Life In The Passenger Seat

Justin and Brandon are 15 1/2 and have had their learners permits for over a month. They have been doing quite well, in the parking lots at their school and at the church. Yesterday, I pulled a surprise on Justin - I let him drive half of the way to church. He did awesome, well, there was that one left turn without much braking...

Tonight, I let Brandon drive to the store and back. He did fine as well. I'm excited that they're growing and experiencing new things. Beyond the practical-everyday stuff, they are becoming great men of God. That's what is exciting me the most, as that is what's most important.

Under 40

I'm really psyched about our upcoming Ohio Minister's Forum. I've wanted to attend for the past two years, but circumstances always prevented it. I was looking over the Break-Out speakers and noticed that someone, who will remain nameless, is leading a session for ministers under age 40. Problem - I'm 41. Yeah, I was a bit disappointed; however, when I thought more about it, I remembered that I am usually the one talking to and hanging with ministers much older than I - and loving it. I'm still looking forward to the conference, Maybe God will give me the chance to minister to one of those ministers in the under 40 crowd.

Perhaps I Did Leave A Mark

As I was preparing to leave the group home yesterday, some of the boys began to plead with me to stay a few more minutes. I complied with their wishes. To my surprise, the boys in the independent living quarters had baked, frosted and decorated a cake which read, "Thanks Dave". They also made me a large 2-foot square card with all their names. I was touched and surprisingly emotional (rare for me). Before I left I made a point to connect with each boy individually. Surprisingly, the ones who had given me the hardest time were the most emotional.
I pray that something God had given me to invest into their lives will take root and grow. I walked away feeling like I had accomplished something. God is faithful!

Last Shift - Ponderings at the end of another chapter.

Sitting here in a familiar chair in the living room of the group home, I can't deny that I'm a bit excited. It's my last shift. For over a year, I have been working a 24-hour weekend shift watching up to 14 teen boys, including a few who have decided to "take me on" with fists, chairs and even a fork (I still have scars from that one). While there have been times when I truly enjoyed my work as a counselor, it was those more numerous times, being the corrections officer, that I came to dread.

It has been saddening to witness the damage that family dysfunction, parental neglect and abuse causes in young lives. I could write papers on the relationship of nurture to the well being of children. Beyond the physical scars, the emotional wounds that many of these boys have suffered leads me to reaffirm my belief that only God could heal them.

However, there is a problem. A friend of mine once told me a profound fact. Spiritual truths will bounce off of a wounded heart. Wow, is that ever true. The Christian staff can witness, model and journey with these boys for years and sometimes one boy will begin to have a hint of the truth in his eyes. Most; however, while being able to quote entire chapters of the Bible, will still act in the same manner that earned them a court placement here.

Too often, as Christians, we forget that it is Christ's work in one's heart that heals wounds. While our attempts and actions may help to lead someone in that direction, the healing is all God. Sadly, until one accepts Christ and allows Him to heal their heart, our efforts often go unrealized in our eyes. Yes, there are the seed-planting analogies and, indeed, we must do our part for the Kingdom; however, the toll it takes on the staff, the community and society is great.

Perhaps the best way to defend the children of the future is in strengthening marriages and families, which is one of my callings and passions. I am looking forward to how God will continue to lead.

The Importance of Discipleship - Dividing The Word of Truth

Matt 28:19-20 NIVTherefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

I have been quite reserved in the expression of any opinion in regard to the Lakeland revival - first, out of a lack of interest and then, out of the fear of offending anyone.In recent months, I have spoke with a couple of individuals who went to Florida and attended the services. It was apparent that they had indeed experienced something incredible. However, when viewing footage of the services, I had some questions.

In light of the recent announcements from Florida, my questions have multiplied. I am not to say by what power the Lakeland revival has been operating. I haven't been there. God will, in fact, use who and what He wills to work through. However, when I hear words and phrases like, "new revelation", I get a little squeamish.

Today, more than ever, we need to know God's Word and use it to "test the spirits". I fear that we are part of a generation that can, increasingly, be deceived. Discipleship Classes are starting in September for our entire church. Young and old, new believers and life-long Christians alike will sit side by side as we go through the 16 Fundamental Truths of The Assemblies of God. I believe Bible doctrine needs to be revisited on a regular basis. What are you doing to "rightly divide the Word of Truth and teach sound doctrine?

The Dark Side

Da da da - dum da da dum da da (sound of Vader-like breathing). I was walking down the office hallway and glanced through the open doorway, into our youth pastor's office. It was then that I saw it. There, sitting on Pastor Josh's desk was the Strive Youth Ministries' new laptop. HMMM. I heard the youth group in the youth room, the hall was empty...



A few minutes later the entire youth group bursts into the upper foyer, with , well, very worried looks on their faces. I had been watching my son Brandon running up and down the office hall, checking each room for the missing computer. However, the whole youth group in a frenzy was more than I had hoped for.



When talk of calling the police began to circulate, I proceeded into my office and emerged with the laptop and handed it to Pastor Josh. The look on his face was priceless!



Yeah, I do have a dark side! And Pastor Josh is buying a lock for his office door!

A Walk

Today my family and I went to our family reunion. While there, our daughter Kaitlin (7) and I went for a walk on the trails. As we started toward the trail, Kaitlin immediately grabbed my hand in hers. At one point, she ran ahead of me, all-the-while looking back to see if I was giving chase (I was). She wouldn't get to far ahead before she would turn around and run back to me with open arms, wanting a hug. The question that kept running through my mind was, "What have I done to deserve this blessing?"

On our way back to the park, we talked as we walked along, I told her that even when she grows up and is married, she will ALWAYS be my little girl. My "sweetie girl". With that, I was awarded several more hugs!

How often do we take the time to walk and talk with our heavenly Father? Many times we are tempted to run ahead, and even when we do, Jesus always give chase. At any time, we can run to His arms. The real joy is found when we choose to walk with Him, staying by His side. It is then that He speaks and sings over us.

Energy

No, this isn't a post about alternative fuels, wind or solar technologies. It's a word that I've been hearing when people are describing what they feel at our church. There is a growing consensus that God is getting ready to bust something wide open. BRING IT ON! An outpouring of the Holy Spirit that brings real life change is our desire and has been our prayer from the start.

Things are happening at Grace Fellowship. We're still proceeding at a deliberately slow pace , moving prayerfully and carefully. God is moving before us, guiding our actions and being the faithful Father. A favorite saying from our Lead Pastor is "It's a God Thing!" What else would we want? It is when we move in the energy of the Spirit, that things fall into place. We have been praying for children's ministries' leaders. In the last week, God has given us a full compliment of M'Pact-Girls Ministries and Royal Rangers - Boys Ministries leaders. We're believing God will do great things in these ministries and give us the privilege to minister to more families.

Energy! Nothing can beat the power and presence of God's Holy Spirit. More!

Time

One of my favorite lines from a Star Trek movie (yes, I like Star Trek) is, "Time is the fire in which we burn." This fall will mark the beginning of my fourth year in college. It seems like an absurd amount of time has gone by since I stepped into that first class in 2004. It also seems like I should be finished, instead, I face, at least, another year to complete my bachelors degree. Even then, in the field of counseling, a Bachelors is considered a prep degree, as one must obtain a Masters to work professionally in the field.

I predict that I'm going to find it difficult, again, to juggle the demands on my time when school begins in September. This year, I became part of a volunteer staff at a new church. Because of this, it was my intention to only take two courses this fall, knowing that doing so would affect my school grants and financial aid. However, I didn't expect that dropping to a part-time status would decimate my grant awards leaving me to rely solely on loans. Ouch!

There is a part of me that, ashamedly, wants to quit chasing the proverbial rabbit called a degree. However, there is a larger part of me that wants to keep pushing through. I've decided to follow that larger and stronger part of me that wants those degrees very much. More importantly, doing so would be in obedience to the calling that God has placed on my life. I just registered for another full-time semester.

Time management has become increasingly hard for me. Recently, I've been working on a schedule that will allow me to be all that I need to be if I remain disciplined as a Husband, Father, Provider, Volunteer Associate Pastor and student. I'm going to do my very best and trust God to enable me to do each well. Time will tell!