May The Force be with you!

I've had several friends send me this youtube link this morning. Being a Star Wars Fan, I loved it!

But God spoke to me when I watched it the second time. This little boy trying to use the force is sometimes

like how we are in our Christian lives. We try and try and try and nothing happens. We get discouraged when we fail.

One of favorites verses in the Bible is, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." 1 Cor. 3:6-7


There are times when we really want someone to "get it"  We want them to have the fire that we have for God.   We get frustrated.  We pray for them.  We invite them to every event at the church.  We get other people to do the same.  We need to remember that only God makes things Grow.


So don't be discouraged, but be patient and continue to follow God and allow Him to work in you and through you! And may the Force be with you!

Giving things up

On Monday, Jessica and I decided that it was time for our daughter Mallory to give up her pacifier.   She is almost 16 months old and we felt that it was time.  As you can see in the picture above, she didn't have a normal pacifier, but what is called a wubbanub.   Its a pacifier and stuffed animal all in one.  It has been a comfort for her in so many ways, but it was time for her to let it go.  Suprisingly it hasn't been too bad.  We were told that she has didn't even miss it at daycare.  She has though missed it some at home when it was bedtime the past two nights.

I see this as when we need to let go of things that are holding us back in our Christian lives.  It is sometimes really easy, but also really tough to let go of the things that seem good, but in the end could cause us harm.  Sometimes the best thing for us to do is just give it over to God and do it "cold turkey".  Even though during the first couple days/weeks it can be tough as we are used to doing those things.

I challenge you if there is something you are holding on to...just to LET GO and LET GOD!

Ski Retreat 2011

Just got back from an amazing weekend with 31 high school students and adults at Winter Place, WV.  After doing numerous ski retreats over the past 12 years, I would have to say this one was one of the best!  First..We had ZERO injuries or incidents with the Ski Patrol.  We had an great time studying "Busyness".   It was also amazing to see students stick together on the slopes.  I'm used to everyone grouping up in groups of 3 or 4 and not seeing anyone until it was meal time.  We had groups of 9, 12, 15, or more all the time and they enjoyed skiing together and staying together.  They took the time to help those who were having trouble learning or remembering how to ski.  They stuck together as a group.

I think we can all learn a lot from this group and how they acted this weekend.   We need to stick together even when times are tough.  We need to be there as a large church family to help those when they are down and help them finish their journey by helping them to learn and grow.

During the next five weeks, I'm going to be teaching our small groups, the Essence of Christianity.   This will help everyone to stick together like our group did over the weekend.  We will walk, talk, and learn together the essence of being a Christian.

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