River of Life set up

I'm sitting in the Cullers Inn right now....and found a wireless signal.
Just finished setting up the sound and doing a sound check at the church.

The trip here was amazing...
After stopping by in Evans to meet my parents and sister for Mexican food and heading to Home Depot and Walmart for some last minute things, I drove out here to Lincolnton.   The sunset was amazing.  I wish I could have taken a picture but all of that was in the trailer.  As I entered into Lincoln County "Who'd you be today" came on my ipod.  It is the song that remind me of my brother.  I lost it.  But it was a good cry.  This was the first time I've been back here in two years.  The last time I was here I came to speak and also help my brother's team finish their roof. Then as I pulled into town "You'll be there" by George Strait played.  It was the song that Chuck Beggs sang at Michael's funeral.  Sounds crazy that is how the random play on my ipod ended up. 
this week is going to be an amazing time of worship, fellowship and serving.  God has some amazing things in store this week.  I'm really excited.  I'm here and ready to serve.....

River of Life set up

I'm sitting in the Cullers Inn right now....and found a wireless signal.
Just finished setting up the sound and doing a sound check at the church.

The trip here was amazing...
After stopping by in Evans to meet my parents and sister for Mexican food and heading to Home Depot and Walmart for some last minute things, I drove out here to Lincolnton.   The sunset was amazing.  I wish I could have taken a picture but all of that was in the trailer.  As I entered into Lincoln County "Who'd you be today" came on my ipod.  It is the song that remind me of my brother.  I lost it.  But it was a good cry.  This was the first time I've been back here in two years.  The last time I was here I came to speak and also help my brother's team finish their roof. Then as I pulled into town "You'll be there" by George Strait played.  It was the song that Chuck Beggs sang at Michael's funeral.  Sounds crazy that is how the random play on my ipod ended up. 
this week is going to be an amazing time of worship, fellowship and serving.  God has some amazing things in store this week.  I'm really excited.  I'm here and ready to serve.....

One Empty Chair

This past weekend, Jessica and I made a nine hour drive up to Wilmington, Delaware for my cousin Ashley's wedding.  We got their late on Thursday night and woke up early Friday to visit Philly.  We went with my sister Amy and her future husband Josh.  We toured the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and all the other historical parts of Philly.  It was great to see all the American History and where our country really started off.  And we also made the historic run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art...the same stairs from the movie Rocky.  We also had Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches for lunch. 

We then came back to the hotel and got ready for the Rehearsal Dinner.  We went, had some great food and good times with our family.  And the one thing that really struck me, was that there was one empty seat at our table.  A seat that should be filled by my brother.  It was just another small reminder that he isn't with us any more.  And throughout the weekend, it was strange to see how we always had one empty spot or one empty chair.  Even though its six months...almost seven months later, it's still hard to realize he's not here.
We had a great time at the wedding. I'm so happy for Ashley and Nate.  It was great to see all of our family.  But its still hard having one empty chair.

One Empty Chair

This past weekend, Jessica and I made a nine hour drive up to Wilmington, Delaware for my cousin Ashley's wedding.  We got their late on Thursday night and woke up early Friday to visit Philly.  We went with my sister Amy and her future husband Josh.  We toured the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and all the other historical parts of Philly.  It was great to see all the American History and where our country really started off.  And we also made the historic run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art...the same stairs from the movie Rocky.  We also had Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches for lunch. 

We then came back to the hotel and got ready for the Rehearsal Dinner.  We went, had some great food and good times with our family.  And the one thing that really struck me, was that there was one empty seat at our table.  A seat that should be filled by my brother.  It was just another small reminder that he isn't with us any more.  And throughout the weekend, it was strange to see how we always had one empty spot or one empty chair.  Even though its six months...almost seven months later, it's still hard to realize he's not here.
We had a great time at the wedding. I'm so happy for Ashley and Nate.  It was great to see all of our family.  But its still hard having one empty chair.

Anything goes

" I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to
lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all
humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of
your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who
is above all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:1-6) NRSV

We live in a world where anything goes. Things we
counted on suddenly change. People break their promises. What we thought was
true turns out to be false. At times it
seems that there's little to hold on to any more. But life doesn't have to be
that way. We have one great choice. The
choice is Jesus. He doesn't change. Jesus never breaks his promises. His words
always prove to be true. You can hold
on to him. You can also hold on to the cross. Jesus died on the cross for one
reason - He loves you. After Jesus died and came back to life, he made a
commitment to you. He promised never to
leave you or forsake you. Jesus has kept his promise and always will. You can bet your life on it. Jesus only asks
for one thing: for you to make the same kind of promise to him. 

Committing yourself to Jesus doesn't mean
you won't have any tough times. But it does mean you'll have some help when you
do. But you can't do it halfway. You've
got to give it your all. And don’t
forget you have a large family here to support you and help you in your walk
with Christ, through Sunday school, Sunday Worship, Youth, small groups,
retreats, and mission trips.