Pre-Teen Camp?!?!

A few days ago my good friend John Sherrill, who leads 220, called me and asked if I would be interested in preaching for his Pre-Teen Summer camp. He said he would understand if I was not interested, but wanted to ask me anyways. I told him that I would talk with Steph and pray about it.

When I talked with Steph and told her what I was asked she literally laughed in my face and said jokingly, "You've been demoted!!!" She said this because I have been camp pastor for 220 camps in the past for middle school and high school students. I told John this and he assured me that it was NOT a demotion.

The week he asked me to preach I am currently available. However, I have never preached to 5th and 6th graders before, so I wasn't sure if I would connect. Most folks that know me know that I connect well with High School and up. I also have experience with Middle School students, but that is 7th grade and up. A bit different than 5th graders!

With all of this in mind, I have agreed to participate in their camp if they would have me. It is not because I'm hard up for camps, rather, the honest thing in the back of my mind is that I have a 20 month old daughter who I desire to raise up in the Lord, but I am still learning what this means. So, I decided that moving towards younger ages gradually would be good practice. I know these kids aren't young children, but, hey, it's challenging, and it's a start.

Needless to say, I need your prayers. It will be great, or horrible, or a mixture of the two... We'll have to see...

Transform Ministries - NEW WEBSITE LIVE!

Well, after several months of planning, dreaming, designing, etc, our friends at Crate Media have done a phenomenal job with our new website!  Please check it out and let us know what you think!  

0-60 in under...

Our lives have strange rhythms.  For instance, my family goes from having nothing going on to me being gone every weekend, in school, and in and out of meetings throughout the week.  This rhythm is tough on us at times.  We get used to a settled pace (nearly unemployed) to a "we barely see each other in passing."  I am the first to admit that this is not the best, but this is reality.  

This raises the question, "If you know this is not best, then why do you do it?"  Well, to answer this hypothetical question, the reason is that we are striving to fulfill a calling on our lives.  The problem is not with the calling, the problem is with our intentionality in seeking to fulfill our calling and maintain health in other aspects of our lives.  However, this is easier said than done.  

I know for a fact that we are not alone in this struggle.  While most people have more normal life rhythms than us, they are still inundated with work, school, family, church, hobbies, etc.  The question that we should be asking ourselves are, "Is what I am doing right now consistent with the vision of my family?" and "Am I pursuing this calling in a way that honors God and cultivates intimacy with Him, my family, and my community?"  These may seem like easy questions on the surface, but are quite haunting, convicting, and compelling when contemplated for some time.

It is about this time that someone might throw in the good 'ol, "Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10).  However, am I the only one that sees the application of this verse as, "SLAM ON THE BRAKES!!!"  Perhaps we are too busy.  Perhaps we think we are too important.  Perhaps we need to be reminded that the exaltation of our life needs to be focused on exalting God, and not our own status.

Any thoughts?

Gotta Post More...

I realized today that I haven't posted very much on my blog.  I miss it, so I will begin again...

More coming soon.