My family just drove into town from Oklahoma to enjoy Thanksgiving and to hear me preach this weekend! We are having a blast with them here. I’m going to take a social network break for 3 days to unplug for a bit. I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I will leave you with one question though…
What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish??
(I’ll go first…mine is sweet potatoes w marshmellows, and either cinammon sugar, or caramel on top!! )
IN EVERY GRAPE, the history of the vine is told. If it was a good year and the vineyard was properly cared for, then the fruit will burst with sweetness. If the vineyard was neglected, then the fruit will be small and tart. Fruit doesn’t lie. The truth of a branch’s life is found in the harvest. The branch that remains in the vine will reap an abundance of fruit. Likewise, in every person, the story of Christ is told by the way that you stay connected to the heart of the Father. Your story proves whether or not you are demonstrating the love and grace that comes from those who love God.John 15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunesa so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
A couple of weeks ago we were contacted by MSNBC to see if we would allow them to come and do a interview about the YouTube slip up that happened in 2005. The show is called, “Caught on Camera” and it is exactly what it sounds like…people who were doing their jobs or everyday stuff and it was caught on camera. So, it seems that I would be a perfect guy for that show because of what happened to me several years ago, while I was preaching to my students in Colorado. If you don’t know what I’m talking about…just go HERE!
This clip is a small piece of what was going through Ally’s mind when it happened.
Do you have any good stories about you saying something that you didn’t mean to?
We sent our letter to our compassion child 6 months ago and we got two letters from her just this past week! I think it is very fitting that it would happen that way on the week of Thanksgiving! We are so excited to get to be a part of this girls life in a very small way. Her drawings and sweet words were a delight for our family to hear. You should consider sponsoring a precious little one if you’re not already. I love what God is doing through Compassion International, where we can change the world-one child at a time!
Here is how it works: When you sponsor a child, you are linked with one particular child who will know your name, write to you, and treasure the thought that you care. He or she will pray for you often and write to you.
Your tax-deductible contribution of just $38 a month connects your child with a loving, church-based child sponsorship program that provides:
- Food and clean water
- Medical care
- Educational opportunities
- Important life-skills training
- Most important of all, your sponsored child will hear about Jesus Christ and be encouraged to develop a lifelong relationship with God.
Anyhow, I thought you would enjoy the way that my daughters responded to her letter. They go NUTS…I love it!!
I’d love to hear the different places, things, missions, and people that you support-tell me about it!?
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! 
