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The Exciting Commitment to Marriage

Committing your life to one another is a huge step, but also the beginning of an exciting and amazing adventure together! Thank you for inviting us to be a part of this beautiful and life-changing moment in your lives! The best way to start a successful marriage is making sure you’re both on the same page and entering this marriage covenant together with the same mindset. Marriage counseling plays an important role in laying the right foundation upon which you can build a life together. So, grab your finance and a cup of coffee, and as you continue reading this together, allow yourselves the freedom to think through and discuss what you’re learning or being asked to consider. What Is Marriage? Marriage is a beautiful union of two becoming one. Created and established by God, marriage is a lifelong commitment symbolic of Christ’s love for His Bride, the Church. Marriage is an exciting and life-changing step for anyone to take in their life. Before making this covenant promise with ...

Hindsight is 2020

 A lot of people describe 2020 as a terrible year, a year full of hardships and coronavirus, a year of virtual schooling and canceled sports, a year of no toilet paper and no ammunition, a year of racism, protests, and violence, a year of quarantine and COVID19 deaths. But as we enter 2021, I want to take a minute to reflect back on 2020. Yes, there were some tough moments, but there were also some great moments. Personally, I think 2020 has been a great year for our family. It’s almost like God hit the pause button on the craziness of our life and gave us a year to slow down and spend more time together. Adalynn and Kinley are both great students and were able to quickly adapt and stay on top of their in-person or virtual studies. Yes, we probably watched more TV this year than ever before, but we also remodeled our deck and put in a pool, which was fun to work on together. And we enjoyed sharing the pool and fire pit with family and friends (in small groups of 10 or less, of cour...

To the Boy Who Wants to Date My Daughter:

I’m praying for you. I’m praying for your heart to be pure, for honorable intentions, for respect. What you focus your thoughts on will lay the foundation for your relationship. I’m praying for you.  She is my precious treasure. I love her more than you. How do you think I’ll react if my precious treasure is hurt or broken? I’m praying for you. There’s a time and a season for everything. If you’re dating, then you shouldn’t act like you’re married. If you’re married, then you should never stop dating. Time equals commitment. I’m praying for you. Do you love Jesus? She will respect and follow a spiritual leader. Initiate and lead. I’m praying for you. Words have meaning. “Love” is not a word to be thrown around loosely. Don’t use it unless you’re ready to put a ring on her finger. Come talk to me first. I’m praying for you. A good relationship with her parents will make life easier. Cultivate that. If I’m not praying for you, then you ain’t got a prayer.

Youth Ministry 2.0

Youth ministry is all about being together and building relationships — with Jesus Christ, with peers, with parents, and with the local body of believers.  But what do you do when “together” is suddenly stripped away, and the whole country withdrawals in isolation to slow down the spread of sickness?  Quality time together, the very foundation of youth ministry is shaken to its core and we are forced to avoid contact with others, especially in groups of ten or more.  What can youth pastors and students do to remain connected and grow together in Christ? In a time of quarantine and social distancing, youth ministry can seem to have hit a brick wall. But this is the time for youth pastors to step up and lead.  As ministry leaders, we are probably more skilled in using the tools and social media necessary to connect with students in meaningful relationships.  In some ways it will be easier, but in many other ways it will require a ramp up of intentional efforts...

A Life Saved And A Bone Broken

#LifeStory [ 14 ]   I am so proud of my amazing wife!  She jumped in to help a student on a field trip, got hurt in the process, but toughed it out and made the most of Adalynn's class trip to Washington DC.  April 17, 2016.  We left Sharpe Elementary at 5:00AM for Washington DC with Adalynn's 5th grade class for a week of touring and learning.  However, 3 hours into the trip, we hear people yelling for Mrs. Elyssa from the back of the charter bus.  One of the students was having a seizure!  Elyssa was the CPR and medicine administrator for our bus, but when she got back there, the girl was turning blue.  The girl's mom (a RN) was sitting next to her, but the seizing girl's teeth were clamped shut and her mom was yelling "I need an airway!"  They laid the girl down and Elyssa started chest compressions while another parent called 911.  The girl regained her color and stopped seizing as the motor coach pulled over on the side o...

A Life Changing Nicaragua Mission Trip

#LifeStory [ 13 ]  August 24-31, 2013 On our 11th anniversary Elyssa and I went on our first BMDMI mission trip to Nicaragua.  Our team went to the village of Los Zarzales, where we saw about 3000 people in the village and surrounding area.  The people in that area were not as poor as others, but they were hungry for God's Word.  I helped with the youth service all week, while Elyssa served in the pharmacy.  I was amazed at how the teens would just sit and absorb God's Word. The first night there, Frank Kirby (Chico), asked me if I wanted to preach at any of the adult services.  I said no because I was unfamiliar with how BMDMI did things and because I didn't know the people.  Chico asked me again the next day, but I turned down the opportunity again because I had no idea what to say.  What could I say to connect with the people?  What did they need to hear? As the first two days went by, I had an opportunity or two to share the Goo...

Kinley Trusts in Jesus

Not too long after Adalynn trusted in Jesus as her Lord and Savior, Kinley started talking about wanting to get saved.  She was five years old, but didn't seem to understand everything, so we told her to be patient and God would help her understand as she got older.  Every night we would pray with her and when she asked about it, we would explain it to her and prayed with her that God would reveal Himself to her.  Kinley has always loved babies, and she has a big heart for orphans.  One night, while praying for the orphans, Kinley added to her prayer, "Jesus, please come into my heart."  Elyssa and I looked at each other, but didn't follow-up on it because we didn't think she was ready.  As time went on, Kinley turned 6 and was promoted to the Kidz Worship age group at church.  In Kidz Worship they give the kids an opportunity every Sunday to pray at the altar during the offering, and encourage them to talk to a leader if they want to know more...