Welcome to this great world

Here is the story of Payton Renee! This morning my wife woke me up cause she kept getting out of bed. I asked her if everything was alright and she said yes, that she was having a few contractions. At 4am she then came back into the room and said we need to go to the hospital. Sarah's preferred doctor is in Bolivar, so we knew that we had a 25 minute drive. Sarah called our next door neighbor to come over and watch Ethan and Brooklyn. (Thank you Lord for great neighbors and friends). As we pull out of the drive way, Sarah tells me that we need to hurry because her contractions are getting closer together, They are about 3-4 minutes apart. We get on to Hwy 13 heading north and I am going about 75 mph in a 65 zone. I ask her how shes doing and she tells me I need to go faster. So I speed up to 85mph. Hoping not to see a police officer going the other way, because I had already made up my mind that I wasn't stopping till I got to the hospital. By the time we got to Hwy 215 near Morrisville I was at speeds in excess of 95 mph.

At this point Sarah's contractions are about 2-3 minutes apart, so she calls the hospital and tells them we are coming and her contractions are getting stronger and closer. I then tell her to call 911 and tell them we are flying low coming North on 13, so that way we won't get pulled over. Sarah calls them and they take our information down. A few minutes later we get a call from a Bolivar police officer telling us they are waiting at the Hwy 13 & Hwy 32 exit and will escort us into the hospital. At this point I am traveling at 100 mph just trying to get to the hospital. I didn't want to be delivering this our baby on the highway. I pulled up to the hospital at 4:39 and they had a couple of people one with a wheel chair there to help Sarah in. I went and parked the car and got into the room right as Sarah was having another contraction. Sarah told the nurse she felt like she had to push. The nurse said go ahead and then Sarah's water broke and Payton was born 2 pushes later. She weighed in at 6 lbs 13 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. She was born face up, and thank goodness she was. The doctor said that if she would have been face down she might have been born on the Highway. Thank you Jesus she was patient enough to wait. I couldn't imagine puling the car over to deliver my own baby. She is precious and beautiful. Mom is doing well. I am extremely proud of her. All natural birth, no pain meds, no IV. Wow! She could blow me away with her pain thresh hold.

Popularity Zoo

I'm sure we have all been to a zoo. As you walk around and look at the different animals you see alot of different interactions between them. You see different traits and characteristics that make thse animals different from each other. I mean, could you imagine if a peacock had the tempterment of a lion. Obviously they wouldn't be walking around freely in the zoo. They would be caged up.

This week I have been thinking alot about popularity vs. influence. We are currently going through a series in The Merge called "Surviving School." Our main goal being that we want kids to do more than just survive school, we want them to thrive. In order to thrive I think they need to understand some basics in dealing with people and striving for popularity. Our culture is obsessed with popularity. Look at the TV shows like: any of "the Real Housewives," all of these reality shows that deal with talent (American Idol, Singing Bee, Dancing with the Stars, America's Got Talent & Sing Off etc). So my question is this. Is it popularity people want or influence?

Popularity can lead to vanity, influence can lead to reaching some for Christ. Influence is harder to measure, but it is worth the effort. Getting people to do something for the sake or benefit of others, is what Christ called us to. To be people who influence others with love and truth and teach people to follow and obey God so that they can influence others for the gospel. What a clear picture of evangelism. Too often we throw away our influence for the sake of popularity without thinking through all the ramifications of this.

So how can I make sure that popularity is not my focus and Influence is? I think Paul covers that topic quite well in I Corinthians 9:19-23.

19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to
everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win
the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I
myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not
having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from
God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all
people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the
sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Paul has 3 goals in these verses. Win as many as possible, save some and share in the blessings of the Gospel. Notice How Paul emphasizes "win." 5x he makes the statement throughout these verses. Do you think this is something important. He uses his influence with other to win them over, but does this lead to their salvation? Not necessarily. Because in vers 22 he makes it clear that only some will be saved. It is not our responsibility to save them, God will take care of that work. It is our role to love our neighbor and influence them with the truth of Christ so there is no doubt about who God is and what He has done. Finally, Paul is doing all this for the sake of the Gospel and for the ability to share in the blessings proclaimed in it. We benefit as individuals when we use our influence for the sake of the Kingdom. The Gospel must go forward and we are the vessel that God has chosen to proclaim it. So strive for influence with people and proclaim the Gospel always. By your fruitful labor and through your commitment to Christ all can hear and some will be saved.

Surprising find? I think Not!

I was reading an article today and thought that I would share it with everyone out there. It is a tough article for most, but it really reveals an issue that needs to be corrected. The reality is that Safe Sex is not an option. Safe Abstinence is. There is a reason why God established a standard of waiting for the person you marry. It is more than Him being a big fuddy duddy. It is his protection in our lives and in the lives of our kids. So here is the article from Fox News "Why Today's Sex Education won't work." . I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think.

Mission Cheyenne

I wanted to post a few pictures of the Mission Cheyenne team and some of the work we did. The team did a phenomenal job working with Element Church and Sunnyside Baptist Church. We had a great time serving in the name of Jesus and helping these churches keep Christ in front of the communities in Cheyenne.

We also helped a woman whose husband has recently been diagnosed with alzheimers and it is very bad. We helped her get the house painted so that they could sell it. It was a huge blessing for her and she took very good care of everyone who pitched in on the effort. The house looks great thanks to the hard work of many individuals.

Sexuality & the church

I know the title is going to throw a few of you off. It is a strong title and there are alot of conotations that come to mind. However, the church has been silent for a long time on sexuality and Ed Stetzer has written a great blog article "The Pornification of American Culture," that I would encourage you to read. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts and responses to how the church can be on the offensive against Satan in this movement in culture. How can we respond as a youth ministry that will strengthen your kids to stand firm against the devil? LEt me know your thoughts.

What's Your Priority?

I was excited when the Denver Broncos announced that their second selection of the 2011 NFL draft was Tim Tebow QB from the Florida Gators. I have never liked the Florida Gators because they are in the same conference as Alabama. However, I like Tim Tebow. He has an unusually high level of respect and leadership among his teammates and with his coaches. Time was also one who took a stand for Christ, even when he was in the limelight, he never passed up an opportunity to express his thanks for Jesus.

Tim Tebow has a great story. If you haven't heard much about it you need to do some checking. His mom was advised to have an aboriton with him and she chose not to. That will make you think about the importance of life. I was reading a blog on Focus on the family here and was impressed again for what Tim stands for. I would encourage you to read it.

No matter what your story. No matter what struggles or difficulties or the success you've had, God wants to use your story for His glory. So? What's your priority?

Grace & Parenting

Do you struggle with parenting? Do you disipline your kids or struggle too get them to obey you? I think all of us can answer yes. I read this blog at the Gospel Coalition website and thought I would share it with you. Here is a great foreward to a book that is coming out soon. Give them Grace I hope you enjoy it. I have ordered my copy to check it out and will let you know what I think.