Calling all volunteers!

Just finished talking to a man who have been in the states for 3 years. He loves this country and his country of origin as well. Our conversation was full of blessings. He shared how blessed he was and his family. He continued to talk about how we need more volunteers in the church. I agree. I was there thinking how much more time I have this summer. I am resting. Don't get me wrong. I could do more. He was an angel sent from God. Exactly what I needed on this Monday afternoon. I have to travel a bit over the next few weeks, but will be volunteering more at church before school starts back. Do understand, I need to rest. I don't do this well. I was glad to meet someone who truly loves the church. He desired for everyone to hear the word and be introduce to Jesus. Have you thought about what work is needed around your church building that you could do or assist someone? My mind is rolling right now. Don't sit there, go volunteer.

It is summer!

I have had a pretty busy summer sort of. I have spent a lot of time with my mom and family. I continue to be amazed at how my family see me differently than I see myself. We have had to spend so quality time together. I am getting to know them better as they are getting to know me. When I left for college, I left. It was a major goal of mine to change the pattern history of my family. My family background is well grounded in poverty. I did not want that for myself. My change really occurred during high school when I started working. I got to see how much more there was to life when you could afford to do the things most people got to do.

I have been back in Georgia for 3 years now. I am learning more about my aroma with family. Every time I go to a movie I reflect on it as it deals with my family. The movie "The Proposal" Sandra Bullock had a moment in that movie that almost made me cry. I do have a family, but almost have operated as though I did not have one. I am praying to God for me to find the balance to reengaged without enabling. This is very hard thing to do. I love my mom more than anyone on this earth. Sometimes I do treat her with the respect that I think I do. I try to be the best son ever, and at times I can be the worst.

I am a Christian. I true follower of Jesus Christ. This is a conflicting issue for my family. Although there is a belief in God, following God daily would be a struggle. I want my family to know that we will struggle together. Spending more quality time is my attempt to make this happen. I take my stand, but do not put my belief on them. No one can smoke or drink in my car or house. I do draw the line there.

Perfect! I could only wish. I am working on my walk with God this summer. I am serving him, but want to continue my journey of trusting him with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I am working on loving others more than myself. Patrick Meade spoke recently at Lipscomb saying that we have to Love the Nobodies. It is easy to love the somebodies, but work on loving the nobodies. Please pray that my journey this summer will be a good one, so I can share it even more with my students this fall, and my Church.

What is going on?

Right now I am finishing up this semester with many service project with my junior high kids. I love to serve. My prayer is that my students will get into serving as well. I have the best boss who rarely ever tells me no. I do feel pretty good where I am today.

Christmas Musical is going on at church. We had a technical rehearsal tonight. It was the best so far since I have been at East Cobb. Ray Hawkins does a great job directing and putting this thing together. I think he is my long lost brother from another mother. He does a lot of good. I trust this about him, and love partnering with at East Cobb.

Christmas and a new year is upon us. I am going to be taking it easy. 2009 should be a great year for me. I don't know why, but I just believe it should be a great year. I will turn 38. I am looking forward to it instead of dreading it like the last 2 years. We will have to see what God has planned for me next year.

I am very happy being in a country that is suppose to be struggling financially, give as it does around this time of year. I worked today in a local ministry that serves as a food bank and to witness the good spirit of the people is amazing. God is Good!

Be safe this holiday!

Life is Volleyball!

I have not posted in a while. I have been very busy experiencing life. My volleyball team is 4-0 right now. Tomorrow should be challenging playing a couple of good volleyball schools. I have had a few bumps along the way, due to a break from school this past weekend, I am back in the saddle again. It amazes me when we are critique how defensive we get. I say we because i know others do the same thing. Why is that? Why can't we just accept it and move on. Take the good and the bad adjust and move on. I can't tell you how many hours I thought about a meeting I had last week. Again, I am over it now. I must move on...

My mom is doing better. We are still trying to adjust to get her blood sugar levels up to normal. My mom have many medical problems which causes me to think big time about my health. I went to the dentist Thursday. I will be going soon to my eye doctors to update my contacts. I do go there every year, but I have had the same contacts for about 6 years. They are gas perm so I get the extra cleaning every time I go and they work just fine. My eyesight has not changed or gotten worst in 10 years so far. This is good since i am older.

I have had a little time to contact old friends, and spend some quality time with my sisters. It is good to be close to home. I have already taken it for granted. Tonight my baby sister and I went out for a good meal. She lost her job on Sunday. I will be searching the Internet tonight for some leads. I know she would like to continue to do what is right. I am proud of what she has done. Now, she does respect me more than my other sisters so there full disclosure.

School is back in session. Chapels have been awesome. Let me say it again. Chapel has been awesome. They are really singing out and loves Get right church. I will tell you it has been all of my two years to get them hear. They love motion songs. Now, they are getting into songs with a beat. I taught Heavn on the other side today. They are just rockin. I love my job. I am not just saying that! I love my bible classes this year. We have been in school for 3 weeks, and I still love everyone of them. I actually feel guilty getting on to them. They are just wonderful!

Sermon last Sunday by Brother Ray, who I believe is my long lost brother not just in Christ- preached on the Older Brother from the Prodigal son parable. I am still digesting that one. Powerful and very moving to my heart. Life is still Volleyball for the month of September. It will all come to an end on October 4th. Be Cool! Stay with God!

Spiritual Family

Spiritual Family is a big deal for me. You see I grew up as a bus ministry kid. My physical family still to this day does not frequent a local church. I have always enjoyed being surrounded by good spiritual people. I love those who are authentic and real. I have always been attracted to church people. Recently, I am back dealing with my physical family. I now understand more than ever the need to be surrounded by your spiritual one. We all have problems we must deal with, but having your spiritual family there is important. I have now gone back to the church that I have been leading at since my return to Georgia. I have found that I needed them a whole lot more than they needed me. Circumstances allowed me to return right where I left off which is Great. I really wanted to get real involved at North Atlanta church and jump right in. I know now that small churches is more my style. I have work with and have led singing at many of our large churches. I love the small ones. This is not everywhere, but the deep connected friendships I have had over my lifetime have been from my small church experience. I am dealing with my mom, but I am glad to have people who care and will walk with me this next journey. Small churches or Large churches I believe you need to be connected. Are you connected to a local church? Have you been burn by churches in the past? If so, start over again and see where God takes you.

I'm getting better!

I have returned from a few days in Washington DC with about 160+ seventh graders. I had 7 to kiddos to look after the whole time. I can honestly say that this year experience was a whole lot better than last year. I gave these 7 students candy. They were great! They behaved well, which made my job a lot easier. I say, I am getting better, because I actually enjoyed being with these 7 kids. They were with me the whole time. That is from Tuesday evening till Saturday morning 6am. You may not be proud, but I am. We toured Washington dc so fast, I would like to take a trip in the summer.

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Spent Saturday after I woke up with one of my nephews who turned 15 last week. We enjoyed some quality time together and rehashing his goals. He is one special kid. I thought my childhood was bad, he is a trooper. Hopefully next weekend we will go for his learner's permit( one of his goals for 15)

Church Consultant: Is there such a job? Every time I attend somewhere I am critiquing the service and asking the question "are they seeker friendly" Today, I was at North Atlanta, and I sat in the back and again said to myself, roll up your sleeves and get to work. I attended an afternoon service at a black church, and could say the same thing. Both places excited me about their outreach to the community. I volunteered to help tutor, serve on the Serving day, and help with Audio/AV. I think I might get a chance to lead worship every now and then. Hopefully this week I will know definitely. Keep in prayer for all churches as they continue to have an effect on our world.

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Great Service today!

Have you ever been to a service where the Holy spirit takes over. Well, today I felt like he did! Today, I worshpped with the East Cobb church. Yes, I was leading, but I think the Holy Spirit took over today! We started with a song that I like to lead call " Let us worship the father" I like to start service on time, so we would end on time. Potluck was to follow. Those who know me- I lovesssss some Potluck! The song was Days of Elijah. I have led this some trillions of time, but today was a different sunday. I believe my worship is so much better when I do it with others. Today proved my case for me. It was different. I could have sung it 20 times this morning. Everyone filled with awe- comes to my mind. Sunday's like today is what it is all about. We got a little glimspe of heaven. God was there today! I wanted to step aside and have his spirit to continue leading. I am not saying that the spirit it not always there. Today was different


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How do you know when to listen to the spirit? Today, I questioned myself for the first time about leaving East Cobb and going to North Atlanta. Wow! Be in prayer! I want to listen to God!


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Go Dawgs! What a game yesterday! I am becoming a bigger Dawg fan right now. It reminds me of when I finally became a Maverick's fan. It is contagious. What is your favorite college team? Go Dawgs!

What has been going on since August 7th

School is in session. My new 7th Graders are great! They are so full of energy. I don't know if I can keep up with them. I love that they laugh at my jokes. Nobody else does! Ha! Anyway, School has started and I have hit the ground running. I had about 45 youth ministers to attend a luncheon on our campus to show them appreciation. This was a major project that has not been done and turend out to be successful. We invited 75 and got 45 for a first year effort this is pretty good. I acted as the MC and felt like I was at a comedy club. One lady had been in the ministy for 29 years. I asked her out in front of everyone. She was married! I didn't care, I told her at this point for me bring her husband! Everyone just laughed and had a great time. Things are still going sooo fast here lately. It was announced last sunday that I would be leaving East Cobb and attending North Atlanta where a good friend of mine preaches Don Mclauglin. I will be leading their this sunday. Please pray that all will go well. I know God is with me, and I love letting him know others are praying as well for Sunday to go well. All I want to do is worship, but I am sure satan will try to show up and I hope we will defeat him. Anyway, I will tell you more about this later. I am trying to buy a wii system for my office. Those that might not know it is a video game system. I have big plans for it Friday for Chapel. I am not having much luck finding one right now. Those who are still with me- the 42 year old is still trying to call me! What do I do besides find her a husband. ( I know be quiet Terry- What we you do if you were me? NO I will not marry her) Anyway, I hope with my move to North Atlanta that I will listen to God as I get involved there! Well, more later! Let God shine on you wherever you are. ( I include the 42 year old as well! Ha!)

Who decides what songs you sing each sunday?

Who should decide what you sing each Sunday? Elders,Worship leader, Committee,members, or let say the Holy Spirit. This has been on my mind for a while, so I will blog my thoughts on the subject. I have led worship at many places and have always been amazed how people think they should pick the songs. Granted on one hand, I do get to choose the songs. I just start thinking about the Old Testament in how they people did not do it right. They worshipped the wrong thing and did not follow order. I want you to know the worship that I planned with the Holy Spirit's help is seasoned with prayer in order that we can worship in truth and spirit. This is very important to me. I problably could count on both hands the times where I got to sing what I like. Some people think that this is always the case. Believe me, It is not!

If I don't choose the songs who should? I want to build the case for all of those(I believe there are 2 of you) who read my blog, to pray for that Worship leader or song leader whatever you call it at your church. Randy Harris had spoken last week about how the taste of music of a congregation could be split in thirds. So, each song sung at your service, about 2/3rd of the people prefer another style or just plain don't like that hymn. So, if you are the worship planner(leader), you are in a no-win situation. This being the case, choose to rely on God's spirit to guide you on song selections. People will be mad no matter what! Is that biblical? I don't think so. If you look at the parable of the wedding feast taught by Jesus, he tells us to not to be first or to have it our way. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. We say we want to serve, but really we say I want to have it my way. Side note: Just because you are older does not give you the right over those who are younger. The bible even warns the young peole to not let you look down on them because they are young.

Be prayerful of that leader, if he gets it wrong(grace will still be given) or starts listening to members- how can he tell that your request is from the Holy spirit. Remember God is the audience, NOT YOU! Another sidenote: Who do you think receives the praise you are given? Who is doing all of the listening? Let me answer this one for you--GOD. I have had to tell people over the years that they are not lifting their hands for the people around them- It is to the Receiver- God. Does this mean that the worship leader should not take suggestions? No, but be careful what you ask for.

Worship is very important to me. Over the years, many have considered my style of leading worship participatory-friendly. I love when every one can sing to God without reservations. I have led in churches where new songs were discouraged and encouraged.. I have led at churches where old songs were discouraged and encouraged. I do believe in a blended service with BOTH type of songs. I don't mean do all your preferred style and then throw in one or two of the other style. I have even been a part of a work that called it balanced if we had 4 days of old style and 1 day of the new. He called that BALANCE! Are you kidding me!

I just want to praise the Lord. My prayer is that there is a church out there that will want to be led by the spirit and want their leaders to be led by the spirit. I believe when the spirit is working in a church the only boundaries are the ones we selfimpose. What do you think?

Random

I had a very good weekend with my mom coming to spend the whole weekend. We got to visit a lot and remember the good days. She will come and live with me this summer. I pray that she will begin to explore with freedom.

Senior Sunday at East Cobb was great! 4 great graduates and I will missed my time with the youth group!

Finals, Finals, Finals! as we end another school year, I am soooo excited about the summer. I will be helping with our summer camp here at GAC. It will be a busy summer, but very rewarding. I will blog more, I got finals to grade!