It's a Girl!

Chloe Elizabeth Behl

Yesterday the ultrasound confirmed we are having a beautiful little girl! As you can see she's still tiny at 14 0z. with a heart rate of 140 bpm. The doc said all of her organs and features are perfect and she's actually a little bigger than average (that's daddy's girl!).

I will post some pictures of Kristy next week, she's getting so big. By the way she is 21 weeks on Monday.

Change

So many things are changing in my life. I'm going to be a dad for the first time, the company I work for is being bought out by a current employee, my wife's boss is quitting (the one who hired her), our church is growing at such a rapid rate the building we just built is ready for an expansion (for the children's classrooms) and several other things I'll blog about later.

The thing about all this change is it's Good! This kind of change is the catalyst for growth. I think right now I must be having sympathy pregnancy because I'm feeling those growth pains.

It seems like God is stretching my vision on a daily basis, forcing me to grow. I Love It, because in this process of change and growth is a deeper more intimate relationship with my Heavenly Father. I'm learning how to lean into Him more than I ever have and I have to say I'm really enjoying the journey.

Don't Minister From an Empty Vessel

Great post by Jim Wideman! Talking about renewing yourself and ministering out of the overflow of God's Word, because you can't live off credit.

Kristy and I were children's pastors for close to 2 years and owe a HUGE THANKS to Bro. Jim and Willie George for teaching us how to minister to kids. It transformed our lives and is the foundation for how we serve in ministry today.

Morning Fog

On my way to work this morning I drove through some really dense fog, which is pretty typical for Alabama. As I did the Holy Spirit used it as an object lesson, so here is what stood out to me.

• Since I could only see 20 to 30ft. ahead, my vision was narrowed to what was directly in front of me.
• When I finally broke through the fog everything around me became crystal clear.
• As I continued making my way to work that which was so clear and important simply faded into normal and no big deal.

That fog is like spending time in the presence of God, the longer I'm there the more He shows me areas to work on in my life. As I make those heart adjustments my vision and purpose become so very clear. But my vision dims when I lose site of the importance of making those adjustments. The take away: Be more aware of God's presence right in front you than of everything else around you!