What Are You Reading? – Highlights From Forgotten God by Francis Chan

Posted on November 18, 2012 by admin

What are you reading?  I am not one who grew up with a love of reading.  Early in my career I travelled most weeks and learned to enjoy reading on long flights.  I tried some fiction books,  but found with the limited time I had to read that I wanted to read books that I could learn from and apply to my life.  For many years I have tried to have two books that I am reading at all times.  Generally I am reading s a business book and  a book on the Christian walk.  I guess this is how I came to write Good to Great Families.

I just finished Forgotten God  by Francis Chan.  Francis delivers so many short, thoughtful, and challenging thoughts in his books.  I shared some of his thoughts from Crazy Love in a previous blog that inspired me.  Forgotten God illustrates the observation and reality that the western church tends to rely on the talent of our church leaders and has forgotten the Holy Spirit that distinguishes us from every religion and person in the world.  In this book, Francis describes the Holy Spirit, challenges us to know Him, and let the Holy Spirit work in our lives.  The following are a few passages that I underlined as I read Forgotten God and thought would give you a taste of the book and possibly inspiration to engage the power of the Holy Spirit that resides in you.

The Holy Spirit is as essential to a believer’s existence as air is to staying alive.

Without Him, people operate in their own strength and only accomplish human-sized results.  The world is not moved by love or actions that are or human creation.  And the church is not empowered to live differently than any other gathering of people without the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit is more obviously active in places where people are desperate for Him, humbled before Him, and not distracted by their pursuit of wealth or comforts.

As we trust in the promises of the Spirit, we will be led away from discouragement and into lives marked by confidence, power in the midst of our weakness, and the fruit of the Spirit. ….”Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished.”  Acts 4:13

He wants an invitation from us to permeate everything and every part of us.

If it’s true that the Spirit of God dwells in us and that our bodies are the Holy Spirit’s temple, then shouldn’t there be a huge difference between the person who has the Spirit of God living inside of him or her and the person who does not?

The Holy Spirit does not seek to hurt us, but He does seek to make us Christlike, and this can be painful.

As citizens of this kingdom, we are called to live in a way that reflects the reality of the kingdom of God.  When we become overly concerned about our appearance, our spiritual reputation, our coolness, and our acceptance, we are living as citizens of this world rather than as ambassadors.

Truths about the Holy Spirit:

  • The Holy Spirit is a Person
  • The Holy Spirit is God
  • The Holy Spirit is eternal and holy
  • The Holy Spirit has His own mind, and He prays for us
  • The Holy Spirit has emotions
  • The Holy Spirit has His own desires and will
  • The Holy Spirit is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient

Let’s pray that God would empower us so radically that we would get no glory:  That people would see our works and glorify God.

The Spirit is meant to lead us toward holiness.  The Spirit is here with us to accomplish God’s purposes, not ours.

The Holy Spirit is the one who fills believers with God’s love and the one who enables us to love one another.

It is a spiritual discipline to be still, to listen, and to cut out the distraction and din of our world.  And as we practice this stillness, this waiting, this being, it is then that we can experience deep intimacy and relationship with the Holy Spirit.

God wants to see His children stake everything on His power and presence in their lives.

Is your life a life in which people know that our accomplishments could not have been attained by our own power?  I don’t want my life to be explainable without the Holy Spirit.  I want people to look at my life and know that I couldn’t be doing this by my own power. …Now I deeply desire that the Spirit of God would do things that I know are not of me and that cannot be faked or accounted for by human reason.

At Christian gatherings, do people leave talking about the people who led rather than the power of God?  This principle carries into the way we live our personal lives as well.  People ought to see the transformation in our lives respond by saying, “The Lord-He is God!”

Have you ever prayed that God would so fill you with the Spirit that people would know the change could be empowered only by the Spirit?  It is when we are filled with true peace and hope that people notice there is something different about us.  The Holy Spirit is the one who give us both peace and hope.

Most churchgoers are content to find a bit of peace rather than a “peace of God”, which surpasses all understanding.”

When you begin living a life characterized by walking with the Spirit, that is when people will begin to look not to you but to our Father in heaven and give Him the praise.

This week I heard the testimonies of 4 people at church.  In each of the four stories all had reached a point of desperation before turning to God and that is when God did His work.  In my own experience I can also say that when I have come to the end of my strength and only have God to turn to then He has been there for me.  We hear of the great work that God is doing in parts of the world where people are desperate.  Is it possible in the comforts and self-reliant capabilities in our western world that we do not feel we need God?  If we recognized our depravity and trusted God in all things would we experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives?  My hope is that you have read and contemplated each of these thoughts.  I hope that they have challenged and inspired you as they have me and that you will pursue a relationship and experience the same power that operated in the original disciples and Jesus Himself in your life.  I pray that you will experience this power and be changed by the overflowing of the fruits of the spirit in your life.

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Be Recognizably Differrent

Posted on November 4, 2012 by admin

Today I am writing to those who earnestly seek to worship and follow Christ, but are frustrated with the reality that we and many Christians are not recognizably different.  I am not addressing the large group who claim to be Christians, but demonstrate a lifestyle that is totally void of anything that resembles a disciple of Christ, for that is another greater challenge.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus”  Acts 4:13  When people encounter you are they “astonished” at the evidence of the Holy Spirit that lives in you because you know Jesus?  I struggle with this thought and would offer that 98% of the time I am not noticeably different and we are not recognizably different from those who find their hope and confidence in what the world has to offer.  We are not recongnizably different because the Holy Spirit is absent or is not active in our lives, but I would contend that 98% of our interactions never get beyond the very surface level of communication.  Having the Holy Spirit living in us does not present a physically recognizable attribute.  We don’t  have a halo shining on our head or have a particular kind of hair, skin color, eye color or language.  When we order a burger, talk with our neighbor or conduct business we rarely get beyond the transactional details of daily life.  I contend THAT is our problem.

We are Christ followers.   We have a savior that provides forgiveness of our sins.  We have the same Holy Spirit in us that raised men from the dead, healed the sick and cast out demons.  We have confidence in our salvation and trust that God is for us and gives us power in the midst of our weakness.  We recognize and we experience the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.  However, we do not get beyond the basic transactional relationship with others.  We need to learn to ask deeper questions penetrating beyond the surface.  We need to ask questions that reflect our genuine interest in their well-being and gives our friends, neighbors and business associates an opportunity to experience the love of God through us.  If we never express a statement that opens the door to a deeper level.  If we never ask how they are “really” doing.  We will never have the opportunity to demonstrate and exercise love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control that would reflect God’s love for us and the Spirit that lives in us.

This week pray that God will give you the opportunity to open doors for Him.  This week Take 5.  Take 5 seconds to stop and open the door to a deeper relationship.  Take 5 seconds to listen to someone who needs to be heard.  Go beyond the trivial and transactional conversations and share why we have an unusual confidence in the midst of trials.  Encourage those who need hope for the future and be extraordinarily blessed by allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you.   When Christ followers let others experience the Truth that lives in us we will experience and be amazed at the work that the Holy Spirit will accomplish through us.  “Astonish” those you encounter this week because you know Jesus.

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Can One Man Save A Nation?

Posted on October 7, 2012 by admin

James 5:16 The effective prayer of a righeteous man can accomplish much

The Bible is full of stories where a single man shaped the course or fate of a nation.  In many cases God chooses people like Gideon in Judges 6 who, when called, says v15 “O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel?  Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”  When God calls a man to accomplish His work and this man is obedient to God’s call wars are won, lives are saved, nations are spared.   The Bible is replete with illustrations a single man saving their families and their nation.  As God destroys a sinful civilization, Noah saves his family and begins again.  As a servant Joseph is able to bless his family.  Moses born at a time when the King of Egypt commanded all males born to a Hebrew to be killed at birth was saved and called by God to deliver His people from bondage.  David, The youngest son of Jesse who tended the sheep was chosen by God to slay the giant and lead God’s, nation.  Jonah who even tried to run from God was swallowed by a fish and delivered His message to Nineveh.  Nineveh was doomed for judgment and destruction, but in Jonah’s obedience God spared the city.

Are you willing to be obedient to God and be used by God to save your family or even save your nation?  As God warns and Solomon prays for forgiveness, God says that if we turn away and forsake His statues and His commandments and go and serve other gods, then He will uproot you from His land which He gave to them and will destroy the house of the Lord.  II Chronicles 7.  We are reminded that God says II Chronicles 7:14 We HIS people, who are called by His name are called to pray for our nation.  Are you willing to do this?   Are you willing to dedicate yourself to pray for our nation.  One vote may change an election, but one prayer, when heard by our Almighty God may save your family, save your city, save our nation or save the world.  God greatly desires to share His infinite love for us.  May we, His people, raise our voices together and pray.

As we approach our national elections you may wish to follow this guideline and pray for our families, churches, government and election as provided by If My People 2012 .  May God spare us, deliver us and bring us to Himself.

Our faith in God’s power is essential in ushering in the works of God.  Recall the miracles reported in the gospels.  Jesus teaches His disciples of faith while sleeping on a boat and a great storm blows in.  His disciples awake Him to tell Jesus of their fate and Jesus responds “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” and He calmed the seas.  In Matthew 9 Jesus heals a woman who had been hemoraging for twelve years and says v22 “your faith has made you well.”  In vs 28 Jesus heals a blind man after he asks v.28 “Do you believe? and in vs 30 “It shall be done to you according to your faith. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead and claims John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.  Do you believe this?”  Hebrews 11 tells us how faith was the key element to the decisions and resulting actions of Able, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isacc, Jacob, Sarah, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel who by faith conquered kingdoms,  performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouth of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreigh armies to flight and Women received back their dead by resurrection.  No doubt that your prayers, empowered by the all powerful Holy Sprit that lives in you can change your situation, your family, your nation, the world and the course of history.

James 5:16 “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

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Parent Child Driving Contract

Posted on September 29, 2012 by admin

Our son has completed his driver’s education and we have survived the required hours of day and night-time supervised driving.  We still have a few months until his 16th birthday.  We have decided to that we would like him to have a vehicle that is safe, reliable and one that he will like.  It must be safe for obvious reasons.  We want it to last at least 6 years to get him through college and it must be something he appreciates so that he will take care of the vehicle.  We came up with a budget of $10,000 which should allow him to pick a vehicle that meets our three objectives.  We believe he should share in the investment and have provided a payment schedule of $500 down and $125/month.    Over 36 months he will pay for 1/2 of the vehicle.  This plan is within his capabilities and has some boundaries, but is pretty simple.

As we approach the B-Day, I learned of a driving contract that one of my friends used with his kids and we will adopt it.  I thought I would share this driving contract with you with hopes that it will help you communicate the great responsibility of driving and provide boundaries you can agree upon.  May God protect and keep our young drivers safe.

Psalms 121:8 “The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.”

Parent – Teen Driving Contract 

Full Name hereby referred to as “NAME” and Parent Full Name and Parent Full Name hereby referred to as “PARENTS” are parties subject to the following Driving Contract as described below:

Item: 1. Speeding and Tickets: In 2005, speed-related crashes accounted for 44% of fatalities among 15-20 year olds.

NAME agrees to obey the traffic laws of the state of Texas.

NAME will advise her PARENTS of any violations and will be held responsible for any fines.

Should NAME have more than one (1) violation in any six (6) month period, NAME will lose his/her driving privileges for the next six (6) month period at the discretion of her PARENTS.

Item: 2. Crashes: Sixteen-year-old drivers have crash rates that are three times greater than 17 year-old-drivers and five times greater than 18-year-old drivers.

NAME agrees that should she crash her truck he/she will lose her driving privileges for the next three (3) month period following the crash. NAME will pay for one-half (1/2) of the cost to repair the truck. Driving of any vehicle within the three (3) month period will be at the discretion of her PARENTS.

Item: 3. Drinking and Driving: In 2005, drunk driving caused one of every four fatal teen crashed.

NAME agrees he/she will not Drink and Drive.

If NAME Drinks and Drives he/she will lose her driving privileges for the next (6) month period following the learning of such event.

Item 4. Cell Phones, Music, And Other Distractions: Talking on a cell phone while driving gives you the reaction time of a 70-year-old.

NAME agrees that he/she will not talk on the cell phone or listen to music while driving for the first six (6) month period he/she has his/her permit.

If NAME talks on a cell phone while driving or listens to music while driving during his/her first six (6) month period of driving, NAME will be grounded from driving during the weekend following the violation that occurred. In addition, every violation that occurs will result in two more weeks of having the rule in effect.

More than the sum of three violations of talking on a cell phone or listening to music while driving the first 6 months will result in NAME losing his/her driving privileges for (1) one month at the discretion of his/her PARENTS.

Item 5: Time of Day: Half the teens who died in car crashes in 2005 were killed between 3 pm and Midnight.

NAME will abide by local teen driving curfews. During the first 6 months of driving NAME will not drive past the hour of 11 pm unless agreed upon by her PARENTS.

If NAME violates the teen driving curfews he/she will lose driving privileges for the next seven (7) days following the violation at the discretion of his/her PARENTS.

Item 6: Number of Passengers: According to a recent study, the presence of just one more teen in a car doubles the chance of a fatal crash.

During the first six (6) months of driving, NAME will drive only by him/herself or with family members – (NAME has the option to ask permission to drive someone other than a family member). During the second six (6) months of driving NAME will be allowed to drive with one (1) person outside the family plus any family members.

Should NAME violate the above, it will result in the loss of driving privileges for two (2) weeks at the discretion of her PARENTS.

Item 7: Seatbelts: Using lap / shoulder belts can reduce the risk of dying in a car crash by 45%.

NAME agrees to wear her seat belt while driving.

Should NAME drive while not being buckled up; NAME will lose her driving privileges for one (1) week at the discretion of her PARENTS.

Item 8: Grades: Good grades aren’t just important for a teen’s future, they can also save money. We / You qualify for discounts on insurance premiums with your good grades.

NAME agrees to maintain a “C” average in all her classes.

If NAME has below a “C” average during a nine (9) week period, NAME will lose her driving privileges for three (3) weeks or until the grade average is above a “C” at the discretion of his/her PARENTS.

Item 9: Commitments of NAME and PARENTS:

NAME:

I promise to abide by the contract outlined above. If I break any part of this contract, I will accept the consequences. During any time that I cannot drive, I will be responsible for making other arrangements to get around.

_______________________                                               

Full Name (NAME)                                                       Date

PARENTS:

We promise to do what we can to help NAME succeed in the following contract. We promise to make time to help NAME become a safe and responsible driver. We understand this is an evolving contract and promise to make ourselves available to discuss these rules and their consequences when necessary.

___________________                                                                       

Parent Full Name (PARENT)                                                  Date

___________________                                                                   

Parent Full Name (PARENT)                                              Date

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What Do You Stand For? Christian Observation Of the Democratic Platform and Convention

Posted on September 23, 2012 by admin

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

I write today as a Christ follower, husband, father and citizen of the United States.  I do support the political process and representative government, but I do not first align myself with the changing platforms of either Democrat or Republican political parties.  I do stand on the Holy word of God as my platform or foundation for instruction and authority of my life and my family.  II Timothy 3:16 says “16 All Scripture is [h]inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for [i]training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  I trust in the God’s Holy word as given to us in the bible for redemption for my sin, instruction for all of the worldly relationships and values, including government, and is my hope for the future.  I write to you, fellow Christians, to remember your identity is in Christ and to stand firm in the words of the apostle Paul to the Church of Rome.  Romans 1:16 16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Where is the Church?  Our nation was founded by church leaders who led their congregation to the new world to escape religious persecution and build new lives in America.  It is these leaders who put their trust in God, fought for the freedom we enjoy today and built a government and nation on biblical principles.  Where are these courageous patriots that were the fabric of our country and leaders of the people for many generations?

Where is the outrage when a political party has the arrogance to vote on whether God should be included in the platform (What we stand for) of a major political party?Democrats vote on God and Israel

Where are the spiritual leaders of millions of Christian Americans when a political party that seeks to represent Christians determines to redefine marriage and the family?  Do we not recognize that God established the family as a holy relationship between one man and one woman?  Do we not remember that the family unit led by a husband and wife is the fabric that holds all civilizations together and civilizations that moved away from this divine institution are no longer?

Where are the leaders of the protestant churches in protecting life?  How can we stand quietly as a major political party affirms an individuals right to choose over an innocent life?

As Christians we are not rich, poor, red, yellow, black or white, but those that believe the bible as the living word of God.  It is our responsibility to vote.  I implore you consider what you stand for when you choose who to vote for each office in both local and national elections.  If you are a Christian I suggest that you vote not for one party or another, but for the candidates that represent what you believe.

Below are the statements from the Democrat platform in 2012 directly from their website specifically relating to the values mentioned in this writing.

Protecting A Woman’s Right to Choose. The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to make decisions regarding her pregnancy, including a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay.

The Middle East. President Obama and the Democratic Party maintain an unshakable commitment to Israel’s security. A strong and secure Israel is vital to the United States not simply because we share strategic interests, but also because we share common values.  Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel.   The parties have agreed that Jerusalem is a matter for final status negotiations. It should remain an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths.

Faith. Faith has always been a central part of the American story, and it has been a driving force of progress and justice throughout our history. We know that our nation, our communities, and our lives are made vastly stronger and richer by faith and the countless acts of justice and mercy it inspires. Faith- based organizations will always be critical allies in meeting the challenges that face our nation and our world—from domestic and global poverty, to climate change and human trafficking. People of faith and religious organizations do amazing work in communities across this country and the world, and we believe in lifting up and valuing that good work, and finding ways to support it where possible. We believe in constitutionally sound, evidence-based partnerships with faith-based and other non-profit organizations to serve those in need and advance our shared interests. There is no conflict between supporting faith-based institutions and respecting our Constitution, and a full commitment to both principles is essential for the continued flourishing of both faith and country. (NOTE:  The word “God” was specifically excluded from this statement)

Freedom to Marry. We support the right of all families to have equal respect, responsibilities, and protections under the law. We support marriage equality and support the movement to secure equal treatment under law for same-sex couples. We also support the freedom of churches and religious entities to decide how to administer marriage as a religious sacrament without government interference.

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“Fun Is Dangerous” – Tex Robertson

Posted on August 5, 2012 by admin

It was the first weekend in October and several families from our neighborhood went camping at Inks Lake.  Close by were some bluffs that we could jump off and across the lake was Camp Longhorn.

Inks Lake Bluffs 1980’s

We decided to swim across the lake on some blow up rafts and go off the multi-colored waterslide.  The camp was closed which made it all the more fun.  I think we had made it down the slide once or twice when Tex Robertson came out to greet us.  I am sure we anticipated getting yelled at and kicked off the property, but Tex understood what was going on and kindly greeted us and let us on the slide before sending us back across the lake.  I never attended Camp Longhorn or can say that I knew Tex Robertson, but reflecting on the brief encounter with him I know now we share a kindred spirit.  Tex was born in 1909 in Sweetwater Texas.  He attended the University of Michigan where he was a swimmer and won a bronze medal in the 1932 Olympic Games as a member of the Water Polo Team.   The International Swimming Hall of Fame credits Tex with the invention of the flip turn as he coached Adolf Kiefer to the gold medal in the 1936 Olympics.  In 1935 Tex founded the University of Texas swimming team where he coached until 1950.

“Fun Is Dangerous” Tex Robertson

Tex and his wife Pat started Camp Longhorn in 1939 as a summer camp that has been a rich part of childhood memories of thousands of Texans and has left a legacy of great stories and fun adventures.

During a weekend trip to Canyon Lake I met Brian who was a swimmer and former counselor at Camp Longhorn.  We began sharing memories from the camps we attended.  I remember being the first humans to test out the new camp waterslide at Kanakuk Kamp and thinking there was no way the insurance company ever knew of us crawling on our bellies and swimming through caverns deep in caves of Arkansas.  I learned that following the war Tex purchased some fuel storage bunkers that he planned to use for tents or tarps.  Some of the counselors got the idea to blow them up and launch each other into the lake by jumping from a tower onto the balloon.  Commonly known as the “Blob”, this has become a staple at camps across the country.

The Blob

According to my new friend, Brian, there was a reunion of old Camp Longhorn families and staff before Tex passed away and so many of the crazy stories were shared.  While reflecting on all the harrowing adventures, the exhilaration and great fun that was had it was a wonder no one died or got seriously hurt.  At that moment Tex told my friend Brian.  “Brian, Fun is Dangerous”.  It is too bad that insurance companies and lawyers have taken away so much of the danger that made life fun.  I had many opportunities to see the vision and work with Spike White, founder of Kanakuk Kamps and appreciated the man that he was and the spirit of adventure and fun that we shared.  I wish I had the opportunity to know Tex Robertson, but know the legacy that he has left has shaped a couple of generations of men for the better.

May we never forget the men who invested in our lives and became our heros and may we carry on this legacy to the next generation.

Spike White – Kanakuk Kamps

God has blessed us with men like Tex Robertson and Spike White.

 

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Tim Tebow Has Got It Right

Posted on July 7, 2012 by admin

Washington Post John 3:16 is #1 Google Search after National Championship game with more than 90 million searches

What I like about Tim Tebow is that he knows who he is.  The media does not know what to do with Tim Tebow.  They want to cover the game, the struggle and the heroic plays, but they can’t cover Tim without revealing Jesus.  There have been many who have come before that have recognized their God after a conquest on the athletic field, but none have drawn the attention that Tim Tebow has brought to his “Tebowing”, his solo act of taking a knee, bowing the head with a fist on his forehead, and offering up his prayer after making a great play or at the end of the game.  Tim’s athletic performance in college put him on a grand stage where he proclaimed the gospel on the field and with John 3:16 written under his eyes.  Many skeptics did not believe his style of play would be effective in the NFL, but Tim proved them wrong as he seemingly put the entire Bronco team on his back and willed his way to a comeback or win.  Tim’s season with the Bronco’s almost seemed supernatural and served to draw more attention to everything he did on and off the field.  Tim has painted a big target on his chest and is required even more to live to a higher standard as the world is looking for him to fail.

Tim’s faith permeates everything he does.  You cannot cover Tim Tebow without covering his faith because Tim and his faith are one.  On the field and off the field Tim’s faith goes with him.  How many of us tend to compartmentalize our lives?  We go to church on Sunday.  On Monday we go to work and leave Sunday behind.  Friday and Saturday we enjoy in our hobbies and social activities and mix well into any crowd.  Do the people at our work have the opportunity to experience God’s love through interacting with us and observing our actions and decisions?  Does our relationship with Christ permeate our hobbies and social interests?  Are the fruits of the spirit evident in the daily activities of life and work?  If the media were covering you would your life, your actions and your faith be intertwined and consistently represent the love of God that lives in you?  When interviewing you about your career would the discussion reveal Jesus as your strength, confidence and hope?

We are called to be a light in a dark world.  We should be noticeably different in an attractive way that begs people to ask why we are different?  What I like about Tim is that he is not ashamed of the gospel that saved him and his life is about living out his faith courageously and boldly testifying to the greatness of God’s love for all.  You can’t separate Tim’s athletic accomplishments and performance on the field from his faith and that is what I admire about him.  That is what encourages and inspires me.  I tend to put my trust in my hard work, my network and my position.  When the prospects look grim and I tend to trust in my own efforts my internal stress increases.  However when I find my trust and confidence in God’s sovereignty and grace I can face and accept these uncertainties with the confidence and hope that my Heavenly Father is in control and has given me His Word and he cares for me and developing my character in good and challenging times.  When I can count my trials as joy knowing that the testing of my faith produces endurance and help to be complete and lacking in nothing I know that God is in control and I am confident in His plan for me.  When I can be content in every circumstance as the apostle Paul, the world does not have an answer.

Whether you are a fan of Tim Tebow or not I hope you will all be inspired by his consistent lifestyle and find your faith in Jesus inseparable from all the areas of your life.

Fox Sports Interview

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Camp Applegate “Wednesday Night Moccosin Hunt”

Posted on June 24, 2012 by admin
Water Moccosin Alley

Camp Applegate is a series of fun activities that are done around the house as a family.  These activities are spontaneous, fun and have little or no cost.  The things we cherish most are the life experiences we share as a family.  These adventures create the lasting memories and open up opportunities for great communication and fun together.  I hope you enjoy our craziness and find some fun adventures that you can do with your family.

It is a Wednesday summer evening and we had a good rain today.  We just finished dinner and thought it would be a good night to hunt snakes.   Ben is deadly accurate with his blow dart and is loaded with small broad heads.  We follow the paths careful to watch our steps.

Up ahead a frog jumps and we spot this monster coiled up in the grass at the edge of the puddle looking for his evening meal.  Normally we end up chasing these guys and getting a long shot in the grass, but we were quiet and he was hoping his disguise would keep us from noticing him.  Ben readies his blow dart and puts a broad head squarely through the center of his head.

Head Shot

Blasting from his coiled position he heads toward safety with Ben in pursuit.  After 4 or 5 more darts in the head and body we retrieve him from the grass to take a look.

Venomous Teeth

The venom from this monster is a wicked hemotoxic brew that will destroy your flesh.  Within 15 minutes of a bite your limb will swell to twice its normal size and is very painful.  These guys are very common and we made sure to educate our kids early in life so the were able to identify a water moccasin and know the dangers.

A Successful Evening

The whole adventure is typically 30 – 45 minutes and provides for a great experience that I can share with our kids.  The problems of our days and the complexity of life seems to go away.  While exploring the outdoors we often see deer, non-venomous snakes, crawfish, and occasionally a coyote or racoon.  The element of adventure and danger keeps it exciting and makes for lasting memories.

No matter whether you live in the city, suburbs or the country there is a world just outside your door waiting to be explored and full of adventure and opportunities to create lasting memories.  Go out tonight and see what is in your neighborhood.

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Camp Applegate “Family Night At The Ditch”

Posted on June 17, 2012 by admin

family frog huntCamp Applegate is a series of fun activities that are done around the house as a family.  These activities are spontaneous, fun and have little or no cost.  The things we cherish most are the life experiences we share as a family.  These adventures create the lasting memories and open up opportunities for great communication and fun together.  I hope you enjoy our craziness and find some fun adventures that you can do with your family.

“Family Night At The Ditch” has become one of our summer time favorites.  It sounds like an episode from Hillbilly Heaven.  In this manicured gated community there is a drainage ditch that runs through the middle of the neighborhood.  The streets cross over large culverts.  Cars traveling over these culverts never considering the life that lives below.  When the sun goes down the ditch comes alive with singing crickets, croaking bullfrogs and slithering snakes.  We maintain one of every size rubber boot for whoever is over to join in the adventure, pile into the Suburban with spot lights, and head for the ditch.  We head down the hill and into the culvert looking for the returning glow from the eyes of the big bull frogs.  Typically they are lined up along the creeks edge looking for a meal.  We spot one laying in the grass and the excitement builds.  All carefully but swiftly converge on the unsuspecting bullfrog.  One holds the spotlight in their eyes and one of the kids go in for the grab.  Pinning a big bullfrog to the ground while he is wildly trying to hop away can be intimidating at first, but with experience they rarely get away.  There are times that they anticipate the approaching danger and leap into the water making for a fun chase through the grassy banks.  family night at the ditchThe captures take a few photos and let em go for the next family night at the ditch.

What must the neighbors think of this crazy family darting about with spotlights in the  ditch.  The whole adventure takes 30 – 45 minutes and the kids love bringing their wary friends on the adventure.  We leave the niceties of our home and neighborhood for a brief adventure with the underground world and return safely with stories and memories that will last a lifetime.

The First Frog Hunt

The First Frog Hunt

Whether you live in the country or in the middle of the city there are adventures like these, minutes if not steps from your door.  Grab a light and take a few moments to explore the places others don’t go.  You will find a fun adventure is just a minute away.

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Friendship – The Chief Happiness Of Life

Posted on May 6, 2012 by admin

I Samuel 18:1 "...the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David."

A number of years ago as I went through a crisis in my career, I reached out to a friend who I knew had not only gone through this on his own, but had been inspired to help others find their way through his ministry to other men.

In the pursuit of a job that was “too good to be true”I found that not only was it “too good to be true”, but the primary motivation for pursing this career change was flat wrong.  Not all motives were wrong, but it only takes one significant wrong motivation to lead you astray.  You see, I did have a young family and desired to eliminate travel so I could be home.  I did want to gain a new experience in a different industry and see if I could make the transition.  But, I made the decision primarily on the promise that if we were successful I would be financially secure.  In the end I was lost and needed to step way back, come to a complete point of surrender and find my trust and full confidence in God.  Having a long time friend to turn to and be able to lay out my life in total honesty and surrender was one of the greatest blessings I have ever experienced.  I have a group of 5 other men who have invested a long weekend in each other for more than 16 years.  We have spent many of long nights challenging cultural thoughts and encouraging each other in our relationships with Christ, our families, friends, hobbies and careers.

My good friend invited me to his home in Aspen where I arrived to a reservation in one of the nicest hotels, a gift basket and a wonderful meal with his family at their home.  Over the course of the next 2 – 3 days my friend put his job responsibilities on hold and dug deep into my life to pull out the things that are the most important in life and bring these together to guide me in a path to find the right career.  For me those five things that would make for the right career were meaningful relationships, entrepreneurial, control of key decisions, adventure to live-had to be fun, challenge to conquer – satisfaction in accomplishing our goal.  Meaningful relationships, I discovered was not only the #1 characteristic I needed in a career, but in every area of my life.  This discovery has set the table for how I view the investment of my time and is the lens that I view how I spend my time at work and outside of work.  Fellow co-workers, customers, vendors, family, worship and prayer, men in my church Bible study, community service, and maintaining friendships that I have formed over my life.  I cherish my relationships with others and count these as God’s great blessing in life.

I am currently reading The True Measure of a Man by Richard E. Simmons III, which I highly recommend and Richard shares the view of friendship from C.S. Lewis.

“My happiest hours,” Lewis wrote, “are spent with three or four old friends in old clothes tramping together and putting up in small pubs-or else sitting up till the small hours in someone’s college rooms, talking nonsense, poetry, theology, metaphysics…There’s no sound I like better than…laughter.”  In another letter to his friend Greeves, Lewis writes: “friendship is the greatest of worldly goods.  Certainly, to me it is the chief happiness of life.  If I had to give a piece of advice to a young man about a place to live, I would think I should say, ‘sacrifice almost everything you have to live where you can be near your friends.’ 

I concur with Lewis that friendship is the chief happiness of life.  We are all tempted by the responsibilities of life, fame, fortune, and other pursuits that are exalted by the culture, but have no meaning.  For at the end of our life all that will really matter is the true friendships and meaningful relationships that we have established.  I write these things to encourage you to consider the number of friendships and meaningful relationships that you enjoy in your life.  I also write this in a spirit of gratefulness for my friend Blake who, although lives in a distant place was and is there for me.

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