Marathon

I heard someone talk about running a marathon and all the training that takes place to perform the grueling 26 mile race. They recommend to begin training at least 3 to 4 months ahead and often runners start a year or two in advance. They say the most valuable training needed is mental determination and commitment to finish. Out of over 5,000 people in a NY marathon, only 680 finished! There is something that happens at the 20-mile mark that every runner experiences, “the wall”. It’s a total mental and physical meltdown, everything in their body tells them they cannot go on. Many runners experience it and prepare in advance to over compensate for that meltdown moment - placing supporters, cheerleaders, and water rejuvenation breaks along the way. One guy said he had a coach run along side him that mile to chatter about jokes and stories to get his mind off the pain and the discouragement. This season in my life has been the 20-mile mark in my marathon of life. But thanks to the supporters and cheerleaders, and of course the rejuvenating Water and most incredible Coach, we are now approaching mile 21 and going strong.

You see, God reminded me recently in my own 20-mile moment, that I am under his “shelter” and nothing can come against me or my family as long as I am in that place. Psalm 91:1 says “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” That secret place, the special place is where we will find our true rest, our true provision, our true security…in His shadow. So it's under His shadow that I keep running, with confidence knowing that I will never go through a "20-mile mark" alone and that as long as I find rest in HIM, under His shadow, I will not only make it to the 21-mile mark, but I will finish the race.

WOW!!!

Its been a tough week. I feel like shaz, work is crazy, and I can't stop thinking about how I am going to start a youth ministry from nothing at all. We want this ministry to be life changing for teens, and we believe it will be. But how do you start with just you and your wife. We need to become very creative in the way that we present this to the area. Im praying for God ideas, and ways to be innovative. Please pray with me and for us!!!!

Had a Bad Day!!! Like the Song!!!!!!

Ever had a day that you couldn't wait to get over with. That was yesterday for me. My beautiful wife lost her keys at work yesterday. She was letting the babies she keeps play with them. She thought she might have left them in the car, but the car was locked. We called a locksmith to come let us in, and they were not there. Seventy-Five dollars for 3 mins. Im in the wrong business!!!! So we just went home and prayed she would fined them today. I got home and after waiting forever to have internet working at the house, my modem finally came in. Things were looking up I thought. No, No, No the modem they sent me was broken. At that point, I just went to bed. Today has been better, She found the keys, a tech. is coming to fix the internet, and with any luck the tacos im gonna eat tonight will be great.

Exciting Week!!!

Welp Laura Leigh has arrived. She is a beautiful little girl. I am so glad everything went well for Jon and Gina. Also my Epoch cards came in on Friday. I will be starting to pass them out soon. I am really excited about the coming year at MCAG. I believe that we are going to began to see some awesome things unfold over the next few months!!! Be in pray with us that God will use us in a creative way to become a place that people can come to.

This says it all!!!

Why is all everyone wants to talk to me about is spiritual things? Believe it or not I do have other interest. I like the same music you like, watch the same movies, and I to have to watch my mouth when i hit my body on things. I find it humorus when people do try to talk to me about God. You can so tell they are trying to talk to me about what they think I am in to. Anyway check out the blog by Craig Groeschel, it explains Pastors well.

http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2008/02/21/the-challenge-of-ministry-friendships-4-of-5/

Weekend

This weekend was crazy!!! Started out at the doctor with lil Karsyn, that's right, she's cool like that. She looked at me the other night in bed and said " gimme knuckles"!!! Dont worry, she is fine. Just a busted eardrum!!! Prolly from a gang fight she was in or something. Saturday we went to the mall with the fam. and made Gina walk around like crazy trying to have the baby. As fast as they were walking in surprised the baby didn't come right out.

I spoke Sunday at MCAG.. I really miss being able to get up and speak on a weekly basis. More motivation to get epoch up and running. Epoch is MCAG Youth Church. Sunday went ok I guess. Just wished I was a better speaker. Maybe someday!!! Now back to the Mon-Fri. job. Sitting in my cube just daydreaming about the day that I will be full time at the church.

Out of Place

I have been going to the gym religiously for about almost two months now. Im feeling much better and hopefully am looking that way too. As I was working out today, looking around at all the rip dudes in a very heterosexual way, it made me feel a little out of place. Watching them lift mega-weight and flexing their muscles in the mirrors. I'm like "it's ok guys, I'll just do the treadmill with the ladies."

As I was walking it out today feeling a little out of place I began to think about the way people go into church for the first time and feel like others are looking at them like they dont belong. That never really made much sence to me until today. How many times have people come into church feeling beat down by life and their I am flexing my spirtual biceps in the mirror, or walking around naked in the locker room just because Im rip!!! Dude's put some clothes on in there!!!!

The fact is I will never change my body if i first dont change my outlook. I have to be honest with myself. I am not in shape, and I won't be unless I began working out and change eating habits. I can't be expect to walk into a gym and just magical be in shape. It takes hard work and time. I have to be willing to do it no matter who is in that place.

Now, on the flip side, you can walk into a church and magical be transformed. You just have to be willing to do it no matter who is in that place. You can't be expected to have it all together before you go in. And understand that the people who are in there flexing have weaknesses too. They just may be well at hiding them, or they may never go over and work out at that machine. There is one guys at my gym that has shoulders like a horse and legs like a little girl!!!! It's very funny!!!

It is our job as Christians to help others when they are down, not make them feel out of place. This became very real to me over the past few days. I try my best now to get those around me to began working out, and going to the gym. I now need to try hard at bringing them to a place where they can be instantly changed. It's time we all make that step to go to people who may be broken inside and not look down on them, or judge them, or try to fix them, but take them to someone who can.

By the way, I got invited to a tupper-ware party by my treadmill friends!!!! J/K

Giving This a Shot

Well, I am tired of posting things on myspace so I have graduated to this site. It is a cold bitter day in ATL. and we are all awaiting the arrival of the newest addition to our family. Jon and Gina are having another little girl named Laura Leigh!!! I think thats how you spell it. Tiff, Karsyn and I are just getting into the swing of things up here. It has been a hard change that came with lots of questions, but what change doesn't. I am going to do my best to write on here everyday. Some things may be deep, but others not. If nobody ever reads this, its ok with me. Just a chance to get my thoughts out.