Just now catching up to take a few minutes to catch up. Last Saturday, Kyle and his Maverick wrestling team took 4th place overall and Kyle took home 3rd place in 105lb. We are very proud of him and if the seeding had been a little different he would have wrestled for the championship but with a first year as starting wrestler, 11-3 record, team captain and showing so much heart - we are really proud of him and his dedication and sacrifice to the team. As we got together Sunday for the team banquet, coach had a few moments to speak and address everyone and him sharing a good portion to Kyle and his buddy Ethan really spoke volumes. It really made us proud and I hope that vision sticks into the hearts of all these young men for years to come. Its not about the wrestling, its about the confidence, the dedication, team work, self image, getting something more out of yourself than you ever realized, and realizing people are cheering you on in life and people believe in you!

Kyle is already moving onto one of the clubs starting in January which will only keep him focused, in shape and wanting to continue to improve. So very proud of everyone this year!

Today is Carols birthday. Heaven is singing this morning as its a day that we would always get a call from our moms wishing her a happy birthday. Though that is missed, its in our hearts and will treasure that always. I am so blessed that God blessed me with such a wonderful woman. A woman with a heart that is wide open for others, always sacrificing, giving, serving, showing others God and is a wonderful wife, friend, and mom to so many - as many call her "Momma C" :)

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.

I hope you have a great and blessed day my love. I couldnt imagine doing life without you. I love you with all my heart and I thank you for completing me and giving me the confidence to do what God has called me to do and to be the man I am. Thank you for always having my back and speaking truth into my life with love, compassion, tears and smiles.

Forever yours on this journey following wherever Gods path takes us together.

Lonnie~ <3

After many passing Thursdays, I finally had one free and showed up to The Opportunity House in Kannapolis. I am so thankful I did. A coworker of mine who is a student in the deans office, Christian, has been running this ministry for the past 6 months or so. He is an amazing young man and just walking into the church, seeing hundreds of homeless adults eating a meal, singing songs and hearing about John the Baptist and how he prepared the way for Jesus. It truly was an amazing evening. I was told that many of these folks have been in jail, jump from shelter to shelter to make it through the week, and this being the end of the line for many of them - come to hear about Christ because they cannot come on Sundays. Maybe they have issues with them being around children or maybe have some kind of trauma that keeps them from being in a closed setting with lots of other people around them and they just dont do well. Whatever the reason, they make it there on Thursdays. I spoke with a man, through his grey beard and hat that probably has been on his head for many seasons of weather, share with me that he used to have a family, a home and nice things. Losing his job has put him on the street, away from his family and very little hope to get back into the life he once had. 2 years living on the street - you can see the pain and hurt in his eyes. It was written on his face. I got him a cup of coffee and through his long grey beard, came a warm smile as if to say - Thank You.

Gosh I love moments like that. To sit and think that I almost didnt go really would have been a missed blessing if I just was lazy and stayed home. Out of my comfort zone and exposed to something different surely has many blessings I dont even know yet. Thankful for the opportunity and so looking forward to going back - Christian is even bringing the message on the 29th! Im so excited for him and cant wait to hear him share the Gospel to 200+ hurting folks who need hope, encouragement, and LIFE!

Kyle is at the doors of the conference tournament tomorrow. We will be hitting the gym early at 5:30, weigh in at 7 and then matches start at 9. Im nervous and I can tell he is as well. In the coaches meeting to place the wrestlers he is seeded 3rd. I am pretty proud of him for that!

It has me thinking on something as I know he will be nervous and not knowing what to expect but also wanting to win. Top 2 seeds are going to be tough matches for sure. Hoping for a big cheering section :)

Excited for church Sunday at Elevation University! Best morning of the week..... have a good weekend~~

Lonnie~

Midweek already! Gosh this week is going fast, weather is warm but not too warm for this time of year. Loving the NC sunshine and thinking of my buddies in Maine fighting the cold and the snow.
I wanted to share just a quick post today. Nothing too deep but yet to the point. Point being something I am trying not to do the last few days as I work through my heart and in my life of making a DIFFERENCE instead of just making a POINT.

So many need that difference.... not needing a point - a point of a finger, a calling out, or stating the obvious. They mostly already know what they are doing...but what we most often need is words spoken to us in a gentle, caring and loving way that will eventually at some point MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Colossians 4:5-6 - Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

I have been getting a lot of practice with this as I speak into the lives of the students taking final exams this week. Praying with them and texting them little bits of encouragement. I am practicing this at the wrestling practices and the matches.... giving some enouragement, focus and YOU can do it!
As a follower of Christ, we need to make the most of being compassionate and generous that we can be - that is a great example of being a Christian.
Love people the way Jesus loved people.
Thats it :)

Make your point by making a difference. I can do that.... how about you?
It just may change your entire day :)
Lonnie~

I started my day this morning in Proverbs 3:3 Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you!

What a great way to start the day and the week ahead. Kyle has his last wresting match this afternoon for the season. It has been a lot of fun, a lot of nerves, and full of excitement. I will miss seeing the parents that we have gotten to know this year as well as all the boys and those special moments giving them encouragment and helping drive them with focus. Coach has been such a huge blessing to us and especially to Kyle. We all need a little of that passion with some things in life because that level of passion is contagious.

As I look at this picture I posted on this post, Kate took from the airplane window as we were coming back from our mission trip to Jamaica this past June. I think about the people that live in our city and the surrounding area. Times today are hard for so many and even yesterday a room FULL of women and children being served a meal at the homeless shelter through the Center of Hope. My good friend Sherry got her peeps together from UC Fellowship church and collected 9 good size bags of clothes to give out. We are really not supposed to do those things but we do anyways because it brings a great smile to many who just need it. Morgan, Taylor and I sat for a few hours last week and put together candy canes and hershey kisses to give to the kids. It was such a blessing serving them and as our LifeGroup got together last night for our Christmas party/meal - I spoke in closing about serving. Our families serve each other well and looking ahead to the coming year - I really am praying hard for a great year together, growing in our faith, holding each of accountable, investing into our children together, being faithful in the small things, serving our community together. That is one major thing I love about our church - Elevation Church - they serve the community well. They serve and give back thousands of volunteer hours serving those in need in our city and beyond. They have a vision to reach those in Uganda and in many other areas through our global extension sights. We are reaching far and reaching wide for the Kingdom of God.

I have had open in my Bible here at work for a week now a passage that comes from the book of Luke -19:38-

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep keep quiet, the stones will cry out." As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of Gods coming to you."

When ever I read that, Jesus wept, it just sits me down to pause and really think about what that must have looked liked. Here our King, weeping over what breaks his heart. The word wept is such a visual word for me because it doesnt say, cried - but wept - I really think that word was chosen because its tears that come from the heart. They are tears from deep within. I know sometimes I get emotional and tears come, that happens at church sometimes, well - honestly, the last 2 sundays as Pastor Steven has really hit home for me. But it happens. I went years with shedding very little tears until my mom passed. Deep within tears, feelings and emotions and passion come to the surface often now because of that season. I think about Jesus standing there on the hill looking over Jerusalem and then kneeling down to weep for the lost there. If only they would see, if only they would realize, if only they would accept the invitation. If only they would come to terms with all that I am revealing to them.

I love imagining that because I know how much He loves us. Each of us. He would have came for a single person but instead he came for all. Nobody left behind, nobody left untouched, nobody left from His grace.

I am praying, that next year will be even a more amazing year than this one. Though a season of transition has passed and now fully focused on the vision of our church and all that is pouring from it. May we never get tired of doing what is right and may we each have a vision, a hurt, an ache from the heart and weep for our fellow neighbors.

Together we can accomplish much!

Lonnie~

Well we are down to the last match of the wrestling season next Monday. Kyle went 1-1 the last 2 days, partly because he was weak and probably somewhat dehydrated on Monday. The kid was good so I wont take anything away from that. Last night my dad and step mom came down to spend some time with us, sit and talk and attend the match. It was a long overdue GREAT visit! In many ways they got to see how the Batemans roll with a house full, picking up peeps for the match, bringing peeps home, hanging with the peeps at the match and even during the parent meeting afterwards. Its just a small window to all that goes on in the BatCave.

Tonight, after Kyle and I hit the gym we are going to hang with Morgan and Taylor. Looking forward to that time. Its been a few weeks really since having a chance to have some time with them. We will be full of smiles hopefully and putting treats together for the Center of Hope kids for Sunday. I know time will fly by :(

I have had a passage the last few days that has just camped out in my heart and it has me thinking more deeply than I have in the past. I am not complaining at all as I seek God all the wisdom that I can understand and handle. Which probably isnt much :) - but hey atleast I'm seeking and focused. Thats a great place to be.
As trials and struggles happen in life and as I look back not too far in my own struggles and things that have happened over the past few months or even back 2 years during the time Kate was first with us. I am reminded about Job. His trials and testing were incredible that God let happen to him and as he continued to cry out, he was never in anger to God for all his suffering. He endured pain, loss, physical sickness, loss of wealth and early riches and his entire family. He has his church friends come and spend time with him doing the best they knew how to do even after not speaking a word to him for days because they didnt know what to say. In Job 42 Job responds to the Lord as it is recorded for us to learn.
Job 42:1 - The Job replied to the Lord. I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance? It is I - and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.

This is Jobs prayer. This is Job coming before our Lord on his face, praying with all his heart. This is Job who lost everything important and treasured to him in this life speaking to Christ in the most humbling of ways. This is a beautiful picture painted for us. I am just blown away by this prayer and his heart because I know if that was me, losing everything and everyone in my life that I love deeply, losing my personal stuff, and basically everything including my health. I really dont know how I would be. Like you, I would probably be crying out, bitter, angry, blaming ...I just dont know. But Job turned from those things and looked into the heart and into the eyes of Christ and placed himself in His full hands.
Gosh thats awesome.
As I have had on me the last few days about "Unconditional Love" - I see this painted perfectly in this prayer. As I look at my kids there is that unconditional love. I love them regardless if they mess up or do something amazing in this world. No matter what they do, I will love them that way. Only a parent knows that deep love and Christ gives us that perfect example. Its not about what you do for me or the perfomance but its in the position. You are my son or daughter and that position is all you need to have unconditional love. God's example for us.
So as I put Job in that Unconditional Love place his prayers mean even that much more! What would it be like to be a true man of prayer.
What does it look like to lose everything and still have a heart to pray with everything in you? Our prayers arent going to impress God in any way. He knows us better than we know ourselves. All he is seeking is your full heart no matter where or what condition it may be in today. He wants to hear it all. He wants us to say the words that come from those deep heart places. Guys are especially tough at this, sharing feelings, understanding things that are spiritually deep mostly and speaking to them. Exclamations of joy or the tears that come from the broken places in our lives over the years. He wants to hear them all.
It all starts with a conversation. Sharing what you feel, the pain and hurt, and the desire and need as well as the needs and concerns of others. A true man of prayer simply and sincerely bows down before God and pours it out. While this is not always easy, convenient, the most natural (especially for guys) it is exactly what God is looking for.
A true man of prayer, I want to be that. I want to learn how to do that. I want to be around other people, other guys that are striving to be that. I want to be that example to others. I want to be able to share my heart, distraction free and sometimes easy to pour my heart out to our heavenly Father.
He will gladly hear and answer these simple and sincere thoughts and shared feelings. As he told Job in 42: 12 - So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning.
I want that! I want my second half of my life now that I am 44 years old to be better than the first half. How about you? Dont you want that as well? Even if you are 12 today? Job went on to be blessed with sons and daughters, wealth beyond what he had before and lived another 140 years to see 4 generations of family. God blessed Job because he never cursed him, endured the pain and suffering and cried out with a pure seeking man of prayer heart.

Lord help me be the kind of prayer man you want me to be and create in me a pure heart for the things of you. Your will Lord over anything of mine.
Amen

Hope you too are seeking to have a prayer heart loved ones.
Lonnie~

Another wrestling day today. Only a few left to finish off this amazing season. It has been fun and exciting and its hard to believe its over already but tonight is the big night. This is a team that beat our tails off the first match of the season and its been one that has been looked at all season to mark how well our guys, our team has progressed. That can ONLY happen by hard work, dedication, persistence and sometimes, digging in deep to that place that special things come from.
As the saying goes, How bad do you want it? - tonight is one of those nights. With another match tomorrow, this is the one that everyone will be watching. I am figuring a packed house from both sides and a good match in each weight class. Nervous dad an hour early today, ugh.

Yesterday was such an amazing day. With some new peeps coming to church with us after talking through some things a few weeks back we all decided that yesterday would be their day to come visit. This family is an amazing family - a mom and 3 teen girls. Dad passed when the kids were small and I have always - ALWAYS been Uncle Lonnie to them. They have never not been there for me in any way nor have I left my calling to be a part of their lives. So yesterday as we walked into church, greeters did their job, smiles did their job, mints in the bathrooms were a nice touch, the seats were perfect as we sat down in the middle row about 4 rows back and the video started sharing how as a church we are making a difference in the lives of others and impacting our city for Christ. Elevation Church - was on its game yesterday and the opening song was done by recording sounds on an Ipad. Music played in and through those sounds and was pretty amazing. Worship yesterday was loud as usual but amazing, the spirit of God was in the house and tears rolled down my face, chills set in on my neck and arms and it is such an amazing experience when God is moving hearts. With hands raised, worship taking place and energy and atmosphere was perfect. As Pastor Steven came out and shared some things before grabbing our seat I could see the oldest of the girls talking with mom in the ear. As Pastor moved us into the message - mom leaned over and whipered in my ear. "I heard that the kool-aid was good here, but this is some good kool-aid."
Gosh I know! My heart felt warm and I knew that things were going right. God was making his way in a special family yesterday and I am so thankful for that. They needed that. I needed that. Blessed to have a little part in it. As we left and got the girls their free gift for being first timers - VIP - as we call them.... their energy level was so off the chart. Notes were taken and smiles where showing.
As I continue to read deeper in the book of Corinthians - 2 Corinthians 6 shares with us something very important.
2 Corinthians 6:1- As Gods co-workers we urge you not to receive Gods grace in vain. For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

I can feel and see God's favor all around me. Carol and I continue to talk and show the revealed examples in our lives and all around us. We see it on the faces of many. We see it on the hearts in their actions and decisions. We can point out brokeness in some and our hearts reach to them in love and kindness as we build them back up. We are feeling stronger, more focused, eager and ready and WILLING to do whatever God has called us to do. CO-workers working together building, direct, pray for, cry with, share with, hug with, hurt with....

Just as the wrestling team trained and sweated and hurt - Kyle making such progress and taking ownership of this experience and leading ... our walk with Christ is the same way. Because of the hard seeds planted in the tough times, never losing sight, never giving up hope, never given in to temptations to quit - we stand ready for whats next. Wrestling team is ready for tonight. My walk with Christ is ready for what God has next for me. My family is strong as it has ever been ready to walk forward. My relationships with my family and those close to me have never been stronger. My church and faith I have in the leadership, the value I see happening in lives changing, the contagiousness that is apparent all around us, the smiles of so many dedicated to do whatever it takes for Christ is pouring out.
Favor ....Found favor because of the positioning to receive it. We have to be in the right place. We have had to work hard and go through some tough things to get to this place. I hope this brings some encouragement to someone today. Nothing profound here. No big one line incredible life changing few words but just reflecting on what backs and pressing forward to get through.
God is either placing you in position or has you in position or moving you to something else.
Once you know where you are, you can then move forward. Thats a great place to be.
Hoping for a win tonight, its going to be intense, exciting regardless and PROUD either way.

Lonnie

Its another wrestling day today! Pretty excited to be on the home mat tonight and having some extra screams from the crowd cheering and supporting a team of young men striving forward in something they a pushing themselves so much for. Kyle has really amazed me the last few weeks in his ownership of this experience. He has stepped it up not one notch but a few. I got him up this morning and he headed out for his morning run. It reminds me of my younger days and doing all this stuff before school. Every moment passing throughout the day never escaping the arms of battle. I am so proud of him and his leadership on the team. It really reflects to the others who are "in process" and learning those first baby steps.
I have been reminded of this a few times in the last week or so but I want to share a little story about "The Popeye Moment". Seems the last few days, I have experienced someone standing up and saying enough when a person was talking all morning dropping the F bomb - finally couldnt take it anymore and said something. This morning walking to the building next door a guy went out of his way to point out to a handful of students where the smoking section on campus was and that they had to move. People smoke there all the time but nobody ever says anything. The Fbomb is dropped all the time but nobody ever says anything. I bet there is something else going to happen to prove yet again - someone has a "Popeye Moment" and stands up to do something or say something.
Last night at the gym I had my ipod on and Pastor Stevens message was playing over again on his last series he finished up last week on Found Favor. You can view his amazing message from this link http://www.elevationchurch.org/sermons/foundfavor/part1
I got through my cardio workout and I can tell Pastor Steven was drawing me in, he was pulling me closer as the message played on. I finally wiped the machine down and sat down at the arm extension machine and then it hit me. Pastor mentioned how Jesus broke bread just as he breaks us to free us but all the while we continue to never leave his hands.... it happened. I broke down. I am not ashamed of it because its a good thing even though in public in the gym I really couldnt care less. Looking back over the last few months, I have and my family and close friends have been put through some crap. Speaking for myself, I have been broken after a long season of leading, of seeing students giving their lives to Jesus, having such a unbelievable impact of so many lives all to be taken away after a few "church" people started backstabbing and gossiping. NEVER stepping forward to really see or hear for themselves what was happening. Seeing the changes in so many starting to own their faith for the first time in their lives. Many times, as I stood teaching on something, I woudl look down into the first rows and see tears running down cheeks. I would see faces buried into their hands. I would see students leaning over on the person next to them hiding the pain that was coming out. I will never forget those moments. I will never forget the moments shared when a student emails you later that evening and unloads years of weight and pain that they have been carrying from something they did or something that had happened to them. God was working into their pain.
As I recall my last time speaking to them at the beach with about 50 students there and the impact God was having through my words. So much so that the message the following night was spoke about again in a little further detail and in a little more followup kind of way.
As I look back - I can see after hearing Pastor Stevens message God setting the stage. I want to highlight a few key notes I took from that incredible message. IN all the messages I have ever listened to and studied - this message loved ones, has to be the most impactful one ever to me. It speaks louder than any other message I have ever heard and its preached directly from Gods perspective and word and all tied together perfectly so even I can understand it. Thank you Pastor Steven for your gift to preach Gods word that he has given you and you pouring it out for those who need it and need to know who God is. Blessed to be where I am today as is my family and close friends.
A few points:
* To find favor with God means that nobody can stop what He has started, which means that nobody can stop when He wants to accomplish in your life. MY LIFE!
* "When you have the favor of God, you dont have to produce anything, you just position yourself to receive what God has already worked out for you. Favor is the result of the initiative of God, by His grace, but I position myself to receive it by my obedience, so that when He wants to favor my life, I AM READY!
* Sometimes God shows HIs favor through a door He openes, and sometimes He does it through a door He closes. Thank you for the favor, God, through my successes and my failures.

I still have this buring passion in my heart for students and those around me in my life to know Jesus. Its something I pray I always have because it was so life changing for me and taking what God has done in my life and how he has changed me - I want everyone to experience that. I want to go to the mission field, just as we did last year and continue to do that. My time to lead students right in this season may not be Gods timing but as Pastor Steven said abotu Gods favor, when that time comes it will be amazing. He I fully believe is positioning me and my family and those around me for something very cool. I am ready when God says it is time. I am very thankful for the door that closed. Though hard at times thinking about the hearts and smiles I dont get to talk to or see every single week or read the text messages that would blow up my phone at times... but I know that the open door now is a door of favor and through it comes successes and failures.

Carol last night was sharing with me how good she feels these past few weeks. Working out at the gym, cutting some calories, Kyle working out and doing great at school, Kate doing unbelievable well adjusting to being here in NC and doing good in school and looking for work and making friends and our relationship has just blossomed into such a loving relationship that I knew in Gods timing would happen. A few years ago when Kate was with us, I clung onto that hope. I went above what everyone else was telling me to send her home, you deserve better but my stance was - I will suffer now because SHE deserves better. I will ride the wave, take the pain and the hits so that at some point - God will have a say in all this. We are seeing that fruit today. I am blessed to know that and isnt that the best part loved ones when we can recognize and acknowledge that this is a good place? We are truly blessed! We are in a good season because of the seeds planted in the tough season!
Like I said to Carol this morning with a smile on my face, There is momentum in the Bateman home. I know things can change in a moments time.......
One thing continues to remind me of something - even as an email came in this morning and confirmed my thoughts and feelings on this. God has a way to do those things doesnt he? :)

"Hang in there."

Maybe you needed to hear that today. I sure did a few months ago. I did last week. I did yesterday. I know what its like to not being able to breathe. No time to come up for air. Working full time, raising a family, neice on the brink of destroying herself, marriage really hanging on by a thread, leading a student ministry with 40-60 students all needing an ear, all needing help, all needing God and feeling...God I cant do this. With no help, no support, nobody but my close peeps cheering me on with encouraging words, prayers and sending their teens to everything to support what was burning in me all the while knowing I was hanging on set up for failure. The season after required much focus, much healing, much determination to not do mean things back because of the mean things being done and keeping humbled, focused on Jesus and "Hanging in there". I needed someone to rescue me from the bottom of the pool.

My family, my church, my pastor, my friends and lifegroup, my close kids in my life who I love like my own, my God... has got us and got me through this.

Pastor Steven then shared with us this huge important fact. - You dont have to force Gods favor in your life. "Favor isnt a feeling; its a fact."

We have Gods favor loved ones. He is for you and wants what is best even if a door shuts on you and you have to walk away from something or someone. We can be no matter where we are at today or where we are walking, we can be a Favor Finder. In those special places and in those amazing moments, we pull the good out of what cannot be seen. We stick to what we know instead of what we feel. We lean on the RIGHT people in our lives and let the wrong ones walk on by.

Love shows itself. It shows through you, not through someone else. If you dont, then that shows too. People will do a lot for you if they know you love them.
You are not going to stay at the bottom of pool, there is someone to rescue you, his name is Jesus. Jesus will not let you drown.
"Hang in there"

Lonnie~