Crockett's Corner

The End is the Beginning

2011-09-02T12:24:00.003-04:00

The title for this blog is so fitting for my life right now. The past 3 months have been so crazy in the life of the my family. For those of you all that don't know God has called "The Davidson Clan" to move to Hickory NC and plant a church. Now this is something that God has really had to move me towards. Church planting has become very trendy and as one friend put it, "Its the new youth minister!" I have seen many friends move towards church planting but have not asked them why they felt the need to do this. There are couple of things I have learned already and I have not even planted yet.

* Church Planting calls you to do things WAY outside the norm and your comfort zone.
* Most new churches fail in year 4 and 5 after launching.
* I have never seen so many people invested in you, your church and they want you to succeed. This is such a great motivation and yet humbles you tremendously.
* It is already the hardest thing I have ever done but I know it will be the most rewarding.
* At the core of every church planter is a strong sense to help people live life the way it was meant to be lived and look like the church Jesus died for.

AGAIN this is not something that I went after who even wanted to be, but something God transformed me into. Looking back at my calendar you can see how God works in the lives of his followers and how he uses people around you.

Summer 2009: I was contacted by a church planters group to consider doing this and I said, NO!!!! But God was planting seeds in my heart and mind.
Nov 2010: Began to pray with Natalie about God's leading in our lives.
Jan 2011: God revealed that our marriage needs to be stronger.
Feb 2011: God revealed how to be better parents.
April 2011: Contacted by a friend who planted a church with Stadia and they had been asking about a name he could give them. His Facebook message read this way, " I have been praying about this for weeks now and I can't get your name out of my mind." We told him it was ok to that he give them our names.
June 2011: Contacted by Stadia and went to Assessment in Chicago.
4 days later: Stadia confirmed us as lead planters and wanted us to start soon.
3 days after that: Contacted by a lead planter in NC to plant a church there. Natalie and I were already praying about NC which is crazy.
July 2011: Envision hired me as a lead planter in NC and now we had to narrow it down between 5 cities.
July 31: Told FCC that we were leaving them to plant a church (one of the hardest Sundays ever).
Aug 2011: 4 partners were nailed down and we chose Hickory NC to plant this church all while saying good bye to our amazing FCC family.
Sept 2011: Start date with Stadia and hopefully moving to Hickory NC.
Future: In God's hands!!!!!

As you can see God shoved me through this door and I am so thankful he did!!! So there a couple of things I want you to know as a reader of this blog.

1. This is my last blog here at Crockett's Corner!!!! I will be starting a new blog about my adventures in life, marriage, fatherhood and church planting very soon!!!
2. I have done youth ministry for over 10 years now and it is one of the greatest ministries ever. I am so thankful that God allowed me to meet so many wonderful people in the last 10 years.
3. If you would like to give to this new church plant please contact me on Facebook or through email. My new email is crockett.davidson@gmail.com.
4. I need your prayers more than anything... I can't do this without God and the support of his people. Please pray for me, my fam, the church and the city of Hickory DAILY!!!
5. The End really is the beginning in so many ways. Thanks for reading this blog over the years and I will send out the new blog address soon!!!

I'm not complaining but...

2011-07-11T10:16:00.003-04:00

I have never felt that this blog should ever be used to complain or bash anyone or anything. There are seasons in life that you go through that you just have to say something because it has just been that hard. I know many out there have it much harder than more and I am not writing this to complain but actually for prayers.

As my previous entry mentioned I have been fighting off a kidney stone and this fight is now into its 3rd week. Yea, you heard me 3 weeks of this has been crazy. I have seen doctors and they want to me to go through surgery to remove this lion but they told me it is 2mm away from my bladder which means if it drops I am home free. The hard part about the stone is I feel so disconnected. I can't function well at work, home or with people. You are always wondering when the pain is going to start up again and you can't do what you want to do. Maybe I'm rebellious but I don't like being told what I can and can't do my somethings as small as a kidney stone...

Speaking of not being able to do things, while I was fighting this stone off I slipped in the bathroom and twisted my knee. It has been swollen for over a week and I am seeing the doctor tomorrow. I am limping everywhere and I because I can't but weight on it I am using a crutch to walk around. I am not a fan of using crutches but you have to do what you have to do so you can heal. That happened last week and it is still as swollen and hurting more than it has since the beginning. I am drinking so much water to get this stone out of me that I have to use the bathroom every 5 seconds and that means more walking for me on this knee!!!!

I tell you all this so that you will pray for me. There are some big things happening in my families life and this just seems to be slowing it down. No injury ever happens at the right time but it has been a rough summer so far. Just hoping it gets better soon!!!

I promise next post will be positive haha!!!!

Marriage, Kidney Stones and Faith!!!

2011-06-28T09:20:00.003-04:00

The last couple of weeks have been very challenging to say the least. There has been so much good to come out of it though I don't know where to start. Every marriage has highs and lows, valleys and mountaintop experiences. Natalie and I feel like we have pretty much had a safari all across the mountain at times. We have had seasons in our marriage where it felt very routine, and seasons where everything felt new again. The one thing I have learned about marriage is that the longer you're married and the more work you put into it the meaning of true love rises in both of your lives. Natalie and I attended a wedding last weekend and we were talking on the way over how they have no idea what to expect. The best counselor could not prepare them for the day to day life with your spouse. But we prayed that like us 8 years later they would truly know and understand the word love and sacrifice. Not that we have it down but with each new day we learn and live these words together. Natalie posted this on her Facebook a couple of hours ago...

See you and me have a better time than most can dream of, have it better than the best and so can pull on through whatever tears at us whatever holds us down and if nothing can be done will make the best of what's around......forgot how much I love this song. It reminds me so much of us! Love you♥ Crockett Davidson

Of course she is quoting Dave Matthews Band and that is what makes our loves special!!!!

On a more painful note I have a kidney stone that is inching her way down right now and the pain is pretty much awful. But every time I have one of these I am very thankful. Seriously!!!!! I pray without ceasing, I trust God and maybe I know what it means when Paul says, "There is a thorn in my flesh." I don't think he meant a kidney stone but you never know!!!!

I just want to give you some encouragement... Trust God!!!! He is so faithful and he always keeps his word and there is nothing out there that deserves your trust or faith like God. I know many are going through hard and scary times but God values you so much and I pray that you would just trust him with everything. For real, EVERYTHING!!! Having a relationship with God is indescribable and trusting him with the smallest details of your life is so worth it. Where do you need to trust God more? Is there an area of your life that you like to control? Do you believe him when he says, "I will take care of you..." or do you doubt?

Interesting discussion!!!

2011-05-31T16:37:00.001-04:00

For the church leaders out there who think about church planting and or multisite then you will enjoy this lively debate...

Multiple Sites: Yea or Nay? Dever, Driscoll, and MacDonald Vote from Ben Peays on Vimeo.

Still Here!!!!

2011-05-23T09:51:00.003-04:00

There was so much going on this weekend its tough to know where to start...

* Friday night we had dinner with our good friends David and Lynn Tully. They are two people that both Natalie and I are drawn to because of their love for God and the world. David cooked burgers on the grill and introduced me to the best salsa I have ever had in my life. The name escapes me now, but I put it on my burger and it changed by life.

* Sunday was Graduation Sunday and our youth praise band led worship and I preached. I was so nervous for the band because I know it is a different audience and venue but they did a great job (as always) and I am so blessed to work with people who want to change the world for Jesus Christ. I gave them the book Radical and I hope they read it because it is such a wonderful and challenging book...

* That night we all went out to the Kani House (Japanese restaurant) and had a great time. It was great to be with friends just laughing and remembering different times together.

* My favorite band in the world called it quits this weekend. This would be the David Crowder Band and I will post more on this later.

* Tornado's hit Joplin Missouri this weekend and I am praying hard for the people there. I know many have lost homes and family's and I pray the people of God rise to meet the needs in that community. I actually watched a video on YouTube that a guy filmed while in a building during this awful ordeal. It was hard to watch and hard to listen to...

* Finally we are still here. There was such a big debate whether the "rapture" would happen this weekend. Social Networks were going crazy, news, internet and many more couldn't stop talking about it. I hope Christians don't forget that Jesus said, "Know one knows the day or hour" and his focus was on being ready not being taken. Since we are still here let us focus on bringing the good news to the world and being ready for his return.

His Bride is Still Alive!!!!

2011-05-13T15:20:00.003-04:00

I have read countless books and blogs that are pretty much bashing the church. Don't get me wrong there are tons of things that I don't like about the church and what she does or doesn't do. I believe the church is the hope to the world and can bring rescue to a person, nation and world that is hurting. Jesus gave up his life for the church and even though we are dysfunctional at times I still love her and want to serve with her. Her beauty still exists, His bride is still ALIVE!!!

God is not a white man!!!

2011-05-10T09:34:00.004-04:00

I have not blogged in a long time for a couple of different reasons. One thing that God was calling me to do for 2011 was journal more and I have been doing so on a regular basis. This has taken me away from blogging because what I journal is between God and me and what I blog about is me and the world. I need this in my life... I need to share what is on my heart and mind because I know there are people out there thinking the same things I am. So here we go again!!!

Lately I have been listening to the band called Gungor. They are very talented and have a heart for God. There is a song called, "God is not a white man!" I was taking Emma (my youngest daughter) on a date night and we were listening to this song. It says all the things that God is not.

God is not a man
God is not a while man
God cannot be boxed in
God is not bound to religion

The chorus screams out GOD IS LOVE, GOD IS LOVE!!!! My daughter burst out screaming this every time the song plays. We have heard this song now at least 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 times.

1 John says, "God is love," while driving around town listening to this song with kids screaming it at me I am reminded of this truth. God does loves me!!! He really does love me!!!! So many times I forget that simple truth but that truth has changed my life and my destination. So today not sure how everyone out there is feeling but remember, GOD IS LOVE and HE LOVES EVERYONE!!!

2011 funniest video (so far)

2011-03-23T11:58:00.002-04:00

Enjoy!!!

Tower of Babel

2010-11-08T14:25:00.003-05:00

A friend reminded me of a passage in Gen 11v6 where God says that there is nothing impossable for the human race. I saw this video and thought how gifted we at doing some really cool stuff...

Plus we have a lot of free time, enjoy...

The Unseen Battle

2010-10-05T08:41:00.003-04:00

There are 5 things as a youth minister I want to teach my students about the unseen battle... The unseen battle is what happens in our minds and for most of us that is where the real trouble begins. Here are somethings to remember.

1. Don't believe everything you think
2. Guard your minds from garbage
3. Never let up on learning
4. Feed yourself daily with God's Word
5. Let God stretch your imagination

Touch

2010-09-15T09:48:00.004-04:00

We are starting a new series tonight called Touch. I just finished writing my sermon about the untouchables and how Jesus was never afraid to give what was needed in someones life. I also have been reflecting on touch and how much it means to each one of us. Here are somethings from my sermon and some thoughts on the subject.

The miracle showed God's power but his touch showed his love.
Jesus always defended the unlovable and unwanted.
Jesus went the extra mile to let people know he loved them.

If you have the time google the Sistine Chapel and notice Adam's posture while God is reaching for him.

I was thinking about the touch in my life that means so much. When Natalie holds my hand, hugs at church, when my Caroline squeezes my cheeks, when Emma hugs my leg and when you are worshiping and you feel the presence of God inside you.

We all need touch and we are worthy of God's touch because he is always willing...

What's it all mean...

2010-07-22T18:04:00.003-04:00

Maybe some of you in the past couple of days have seen this video called a double rainbow. It is one of the funniest videos I have seen in a while. If you haven't seen it, here it is. Double rainbows are so yesterday... Here is a new video that trumps double rainbow and my question is, What does it all mean? ENJOY!!!

To Infinity and Beyond...

2010-07-16T07:42:00.004-04:00

Today I will be doing something that I have wanted to do for many years. I will be jumping out of a perfectly good air plane with two close friends of mine, I am going SKYDIVING!!!! I have talked with many who have done it and they have said it is one of the craziest and most unforgettable things you could ever do. So wish me luck and pictures shall be coming soon. Not from the skydiving place because they wanted 90 dollars for pics and videos. I think my iPhones camera will work just fine today :) Wish me luck and say a prayer for yours truly...

Great coach, author and Man of God...

2010-07-14T16:46:00.001-04:00

Sunday Morning!

2010-05-14T14:52:00.001-04:00

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Radio

2010-05-04T08:55:00.003-04:00

I interviewed on a internet radio station about out students ministry and how God has called me to ministry. I really enjoyed the radio program and I love the oppruntunity to talk about God and how he has done so many things in my life and in the lives of others. If you would like to listen the link is found below.

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=80620&cmd=tc

Just click part 1 (interview with Crockett)

This Wednesday I will have students call in and ask a ton of questions so that should be fun.

Have a great week!!!

Stretch (ATC)

2010-03-23T09:48:00.003-04:00

I am leaving this Thursday to speak at the Appalachian Teen Convention and theme of the convention is called STRETCH. I am hoping (with God's help) that I can stretch their minds and faith so that the students and adults would be more like Christ. It is always very humbling to be asked to go and speak to a group of people you normally wouldn't see. I have been praying hard for the students and adult leaders who will attend. If you will say a prayer this week for one of the following then I would be gratefully...

Pray for those who come to the convention to see the "Real Jesus" and be drawn to Him. So many times people are impressed with bands, skits or the speaker and my hope is that the students see the glory of God through the weekend.

Pray for the students... Many students are facing so many things like divorce, peer pressure, sex, pornography and so much more. Often times students go to conferences broken, and I hope they come home renewed.

Pray for the youth ministers. We look forward to weekends like this where we can spend time with students and just worship together. We are often up all night talking about serious matters and there is a little goofing off from time to time. Pray that God would give them strength.

Pray for the adult leaders. Adults are just like students just bigger. They often come to conferences broken but willing to share and give their time so that students see Jesus. They are truly my heros and need your prayers.

Pray for Dave and Crockett. Dave McCants and his band will be leading worship and of course I am doing the preaching. I hope people don't walk out thinking that we were a great team or it was a great weekend because of what was said or done on stage. Pray that Dave and I get out of the way and let God do what he does best. Lord keep us both humble...

Thanks, and I will update you all when I get back!!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T10:45:00.002-04:00

My friend showed me this video and I laughed so hard I cried... ENJOY!!!

Simply Amazing!!!

2010-02-12T11:32:00.002-05:00

The past month has been amazing for these reasons...

Our Student Life Ministry raised over 700 dollars for Haiti on one night.

We have seen 11 baptisms in two weeks and we have 2 more Sunday and 1 next week at EDGE.

We are averaging in the mid 90's and have broke 100 a couple of times in the past month.

We hired a intern to work with me and he is doing a awesome job.

Last week one of our youth workers admitted his addiction to pornography and so we prayed for him and now that God has brought freedom in his life he wants to help students recover from the same addiction.

We are learning the value of just listening to God.

Our adults finished a series called BE the church and it was a great start for the year.

Natalie and I did a date night last night and I have never loved my wife more.

Caroline and Emma are getting so big that I am a little freaked out.

I am still in the process of surrender and I have never felt more loved by Jesus.

Old School

2009-11-30T11:59:00.003-05:00

For the last year I have been reading al kinds of different books. Books on church, life, God, music and much more. I started my masters at JBC and my reading adventure continued with Greek books and helps for my classes. I really like to read but lastly I am tired of reading all the new school books. I have read Think Orange, Drops like Stars, books on leadership and preaching and the more I read the more I am getting tired of hearing what I should be doing. I know I sound like someone who is built up with pride or maybe even someone who has it all together. Nothing could be further from the truth. I feel like I don't know enough and I have so many questions that I have turned to every book under the sun expect the one that matters.

I couple of weeks ago I put all those books down and started reading the Bible. Not for a sermon and not for a lesson just reading it to glean all that I can from it. I have been reading at least 3 or 4 books a week out of the bible and I am loving it. I have fallen in love with this book once again. I am reading it with a renewed sense of passion and vision and I can't keep my hands off it. It has amazing power and there is something special that happens when it is just you and the Holy Spirit and the Word of God together. These words last forever and have changed my life.

I don't know when the last time you just read the bible to see how great God is. I am not sure how often you read it or what you think of it but I would ask you to take sometime this week and jump into this amazing book. Read it and see what God has in store for you and remember why its the best selling book of all time.

I love Youth Ministry...

2009-11-08T08:26:00.003-05:00

To all those who work with students, you are my heros!!!

Simply Thoughts...

2009-10-19T09:30:00.003-04:00

The older I get I am realizing that I forget the simply stuff. Yesterday I was driving some students home from a convention and could not find my car keys (the car I was driving was a van). I could not for the life of me remember where I put them and I was a little nervous on how I was going to get home. I looked in my bag, the youth building, my car and finally found them in my office. Why couldn't I remember that? Why couldn't I remember that my keys were in my office? I wish I could say that was the only thing I forget but it's not. I forget really important things like truths found in God's Word. This weekend I was reminded of those simply things and I want to share with you, hoping we don't forget.

God is not only my father but my daddy.

Gal 4:6 is clear that our Spirit cries out to God as daddy. I forget so often that God is my daddy even though I am a father. Caroline most of the time refers to me as "my daddy" not just daddy. I so often forget that God is "my daddy" and loves me more than I could ever love my own children.

God wants to be my friend.

I have so many good friends in life that I talk to, laugh with and share personal thoughts that I have about everything. God wants to be my friend. He wants to spend time with me, laugh with me, cry with me and he just want us to be together. I forget so often to just "Enjoy God."

God is my forgiver.

Caroline many times has come up to me and said, "Daddy I am sorry..." With those big tears and that curled lip how could I not say, "It is ok and I love you." I am so quick to forgive her because I love her. Why is it when I ask God to forgive me, I hold on to it? Caroline runs off to play and I swim in guilt. I need constant reminder that God does forgive...

God wants me to follow.

I am getting ready to write a paper for my masters on the word "follow" and I can't wait to see what I can be reminded of. Such a simply thing to do but I seem to make it difficult. God just wants me to follow him in everything. It's funny because I am so much more happier and joyful when I follow. If I don't life can be a miserable.

I hope you are reminded of these simply truths and my prayer is that we lives these out in our live so that we can be more like Jesus.

Balloon Boy throws up on Today Show!!

2009-10-16T10:55:00.003-04:00

I follow a blog and found this video from a friend. I laughed out loud!! Look at the dad's face when this happens..

I could have done that...

2009-09-23T10:09:00.002-04:00

This shot looks so easy.

I wonder how many times he practiced that?

A must have for me and you...

2009-09-16T11:33:00.003-04:00

This week has been seriously ridiculous for some odd reason. I feel like I am caring the weight of the world but in all reality it's probably just my own weight. Have you ever had days like that? Weeks like that? The bible says we go through seasons some good, some bad, some surprising? But God gives us these small little mercies and gifts to get us through it. As many of you know I am a music junky and by far my favorite band is the David Crowder Band. They are releasing their new CD Church Music near the end of this month. Because God loves me so I actually received a copy of the CD early. I have been listening to it for the last week and it is amazing. Different then their previous recordings but still amazing. God has reminded me through this album of who he is and who I am. Here are some lyrics that I have been resting in.

Shadows

Life is full of light and shadows, all the joy and all the sorrow, Yet will he bring dark to light, Yet will he bring day from night. When shadows fall on us we will not fear, we will remember...

Eastern Hymn

Bring us love, you who are love, bring us peace, you who are peace, we need love, O divine love, we need peace, your merciful peace. GLORY!!!! HOLY!!!! God is near to each one of us.

Shine

Hold me, I need to feel love, can you overcome this heart that's over come...

The Veil

Alleluia we rejoice, what a Savior what a King, Alleluia lift your voice, to our Savior to our King... What a Savior, What a King...

All Around Me

I feel you on my finger tips, my tongue dances behind my lips for you. I can feel you all around me, thickening the air I'm breathing, Holding on to what I am feeling, Savoring this heart that is healing.

There is a line in each song that has brought me to the reality that God is near us and loves me and you individually. This CD has 17 songs that remind me of truth. This is a must have for me and you. Sept 22 go get church music.

PS Thanks God for the small things in my life that help me see you... LOVE YA

Things just don't seem right...

2009-09-15T08:39:00.002-04:00

Have you ever attended a church service or been reading scripture and you look at the church you go to or even your own life and you think to yourself things just don't seem right. Many people really seem to love church and love to see the things that are going on at a church but does it match up with the bible. Many people call themselves Christian but do they match up with the bible. I look at my own life and then characters in the bible and think they have so much more faith than I do. Peter walked on water, a woman have all she owned to God, a solider told Jesus he believed that if he said something it would happen, Stephen died because he proclaimed his faith so boldly and there are so many more. To be honest my favorite times with God is not at church or a convention, it is not when I am preaching or hanging out with my friends and it is not when I am singing or taking communion. It is when I am alone reading my bible and God's Spirit is doing something in me I can't explain. He brings a sense of conviction and peace at the same time.

There are so many times when I look at my life and it doesn't seem right. I look at the church and it doesn't seem right. I look at the world and it doesn't seem right. When I read the bible I see the REAL Jesus and so often that is not the same Jesus I live for I know that seems weird to hear (it is even weird to think of) but at times it doesn't match up. I look at churches and I see all the things they they have going on and I wonder if Jesus lead there if they would still have all those things going on? What is the apostle Paul was a youth minister what would his group look like? Crazy questions but I think they may have even crazier answers. I know my walk with Jesus is a process and I have so much to learn and know but I hope more things in my life look like the bible. I hope when he says surrender I can look him in the eye and say, "Lord you know you have all of me." When he says give up everything I hope I can say "Lord I am empty handed." When he says love and feed the poor I can say, "Lord my refrigerator is empty." I hope things start matching up...

Random Thoughts

2009-09-07T08:29:00.004-04:00

The past couple of weeks have been very good and exciting for me and my family. When I last blogged I was at JBC for my orientation and was not looking forward to going. Now that I went I am thankful because it was very helpful and I am looking forward to school.

When I got back we went to the beach and with my parents, Natalie's parents and her sister and her sister's husband. We had a good time but it is hard to have "family" time when there are all kinds of people around you all the time. Natalie and I are headed to passion in 2010 so hopefully we will get some time to ourselves without kids.

Natalie noticed a truck that said Swamp Donkey on it and I have been laughing about that ever since.

I love the ocean! There is something about beaches, sand and water that lets me see how awesome our Creator is. I spent a lot of time in prayer about many different things but there is something so peaceful about the ocean where you want to spend even more time with God.

Natalie and I did a date night while we were there and it was amazing. We went to a 3D movie and I had forgotten how incredible 3D is. Maybe I am to young but at one time didn't 3D try to get really popular with almost every movie?

Church was awesome yesterday. Our focus group had a great conversation on the Bible and why people don't spend time with God. We have been doing a series called "Wish List" and yesterday was, I wish my teenager would. I interviewed our preachers daughter and she gave good insights on what it was like as a teenager and what it was like in a Christian home.

Did you know the average American spends 2 minutes a week with God and watches 4 hours of TV a day.

Emma said Da Da while at the beach. It never gets old to hear your daughter call out our name.

I am debating which series to start at Edge this Wednesday night. Obsessed or Red Letters. While praying this week God shared with me that at Edge we should spend the entire semester talking about Jesus. Noting more than Jesus. All we need right?

100, vacation and school

2009-08-26T20:05:00.002-04:00

This is my 100 blog post. The first 100 went by very quickly and I am eager to share a 100 more with you committed readers. As I type I am in Knoxville TN at Johnson Bible College. I am here for orientation for my graduate work and this thing last three days. That is a long time for orientation isn't it. The first day went by pretty fast and as I type this blog I am in a dorm that smells like feet. It is crazy though because Johnson has gotten so much bigger than I remember. Pray for me as I do my graduate work that I learn a lot and continually apply myself.

I will be taking a break from blogging because when I get back I am headed to the beach with my family. I love the beach. There is something about looking at the ocean that make me appreciate God so much more. Maybe one day he will send me to Hawaii.

See you at the 101 mark!!!

Don't hate me...

2009-08-17T12:05:00.002-04:00

I am so sorry I have not blogged in a while please don't hate me. I have been so busy with family, church, master's classes but that is no excuse so please forgive me and don't stop visiting the website. Here is what is going on.

Edge kicked off last week and I am preaching a series Not A Fan and we baptized 4 students last Wednesday night. I am so thankful that students want to be followers of Jesus and not fans.

Caroline is getting ready to go to preschool here at our church which is freaking me out. To Davidson's under one roof during school hours. This place may burn down.

Natalie is doing really good. Our marriage is getting stronger by the day and the longer I am married to her the more I am falling in love.

Greek is officially kicking my butt in school. It has been a good class but is taking more time than I anticipated.

I leave for vacation at the end of this month and I am so ready for one. I love going to the beach with my family and it is a good way to spend time with God as well.

I was reading my friends blog and he posted this video. I laughed then thought wow!!!

I will get back on track and blog more, I promise!!

One Weird Day...

2009-08-07T15:53:00.002-04:00

I blogged last week that I had one of the craziest days in ministry ever. I also shared that I would be telling you the audience about what they day looked like. This is not every detail but trust me it was a crazy day...

I came into the office and learned that a couple of members are leaving our church because of the vision and direction we are going. We believe as leaders that our direction is to seek and save that which is lost. We want to be a church that meets people where they are and love them enough to share this great message of Jesus with them. As Paul said, "I have become all things to all people" for this reason we want to do this same.

About 10:00 I had a meeting with someone that shared their life story and experiences with me. I was blown away by the story and the things this person has gone through and we talked heavily about what Jesus wants with this person and how he can transform her life, marriage, parenting etc.

Then it was lunch time and and I met with a person who is going through some hard times right now. It is always hard to listen to the pain someone else is going through.

Then I had to drive over to Cornerstone Christian Church were I am speaking tonight. I met with the youth minister and we talked about what he wanted me to speak on and how we could present it.

I was on my way home and I get a call from one of my students. She tells me that her and a friend have drank far to much and now are lost in the woods. She continues to explain that her friend may not be breathing. I tell her to hang up with me and dial 911. She will not. She thinks she will go to jail so hanging up with me is not an option. I have her try to explain to me where they are and I find them 15 minutes later. I bet I walked a mile into the woods and find them both laying there. The girl who called me was wasted and could barely stand up, and her friend was missing some articles of cloths. She was breathing but did not want to move. Then I hear a voice calling out to her. It was her mom looking for her. I thought to myself, "Great this looks like a fun situation." Her mom yelled and asked, "Who are you?" I told her my name and title and she knew immediately who I was. She was very thankful that her daughter called me for help which was a huge sigh of relief for me.

We get the girls out of the woods and I take them all home. The father of the girl is thankful she is OK but ask me the weirdest question. "Crockett did you see her glasses?" I explained to him that I didn't have time to really look for anything. He said this to me, "That is really all I am worried about is her glasses!" It was one of the saddest things I have ever heard. I asked if they needed anything else and decided to go home.

While at home I get a phone call from another youth minister asking me if I was OK. I wondered how he knew about the situation so fast and he told me one of his youth workers works for 911 and there was a rape call that came in and my name was mentioned. I FREAKED OUT!!!!! I went straight back to their home and found the cops questioning everyone. He told me that was the call but nothing like that had happened. He told me the family was very thankful for my help and took my statement. In a few seconds I saw everything crashing down. But it wasn't anything like that at all.

I went home got packed for the VA and left that morning. It was a crazy day but that is why I love this job. We get put in situations and thrown into peoples lives that we never thought would happen. Sometimes I wonder why God called me to this ministry but I am thankful at the end of day I have a Savior and Friend who comforts me and gets me through days like this...

I'm BACK!!!

2009-08-03T13:36:00.003-04:00

It feels ever so good to be back and working in the good old state of Georgia again. I feel I have been away forever and it feels the same with blogging. I was speaking at a camp last week and everything seem to go well. We had many come forward and rededicate their lives to Christ and others who decided to be baptized. I also spoke at my home church last week and it was awesome to see my family and friends and for them to hear me speak. We even had decisions there to. Let me give you the highlights of what happened.

I got to see many of my old friends and spend time with them. John, Paul, Buddy, Aaron and many others that I love and enjoyed our time together.

I played golf three times last week and shot in the low 90's (not bad for me).

It is so much fun to watch Caroline and Emma with their grandparents. They really love them...

I ate out everyday which is something that I usually don't do so this week I feel really fat.

Our student life building as got so new updates to it. Paintings, TVs, Wii's, drums, and stage. I hope all these things help to bring kids to Christ.

We have had a couple of members upset at the vision of the church and I am OK with that. We are moving forward and some people will see what is happening and others will not.

I went laser bowling last week and I haven't done that forever.

I lead worship yesterday because our worship minister was sick and that was defiantly out of my comfort zone. I felt naked with out my guitar.

Natalie and I tried to go to the movies to see Funny People but we were so tired from the week we just drove home and went to sleep.

I have so much more to tell you guys therefore I will be blogging a couple of times this week. Stay tuned!!!!

Next Week...

2009-07-23T20:51:00.002-04:00

Today was one of the weirdest days of my life. I can honestly say as long as I have been in ministry I have never had a day like this one. I will blog about it later but I need a favor from you.

I leave tomorrow to go home to Bluefield WV my hometown. I hope I get to spend time with good friends and watch the girls chill with their grandparents.

I am speaking at my home church Sunday which will be fun. A lot of my family goes their and they have only heard me preach once or twice so I look forward in sharing with them.

Then I speak at a week of camp or 9th and 10th graders. I am expecting God to do big things there and I just want to be apart of it.

When I get back we are remodeling our youth building a little. One of the elders that works with me thinks I am going to kill him because I do this every year.

August 7th I am speaking at a church close to us and I am always excited about God opening doors for me to preach to a new audience.

We have some really awesome up coming things here at First Christian and I am passionate about what is going to happen and I can't wait to see our church grow.

I will be gone all next week but if I get a chance to blog I will. Remember to pray for me and those I will be speaking to. I just want lives to change for Jesus and when that happens the world will change a bit for the better.

Test Time?

2009-07-22T10:42:00.004-04:00

Go through these questions and ask yourself do you love God or the world?

Have I spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?

Did the Bible live in me today?

Am I enjoying prayer?

Have I given priority time to my family?

How do I spend my spare time?

Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?

Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

Have I been with a woman/man anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?

Have I been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed my mind to entertain inappropriate thoughts about someone who is not my spouse this week?

Have any of my financial dealings lacked integrity?

Have I secretly wished for another’s misfortune so that I might excel?

Have I damaged another person by my words, either behind their back or face-to-face?

Is there anything that has dampened my zeal for Christ?

Is Christ real to me?

Have I been completely honest with myself?

A Look Back...

2009-07-20T09:19:00.002-04:00

It has been forever since I blogged because I was in Ohio speaking to a bunch of middle school students. I was out in the middle of know where with no cell phone coverage nor did I have the Internet. I say that because it is always good to get away from those things for a week. It is good just to focus on God and what he wants from your life. I did a lot of praying for the students I was speaking to, for the upcoming things in the fall, and the calling on my life. While I was there God did some pretty awesome things. I am learning to go into a situation expecting God to do great things through the lives of his people no matter that that situation is. It could be camp, CIY, an elders meeting, a conversation with some or just a normal staff meeting. I am learning that God does things, even small things if you just expect it. Let me share a little of what God did last week.

I spoke at Rocky Fork COC (the church I served at before coming to GA) and it was awesome. I don't mean my sermon I mean seeing the people, looking at all the students who have grown up, and watching so many love their Savior. It was good to come back to where seeds were planted and know God is doing great things through them.

Sunday night I really started to get to know some of the students and I noticed there were many there hungry for a change in their life. I also notice that most of them were really smart and knew the Word. I wish I would have had a passion for God at such a young age.

We baptized many at camp. I can't give you a number because I had so many text messages of people going to church Sunday and being baptized. I did see a father baptize his son, and then I think on Friday he baptized his daughter. I can't wait for that time to come in my life. I baptized a mom who was going to watch her daughter be baptized and decided this is something she needed to do.

Many students rededicated their life...

I had some great conversations with many students about life and faith. Students face so many things that I never faced at their age. If their generation will trust God and live for him the world will change.

Every night more adults came to vespers and by the end of the week the entire room was completely packed.

There were so many things that happened last week I can't begin to tell it all, but I am glad I was apart of what God was doing there and I am reminded of how great being in youth ministry can be.

Pondering...

2009-07-10T10:58:00.002-04:00

The next couple of weeks are going to be pretty crazy for me so I am left pondering what will happen and what will I see. I am usually thinking about the future and what it will bring and hold for me and the people I know. Let me give you some examples.

Last night we had a youth workers meeting and talked about some new changes that will be happening at Edge. So that leads me to think... I wonder if this will bring more kids to Jesus? I wonder what types of relationships we will build in the next couple of months? I wonder if the students we have now will go and tell others about the Savior they love. I wonder if our adults get burned out? I wonder if these changes are need or just wanted?

I am leaving this Saturday to fly to Columbus Ohio to speak at Rocky Fork. I served at this church for 2 years and I am really looking forward to seeing everyone and speaking there Sunday. I am also speaking at a middle school week of camp there. So that leads me to think... How will it feel see all those students grown up? What will God do with the message I am preaching there? Will lives be changed? Will people decide to fall in love with Jesus again? How will people feel about seeing me? Did they miss me? Are they glad I left? Why does that matter to me?

Then the week of camp... What will God do through these adults working there? Will they be convicted of a life with Jesus? Will the sermons and D-group question impact them? Will students see Jesus for who he really is and what he has done? Will this be the week that everything changes for them? Will they leave and decide to change the world?

I am back for a week here in Georgia and there are all kinds of different meetings and things to do. Then I leave to speak at my home church and a week of camp for 9th and 10th graders. All the questions will return.

I don't think it is wrong to ponder these things but I really get excited to see what God will do with me and those who want to follow him. When I read scripture I often leave with this thought, "That is awesome but they didn't see this next thing coming." I wonder what that next thing is and I think of it often.

I will not be blogging next week so pray for me and the people I meet. LOVE YA

Time To ReTHINK?

2009-07-08T16:16:00.003-04:00

Sunday School Lessons are Failing

Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis commissioned America’s Research Group to investigate why young people leave the church. The findings are published in Ken Ham’s new book Already Gone. Some insights include:

Among 20- to 29-year-old evangelicals

95% attended church regularly during elementary school
95% attended church regularly during middle school
>> 40% first had doubts about the Bible in middle school
55% attended church regularly during high school
>> 43.7% first had doubts about the Bible in high school
11% attended church regularly during college
>> 10% first had doubts about the Bible in college

Oddly, the study discovered that those who attended Sunday school (61%) are actually more likely than non-attendees (39%):

to not believe that all the accounts and stories in the Bible are true
to doubt the Bible because it was written by men
to defend keeping abortion legal
to accept the legalization of gay marriage
to believe in evolution
to believe that good people don’t need to go to church

Clearly, most children’s ministries are failing at producing long-term disciples. So what will it take to change this?

On the one hand, I believe that every children’s ministry can absolutely improve what they do. There is always room for improvement, but I also think these failed children’s ministries are the byproduct of failed churches.

If you want to reach and disciple children, you must reach and disciple their parents. Church going kids spend only 1% of their time at church, 20% at school, 30% sleeping, and much of the rest watching TV and playing. Children’s ministers can determine the 1%, but it is the parents who have the power to decide what reaches their kids during the other 99%. If you disciple the parents, you disciple the kids.

For Discussion:
- How can children’s ministries better disciple kids in the Sunday school classroom?
- How can churches better train parents to disciple their kids during the rest of the week?

This info was found on churchrelevance.com

Surprised no longer...

2009-07-06T09:38:00.004-04:00

Last week God really did some awesome things in my life so I was asking Godly men that I know and love to pray for me and the ministry God has called me to. I have talked with different people and asked for their prayers and all were very kind to do so. Not only to keep me in their prayers but to pray for me for 30 straight days. Maybe that is a lot to ask but I feel in my life I need Godly men and woman who will pray for me on a daily basis. Maybe for those of you that read this blog you can pray for me 365 days, God knows I need it. I was talking with a friend at the end of last week and told him I needed his prayers for 30 straight days. He kind of laughed and said, "I already pray for you everyday so is there anything specific I can pray for?" I really couldn't believe that someone out there prays for me every single day. So I decided to clarify. No I don't think you understand I need your prayers everyday for 30 straight days. Then he decides to clarify. "I already pray for you EVERY SINGLE DAY BY NAME!!" I was speechless. I had never heard anyone ever say that to me before.

Over the weekend I have been thinking a lot about what was said to me. I think it is amazing that people go to God on a regular basis for me. Not only just praying for me but saying my name to God and asking him to do certain things in my life. I have often said, "I can't believe that God would bless me this much!" Well if people like you are out there praying for people like me on a daily basis I am surprised no longer. Scripture continues this theme of Godly men and women lifting up people in prayer, and how God can do so much more than we can ask. So it would be foolish of me to say again that I am surprised that God does what he does in my life. With people lifting me up in prayer I am not surprised. God does what he does best when those whom he loves prays for people like me. So to those who have ever said anything to God about me, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

Fight Club

2009-07-02T09:13:00.003-04:00

I was talking with a friend yesterday who for the past couple of years has had one battle after another. Before I moved here he was bitten by a spider and had to seek medical attention for that and afterwards he developed a staff infection and then he had to get over that. About a year ago they found cancer cells in his esophagus and so he went to a specialist and they decided to burn it off . Well they burned so much that his esophagus was not working at all and causing real problems when he ate. Months later he went to another specialist and they suggested that they remove his esophagus and move his stomach near his shoulder. This is very common for cancer patients. He went through this surgery and did great. We all were at the hospital praying and waiting to here how he was doing. After the surgery I went back to his room and talked with him and if you know this person he is usually laughing and goofing off. I went back there and he was the same person that I had grown to love. His family was strong and knew that God would protect his life and trusted that all would be well.

After the surgery we thought he would be in the clear but when he would try to eat food he would continue to vomit it back up. He couldn't keep anything down. Of course the doctors thought this was just his stomach reacting to the last surgery and so we thought this would past, it didn't. To this day he can not keep any food down and two weeks ago he went to the Mayo Clinic and they told him his stomach was not working at all. The dietitian met with him and said that if this last surgery did not work then he would be on liquids the rest of his life. I talked with him yesterday and he had lost three pounds in one day. Needless to say he has had it rough the past couple of years.

Jesus said "I have come to bring you life to the fullest..." Now for someone like my friend I wonder what he thinks Jesus means. For someone stuck in the hospital, nursing home, the unloved or the abandoned, what does that life look like? I see people fighting to live. Just to live. Such a simply yet complicated thing sometimes. I have talked with people on their death bed, getting ready for surgery and those whose stomach's do not work and yet all of them see life with Jesus as life to the fullest. Life to the fullest does not mean you are rich or will sky dive with a friend, but a life that is full means that your life is filled with the presence of God. I see so many people willing to fight for that life with Jesus here and now. I guess that is what is so amazing about God. Life with God does not start when you go to heaven but when you accept his grace. I think we are all in a fight to live. We are all in this fight for life to the fullest. May we continue to fight and may we know that Jesus is really all we NEED!!

The Past...

2009-06-30T14:30:00.002-04:00

The past few weeks have been amazing in the life of this blogger. Things here at First Christian are really taking off, people are excited about knowing Jesus more and the Student Life Ministry is going really well. Leaders have stepped up in a big way, some kids are beginning their relationship with Jesus and others are eager to see how God will use them in college. Last week I went to CIY with some really great students and awesome adults. I think it changed all of our lives. All of us had an experience with Jesus that needed to happen so that we could move forward. Each night brought something different and it was exactly what we all needed. Let me give you just a small piece of what God did with all of us.

Night 1 Identity

We started our study at the first part of Exodus and looked at he life of Moses. This night was looking at Moses meeting God at the burning. We learned that can only be who we are if we are in the presence of God. God tells us who we are and our life should be a reflection of that.

Night 2 Freedom

This night was hard for all of us. In D-groups we had bracelets on and underneath we had to write down the the sin that was holding us back from following God. We talked about the 10 plagues and how God is in the business of setting people free. We had to worship chained to our bracelets (or sin) and listen to the sermon this way. It such a good reflection of what sin does to you but a better of picture of God setting his people free. We were asked to break free and the sound of freedom was beautiful. At our youth group every single student and adult was so honest with what was going on in their life. We heard about pornography, drugs, sex, pride, fear, fear of failure and much more. That is why I love youth ministry because students are so open with how they are.

Night 3 Crossing

We talked about the crossing that we all come to in our lives with God. Of course the sermon was on Moses and God's people crossing the red sea.

Night 4 Worship

When God bring us freedom our response should be worship and it was. We sang our hearts out, we cried and loved Jesus with everything we had. At youth group time which is my favorite part about Move I asked the students to go into their dorms and just worship. They DID!!

Night 5 LIVE

Take a guess what that was about...

We had 2 baptisms, 7 rededications, and 6 who want to go into ministry.

God still moves...

It was a great week for me and the students. I just hope we can remember what we have learned and live as free people.

Summer off...

2009-06-28T14:39:00.003-04:00

Sorry I have not blogged in forever but I was at CIY all last week and right this minute the staff is leaving for Dallas for a conference. I can't wait to tell all of you about my week and how God has moved through our ministry but I guess I and you will have to wait until Tuesday. I feel like I have been taking summer off from blogging and for that my apologies. I will be gone in July for two weeks speaking in Ohio and Virginia. I hope everyone is well and I hope you have not taken a summer off with Jesus.

Love ya and C-ya Tuesday...

CIY

2009-06-23T15:23:00.002-04:00

Sorry I haven't blogged Ina while but last week was really busy and this week is even more crazy. As I am typing this on my iPhone I am sitting in a dorm room and we are going through our first whole day at CIY. This week has been great so far and I am really looking forward to the rest of the week. We have been talking about Moses and I love watch the OT come to life in the hearts of the students. I need your help as readers of this blog. I usually will not ask for this but it is really imporant.

After reading this I need you to do the following.
1. Pray for our students here. This is the biggest group we have taken yet. Pray for God to move in their hearts and minds. Pray that God would do what he does best and rescue them.

2. Pray for our adults. It can be a long and tiring week for all. Ask God to give them strength for the week. Ask God to do something special in their lives as well.

3. Please pray for me. As you know I am a man with issues and I will need your prayers as well.

Thanks for asking God to move in all of our lives.
Cya when I get back.

PS. Sorry for the spelling and grammer. Doing this on a phone is hard.

Jesus can use anything!!

2009-06-20T11:02:00.000-04:00

The Chisel Skit!!

2009-06-18T21:38:00.001-04:00

Great Dating Service!

2009-06-17T11:54:00.002-04:00

Each day for the rest of this week I will show a Skit Guys video. It will be a funny and thoughtful week!! Cya tomorrow...

Missions, the unloved and mercy!!

2009-06-15T11:05:00.002-04:00

While in our Focus groups yesterday we had a senior return from his trip from Africa. I had asked him to share some of his experiences and and things that he saw. He sat there and spoke with conviction and love for the people that he met in Africa. He shared his heart and emotions of the things he saw and experienced in that broken place. He said things like...

"I met so many children who were infected with AIDS"

"I saw a mother dying of AIDS and she cried when we dropped off food"

"People after they would use the bathroom would put it in a trash bag and throw it on the streets"

"When Christians would pray it wouldn't be a thank you God for this food prayer, but a sincere prayer for providing a daily meal"

"There was a road called AIDS avenue were kids were prostituting themselves for the truckers that would stop by"

After hearing his story I think everyone in our group wanted to go to Africa. Something I love about the followers of Jesus is how we are to love the unloved. How we are to care for the kids with AIDS, the adult with cancer, the homeless and prostitutes. I love that we are called to show them the love of Jesus with who we are and what we do with them. I think so many of us think that we have to go to Africa or a mission trip for that to happen but there are so many broken right here. There are people that we pass by everyday that need us to love them just as they are. To invest in their lives and just to listen to what their stories are. One of my favorites scriptures is...

Matthew 9:13 Jesus said, "Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy not sacrifice..." I love that we are to be a people of mercy. I just hope I can continue to learn what it means to put others ahead of myself and what that looks like daily.

WWJD

2009-06-12T13:30:00.003-04:00

I have not been a big fan of wearing crosses or bracelets that say WWJD or some type of Christian symbol. It's not that I am against these things it is something that I haven't done nor really ever wanted to. My wife was picking up some graduation gifts for Graduation Sunday and while at the bible book store Caroline of course was looking at all the jewelry because of her being the princess she is. Some of the gifts did not come in and since the clerk felt so bad about this she told Caroline to pick out something. She walked right to this girlie, bright, childish bracelet that said WWJD on it. The clerk told her she could have it since she made mommy drive all this way and all the gifts weren't in. I came home that night and Caroline meets me at the door with hugs and kisses as usually and then explains to me that she has a new bracelet. She grabs my finger and continues to pull me over to the couch and says, "Here daddy here!" That means she wants you to sit down. I sat down on the couch and she jumps into my arms and shares with me how she got this new pretty bracelet. I compliment the bracelet and try to move onto something else but that was not happening. She took the bracelet off and looked at me with those big blue eyes and said, "Bracelet on daddy." I explained to her that she took it off she can put it back on. She then grabbed my wrist and repeated her statement. I now understood that she wanted me to wear the bracelet. I put it on and every day since she reminds me to wear it. For the past month I have been wearing this bright girlie bracelet that says WWJD on it.

Every time I look at it I think of the love my daughter has for me and how much more my Savior loves me. I am reminded of Jesus and the gifts he has given me because of four letters. People often notice this bracelet and I have been wearing it so much that the letters are almost gone and now all you see it white beads. I get funny looks but every time I see that I think of my relationship with God and how I am thankful that a 2 year old had to give me something to remind me daily that I am loved. Even as I type this I see this that bracelet and how funny it looks on my arm and wonder if it is worthy it. YES it is!!!!! My daughter is reminding me that God loves me and that I should live for him and him alone. I should wear his love proud in my life and actions. Not only am I suppose to be shining my light for him but also my bracelet!!

Saved By The Bell!!

2009-06-09T14:23:00.001-04:00

Best interview ever!!

VBS, iPhone3G S and Masturbation

2009-06-08T15:40:00.006-04:00

Last week was such a great week and yet exhausting at the same time. I know this sounds funny but I was really looking forward to today for many different reasons. I always like the start of a new week and I look forward to what is going to happen. I am sure the title of this blog through you off a little but let me explain.

First VBS was fun and exciting. We had over 400 people here from children to servants and it was all for God's glory. I have the best job of them all because with the help of my friends I get to lead worship every night. We did songs like this little light of mine, making melodies and of course my favorite get down. It is so much fun watching the children and adults do all of these silly moves for Jesus. VBS brought some things I wasn't expecting. I had my office destroyed. I helped others destroy more offices. The senior minister and I bombed some kids with water balloons. I barley got any work done because the offices are crazy during VBS week. I got to know many other people I rarely see a lot better. On the last night I was wearing a coconut bra and a Hawaiian out fit to go with it. Finally there was a little dance competition at VBS and I saw a guy do the worm which is always fun.

Secondly I now know that the new iPhone 3G S is out and it looks really cool. I have an iPhone and love it to death but am not will to spend more money on just a few features. I would love to have it so if anyone out there would love to buy it for me as a gift then let me THANK YOU now.

Finally onto the topic I am sure you are wondering about. I had some students come to me and ask if masturbation was wrong. I thought to myself, I have never mentioned this in a sermon, lesson or small group. I decided to teach on this during our Focus groups and it went very well. All the students and adults really got something out of the conversation. Some parents came to my class just because of the topic which is awesome. I had one mom say, "You handled the subject better than anyone could have!" That is a huge statement to make. Now don't get me wrong there were some laughs and even jokes but we looked at what God's word says and we came up with what we believe is right. I want to be the type of minister who doesn't shy away from any issue. We say all the time that God has the answers but sometimes we are afraid of the questions. I am thankful we could talk about that issue with dignity and love.

Let's see what happens this week!!

This would not be a Care Bear...

2009-06-05T17:04:00.001-04:00

Good advice!

Have a great weekend!!

Congratulations world you win!!

2009-06-05T10:59:00.002-04:00

When I started this blog I told you that I would update it at least 3 to 4 times a week I thought to myself, no big deal this will be easy I have got this. Well this week as been so crazy and to be honest I can't think of much to say. Most people that know me would think that is impossible so this blog is all about nothing. I am admitting to the entire world wide web that Crockett Davidson does not have much to say. Many may be thankful for this but I wanted to take this time out and say congratulations world you win!!

PS I am sure it will change next week!!

Monday Musing...

2009-06-01T10:15:00.002-04:00

This is the first time I have ever done a Monday Musing so lets hope we find it interesting.

I came into my office today and it seems that some fun loving church members had fun with a little prank yesterday after church. There was tap from wall to wall and rubber bands all over the floor. There were many notes left in my office saying things like, "Watch your back, we are going to get you, we love your wife and think your weird. What a great way to start a Monday.

We had a our VBS kickoff last night which brought in a ton of parents in kids. Our Children's Director has a great VBS planned and does a great job with her ministry. The entire gym looks like a swamp.

Our church website was unveiled to the people yesterday and we have gotten some good responses from it. If you haven't seen it check it out at www.fccga.org

I am letting the senior come to me privately and ask what it is they want to learn in our Focus groups. The past couple of weeks we have talked about the second coming, what happens when you die and this week we will be talking about masturbation. You have to love the youth ministry. They want to know the answers to all of life's tough questions.

At VBS I get to lead the children in worship which is something I love to do. I get to sing and dance and praise God in front of hundreds of people. I feel so blessed to be apart of that worship team.

An elder read my blog about Hillsong United and then went and downloaded some of their music. He is now rockin out with his iPhone and praising God while listening to United. Our elders rock.

Church was good yesterday and our senior minister preached from Exodus. I love the OT. I love hearing sermons out of the OT. There is so much application when it comes to people who lived in the OT and so much we need to learn from them.

Last week I had two conversations with two of my friends who have left youth ministry to do something else at another church. Both friends do not have a youth minister at their church so they feel called by God to do something about it. Both are considering going back to youth ministry because they feel it is so vital.

CIY is coming up and I can't wait. Not only is it good time with our youth group but CIY inspires me as well.

Have a great week!!

United Recap...

2009-05-29T09:00:00.004-04:00

Well I have to say that Hillsong United really met the hype of a great worship service. I had never been to the Verizon Amphitheater before and I have to say I was impressed. It is very new and the sound was great. Untied did not have an opening act so guys got on stage and just gave away free stuff the whole time(you gotta love free stuff). Justin and I had tickets that were close to the back but as you can see that is not how we role. Now you might be wondering why I would blog about a worship service but keep reading and you will see.

The first three songs were Break Free, Take it All and Look to You. Probably my top three fast songs that they do. The place was packed and there is something about worshiping God outside. You could see the clouds, the sky and a lot of his creation. I hope all of you get the chance to sing to God with thousands of people. Some of my favorite times are standing with thousands of people who love Jesus and are there just to sing and worship him for who he is. It is very powerful and encouraging to see and experience that.

Then they played a song probably every church plays often which is Mighty to Save. Our youth group plays this song often and it doesn't seem to get old because the words are so powerful. I am standing there singing and I look at this girl on her dad's shoulders watching everyone. She had to be less than 2 years old. She is watching all these people lift their hands and then she just raises her hands and begins to sing. I watched her probably the whole song and then she looked at me. I mean she really looked at me and I looked at her. We were both so serious in this moment. Then she smiles at me and continues to worship. It was beautiful...

Many songs later they get to a new song called Dessert Song. It cracks me up because here we are singing dessert song and it starts pouring down rain. But what was amazing know one left. Lighting was flashing and thunder was crashing and we are singing to God. Pretty sweet!!

The last song they played was Tell the World that Jesus lives. This is defiantly my favorite song. It says this...

Don't want to stand here and shout your praise, walk away and forget your name

I stand for you if it's all I do, there is no one that could better you,

All I want in this life time is you,

All I want in this whole world is you,

Tell the world that Jesus lives

Tell the world that,

Tell the world that

Tell the world that he died for them,

Tell the world that he lives again...

After this great night Justin and I went to waffle house at 2:00 in the morning and that is whole other blog...

PS Tell the world that Jesus lives...

United!!

2009-05-27T09:48:00.004-04:00

Today is going to be such a great day. My friend Justin and his wife are coming into town today to see me and we always have fun when we get together. We have been good friends since college and talk at least once a week. We support each other and we are not afraid to share weakness or failures with each other. God has given me a great friend that doesn't judge me nor look down on me when I fall on my face.

We get to do something tonight that I have been wanting to do forever. As most know I am a huge fan of music especially worship music. There is nothing like putting a CD in or jamming out with your iPod to music that gives God so much glory. I love listening to David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, Phil Wickham, Lincoln Brewster and of course Hillsong United. I have followed these artist for many years now and I am blown away by the talent God gives them. I am so thankful for them because their music has brought me face to face with my Savior many times ( I love worshiping in my car). I have been to worship conferences with my worship minister, Passion and so many other worship avenues including a 10000000000 concerts.

Tonight I get to finally see Hillsong United Live in Atlanta. I love their music and heart for God and I have always wanted to worship with them. Justin and I got tickets last minute and I am so looking forward to worship with thousands tonight. There is nothing like thousands of people who follow Jesus jumping, singing, with hands lifted high showing there God they love him. Today is going to be a great day!!

Preview

2009-05-26T08:40:00.005-04:00

Over the past months you have probably read that the staff has been working hard on the new church website. I can honestly say it is 99% completed. We are sharing the website with the church family this Sunday but I wanted those who read my blog to have a preview of it and to tell me what you think. I honestly want to know what all of you think about the look, design, focus and readability of the website. If you have never been to our church would this website give you enough information to visit and would you want to see what First Christian was doing because of this website? So click the link and tell me what you think?

On a side note make sure you visit the Student page (just click youth or go to Get Connected and you will see a Student button). I put a lot of time in this site and went back in forth with our web company to see what they could do and what they couldn't do. You may notice that my website flows differently than the rest. Be sure to click Edge, Focus and Life Groups to see what happens. Please comment on what you think about our youth page and if it is easy to navigate.

Thanks and I look forward to reading your comments!!

http://www.fccga.org/

I Am Witness...

2009-05-23T22:16:00.004-04:00

I love Michael Jordan but is this the beginning of greatness?

God is bigger...

2009-05-22T17:01:00.003-04:00

As you may know from the previous blog I had a speaking engagement today at a Christian school. I was asked to speak to the elementary kids and the middle and high school students. For the elementary I dressed up as a bible character and did a skit with my sermon. As I am sitting in the back of this huge auditorium by myself and dressed like a guy from the Old Testament I had a staff beside me that is at least 7 feet tall. I had to drive "the van" today so I could get it in the car. As the kids walked in there is this 2nd grader who stops and walks out of her line to talk with me. She looks at my stick and then sizes me up. She says, "I bet that stick it taller than you." Not to diminish what she said but even sitting down anyone could tell I have short legs a nice investment in the mid section and a huge head. I decide to fall into her trap and say, "You think so, I am pretty tall." I stand up and show her what a tall tower I am and she looks at me and smiles. "I guess you're right the stick is bigger than I am." Then she look at me with these big blue eyes and blond hair and says, "God is bigger than that stick!" She smiles at me and walks to her seat.

She is so right!! God is much bigger than a stick. God is much bigger than a divorce, cancer, ministry, family, and a stick that is 7 feet tall. At such a young age she knew God was bigger than any situation that she could face and she saw that in my big stick. This theology of God being so big came so quick out of this small 2nd graders mouth. I have been thinking about her response all day now. I am amazed at how kids notice all the things we adults miss. I am thankful she reminded me that God is bigger than my circumstances and situations. God is not only bigger than my stick, but so much more than we could imagine.

Prayers...

2009-05-21T11:40:00.002-04:00

This week was difficult for many different reasons and so I need your prayers...

Sunday was bitter sweet because of it being graduation Sunday and having to say good bye to those who will leave and go to college and the military. We also had an elders meeting which I usually look forward to because of the direction the church is going and my love for the men in the room, but not all elders meeting are easy to sit through and this one was not.

Monday

It was kind of a moody day for me. I found myself evaluating my life, ministry and my future. Elevations are good but when there are so many questions and confusion it can become frustrating. I also learned that my first class in my graduate studies would be Greek. FUN!!

Tuesday

I had to have a very tough conversation with a close friend. When my friends hurt, I hurt. It is hard for me to see my friends cry and it is that side of ministry that can be tough.

Wednesday

Although we did not have Edge last night I was in my office counseling a couple about their marriage. Every time I meet with those who have trouble in their marriage it makes me think of how grateful I am to have Natalie. I shared with this couple that divorces can happen because of the smallest of things. Your wife could ask you to take out the trash and you say you will do it later and it never happens. 6 months later it still hasn't happened and now your in this huge fight because you forgot to get her a glass of water before bed. The small things are so important in marriage and divorces can come because of a bag of trash.

I went out to lunch with two students one who will be speaking at graduation day and wanted my help to write her speech (very humbling moment). Yet we started talking about how parents find it hard to relate to their kids. My friend said that she doesn't even have a close relationship with her dad. I thought of my daughters and a fear came over me that my daughters will not like Daddy when they are older. Regardless why it would still hurt!

Thursday

I am getting ready to go to the gym and swim with my girls. Nothing weird has happened but today is not over lol...

Friday

I get to speak at a Christian school and anytime I have that opportunity I need you to pray that I do the gospel justice.

Saturday

My friend Stan's (who is the senior minister of our church) daughter is getting married at 1:30. I know I am going to blink and it will be me walking down that isle with my daughters. They are so young and I already dread it.

Sunday

I will be teaching a difficult Sunday school and I know this teaching is not something most agree with but it still needs said.

As you can see I need your prayers this week. For good measure might as well pray for me next week to...

Graduation Day

2009-05-19T12:55:00.003-04:00

This Sunday at church was graduation Sunday and it was very hard for me to get through. We graduated 11 students and all of them are leaders. I have seen many of these students join our youth ministry and just fall in love with Jesus. It has been such a joy to watch them grow and serve these past couple of years. Most of them are going away for school or the military and I am really excited to see what God is going to do with this group of young adults.

I was sitting there thinking about how some were with me when this youth group was comprised of 10 students and yet others heard what God was doing here and joined the team. All of them have such passion for following Christ and most will lead many others in so many different ways. I am eager to see what God will do with their futures yet sad to know they are leaving our youth ministry.

Sunday was a great day though. I preached on Luke 9:23-25 and showed them commitments the world was going to ask them to make. Things like college degrees, marriage, children, and much more. I had a prop on stage representing each item and then I asked the students to stand up and go to the welcome center and pick up the greatest commitment. They walked back and all of them picked up a cross that they built the day before. As they walked it in the congregation stood in reverence. It was a very powerful moment for me watching these leaders carry a cross to the front of the stage. The greatest commitment is to continue to follow Jesus and carry your cross. Then I had them bring it on the stage and stand the cross in front of all the other commitments. It was very powerful to see the cross standing there with those I love holding it. I hope and pray that they will remember what was said and they will truly live it out.

That night all the youth workers and graduates went to a Japanese steak house and had a great time together. I will miss the class of 2009.

More Free Stuff...

2009-05-15T14:07:00.002-04:00

Free stuff never gets old so for this weekend I give a free LIVE Coldplay album. Just copy the website and put it into your web browser and you will hear sweet sounds from the heavens. ENJOY!!

http://lrlrl.coldplay.com/leftright.html

Rejected and Redemption

2009-05-14T17:55:00.007-04:00

It is funny how God works over time. Many may not know this but I was rejected from a Johnson Bible College when I 18. My youth minister went there and at the time I had a couple of friends who attended there so of course I wanted to go there. I didn't become a Christian until I was 18 so my High School grades were not good (that is pretty much an understatement). At the time I hadn't taken my ACT or SAT so Johnson asked me to drive up and take it because my GPA was so low. I had to score really high just to get accepted and needless to say I was two points shy. I talked with some people and told them all I wanted was to serve God and preach his word. I explained to them that I wasn't Christian during High School and things would be different in college. Their answer was still NO. So I went to Bluefield College of Evangelism for two years and then to Louisville Bible College for 2 years. I love both schools very much and I am so thankful for my time and the people I met there.

For the past year I have been praying and asking God if more school was in my future. I didn't want to have a masters just to say I have a masters. I really could care less about a sheet of paper or those who brag on having "so much education". I want to be a better communicator of God's word and so with the help of others I have been looking at a Johnson Bible College graduate program. They offer a Masters in preaching so after more praying I decided to send my application in. I honestly felt 18 again. What would they say, do they remember me, what would I tell my elders, what if I was rejected again? All these things raced through my mind and I was a little nervous hearing back from them. I go to the mail box today and I pull out a big envelope that says, "Johnson Bible College Distant Learning." Natalie saw the size of the package and said you got in they wouldn't give you something that big if you were rejected. Still I was excited and nervous. I open it up and it say, "Congratulations you have been accepted!"

After the excitement died down I did feel a sense of redemption from previous years. I am a bit nervous going back to school but confident that God wants me to do this. I am preaching this Sunday to my graduates and what is funny I am going through the same emotions and feelings they are. They are excited to do something new but nervous what that may look like. In a weird way we are in the same boat and I am glad to experience this and more with them.

So I ask that you pray for me and my continuing education. Pray that I do this for God's glory and not my own. Pray for my friends who graduate this year. May all of us be faithful to the greatest commitment we have made.

Good Leadership

2009-05-13T10:46:00.001-04:00

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while but times have been really busy. May is just a crazy month. I leave you with this video that I found on my friend Wade's blog. Wade is a good friend and a great minister of the gospel. He is very serious about leadership as you can tell from this video.

RoboMom...

2009-05-10T10:52:00.004-04:00

Today is a day were I can brag on my beautiful wife. As most know we have two kids and they are the best gifts God has given us. They are fun, playful, loud and exciting most of the time. I work full time and am gone a lot during the days and nights so my wife is at home with both children doing her best. If you have been around sports at all you will hear coaches say, "Your best isn't good enough, we need more!" My wife gives it all to the family and makes so many sacrifices for me and our kids that I can honestly say "Her best is amazing!" She juggles so much as a mother and wife that I am continually blown away by her actions. She is an amazing person, mom, wife, and Christian. When I see what she does and more importantly how she does it I can see Christ in her. She is a person of...

patience

kindness

grace

love

respect

gentleness

balance

hope

forgiveness

prayer

selfless

person I know. I am so lucky that she said yes. I am so thankful for the person she is and I admire the woman she has become. I love her with all my heart and thank God regularly that she is mine. So today on mother's day I think of the mother of my children, the woman I love, and the one who said yes. My wife truly is something special.

I love you Natalie!!!!!!!!!

Mother's Day

2009-05-08T10:38:00.004-04:00

Some of you have probably seen this but it still makes me laugh!

I Cry Often...

2009-05-06T11:15:00.002-04:00

Every Tuesday and Wednesday I go to my office and pray to ask God to help me deliver the message that he would want my students to hear and live out. I open up his word, grab commentaries, pray more, read others writings, get back into the word then start typing. I find myself in the middle of writing this message that God has planned for me and my students and in the middle of it I feel this heavy weight of conviction. There is something special when you are alone with God's word and the Holy Spirit brings these emotions and thoughts to you attention about your own life. I usually find myself writing to a particular audience and then I find myself struggling with the same thing. I realize that I am no greater than anyone else and the weight of conviction is very real for my life. I then find myself reading and talking about how good God is and what he has done for all of us and my eyes usually fill up with tears. Even as I type this blog I am overwhelmed by how much Jesus loves me and how often I forget. I am blown away that I am called to do this because often I feel so unworthy and inadequate. I am literally saddened because what Jesus had to go through so that I could be free and yet I am so thankful. It is moments like this that I cry often...

Killing Cockroaches

2009-05-05T10:30:00.000-04:00

I found this interesting...

Sounds like Summer...

2009-05-04T09:18:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite things about summer is the new movies that come out. I love going to the movies, getting popcorn and being blown away by CGI and awesome story lines. I usually will never blog about movies that I see or what I think of them because everyone has an opinion on what they like and what they don't. Today will be an exception. I get a call from our worship minister who wants me to go with him to see X-Men Wolverine on Friday night. Natalie and I were just talking about how both of us wanted to see that movie. So I of course I told Natalie that this was God's will and I must follow his leading. We get there for the 9:15 showing and there were a lot of people there. I had seen many of the previews and I really like comic book movies. I was huge fan of the Saturday morning cartoon on Fox and read the comics when my mom use to take me to eat lunch at the drug store. I'm no expert on movies or comics but I like them both. We get there and see some awesome previews for the summer and I am so looking forward to...

GI Joe

Transformers 2

Star Trek

Funny People

Terminator Salvation

So of course when the movie starts I am so ready for it. We sit there and half way through I am thinking, "Where is the story line, these fight scenes are corny, why is there a baby in the front row crying?" After the movie I can honestly say I was disappointed. It's not that the movie was bad, it just had potential for greatness. The Chicago Sun Times said it best, "It has pretty pictures with no plot..." I agree. So if your a movie buff like me then wait until it comes out on DVD. I will say that this summer is going to be good with all the movies coming out.

In short I am ready for summer for many different reasons and I hope you are to. This will probably be my last movie review unless I see some movie and it is great like The Dark Knight was last year. If I would have been blogging last year I so would have talked about that movie. So do yourself a favor and take sometime off to go to the movies with your wife and or worship minister. If there is a baby in the front row crying in the middle of the movie when the movie is PG-13 try to hold yourself back from coming up to them and asking, "What in the world are you thinking?" Enjoy the movies...

Lots of Love...

2009-05-01T10:13:00.002-04:00

This week I have received many different letters of thanks and encouragement. They have come through email, letters and many people have come by the office. There have been a wide range of things said to me, "The students did great Sunday leading worship, it was fun hanging out with you before the concert, I am so glad you are at our church, and thanks for being a friend." This week as been very up lifting to me because of people showing their love. It means a lot when people give you encouragement or show their love by writing you a letter. It makes me wonder if I need to encourage others more. I want to share an email sent by our Children's director this week after my devotion in staff meeting.

Crockett,

I really enjoyed your devotion today. I wanted to thank you for a few things:

1.       Thanks for all of the ideas regarding the 4th and 5th graders.
2.       I appreciated how honest you were about things that you have going on.
3.       I admired how you really brought it to the table and made us think about how we are as a Team.
4.       More than anything, thanks for caring about me. You are very sincere…and that is awesome!

I love being on staff with you! I thank God for you and your family!

April

It is a small email that can make a big difference. I am so thankful for those who go out of their way to encourage and love me. I thank God for people who take the time out to share their heart with those they care about. I hope I can do this more for the people I love.

Have a great weekend...

God Ideas...

2009-04-29T10:02:00.002-04:00

We have staff meeting every Tuesday from 3-5 and you would think we get a lot of work done but we laugh and make fun of each other more than we should. Each week a different staff member has to give a devotion which is very unique because we all come from different backgrounds. I have done many different things like evaluations of ministries, sharing from a book I just read and even crafts. That's right I made the staff do crafts. But yesterday I wanted to challenge the staff with separating good ideas from God ideas. I drew a chart on the white board and at the top I had written good ideas. There were two sections about the ideas, one for your ministry and then for the entire church. The staff had many great ideas about outreach programs, items needed for their ministries, ways to help those in need and things that need to change in our services. Then I wrote on the other side of the chart God ideas. I told them to think about what God would want them to do in their ministries and in the entire church. These answers took some thinking and questioning. But the answers were amazing.

We did not talk about things we needed or things we could do. We did not talk about flat screen TVs or programs that needed changed. We did not talk about the service or what we could buy. We talked about people. We talked about compassion and love. We talked about saving the lost. Matthew 9:13 says, "Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy not sacrifice, for I have not come to call the righteous but sinners!" That is what we talked about. It felt great to talk about the mission of Jesus. To talk about people instead of programs. It felt great to talk about the gospel instead of our gospel.

I am amazed on how we as the church can take our eyes off the will of God. I am amazed how we think we are doing what God wants and sometimes it's anything but... I get a little nervous when we talk about what we need or want instead of what others need. I am ready to show mercy to those who need it. I am ready to love those who are unloved. I am dieing to share compassion to those who are turned away. Maybe just maybe I am starting to see what it means to be the church.

What in your ministry needs to stop because it is a good idea and not a God idea?

What needs to happen because of a God idea?

What would your church look like if you only focused on God ideas and not just good ideas?

Simply Amazing...

2009-04-27T21:10:00.004-04:00

As most know I am a huge music fan so of course I listen to all kinds of different stuff (expect country). I came across this video and usually this is not something I would share but this song and the way she does the song has been in my mind for months now. Now at first you might be thinking what's the big deal? But I promise when she starts looping her voice and every other thing (thats right she does that) you will freak out and then watch it again. By the end of this video you will be thinking, she is amazing and very creative. Wait until you see what she does at the end!! ENJOY!!

Recap...

2009-04-24T11:26:00.003-04:00

Natalie and the girls were in a car wreck but they are ok.

I have eaten breakfast 3 times this week which is rare.

The students are leading worship this Sunday which is awesome.

We have a staff dinner tonight which usually turns to chaos but I always look forward to it.

The church website is almost done and I have to say the Student section is the best.

Natalie's car is probably totaled but our children's director and her husband let us borrow a sweet Nissan. (Plus the Cox family is the greatest)

Emma smiled at me twice this week. It is awesome to look at you daughter and her at you and you both smile together.

I have moose in my hair today because I am sick of having a little boys hair cut.

Caroline got a power wheel for her B-day and when I watch her ride it I wish I was two again.

I have a gym membership that I haven't gone to in a while.

There is a drink that you have at a wedding that includes 7up and other things but it has ice cream floating on top of it and it is not called punch. What is it called? I have been thinking about it all week.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

Attention

2009-04-22T09:58:00.003-04:00

The other night I was tucking Caroline into bed and going through our nightly routine. Bath, tickling her, sleepy cloths, milk and while we walk into her room we are holding hands and she is counting to make sure all her animals and dolls are with her in bed. She lays down and everything goes as usually. I tuck her in and whisper in her ear, "Daddy loves you so much!" She smiles and then we pray. Her hands are clasped tight and I always end the prayer with, "In Jesus name." She then screams out AMEN! After the loud amen I tell her good night and start to walk away. She then says, "Daddy look, look daddy look." I come close to her and ask her what is going on. She then grabs my cheeks and squeezes them and then pulls me to her face. She starts talking faster than the micro machine man in those old school commercials I use to see during Saturday morning cartoons, but Caroline is dead serious. I can only make out a few words but whatever she is telling me is supper important because I am looking in those light blue eyes and they are staring right back at me. She continues for at least a minute and then smiles and says, "Bye, Bye Daddy!" I just mumble OK and continue to tell her I love her and walk out the room.

Caroline wanted her daddy's attention. She had to tell me something important and so she went to the extreme level to do that. She called me to her, she grabbed my cheeks, she squeezed my cheeks and then looked right into my eyes. Whatever she was saying she wanted to make sure that my attention was drawn to her and nothing else. She wanted to make sure I was listening and nothing else could distract me.

There have been so many times in my life where God has tried to get my attention. He has even gone to extreme measures and yet I have been distracted or not willing to focus. Know wonder the first commandment is, "Thou should have no other Gods before me." God wants our attention, and devotion. He wants us to look into his eyes so we can learn something and know how important his word is. My attention so often goes everywhere but God. So my prayer today is that my attention would be only on Jesus. Nothing else but Jesus. I think Jesus has something important to say if we would just listen. If only we would give him our full attention.

Best Baptism Ever...

2009-04-20T10:02:00.004-04:00

We have a prayer time at church for all our people which starts at 8:30. After the prayer time we begin to get ready for our ABF classes and Focus groups. As I was walking out the room our children's director comes up to me and tell me there will be a baptism today and asked me if I would help with it. This is something I normally do if I am not doing a baptism. She continues to tell me that Sam is getting baptized today. Now Sam is one of the coolest kids ever. Sam is a fun loving child who lights up the room with his smile and curious personality. Sam is autistic but you would never know it by seeing him or talking with him. When I say he is one in a million I mean it.

After our focus groups I am walking to the sanctuary and I see Sam and his father and family in our welcome area. We are talking about how great this day is and how excited Sam is. Sam was so excited that he shared with his special Olympic partner that he was getting baptized today. His partner happens to be a leader in your youth ministry and a very special girl. She was so excited about Sam being baptized that she asked me if she could help with anything. I told her she could come back there and help Sam if he needed it. Later she would be crying because she was laughing so hard at Sam and she wouldn't be the only one...

Now we do our baptism's in the middle of our services so Sam was getting ready and his cousin from ACC was going to baptize him. Theywere all set so I gave her the instructions on when to go and what to do and Sam was telling Caitlin how excited he was. Then the screen raised and they make their way in the water. Caitlin and I are standing by the steps where no one can see this but we definitley have the best seats in the house. She then dunks her cousin and they start to make their way out. She is on one side and Sam is walking towards me and Caitlin. He gets to the top step and looks at me and says, "I want to go back in!" He then jumps backward holding his nose and lands in the water. To say there was a splash is a understatement. I am freaking out and laughing my head off at the same time. I am frantically saying, "Sam come on buddy get out of the water, you can do it, get out of the water!" Then Sam precedes to do some back strokes in the water and doggy paddle. Caitlin is crying because she is laughing so hard, I am pleading with Sam to get out of the water and the congregation is singing Resurrection Power and some of them are laughing. His cousin comes out by the grace of God and ask, "Where is Sam?" I point to the water and plead with her to go get him. She jumps back into the water pulls her cousin out and now all is right with our church service. I walk into the service and many faces are smiling at me and I know exactly why.

Now you may think that many people would be upset or elders coming up to say that will never happen again but everyone seemed to be really gracious about it. One elder said it was the coolest thing he has seen in a long time. I am so thankful for moments like that in ministry. I am so thankful that we can laugh at life and wonder if God is laughing to.

So this blog is for you Sam, THE GREATEST BAPTISM EVER!!!!

Dave Matthews Theology

2009-04-17T14:50:00.004-04:00

I am a huge Dave Matthews fan and his new album comes out June 2nd and I am really looking forward to it. The single was just released and I found the lyrics to be thought provoking. The song is called Funny The Way It is...

Funny the way it is if you think about it,

someone is going hunger and someone else is eating out,

Funny the way it is whether right or wrong

some bodies heart is broken becomes your favorite song

Funny the way it is if you think about it,

one kid walks 10 miles to go to school, the other is dropping out

Funny the way it is, whether right or wrong

a soldiers last breathe while a baby is being born

You can download the song for free at http://www.davematthewsband.com/

Just Let Go...

2009-04-15T13:24:00.004-04:00

I was out with Caroline at some fast food restaurant and every time we go we have to play in the play place. She can barely eat because she sees the balls, stairs, slides and other kids and has to get over there. So on my day off I take her out to the finest dinning a 2 year old can have and of course afterwards its off to adventure land. Well on this day I noticed the play place was a little bigger and steeper than most but that wasn't going to stop my little red head. After lunch she dashed into the play place and went right for the steps that led to the slide ( the slide is her favorite). She starts to climb up and then she notices that this is a little harder then usually. She gets right in the middle of the play place and then looks up. I could tell by the look on her face that she was not going up that high so then she starts to climb down. But on the first step down she did this...

She was holding on for dear life and the ground was inches from her shoe. Of course being the great dad I am, I didn't help her I just grabbed my camera. She said softly, "Daddy, Daddy help me!" I put my camera down and just started to tell her to let go, let go the step is inches from your feet. Then she started to get a little upset and scared. Her voice got a little higher and now it was screaming, "DADDY HELP ME!" I climbed up there and showed her how to get down and we played for the rest of the day.

Countless times in my life God has been asking me to let go. He has been right there encouraging me and whispering to me to let go, but I think it is in our nature to old on and to fight. We want to control certain aspects of life, and even in times of fear we try to old onto things that we shouldn't. God has told me so many times to trust him in everything but I still want to hold to my ministry, my family, my time, my money and my life. None of that is mine though. It is all God's and all of us would be doing ourselves a favor if we just let go.

The Ugliest Easter Bunny Ever...

2009-04-13T14:58:00.003-04:00

Hope you had a great Easter!!

This changes everything...

2009-04-12T20:58:00.003-04:00

Since Jesus lives and reigns it changes everything. It wasn't just a man who died on a cross but God, it changes everything. When he told others about Jonah and how the Son of Man would be in the ground and then would rise and actually did it, it changes everything. When people thought the disciples were liars or had stolen his body, until they saw Jesus with their own eyes it changed everything. When people heard about a man who rose from the dead, it changes everything. When you meet the drug dealer who is different, the marriage that was close to divorce and now stable, the teenager who had no identity and now knows exactly who he or she is, something has changed. They believe something bigger and different. Something has changed in them and with them. They now understand that this changes everything...

Hump Day...

2009-04-11T12:16:00.002-04:00

Many refer to Wednesday as "hump"day because it is in the middle of the week. You have gone through one half of the week and now you just have one more half. Whether the disciples knew it or not Saturday was their hump day. Friday had just passed and they had seen some things that they never thought would happen. Jesus had been arrested, beaten, mocked, and finally went through the worst death penalty anyone would face, death by crucifixion. Only one of his disciples made it to the cross but I am sure that all of them knew exactly what had happened. They knew the torture of the cross but I wonder if John came back and told them what Jesus said. "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing..."

We talk about Friday all the time but I wonder what Saturday was like? For the followers of Jesus this had to be one of the worst days they had ever seen. They were frightened, confused, worried and worse than all they were alone. They had been through tough times before but nothing was like this. Peter was depressed because of his denial, their friend Judas was dead, most had left all to follow this teacher named Jesus and now he was gone. The future never looked so uncertain or grey. I wonder if they talked about the past and the things they had seen or if the room was quiet? I wonder if they pulled out their iPhone and called their families to say, "Honey I don't know what I am going to do so I think I am going to come home." I wonder if they were so tired of crying that they sat in silence or maybe their tears were still heard in Jerusalem. I wonder if they thought of the other followers or just themselves? One thing I do know is that none of them knew what tomorrow would bring. They lived in darkness and yet light was around the corner. They had know idea that tomorrow the sun would rise and that wouldn't be the only thing. They had know idea that Saturday was their hump day and if they could get through this day, their lives would never be the same.

We are taught to live in the moment and only for today. I don't disagree with that but I do think there is wisdom when you anticipate the future. Especially when you love the one who holds the future. I am all about living life to the fullest but I look forward to what God is going to do and I trust it is going to be amazing.

Rescue is Coming

2009-04-10T11:55:00.002-04:00

To all those I love and pray for, I would hope that you know on this day that rescue is coming. No matter what you have lost or what feels empty because of what this day holds know that the God of universe loves you as a individual. And there is nothing wrong with you, and nothing left to do but believe something bigger. There is nothing wrong with love, I know it's just enough to believe. Stop what you are doing and let Him rescue you...

This weekend...

2009-04-09T12:57:00.002-04:00

I wanted to share with all of you that I will be blogging each day this weekend. Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday. I hope to share my heart with you and hopefully show you some things that will move us closer to Jesus. I don't know what most of you have planned but come by here and take sometime to think about what Jesus went through this weekend and why. C-ya tomorrow and hope all of you spend time with the God that saves and loves...

BLOB...

2009-04-07T21:17:00.002-04:00

I know when you read this and especially see it you will call me a liar but that is the chance I have to take in sharing this story. When Natalie and I were first married we had a friend work at Country Lake Camp (the camp that Southeast Christian Church built) and we were invited to enjoy the day at the lake and hang out with friends. We had a great day goofing off and joking around the camp grounds but then my friend Shawn showed me the greatest "lake invention" ever. It was called the blob and it was spectacular. He told us that if one person sat at the end and jumped of the other end it would send the person 10 or 15 feet high. He had this great idea to put Natalie at the end of the blob and Shawn and I would go onto this high platform and jump of sending Natalie to the so called heavens. I asked him how far it would shoot Natalie? He thought it would send her maybe 20 feet and since my wife is a dare devil we all were in agreement to see this wonderful thing in action. Shawn and I stood at the top of this platform and Natalie is sitting on the blob waiting for us to jump. I scream, "READY!" Then the countdown to the worst belly flop except it was on her side was about to happen. 3........2.......1....... HERE GOES!!!!

I would like to say that was Natalie in this video but in all honesty, Natalie went twice as high as the young victim in that video. I know, I know you are thinking lair but you have to understand, Shawn is 6"3 210 all muscle. I was 5'8 all chubby and Natalie was 5"1 110. I promise you Natalie shot over the trees and over many telephone polls. When she landed it was nothing but tears. She told me that she never wanted to do this again. I pleaded ignorance because I had never seen this great thing called the blob before but Shawn was laughing. He knew the secrets of blob and knew what would happen.

Days later Natalie's left leg (the whole thing) was purple. She is ok now but still has nightmares about this awful thing we call the blob. So this summer if you see one or know someone that has one be careful. This blob almost destroyed my marriage, Natalie's left leg and a friendship. We have had to seek major counseling for this situation and when Natalie see's this awful thing she begins to shake and remember. SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL THIS SUMMER... FEAR THE BLOB!!

Recap and Updates

2009-04-05T18:50:00.003-04:00

We went to believe this weekend and it is by far the best conference for middle school. They do a great job of pulling things together. I have been going for years and this year was spectacular.

We had a middle school girl rededicate her life this Sunday. AWESOME!!

I am playing golf on Monday with our worship minister and senior minister, nice hard day at the office.

I started a twitter account as you may notice on this blog and it is very addicting. Not as good as facebook but different. If you want to find me my name is CrockettD.

During the last session at believe my students dared me to jump on stage with the band in front of at least 1,000 students. I did it and loved it. The band was looking at me like who is this guy, he not on the CIY staff.

Kurt Johnson was our speaker and he is the Junior High Minister at Saddleback Church in Cali. He has been doing middle school ministry since 1988. I wonder how long I will do youth ministry?

Kurt asked the kids during his sermon what they have built that they were proud of. Some said cups, others said they sowed pillows, he asked me (of course we were front row) I told him, "I make babies!" Let's just say everyone cracked up...

I am trying to be better at organization and still have a lot to learn but I was talking with friend about my weaknesses and he said that was one of them.

Emma loves her mom but gets frustrated when I hold her. Caroline was the same way and now she doesn't leave my side.

When I was talking to my friend about my weaknesses even though he mentioned organization he said I didn't have many. That made me feel really good about what God has done in my life.

I spoke with an old friend from high school on the phone Thursday and asked her about being a Christian in high school and what that was like. My biggest regret is that I didn't follow Christ earlier in my life.

Believe

2009-04-03T09:58:00.002-04:00

We are headed to Atlanta for the Believe Conference this weekend. Pray that God does great things with our middle school group and challenges us adults.

April Fools...

2009-04-02T14:33:00.003-04:00

I am sitting in my office not knowing the date and my phone rings, I notice it is a minister who has been a friend of mine for years so I pick it up and he asks me, "Crockett can you talk?" I can tell by the sound in his voice something is wrong so I get up and close my office door and reply with, "Whats wrong?" He begins to tell me that he and his wife went out on a date last night and had a couple of drinks. On the way home an officer pulled them over and could smell the alcohol on my friends breath. He continues with a lavish story about how he was not drunk but the officer led told him that he was over the legal limit and arrested him on sight. I am sitting there blown away by this story and my mind is racing with what is going to happen and what do I need to tell him. My friend explains that he spent all night in jail and that his elders will surly find out so he knows he will be fired and then he asks me, "What should I do?" He could here my frustration when I sighed and told him to call an elders meeting ASAP and tell them the truth. He ask a random question, "What is today?" Was he to drunk to know? Did something bad happen to him in jail? Had he gone dumber? "Wednesday!" Then he ask me that question that would bring such a sigh of relief to my life and heart. He ask me what the date was. I thought for a second and said, "March the... April, You piece of crap!!" I hear this laughter over the phone that I had heard so many times but this time I was not laughing with him. I was relieved that this story was completely made up and yet awed by the creativity and superior acting on the phone. I told him I hated him a couple more times on the phone and then we said we would talk Friday.

Since this was the best prank played on me in a while and my heart was racing I couldn't do my work anymore, what does a good youth minister do? He calls his friends, elders and those in ministry he knows to play the same prank. It was a good April Fool's day for me. If your wondering how my stories went here we go...

A youth minister friend so believed everything I said and I even called him out of a meeting to tell him.

The elder I work with believed me for a couple of minutes then remembered I don't drink and caught on.

A senior minister who lives in Indiana believed it for a minute then realized the date.

I called Natalie and told her I was in the hospital because of a car wreck but she knows me to well. She never believed a word I said and rarely does.

I went to the preschool directors we have in our church acting like I had a kidney stone and wanted them to take me to the hospital. They freaked out and afterwards almost punched me in the face.

My Secretary didn't believe that one for a minute.

Then I got tired and went back to work.

April Fool's day may be one of my favorite days now. Maybe I will call you next year!!

Fact!!

2009-04-01T09:50:00.003-04:00

8.5 hours a day adults are exposed to screens. It could be cell phone, CPU, TV or iPod but that is the national average.

5 best ways to reach your church family with information. 1. Family 2. Friend or Neighbor 3. Informative area like Newspaper 4. Outdoor sign 5. Magazine ad

Traditionally parenting leads to well adjusted kids: A family that disciplines and has high expectations on their children will be more likely to have well adjusted children.

25% of women would rather win America's Next Top Model than the Nobel Peace Prize.

Black girls are 50% more likely to be bulimic than white girls. 2.6% of black girls were clinically bulimic compared to 1.7% of white girls.

Your brain starts to decline at the age of 27. (It looks like it is all down hill for me now)

Your brain peaks at age 22.

There were more babies born in 2007 then ever in American History. (I am GUILTY)

Knowing someone that is happy makes you 15.3% more likely to be happy yourself.

Internet use increased by 19% in ages 70-74 in one year. Age 75 and up it went up 10%. (Maybe they are joining facebook)

All this was found at www.churchrelevance.com Have a great day!!!

Vision

2009-03-30T15:06:00.004-04:00

This past Sunday was a challenging Sunday for me and the church. This past month we have been teaching our new mission statement to the Sunday school classes and preaching on it during worship. The first three weeks were...

Following Christ

Connecting with the Church

Caring for the Lost

We have done all types of different things to engage our people, and have them latch on to the vision we believe God has called us as a church and individual Christians. The last two weeks we have been talking about what the church would look like if we lived these three things everyday of our lives. This past Sunday every staff member had to get in front of the congregation and present there goals and vision for their ministry. It was a hard week for me because I was really struggling with what to tell the people. I didn't want to share with them goals that were unrealistic or stories of this great ministry if I did not believe it would happen. I spoke with many people about where our church is headed in the next 10 years and how that will affect the Student Life Ministry. I have asked for many to pray for me as I really thought about what to say to this growing congregation. Here's some of what came out Sunday...

93% of Christians make there decision to follow Christ before the age of 18. Our ministry is vital.

Then I baptized a beautiful young girl named Torri. (I am all about the visuals of what God can do) Jesus said, "I have come to seek and save that which is lost!" Same goes for us here.

Natalie said I did a "visual walk through" of what a church with a growing youth group would look like. It included, packed parking lots, youth building full, gym full, offices full, students coming here because they are following Christ.

I mentioned students baptizing other students which our congregations has seen but not on a regular basis. Even students baptizing adults and parents because of their faith in Jesus.

Can you see students leading ministries here at FCC. A student visiting you in the hospital, greeting you when you come into church, playing music on Sunday's, setting up mission trips for all ages. Can you imagine a church where students connected with all people.

29% of Christians between the ages of 23-41 say they are sold out to the Christian faith. Dream with me about students who graduate from our youth ministry who want to reach and care for these lost people. They would start a college ministry, a outreach night on Tuesday's or Thursday's because they want so badly to reach and care for this generation.

It was a great Sunday and I hope what we see all the things talked about come to light.

Matthew 19:26 Nothing is impossible with God...

Frustration...

2009-03-27T06:56:00.004-04:00

We all have had days where we just seemed to be frustrated. I have had days like that in fact today is one of those days. Something that cracks me up about frustration is that it isn't normally just one thing but many different things. You might be holding many different frustrations in but usually something just gives you a little push and then you realize it, you have been frustrated for a while. Frustration to me feels like a combo at Wendy's. You pull up to the drive through and you order a number six (Spicy Chicken Sandwich) and the question comes through the speakers, "Would you like to up size that combo?" You know what you should say but yes just seems to fly out of your mouth before you can think of it. You pull up to the window and they ask you questions like what type of things do you need, and will that be all even though they asked that 2 minutes ago. They hand you everything but you don't have time to check because there are a million people behind you and she took her precious time finding the BBQ sauce. You drive away ready to take a sweet bite out of your number six and then you realize. They gave you a fruit cup instead of fries, High C instead of Dr. Pepper, honey mustard instead of BBQ and this combo is far from a BIGGIE size. But you know what you can do about it NOTHING...

You maybe thinking that I am frustrated because someone didn't get my combo right but I promise that's not it. It is a messed up combo of things. But the lie that we are lead to believe is that we can do nothing about our frustrations. I came into work today at 6:00 a.m (which is not normal) and just started reading my bible. At first I thought I am to frustrated to even do that but I pushed through and began to get some sort of peace. I am the only one here in the office and it is so quiet compared to the loud world we live in. I then began to listen to some of my favorite music and began to pray.

There are things we can do when we get frustrated but I can honestly say I don't do them a lot of the time. Am I still frustrated, YES!! I will say that my frustration seems pivotal and small when I spend time with God. I see a much larger picture of the world and I know my frustrations aren't the center of it.

My prayer for today...

2009-03-25T11:17:00.001-04:00

God,

Thank you for being a God that is in control and a God that has no limits.

Thank you for being a God that calls people out of darkness into light.

Thank you for the calling you have placed on my life and help me to do it with excellence.

May I not just be a fan of Jesus but a follower.

Give me the courage to show the real Jesus to all I would meet today.

Let everything I am and do be for your glory and yours alone.

Help my family not just to be raised in church, but raised in Christ.

May we follow you together knowing that where you lead is where we seek to be.

Help my students, church and friends not just to know of you, but to know you.

I know that I am loved and valued and for this I love you...

In the name of my Savior,

AMEN!!

He is Holy...

2009-03-23T11:06:00.003-04:00

If there were someone in Cumming that I would want all of you to meet it would be my 15 year old neighbor Ashton. I have lived in my sub division almost 3 years now and he was one of the first of my neighbors I met there. Ashton is an autistic teenager who loves to mow grass and ride his bike. He says some of the funniest things you have ever heard. When we first met I was checking the mail, and he was riding his bike up the street and decides to pull over into my drive way and ask me a couple of questions. He looks at me and says, "Do you smoke?" I laughed and explained that I don't smoke. He said, "Good because you will die and I don't want that to happen to you." I laughed my head off and yet in a weird way it was one of the nicest things someone has said to me after we just met. We have grown close through the years and if there is anything that Ashton loves it is God. He drives down the road on his bike yelling Hallelujah, God is good, GLORY, and He is Holy. He usually comes to my house twice a week but defiantly every Sunday to ask what songs we sang at church and to tell me that God is Holy.

I am so thankful for Ashton because I need reminded that God is Holy and that he is in control. Ashton shows me what it means to love and how to take people where they are. I see true innocence when I talk to Ashton and I see what it means to live out Joshua 1:8. Ashton talks about God all the time and he really wants to live a holy life. He has no fear of what people think of him driving down the streets proclaiming that God is good and that He is Holy.

May we live our lives just like Ashton. May we remind each other who God is and how he loves.

P.S Last year at Caroline's 1st birthday party Ashton got a piece of cake but he wouldn't sit down any where because there were so many people at the party. He struggled holding his drink and eating his cake at the same time so I suggested that he set his drink down until he was ready for it. He said, "I can't do that because someone here may steal it, and that wouldn't be good." I hope you all get to meet Ashton some day...

Things I love...

2009-03-20T14:31:00.003-04:00

There are so many things that I love. Here is a list of those things not in any order.

iPhone

Sprinkles on my ice cream

Natalie

Root Beer

Friends

Laughing

Golf

Cool Jackets

Emma

Apple Computers

You Tube

Preaching

Caroline

David Crowder Band

Tuesday's

Going out to lunch

Church family

Different seasons

Bible

The Office TV Show

Basketball

Singing

New Stuff

Warm hugs

Listening to others laugh

Jesus

You're Beautiful...

2009-03-18T10:43:00.002-04:00

To everyone out there reading this blog, to everyone who is addicted, who is overwhelmed or feels hopeless, you are created in the image of God. You are worth so much... You are beautiful...

Recap...

2009-03-16T13:36:00.003-04:00

This last week has been so crazy for me. Here is what happened...

1. Last Monday Caroline got the flu and threw up all night. I had to take care of her since Natalie was with Emma and of course we didn't want her to get the flu being 2 weeks old.

2. At Edge we had a band called Me In Motion in concert and they were great. We had over 100 people here which is the first time we have done that for Edge.

3. Natalie and I got the flu at the same time Friday night. We both spent most of the night in the bathroom and praying that our new little one still wouldn't get it.

4. I have spent a lot of time in prayer this week. Not just for Emma but for others and for the church. It is humbling and comforting that we serve a God that is in control of all things.

5. Sunday night Edge and Invisible Children got together and we had some people from San Diego come and share with us how we can continue the mission of God in Africa. I am so proud of the students leading that ministry and I hope they know the difference they are making.

6. I blogged everyday last week since I was at home and I really enjoyed it. I hope you guys liked what was said and thanks for reading.

7. Our new church website should be done soon and I am really looking forward to seeing the whole thing.

8. I found out that I got our Preschool Director sick today so she couldn't come to work. Isn't it crazy how fast sickness can spread?

9. I am praying about what conferences to go to this year. I have heard so much about Catalyst and it looks great but I am still not sure.

10. I have a couple of speaking engagements this summer so that gets me all excited for summer to hurry up and get here. I love teaching and preaching God's word to others. I pray God uses ME in spite of ME...

Where I go to School... DAY 5

2009-03-13T17:15:00.007-04:00

Sorry I didn't get to blog yesturday but my family and I have been so sick.

If there is a time in my life that I didn't want to end it would be the time I spent in college. I loved bible college. Getting deeper into the word, meeting men and woman who had the same passion as I and all while working in ministry. I found it to be a great time in my life. I have been out of school for years and yet I am growing and learning like crazy. My teachers have changed now, they are no longer men and woman with degrees, I do not go to a campus, I take no test nor exams, and my grade is unknown to me.

My new school is LIFE with God. Spending each day with God has had it's share of great joy and disappointment. I have learned from so many mistakes and failures what God wants from me in life. I have been getting into the word on my own and realizing what a life with Jesus looks like for me. I found good and bad and learned from both people, churches, and non-Christians. But I have to say that my daughters have taught me more about God than anyone I know. I have learned what it means to love because of them. I have learned patience and sacrifice. I have been tempted and tried but their purity has reminded me how great God is. My wife has shown me what it means to have true forgiveness, and John 3:16 has become so real because I am a father.

My new school is great and I learn something new each day. May we be a people that never stops growing and learning together. May we look at our so called ordinary lives and see Jesus in the small things. May we learn from sunsets and tragedy. May we embrace our new school and those in it with us...

To Natalie, Caroline and Emma thank you for showing me Jesus everyday!

Me In Motion... DAY 4

2009-03-12T12:46:00.008-04:00

Last night at Edge (our Wednesday night outreach) we had a concert with a band called Me In Motion. I have become friends with their tour manager TJ and he has recommended different bands to come to our church from time to time. We have many bands come to our youth group over the years but I have to say that Me In Motion were spectacular. I found out after hanging out with them afterwards that they have recently signed with Warner Brothers Record Company and I hope they make it big (whatever that means). The band only consists of three members but those guys played their hearts out last night. As much as I love live music and concerts I love something much more. As most of you know I have been off from work the last two weeks because of the birth of my second daughter Emma. I came to church last night expecting to have a lot of work to do but I was so wrong. I walked into to the student life building and the building had been cleaned from top to bottom. The room was straightened and ready for the students to walk in and engage with what was going to happen on the stage. Our youth workers had already set up tables and they would later bring chips, drinks, cake, and of course the famous Chic-fil-a. Students and youth workers arrived early to help the band unload and set up there equipment. All the youth workers during the week had called every single student to let them know about the concert and tell them that they were loved. There were students working the merchandise table, greeting people, getting others to sign up for CIY, and afterwards having prayer groups in our class rooms. After the concert adults and students were cleaning up and waiting around to help the band get backed up and to wish them a safe ride home. There were over a 100 people there and everything went great and I had nothing to do with it. I LOVE THAT!!

I love to see the people of God in motion. It is amazing to watch students and adults serving each other all because the love of Jesus has changed their lives. To watch ministry happen and not just happen, but for it to go great without you having a part of it is just inspiring. I love watching the church be the church. I believe the people I love most will change the world. They are in motion... They are in motion with the God that moves people... They are in motion with something bigger and greater than this world knows... They are moving and following the one who moves us towards good. And I love watching them in motion. Here are some pics of the ones I love most...

I wish they would knock on my door!

2009-03-11T14:20:00.000-04:00

New Respect... DAY 2

2009-03-10T10:59:00.005-04:00

I have to say that being home for that last week has made me appreciate what a mom does on daily basis much more. I have found myself doing things that I don't like, but also doing things that I take for granted with my wife. My wife is seriously ridiculous!!! She can do like a 100 things at one time and do them all well. Most of these things are really hard to and what I have found is that none of it is fun. I get to go to work, talk with people, take a lunch break, goof off, laugh, make new friends, grow in Christ, goof off a little more, get on the Internet and much more. Now my wife doesn't get a lot of those chances being a stay at home mom. This week I have found myself doing...

laundry

dishes

putting up dishes

taking out the trash

cleaning the house

taking care of Caroline's every need

straighting the house

making beds

cleaning bathrooms

fixing lunch

disciplining my daughter

giving baths every night to both daughters

staying up all night with Emma

staying up all night holding Caroline while she throws up everywhere (last night was rough)

I will say that I do some of these things sometimes but not everyday. I look at this list and I am blown away by the person I married. I come home and rarely hear how bad her day was, and if I had to do this everyday I would probably be pretty negative. I have a whole new respect for moms. I will never take them for granted again. My wife is an amazing person and I am so thankful she married me.

So today take sometime and thank about all the things that your loved one does for you. Whether it be your spouse, parents, or best friend. Think about how special they are to you and how blessed we are to have them in our lives. May we treat them with the respect they deserve.

Remember I am blogging everyday this week so cya tomorrow!!

Never done this before!!

2009-03-09T16:10:00.002-04:00

This week I am home with my girls and my beautiful wife because of the birth of our second child Emma Grace. I find myself wanting to do so much and yet trapped in a house with a lot of females (I better get use to this). So I am going to try something I have never done before. I am going to blog every single day this week. It might be a video, picture, my thoughts about anything and everything who really knows. But I am sure it will be fun. So be sure to check back everyday this week and who knows what you might find.

Since this is day one, the above will not count as a blog. So here is a video that gets me excited for summer.

CYA at the pool!!

Another Reason I am so blessed!!

2009-03-08T17:04:00.001-04:00

I thank God daily for having such a great family!!

I am so blessed!!

2009-03-07T11:05:00.004-05:00

I think about all the things I have and all that is important to me and I am reminded everyday how blessed I am. Thank God for all things he has done in all of our lives!!

Is He Serious?

2009-03-05T12:18:00.007-05:00

I wonder when Jesus was teaching if people listened to what he said and thought to themselves, "Is he serious?" There are times in scripture where Jesus was teaching and you can almost sense the people thinking, "There is no way I could ever do that." Jesus said some amazing things and yet some of his teachings are simple yet so complex. I was talking with one of my students and she told me she had heard me quote the scripture"You must love one another..." I think I was speaking on how love forgives and covers over all wrong doing in our lives. You could tell that something had happened in her life that was awful and she had been holding onto it for a long time. She came to me and asked, "Do I really have to forgive people?" Great question and yet the fact remains that most of us struggle with one or more of Jesus' teachings. It's not that we don't understand it, we just have a hard time doing it. I think when we look at the teachings of Jesus we think "Is He serious?" There is no way that I could ever be that type of person nor could I ever do what he asks. So I wonder what teaching do you struggle with? What teaching seems like it comes from another planet because you couldn't imagine yourself doing that. Here are some examples...

Peter asked, "Lord how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me, up to seven times?"

Jesus answered. "I tell you not seven times but seventy-seven times!"

Jesus taught: Love your enemy's... Do good to those who hate you... Bless those who curse you!

Jesus taught: Pray for those who mistreat you... If someone strikes you on the cheek, turn to him the other also... If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your Tunic... If anyone takes something from you, do not demand it back...

Jesus taught: Give to everyone who asks you... Do unto others as you would have them do to you... You must love one another... Take your possessions give them to the poor and follow me...

Jesus taught: If anyone wants to be first, He must be the very last and the servant of all... If I have washed your feet, shouldn't you wash each others feet?

Is he serious? ABSOLUTELY!! You and I may think that many of these things are impossible but nothing is impossiable with God. A week later the same student came up to me and told me that she talked to the man who hurt her. She knocked on his door asked him to come outside and told him that she forgave him. She was not mad anymore and she in a weird way loved him. He expressed his sorrow as well and she walked away looking like Jesus. "Greater is He that lives in you then the one in the world."

So what teachings do you find hard? What do you struggle with? What is God calling you to right now in your life?

I want to die!!!

2009-03-02T20:50:00.003-05:00

Today was an unusual day for me. As I celebrated the birth of my second child, I found myself doing a funeral for a friend of mine who had cancer. She died at a very young age and left behind a husband and daughter that is ten and son that is two. Since her sickness I found myself thinking a lot about mortality and new life. On February 28th I found myself in the hospital holding my new beautiful daughter that you see below and meanwhile I am getting text messages and voice mails that my friend had just passed away. Death and life all in one day. I found myself looking through scripture for answers but came up with more questions. What I found was truly amazing and unusual. There seems to be a balance and yet conflict between life and death. The bible says things like, "You must lose your life to find it, we died to self, we died with Christ, our old self must be crucified." There is this idea in scripture that things must die to bring life. We know this to be true. Fruits, vegetables and animals must die to bring us life that we need. I think scripture is clear that the things that need to die in us are the things that pull us away from our Savior. Then it hit me, I want to die!!

I have so many things in my life that is nothing like Jesus. Here is a short list for your entertainment.

pride

complacency

selfishness

faithlessness

insensitivity

impurities

This list could go on and on. These things have to stop and these things have to die. I need to have life and life to the fullest and if that is possible then these things can't be in my life. God wants to kill these things in me so that people can see more of Jesus. So today my prayer is that God would take his mighty hand and create in me a clean heart. I pray that God would turn all of those ugly dead things into glory so that I may have real life. So today I declare that I want to die. Anything that is not like Jesus must be buried. I don't believe we can live life the way that God would have us if death doesn't happen first. The first step to life is death.

So may death come to us all. May we recognize what needs to die and bring that before God. And let us not be afraid of that death, for when we die life begins.