The Mind

What do you think about? From people to kids to God to bills to grades to family to friends to well, everything going on in life. I'm wondering if I give God the appropriate mind time? To simply think about God and focus on him, this might be a key point for many of us. Could it be for you? I'm issueing you a challenge, track your thinking, keep some paper and a pen with you and every few minutes try and write down what you've been thinking about. I think maybe you'll be amazed by what you spend your time thinking about. We make budgets on what we spend our money on, we use planners to write down how we will spend our time, how do we budget and measure our think time? Kind of amazing to think about this considering the most important part of our being is our mind and the way we think.

Think about it.

Out,PD

Thanksgiving Day

Man I feel huge right now! I ate way to much today or at least it feels like I did. Have you ever done this? No breakfast, no lunch and then, bring it on! I don't think I actually ate as much as normal I just ate all at once. Tomorrow, fasting.

I was actually thinking today of things much more important, I was wondering how many of my kids, (oxygen, kaio kids), were lonely today. Sometimes this actually weighs me down a little because I know not everyone that I love is experiencing the same love and exceptance that I feel every year around the holidays. I guess that's really what Thanksgiving is genuinly about, love, exceptance and I totally feel that so much from the people around me, I just pray the students God has placed in my life feel the same way. Sadly enough I know all of them do not. If I could today, Christmas day, Easter, New years and any day that was important to each of them, I would tell them how proud of each of them I am and how much I love them. . . . . . . . . The one thing that makes this feeling somehow Ok for me every year is that I know God is there Dad, he loves them more than the most incredible dad in the world.

My Prayer,
God, put Your arms around all of Your kids today. Let each them know how much You love them and care for them. Selfishly, I ask that each of them would know somehow, how much I love them as well. Sometimes life has dealt so many different hands out to so many different kids and they need to all feel that they are just as important to You as the next. The embrace of a father is something so many of Your kids need to feel right now. I know You hear me and respond, thank YOU.

Hears a few first names to help out: ( Like You need it)

Jeff,
Roman,
Ashley,
Brian,
Mark,
Chris,
Mikey,
Rocky,
Andrew,
Tyler,
Morgan,
Micha,
Michele,
Amy,
Will,
Brandon,
Ryan,
Keith,
Matt,
Joe,
Joseph,
Moses,
Adam,
Ross,
Amber,
Alison,
Amanda,
Gabe,
Nate,
Trevor,
Travis,
Alisha,
Sarah,
John,
Aaron,
Mikey,
Kyle,
Josiah,
The Porkers,
DeWayne,
Dwight,
Tamara,
Stephanie,
Virginia,
Bethany,
Heather,
and You know the rest.

PDoug

Youth Convention 05

Wow, convention was awesome! Friday night started with a bang, literally, as the pyro technics blasted a deafining sound followed by dancers and then the sound of thousands of students worshipping God with all there might! I'm not exactly sure what heaven will be like but I feel like we all had a glimpse on these two spectacular days.

One of the stories told at convention was the story of a young lady named Morgan. My life will be changed forever. The story told of abuse and self mutilation, eating dissorders and other self destructive behaviors to God's grace moving her into hope, passion and excitement about her future. God is incredibly good.

I'd love to hear from you if you have some great new songs. Or if you're a song writer and would like to share some music send me a link!

peace.

Another Day in Paradise

Friday, November 4th.

This morning I'm sitting at home with my 2 little boys and I'm amazed at how God creates a life and allows that life to grow and change. I'm so thankful God has given me the most incredible 4 boys and I'm also thankful that God has filled my life with students from Jr. High through College that are full of life. I think the greatest priviledge in my life is watching the students grow and succeed. Even the rough times are ok, because those are the times which make the great times even better!

I am personally involved in more areas of ministry than I ever thought would be possible. I'm in a new phase of life with God allowing me to lead in worship on Sunday mornings as well as Wednesdays. I'm loving it!!! I totally believe God is moving our church into something new and life changing. (God help us to be what you need us to be.)

I know that I'm challenged to be better with time and my energy and love how God is stretching me. I wanted to you something, are you currently in a place where God is stretching you and challenging you to grow? Sometimes we are in these places and we don't like them. I've found that celebrating even in the bad times helps me to understand what God is trying to do with me. Anyway. God bless and have a wonderful day.

PDoug