The "I AMs" in John

"I am the bread of life" (John 6:35,48,51).

"I am the light of the world" (John 8:12).

"I am the door of the sheep"(John 10:7,9).

"I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11,14).

"I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25).

"I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

"I am the true vine" (John 15:1,5).

The 3Rs in Relationships.

This week I had a session at Oak Hill Christian Camp in Mechanicsville, VA with some of the Teens in Training about relationships.

Here are some things I mentioned (Including the 3Rs)

1. The Importance of knowing names.(And the meaning behind them .... a rose by any other name would not be a rose)

2. First Impressions.

3. Looking people in the eye and shaking their hand firmly.

4. The 4 rules of Respect God, Respect Each other, Respect the Property and No Dying.

5. You are sons and daughters of the King ...let's treat each other as God would. He gave us Jesus.

So what are the 3Rs?

1. Be Real. People can tell if you are fake. Be a real friend. Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times.

2. Be Reliable. (Story of David and Jonathon) - be dependable. Be there when a friend needs you - just listen.

3. Be Respectful. You might not always agree with someone but respect and love for people goes a long ways. (Greatest Commandment from Mark 12:28-34 fits here)

MY Six Degrees from Kevin Bacon

They say people are connected about Six degrees from Kevin Bacon. Here is mine:

I met Big John Studd and saw Andre the Giant wrestle in the mid 80s in Brantford, Ontario.

Andre the Giant played a role in one of the great movies, The Princess Bride along with

Christopher Guest.

Christopher Guest was involved with the Movie: (A Great one BTW) A Few Good Men - who also had an actor named:(You guessed it) Kevin Bacon.

Book I'm currently reading ....

what are you currently reading?

An ole Prayer Card.

When I was a young boy I was introduced to some missionaries ... through my teen years I would pray for the Mike and Julie who had served in Africa. I kept this card for almost 30yrs ... I don't know whatever happened to Mike and Julie - other than He was a professor at Lincoln at one time. My prayer is that they are serving God as much as they were 30yrs ago ....

The Head Nut.

Ever get stereotyped?

Have lots going on?

I've been called the "Head Nut"

Which reminds me of the ole phrase of "Our church is just like fudge ...mostly sweet, with a few nuts."

In other words, our church is family. We love each other. We laugh, live, and play together. We have fellowship, community, live life to the fullest ....

How about you? Afterall church isn't a "thing." It is who we are. Let's be the church, nutty people and all ...

Parable of the Fence

Read the Following parable from "Leading the Comeback Church -David Nixon pg.143)

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart.

It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work" the man said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence -- an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place anymore. That'll show him."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide. His jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all -- and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers met at the middle of the bridge, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have so many more bridges to build."

A Perfect Pastor

A Perfect Pastor (pg 102 Leading the Comeback church -David Nixon shares the following from In Holly Humor Cal and Rose Samra the profile of a perfect pastor)

A Perfect Pastor...
Results of a computerized survey show that the perfect pastor...
Preaches exactly 15 minutes, condemns sin, but never upsets anyone.
He works from 8:00 AM until midnight and is also the janitor.
He makes $60 per week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a good car... and gives about $50 per week to the poor.
He is twenty-eight years old and has been preaching for thirty years.
He is wonderfully gentle and handsome.
He has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends all his spare time with senior citizens.
The perfect pastor smiles all the time with a straight face because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously dedicated to his work.
He makes fifteen calls a day on church families, shut-ins and hospitalized;
Spends all his time evangelizing the "unchurched" and is always in his office when needed.
If your pastor does not measure up, simply send this letter to six other churches that are tired of their pastor, too. Then bundle up your pastor and send him to the church at the top of the list.
In one year, you will receive 1,643 pastors and one of them should be perfect.
WARNING!!! Keep this letter going! One church broke the chain and got its old pastor back in less than three months.

Man in the Water

Just used this true story as a sermon illustration this past Sunday.

Why I'm Going to Camp this Summer.

So I'm going to Oak Hill Christian Service Camp this summer and here are some reasons why:


I. I love Camp. Its that simple. It is a great ministry and ministry tool.

II. I love the church staff and board. They spend lots of hours and time planning and wanting to teach students about Jesus.

III. I love my kids and the other kids going too. I really do. My wife and I are sending our children to camp because we believe in it. There is nothing to it. Seeing kids being transformed for Jesus.

IV. It will be fun. Even in the dullest of days it will be fun. From mud pies to swimming to singing silly songs. Camp is fun.

V. It gives opportunity to model Jesus to others.

VI. It will be life changing for me. I think I get as much out of camp as the students. It reminds me that it isn't so much about programs as it is about relationships and being real. (See #5)

VII. There will be Food. Some of the best food I've ever had has been at camp. Nothing like food and fellowship.

How about you? Volunteering for camp this summer? Which one? Why do you go?

Why Church Camp Matters!!

In a few weeks camp season will start. So why Church Camp? Why does it matter at all?


I. Camp can be and is an extension of the church and its ministry. It is a vital mission and equipping of the leaders today and the future.

II. It is life changing. It helps kids have that "Light bulb" turn on and the transforming power of Christ. (Romans 12:1-2)

III. It is equipping. Teaches people to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others daily.

IV. Exposes students to other cultures and ministries. Nothing like those mission moments and the Call to "Go."

V. Supports other ministries. The Funds raised for camp to support other missions are the starting point for many young people to giving and what really matters.

VI. Gives a chance to hear God's Word in a different way. The Chapel talks, Vespers, classes etc. A week of Camp is like a year of Bible School wrapped up nicely to point others to well ...Jesus.

VII. Worship. Teaches students to worship. From the AM to PM to around the campfire .....

VIII. Fun.Fellowship and Family. From the silly games to messy games, swimming, the times together in teams building community and just knowing that this is just a glimpse into what the Family of God is suppose to be like.

IX. Food. Camp is nothing without the great food and snacks and canteen. Contests like how fast can you drink that soda .... and great cooks because they know it isn't just about the physical food but the spiritual that the students are getting as well.

X. Memories that will last a life time. Knowing the times when you finally got this "Jesus" thing. Praying. Telling your friends that you decided to put God first .... and then there were all those "Boy-Girl" relationships at camp. Who knew you could have a girlfriend for one day or the ole phrase "let's just be friends" can be said at camp. Camp brings back so many memories for me it was camps like OCA, Camp Selkirk, Elkhorn, Mahoning, Oak Hill, Park Springs, Tri-state etc.

What memories do you have of camp? Any others to add to why church camp matters?!