Sometimes you just have to change your batteries

There are a lot of times when God works in ways that you aren’t expecting.  These past couple of weeks have definitely been trying but through these tough days God has shined as bright as He has ever.  From placing a person in my life that I have been needing for a long time to helping me remember why I do what I do at the Orange Conference where I have been since Tuesday night.

This week at the conference we have been talking about Game Changers.  The opening session Reggie Joiner absolutely hit a home run through one of the most convicting messages I have heard in a long time.  Reggie helped me refocus on why I do what I do and it’s not going to be easy, it’s going to be messy!

-Sometimes leading in the church is messy. Reggie told a story about a guy named Frank who caused all kinds of problems in his ministry. Sometimes God puts a frank in our life to show us that the Gospel is messy.

-There was no way for Jesus to do what he did without getting messy.  Jesus didn’t take the easy way out. Look at the 12 guys he chose for his disciples, they definitely weren’t the easy way out!

-There is no way to make disciples without getting messy. Making disciples is messier than another bible study or a great program. If we are serious about making disciples we have to get our kids ready for a messy world.

I came to the point to understand where I was when Reggie said this. “Need to stop acting like we signed up for something and start acting like we are called to something.”   There are seasons in our ministries where we are going to be questioned.  Where people are even going to question our passion, our reasons for doing what we do and we could simply say I didn’t sign up for this.  You’re right, I didn’t sign up for this.  I fully believe that God called me to be where I am right now.

I would be ignorant to believe that I had all of the answers or was going to be a perfect leader.  I would even be more ignorant to think that everything that I do is going to be popular.  In fact, I will be persecuted by people. But, during that persecution I have to remember that Jesus said that it should be a joy!  James 1:2 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”

As a leader I have to know that there are going to be people who do not agree with everything I do (some of those people may even be people who are in other leadership positions).  However, I didn’t just sign up for this, I’m called to this.  Because of that God will not give me anything that I can’t handle.
Sometimes all it takes is a perspective change and a slap in the face reminder of why you do what you do.  Leadership is messy.  The gospel is messy.  The Gospel is messy because the cross is messy and because of that it’s all worth it!

 

 

Explaining Prayer Partners

Over the last couple of days you have gotten a letter introducing an adult to a child or a child to an adult.  We have found that there is some confusion.

1. Every child has a different person, not every family.  If your family has 2 or more kids, they each have an individual adult. We did this for 2 reasons.  1. It eases up the load of an older adult who might have had 2+ kids that they would have as prayer partners.  Now, they only have one and are able to focus better on that one child instead of 2 or more.

2: We are trying to widen the circle.  My sister and I are about 2 years different in age; and growing up in the church, we did not have the same people that were influences on us.  I can specifically think of 4 guys who to this day that have had huge impacts on my life.  My sister, however, might not name those same 4 guys.  She could have 5 or 6 completely different people.

3. To the adults that have a child: all we are simply asking is that you commit to praying for your child daily, and when you see them on Sunday’s or Wednesday’s to ask them how their week is going, how school was.  Our biggest goal is to give the kids another ear to hear them, another hand to hold, shoulder to lean on, a friend to turn to. You do not have to buy them gifts or do anything extravagant.  Simply put: Prayer changes things!

4. Parents: Do not feel obligated to do anything extravagant for your child’s prayer partner.  We simply hope that your child has another positive voice in their lives through this.  Likewise, it is important to understand that one child might not get something.  Celebrate what your child does get!

Titus 2: 1-6 reads: “¹ You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. ²Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

 ³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

 ⁶ Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. ⁷ In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

Every Generation Needs the Next Generation!

This morning I mailed out 74 letters to families in our church announcing their partnership with a child or student in our church.  For several years now we have had a college shepherding program where families will “adopt” a college student to provide encouragement to them throughout the year.  Our new partnership looks very similar to that.

In an increasingly busy and involved society we often times forget that relationships matter. In my life, I have been blessed with some incredible men and women in my life whom I consider my adopted grandparents.  These are people that I look to (even if they don’t know it) for strength, courage and wisdom.  In today’s world this matters more now than ever before!

Our children and students have to know that they have people there rooting for them other than their family.  By the age of 12 our kids have already figured out enough about God that if they don’t accept Him as their Savior that after 12 the numbers drop dramatically.

Our parents need somebody that they can go to that has been through some of the exact things that they are going through right now with their own children.  They need cheerleaders to let them know that they are doing the right thing and somebody they can trust to ask for wisdom and advice.

Our walk with God never ends! No matter how old we are, retired or not, God doesn’t give us a pass to invest in the next generation.  We all have something to offer to our children and parents.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to invest in a family!

Be Like Luis!

This past week I traveled to Guatemala for the 3rd time.  Normally I go with a group from Clarksville and Grace Community Church to serve at a girls home but this week a friend and I went down to serve at Casa Jackson in San Felipe (just outside of Antigua).  Casa Jackson is a home for severely malnourished babies who are brought their by their parents or referred by a hospital.  It is an extremely well known place and families from as far as 4 or 5 hours away send their babies there to get healthy.

The picture above is Luis.  Luis is 12 and has been with Casa Jackson for a couple of months.  Here is his story:

“Meet Luis, 12 years old. Luis was brought to us recently by his uncles and the PGN (child protective services), weighing only 27 pounds. Poor Luis has lived a nightmare for the past 4 years.

Luis was never able to walk well or speak, but he was a happy, loved little boy until his mother and infant sister passed away during labor 4 years ago. His father, who has children with multiple women, was entrusted with his care. He left Luis outside, naked, without food or shelter for days at a time. Luis has spent these past 4 years severely malnourished, without clothing, shelter, adequate food, or affection. Family members visited him from time to time, and his father insisted that he was caring for him and that Luis simply preferred to live outside. His aunt and uncle, who are very poor and have 9 children of their own, were unable to visit frequently to check on him. On their most recent visit, his father confessed that he had not been caring for him and simply did not want the burden anymore. They immediately brought Luis to the police, who contacted the PGN, who brought Luis to us.

Luis is the most severe case of malnourishment we have seen in Casa Jackson. He is quite literally “skin and bones.” Miraculously, he is still able to walk with help, and absolutely loves holding hands with volunteers. He smiles and laughs sometimes, and although he does not speak, is beginning to show us his sweet personality and sense of humor, little by little. Luis a long recovery ahead of him, and we are so excited to be a part of it.

Luis’s aunt came to visit him today at Casa Jackson. She sat with him all morning, giving him his breakfast, bathing him, dressing him, and doting on him. She expressed to us her desire to take him home when he recovers so that he can grow up with family who adores him and can give him the love and affection he was denied for so long.

When Luis has recovered and is ready to go home, we will support Luis and his “new family” in any way we can. Until then, please send thoughts, prayers, and “thank you’s” to Luis’s aunt. If not for the strength of her love and determination to help Luis, he would grow up in an orphanage. We are touched and overjoyed today knowing that when he’s ready, Luis will go from the loving arms of CJ to the loving arms of his aunt, uncle, and cousins!”

I got to spend some time with Luis this week.  Unfortunately he had to be put in isolation for a day because he had diarrhea.  Luis has become a very stubborn typical 12 year old.  He has gotten so strong in just the 2 months that he has been at Casa Jackson that he was able to stand up from a mattress on the floor and walk by himself into the play room.  Luis is not able to talk- they don’t know if he is able to or not or just doesn’t know how but has developed an incredible personality.

Luis had an incredible impact on my life not only forever but for right now.  Luis taught me that no matter how hard things get (remember his dad left him outside naked with no food or shelter for days at a time) that we can never give up and that in our darkest times God works in some amazing ways.  It was no coincidence that Luis ended up at Casa Jackson.  God had Luis’ life in His best interest just like He has yours.  Luis is continuing to fight.  Luis had every right to give up but he has kept on fighting!  I don’t know your situation but be like Luis.  God values your life and your situation and will work in amazing ways if you are courageous enough to listen to Him and act!

But You Can Do The Same Thing Here!!

Saturday morning I fly out for the 3rd time to Guatemala.  This time is different, it will be just my friend Shelly and I going.  We have known each other for 4 or 5 years through Grace Community Church and have gone on 2 previous trips together through Grace.

It is hard to explain somebody that has never been out of the country on a mission trip about why I would ever want to do this but it can be summed up in 3 thoughts.

1. God calls us not to just go to church on Sunday for an hour.  This is simple. I can’t find anywhere in the Bible that says that our relationship and walk with God exists only during the worship service for one hour (better not go over preachers!).  In fact, l over the Bible God calls us to serve not just in our communities but also in our church.  When we serve we are fulfilling God’s call in our lives.

2. If you work in a church.  You HAVE to get away. This week also serves as a vacation for me. Spiritually and mentally I need to get away.  Even though I will be working while down in Guatemala it will also be a great time away to clear my mind and refocus.

3. The people in Guatemala are simply amazing.  I have never been around a group of people who love their family, relationships and God more than the people in Guatemala do.  Even though we are around a lot of orphans or children who have been taken away from their parents for whatever reason the kids there have a love for strangers that you can’t even begin to describe.  They love the attention that you give them even though you have no idea what they are saying or know what to tell them.  Likewise, I will never forget the first time I went we were talking to the nuns about the safety at the girls home and they said that they have no weapons (even though there is a prison just down the road) and that if somebody does come in all they do is get on their knees and pray to God for protection because that’s all they need.   The people have a very real view of who God is and is something that is extremely refreshing!

So could I do the same thing here? There are kids here that need love and are orphans.  However God has blessed me tremendously by opening the door to Guatemala.  I have learned so much about my self and He has strengthened my relationship in Him through my trips.  Maybe you don’t have the opportunity to leave the country.  Maybe your opportunity is right in front of you in your local church.  Serve there! Selfishly, I encourage you to serve the children and families in your church.  Nothing is more important than a child’s relationship with God.

I hope to be able to have internet access this week while we are there.  Check back for updates and how God is working through me while serving at the God’s Child Project in Antigua Guatemala (www.godschild.org)

Family Experience

This month will be our 4th Family Experience that we have done. I cannot tell you how amazing this has been for our Kids Ministry and families. The Family Experience is a production where kids bring their parents to church in an environment that is aimed at kids. The production is comedy, skits, music, and teaching. We are blessed to partner with 252 Basics who makes this incredibly easy to put on. Trust me, if we can put on a Family Experience then there is no excuse that you cannot.

Pushing ahead to roll this out a few months ago was one of the best decision we’ve made in the past year!

Check out this video I made to promote our next FX the end of the month.

December FX

Guatemala Recap

I walked into the office this morning and our pastor immediately said I looked much more relaxed.  This past week I was able to spend a week in a country with some of the most amazing people in the world.  The people of Guatemala are an amazing people and as one of those “stressed out Americans” I continued to learn many lessons from them.

I am extremely grateful for Grace Community Church in Clarksville Tennessee for allowing me to go on this trip.  I cannot tell you enough how huge Grace has been in my life over the past few years.  I have never been in a church that has such a servant heart than that of Grace.  Their leadership has invested so much into me and am extremely thankful for them.

I am continually blown away by the love that the girls and nuns show at the St. Mary girls home in Mazatenango Guatemala.  There are 4 nuns who are the mothers, doctors, peace maker, etc… who have an amazing devotion to God and to the well being of the girls.  It is amazing to hear stories from people in Guatemala about how much they HAVE to rely on God because many times that is simply their only choice or hope in life.  For me, I have everything plus more than I could ever want or need and many times am extremely selfish in my relationship with God.

The week is also a big reminder of how huge it is that we are there investing in the lives of these girls.  During one of our nightly recaps one of the girls on our trip spoke about how proud she was of the guys for coming and investing in the girls lives.  We don’t know all of the stories of all of the girls but it is safe to say that most of these girls do not have a Godly man in their life at all and were probably extremely hurt by the men that they do/did have in their lives.  For the girls to open up to the guys on the trip and be vulnerable for the week to trust us enough is a huge moment in their lives.  For them to have a Godly man in their life at least for that one week could have a lasting impact on the rest of their lives.

I am also extremely thankful for the church that I serve in for supporting me through prayers and encouragement as well as monetary support to be able to attend these trips. One of our goals for this year is to get a group to travel down to Guatemala and serve.  I am extremely excited to be able to share a piece of my heart with the people here in Calvert City.  I am forever changed thanks to God, the people of Guatemala and for the Nuns and girls at the St. Mary girls home.

 

Guatemala Day 5

It is hard to put into words what the last day means for us at the Girl’s Home.  We know the logistics and plan for the day but the emotional side of things you cannot begin to even plan for.

On the last day we finish up the projects we are working on and have lunch and then leave pretty soon after lunch to head back to the hotel.  We were able to have about 3 hours at the hotel which means that we were able to take a much needed nap!  We then head to Pizza Hut and their version of Walmart to pick up pizza and ice cream for our party with the girls.  The girls always perform for us through traditional dances which is always and incredible time!  They all have more rhythm in the tip of one of their finger than I ever will in my whole body! After we eat we play with them for a little bit and then the incredibly hard part comes when we have to say goodbye.

We do not know all of the stories for these girls but to see that they trust us enough to connect with us the way they do is huge.  Despite all of the work that was done this week through painting or places razor wire along the wall that surrounds the grounds, none of that matters more than the relationships that we form with the girls.  Yesterday one of the girls Kendy really started hanging on me and always wanted to be around me.  Kendy is probably 12 or 13 and is extremely quiet and would rather sit back and watch everybody (I guess this is why we connected so easily!).  But it was very obvious that she had some sort of very tough past the way she would interact with the other members on our team.  The fact that she trusted me enough to come to me and want to be with me is a huge moment in her life and is bigger than any amount of paint that we put on the walls.

When we were saying our goodbye’s Kendy started crying.  This was extremely tough to see her crying.  We didn’t verbally communicate much since she doesn’t talk much but there was this instant bond that we had.  I had our translator tell Kendy before we left that I was extremely proud of her and hoped that she does well and school and that I/we love her and will see her again very soon!

It is my prayer and hope that we can bring a group down from my church.  I was able to talk to our bus driver’s daughter who runs the  VIM (volunteer in mission) office here in Mazatenango and got her email address and will be communicating with her as soon as we get back about how we can partner with her to get back down here as soon as we can.

We are very excited about the next 2 days.  In the morning we get up “late” for breakfast at 8:30 and then pack up and head to Antigua Guatemala until the 2nd when we fly back.  Antigua is the huge place in Guatemala for New Year’s and will be crazy.

Continue to pray for our team as we have a couple of people who are sick and struggling quite a bit with a bug they have picked up.  Also pray for the girls that tonight they understand that God loves them more than they will ever understand and that we were there to show them that love.  Pray that they will continue to progress in school as well as emotionally and socially. Pray for the nuns that they have the strength and will to lead these girls through some very tough times in their lives.

Looking forward to being able to sleep in to rest up for our bus drive that could last anywhere from 3-7 hours and majority of that is going to be very hot.  Traffic is going to be horrible with everybody traveling into Antigua.  However, Antigua’s weather is perfect with highs in the 70′s and lows in the 50′s.

Guatemala Day 4

Another incredible day spent at the girl’s home.  I once again painted and with my pole and roller went to work.  I’ve found the secret of being able to do some work with painting and that is using the long extension poles.  We have gone through 4 five gallon buckets of the reddish brown paint that you saw in the pictures over the last 2 days.  When we ran out of our 5 gallons today before lunch we decided that we had done all we could do and were going to leave the rest to be finished up by the next team that will be coming tomorrow.  While we wanted to see it that we got finished we realize that spending time with the girls matters just as much as spending the time painting and making their home look the best it can!

After lunch we were able to spend a ton of time with the girls.  The team that was doing arts and crafts with them took pictures and printed them out on a portable photo printer and let the girls decorate their photo albums.  It is amazing how much these girls like to pose for their picture to be taken as well as take the other team member’s cameras and go crazy.

It is a huge lesson learned every day when we go to the girl’s home how important it is that we take time to get to know each other.  The people in Guatemala are all about relationships and getting to know one another.  The girls love to sit close to you and feel that you don’t like them if you try to scoot away or avoid being close to them.  I wonder how we could change the world if as American’s if we really began to become interested in getting to know each other.  We have been very intentional the last couple of days to make sure that we get to know more about the girls and what their dreams our.  It is our dream that by us investing in them through God that they realize that they are not at the end- that there is an amazing life out there for them to experience.  Most of the girls don’t even know their mom and thankfully God has placed them here at the girl’s home with the amazing care and love of the nuns who in many cases have become their mothers.

Tomorrow is our last day at the home and we will spend half of it working until about 1 and we will head back to the hotel to get cleaned up and go and get pizza and ice cream and have a party for the girls where they will put on a little skit for us as well as dance.  This is always an emotional time as this is the last time that we will see them.  The nuns tell us that they and the girls feel like we are part of their family so it is just as equally as hard on them as it is us. Pray for comfort for the girls and nuns not only tomorrow night but also the rest of their lives that they may feel God’s presences in their lives and go on to change their country and world.

Guatemala Day 3

Today was another, as always, incredible day.  The bus ride to the girl’s home is ridiculously bumpy and on the way back met a police escort of a truck load full of prisoners that were headed to the prison which is only about 2 miles from the girl’s home.  It was an incredibly surreal experience especially on a one lane road that has huge boulders on it.

I once again helped with painting and was in the zone with my long pole and reddish brown paint.  We are completely changing the look of the girls home and all of them and the nuns say it’s muy bonita (very pretty) which is very important to us that they like their home and find it to be pretty!

The first day we walked into the girls home I immediately fell in love with 2 girls.  Mylady is the first one who is absolutely gorgeous and has an amazing personality.

Asgat is the other one.  Asgot loves to do hair and is just a beautiful girl inside and out.

We are down here with an incredible team who is incredibly hard working and gets along so well.  Tomorrow is our last full day at the girl’s home and have some painting to get finished up and the construction crew is going to be finishing placing the razor wire as much as they can get up.

Continue to pray for our team and for the girls and nuns that God continues to protect and bless them and us.