Life-Family-Ministry

Perseverance

2010-04-18T14:44:00.002-05:00

Just because you want to quit doesn't mean you should.

Everyone wants to quit at some point. Especially me. But you have to go back to the beginning and ask yourself : "Why did I start this?", "Did God call me to do this", "Is the risk greater than my commitment?".

God told Joshua to meditate in the word day and night, then he would be successful. Because God knew if Joshua forgot the purpose of his call, he would forget to pursue the vision to fulfill his call.

All visionaries destined to greatness experience challenges. The bigger the vision the bigger the obstacles.

So are you man or mouse? Are you called or not? Either you heard God or you didn't. Now is not the time to back down. Push through. See this thing to the end.

Because YOU are destined for greatness!

Life: restarting the conversation

2010-04-11T14:31:00.003-05:00

I have been thinking about Life.

Though my perspective is changing, one thing remains the same: God is the giver of life and not the taker of life.

I am reminded that one of the most important things in life is relationships. People matter. I know I should already know that, maybe I forgot.

It's time I take the walls down and let people in. So to my friends I haven't been friends to and those I haven't taken the time to get to know..........I apologize.

It's time I restart the conversation, so expect to hear from me more:)

Christmas Time Again

2009-12-03T22:25:00.003-06:00

Great memories are created from great traditions. That's what we strive for during the holidays....Great Memories! Every great memory has a great theme song. The music played in the background, that sets the atmosphere.

Our theme song for this Christmas is "A Fancy Yancy Christmas". This new Christmas album is a mixture of traditional Christmas carols and contemporary favorites, all performed in a fun way. You can check out the album at Itunes or Amazon.com, and of course Yancy's website.

Let this Christmas be the year you start some new traditions and let Yancy be this years theme song. Merry Christmas!

Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q

2009-04-21T19:17:00.003-05:00

Chloe & Mommy at Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q in Five Points Birmingham, AL

Daddy's Girl

2009-02-20T11:58:00.002-06:00

Me and the girl at Las Cabos Mexican Restaurant

Church Signs

2009-02-11T14:16:00.003-06:00

Gotta love those church signs. Just read one by my house that said, "Read your bible, it'll scare the hell out of you!". Very funny....I'm still laughing! Not sure what they're trying to accomplish. But it probably won't be more people reading their bible.

It's the goodness of God that leads men to repentance, not His anger or some fear tactic. Just simple kindness and generosity, all done in the name of Jesus.

People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. This life isn't about me or my agenda, it's about helping people. Reaching outside my comfort zone to help someone who has a need. Oral Roberts said it best "Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the gospel, so we must go into every man's world". Investing into peoples lives is the only way we can expect to reach them.

Bath Time!

2009-01-28T16:04:00.000-06:00

Questions?

2009-01-16T11:14:00.004-06:00

Ever wonder why things aren't happening the way you want?

What about all those people who seem to have everything going right? Why can't I be like them?

Where is God in all this? I thought He would help me through this?

Don't despise the day of small things. God said He is working in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. It's so simple you want to get mad, but if you don't ask God for direction or for help, then His hands are tied. James reminds us to ask in faith. Faith is simply stepping out as if God is already doing the thing you asked Him, because He is.

Keep your chin up, it will only get better from here.
Trust God is always on your side, because he is.
Ask the Lord for help, because He is our Great Helper.
Step out of your comfort zone and act like God is doing what He said He would do.

Besides, the people you think have it all together are asking the same questions.

Can You Hear Me Now?

2009-01-14T10:37:00.002-06:00

What do you do when God speaks?

Do you listen and obey or do you disregard and defy? Are you quiet enough to hear His voice or is everything so loud you didn't know God would speak to you?

Let me assure you; God is speaking to us all the time. We just have to get quiet long enough to hear His voice. If prayer seems like a one sided conversation, do more listening than speaking.

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." We always come to God with the emphasis on Him. No matter how dire the need, we must deny ourselves to access His Grace. Grace is God empowering us to do what we couldn't do on our own. When we focus on Him we are enabled to do, become or recieve what we couldn't before.

Instead of going into prayer let's go Listen. Just remember He leads us by Peace (Is. 55:12).

New Life

2008-12-16T12:50:00.003-06:00

With new life comes new reflection. Not looking back. Rather looking forward to what will be, can be and should be. Everyday I look at my newborn baby girl and see nothing but limitless possibilites.

So the question should be why don't I see that every time I look in the mirror?

As I pull back from the many distractions in life, most of which I volunteered for, I find myself accomplishing more. Not just more productivity, but greater focus and even greater results. The bible says if you bear fruit, God will purge us, that we will bear more fruit. This means cutting off those things that are sucking the life from your relationships, job and ministry.

Let's clear up what ministry really is. Hebrews 6:6 says "Those who come to God must believe that He Is and that He is a rewarder of those that Diligently Seek Him." First believing He not only exists, but also exists in your life to help you be successful. And a daily pursuit of Him, no matter how hectic things get. These two principles will act as the catalyst for serving God, your family, your job and everyone else. So let your daily life be your ministry.

As John Maxwell says "walk through the crowd slowly." Enjoy everyday, treat everyone with the respect you would want and cherish your family. Let that be your launch pad into limitless possibilities. You will thank me later.

Choices?!

2008-11-11T11:26:00.003-06:00

Here is a post from Veteran's Day that I wrote, but didn't actually post. Until now I thought I was just complaining. But I think it's important for people to know the struggles of ministry and yet great success at the same time. Interesting paradox.

Thank God for good leadership. Those days that you need to lean on someone else to help you through an off day

In Sunday's morning service we had the largest crowd ever, around One Hundred and Fifty first time visitors. We were able to honor over Ninety veterans with music, skits, videos, medals, gift bags and even a Twenty-One gun salute. Very emotional and humbling to think of their great service to our great country. Not a dry eye in the place.

Even in that atmosphere of showing honor and recognizing the heroes of our country, you still have to deal with people. I love people.... I really do. You really find out if you're led by the Spirit of God or your flesh when dealing with a lot of people in one place. Thank God for good Pastors and Leaders.

All Smiles!

2008-11-05T10:54:00.003-06:00

No matter what life throws your way, this changes everything!

Self Discipline

2008-10-29T10:17:00.004-05:00

Nick Saban, Coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, was talking about ways his undefeated team could improve. He said, "Discipline is knowing what to do and doing it. Self Discipline is knowing what to do and doing it no matter how you feel."

It's easy to follow instructions and do what you're told, but what you do when no one else is looking is another thing. Keeping your eyes fixed on the prize and your ears closed to the distractions will help you achieve any goal in front of you. Focus can be allusive, because it's not so much what you're doing, but what you should stop doing. Decide to cut off the distractions and push beyond your emotions.

Just like coach said, no one will remember who was undefeated at mid point of this season next year, it's what you've accomplished in the end.

Roll Tide!

10-16-08

2008-10-27T12:02:00.003-05:00

She's finally here, the moment Me & Kristy have been waiting for. A Beautiful, Happy, Healthy Baby Girl. So here's the stats: 8lbs. 10oz., 19 3/4" long, born at 4:17pm on October 16, 2008.

Less Is More

2008-10-10T09:57:00.002-05:00

Narrowing my focus has some people questioning my decisions, but the response from those closest to me have been very positive. My wife said she has noticed a definite change for the better, I am more engaged at work and church is more enjoyable. If you're not enjoying what you do, the smart money is on finding something else to do.

I've also noticed stepping back from some things have not only allowed others to step up, but also revealed the areas that need the most attention. Less is more. Not less effort or less passion. Rather less distraction, less time stealers, less waste, so more is accomplished. I'm spending more time in fewer more important things.

Jim Collins said "Within every organization or company that is great...you will find a culture of discpline." Saying No to the wrong choices and Yes to the right choices takes discpline. Because some wrong choices look right you have to be disciplined to know your priorities and stick to them.

Narrowing Your Focus

2008-09-30T10:59:00.002-05:00

The hardest thing for me to do as a Leader is to let go of things I'm in control of, so I can narrow my focus. I must emphasize that we are all leaders to some degree, whether at work, at church or at home. Somewhere you're in front and people are following your lead. That means there is pressure on you to perform, navigate and produce the desired results.

Rather than being the flood light that gets enough light out to cover what's in front of it, I am choosing to be like the laser with energy so focused it could perform sugery. Narrowing my focus isn't the easiest thing, it means I have to give up some things I don't want to. But I am able to spend more time with those important people, that specific calling and enjoy a greater harvest.

Take the time to evaluate your priorties. What can I do with out? Is this really the team I am to be leading or should I focus on something else? You may have to step back to see what it is, because you've probably been standing on it.

37 Weeks

2008-09-23T11:16:00.004-05:00

A couple more weeks and I'll be a Dad, I'm sooo excited! Last Friday the doctor checked out Kristy, so here's the scoop: est. weight- 6 lbs. 11 oz. , 1-1/2 cm. dilated, 75% effaced and -1 pelvic station.

If it wasn't for the 10 hours of birthing classes I doubt those numbers would mean anything to me. The short of it is Chloe will probably be entering the world sooner than the original due date of October 13th.

The plan (as I understand it) is for natural childbirth. So we are practicing those famous Lamaze breathing techniques. They seem funny but I think they will actually help. Keeping your mind occupied with counting and duration of breaths is suppose to help distract from the pain (we'll see :)

I had trouble downloading the ultra sound pics, maybe in the next couple of days I can post the new ones.

Pink!

2008-09-18T09:47:00.005-05:00

Just about finished with the baby's room. When I walk down the hall this room just glows pink. I feel like pink is running out of my ears! Anyways there is more done than what these pictures show, I'll try to post them soon.

Unpolitical

2008-09-10T07:54:00.005-05:00

In this very politically charged atmosphere it's so easy to express our own opinion instead of Christ's. Mark Batterson did an interview with Leadership Journal, which you can read about here, about pastoring a church(es) minutes from Capitol Hill. He did an amazing job of reflecting the heart of a true pastor, whose agenda is to teach people how to follow Christ and not which politics best fit the church.

I believe the allure of branding yourself with a certain political affiliation will always distract you from reaching into the hurting world around. Our mission as Christians is to help people see the Christ that died for everyone and then teach them how to walk successfully with Him. Not make our bend of politics the only way. Rather let the principals of Christ shape peoples values and priorities. Then trust them to live it out.

Be Yourself

2008-09-04T10:45:00.003-05:00

"Be yourself, because everyone else is taken."
Unknown

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is be yourself. Everyone pulling on you and placing expectations on you makes you want to give in to being real. It is easier at times to just be someone else or act in a way that blends in with the group or company or church around you.

The truth about being a leader or just someones friend is authenticity and originality. Being yourself is the only true thing you can do. Embrace your little flaws and mannerisms, because they are what set you apart from the crowd. What is looked at as a flaw by one may be seen as an asset by an entire organization.

God created you to think the way you do to set you apart from everyone else and accomplish what others can't. You can't afford to be someone else, because YOU are your greatest asset.

Chuck Norris!

2008-08-14T10:01:00.003-05:00

Someone told me the other day that when Chuck Norris does a push up,he doesn't lift himself up, he's pushing the earth down (pretty funny stuff!).

I just finished reading his book "Against All Odds",the story about his life. Pretty easy read, although it probably helps if you're a Chuck fan. There were some funny parts and some sad parts as well. I had no idea he had such a rough child hood, nothing he did came easy. I really enjoyed his journey to becoming the Middle Weight Karate Champion for 6 years in a row!

The funniest thing in the whole book is when Chuck and Steve McQueen went to a dance studio, to work on Steve's flexibility, and they had to wear tights. I don't want to ruin for you, but it made me bust out laughing for a while.

The common theme in his life is he had to work harder than anyone around him to be successful. Nothing came easy. He wasn't a natural. No one handed him anything. Just hard work, sweat and he surrounded himself with good people.

Diligence

2008-07-31T09:05:00.006-05:00

The more I grow as a christian/husband/leader the more God deals with me about the little things. Almost silly things like keeping my car clean (inside and out), keeping my yard cut and groomed all the time, showing up early to appointments and never saying something I don't intend to do (no matter what it takes). I believe those little things we do in life reflect our heart. You can sum up doing those seemingly small things with one word - Diligence.

Diligence can be broken down into three categories:

1. Obedience - A tender heart before God is an obedient heart.
2. Determination - The drive to fulfill God's purpose in your life, a higher purpose than your own.
3. Perseverance - How big is your want to? The catalyst to doing Great Things.

About a year ago I mentioned to my pastor how much I was growing sitting under his leadership and he said something I never expected: "It's not so much spiritual growth, but your heart is growing more tender before God".

My constant prayer is that God would change my heart and tenderize it, because my heart is the soil of my life. It determines my sustained success, something that will last a lifetime.

The Sound of Rain

2008-07-23T16:03:00.003-05:00

That's the sound I'm listening to right now, lots and lots of rain. A sound that reminds me of a time when I got stuck in the mud. The problem is it wasn't mud when I parked there, it was bone dry. But a heavy rain came through and my 4x4 Dodge had to be pulled out with a backhoe :)

When you get comfortable with your current pace and place in life, you sometimes get stuck. Even though you started with passion and determination it changes to be lethargic and unfruitful.

So how do you get unstuck?

Go back to your first love, whatever ignited that passion in the first place. Determination always follows passion, but procastination is born out of a loss of vision. Pray the Ephesians 1:15-23 prayer and rediscover your direction and purpose in life. When you find it don't think it's a down hill coast from there, you have to work hard at fulfilling that vision. You can never fulfill a passion outside of God, it will only be a cheap imitation.

27 Weeks

2008-07-10T10:47:00.003-05:00

Kristy has grown considerably since the last time I posted, check it out here. I would tell you she has gained 20 pounds since the start of the pregnancy, but I don't know if I should (oops, too late).

Every morning before I leave for work I pray over Chloe. And for the last week she has started moving as soon as I start talking, it's so awesome. She's not just hanging out in her mommas belly. With every sound or touch she is assimilating and taking it in. Since the doctors say her eyes are open, I just imagine waking her up all bright eyed and smiling. It's so surreal becoming a dad, I can't wait for October 13!

Random Thoughts

2008-07-10T10:47:00.002-05:00

Enjoy the journey. Life is not about the destination it's all about how you get there. My first 25 years of existence I was so focused on getting to the next thing and frustrated the whole time I wasn't there.

The path to obtain your goal is where you meet the people and experience the moments that shape your character. Not until you reach your destination and look back on the journey can you really appreciate it. Slow down, smell the roses, enjoy the sunrise and take a walk in the park with your sweetheart. You'll thank me later!

28 Years!

2008-06-27T11:15:00.004-05:00

It's my birthday today and I haven't even thought about it until this week. Actually my Mom and Dad's birthday is the day before mine and I didn't even remember until Tuesday-Sorry!

The only one I seem to be thinking about is my little girl and I can't even see her. Not sure if that is good or not? By the way she will be 25 weeks on Monday!

My 28th birthday wish is not for myself, but that Chloe would grow up Loving God, Loving her Family and Loving Life.

Genuine Leadership

2008-06-23T07:39:00.014-05:00

"A Genuine Leader doesn't search for consensus he molds the consensus."

-Martin Luther King Jr.

It's our job as leaders to Cast the Vision, not make people run with it. We must write the vision on their hearts with our words and on paper with a pen. When you define The Win, the purpose behind your vision, a culture is molded around that vision. And instead of searching for the next best idea, that idea is birthed out the culture created around the vision.

Leaning Into The Dip

2008-06-23T07:39:00.006-05:00

Seth Godin has a book titled "The Dip", a short read I recommend to anyone in leadership or business. It's been a while since I read it, but some difficulties I've been facing this last week brought one of the principals back to mind.

It seems any time you get a Vision to do something and Start Doing It, opposition finds a way to make you struggle with sticking to the vision. There is always a low point of near failure called The Dip, where you wonder if it's worth continuing or should I push through. The short of it is I discovered the Vision God has given me is worth pushing through.

After a week long struggle at every turn I saw The Win this weekend. Through all of the distractions and mistakes (man I hate that word) I believe some ground was gained and the Vision is getting clearer.

Stick with it, don't give in, push forward because the pay off is bigger than you can see right now. Lives will be changed, dreams realized and history written because you choose to lean into what God has called you to do.

Free!

2008-06-17T08:21:00.003-05:00

Jim Wideman is now offering to impart what has taken him years to learn for Free. If you sign up for his monthly newsletter you'll also get his leadership teaching on MP3 for Free for the rest of the summer. His main focus is Children's Ministry, but he is a very good teacher on leadership and I highly recommend it.

Cultivating Your Prayer Life

2008-06-09T09:07:00.004-05:00

A couple of months ago I was asked to speak in last Wednesdays service at my church. I first want to say it was an Honor and I greatly enjoyed it!

I talked about praying in minutes. Praying in the morning for a few minutes, on the way to work, at lunch, on your way home and before you go to bed. So prayer becomes a part of your everyday life. As we all Do Life we have so many things pulling on us and demanding our time, we don't always have large blocks of time for fellowship with God. Mark Batterson blogged something this morning right in line with that.

Mark posted about a 40 Day Prayer Challenge, that I am personally starting today. He had 10 great ideas, here are the ones that stood out to me:

1) Set Prayer Goals--pray thirty minutes five times a week. I know that sounds a little like "punching the clock" but it's a great way to develop a habit and I believe God smiles on those kinds of goals if our heart is to hear His voice and seek His heart.

2) Keep a Prayer Journal--this is a great way to cultivate the spiritual discipline of journaling. Yes, I think it's a spiritual discipline. It's a form of meditation.

6) Set Your Alarm an Hour Earlier for 40 Days

7) Turn Your commute into a prayer walk or prayer ride--turn off the radio and tune God in.

8) Pray with your spouse before bed for forty days.

Beautiful!

2008-06-03T13:39:00.004-05:00

As promised here is picture of the love of my life, Kristy, and the amazing gift of life growing inside of her. And after a late night run for some fruity pebbles, an early morning pancake cook off and enough corn on the cob to feed an army I still have a very happy pregnant wife. I may have exaggerated about the corn on the cob, but as that old saying goes "If momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy". So whatever momma wants momma gets!

It's a Girl!

2008-05-30T07:22:00.006-05:00

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

2008-05-21T13:26:00.004-05:00

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

2008-05-09T12:41:00.004-05:00

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

2008-05-09T10:38:00.006-05:00

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!

First Post!

2008-04-24T14:36:00.002-05:00

Well, it's exciting to finally start blogging. It's something I've wanted to do for over a year. All the credit goes to Mark Batterson at Evotional.com, reading his blog regularly has inspired me to journal my life, my family and my ministry. Thanks Mark!

More to come soon!