Today, I am headed to one of my favorite places in the world. It is called the, 
“Middle Prong Trail” in the Smokey Mountain National Park. We will hike around 12 miles all together, and we will be deep in the woods. My pack is going to be pretty light, I think it is around 35 lbs, so it shouldn’t be too bad. My little brother is going with me and he has a personal vendetta against this trail. When he was 9 years old, I took him to this same place and he started crying only 20 minutes into the hike…so we had to turn around and go back. Who knows, it might be the other way around now…he’s 21 and in great shape and… lets just say that I’m not!
This particular trail has a cascading river all the way along it, so there will be some
spectacular views and the weather is turning out to be perfect. I have attached some pictures from this trail and the map, just in case you ever want to give it a try. Please pray for me, the site that we are headed to is pretty well known for attracting bears. However, they are just cute little black bears…so I am kind of hoping to see some while we are there. I just don’t particularly want to wrestle one.
Do you have a place that you go to for refuge? Is it nature or indoors?
Every Wednesday I get the opportunity to go over to Park Avenue Elementary School and love on my “lunch Buddy.” His name is Brandon and I love getting to be a small part of his life every week. For several years, Cross Point has partnered with an incredible organization named Preston Taylor Ministries that provides all kinds of programs for lower income families. I am a part of their “Lunchmate Mentoring Program” where a volunteer eats lunch once a week with a child in his or her school cafeteria providing a consistent presence and a motivating relationship. It only takes an hour and I love breaking up the routine of my life and going to love on a kid who probably deserves it! If you live in Nashville, you should consider trying it out!
What do you do to break up your week to love on the less fortunate?
I read a poem the other day that broke my heart. It was found in a drawer of a 21 yr old named Alicia VanDavis who was addicted to Crystal Meth. You can read more about the story HERE! Anyhow, I was speaking to our Charge United Student Ministry this weekend at our fall retreat and so I decided to communicate the power of our desires and how hard it can be to break free from an addiction. I really loved the way this poem communicated that, so I decided to try and work it into my sermon. As I tried to think of reading this, it was just too long and wordy and I didn’t want them to miss the message. So, I took a risk and made an attempt at rapping it. Now, I am no rapper…(besides my “phone zone” rap and the Volunteer Appreciation Justin Timberlake wannabe!) …so this might be a little LOT – painful for you. However, the students at the retreat seemed to enjoy it and (at the time) it seemed like a creative way to try and communicate a very powerful message. Not only that, but, (to my surprise) several people have asked if they could have it, so I am posting it here for your viewing pleasure.
I would like to note one thing…I am not saying that if you take Meth that you’ll go to hell!! These are simply the words of someone who knew first hand what addiction was really about. This is a tragic story of how an addiction has the power to take over every part of your life.
Here is the actual poem:
I destroy homes I tear families apart.
I take your children and thats just a start.
Im more valued than diamonds, more precious than gold.
The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.
If you need me, remember, Im easily found.
I live all around you, in school and in town.
I live with the rich, I live with the poor.
I live just down the street and maybe next door.
Im made in a lab, but not one like you think.
I can be made under the kitchen sink,
In your childs closet, and even out in the woods.
If this scares you to death, then it certainly should.
I have many names. But theres one youll know best.
I have many names. But theres one youll know best.
Im sure youve heard of me, my name is Crystal Meth.
My power is awesome, try me, youll see.
But if you do, you may never break free.
Just try me once and I might let you go.
But if you try me twice, then Ill own your soul.
When I possess you, youll steal and youll lie.
Youll do what you have to do, just to get high.
The crimes you commit for my narcotic charms,
Will be worth the pleasures you feel in my arms.
Youll lie to your mother; youll steal from your dad.
When you see their tears, you must feel sad.
Just forget your morals and how you were raised.
Ill be your conscience, Ill teach you my ways.
I take kids from their parents; I take parents from their kids.
I turn people from God, I separate friends.
Ill take everything from you, your looks and your pride.
Ill be with you always, right by your side.
Youll give up everything, your family, your home.
Your money, your true friend, then youll be alone.Ill take and take till you have no more to give.
When I finish with you, youll be lucky to live.
If you try me, be warned, this is not a game.
If Im given the chance, Ill drive you insane.
Ill ravage your body; Ill control your mind.
Ill own you completely; your soul will be mine.
The nightmares Ill give you when youre lying in bed,
And the voices youll hear from inside your head.
The sweats, the shakes, and the visions from me.
I want you to know these things are gifts from me.
But then its too late, and youll know in your heart
That you are now mine and we shall not part.
Youll regret that you tried me (they always do).
But you came to me, not I to you.
You knew this would happen.
Many times youve been told.
But you challenged my power,
You chose to be bold.
You could have said no and then walked away.
If you could live that day over now, what would you say?
My power is awesome, as I told you before.
I can take your life and make it so dim and sore.
Ill be your master and youll be my slave.
Ill even go with you when you go to your grave.
Now that youve met me, what will you do?
Will you try me or not? Its all up to you.
I can show you more misery than words can tell.
Come take my hand, let me lead you to Hell.Written by Alicia VanDavis
Do you know anyone personally who has had a life destroyed by an addiction?
Today I want to remind the world of how brilliant my wife is. Ally has a blog post today entitled, “expecting”! She continually blows me away with her tenderness and compassion for this world. We have been working through some stuff together in concerns with the way we treat each other and those closest to us. I think you will find it an incredible read…so please go on over to her blog today and give her some love! (She is guest-blogging for me today without really knowing it!)
We are stepping out in a huge way as a family tomorrow as we commit to the Faith, Hope, and Love initiative. I am excited to see how God is going to use this act of love and sacrifice that our church family is faithfully jumping into. I love it when I get to be a part of history unfolding!! Is it scary…YEAH…do we have it all figured out…NO…do we feel like God has asked us to do this…WE DO! I recently read this quote and thought I would share it with you…its rather fitting for the timing of Cross Point.
“Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you’re alive, it isn’t.”
So, God…we trust you…we’ve been obedient…we ask you to do your part now! AMEN!
This video was adorable…its just a good reminder about teaching our kids the importance of giving. I love leaving a legacy like that. I am also proud of Steven Furtick, the pastor of Elevation, to remind us to be the spiritual leaders of our homes.
Go ahead…leave a caption…but…please, be nice! 
So, the other day, I completely copy and 
pasted my boss’ Jenni Catron’s blog post! (that is the post that I ripped off) For clarity sake, I did NOT ask her for permission. I didn’t even tell her that I did it. I just out-right stole it. Now, watch this…shortly after I posted it, then Pete Retweeted it and then I knew I was screwed!
So, that morning was our regular meeting time and I started the meeting with this, “Jenni, I need to confess something to you…“, she interrupted me and said…“DUDE…you totally stole my blog post today!” Here’s the funniest part, shortly after our meeting Pete came into my office and thought that Jenni had stolen my post!
NOW THAT RIGHT THERE IS FUNNY…I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE!
It kind of reminded me of “The Office”…it was just a little church drama that was stinkin hilarious. No worries…it was all taken lightly and we are all friends now.
Confession time: are you a blog stealer?
So, I have 5 women at my house, I often refer to it as a Womens Fraternity. Let me tell you what that means. I am alone. When picking a movie..I lose. When picking what we should do..I lose. When picking what to eat..I lose. When picking where we should shop..I lose. Now, I need to start by letting you know that I have the very best wife and girls on the planet and I wouldn’t trade my life for anything. If in doubt please refer to this post, “blessed beyond imagination.”
However, there are some things that I am learning that need to be passed on to some other men, for the sake of their very lives! See, there are days that all I do is open my mouth and I take my life in my own hands! My mom gave me this as a handy guide that should be carried like a driver’s license in the wallet of every husband, boyfriend, co-worker or significant other!
DANGEROUS |
SAFER |
SAFEST |
ULTRA SAFE |
| What’s for dinner? |
Can I help you with dinner? |
Where would you like to go for dinner? |
Here, have some wine. |
| Are you wearing that? |
You sure look good in brown! |
WOW! Look at you! | Here, have some wine |
| What are you so worked up about? |
Could we be overreacting? |
Here ‘ s my paycheck. | Here, have some wine.. |
| Should you be eating that? |
You know, there are a lot of apples left. |
Can I get you a piece of chocolate with that? |
Here, have some wine. |
| What did you DO all day? |
I hope you didn’t over-do it today. |
I’ve always loved you in that robe! |
Here, have some wine. |
My Disclaimer: Please don’t take this to seriously…its really meant for a good laugh.
HERE IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP:
1. If you are a female– can you offer some insights for my future??
2. If you are a male–can you take me fishing once a month?
Can you hear that? The Mountains are beckoning and they won’t shut up! Every November I start getting the itch to make it out to the Mountains to get a ski trip in. There is very few things that I love as much as snow skiing, especially in the Rocky Mountains! I have a great friend from Kentucky named Brandon Embry that is a great ski buddy…mainly because he is a little bit insane and will bomb the mountain with me. I wanted to show you one of the funniest moments last year. Tim Price joined us and the 3 of us went to Salt Lake City Utah for the best ski trip of my life. In this clip, he was flying and decided to hit a little jump, but his skis stuck in the snow and his head planted in the snow. It was hilarious! I’m just glad he wasn’t hurt…it could have been ugly. Snow skiing is one of my all time favorite sports and I am starting to get the itch…I’m planning a trip to Keystone this February…and I am fired up!
What is your favorite sport or passtime??
This summer I had the priveldge of going to the Dominican Republic to serve with an incredible ministry called, “Go Ministries.” I was blown away by the amount of work that they are doing for the kingdom of God. I loved the hearts of the staff more than any missions organization that I have ever been a part of. This weekend, two of the staff came and stayed at our house. Their names are Jeff and Vicki Rogers and they have become very good friends of ours. Cross Point has committed to helping support Jeff and Vicki in their fundraising and I find it an honor to serve beside such incredible people. We had some very life-giving late night talks this weekend and I was reminded of how brilliant Jeff’s mind really is. His vision for where God is going to take this ministry is mind-blowing. His heart for God and his desire to have maximum impact while he is here on earth made me feel like I am hardly even doing anything for God. Iraneaus said that, “the glory of God is a human being fully alive.” I can’t think of anyone that I see more alive than the passion that I see in Jeff and Vicki. Vicki’s dependancy on God to provide for her families well-being, health, food, and housing…always encourages me to trust more. Their kids are absolutely precious and they are pregnant with their third…so, I just wanted to take some time to introduce you to some of the finest people on earth.
In order to be fair, I could have written the same amount of incredible things about every one of the staff that I encountered with “GO”, and in fact, I just might do that in the days ahead. We had a informational meeting at the church this weekend for people that are interested in going there in March and I am excited to see how God is going to use this trip to change the lives of all who go, just like it did mine!
What sort of missions are you involved with and how did it affect you?
