Leah and I drive separately to church on Sundays.  I speak in the high school ministry at our church’s main campus before hopping into my car and making the trek north to speak at our Green Campus, The Summit.  She usually goes to The Summit early to help out and let the kids play in the gym a few minutes before church starts.  After church concludes, she follows me home.  This past Sunday Leah was about a half mile behind me when I received a call from her alerting me to a guy who was weaving in and out of traffic.  Sure enough…I looked in my rearview mirror and saw the silver sports car with a young whippersnapper behind the wheel.  He was driving erratic and tailgating people.  I love tailgaters because they help me test out my brakes.  During these times I often wonder, “Where are the police so they can pull this guy over?”

Why is it that evil people always seem to be getting ahead without suffering immediate consequences for their wrongdoing? David wondered this same thing and wrote these words in Psalm 37:35-36, “ I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil.  But when I looked again, they were gone!  Though I searched for them, I could not find them!”

Evil people will be held accountable, but not by you.

It’s been almost two months since I’ve posted here and in case you are curious, it was on purpose.

I determined to accomplish two goals by April 2010, so this meant that some “things” would need to be set aside for a couple months and this blog happened to be one those “things.” What two things are more important than my readers? Great question…if you were asking. This year I set out to read the Bible from cover to cover in 90 days and also drop 20-25 lbs. off of my weight. So how am I doing? Although the last 90 days have been very challenging in many ways, I am on track to finish the Bible by March 31 and have already lost 20 lbs.

Believe me, I am not informing you of these goals for the sake of my pride. I’m ashamed to say that I have not read the Bible all the way through in a couple years and over the last decade, I have ignored my health and eating habits.

There are many experiences I’ve had over the last few months that I wanted to share with you through this blog, but I was determined to finish what I had started without distraction.

As my 90 days draws to a close, I want to challenge you. Was there something you set out to do during 2010, but have already quit? If that unaccomplished goal was important to you a couple months ago, it is imperative for you to begin again. With a little determination and discipline, you can do it.”

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

As most of you can tell, I’ve been on a long hiatus from blogging. I just thought I’d give you a quick update on my life and why I’ve taken a break from writing. During the months of November and December, I was able to take a couple weeks off for vacation, which I really needed. Things seemed a little out of control with my schedule over the last several months, so it was nice to “withdraw” for a couple weeks.

Over New Year’s weekend, I was able to speak at a youth retreat in PA. It was awesome in every way and I believe God used that time to revitalize me. While I was at the retreat, I also began a plan to read through the Bible in 90 days, which is why I have not been blogging through the Bible over the last few weeks. After the 90 days are up (at the end of March), I plan to finish blogging through the New Testament in 2010. I only have two more books to go – 1 and 2 Corinthians, and I will have logged over 500 posts with more than 800 hours invested since April of 2007.

Another contributing factor to my crazy schedule has been the location change of our church’s second campus, the Summit in Green. I have served as the campus pastor at the Summit since September 2008, while also continuing my role as high school pastor at the main campus. As of January 17, 2010, the Summit moved from Regal Cinema to the Green YMCA. It was a GREAT move for us with numerous benefits. We were excited to see almost 100 people attend our first gathering at the YMCA.

Last, but certainly not least…I have been attempting to eat right and exercise in 2010. Although I’m only two weeks into it, I’ve lost 5 lbs. and feel better already. It’s probably all mental. I have been using an iPhone app called Lose It to keep track of my calories. Talk to me in April to see if I have reached my goal weight!

Other than this, I have been enjoying my family. Leah is an awesome wife who works hard and takes care of our family. She is my biggest fan. My kids are the best. They both started their own blogs – we are encouraging them to write, even though I think Lexi has written more than Ty. Stop by their blogs and leave a comment – they giggle like schoolgirls (and boys) when someone leaves a comment. Of course, I like comments too, but I’m pretty sure I don’t giggle like a schoolgirl when someone leaves me one, at least I don’t think so.

Peace out.

Having grown up in the south, snow was only a periodic occurrence which sparked a buyout of bread and milk in the grocery stores and shut down every school in the county; however, over the past eleven years of living in Ohio, I have become accustomed to snow. No pandemonium. No rushing to the milk and bread aisle at the local store. No school closings unless the depth of the snow exceeds the height of high school seniors.

Regardless of where snow falls, it is still beautiful. This morning when I looked out my bedroom window (pictured here), a fresh blanket of snow had covered the ground and trees in our backyard. Moments like this always make me aware of God’s interest in beauty and His great power displayed through creation. “God’s voice is glorious in the thunder. We can’t even imagine the greatness of his power. He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power” (Job 37:5-7).

I’ve stopped working so I can watch. Have you?

I’m very comfortable with organization and structure. Throughout my life people have told me, “I wish I could be as organized as you!” I used to absorb this as a compliment, but in some aspects of my life I hate structure, especially when it concerns my relationship with God. Don’t get me wrong, discipline and following routine has allowed me to accomplish many things, but I’ve discovered that God doesn’t always operate in a humanly structured atmosphere. Embracing structure is my way to prevent losing control.

Certainly, I cannot be alone in this struggle. Maybe you share my love for the familiar, the routine, the comfortable, and what is easily known…let’s determine to invite the spontaneity of God into our lives this coming year with the knowledge that He often works outside the confines of human reason and delights in the faith of His children. We must realize that familiarity will never produce faith.

Faith begins where the familiar ends.

Do I really look that suspicious? Really? Somebody thinks I do. It all started the other day when I had to stop by Wal-Mart to pick up a few basic things. I wasn’t inside too long before I was checking out and then heading out the automatic doors into the parking lot; however, as I exited the store, an armored truck guard must have also exited at the same time as me through the doors right next to me. We were now walking kind of parallel to each other. I finally noticed him because he was eyeing me. At first I did not realize who he was, but as soon as I saw him carrying a bag (probably full of money) and sporting a gun, I assumed he was not your friendly Wal-Mart greeter. I think what threw him off was the fact that I reached into my back pocket to retrieve my phone, but he must have assumed from my lighting fast moves that I was packing heat! His step quickened and the heavy truck door was thrown open and he disappeared into the great unknown…keeping his eye on me until the very last moment. The only thing that could have possibly made me look suspicious is the fact that I have a beard and was wearing a TOMS Shoes hat because all thieves have beards and wear hats!

I really hate it when people look at me suspiciously, especially when I know I haven’t done anything wrong. If I have done something wrong, that’s a different story. In my opinion, Christians are often on the suspicious list.

In your opinion, what makes Christians look suspect?

On Tuesday, October 27, 2009 I had the opportunity to attend IMPART at Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC. The eight hour trip from Ohio was well worth it for the “conference” as well as the time I was able to spend with my parents and both brothers who also live in Charlotte. This one day event was full of surprises, stories, staff, and stirring of the soul. Let me break it down.

Surprises:
Steve Fee showed up and played a few songs and then gave everyone a free copy of his new CD, Hope Rising. That was an unexpected surprise! I must say…hearing Glory to God Forever live was inspiring. The third session with Pastor Steven Furtick included a very special guest, Perry Noble from NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC. Hearing them interact about ministry was very helpful.

Stories:
Throughout the sessions, Pastor Steven shared the story of Elevation Church and how God has used their ministry in the city of Charlotte. His stories were especially near to my heart since I grew up in Charlotte. In just three and a half years, God has done some incredible things through Elevation and those stories were invigorating for me.

Staff:
The volunteer staff was AWESOME and the paid staff were available throughout the day. Those who attended the event had full access to the people who make Elevation what it is. You probably don’t get that at many other conferences.

Stirring of the Soul:
There is so much I could share here, but I’ll only highlight a few of the things God hit me with during the four sessions:

• Three essential core values which should be a part of the church: Audacity (faith), Honor, and Generosity
• “We want to be known by what we are for, not what we are against”
• Act on the vision God has shown YOU.
• Say it until you see it
• True vision is holding onto what you cannot see yet
• Don’t think too small
• Our generation must restore honor to the church and that starts by honoring God
• Honor men of God, the word of God, and other ministries
• Respect is earned, honor is not
• Excellence is custom designed
• Simplicity enables excellence
• Build for what God is going to do
• Momentum – you don’t create it, you just ride it
• I prepare, God blesses
• Embrace the pain that lies between you and God
• There is an emotional, physical, and relational cost to your calling

While spending some time alone with God yesterday, I felt the need to confess feelings of apathy I’ve been experiencing in certain parts of my life lately. As I was praying, I sensed the need to locate some Scripture which could serve as a challenge for restoration and revival in my personal connection with God, so I randomly opened up the Bible and it fell to Psalm 80. Here is what I read,

“Restore us, O God; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved! O Lord God of hosts, How long will You be angry against the prayer of Your people? You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in great measure. You have made us a strife to our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves. Restore us, O God of hosts; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” (Psalm 80:3-7)

Even though this passage was most likely written as a prayer for the nation of Israel to repent of their apostasy and be restored to God, I am convinced that this principle is still applicable today. There are times when all of us become distracted or even blinded by apathy and need God to restore our hearts to the time when we first fell in love with Him. When I “randomly” opened up the Bible today, I believe God knew exactly what I needed and I’m now praying that He will restore me each day.

I really enjoy writing. Since my journey in blogging began on April 17, 2007, I have published nearly 600 posts which mainly center on two topics: Bible Commentary and Real Life Stories. The Bible Commentary section of this blog started as a challenge to myself about being more consistent in studying God’s word and also developing something for my own kids to be able to use one day in their own journey through the Bible. This personal study of the Bible has been an exciting part of my spiritual growth over the past few years and hopefully into the future. My goal is to finish my thoughts on the New Testament by the beginning of 2010 and then start my trek through the Old Testament, which I’m certain will take several years.

The second part of my blogging adventure began on March 8, 2008, when I created a new dimension to my blog by incorporating random thoughts and real life stories with spiritual applications. This usually turns into an attempt to view everyday life with a sense of humor while providing a chance for personal reflection.

Considering all the reasons I write, there is one particular truth that I hope you do not miss. Thousands of years ago God created people to be like Him and have a relationship with Him (Genesis 1:27); however, the first two human beings were deceived by a fallen angel, Lucifer, and their disobedience brought sin into the world (Genesis 3:1-13; Romans 5:12). God had already warned Adam that breaking His commandment would result in death (Genesis 2:16-17), but Adam ignored the consequence for sin and chose his own way. Because God loved man (John 3:16), His prized creation, He immediately promised them a future deliverer who would conquer sin and death (Genesis 3:15). Thousands of years later God sent His only Son, Jesus, who was born of the virgin Mary to become this deliverer from sin and death through sacrificing His own life on the cross (Matthew 1:18-25). Since death is the only way to pay for sin, man now has two possibilities to pay this penalty: either man can pay for his own sins through physical death and eternity in hell (Revelation 20:11-15) or he can repent of sin and receive by faith that Jesus’ death was in place of his own and that His resurrection guaranteed eternal life in heaven (Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus is why I blog. He has provided new and eternal life to all who repent of sin and believe in Him; therefore, I use my words to hopefully point people to the benefits of living life God’s way.