Sabbath afternoon our church plant/second campus is officially LAUNCHING! That means beginning on a weekly basis (we’ve been having preview services). 

I’m nervous, not in an ego, what if it fails or it must succeed, kind of way. Nervous in that this is a God thing, and God things are completely unpredictable and beyond our control.

We’re going against traditional church planting logic: “start with a series about a felt need” like family stuff or finances…nope we’re launching with prophecy, yep a prophecy series, why? That is what God showed me to do…not what I probably would have chosen, but God things are unpredictable.

I’ve been told by the head of the church planting coaching network, that he has never seen a church plant really thrive and explode exponentially that isn’t meeting Sunday mornings, (“because even non-Christians understand that church is on Sunday morning. I just don’t think it can work.”) We’re meeting Saturday afternoons, also known as The Sabbath, at 4:30 p.m.. God things are unpredictable.

I have no idea what we are going to do for music after this Sabbath. We have Josh and Jackie Cunningham this Sabbath…but beyond that…God things are unpredictable!

I’m excited, because God things are unpredictable! 

Please be on your knees for The Ark Church

About 3 months ago I said I would probably never run a marathon (26.2 miles) again. As of today I’ve changed my mind. I would like to give Pheidippides journey at least one more try. In order for this feat to be accomplished I’ll need my body to cooperate (especially my nagging hip injuries) and my mind to cooperate (much discipline is needed).

I am feeling the itch again though! It has been almost a year since I have done any serious distance running, that I’ve even run over 5 miles, and I am really missing it! 

Running is a great blessing in my life. The benefits are enormous:

• I sleep better
• I am happier
• My life is more balanced
• I weigh less:)
• I feel Spiritually stronger (mind, body, spirit)

I know I could run 5k’s and 10k’s and get all these benefits as well (and I plan to run some of those in the meantime), but for me the race of choice is the Marathon!  I’ve run 3 of them and I cherish the memories and the journey leading up to each!

My goal is to run my 4th marathon in May! 

I solicit your prayers for a strong body and mind!

And I’ll see y’all out on the roads!

“Never” is an unbiblical word!  How is it an unbiblical word?

“Never is unbiblical for those who are followers of Christ when discussing future plans!

“Never” is a word one who follows Christ should never use when talking about the future.

I have learned this in my short 33 years. Let me share with you a few stories.

When I became a Christian, I said, “I will NEVER ask anyone to become an Adventist.” i.e. “I won’t be an Adventist preacher.” Here I am loving every day as a preacher within the Adventist denomination, and obviously I am okay with folk becoming Adventist.

Happy Sabbath everyone!

I came from a fairly functional family, my parents had their issues and fights, but in the big picture my home life was stable. I over the years have teased my parents about some of the problems I have had in my life, and implied that they were to blame, though never really were. But they are responsible for some things I believe I have done right or at least I am attempting to do right. 

1. My parents showed a lot of affection towards one another as I grew-up. They hugged, they kissed, they walked down the street holding hands, my mom sat on my dad’s lap when they talked at times. I felt secure as a child because of this type of interaction. Their behavior then and even now has helped me in my marriage. Christina and I see my parents as a model of two people who though very different can work together through anything and at the end of each day be one another’s best friend! I believe I am a better husband and have a better marriage because of what my parents did right.
2. My parents never shied away from saying, “SORRY”. I never remember a time that I was wronged by one of my parents where they were not quick to say sorry. If they yelled at us kids unnecessarily, or punished us to severly, they always said sorry. I learned from them that it is okay to admit when I am wrong, and sorry is a very easy word for me to use.
3. My parents said I love you a lot! I was a kid that was very insecure and got into an abundance of trouble, I was the black sheep of a great family. I did most the things parents never want their kids to do, I never, ever felt I did anything that decreased their love! I believe their unconditional love, eventually helped me to accept God’s unconditional love!
4. My parents taught me respect for authority. If any past teachers are reading this, they may disagree:) But though as a young person I showed very little respect to anyone, the lessons were still planted and I know this has allowed me to accept and value God’s Lordship, His authority over my life, even when I don’t always understand what He is doing!
5. My parents did not fight my battles. I had to learn to be strong and understand that life isn’t fair, that people can be mean, and that my response to these situations is very important. I wonder whether kids are still learning this? It seems that parents are always quick to blame teachers or a kids peers, or another kids parents. Parents are quick to go in and fight their kids battles and I am afraid we will find as the years pass a progressively more immature, and a more delinquet society!
6. My parents believed in character over talent. My dad and I had so many battles during my sports years. I remember us breaking down every single play following basketball and baseball games. We would fight on the golf course and at the batting cages, etc.. Here is the thing though, I never remember verbatim any of those confrontations (probably b/c they weren’t as bad as I’ve created in my head), but I do remember verbatim the time he caught me disrespecting a teammate, and the time he caught me giving a cheap shot to an opponent in a basketball game. My dad wanted me to win, he wanted me to play well, but more than that he wanted me to play with honor. I have tried to keep that in mind with every decision I make in life. The most important thing for me is to do things with honor!

I have great parents and these are just a few of the many things they did right for me and I am trying to do right for my boys.