normal thing that I love him and to make good decisions today. The bus pulled up and Kyle got out ... took a few steps and turned back to look at me. He whispered and I read his lips - "I love you".
It breaks my heart knowing there are kids right around me, in church, in our schools - our neighborhoods who have parents or not ... that they never get to hear those words. Whispered so softly but yet so amazingly meaningful. I pulled up after the bus left and rolled my window down. Our neighbor came over and I said good morning with a big smile and said you know - "If only I had a camera". They both looked at me funny and I told them that it is amazing how many kids don't get that kind of attention and love from their fathers today. He smiled and said - "Man, this is what its all about!" I have to agree.... Out of my mouth came - "God Bless you both today."
Carol and I are attending a memorial service this afternoon. A coworker and a dear friend of mine lost her husband last week. 42 years old and leaving behind a marriage and 4 kids. I think about how this family, while he was still here, was sort of fatherless. Now they are fatherless. So many dads today are unplugged from their families and in the lives of their children. They sink their passion and efforts into meaningless things. They spend hours watching sports on TV while their children are wanting to play with them, toss a ball, jump on the trampoline or just spend time together. Dad's are not leading their families...we are not teaching their children about what a marriage is supposed to look like. We are not the spiritual leaders of their homes. We are not teaching our daughters what is appropriate and what is not. We are not teaching our sons to be men and how to make decisions.
I am almost done reading "What a Daughter Needs from Her Dad." by Michael Farris. I wish I had been taking notes for this book so that I could just share it because it is powerful! But I know I would be retyping almost the entire book. There are pages and pages of good things to know about us fathers with what and how to raise a daughter. You might be thinking, Lonnie, you don't have a daughter. BUT - I do. I have many daughters because there are kids in my life that I love like a daughter. Many cases, I am that role model they need or that someone they can talk to because dad is not around or he is and doesn't take the time - time to be there, time to listen or time to invest in them. I am also learning about daughters because I have a son. He is going to be 12 this year.... time is flying by and it won't be long when I will have a young lady who has his heart and pray she has God in her heart and was raised with someone who took the time to show her love, respect and responsibility. It is never too early to be praying for them ...
The thing is loved ones, I don't do this for me. I am doing all this for the love that God has graced ME with. I want them to see that LOVE that God has for them and that He has a plan for them and no matter what they do, or where they go, or what happens to them - God will always love them.... even more than I, love them. Following Jesus is not about doing these steps or these certain things .... its about living your life for Jesus and letting HIM shine through what you are doing. That is living for Jesus..... let Your actions and the things YOU do be that from Him. If you are doing those things in your life - you can't help but to be involved. Even if it is outside of your family ..... Gods love has no bounderies.
If that was happening today ....... if this was taking place all along .... I would be free at 3:00 today but instead I will be at a memorial service. I wouldn't feel the pain from so many on Sunday mornings.
Dad's it time to step up to the plate and do the things that God is telling you to do. He is not asking .... His word is not a suggestion but we treating it like it was.

My Praise: Phillips, Craig and Dean
Lord, I wish I could praise You with adequate words
But You leave me speechless
And I so long to sing You the song You deserve
But it would be endless
I long to move Your heart
To bring You something new
To tell how great You are
Till my praise to You
chorus:
Its like an ocean breeze blowing on your face
Like a summer sun with its warm embrace
Like a gentle rain plays a symphony
Thats what I want my praise to be
Like a fragrant rose in the early spring
Like an eagle soars when it spreads its wings
Whatever, Lord, You may need from me
Thats what I want my praise to be
To YouEverything I could give, You already possess
Lord, Im so unworthy
Im just one of the millions to stand and confess
And yet still You hear me
Your heart is open wide
You long for what I bring
I pray somehow
Youll find this simple offering

Starting the work week~

What started out as a dreary and rainy Monday morning here, has turned out to be sunny and a great start to the work week. Yesterday was such a long day but a day that has left me just humbled on many fronts. I got to serve Communion yesterday and that is something that I never thought I would ever do, never thought I was good enough or ever felt worthy of doing such a thing. God has really walked the paths in life with me and I am just humbled to do such a high honor in serving the Lord's bread to our church family. If you are feeling like you are not worthy enough or don't feel that you are important enough to serve Christ - let me share this.
Ephesians 5:8
At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
God wants to use you. There is nothing better than serving on Sunday's and serving along side the K-5 kids in our church. Carol told me last night that it was awesome seeing Beth and I have fun serving together. All we were doing were moving lunch room tables and we were racing them back to the cafeteria. I have to admit - it was fun! But what is more fun is when our kids get it. They "get" serving and it also helps when parents serve. Rebecca was the same way yesterday - not much fun in taking the stage apart and putting the many pieces back into the storage area.... until we make it fun!

My quick quiet time this morning comes from Matthew 18:
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
10"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.[a]
12"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

Yesterday in our KidsRock (K-5) our leader Mike did such a great job. He had some extra time built in for prayer. There were some children that have come a few times but I have yet to remember all their names. I have a hard time with names... but faces I am good with. As Mike began to explain what we were going to pray for, one of the children reached up (I was standing and she was sitting) and grabbed my hand. I knelt down and she held my hand as we prayed. It was pretty awesome and after we said "Amen" - I looked over at her and she was looking right at me and with the biggest smile! Every single one of those children are dear to God. They are so precious and that is a word I don't use often.
Precious is defined by dictionary.com as - dear; beloved; of high price or great value;
Its a word that not many kids use as most people that use it are older because they have experienced the value in it. God's children - (me and you if you are following Christ) are precious to Him. We are dear to His heart ..... He will go to the ends of the earth to get His 1 lost child back. Just as we would do for one of our lost children.
That prayer yesterday will stay with me this week.... Its an awesome week to know Jesus. The JOY in our salvation is on my heart......... That will be heavy this week as Carol and I and some others attend a memorial service on Wednesday. I will say more about that later.....
Lonnie~

A Saturday to Remember!

Well..... I just want to say - UNREAL. What a day it has been. 2500 people probably came in contact today to Rocky River Church. It was a day FULL of smiles for everyone. A free day for families to come and have fun, enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt, get candy, take pictures, enjoy fun on 5 bounces, listen to some great music, have a chance to win prizes and also - just enjoy each other in a community setting. God, you did good...... weather was perfect and R2C2 had lots of volunteers as we passed out 35,000 eggs and touch so many folks.
I want to thank Makenzie, Emily, Kyle, Madison, Jeff, Belinda, Torri, Nick and a few others for their hard work today dishing out eggs between hunts. Had a lot of good conversations today about church and why we do what we do.... Hope to see them tomorrow. The next few weeks are going to be amazing!
Well, got to lead setup and breakdown tomorrow... I am out of here. Love you all, tired but a good tired!
Sure feels good ........ serving God like this BE CONTAGIOUS!!!!! Its hard to believe I have a FRONT ROW SEAT to what God is doing ....

Lonnie~

TG(oodness)IF

It has been a crazy week. Sorry for the lack of posts this week. Monday yard work, Tuesday family time, Wed was bible study with the kids, Thursday mens bible study, Friday getting ready for the Easter Egg Hunt tomorrow and also working the Harrisburg Family Game nite right afterwards. Got to be at the fields tomorrow around 7:15 to start getting ready for the biggest Easter Egg Hunt in the area. We are expecting over 3000 people to attend. Times are from 10 - 12 and then party, lunch and clean up afterwards... also running Setup and Breakdown on Sunday for both church experiences and then Rock Group Sunday nite. Prayers please..... this is all while working full time, visiting "MyKids" in the schools, delivering breakfast to Pitts School Elementary to thank them for sharing their space with our church and also dealing with a great friend of mine who lost her grandpa and husband in the same week.

Ok - I think I am done......... I will post tomorrow with the Easter Egg Hunt ! God ~ You ROCK!!! Thank You for inventing coffee~

Lonnie~

Matthew 24~

My journey through the Book of Matthew ~
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life[h] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."


As a follower of Jesus Christ - we all should be earnest in reaching others for Jesus no matter how far they seem to be or how many times you continue to ask them to church. Continue to show them the practical love of Jesus. Keep planting those seeds and know God is behind the scenes doing His part. This is tough for me today but right now, this is all I can say.
Love you all,
Lonnie