New Playground

When the Christian School that had been in our facility for 5.5 years moved and purchased another building, they also took the playground they had installed. Fair enough. No hard feelings. We had a couple of years where we didn't have a playground. If you have priced them lately, they aren't cheap. So we prayed and started a giving opportunity called, "Phase II". Well...Phase II involved purchasing and installing 2 playgrounds for our preschoolers and children at RBC. The kids are excited to have such a great place to play. I think they will be even more excited when it warms up outside. :) It has been in the 20's-30's this past week and we are ready and due for some warmer temperatures before we officially start Winter which will be December 21.  That day sounds vaguely familiar. Oh yeah, its because that will be my 35th birthday. Oh my! Anyway, we will look at posting some pictures of the new playgrounds either on the blog or on Facebook. The point is we will get them online for all to see. The parents and children are excited to see that when we work together, we can accomplish much!

Songwriting

Love, love, love writing songs, especially ones that people enjoy singing where they can connect with God. Some of the most memorable times were just God, me, my Bible and a guitar or keys and listening to Him. Typically I have written worship songs/choruses or even songs based on a message from God' heart (I guess they all are, huh?) but you know what I mean...anyway...it may be a time of entering a season where the style of the songwriting is changing and maturing. Hopefully it will be a helpful tool. I will be entering a time of getting with people that are more seasoned than myself and I see that as a great way to learn! I am so pumped!

Anyway, through all of this, I have been praying about opportunities of meeting with local worship leaders who enjoy writing and begin collaborating on songs. So, a few opportunities have presented themselves through building relationships over the past few months to do this such thing. If you are reading this, and you love to write songs, then send me a message on Twitter or Facebook. You can reach me by both of those technological mediums fairly quick. Just look to your right on this page and click on one of those links and it should take you there-if it does not then let me know. 

Well, I am enjoying a day off and can't seem to get away from the computer. Doing some email, listening to new artists, can't decide if I am going to delve into some recording or not today. Its nice being off! 

The People Are The Ministry

Well...the title says it all.

What a blessing and challenge it can be to mentor someone. Mentoring the life of another comes highly recommend! I was mentored, challenged and shaped for doing ministry at a level different than I had experienced before. Today was an opportunity to revel in the work that God has done in a young mans life that I admire. His name is Ryan. Ryan traveled from out of town to visit with his family, friends and show off his new fiance Aimee. I told him he was definitley marrying up! :)

I am sure it was difficult for Aimee to meet so many new people in such a short amount of time. However, she did well and it will be exciting to see God work in their lives as they serve together in ministry.

I was excited and blessed all at the same time when Ryan began to talk about the ministry he is a part of and I could see the growth that has taken place even in the time that we have been a part. At the end of our conversation, Ryan mentioned that he has been so focused and busy that he doesn't have time to build relationships. I reminded him that the people are the ministry and if we lose sight of that we have to refocus. This dialogue was a reminder to me not to lose sight of our focus. Yes, the people are the ministry.

Today in the One Year Bible, Paul talked about being, all things to all men, that I might win some." Melissa and I discussed this in the car on the way back from getting a "Goldies" hamburger. What does that mean? Building relationships and love people.

Might I make a suggestion?

Ask God to help you truly love people. How?

1. Make an effort to build relationships by getting into their world
2. Take opportunities to mentor (even the lost).
3. Stand back and watch God move in incredible ways.