A Note for Parents

This week, I have been home recovering from having my tonsils removed, nose fixed and several other small things that have left me pretty much in a daze since Friday. I'm weaning off the pain meds for now, although I'm told I will start to feel better soon, but then will feel much worse again in a few days, so I'm looking forward to that.

Anyway, tonight I was perusing iTunes, looking for some new music to listen to. I saw a few groups on the Grammy's a couple weeks ago for the first time, so I was just looking to see what the top songs are now.

I hear some of the kids singing some of the songs around church sometimes that are top 40, and Kidz Bop will be releasing a new album soon that my children will likely hear, so I just took a look. My mind was actually overwhelmed and shocked with what I saw.

I've never been one to shout and scream against secular music or avoiding Top 40 radio stations, but you need to pay attention to what is hitting the airwaves right now. Go to your iTunes, take a look at the top singles right now-expand the list. This is the stuff (some of it is edited on the radio) that our kids are hearing and singing and the messages they are absorbing. It seriously blows my mind what has come out over the last 2 years since "I kissed a girl" that is now normal and acceptable. Be aware of what your kids are listening to and taking in! Be proactive!

There are 2 mainline morning radio stations here in the ATL that fully embrace and promote the homosexual lifestyle. The Bert show on Q100 and Elvis Durand on 105.7. If your kids listen to these stations, know what agendas are being pushed and are being "normalized" on these stations, even beyond their morning shows.

I'm not looking to argue or debate with people. I'm just a parent/youth pastor that is blown away by what our kids are hearing! As Christian parents, we need to be aware of what is coming into the minds of our children and students on the computers, iPods & radios we are buying for them.

Again, just go take a look at the expanded top songs list on iTunes. That is what is being played on the main stations that your kids-and even myself until now, are listening to. (Star 94, Q100, All the Hits 105.7). I have never believed in being separatists or being in a Christian bubble, but we are at a whole new level of secular assault on us and our kids that I don't know we have faced in the past.

I don't have all the answers, but I do know there are some artists that I will be deleting from my iTunes. If you are a parent or are a member of FBCM, as one of your pastors, let me advise you not to take this post lightly. Check out what radio stations your kids are listening to, along with the music that is on their phones, mp3 players, etc...

Now, I'm off to take some more pain medicine...

Tough Week in Ministry-Emotionally

I love that God has called me into ministry. There are many aspects to vocational ministry, especially when you get to fill multiple roles! It definitely keeps you on your toes! It can be an emotional roller coaster at times. Sometimes you're celebrating the work of God in the ministry, planning and dreaming into the future and/or seeing your dreams come into fruition. Occasionally, there are challenges that you have to deal with-good and bad. Other times, you share the tough experiences of life with the people you serve within your congregation or in your community.

This has been a roller coaster week. Sunday was uplifting and exciting as we finished out an amazing month in the church, celebrating the increases we are seeing recently in the life of the church. Then, switch gears as Monday involved me officiating a funeral for one of the parents of one of my students. I've honestly done quite a few funerals, but this one was different due to the nature of the unexpected death and the dynamic of the family involved.

Today took the cake.

It is my oldest daughters birthday. She is 8. Tonight, my family will celebrate her special day, but this morning, I went to the hospital and stood with a father as he held his stillborn baby while his wife is fighting for her life in an ICU unit.

I know several people that have experienced this type of tragedy. My own family experienced this when I was growing up. My little sister Melea would have been 28 two weeks from today, but the Lord had different plans. I remember one time in high school talking to my mom about Melea, over 1o years after her still birth, and the emotions that still rose to the surface.

Then I felt bad for my mom. I knew it had to be painful. Today, this all means something more. It has been several hours since I watched the father hold his little, perfect looking, lifeless daughter, and my heart is heavy for him. Now, as a father myself, and as a husband, I can't imagine the hurt he is feeling. However, I know that God is in control. That little girl is now in the presence of Jesus, just as when King David mourned over the loss of his infant son, this father, a Christian, will one day be able to go to his daughter and spend eternity with her, worshipping our Savior.

This family needs your prayers. Again, this wife and mother is hanging on to life on this side of eternity. Pray for the strength, direction and peace of the Lord.

Tonight, time will continue to move forward. Life will move on for all-for some of us, here on earth; for others, it will be in eternity. Irregardless, it will keep on moving. Life brings happiness as well as sorrow, God brings peace and hope. There is a time to be born, a time to die, and a time for everything in between. Christ is present and aware for all of these times.

Missions Opportunities & Looking Forward to Labor Day Weekend!

I had the chance today to go to a luncheon hosted by my friend Leo Seminov, with www.tear.org, where he, along with Allan Taylor from FBC Woodstock, shared about a new work they are doing to equip church leaders in Slavic speaking countries in small group strategy and implementation, as well as coaching in the areas of service structure and planning, hospitality ministry, age-group and family ministries, etc... I'm excited about the possibility of us partnering with him in the future to go train leaders, as well as partnering with a local church to work with them in supporting their ministry!

We are in the midst of exciting, incredible days at FBCM! The changes that Mike has made regarding the platform set-up and appearance are awesome! As a member of the band, I am loving standing with the choir, as I feel more of a part of the worship instead of off to the side just "playing". On a related note, I was able to get a new bass this week, which has much stronger pick-ups than my old one, so we spent a little time this morning moving the subs off the wall a little as it was rattling pretty good at some lower frequencies!

I also planned "Redneck" weekend for our students this week, and made some reservations for our Senior Adult fall apple trip this week. More information will be posted on the church website once we get everything approved through the calendar.

We also were able to get some new speakers for our youth room, they sound great-especially now that we have a full band! Be praying for our students. They have tons of potential. My prayer and goal is to help them see their potential in Christ begin to be realized! You can follow our student ministry more closely on Facebook. Search for "First Baptist Mableton Student Ministry".

We will be starting children's church for our 1-3 graders next weekend (after Labor Day). I'm looking forward to that! I think it will be a great thing for our families as more and more young families are visiting and joining!

Pray for our staff and lay leaders as we are preparing and planning for all that is going on! God is blessing! Our Sunday Morning Bible Study attendance is increasing, along with our Sunday Worship attendance!

I'm excited about Labor Day! It'll be nice to have a few days off hanging out with the family! We're all back to the grind next week!

Be in worship this Sunday morning! God is moving! Watch the videos online! We are in exciting days!

Busy Weekend is Underway!

I just finished my last assignment for a seminary class I have been taking over the summer. I'm looking forward to my planned graduation date in May! I have had enough of school for a while!

Now it's time to focus on prep for the Global Focus Seminar this weekend, along with prepping to speak at FBC Acworth Saturday evening!

Tomorrow evening I'm driving FBC Woodstock seniors to a ball game, then EARLY Sunday morning, I'm driving Newsong to the airport on their bus, getting back to the church in time to teach a church-wide SAMBS class, followed by a full rest of the day! I'll be glad to breathe on Monday. For now, it's time to go get tables set up, music prepared and notes studied...and I'm sleepy!

Time for my 17 month Update!

It's time for an update. Much has happened since March of '09. Lisa and I have another child. I'm serving on staff at FBC Mableton. It's been awesome. We're seeing life change, and growth within the church! The new website is coming online within the next few days, you will be able to see it at www.fbcmableton.com. Enjoy!

Amazing Song of Prayer For Us At This Time

Lisa and I are in a transitionary stage of life. I had this plan a year ago of what we would be doing now. God has laughed at that plan.

As I ended the mentor program, Lisa and I made another plan to prepare for our next steps of serving Christ. They were plans that made sense to me, and they weren't bad, but they weren't necessarily what God has planned, at least for how it looks right now.

I thought we were immune to the economy. I am working for Alex at Chick Fil A, and business is up from last year. Lisa is teaching. You've got to have teachers. Evidently, you don't need as many teachers as I thought.

Cherokee County has decided that they aren't going to renew contracts for every teacher that was part time this year. That has made things a little stressful. This really throws a kink in my plans! However, it doesn't throw one in God's plans! Due to the worsening economy, other counties aren't hiring like they were in the past.

So here we are, at a point of dependance on God, praying for what's next, but truly ready to say "yes and amen", whether that means serving God in this area, another area, another state or country.

We truly need direction! There are options, but I don't want to follow options, I want to follow God's desire for us as we serve Him.

It's My Pleasure...

The mentorship has come and gone. 2008 screamed by! We're now waiting to see what's next.

Maybe we're their now, I don't know.

For the time being, I'm working at a Chick Fil A in buckhead off of Peachtree Rd across from Piedmont Hospital as a manager. It's a cool opportunity. I'm trying to learn all I can about business, organization and managing people.

Chick Fil A is a class act. Everything must be done with excellence. They are all about "second mile service". Wonder where they got that ;)

It's been pretty cool. A Lambo came through the drive thru the other day, along with a convertible Bentley. We also provided all the food for Georgia Tech for the Peach Bowl-hope it wasn't our fault they got throttled! (CFA also provided the food for LSU).

Dr. Price told me one time to be successful in ministry, I should have the Chick Fil A mentality. Whenever you thank a CFA employee, their response is to be "It's my pleasure". He was teaching me that when responding to people, even the ones that we don't like that much, our attitude is to be "It's my pleasure to serve you". I figured I should go learn this first hand!

If you're in the area of P'tree and Collier, and you have a craving to "Eat More Chicken", or you need an amazing milk shake, stop by!