A Great Video for All the Youth "Mini"Stars Out There!

5 Year Anniversary

Today is our five year wedding anniversary. God has been so good to me over the years...but he was particularly good when he allowed me to meet my future wife. So, since I'm feeling kind of mushy...here's a mushy video. Love you babe!

Every Leader Needs an Abishai

The paragraph below is taken from an article written by a fellow youth worker named Doug Fields:

“Building a healthy ministry doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires teamwork! In my years of ministry I’ve worked with incredible people–people who are much more talented and gifted than I could ever dream to be. One of the reasons that I’ve been able to pursue a lot of different opportunities is because I’ve always surrounded myself with an “Abishai”. I know, you’re thinking, “Huh? Did Doug not take his meds today?” Every leader needs an Abishai. I realize this is not a very catchy leadership phrase, but this person is crucial to the success of a leader. You need an Abishai!”

Abishai was a warrior and a friend of King David. He is mentioned in 2 Samuel 21. In verses 15-17 we read: “David and his men were in the thick of battle, David became weak and exhausted…Ishbi-benob had cornered David and was about to kill him. But Abishai came to his rescue and killed the Philistine.”

David had several men around him who were extremely loyal and dependable. I believe that every minister needs several Abishais. We need people with whom we can share the joys and struggles of ministry. We need people who can help us when we are weak and exhausted. Ministry is better and healthier when it is done together. With that said…let me just say how thankful I am for my youth team. They are not simply chaperones who help watch teenagers…they are fellow youth workers who serve and love teenagers. They are good friends I can depend on.

Amazingly Awesome Video

 Christian music could only go down hill from here...

Check out the Nu Thang remix on you tube

Core Values

Our youth group just finished a sermon series entitled "One Month 2 Live." What would change about our lives if we had only 30 days left? What would change about our priorities and the way we treat those around us?

One of the things I asked our youth team and students to do is make a list of core values. These values are beliefs that you would like to characterize the way you live and make decisions. So often in life we just kind of survive...we simply get by and forget the bigger picture.

What do I really value? What is most important? Does my life reflect these values? If not, what needs to change? Spend an afternoon in prayer and reflection...make your list. Here is mine.

Core Values

• Family Man
• To be a Godly husband and father…loving, caring, and devoted.
• Always Growing
• I never want to be stagnant…my prayer is that my faith and knowledge would continue to grow. Pursuing holiness of heart and life.
• Love the Church
• My mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
• Hospitality and Giving
• Having people over, giving people a place to stay, sharing our resources with those in need.
• Seek faithfulness, not success
• Not allowing numbers and people-approval to become idols in my ministry. Being faithful to God and those in my care is more important. The world does not need more great preaches and managers. The world needs more people who have hearts attached to Jesus.
• Laughter
• Never take myself too seriously…have fun, enjoy life, and make others smile.
• Be present…to God, others, and my own soul
• Never lose site of the bigger picture and the bigger story.

Much Needed Words

Often the Bible gives us the right words just when we need them. This happened for me today. I read one of my favorite verses (Zephaniah 3:16-17)...below the verse is my translation...God's specific words to my heart.


"Do not fear; do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is in your midst.
A warrior who gives victory.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will renew you in his love.
He will exult over you with loud singing.
-Zephaniah 3:16-17

"Do not panic or stress out; do not give up or give in.

Yahweh, your father, is closer than you think…he is with you.

A mighty hero who will win.

He will take delight in you with great joy.

He will mend you and restore you with his love.

He will sing over you in joyful celebration."