Leaving a Legacy

I think about this topic quite often and more so I guess the older I get. I think about the legacy that has been given to me by my parents and the one that I am leaving behind for our daughters. Today though I have been thinking about a young man named Nathan Johnson. Nathan is the son of a friend and co-worker of mine who has had an incredible impact on the Kingdom. You can read about his story here. You will see that link sends you to an article that was written in 2006. Four years ago today, Nathan was killed in an automobile accident. He was living for Christ and making a difference. Through his death, God continues to use his influence to impact lives for Christ. Please pray for his parents Chris and Kathy and his two brothers. 

No one of us is ever guaranteed of the remainder of this day or tomorrow. What kind of legacy are you and I leaving that brings glory and honor to Christ?

DCA Million Dollar Match

Some of you know that Donelson Christian Academy is where our girls graduated from high school and many of you know of the devastating flood that Nashville experienced in early May. DCA experienced much flooding and for the last 2.5 months we have been in restoration phase to get the school back open for the '10-11 school year. An anonymous donor has graciously offered to match up to $500,000 in donations from now until September 1. Please consider giving whatever you can. You can donate here.

LifeSpan Development

The company/ministry I work for has a comprehensive, intentional plan of spiritual development. Here is a video that gives you a little glimpse into what that is all about.


LifeSpan By LifeWay from BiblicalSolutionsFor on Vimeo.

Fast-paced Kind of Life

Seasons come and seasons go and I am reminded of Ecclesiastes where there is "a time for everything". The FUGE camp theme this summer is Kairos - meaning "a defining moment" and each day a certain Bible character and character trait are explored, expounded, and never exhausted.

This theme has been impactful on me this summer. I am in my 6th week of some part of FUGE camps this summer. Ridgecrest twice, Union University, North Greenville University, and Jenness Park in California. I have seen the same video clips, studied the same Bible study lessons, led pretty much the same leadership training lessons, but have heard different takes on the character/character trait in sermons. All of these have contributed to me "getting it" in a number of ways. From funny illustrations, hard core Biblical sermons, poignant illustrations and stories, God has quickened my heart and mind to really focus on the Kairos. Defining moments in life that God brings our way and wonders if we will choose to be loving; be obedient; willing to sacrifice; be a person of integrity; and commit to His way. Regardless. I am thankful for each of these lessons and sermons and illustrations that have been shared primarily for the benefit of students, but have taught this trainer that God is Who He says He is, not who I try to make Him be.

On another note, today, July 21st is my mom's birthday. She would be 68 today. All of those themes that we have studied at camp this summer, my mom modeled for me. How blessed I am. I miss her today probably more than I have in a long time. Sometimes I long just to hear her voice say my name one more time. I know that is purely selfish on my part. I will work through that, but oh, how blessed I am to have had my mom for 44 years. I am including one of my fave pics of her from many years ago. Love you mom. Thanks for investing in my life and the lives of so many others.

It Was 20 Years Ago Today

Sounds like a line from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band but actually it holds greater significance for me on this day today. I was youth pastor at FBC, Donelson, Tn and had taken our youth group to camp with Two Rivers Baptist Church. Two sister churches who decided not to compete for kids but reach as many as we could in ministry. Med Skeens was the youth pastor there at the time and we had a good working ministry relationship. We were at camp at Panama City Beach, FL and my wife called me at 3a and said it was time and that I needed to get home.

A little background - Sondra was great with child and that child was to be Shelbi Brooke. She was not due for another 2 weeks so we made all kinds of contingency plans just in case I was in FL at camp when Shelbi decided it was time to make her entry into the world. It might very well be the last time she was early to anything too.

I climbed on a plane, connected in Atlanta and arrived at the hospital with about an hour to spare. Sondra's sister, Bronwyn had come from Tulsa to stay with Sondra while I was gone and that proved to be a timely, wise plan. Shelbi showed up about 12:40p and our lives have never been the same since.

Shelbi is one of those blessings that God just continues to manifest. She is bright, articulate, and has more mercy than anyone I know. She is very driven and focused and is easily frustrated when her plans do not go like she had thought they would. She loves to "set her jaw" and is so much like her mom. That is a good thing for sure. She loves others and sacrifices for them. The pic to the side is her w/ an orphan in China just last month.

It has been truly amazing to watch Shelbi learn and grow and become a beautiful, young woman. She makes this dad very proud, not so much by all the wonderful things she does, but because she is ours. Happy Birthday Shelbi. I cannot believe you are 20! You make your mom and me very proud and thankful and blessed. God sure did a good thing for us when He allowed us to be your parents.

Have a great birthday. Morgan and I will celebrate it for you in San Francisco. Love you.

San Fran Update

Here is the quick rundown on what all Morgan and I accomplished today. Productive wise - not much. Making memories and enjoying the city - quite a bit.

Slept in a little, grabbed breakfast at the hotel, climbed in the car, drove to Candlestick Park. I remember it for many great football/baseball games; Morgan says, "Hey, they finished up the Amazing Race here." On to Golden Gate Park; drive along the ocean; Presidio; Golden Gate Bridge; Vista Point; Marin Headlands (see pic); Golden Gate Seminary; quick Starbucks run; Muir Woods; Fisherman's Wharf (Boudin Sourdough bowl and clam chowder); seals at Pier 39; Coit Tower; Lombard Street; Painted Ladies (Full House kids and fans will know them); Haight/Ashbury District (60s love in); Los Pinos (local Mexican that was truly amazing); back downtown for Ghirardelli Square and hot fudge sundae (we split one). Back to the hotel. We mixed in a Skype conversation in there with Shelbi and Sondra too. Good times. Sleeping in and on to Jenness Park for FUGE tomorrow.

Good Week in VA/SC

The Snyder wedding was a lot of fun last Saturday in Richmond. So thankful to be a part of that service with Jake and Kari. They jetted off to Cancun and I have not heard from them since. Good for them. Jake had a parting comment to Kari's dad as they pulled away that was typical Jake. Greg took it in stride and I think realized that Kari is really now Jake's. He must lay away at night worrying. (joke)

FUGE was great at North Greenville University this week. I love that I get to invest in and learn from youth leaders/pastors for all over the US. What a privilege to hear their stories, be encouraged and encourage.

I head home today for a few hours and then Morgan and I head to San Francisco for a couple of days and then to FUGE at Jenness Park in California. Really looking forward to that time with her. Hard to believe she is headed to college next month. By the way, she gets in tonight from Panama City Beach - FUGE and we both head out for a 610a flight. What was I thinking booking that early of a flight. Being the good dad that I am though I had a free 1st class ticket that she is using. She can sleep in the big seats while I rock the poor man's 1st class (exit aisle row).

Sondra has painted the master bath while we were gone this week. I am looking forward to seeing it and more so looking forward to seeing her. She is a wonderful guy and I am a blessed guy.

A Panera State of Mind

There are many times that I am traveling and find my way to the local Panera to take advantage of their wonderful food and their free Wi-Fi. Now that Starbucks has realized that providing free Wi-Fi is a no-brainer you would think I would try to hit there more often. Not so. It is about loyalty for me. Panera is like a trusted friend. You know the kind of experience you are going to have pretty much at any Panera. I guess the same is true of Starbucks since I have visited many of them while traveling internationally, but Panera has something that Starbucks does not; it has many memories of times that Sondra and I just sit and talk and plan and dream and generally hang out. I think it started because Panera provided free Wi-Fi and I got used to going there so naturally, you go where you feel most comfortable and valued.

We like going places where we feel that people are valued. People will put up with a lot of challenges when they still feel valued over stuff. I am sitting at a Panera in Richmond, Va writing this right now watching people stream into it and listening to some of their stories. Lots of couples and friends coming in greeting one another. Some carrying their Bibles and other resources meeting in accountability. Hugs, handshakes, smiles, and even a few tears at times. People doing life together. People encouraging, listening, interviewing, and enjoying one another.

Sort of reminds me of church or at least what church is designed to be. People living life together. People unified but not dependent on every one seeing all of life exactly the same way. People desiring to be in fellowship and relationship with one another. People accepting them the way they are but not letting them stay that way if there are things in their life that God is showing them that change/transformation is needed. People loving one another enough to challenge and encourage. When people feel like they are relegated to just keeping the programs running that when programs are more important than them, those people will begin to look for places where they are valued over the stuff. May all churches value people and their lives being transformed far and above more than just keeping the programs running for the sake of the church.

Oh, another thing about Panera, their bagels and their Strawberry/Poppy Seed Salad are wonderful.