The Way

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?

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 .

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 .

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 w...

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. So...

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 ...

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...

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 Pane...