Good morning

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My view

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Minister's Retreat

I'm headed to the TNAOG Minister's Retreat in Gatlinburg today. I can't wait. This is my once a year getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains. Doug Clay, who is the General Treasurer of the A/G will be our speaker for the services. I'm looking forward to rubbing shoulders with my brothers and sisters in arms. PLUS, retreat is designed to be just that...so we have LOTS of free time. I believe we have al of Tuesday to ourselves. Every year we do something new while we are there. This year I'm going to do the whole great outdoors thing. Jaemi and I will do lots of hiking and relaxing in the mountain air. I probably won't blog more than pictures. I will twitter though and you can keep up with us by reading the twitter bar locate right there--------------------------------------------------->

The Random road

- headed back to Clarksville

- I miss my kids!

- this trip was amazing

- I'm ready for a week off in the mountains with my wife

- I'm proud of my MC students

- I'm ready for some cold weather

- Happy Sunday
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KC Final

This trip has been amazing. There was almost a "retreat" type of feel to it. We are so honored to have been apart of impacting a neighborhood for Christ. These familes are unchurched. This week, we got to bring church them.

Tomorrow we'll head to Independence to snap some pics of the Mormon building. And we'll head into Kansas to make this a 5 state trip. The n we'll head for good Ole Rocky Top.
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KC Day 2

What a great day. I have to be honest...we aren't really working AS hard as last year. The work load just isn't that demanding. The great thing is that we are impacting an entire neighborhood, not just one home. We even played with one of the kids from a house we were working on. At one house a neighbor came up and started talking to us. We ended up being able to bless her too with some yard work. I love this type of ministry. Out in the streets, meeting needs, being the church instead of appearing to be the church. I can't wait to take this back to TN.
What's been great is the deep spiritual conversations that have happend amongst our team. We are growing and stretching. This has been just as much a retreat as it has been missions. Tomorrow will be the longest day as we push toward the unveil on Sunday. By then...we'll be back on our way to Clarksville.
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4 story Barnes & Noble in KCMO

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KC BBQ

God is good!!!
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KC Day 1

Today was our first full day of work. Things went shockingly smooth. The work load is much easier then last year. We prepped 2 houses for paint and cleared brush around the perimeter of 2 houses. We even got to shower BEFORE dinner!! Then for a bonus we went down to the "Power and Light District" in downtown. It was pretty cool. Lots of clubs and bars and rich folks. Thankfully God put a Starbucks in our path and all was well. I also revisited Arrowhead Stadium and Kaufman Stadium, home of the Chiefs and Royals. Tomorrow we'll do more of the same and maybe even work with th KC Dream Center.
I think some of the students are at very critical points in their MC journey. This trip will change their lives.
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Chillaxin in downtown KC

My wife, MC students, iPod, SBUX...good times...
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Hard work

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KC Zero Day

We made it safe and sound praise God! The folks at Turning Point Church have been so awesome to us! We got to worship with them tonight and that was a bonus. We are leaving Sunday morning so it was our only chance to be in church this week.
Tomorrow the work starts...but for now we are just chillaxin. We (the guys) were all blessed with 2 hotel rooms. The place we are staying at is some "new agey oprah zen" type of resort...but the One in us is greater! Plus its NASCAR weekend in KC an nowhere else is available. I'm just stoked to not be sleeping on the floor! We did a group PT session and it rocked. I'm so greatful that God has healed me and I can lead my guys in some PT.
I'm also glad that Jaemi and I get to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary by serving in Jesus Name. How cool is that?
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Top of the world

What a great way to spend my 10th anniversary
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Meet me in St Louis

Hanging out at the Arch for a bit...I'm still sick...
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The Land of Lincoln

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So early in the morning

We are headed to KCMO. Please keep MCC in your prayers. Also, pray specifically for me. My allergies are killing me. I need a clear head in Jesus Name! I'll post pics along the way...

On the road again...

Its' travel time. Tomorrow starts a long travel stretch for MCC. We'll be in KCMO from Sep 24-28th. Then I'll be in the Smoky Mountains from the 29th - Oct 2nd. 5 days later we head up to Bowling Green, KY for 2 services. I love it! Here are some must haves for an MCC road trip:

1. Patience

2. Sour Worms

3. Caffeine

4. The Office

5. Laptops

6. iPod with car adapter

7. A SENSE OF HUMOR

Random Monday

I've been feeling under the weather today. Its kind of creeping up on me. It usually about this time that allergies flair up. I hate it.

I did however feel great in Muay Thai class tonight. I definitley prefer to stike first and then hold. My arms aren't as worn out.

Tomorrow will be a fast and furious day as we gear up for our missions trip. Lots to do.

I watched some of Season 4 today and listend to Brak...good times

My 10 year wedding anniversary is on Wednesday...amazing...

I need some Benadryl...blah

Great Weekend

I had a really great end to a really long week. I got to take our young adults to a football game on Saturday night. We went to see UT- Martin vs. Austin Peay State University. Although my heart is with Austin Peay, my loyalty had to be with UTM. Nate Wilson is one of our church boys and he is a captain on their team. So we had to represent one of our own. And they won (which I called by the way). I love football. (So far I'm 4-1 with my picks from the weeknd. I'm never that good.)
Then I got to preach tonight with MCC and God did what he always does...he jacked some lives up! Why even come if you aren't willing to be changed? But the highlight for me was spending som QT with my oldest son this afternoon. He hung out with me as I locked up the church and then we watched the Titans game together (until we fell asleep). Good times. These guys are growing up so fast. I definatley need to step my game up in spending QT with them. The people buisness can jack a family up if you aren't careful.
Due to our trip to KCMO this week we are taking Monday off. I'm not gonna lie...I'm looking forward to chillaxin all day until Muay Thai at 5:30.

Football

I might actually get to watch football this afternoon. I'm stoked about that!

Bucs over Bears

Titans over Texans

Boys over Pack

Colts over Jags

Philly over Pitt

Don't care about the rest that much...
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Another game!

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Gearhead

I've felt like a gearhead this week. I've spent so much time working on my car, detailing the car, calculating gas milage for our KC trip, doing maintenance on vans, changing batteries, jumping batteries, dealing with AAA and USAA. It's been an auto week to say the least. As I write I am currently at shell getting an oil change.
I have an uncle who is a master mechanic. He use to run a tire shop years ago. I remember spending hours there as a kid bored out of my skull. I wish I would have paid attention!
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Son Day

Today I'm hanging out with my oldest son all day. We are going to celebrate his birthday tonight. We decided to give him the present of a day off from school. He makes straight A's so 1 day won't hurt him at all.
I'm also getting my car detailed. All in all it should be a relaxing day. And I get cake and ice cream!!!
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Extreme Makeover

Here's a glimpse of where MC Clarksville will be headed next week for our US missions trip.

I need wings

This week has been very productive. I've got that good kind of tired thing going on. I sure didn't want to get up and work out this morning. Nevertheless, God gave me the strength to do the right thing. It's getting down to crunch time for MCC. This time next week we'll be on our way to Kansas City for a US missions trip. Between then and now we have a nursing home service, a football game, and a Sunday night service. Not to mention all of the details that go with that stuff.

I'll definitely need some Amp or Red Bull during some of these long nights.

On a better note...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TONY!

Yesterday

What a crazy day. I spent about 7 hours at a friends garage doing (mostly watching) repair work on 2 cars. The great thing is that I HAVE MY CAR AGAIN! I'm so stoked. I've missed driving my vehicle. I have appreciated all of the time I've been able to spend with the family as we've "carpooled" and rode in shifts to church. But I'm glad to have the freedom of my wheels.
Anyway, while I was working on the car my wife was holding down the MC front. In the course of her day something as easy as printing a file turned into Mission Impossible (not her fault). Then she found out at lunch that our little guy locked us out of our bedroom. So she had to pick the lock. Then while she was trying to sit in a class, she had to put out a interpersonal "fire" between 2 other students. I'm proud of how she handled it!
We then did some recon for an upcoming outreach/event and I didn't see my house until 11:30PM. Today will be a meeting day. I'm headed to Nashville to help plan the upcoming Chi Alpha/College retreat for the district.
Lord help me to practice your presence today!

How I spent my day

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Football-less Sunday

Today will be week 2 of watching no Sunday games. We are staying after church to get prepped for service tonight. It's all good. The only games I really want to see are the Bucs game late and the Monday night Dallas-Philly game.

It is amazing how much folks can get wrapped up in the drama of the game. The news has been full of the Vince Young drama and the Adam "Pac-Man" Jones drama. I for one am tired of news that attacks individuals private lives. Leave people alone and let them play the game. 

Random Saturday

-I've had some great down time this weekend. It's been great to work out, play with the kids, and just unwind.

-I'm fired up about preaching tomorrow night! I love doing ministry with MCC!

- I wish I could be everywhere at all the time, but I can't. Only God can. I'm learning to say no more.

- Next week will be busy busy busy...

- My car gets fixed on Monday! I haven't been able to drive my car for almost a year...I'm looking forward to my ride!

-I hope the Titans and Bucs win this weekend.

Day Off

I'm actually going to attempt to have a day off today. With the start of Master's it's been really hard to power down. Today I'll try to do just that. I have the usual errands to run, but after that...I'm going to lift weights, watch The Unit, and hang out with my wife. Then we'll hang with the kiddos after school. I hope today will resemble an episode of Seinfield...a day about nothing!

9/11

I pray that we'll never forget the pain we felt on that day. Not so we'll live with guilt or fear, but so we'll remember our source of comfort. People who hadn't prayed in years prayed that day. People who thought they were invincible came face to face with the frailty of life that day. I know it sobers me to think about how everything can change within a matter of seconds. When the line at the airport is too long, remember those who can't go to the airport anymore. When the media saturates your life with celebrity gossip and pointless stories, remember the real news. Remember the brave souls who risk life and limb to put out your fires, stop criminals, and fight wars.
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Pounding the rock

Today seems like one of those "grind" type of days. I've done a lot of different things and I don't feel too accomplished. We just had a big change in one of our human vids for this weekend and that has my head spinning. I also tried to do something simple on one of the web pages I manage and it turned into a 2 hour job. So I'm trying to figure out how we can decompress this afternoon without wasting any time. I know I need it.
I am excited about preaching this month. I get to preach every Sunday night until we go on our missions trip! What a privelage. I'll talk from Psalm 63 this Sunday. I can't wait! We also will begin working on our new workout space. I love new projects.
It's seasons like this when all you can do is just keep pounding the rock...

Lost in...

Human video practice. Yep, MCC is back in action.
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Spongebob and 3 year old wisdom

I've been hanging with my little guy this morning. Spongebob is a ridiculous show...and yet I watch on...

He saw a picture of planet earth and he said"Dad, that's a big moon". I told him, "no son, that's planet earth". He replied, "Yeah, it's a big earth moon". He sounded so professional when he said it that I almost believed it was an "earth moon" myself!

Feeling Great

I feel so good right now. My body is sore, my joints ache, and I definitely know that I'm not 20 anymore...but I feel great! I just started taking Muay Thai classes and I love it. I have no aspirations of being a fighter, but I do love the contact nature of the sport. It takes me back to my football days. Jaemi and I have also been walking every morning and that helps too. I've been really convicted about my physical discipline the last 3 years. I may not be in the US Army anymore, but I have to take care of my body if I want God to give me a long ministry life. I can't do God's work to my fullest potential if I'm sick and weak. God healed me of Ulcerative Colitis and a herniated disc! I can move without pain and that's what I plan to do. So I'll beat my body into shape and enjoy every minute of it. We've actualy scheduled PT into our Master's Commission. What other MC in the nation gives you a membership into a mixed martial arts academy?

Ready for some football

I can't believe it's finally here! I missed all of the games yesterday due to the crazy long day we had. My Bucs lost and the Titans lost Young for 2-4 weeks. Not the start I was looking for...but at least they beat the Jags! Hopefully I'll get to watch some MNF tonight.
Happy Birthday Jaemi!
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Recovery thoughts

- tonight is our commissioning service!

- we have 4 services this month!

- it's football season! I can't believe I haven't blogged about it yet.

- I hope the Titans own the Jags today

- I hope the Bucs beat the Saints like....(too soon for those jokes)

- I'm teaching on depression this morning

-I'm so stoked about travel this month!

-Tomorrow is my wife's birthday. Happy Birthday love! (Yes, I will say happy birthday tomorrow too)
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What can I say?

The past 26 hours have been awesome! I can't put in to words how great it feels to have War Week behind me. The students did great! They were involved in none stop work from 9am to 7am. We ended War Week with a 2 hour spiritual "rite of passage". All I can say is God jacked some people up! We have a great team! God showed up and we can't stop thanking Him for all of the miracles we are experiencing! We have a busy 5 weeks ahead of us: 4 church services, 1 missions trip, and a partridge in a pear tree!
This week really set the tone! We'll have pics and maybe a vid up later. Right now I just want to sleep!
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Mission complete

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It' gonna be a looong night

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25 hours and counting...

Today is D-Day for MC Clarksville. No, we won't be assaulting the beaches of Normandy (but you could imagine what it would be like if we did). Today will be a capstone exercise in all things MC Clarksville. There will be team building, brain teasers, a nursing home service, a prayer meeting, tons of fun, great food, a physical challenge, a "soup sandwich", and a life changing spiritual exercise. We'll also have our covenant ceremony tonight. I'm super stoked! 

Our students have done great this week. They've taken everything in stride and they are learning. That is what counts. The devil has fought us this week too. Keep praying for MCC. When you do big things for God, you get fought in big ways...but he's under our feet!

I'll post periodic update pics later.

War Week 3

Today will be a "typical" Wednesday for the students. They'll pry in the morning, work at Montgomery Christian Academy, and do school work/ministry prep until the end of the day. We have church tonight at 7pm and D-Day tomorrow. Today will really be a change of pace from the intensity of the last 2 days. Things will still be high energy today, but probably not as physically demanding. I figured it would be good to have some calm before the storm that will be tomorrow.
I'm really impressed with this years students.

X-treme Ministries

Has a blast doing MMA with John Renken at X-treme ministries. We had a morning devotion on Eph 6 and 1 Cor 10...and then we illustrated it by going to Ft Campbell AND spending 2 hours in the gym doing an MMA workout. What a great day! The students were totally surprised! Here's some pics:

War Week 2

Yesterday was a good long day. The students are starting to get a feel for each other and for MC Clarksville. We did some good training yesterday. We trained in the chuch, hospital, and at the mall. Today we are focusing on Spiritual Warfare...I bet you can figure out what we'll be doing. I'll post pics later.
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The New Class

War Week

Today begins War Week at MCC. War week is a play on the Navy SEAL "Hell Week". What we do is put our students through 3 days of high stress scenarios that replicate almost every situation they'll encounter in ministry while here n Clarksville. We've got some very fun and creative excercises that we'll go through Mon-Thu. I'll definitely post pics. Thursday is what we call D-Day. This simulates the "Long Day, "Crucible", "Warrior FTX", etc. of the US Military. It will literally be an all day affair. But the end will be life changing. Time to get started!