She Said "Da Da"

This is my amazing 7 month daughter Jayci. ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING isn't she! The very first words out of her mouth are officially "DA DA." Every time she says that little phrase, my heart pounds a million miles an hour, a smile comes to my face, and I look directly at her beaming beautiful eyes. I am so proud to be this little girl's Father.

Being a father of this little girl has taught me something about God. The bible says that we are his children. A simple truth, yet very powerful. This means that every time we call his name, his heart pounds a million miles an hour, a smile comes to his face, and he looks directly at us. What an amazing reality! God Is So Proud To Be Your Heavenly Father!

The "Great Day" Challenge

Today has been an amazing day. It has been so amazing, I would almost give it the tag line - "My Perfect Day!" I -

Woke up and spent time with God
Did the dishes
Spent time with the kids
Took the cover off the pool for my boys and my niece and nephew
Spent time with two amazing future pastors
Checked my email
And will be going to the church later on.

Are there other things I love to do during the day? ABSOLUTELY! I love to read, write, vision cast, and plan for the future, but all of these things make a great day for me. If you are up for the challenge, take time to think about what your "Great Day" looks like. If you want to, email it to me. I would love to read about it!!

email - pastorkevin@rocketmail.com

Happy Fathers Day!

I know, I know, fathers day was yesterday! I just want to make sure you all you Fathers out there in Internet land had a great fathers day. I was blessed to be able to spend fathers day with my father, my family, and my church family. It was an amazing day.

My Father has been the number one influence in my life. I often ask myself this question "What Would My Dad Do In This Situation?" If you got to know him, it wouldn't take very long to discover that he has answers for everything, and they actually produce good results. As a kid I used to hate it when he would quote scripture for the situation we were discussing, but now I find myself studying the scripture he quoted, and I am finally gaining revelation as to what he was talking about.

So To Every Father Out There, "You Are Making A Difference In The Lives Of Your Children, Wife, and Your Friends. Stay True To The Honor Of Being A Father!

You Deserve A Slammin Future!

I am going to be totally transparent with the entire Internet world by saying "I have been guilty of dwelling on the things of my past." That is the driving motivation behind this blog post, so grab a coffee, a pillow, and maybe even some cheese bread!

Isaiah 43:18 -19 says "Forget the former things of the past; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland...

God promised you that He is doing a NEW THING!! Say "NEW!" We can take it to the bank that God is providing a new way of life for you. Maybe it's a new job, new victory, new car, new house, new friends, a new relationship, new ministry, new bike, new college, new way of thinking, or new annointing! Whatever the case may be in your life, don't feel stuck! God is providing a "NEW" for you! Our job is to forget the things of the past. They may be great things, or they may be not so great things, but we must forget them and forge ahead!

Practical Application: This weekend, spend time with God. Ask Him, "What Do I Need To Forget, To Open Up The New In My Life?"

Don't Be A Grumpy!

Alright, we are all going to participate in an exercise. Ready? When I say "GRUMPY!" Who comes to your mind? Think about it for a minute.... OK, next, When I say "WHINER!" Who comes to your mind? Take a moment if you have to.... One more, here we go, When I say "COMPLAINER!" Who comes to mind? Kind of fun isn't it?

Philippians 2:14 - 16 says "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life..

I expect my 7 year old (Ethan) to grumble and argue from time to time, I expect my 5 year old (Kaden) to whine and complain about things that are insignificant, and to be honest my 6 1/2 month old (Jayci) has her bad too. But I also expect them to grow out of Grumbling, Complaining, and Whining. I want my kids to SHINE LIKE STARS on this planet, and that is the desire of God for his children. You & I! He wants us to SHINE LIKE STARS! So today, do everything without Grumbling. You know that situation you want to Argue? Don't!
Today, Set yourself up to be a SHINING STAR!

John Wesley Quote

Here is an inspirational quote to meditate on today. I want to segue this quote with a promise from God that dates all the way back to the Old Testament:

Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

(A Quote By John Wesley) - Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.

Living Good!

There are a ton of days that go by over the course of the year. 365 to be exact. Have you ever had those days that you feel are here and gone, and nothing really significant happened? Or maybe you have a week full of action packed events that make you feel like you are on top of the world, and then the next week, just the normal every day routine. Here are some encouraging thoughts -

I believe that God wants us to STAY DETERMINED during the action packed times in life and the times where everything seems like it is just another daily routine. BE DETERMINED to love God with all your heart, never lacking in zeal for the things he is bringing to pass in your life.

I believe that God wants us to BE FRUITFUL. Yes, every day of life may have it's ups and downs, but BE FRUITFUL. Even if it is as simple as going to McDonalds and buying a Mocha Latte for your neighbor (if your my neighbor, I like those). The small things are often HUGE.

I believe that God wants us to STAY INTIMATE with Him. My wife loves it when I spend time only with her. She actually treasures those intimate moments. That is the same way God feels when we spend time only with Him. He treasures those moments. Don't be afraid to tell Him what is on your mind. Share your deepest thoughts with Him.

I pray that this year is a year that we STAY DETERMINED, BE FRUITFUL, & STAY INTIMATE. Do these things on the weeks that are action packed, those moments you feel like you are on top of the world. And, do these things when the days are long, and it doesn't seem like things are going as planned, or when you are stuck in a routine. Let's have an amazing year!

Desiring God

This last week I have found myself beginning to get stressed out about the finances of our household. This has led to feeling the stress of being a great provider for my family, which is something I take very seriously. As I was studying I looked up a great verse that brought a whole lot of comfort to me, and I pray that as you read this, it bring a whole lot of comfort to you, and whatever your stress is for the day, let this verse interrupt it and transform your way of thinking. Here it is -

Mathew 6:19 - 21
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth or rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also.

I promise you that one day we are going to see Heaven! Don't get stressed out or anxious about some of the issues that are going on in life right now. Rather, stay focused on what lies before you, a promise from God that you will one day spend eternity with Him. No more tears, no more disease, no more worry. God loves you more today than ever before. Stay focused on Him.