Hope ya'll had a great weekend and had a chance to get outside. It was near 80 here in the Carolina's yesterday which is just delightful for being still February. I'll take these days when they come thats for sure.
A couple of things that I am excited about that I will share.
* I am excited with all that God is teaching me and how our church, our rock group families and in my own personal walk with Christ seems to be in step these days. Even with a tough week last week - as I will share more about John 9 - I was blind, now I can see. There is such light shining just down the road and the journey ahead is going to be just awesome.
* Plans for our mission trip to Jamaica is moving forward and folks are committed to going and that pumps me up. For what did not look possible as far as folks being able to afford to go, God has moved some mountains for us to experience all that He has for us on this trip. Lots of work still to do but things are moving forward
* I have been enjoying leading LOL on Wednesday nights. I look forward to the new building and the chance of things. Change is good sometimes - I am feeling good about what God is having on my heart to lead these students with. Sundays, I just dont have that same feel but I know God will break that soon as well.
* Relationships are deepening together with the folks around me. The last week or so God has really been pushing me in this place where hearts are at in just being like Jesus and loving the people around you. I mean less of us and more of Him and that means sometimes we need to love the hard to love. Love the ones who suck the energy from you, the heavenly sandpaper people and even those students who are just tough at times. I never used the word ANNOYING in middle school, at least to my knowledge but I hear it all the time now. Since when did everything and everyone become annoying in middle school? I laugh thinking about that because chances are if everything and everyone might be annoying to you - LOL - then you are probably the one thats annoying. Im just saying :)
* Carol is making plans for us to head to the beach for Spring Break. Kate will be joining us for a few days on her spring break. I cant tell you how much I miss that girl and I have really enjoyed the conversations with her the last few weeks. I am so encouraged by the path she is on. We all need to learn something from all this. Its not about where you are today but sometimes its ok to say you know what? - Look how far I have come! - Thats the important thing, not feeling down because you have a long way to go... but dang girl - you have come a long way! Keep it going!!!
* I am looking forward to upcoming weeks of rock group as we study "prayer" together. I plan to stretch every single person in their prayers during these coming weeks. Not sure what that looks like yet but I just feel it - this growth spurt about to happen and as we prepare for Jamaica.

I want to talk a little bit about John 9 today. I wont type it all out but if you would just pause and break away from this for a few minutes and read John 9 - I will pick it up from there.
True Blindness ~
Jesus while walking down the road, probably traveling from city to city along with his disciples, he came across a blind man. Blind from birth and never being able to see, his only occupation was to beg for money. Not being able to use his hands, kept this man from being able to work. During this time manual labor was the normal in terms of employment and what options does anyone have who cannot see? So as Jesus passed this man, He reached down and made a clay paste from his saliva and he rubbed it on this mans eyes. Imagine what this man was thinking because he couldnt see what Jesus was doing. He just had to feel it. See this man as the disciples asked Jesus who was to blame for this mans blindness - Jesus said that nobody was to blame but that his glory would be shown because of his blindness. The man got up, with the help of his friends and took him to the Pool of Siloam. This pool meaning "Sent" and the man got on his belly and washed his face. He saw. He could see. Could you image seeing for the very first time in your life. How you thought things looked was now real. Imagine the excitement in this man as he could match up a life time of things he only could imagined what they looked like. He was now seeing them. Colors, and textures, what clouds and the sun looked like. What people looked like and finally being able to see his friends and what they really looked like. The town buzzed as they started seeing the man all over town. Recognizing him as the blind beggar but now he sees? They wanted to know how this happened. In revealing his story that Jesus healed him it made the religious leaders angry. They couldnt deny that this man was healed - they were looking at him. The only fault they could find is that this healing took place on a holy day. This man didnt care at all about that because he could see. They called his parents in to testify the story and what exactly took place. They told him to ask their son, he was old enough to testify on his own behalf. So this blind man shares with them that its well known that God isnt at the beck and call of sinners but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does his will. That someone opened my eyes, a man who has never seen, if this man didnt come from God he would be able to do anything. Being angry now, they threw the man into the street. Jesus heard the story and went and found the man. He not only saw Jesus this time but he also recognized his voice. Jesus told him that he came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all things clear so that who have never seen will see, and those who have made a pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind. Jesus told some of the Pharisees who were listening that if they were really blind, they would be blameless but since they claim to see everything so well, they were held accountable.
Friends, often times we are blind to the things that God is doing in our own lives. What seems like a loss of everything, maybe a business failure, a loss of your job or home, what seems hopeless just might be God setting you up for something big. Maybe a restored relationship - a friend that was lost years ago or one that you really want to get off the ground just hasnt had any traction to step forward and now God is opening doors. His work is changing hearts and setting things up in peoples lives in order to bring folks together. I said yesterday while teaching on forgiveness - its a way to move forward in any relationship. It keeps the past from poisoning the future.
So much in life is in the past but if we focus on that past it will keep you from moving forward in life. Life is ahead of you and its a place where Jesus is because he goes ahead of you when you have things lined up in your life correctly. The things that once you didnt notice become full spectrum when Gods plan is revealed and you get a front row seat into what God is doing. Last week was a tough week for me. Lots of hurting people needing my time and prayers. Relationships just not working and as I ended my week last week. God spoke and I wrote it down on my calendar here on my desk. "I can't Lord, but YOU can."
Perspective is a good thing and when we can step back and get the Lords perspective on things - It opens our eyes so that we can see things clearly, differently and with his eyes. Tapping into the power that Christ has for us is all in his power. Not in our own. Not in our own timing but in his.
Psalms 22:24 God does not ignore the suffering of the afflicted. He does not hide his face but listens to the cry for help.
Thank you Lord that we can see your face. As the insider goes - LUVURFACE Lord. I am just thankful I can see it - though more clearly than other times - when asked, he reveals.
I got to share a great heart story this morning from a dear friend. She and her family are going through some tough times and yesterday after church she sat in the backyard and had her talk with God. She had a peace come over her and the sun came out. She knew right then that all things were under His control.
Loved ones, sometimes you have to lean on the faith of others, until you can stand on your own. We are in this together, sharing, learning, leaning, holding each other accountable, loving, smiling, laughing - Oh I want to laugh more on my journey. Laughter is the universal language and something we all could use some more of it. Who has ever laughed too much in their life?
Do you have some laughter people in your life? You know the ones that always bring a smile to your face?
I hope I am that person for someone today in my life.... this just might be a GREAT week ahead :)

Lonnie~

This has been a long, tough week. Ministry wise as well as personal. Yesterday, I just could not take in one more thing and I was so thankful that a few of my close kids invited me to the movies. Though I didn't have much to say and they spoke to each other mostly, it was good to just sit and watch the big screen and let my mind, body and heart just unwind.
Today in my book as I continue moving forward in it - "Do Something" - It has really wrecked my day with the challenge today. I wont share it today but I fully plan on doing this before I head out this evening to see one of my students perform in her talent show. She is my compassionate kid and I am really hoping she has fun and not so much as to the pressures of winning. Takes some nerve to get on a stage and sing - no way could I do that. I dont have the gift of song that for sure... I have trouble clapping in rythm. :)

I want to challenge you today and not so much as to share a bunch of stuff for this Friday. Let me leave you with a question that you can fill in your own blank.

This _____________ was just another opportunity for God to prove is faithfulness.

As you go through your days and through your struggles, what is that thing that you carry around that if looked at differently, it would not be that struggle but an opportunity for God to prove himself once again in your life? God was is it in my life that this big huge weight is really an opportunity for you to show me your faithfulness.
As the song goes from Chris Tomlin - "Not to us but to your name, Be the glory."

So I will leave you with that today. Praying you are at a place today where in your heart -"but because of all God has done for me over the years, I know He will continue to take care of me".

Lord the next time we are in pain, being ridiculed or frustrated, I ask that you show us who you want us to be a model in suffering for. I pray that we would have the maturity to share the hope and comfort with others even while we are still hurting. And please give us the strength to be an enouragement to those who are trying to encourage us. I pray that your word in Romans 1:12 would speak to us today. Amen

Guest comments for today~

There are just some things that dont need to be hidden in a comment at the bottom of some webpage but out in the open. This is a heart of my Aunt Sharon that these words come from below. No matter what age we may be in life, having a true real friend is priceless. I say that all the time about some of the students in my life who have friendships as close and special as my aunt and my mom. It really is a treasure in life. Accountablility, friendship, sharing, feeling, doing life together, praying for each other, sharing in hurts, laughs, and smiles - it all goes together.

Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Love you Aunt Sharon. Mom is proud of you without a doubt. Keep serving the Lord with all your heart.

Not to us but to your name, Be the glory ~

Randy~

Some things are forever in your heart. No matter where you go or what you do, some things will never go away. But, those things have a way with the help of God, to change from heartache to peace. That is the way it is with Feb 23, 2006 in my heart. Oh, I still cry, I still feel sad, but I concentrate more on the good things and her smile instead of the suffering and dying. Her life made so much more of an impression on my life than her death did. I know that is the way she would want it.

I feel her presence with me all the time, just as I feel the presence of God with me all the time. I still hate cancer, and I still hate her being gone from me, but as David said in the Bible when his son died "I can't bring him back, but I can go to him".

I will never be the same person I was while she was alive, she showed me how precious life is, and she showed me how special our love was. Even though our family was so "disfunctional" she helped me with my struggle through it with me never knowing just how bad it was, how bad her struggle was until her time came. She sacrificed her feelings of it all to help me with mine. That was just the way she was. She was always there for me, ALWAYS, either in person or on the phone. She is still there for me always, in my heart. I was proud to call her my sister and my best friend. I still proudly speak of her, but I try to speak of her life instead of her death. She encouraged me, just like you Randy, just exactly like you.

There are so many things that remind me so much of her that I could never mention all of them. The way I see her now, in Heaven, singing and smiling and being free in the presence of God, just what she was looking for all her life, She wanted everyone to be happy, even if it meant she was not happy herself. She is looking for the rest of us to join her so we can be together again, and I will never let her down. The best thing anyone could do for her memory is to accept God, that is what she wanted, she wanted a close family, and that is what we will be one day, in Heaven with our Heavenly Father. She and I never knew a real father here in this world, but we have a real Heavenly Father in Heaven. And that is where the real peace comes from.

I know your momma is so proud of you, Randy, you are carrying on just how she would have wanted you too. And I believe with all my heart that your momma is proud of me too. She is smiling at both of us and she is at peace. She finally found the love and acceptance she always wanted. She found the true purpose of love and she is content knowing she will be there waiting for us. It was just like her to go first, so we wouldn't have to. I am not afraid of dying, if she can do it, I know I can too, and Heaven is so much sweeter knowing she will meet us there with Jesus.

I love you dear one, Your "adopted mom"

Aunt Sharon

February 23rd.

The date for some have huge significance. Its a day that will be forever on our hearts and minds. Its a day of choice really. A choice in remembering the tough dark moments and the loss that we all experienced or we can chose to remember the good and glorious moments of wonderful life and a story that ended with Christ and heaven.
Its really up to us. That season of time in 2006 unraveled the toughest pain in my life. There are few fewer hurts than losing a mom. Cancer is a mean and ugly word but one we have to live with. And living with is something Christ has called us to do. He is bigger than cancer and is bigger than our problems and bigger than some medical report.
This day is tough but chosing to remember the good - The I Promise - on a napkin, the long talks of heaven and you touching your big toe on heavens floor, the ministry of talking to all those hurting in the family, the days of being awake, the long rides from Mt. Airy to Harrisburg where I dont remember any of it, the long talks with Sharon and Patty, the heart conversations with Craig, Danny and pops.... I choose to remember those moments Lord.
Pastor Rick Warren said this morning, "There is no faith without a struggle."

Mom your struggle has made my faith where it is today. Faith is believing in the things we cant see but know will happen. Walking this life living by what we see is easy. As I think back just a few years ago while at the beach, I was at a place in my walk that it was time to either step up or step out. God had done amazing things in my life and had walked with me through some tough things. He was calling me to step up in my ministry, in my presense to a family, and me obeying what he was calling me to do to step up into student ministry. I remember seeing the tide that day and not knowing what was to come. I had no idea where to start and looking back, it was exactly where God wanted me to be. I had to lean on him in order to move forward. As the tide goes out, they soon come back in. There are seasons in life where things are hard and the valleys are deep. Those are the seasons that God builds our faith. Pain is a great motivator and attention getter. Its easy to follow Christ when everything is good, when we are healthy, when the kids are on the honor roll and colleges are calling for a full ride. Its easy to follow when you are at a place where God just shows up in everything you do and in everything you say.

Mark 5:35-42 - While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" Ignoring what they said, "Dont be afraid; just believe." He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brotherof James. When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said them, "Why all this commotion and wailing" The child is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, "little girl, I say to you, get up!" Immediately the girl stood up and walked around, she was 12 years old. At this they were completely astonished.

I remember the cold morning that my mom had passed. It was the last of a few days on egg shells knowing that mom was close. My aunt Sharon and Uncle Buster leaving late that evening before, making me promise that I would call if anything happened. I know they knew it would be in the next few hours. My brothers and I in the living room and my dad in with mom. Dad come in and said, she is gone. Jesus while speaking some men came to the house where he was at. The news saying that the mans daughter was dead. Jesus did something that most people dont do when a tough decision is to be made. He ignored them. He did what he was going to do. He said - Dont be afraid; just believe. - I can honestly say that this season of time there was no fear. God had pressed on my heart early on that he would heal my mom, just not in the way I wanted it. He pressed on me that my eyes and heart had to be open during this time in order to receive the blessing that I would receive. Not knowing what on earth that meant, I trusted God and followed him. God put me in so many positions to minister to my family and my moms friends. He put me in the path of faith to minister to my mom and talk about life, heaven, Jesus, and all that was on her heart. He put me on the path to be able to say prayer after prayer after prayer for my dad to know Christ so that "I Promise" on that napkin one day will come true for my mom. I promise when said today is a tough place for me and one I hold very close. As I accepted the step up on that beach that morning to rise to do what God was calling me to do. I promise came from my heart to Morgan and Taylor but also all those who he would put in my heart. A promise is a promise and the words - Dont be afraid; just believe is rest assurance today that God in all the big picture knew exactly what was happening.
As my mom was rolled out of the house, friends, family all crying and upset. It was sunrise that morning. Not dark but not yet light. Its when the earth seems to stand still and time seems to stop for a few moments. Birds began to sing, oh how my mom loved the birds. It brought her such peace even on those cold winter days. I had a sense of peace on me. It was like saying through those moments that she was ok. The next few days were hard. Funeral and the wake brought many tears. Pastor Jimmy told Carol and I after the funeral that it was the sweetest funeral he had ever been a part of.
Jesus went in to see the little girl. He put everyone out of the house. He spoke life into the little girl and she woke. Mom got to experience that on the 23rd of Feb 5 years ago. All in one day, stepping from this world into heaven.
When you have faith and trust in Jesus - this season of time you will be astonished. Though hard and life has its painful things, its faith that gets you through. People of no faith dont understand it because they live a life of what they can see.
We all get to choose how much God blesses us in life. My moms life was a blessing. She lived life full and even though it was shorter than we all wanted. It was FULL nonetheless. She loved Christ, she loved people, she carried worry and other peoples burdens on her shoulders because that was the kind of lady she was.
Faith is believing before you receive. Its easy to have faith afterwards. But if you eyes, hearts and willingness to the things of God before hand, you will experience Him.

Mom, I hope I am making you proud today. Sometimes it feels like you are so far away and time goes by without feeling you at all. Other times like a few weeks ago I felt you so close and I dont know why. Last Friday night while on my walk at the cabin was just unreal. Looking up at the stars you spoke words of faith and encouragement into me mom. It was such an unbelievable moment with you that I have not yet experienced. God surely has you in a great place. One day, that sun will rise and our mornings over coffee and conversation C&C will take place again. I look forward to that day. Until then, I will press on sharing Christ to all those willing to listen and walk with me. Though some may go, that part of ministry hurts the most, but for those that stay will know that part of you lives in me.
I am choosing to remember this day mom as a good day, though hard and I am in the office with tears running down my face but my heart is over flowing with joy. Preaching tonight mom on integrity to 30 or so teenagers and handful of leaders. Something you knew a lot about.

Miss you bunches - especially your smile and your laugh and who could ever forget your biscuits and gravy..... that really makes me smile.

Love you always,
Randy~

When a single person spends their time defending the person they are dating to the godly people who speak into their lives - there is a problem. ~ Pastor Perry Noble.

That is huge. Its what they are there for. Its speaking truth to you, just often times people don't want to hear it. Often times, they seek out people who will tell them what they want to hear and what they want to do anyways. Speaking truth into someones life is sometimes really hard. It can be a physical truth, an emotional truth or even a spiritual truth. Often times this comes with a great deal of pain. Sometimes for the friendship and sometimes down the road in the situation itself.
Its tough being pointed out to something in your life that maybe you know about but dont want to admit. Maybe you are having issues with your spouse and you continue to say its them and not you. Along comes a friend to point out some things you are doing or saying that is keeping things ugly. Maybe its a dating relationship and the close people in your life can all see that this person is wrong for you. You like them, you say you can change them, they are not going in the same direction you are going in but that can change. When dealing with people, two wrongs dont make a right.
Pain is a lesson in life that keeps us from doing it again. Pain says, STOP, - turn around and go in the other direction. Physical pain is picking up a boiling pot of water and it hurting your hands. Burns and blisters remind you of that for the next few days. Painful. Emotional pain might be the abuse of someone in your life tearing you down all the time. Constantly being reminded that you are not good enough, you will never be able to do that or you are the stupidest person on the planet. That is painful and any amount of time in middle school these days - you will see the emotional abuse taking place. Bullying signs everywhere and in constant reminder that emotional pain is real. Then there is the spiritual pain. This is real pain as well and often times it shows up years down the road afterwards. Maybe a decision to have sex at a young age leaves you pregnant and your hopes and dreams put on hold. Maybe God is calling you to do something but you have other plans and you continue to run. Maybe God is calling you to make a relationship right and in your pain, there is no way you could ever forgive that person. Years pass and your relationship with God is no closer. Your walk has faded because of the lack of FEELING God present in your life.

If you are finding yourself today living a self destructive life, it may be an indication that your relationship with God is distant - if it even exists at all. Some of you have lost your smile since dating this new person. You have time invested in it but its always something. You are not happy anymore and life seems to have such heaviness about it. Its time to turn and change direction. Pain can do more than hurt loved ones, it can teach you the boundaries between right and wrong and that includes in spiritual decisions as well. If you are living with your boyfriend or girlfriend or having sex with them and not married - there is a wall built between you and God and all the blessings He want to give you. Not only are you hurting your own heart, you are hurting Gods as well.
Our job is to let pain do its work in us. Allow it to bring us to Him for comfort.
After a few weeks of no sleep, grumpy, not smiling and just feeling the weight of a relationship in my life with someone very important to me - I had to do something. As we sat last night and spoke heart to heart ... It became apparent to me that this relationship is strong and even during tough spots like these it makes the relationship stronger. Pain brought us closer together. Next time, if we find ourselves getting to a tough place, (in pinkie shake agreement because that is a binding contract) we call a meeting over a sweet tea and get on the same page with everything out in the open.
Luke 5:17-19 - One day Jesus was teaching, and the Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralysed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

Jesus was healing many and the news spread. Here a group of friends tired of seeing their friend sick - took action. Not being able to get into the house because of all the people, they did what I would have never thought to do. Dig a hole in the roof and lower their friend right at the feet of Jesus. Stopping him in the middle of his teaching, religious people getting upset because they were disturbed and with ceiling tiles and debris probably hitting Jesus - a man is lowered to his feet. I imagine Jesus smiling and saying - faith... this is faith in action. Jesus healed this man and told him to get up and walk. He got up and praised God on the way out right in front of the crowd and everyone in it.
Loved ones, learn from your pain. Get up and get moving. Make the phone call. Have the sweet tea conversation. Call that friend and share your heart with them and talk about the pain in their life. Hold them accountable and speak truth into their life. We can't do this alone. Just as the man that was sick, he couldnt do it alone. He had 4 friends pick him up and make something happen for him.
Pain is good sometimes. Its just what we do with it that counts.
Thankful for my sweet tea meeting last night and sharing smiles again with a special young lady.

Lonnie~

Tough being back at work today after this past weekend. Weather is nice here in the Carolina's and being outside all weekend was surely a nice February treat. More cold weather will be coming I am sure but these nice sunny warm days are always so nice and a reminder that spring is around the corner. Friday night, I had a really great heartfelt talk with mom while at the cabin on my walk. I love to head out with no flashlight on those star full evenings where all is quiet and I can just open my heart. I miss that - talking with my mom. It was always knowing in my life that my mom knew what was on my heart, what I was struggling with, and she always had the words to make things a little better. She just had a peace about her that made everything feel right after a talk. Even if she was struggling with something or had a shoulder load herself, she always made time for others. I guess that is where I get that from. I drop things all the time to be there for someone who needs a hand, an encouraging word or just time to share a heart full.
This past weekend with Kyle and Madison just laughing and sharing and smiling - really did my heart good. It was nice to see them just hanging out, no outside pressures or expectations - just kids enjoying time together as friends. It makes for a fun time together.
Saturday morning, I got alone on the front porch as folks were still sleeping. Coffee in hand, Bible in the other and stopping long enough to take things in. In my book that I am reading - "Do Something" - it has been a great challenge at the each of these chapters. I am writing all over the book, as I pray in it, share in it, take a few notes - I have to say I have not had that quality time with God in a long time like I did on Saturday morning. It was so awesome and it for sure did my heart good.
In my step up in a bigger role in student ministry - its hard to keep a handle on things, the progress of those I am in front of and their expectations. Some want personal time, while others want a hands off approach. Some need to talk more than others and some need prayers in their life right now. There are big issues that folks do need someone to walk with them for a season. I was reminded Sunday morning as I was watching Pastor Furtick preach, which a few weeks ago I got to see live but I was in a little different place then than where I am currently. He spoke about the 5 biggest mistakes he has made in ministry over the past 5 years. He was speaking directly on the fact that he has seen a life time of people come into his life and out of his life.
This part of ministry is really hard and sometimes I think that I am not tough enough to endure that painful part of this. I really struggle and really have a hard time with it. A few years ago I invested crazy hours and time into this child and her family. It was a learning experience, a wonderful experience at times, tough at other times but I know that child is different today because of that investment. I have not seen her in a few years and often times wonder how she is. Where her faith is and if she is still following Jesus. A few months ago when Pastor Travis announced he was leaving to lead a church in Maine, I had a tough conversation with one of my close kids. She was going to another church and for months, she had toughed it out in making each Sunday even as her mom and dad went to another church. She felt connected here, she felt at home here ... but in the end -she had to leave. A text message out of the blue came telling me of her decision. Though at the time it hurt like crazy - in the end that student is changed because of that investment. Thank you Uncle Lonnie for treating me like your own since I was 9. I love you and promise to keep in touch and visit from time to time. I know I can always count on you and will always keep you as "MyRoot".
Another one of my close kids is out on the perimeter today. Not exactly sure where she is at in life and what struggles she has that keeps space in between. Praying really hard the last few weeks for her. Its this part of ministry that sucks. Pastor Furtick spoke about Ecclesiastes 3:1 - There is a right time for everything. There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth.
Its ok for people to come and go in your life. There is a season for all things but the things to realize is this: When people leave in your life - its not your fault.

Gosh, I had tears in my eyes Sunday morning.... Its not my fault. Carol yelled from the bathroom - Do you hear that Lonnie?! - Yes, I hear it..... and that weight is lighter today because of it. So here is what I am learning through this. Still with me?

Loving the "Least of these" - not saying these are least of these people but all people - even those who are hard to love and who drive you nuts most of the time.... you know you have a few of them! - Loving people who cannot pay you back, or increase your social status - this is not a charity event. It is not something you do to feel good. It is not how you get into heaven, but it is evident in the lives of those who ARE going there.

My job as youth leader, dad, friend, step dad, life coach what ever it is my role is at the moment -is to not make them like me but to help them become the person God created them to be - so that they may fufill their purpose of obeying God in their own lives. They have been called by God to do something great in their life. Jesus called us to make disciples, people who will multiply in others what you are investing in them. God has given us a "dry sponge of a soul", ready to soak up everything God wants to give through you. All you need to do is give yourself and share your experience, lessons in life and your discoveries with them.

Galations 6:2 - Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Being present and to hurt with those who are hurting. Your presence and willingness ot share the burden of those who are suffering is all that God has asked you to do.

Loving them is not only about what you can give them but what Jesus himself will teach you about love - THROUGH them.

Unconditional love ~ its what we all seek in life for someone to love us regardless of what anyone does or doesnt do.
Thanks for your words and moving my heart this weekend Lord.
Lonnie~

Romans 12:15-16 "Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Dont be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And dont think you know it all".

I am so ready for the cabin tonight it is not even funny. The company I will be going with are really true deep friends and I am thankful for them. I will enjoy their company this weekend, as I unplug and unwind and have a chance to pause in life, but they are not ordinary people. See these friends have my back, call to encourage me, call me out when I am out there somewhere and they hug when they see me and they are real hugs. You can tell alot about a person in their hugs. I am huggable and if you know me for any amount of time, its just part of who I am. I am a dear friend when called upon and someone who cares and hurts with you when you are hurting. My mom used to tell me that I carry the weight of those around me on my shoulders. I like to think of it as them leaning on my faith until they can stand on their own. Its hard sometimes and in this season of change, I can really feel God changing my heart. I struggle like everyone else and not immuned to the hurt and the power of words or lack there of.

I had a thought that I wrote down yesterday that I think I will unpack a little on where my heart is at with it. Its getting close to the season last year when a bunch of us got on a cruise ship for the first time and headed to the Bahamas. It was not a good trip and during many of those hours looking for this teenager at 2:00 in the morning or looking for that teenager right before dinner and nobody has seen her - you get to walk up a lot of rows of cabins that all look the same. The only thing that makes things a little different is the door hangers on the cabin doors.
Do not disturb.
Do not bother us .... leave us alone... go away ..... I am busy .... I dont have time for you.....

Disturb can also mean that your heart is bothered and deep inside there is this thing that has a hold of you. You are bothered by it. It keeps you up at night. There is no real answer really to the solution other than to endure it. Heart disturbed.

Mom I look forward to our talk tonight under the stars. I look forward to sitting at the bridge that you only got to see once but a place I dreamed in you visiting us for long weekend that never happened. I look forward to looking east over the tree line as the sun comes up and heaven and earth seem to touch in those moments that its not dawn and its not dark but somewhere inbetween. I look forward to rest this weekend surrounded by deep relationships and people who understand me. What a treasure it is in this broken world to have friends who understand you.

Opportunity to refresh while my do not disturb sign hangs out.
Lonnie~

Opportunities...

So often in life we miss them. Opportunities. They come and present themselves out of nowhere and sometimes we hit a few of them but often times we miss them. We dont even see them. We dont notice them and walk right on by. Life is busy and we are so focused on what it is we have to do in our lives that we miss taking the time to notice things.
God in all your business and the place where you are today, is this a place that God can use you? I bet for some its about wanting to be used because I think that if God wanted to use you in whatever place in life you are at today - he would. The question is, do you want to be used by God?

Last night at LOL I was speaking on Compassion - and in that topic I showed a small video clip on Ted "The Golden Voice" Williams. If you dont know him, he made the news a few months back because he was homeless and his voice didn't even come close to what you were looking at. It was golden ....and such a voice to be on radio it was just amazing but life has him down. On the streets, abusing drugs and alcohol - a reporter going about in life give him $20 and talk with him. For 2 weeks he walked around feeling this voice so he went back and took his flip camera. Speaking to this broken man and capturing his voice on his camera - he gave this man hope in his story. News catches it, Dr. Phil has him, job offers, rehab and a reunited get together with his ageing mom. The odds of this happening has got to be way higher than hitting the lottery which sometimes the odds add up to 1 in 270 Million. I think thats pretty slim dont you?
So in my talk about compassion - I think the students really caught onto the fact that unless you can see your own brokenness, there is no way you can see someone Else's. Jesus saw our brokenness and related to it. He felt it and it broke his heart and in doing so - when we can understand and see brokenness in our own self we can then see it in others.
Compassion - that is what its like when you go on a mission trip. You go to serve others. You go to make a difference and to bring hope and smiles.
Just last night, with tears in her eyes, Carol spoke about a missed opportunity. A man at the gas station, probably on his last dime needing a few bucks for gas to make it to the next stop - asked Carol for a few bucks. Out of work probably - hurting in his world at the moment and not knowing the rest of his story. It really had Carol hurt as she said I missed an opportunity for Christ with this man. Like so many us we walk right on by and dont even notice and when the chance does come ... do we step in faith to help. To be like Christ and serve someone.

Carol, there will be more opportunities. God will make sure of that and because you missed it last night - it hurts and that lesson will pay for itself in the near future when God sends someone else in your path. This time, with margin and a WANT to serve someone, You will. You will step up big time and just serve them because God has that seed of compassion growing in you and you accept it.

I want to share Acts 8:26-35 - Later Gods angel spoke to Philip:"At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza." He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian coming down the road. The eunich had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of Ethiopians. He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. The spirit told Philip, "Climb into that chariot." Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, "Do you understand what you're reading?" He answered, "How can I without some help?" and invited Philip into the chariot with him. The passage he was reading was this:

As sheep led to a slaughter, and quiet as a lamb being sheared, He was silent, saying nothing. He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial. But who now can count his kin, since he's been taken from the earth?

The eunich said, "Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?" Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.

This is so much like a mission trip. There is a purpose in this meeting. Christianity is not a religion but a life style and so much of us living for Christ is like living on a mission. People come into our lives and we cross paths with so many people each day. Are we doing the things to show others Christ in our lives? I bet for most of us, people dont even know we follow Christ because we don't show it. Just as Philip was going about his day, doing his thing, God prompted him to step up and get into the chariot. There he shared with this man Christ. He got to serve him what this man was needing. Today, we have that chance almost every single day. A tank of gas here, a smile while picking up the pizza, a conversation telling the Lowes Foods lady how her day was going. Those are the details to much bigger things in being used by God that lead to huge things.
Working with students , they have walls and they have this fake facade on that their life is happy but just looking a little deeper into them, they are often hurting and sad. I think about Thirst Camp this summer and a Jamaica trip planned.
Who on this trip is going to want to be used by God and then let him? Last summer I had 2 close students go the entire week and had it on their heart that its not that great. This is hard work, I wish I didnt come. I dont feel it this year.... they missed a week of God using them in powerful ways. It has been proven that you take a student or anyone for that matter and get them away, out of routine and away from the noise so you can focus them - you can then really speak to them. God can really touch a heart and use them. Those are special God sighting moments and teachable moments as leaders that you might never get again until they are back at this place. God alerted Philip and in his eagerness to take advantage to be used by God he RUNS to meet the Ethiopian in the carriage.
We may not need to do a lot of running but we do need to keep our eyes, our ears and our hearts open to those promptings.
Students are tough to break into with so many having outside shells hard as bricks. They have learned through middle school how to keep from getting hurt. Its during these mission trips that they finally break down and let their walls down. Its then they cant pretend to be something they are not. There you can share your own experiences, strengths and weaknesses in life. Your faith comes to life because its real and they are listening because they are relating to it. You dont have to have all the correct Bible verses for every thing that takes place....and much like putting together a place to bring students to this place - a place where their guard is down and real things can take place in their hearts.... you witness God doing something in those hearts.

Being ready is first and foremost about being available. God will work out the when and where. Not to worry. Your job is to simply be ready to share your story. Your story often times doesn't have to have words. They show up in your actions.
God told Philip, "Go over there." he didn't tell Philip what would happen or even what to say.

Our lives are a mission trip - "Go over there" and do what God has in your heart to do. Opportunities.... will you grab a few and keep your heart, eyes and ears open to them? Be like Philip today and be ready for something to happen. Because it will......

Serving Christ the best way I know how,
Lonnie~

Had such a long day yesterday with work, Middle school basketball game which was fun and the leadership meeting last night at church. It was good to finally get some sleep after the last week and half. It just tough when you have something that is bothering you, you cant define exactly what that is but the scene and scenarios just play over and over in your heart. It just keeps you up at night. If I didnt know about prayer to get me through these long mornings, I just dont know where my heart would be.
Thankfully, being surrounded by people who know my heart keep me straight even when its hurting.
I have been reading my new book "Do Something" by Miles McPherson and while only in chapter 4 - I have taken the challenge that each chapter is stretching me on. I have sent a private note to someone in my life who has been on my heart and shared a story and gave encouragement to her. She is in a tough place in life and though God is very real in her heart - its often times tough to shine through the darkness around her. I got a reply back last night and it not only made me smile but it put tears in my eyes. Those are the moments that make this Student Ministry so worth the heartache, the struggle, putting up with the drama and pouring your heart for Christ into them so worth it. When one of them show up and is blazing with Gods light... even during times that are hard and seem the darkest for them - all you can do is be encouraged and press onward.
I had another challenge that I had to write out about a situation in my life that I need Gods help with. I signed and dated it and I am trusting God in this situation and in this relationship. The other was identifying something in my life that I needed to work on to please God. I had to out prayer on that list. I do spend a quality amount of time in prayer and I know from when my life is frazzled and things bother me that shouldn't and I am short with people and when I am just full of worry - I know my prayer life needs to up a notch. As I spoke last week on prayer - It really has me leaning in on the subject and wanting to know more about deepening that connection with Christ through my heartful prayers. I have ordered another book which I will work through after this one and compliment it again with Pastor Furtick's - Sun Stand Still- book. I may even put together our next small group series around that topic. Prayer..... what a wonderful thing it is to be able to talk and share your heart with Christ, who is always willing to listen and I just image when that quiet time starts - His face smiles and He leans in to hear what we have to say. Gosh that is an awesome thought right there......

Anyways I am excited about LOL bible study tonight. I had been working on my lesson for the past 2 days and even had a few folks read it over. I ripped it up this morning and started over. I think God gave me something so much better to speak on than what I had before. Praying it connects with each student tonight in some practical way.
Message is from Matthew chapter 3 and speaks of Jesus had to identify his brokeness through us in order to do something for us. Our seed of compassion is in each of us and some grow to amazing levels while others barely burst a leaf. Compassion on others is the only way to be able to see the brokeness in them but first we have to see our own brokeness to see someone elses. When we can speak through our pain and struggles, its only then we can see the pain and struggles of others - otherwise the very people we are needing to help we will only hear mumbles in their tears.

If you want to make a big impression, then speak to a crowd but if you want to make a big impact, speak to a person. That is where my heart is - making an impact for Christ.

Grateful for my message back and knowing I am making an impact in the life of one student who will turn and make her own impact for Christ in her world. Brokeness has been seen and its through the eyes of Christ.

Coffee time now with Holly and Abby...C&C - Coffee and Conversation. Perfect together~
Lonnie~

I finished up my latest book this past weekend, "Speaking to teenagers" and in all honesty, I think I have a better understanding of how to say things or approach those certain things but I still have no idea what to say. This past Sunday teaching in the student ministry - really had me down yesterday. The students were set back and not engaged and just seemed like they were not interested in anything I had to say or for that matter - what Christ would have to say. I guess I will get those times where my words from my heart go on deaf ears and bounce off hearts but last night at Rock Group I think God really spoke to some of us there. I had some things that God had placed on my heart to share with them about prayer and our plans for our Jamaica trip this summer. I wont talk about prayer and owning your prayers not through others but by you praying your own words and sharing your own heart with Christ. I talked about that earlier last week but I do want to say a few things today about compassion.
See until you get in touch with your own brokeness, we are all broken in some way, you wont be able to relate to someone elses brokeness. I spoke last night about the relationship between Paul and Timothy and we all agreed that we all dont feel called to be a Paul and lead others around us and we all dont have the right bible verse or the right words to say - but LIFE gives us those words. Christ and Christianity is not about a religion - its a relationship. You build relationships as you do life. You build your faith and trust in Christ as you do life. Life gives us our words, shapes our hearts and when we have come to terms in our own pain and struggles - only then can we relate to someone elses.
Until you are able to express yourself through your pain, the cries and hurts of those we need and want to help and do life with will only sound like mumbles.
Honest loved ones, compassion is seeing your own downfalls and reaching through them to help others. Carol is a fantastic cook and she loves nothing more than to extend a meal to others in our church and in Kyles school, in our friends and through the PTA that Carol serves on when people are hurting, when they struggle through a loss or when times are really difficult. We only know this because we have been on the receiving end of those meals. After my mom passed in 2006, we had meals being dropped off for weeks. After Walt had passed we had meals dropped off to our house for a month. Not one meal cooked in our kitchen because people relate and step through their own pain and through compassion - they are too blessed to be a blessing.
When we focus only on ourselves during our season of pain or some difficult thing we are going through -you will miss out on the compassion that is all around you because chances are you wont let it in. You think you are the only one with this problem or struggle. You think nobody cares or maybe - you dont even want to hear about it or what anyone has to say.

Through our brokeness Christ came to serve us and even as we celebrate communion from time to time at church - its a celebration of brokeness, Celebrate my body, broken for you. Celebrate my blood, spilled for you. We must identify our brokeness so we can do something for others.
If you have survived cancer, why not serve someone who is struggling with cancer?
If you have lived through divorce, why not serve someone going through it?
If you have been married a long time, why not share that marriage struggle with others who are struggling or just starting out in their marriage?

God has to do something IN you before he can do something THROUGH you. I can remember back when my dad was in the hospital with his heart surgery. There was a young man that had been in a bad auto accident and surgery after surgery he kept pulling through them. Faced with all kinds of issues and a long road to recovery ahead of him, his family pulled together. The once fighting divorced mom and dad, came full circle and put their sons needs ahead of their own. Family rallied and prayed and because I was there, broken down and open to the suffering of that young man, that family and my own brokeness - we served each other. We came to know each other. We prayed together holding hands right there in the hallway, right there in the waiting room. We thanked God for both their son and my dad to be living and making progress while all along, none of us knew what was around the corner.
You will never see or serve others if you cant see past yourself. Because of that experience and the place that God brought me through then, it enabled me to go through a tough season with eyes and heart wide open for the things of God and the people around me through the passing of my mom, my father n law, the hospital visits that I have been on, serving a meal to the Center of Hope and in my rock group families. Its the compassion for them that I keep plugging away and living my life as an example for Christ even though I may not have the words.
Jamaica will be an experience and a life changing one at that but in order to do so - we all have to see our own struggles and brokeness and need for Jesus in our life before we can go and share with them and have our hearts on our sleeve.
Its in those moments, real stuff happens. Real life takes place. Real change is experienced. Passion becomes alive and the hope of NEVER GIVING UP.
We all have something significant to do in our lives. Christ has given us that seed and I think the compassion seed is in all of us. It takes life experience and knowing Christ to start the growth process and for it to become alive in us.
I can't pass the channels on tv with the children hungry in Africa or the people who so need water and to see what they are drinking now to survive. A student walks away from their faith because the crowd they are in is pulling them away or the boyfriend who has such a hold on that girl that she is pushing everyone away because she doesnt feel complete or worth anything without him.
Compassion grows in our hearts so that our hands will do something about it. When Christ is in your heart and grows there - we can't help but to do something about it.
John 14:12 - Most assurdly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my Father.

You were created to do something great! No one has done more good in and for this world that Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Think for just a moment, where you are right now, is this the place where God can use you? In your struggles can you put down those things long enough to see through them? Because of them, can God use you to do something for someone around you?
I bet he is preparing you if you let him and focus on the things of him instead of your problems.

Happy Valentines day to everyone. No matter if you are married, dating someone or not - someone loves you and has given everything for you - in Christ Jesus.

Praise God for that love, mercy and grace. Amen

Lonnie~

Its early today and I think I am spent right now. Carol and Kyle are still both sick and I have managed to stay away from the worst of it but still having a % of it keep me from feeling 100%.
Gosh when you're tired it is hard to stay focused and put forth the energy that some times people need, situations needs or even that conversation needs.
I have to admit that I am on Twitter and I never thought I would be since it was short communication and folks tend to report back the hourly and sometimes minute details of their day. I never wanted or had any interest in tweeting about me head to the bathroom. BUT in 120 characters or less, I can say what I want to say and not put forth the energy to explain, to follow up and to communicate any more than that I said.
I have emails in my inbox and often times, they require followup - sometimes long followups with more emails or even phone calls. My blog is often times winded as I dance around this topic and do my best to explain what is on my heart. Even text messaging is a pain at times - especially when dealing with a student who doesnt want to talk to you .... with their mouth using real words but wants to talk to ya over messages. These take the most time since just getting through a conversation is 100 text messages and I don't text that fast and it also alarms me when I hear stories of students texting 12,000 or more a month. Gosh do the math and figure out how many a minute that is and not counting sleeping, school, or in the shower.
As I step into a more leadership role at church and in my own life following Christ - I have to be determined to spend my own quality time with Christ. In doing so, my prayer time cant be short changed either because all that I am being asked to do and all that God has called me to be is vital on my prayer life. Yours should be as well. What is your prayer life like? I asked a student last week when she really in all honesty had her bible open last and she said last Wed. Far too many dont bring their Bibles to Bible study or even to church on Sundays. Thats like showing up for school with no text books or paper or pens - you are just not prepared. 97% of the things we learn will be lost in 72 hours if we don't write down what we are hearing. That is grim and lousy statistics if you are wanting to grow in your faith and deepen your relationship with God.

As I think about this even more - when was the last time someone else blessed the food at dinner? When was the last time someone else prayed in the morning to start the day. I do this almost every day over text message with a few of my students. It is awesome when the rare one comes in and they pray for my day and for me without me asking them too. That is awesome and I love that because I know where their heart is at in those moments. Those are their words and not mine. If I pray and close every bible study down, pray over every meal, and pray when people ask me to pray for them over something - sure I can do that and I am honored in doing so because it brings us closer together and we share hearts in our relationship with God together and its SO personal... when in that place. But if its always the same person praying - those prayers are mine and they are not theirs. If you pray all the time over someone or at dinner - those prayers are yours and not the people around you or who you are praying for.
You have to pray YOUR words and share YOUR heart in order for YOUR prayers to be YOURS.

That is a tough thing to say but its true. I often times ask someone at the table when eating dinner to bless the food. I often times ask someone to close us in prayer at Rock Group. I really dont care where or what was said - just as long as they own their prayers and I know God rejoices in those words. Your prayer life will never be what it could if you dont pray, get alone time with God and remove the distractions in your life so that you can focus on Him. One cannot lead a ministry and expect God to show up big when your heart is not in tune with his and you are seeking his wisdom and guidance. In during those special quiet moments when FATHER - becomes our heavenly daddy. A fathers love is strong and wide for his children. Often times overlooked by the mothers love for their children because fathers are often times misunderstood or we really dont communicate the way we should. Sometimes we think we are and we really arent. But Gods love is deep and its real and its gentle because he gave everything for it. I love my family and would do anything in this world for them. I have a few close kids that I feel the same way and their is no way to even express that level of love that comes from the heart.
Prayer time is speaking heart to heart. Its your path to knowing each other and deepening your relationship. This cant be done over text message or an email and not even over a phone call. I am glad God doesnt take calls, emails or text messages but is thrilled when we open our hearts and take out the pens in our life so he can write on our hearts. He is writing our story through the things you do, the things you say and the way you respond and treat people. Prayer puts all those things together and focuses them on one - 0ne heart - yours and his.

Mark 1: 35 - Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Jesus gives us a great example of what it took for him to get alone with his father. He had to do it early in the morning while still dark outside. People pulling him in all directions during his day. If he had email and a cell phone, I bet it was always ringing and going off - way more than yours and mine. He had to remove the distractions from his day to get alone and share his heart with his daddy - Our heavenly Father. Don't you think we have that same access to God? Don't you think the model that Jesus gave us still implies and is still effective in our lives today. What do I say? What do I do? What if I pray and mess up? What if I say the wrong thing and people make fun of me?
Who cares ... the most sincere words and heartfelt things are shared in prayer. Its personal and when praying even in the open in front of everyone .. it can be intimate and private. Its an opening others to get to see your relationship with your heavenly father. Let it flow loved ones, let that begin to build amazing bridges in your faith journey. Never be ashamed of those words and the things your heart has in it for Christ. There is such blessing in being humble enough to open your heart in front of others.
Phillipians 4:4 - Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - Rejoice! let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Dont worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience Gods peace which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Gosh I hope and pray that speaks to someone .... it sure speaks to me.
Lonnie~

I managed to get into work today. Very thankful for that as I am feeling a lot better than this past weekend but still am exhausted. Running on reserves right now so I will take a moment and jot down some thoughts and share a few things.

I have on my desk a note from one of my students - I read it almost every day and it is a great reminder about choosing to be happy and full of joy. It reads:

"It's going 2 B a happy day! No matter what anyone says!"

I love that because that is so true. No matter what is going on in our lives and in our day - we choose to make that choice don't we? I hate the fact that sometimes without even knowing it, I made my decision to not have joy in my day. Something may be bothering me, a student may be in an odd place and we are not where we were or a student walks away from the ministry because someone other than Jesus left to do greater things - Joy is not some accident or something we stumble onto.
The hard facts is - some folks tend to operate in this mode around certain people or no matter what is going on, they make that choice to not be filled with joy. Then there are others where there is almost a smile on their face all the time. No matter what is doing on - they walk in a room and the tension is relieved and folks are glad to see them. There is just this positive cloud that follows them around. You know you have some folks like that in your life.
I guess thats why at YCI on Friday mornings - the cheerleaders always come and hang around. They always have a smile on their face - Its part of their uniform I think but regardless... they are team spirit and it shows on their faces because cheering is in their hearts. Great reflection right there but having JOY in our hearts should also be reflecting on our faces.
I hate the fact that sometimes I need a jolt to realize that I am too focused on things, on others, on leading, the pressures that come from that - pleasing others and being there for them. I have a good handle on all those things but sometimes in my mind and in my heart - it hurts. Hurts come in relationships because they are always evolving and always changing. We hardly ever take enough time to just smile, let our guards down and have fun. Serious is ok when its needed but not good all the time. Laughter is a universal language and great medicine for the soul.

Lets take a step back and examine your walk with Christ. Are you leaning on him like you did years ago when you first accepted him into your life? Maybe its been a long time and you have been bored with it all. I mean following Christ is hard and some days we feel less than up to par to follow him like we want to. Maybe there are distractions that are keeping us today from fully following him even though you have the knowledge and the tools and the right people around you to do your part. Maybe something exciting has come into your life and this guy is everything you think you wanted so - God well takes less of you while he gets more of you.
God can do more in your 10% that you are giving him than you can do in your 90% you are giving yourself.
We all get out of our walk from time to time but the real test in faith is realizing it and having the courage to step back onto the path. Even if that means getting help from a trusted friend, a parent, a leader at church.
God wants us walking deeper and stronger with him - not more, better or different. Those are the ways of the world and often times not leading to Christ.

Choosing joy in your life means holding on to Christ. Phillipians 3:13-21 - Im not saying that I have all this together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, dont get me wrong: by no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus. Im off and running, and Im not turning back. So lets keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less that total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you will see it yet! Now that were on the right track, lets stay on it. Stick with me friend. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. Ive warned you of them many times sadly, Im having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

Loved ones, real joy come from the spirit and is living in the heart. We make the choice to live our lives that way and to infect all those around us with that Joy that only Christ can fill us with. I need a reminder from time to time ... often times that doesn't come from the students but often times comes from some place you least expect it.
A note .... given at a time when Joy was in place and another was needing it.

Infectious joy ....

Lonnie~

It has been a long time since the Bateman family has been down for the count. All of us have the crud and even though I am feeling better today than Sat or Sunday - I am spent and my energy levels are quickly drained. Both Carol and Kyle are coughing and not sleeping due to coughing but things will quickly turn around for the better I am sure.
Super Bowl was good last night. Had some folks over to watch the game. I didnt really care who won really, even though I am happy for the Packers and their fans. Both Packers and the Steelers have great dedicated fans and congrats to both. Panther fans can learn a few things about these 2 great NFL teams and the dedication their fans bring.

Yesterday at church, I got to speak to the middle school students and with a lot of missing familiar faces, there were a good handful of new faces. I am thankful for that and I think the message of Students Vs. Parents went over very well. Often times it feels that way in our families - students vs parents - like it is a war, a struggle, a battle zone at times. Even as parents fight and put the children in the middle - tension in the family - there is no greater pain nor stress on a person. Often times it becomes the battle of the WILLS. Those willing to listen and those willing to speak. If one of the wills is not working or not doing what is needed in those moments - it just wont work. Both listening and speaking need to be clear, need to have its moments where you are dedicated to doing one or the other ... otherwise it just wont work. Communication these days is being lost in the emails, facebook messages and texting in our busy run around hair on fire lives. We don't take the time to sit and talk over dinner as family and ipods out of the ears as you and your son or daughter run some errands. Those quiet awkward moments begin to grow into walls and relationships begin to grow further and further apart.

As I think back to Friday at YCI and addressing all the students at school and as I reflect back to yesterday - there are hurting faces behind those fake smiles. There are families hurting because of the battle of the wills and I feel so blessed at times being allowed to speak encouragement and point these students to the love of God for them, but sometimes its really hard not to just break down and think - this is way too big for me. I am only one person and my time is NOT what these kids need. I can run here and run there and drink coffee with them until my eyes are red and I am awake for weeks on end but ME is not what they need. Im kidding on staying awake that long, I am sleeping ok just to be clear :) - but I do have to say when it comes right down to it loved ones, these students and families around me, the students I stand in front of wherever I may be - they need Jesus.
Often times during my quiet time in prayer - my heart breaks for them. Something happens when we move from just leading or being a person in that students life to really pouring out - the words - "So badly" "Care so deeply" - become out front in everything you do. I want so badly for them to understand this or that because I care so deeply that they see God in their situations or in their struggles and even in their happy and joyful times. Gods power and love can redirect their lives and change the course of our lives.
Sure I can just say these words, they float right over their heads but when there is prayer and longing in those words - sometimes they become real. Speaking is more than just a bunch of words put onto paper and into an outline... it becomes real life and its like a spiritual encounter between a heart and Gods. I am not saying I am great at it, I have a lot of work to do to be an effective communicator and thinking on my feet I am slow and lethargic at best but I am willing to learn. I will say though that my heart for these students and especially my close kids make up for those deficiencies.
I have been doing a lot of thinking about this. Do I try my best to teach students the Bible? Or do I try my best to teach the Bible to students? I think they both are affective and teaching is according to what your style or comfort level is on how to do that. I can say that in relationship to knowing your students and where they are - you can take their life and show them how Gods word relates to them and how Gods word can be applied to them. For me that seems to apply and makes the most sense. The key here is, to point them to Christ no matter what they are going through in life. They have to have a hunger for Gods word in order to learn, grow and apply it in their lives and that hunger has to come from those who are leading - meaning ME. Addressing the issue of Sunday mornings and Wed night Bible study and far too many who dont even bring their Bibles with them - If they are not bringing it then, what are the chances they are even opening the pages during the week?
Time is being pulled in a 1000 directions and each wanting their fair share of it. More time with the students, will that help them see Jesus in their lives? I don't know but I would imagine not. Not every moment spent investing into a students needs to be a sermon outline or a heart felt sharing of hearts. There has to be some fun and some smiles in those moments. Memories being made but in the big picture - pointing them to Christ and showing them He is not the top dog but THE dog and at the center of all you do. Does He guide the shows you watch on tv or not? Does he determine the type of entertainment you chose? Does he determine the close friends you have? Does he influence you in your choice of words and actions in your every day life? Does he influence your heart for compassion on others?
I think that if we are to lead students and point people to Christ - we have to stop focusing so much on the person, on that relationship and look deeper into their spirit. Its there that you can focus on them for Christ.
I can spend a bazzilion hours showing my students and mykids that I care and love them but ministering to their spirit is where the real influence takes place. In 5 years are most of these students going to call and want to have coffee? Share some struggles or seek advice from us? Probably not.... hopefully they will be doing that on their own or have someone they are pouring into like they are being poured into today.
It may mean something tomorrow night to a few as I show up to a middle school basketball game when the score is 20-15, it might mean something that I stop what I am doing and run to get coffee with a struggling student, it may mean something to a student who needs to talk through cutting himself and their relationship with their parents ... but if God is not the center in all that ...then it turns out to be just about me.
Gods word cannot be just spoken into the lives of others, it has to be modeled for them. Parents, if you want your children to not do certain things, dont just tell them, show them. If our words dont align with our actions ... its a complete waste of time.

Rambling this morning, yeah probably..... back to Rachel Ray now.
Lon~

Its been a busy week. Not sure which end is up right now but God is doing some amazing things thats for sure and I am just humbled and blessed to be even a small part of what is going on and what God is doing.
I got 2 calls today from Jamaica and plans are moving forward and quickly for that matter. Has me back on my heels a little as I try to get some information out on who would want to go and get things lined up for dates and what exactly our group wants to do as far as missions. I am so excited about this and I am sure as time passes here in the next few weeks, excitement will grow and grab those on the edge of that big decision. I am so excited to just take part in a culture far from my own and see the needs of people. Real needs, not needs that I don't have the latest Iphone 4 or my sandwich for lunch is made on the wrong kind of bread. I am talking needs of folks who without school lunch, if they even get to go to school, is their only meal that day. Needs of drinking water that is clean instead of the stuff they have been drinking that would make us all sick. So as plans come about and God unfolds what he wants us to do - I will be sharing this journey with you. Lots of hurdles to jump but I trust in Christ and those hurdles will be moved in their proper time and in their proper way.

Tomorrow morning I am pretty excited to be leading YCI at Kyles school. This is my first lead role and teaching the kids will be something new for me. I am pumped to share a simple but hopefully an impactful message in one that they can use right then and take with them. I will post more about that tomorrow. Be praying for me if you would please, addressing 100 students in school for Christ is an amazing thing and my heart so badly wants to pull this off for Christ. It takes years to get a program like this in a school... and then to have it flourish is even more amazing.

I wanted to share 2 Corinthians 9 with you today. I will let the words sink in and hopefully touch your heart.
2 Corinthians 9- Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also read sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give , not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever."
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lords people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Generosity and gratitude come from the heart. Grateful living is living life at its best. Show it to everyone through your generous heart. It just shows up and speaks up all by itself.
Are you grateful today for something or for someone?

Don't just say it .... show it - it comes from the heart.

May God bless you through your gratitude ......
Lonnie~

I am taking a few moments to share my heart even though I am up to my eyeballs in work. I just feel so strongly that God is working on me and has something for me to learn. Along with my post yesterday about relationships - I want to take it a step further and apply that relational ministry to not only my life but also help you with yours.
Last night at Kyles wrestling party, the coach got up and spoke to not only the students but also the parents. It was a very encouraging message that the coach shared and very motivational. Not only was the vision for the students but also for parents. He not only wanted to invest his passion and calling as a coach to the students but also build that relationship with mom and dad and that is something he fell short on this season. He admitted that he had some work to do with those relationships and that has me thinking, Dont we all? - We all need to work on the relationships in our lives - they just don't happen. They are very much alive and change in the passing moments. They take work and commitment to keep them moving forward and in a good place.
As I look at the students in my life, my rock group families and all the people around me - We have to be at a place in our life that God is pouring things out of you and into them. Leading, being a Paul to someone, doesn't mean you have all the answers - as I have said, sometimes just being there is all you need to do. But it does mean that your heart has to be filled in order to pour out into others. Walking in relationship this way takes persistence and integrity. Persistence being that hey this takes time and investment. There may be some struggles along the way and maybe even a little pain at times. Its so WORTH it though because we love these people right? Integrity being also important because who is going to follow you if your heart is in the wrong place? If you deceive others by pushing your own wants, needs and agenda. Serving others means putting others before yourself and when that happens, real authentic relationship can happen.
The words that you use today are your second language, your primary language is what comes from the heart.
If God is filled in your heart than you cannot help but to pour out his words and his love to those around you. When you are following Christ, the heart regulates your hands and you cannot help but get involved. How many times have we walked right on by someone who is hurting or needing a hand. Who cares how they got there, they just need a hand, a kind word, something uplifting and encouraging. Sometimes thats all people need to do to make a difference. How can I help?
So if you are speaking today, which you probably are - Are you speaking Gods grace in your life?

If you are truly following Christ, look at the people around you. Are they spiritually growing in their walk with Christ because of your relationship? Your faith journey cannot be duplicated exactly but it can be copied and shown as a model. Not that we have to do everything right. (If thats your place then you are pretending and living a lie)
The best example you can give someone is one that meets the needs of that person. You leave an imprint and it becomes theirs to own as their own imprint. Then they can grow it and mature it just as you have done over the years of following Christ and going through seasons in your life both good and tough. If you want lasting influence and impressions into the lives of those around you - you have to get to know them personally.

This morning I opened my Bible to 2 Corinthians 8 and these words came alive for me and I hope they do for you as well.
2 Corinthinians 8: 10- So here's what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart's been in the right place all along. You've got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can't. The heart regulates the hands. This isn't so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you're shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. IN the end you come out even. As it is written - Nothing left over to the one with the most, Nothing lacking to the one with the least.

Coach spoke that vision into the lives and heart of his wrestlers - including the parents to form a team. A team with a vision and a purpose. Coach is leaving an imprint on his team ... I pray you are leaving an imprint on your today too. Best thing you can do right now as scripture says - finish what you started because your heart has been in the right place all along.

Lonnie~