I love this picture. I was honored to share this picture with the students at the Student Ministry at Harrisburg Presby last night who I have been serving at on Wed evening since school began last year. It has been an amazing journey together and one that continues to grow. New students are showing up each week and I continue to be amazed at their level of commitment to be there and excite! I am honored to be sharing the leadership with Pastor Tim, Kathleen, Rebecca and many others who help make this evening work.

Student Ministry - Connecting teenagers to Jesus. Thats it.

This picture was taken of the little girls who live in the home where we have served the past 2 summers in Jamaica. I had my Ipad out and was on the application that takes pictures and then transforms your face in different shapes and patterns. I took of picture of the girls and then showed it to them and this was the caption that I caught. Its priceless. I share this because Saturday the students and I are taking on the 30 hour famine. A program that helps bring awareness to those in the world that are hungry. $30 donation feeds a child for 30 days. Amazing if you think about it. I am excited how the students will be personally impacted by this as they are reminded how things really are in some parts of our world today.

Focusing in on being thankful today - Thankfulness keeps us from criticizing and complaining. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, even a thousand times a day, becomes easier as time goes on because it become a habit. One thing I can honestly say is that so many folks I have met over the years serving in Jamaica and local areas here in this country - in general the people hurting the most are thankful the most. They rely on God more than the average person her in America ever dreamed of because that is all they have. Its the last shoe string to hanging on - Hope. Jesus provides that for them. I think the more thankful we are for things, the less we are concerned with material items as we train our minds and thinking to be more thankful for what we do have but also a seed of compassion is planted and is grown to help others. I try not to focus on those who I am serving who are in need as a hand out but a hand up. These folks dont honestly want to be in the place where they are, so I am not going to ever look down on someone as I help them up.
There are so many prayer needs in my life right now that I am a bit overwhelmed as I am the type of person to want to carry those hurts and struggles of others as my own. I would rather have a friend who walks with me in trouble than to point out all I am doing wrong and then judge me or correct me. Most dont need fixing but just need to be recognized as a "Work in Progress". God is not done with us yet and I am so thankful for that. God continues to press on me - Walk with them, Walk with them.

Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

My Aunt Sharon called me last night with an amazing story that gave me chills when she was telling me. Our family is close to 2 Pastors in their community where they live and both are in the hospital. Pastor Lonnie has cancer and Pastor Sparks is having a bleeding issue and both have visitors coming in to visit with them. Pastor Sparks is sharing Jesus with everyone coming into the room and Pastor Lonnie is sharing Jesus without words. See folks are coming into their rooms because of not why they are there but what Jesus is doing in there. During my aunt and uncle's visit yesterday, Pastor Lonnie is pretty much asleep as his body is battling cancer and attached to all kinds of tubes and equipment. With no facial expressions or other movements, Pastor Lonnie raises both hands and holds them there. Worship taking place right there in the room. God being praised when words and the body seems to be failing but the Spirit is focused on above. People are coming in to see Pastor Lonnie and Gods power and His name is being spread down the halls and through the hospital. Doctors and coming to talk with him, nurses are caring for him extra special, and other patients are coming to visit. There are so many dear to us, family, friends, people we know, people that God has put in our lives for this specific time of our lives to - Walk with- and minister to. Carol has been mentoring at a local school and the past 8 weeks have been filled with wonderful stories and memories as she invests into a a handful of 1st graders. They are growing on her and the administration all knows why she is there and who sent her. Church. The young teacher opens up and shares the struggles her dad is having with his health today. Without a miracle - he may not make it through this. Keith we are praying for you but all around you God is at work. All around the people you know, your family, friends and a special Mentor lady is being touched by your story and its a story of faith. A story of hope and a story of trust no matter what happens. A dear friend of mine here at work, she and her husband and been battling health issues he has been having. In and out of hospitals, one Dr specialist to the next. Its been a long hard road. Yesterday finally, the results have surfaced. Cancer. As this family comes to terms with this horrible news, coworkers here in the office unite in prayer, friends of the family join together as God works in the life of Phil. God is being shared through the most difficult of circumstances.
Today look at your life. There are things that seem empty, hopeless and maybe impossible to climb. But God isn’t waiting for your strength to grow, but for your faith to Rise! Maybe your life, your story - your faith - has a bigger story to tell. A GREATER Story.
Something I am learning through my church at Elevation as Pastor Steven teaches us these incredible lessons. I am so thankful for not only the lessons but also the timing of them.
I dont know how each of these stories will end up or how their stories will go - but one thing is for sure. God is telling a GREATER story through each of them.
My continued prayers that Gods story will be centered through them and all Glory be his. Hands raised and hearts wide open.
Lonnie~

I have to say that even with all the tough things happening in 2013 - I have been on a good roll with my reading. Reading is learning and when the books I pick up - mostly on my ipad - I really get a round vision for leadership, following Christ, testimonies from others, student ministry and so much more. It really has been such a blessing the last season of my life with all the reading and the things I am learning. It for sure is digging me deeper into Gods word for my life.
The last week now I have been reading "Choosing to See" by Mary Chapman - Steven Curtis Chapman's wife. Mostly the book is written from her point of view but it shares a lot of Stevens words and influence as well as music, in it as this book leads us in details about her life, their marriage, family and also in the blessing of adoption which is where 2 of their daughters from China were adopted from. Its such an amazing story as I read the words on the screen and at several times I had to put the Ipad down because I was in tears. I remember just a month ago my brother Danny, his mom was saying, "It is just night right for a parent to be burying their child". I so agree with her and after her comment, I will forever remember her saying that. My heart opened up to the fact that this mom had to bury her son. I have been through some tough seasons with the passing of my mom, grandparents, in-laws and now my brother but nothing could be more painful than burying your child.
I imagine how God felt sending his son to die a brutal death in a humiliating way by being beaten, spit on, made fun of and mocked while hanging on the cross all the while looking down and seeing his mom and dad in tears. How did Mary raise a son knowing that the weight of the world was on his shoulders? That he came for a purpose and still she had to change his diapers, teach him right from wrong and all the things parents teach their children. She must have loved him even more than the depths of a parent and child knowing there was so much more on the line.

So even in their pain in losing a child - God was Seen in so many different ways. Here is a part of the book I wanted to share.
"Choosing to See" by Mary Chapman.

What now? I am God.... keep walking and keep trusting.... love well the ones still in your charge and care...realize that time is short, life is hard, but I've given you so much, do not squander it! How? By remembering that I am God and your trust has to rely completely on Me... no striving of your own will to fix, heal, cure, help, calm any of what you see as mess. I allow what I allow for reasons you cant comprehend... rest. You wont figure this out, but He who holds Maria, Danny, my mom, my inlaws, my grandparents and your family and friends who have passed on, holds you.  What? - Realizing I am God, do the next thing. Tell people of My amazing faithfulness, love your family and friends well... rest! It is ok if you need to. Life on earth is short. I am coming to get you - Soon!

Isn't that just awesome? I mean Mary Chapman shares it perfectly. No matter what you are going through or what is taking place - just keep going. Dont stop, keep pressing and trusting even if you are seeking answers to some tough questions, trust in that God will provide you what you will need when you need it. Time is short here and take in the moments given to you and enjoy them. Treasure them. Invest in them. Even if things are hard and this season of time is very difficult, asking God to remove those things will only produce a faith that is not seasoned with Christ. We want to grow deeper in our walk with Him and asking to have him remove those things will grow our roots shallow. For me, I continue to sing His praises even when at times it seams unbearable, the mountain is too large or the situation is too painful.

I will close with a part of my quiet time this morning in Romans 5:

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we^[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we^[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we^[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 Everything happens for a reason as they say. Everything in our lives reflects "Our Story". I am thankful for my story - All I can pray and ask is that one day, My Story would be worth telling. Embrace it all loved ones, God is shaping you to who he wants you to be. Thanks be to God. Keep pressing on - The best is yet to come :) As I shared my words with my brother Danny before they closed the casket - Brother, I will see you soon but not too soon. God doesnt want to wait till the end of your life to be with you. He wants a relationship with you now.

  

Lonnie~

 

I am feeling a little better today as my eyes are starting to clear up from the gunk of whatever that is that comes out of your eye? Like I didnt think it was even possible for something that nasty to flow out of you eye but hey - Im rolling with it. Had a great session this morning in my quiet time as I am focusing on listening to God and not relying so much on what I see. I think by following in the quiet moments will bring the things I need to SEE. Sometimes its a perspective thing and raising higher to get a different view is all we need.
I have been pretty plugged into my church live app on the Ipad today as we released our new worship album - Nothing is Wasted. Elevation Church puts a lot of focus, energy and passion into our worship and I have never experienced anything like it in my life as I have seen God move in so many ways during that time in the Worship Experiences. I am feeling very blessed to be a small part in all this. I am so grateful for many reasons.

This morning I was especially excited to be writing in my new journal. Yes its orange and on it says - Rejoice. Its a gentle reminder that we need to rejoice more in our life. No matter what I may write down or share in this new journal - I am thankful that God chose me and called me to serve him in the many ways I am. Its such an honor and yes its tough at times but even during those tough times, God has more in it for me than I put into it. Serving God is an honor and something I dont take for granted.
Asking puts us in a different position. Asking, - what are you asking today? Asking puts us second because it says that we need help, we need more, we messed up, we blew it, we admit it, we ran out, we were wrong, Im not sure.... Asking puts us second and admits to others that we need help from others other than ourselves.

John 14:15 - If you love me, you will obey what I command.

This is not just doing because we have to. As a parent the last thing we need is for our children to do what they are told out of obedience. Yes its good they do those things we tell them but in the bigger picture we want them to do them for the right reason. That begins with the heart. Help them chose correctly and do the right things because they understand inwardly why they need to do those things and not outward conformity.  Asking puts us second and when we ask God to help us, to complete us, to pour into us, to speak to us, to help us, to forgive us - it puts us in the position we can receive.

If we are first we are on the take all the time and never pause long enough to receive what the gift is.  Imitate God in all you do, put yourself second and seek his blessing for you today. We will never fully imitate God fully, we will surely mess that up but by attempting with a sincere heart and with pure intentions - God will bless and honor that effort. He will bless your day and he will bless your life.
Obeying not because you have to or out of guilt or regret but because we love him. Love puts us second. Love your wife, love your children, love your church but all are second to loving God.

Asking puts us on track with God. I pray what you have on your hands today that God will bless what you are holding because you have given them to him to use. Ask God to use what you have today.

God you are Greater >>>>>

Lonnie~

Learning through listening

Over the weekend i discovered very easily that i had something going very wrong with my eyes. Crusty, burning, closed shut my right eye had an issue. Going to support one of my students at her horse show, i managed to make it through a few hours outside and with my contacts in but that didnt stay long. The pain as if my eye was being stabbed, I had to take my contact out. So I never got to see her ride even though she finished strong in placing 4th. Very proud of Beverly for battling the cold, the wind and snow even. Yesterday as I awoke with both eyes glued shut, it was time to get to the doctor. I dont know who discovered the idea of the Minute Clinic in CVS but they should be rewarded because the Dr took me almost right in and confirmed my eyes as one of the worst cases of Pink Eye she had ever seen. Great..... ok no contacts for a week and my eyes feeling like I was in Rocky 37. I did happen to speak with the Dr about serving in the schools as she asked where I may have contracted this lovely pink color of my eyes. I began to tell her about what I do at the school - mentoring some students each week and how it wasnt so much a time to "teach" them but a time to encourage and build them up. She was asking about "teaching" the students and how much she thought she would love doing so and thats when I told her about the M1 Initiative through my church at Elevation Church.  I shared Pastor Steven dream about 1000 mentors in the school system mentoring and building up students and how it can have such a huge impact on those students who have someone investing in them. She was on board and was really excited about the opportunity. I gave her our church website and to find a campus close to her and then hit the folks up at the tent to get signed up. It really has been such an amazing journey this year for me and for Carol who is at a local elementary school with 7 1st graders. They are all asking her to promise to move with them to 2nd grade next year. Stop and think about that for a second and let your heart begin the possibility of doing something like that yourself.
So today I am home - not feeling much like worth anything as my devotional takes me through Psalm 49. It really hit home for me this morning as I cannot see all that well but listening is something we all need a little practice in doing.

Psalm 49: 1-2 Listen, everyone, listen— earth-dwellers, don't miss this. All you haves and have-nots, All together now: listen.

We dont have classes on listening and its an art or skill that often takes years to develop. I have been told I am a good listener and its something that i try hard to do. So as my eyes are shut down over the next week, I wonder what God will teach me in my faith through hearing His word. I will be listening intently because I cannot see intently this week. I know God is always speaking but do we take the time to listen? A quiet and still heart is something we have to set time aside for, to make time for in our day and practiced often. As Pastor Steven shared this weekend - Still your heart inside but outside continue moving forward.

May we each take some time this week to be still, to listen and let God pour into you because you prepared your heart to accept it.

Lonnie~ 

Danny Bateman

It has been awhile since i have jotted down a note. I used to write every day when I had my blog "The Walk" going and since Facebook is taking a turn to Twitter it may be time to reactivate it again. I do miss writing and sharing my thoughts as I am on the journey of this life.

I have been thinking a lot about my brother the last week or so since his passing. I was extended time to share in front of the Student Ministry last week at Harrisburg Presby where I have been volunteering my time on Wed night to pour into some students there. It has been such a blessing and an honor to be able to do that. It just makes my heart smile seeing a young person grab a hold of what God has for them and his purposes become theirs. There is nothing more exciting because then the world opens up to new light and new possibilities. I am very thankful for where God has me today and for the people he has put into my life and the things he is teaching me. Some lessons to learn are come with pain, hurt and tears but those are the lessons we learn deepest.

My brother Danny was 51 and suffered a heart attack. I was on the phone with my dad when the Dr came out to tell him he was sorry and that they tried everything they could but couldnt revive him. Danny had a heart attack 3 yrs before and I met with him at the hospital afterwards and had a really good talk. We talked about life, how hard it was and how bad he wanted to get his life right. Not only life right with everyone but also with God. It was a good faith and life conversation and one that I know the next day when he spoke with a few pastors that came to visit him, those seeds planted the day before help him in his decisions to accept Christ into his life. We have had these conversations a couple times and I know he never fully felt accepted or worthy enough of Gods love. He had these same issues with family. My brother was full of life. Though his life was filled with tough decisions and results that were not the most pleasant - I can say with all my heart he loved his family. Especially his children. I can honestly say that if you were considered to be on his inner circle - there wasnt anything my brother would not do for you. He would love you in the way he only knew but with everything he had. I think after a life time of struggling, 51 years he was tired. He knew God and heard of this final place where eternity would be spent and I think he was okay with that. As we all gathered for my brothers wake and funeral - so many poured into to pay their last respect and pass on their condolences. I got to meet a lot of my brothers friends, extended family on his moms side and people I knew when I was younger but had not seen in years. My brother lived life and he lived it wide open. I can remember him taking me down the 1/4 mile drag strip with me in the passenger seat and having his Chevy Nova floored and smoke pouring from the wheels. My head was stuck on the back of the seat unable to turn it in either direction. That is the way my brother lived and his friends loved him for that. So many cards came in the mail, phone calls, facebook messages, Twitter messages and text messages came in for a solid week. I had a buddy of mine from work and one of my mentor students that I have lunch with on Fridays, she and her mom came for the wake and as I walked out after the service, I stopped and saw them standing there and I couldnt help but to stop and hug them both as tears filled my eyes. It was a big sacrifice of their time and money to drive 100 miles each way to support my family and I. I dont have words to how much that meant to me.
As the service and pastors were speaking, all I could think about was a passage in John 11 where Jesus was traveling and had heard his dear friend Lasarus was sick and had died. He reminded everyone that his sickness would not end in his death. No, it was for Gods glory so that Gods Son may be glorified through it. He stayed 2 more days only miles away from them.

John 11:11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
16 Then Thomas said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[b] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead
38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

I share this because over the past few weeks with my brothers passing, a lot is reflected. I love that even though the pain is real and I have not once questioned God in his bigger than my plan, I love that Scripture records for us verse 35. The shortest passage in the Bible - Jesus wept. Weeping is not a good cry or shedding a tear because you are upset but a full blown sobbing. Jesus saw the pain and anguish of the people there as well as Mary and Martha. He understood their pain and even though before he even left to go to Lazarus - he already knew he would be raising him - Jesus wept - anyways. He understands us. He feels us. He knows us. He gets us. He completes us.
Jesus knew he would be glorified that day - there is without a doubt 4 days and a smell from the tomb - He said "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" in verse 40. I fully believe my brother is with Jesus today. He is sitting at the throne of God in awe at what is taking place in heaven. He is with my mom and gosh he loved my mom so much. He loved talking with her and she got him through many trials over his life and today - they have all eternity to sit and talk. 51 years is too short but through death, God is glorified. It reminds us that life is short and how fragile it is. Having to live my life the older I get, I have buried my mom and a brother, both my in-laws and 2 grandparents. I am just thankful that God made a way for us. He doesnt see death the way we do. He sees it not as as end but a beginning. A beginning to eternity if you know him. I am so thankful that I do. Dont know how anyone goes through this life without Him.
Enjoy Heaven bro - miss you man. See you soon - just not too soon.

Gods comfort and peace,
Lonnie~