Update on me and my blog...

Since my last post I have put on a youth camp in Pigeon Forge, TN, held our #kidmin Orientation meetings for the new school year, celebrated my oldest daughter's birthday, had a great Sr. High Youth Service, went to visit my Mom in Alabama, attended a funeral of a wonderful man, attended 5 weekend services, and water baptism classes for kids , youth and adults. Talked with 5 kidmin folks by phone and met with 3 college kids helping them with life choices, worked on an upcoming sermon for big church and worked on putting the finishing touches of the Student Ministry Policy and Procedure Manual. Since my vacation in June I have been taking more time off, turning down most outside ministry invitations and blogging less. It has been wonderful. I need to record a Club lesson but will not have a night semi-off to do it until Wednesday. Monday night is college ministry, Tuesday night I have a daughter/ Daddy date night with Yancy to a concert that was part of my Father's day. Wednesday I play bass at our JV infinity Service, Thursday I have a Barn Party for our High School Ministry and Friday night Whitney my youngest daughter and I have a Daughter/Daddy Date Night to another concert. Then Saturday morning Julie and I have a date to the Farmer's Market.  It sure seems that simplifying life is harder than ever so I don't think I'll be blogging any more this week. Any blogging time will be spend in prayer, Bible study and cardio time. So there you have it, there's an update on me and why I'm not blogging as much. What things in your life are more important than blogs, email and other social media time absorbers. Take back your time, reaccessed your priorities and do what you know God values. I'll re-evaluate next week and post about my health if I have time.

Why I'm Excited about Camp

I have been going to as well as planning and doing Camps and Retreats for kids and teens most of my life. I don't do them because I've always done them or because that's what we do... (like many churches do VBS) but I do them because of the fruit I've seen consistently over the years. Here's a few reasons why I like camps.
1. There's something special about getting away and devoting a few days to God's purposes.
2. I like the relationship building opportunities it gives with other students, leaders and with the Lord.
3. I like the expectations that students and leaders bring to the event that God is going to do something big
4. I like spending time with the people I serve. (I do like the work of the ministry but I love spending time with people most of all)
5. I like having more time devoted to God's purposes in our lives.
6. It's one of the few times people unplug from the voices of the media and other electronic stimuli.
7. It always sparks something in our group when we get back. It's a new platform we can swing from toward God's next level for us as a ministry.


Pray for me and the students and leaders of HSinfinity this weekend. We are headed to camp and God is going to do some amazing things as we seek Him.

The Last Two Days of Vacation

On Thursday I finally got to do what I came on this Macation to do and that was to visit "The Big House" The Allman Brothers Band Museum. While I waited for it to open I headed over to the H & H Mama Louise's Soul Food Kitchen for breakfast. It was great plus all the pictures, posters and ABB gold records and collectibles made it the perfect way to start this tribute to my favorite band. After breakfast I headed over to see where the Capricorn Recording Studio was. Some great music was made there in the 70's. It was there in the alley that the album cover for "Live at Filmore East" was photographed. After I snapped a few pictures myself I headed over to "The Big House" it was a dream come true for me. After a few hundred pictures I headed over to Duane's accident site. It was the ultimate Allman Brothers Band fan day.  I headed back to the hotel and tried to process all that I saw. 

As I thought about my life I couldn't help but think how God had a better plan for me than I ever had for myself. I am so blessed in every way. I also saw God was giving me a renewed desire to want His plan for the rest of my life and to trust Him for His direction. That night I got all ready to go home. I was more relaxed, more rested and more encouraged that I was on the right path for the rest of my life and that I needed to concentrate on hearing God's voice for new direction. This was the first vacation that had more exercise, worship and quiet time than eatting time. It was a huge breakthrough for me.

The next morning I loaded the truck and headed back to Tennessee. One by one I called some of the Young Guns God has placed in my life. Each one seemed to reaffirm what God had been showing me over the last few days. By the time I got home I knew that my first order of business was to lead my family and to concentrate on my health. Second I needed to focus and devote myself to my local church and what He was doing there. Third was to focus on infuse and writing the  books He would direct me to write. God had showed up big time this week and I was going to be more effective during my new season because of this special vacation.