Time

Wow, time has flown! I am excited for what God has for me in the future. This past weekend was a time of reflecting about what my Savior did for me! As I was reflecting on that day that Jesus hung on that cross to wipe away my sins, I couldn't help but have a joy in my heart. In this past month I have been presented with a number of opportunities...personal and spiritual. I have been blessed beyond measure and trying to keep that in the front of my mind. I am not saying that it has been easy because it hasn't. This is all new to me for a number of reasons, BUT I know that God is in the very midst of all this that is going on. I thank all those that have prayed and are continuing to pray for and my wife. God is good and he provides! Count your blessings and let others know about them.

I hopefully will be writing again soon...much sooner than this time. Take care and God bless you all.

Aaron

James

Ok, I am sitting at my computer writing this blog but also working on a message for Sunday. First, please pray that I allow God to speak to me and not set an agenda that has NOTHING to do with Him. There has been a great deal that has gone on in my life this past month, but especially this past week. I know God has a plan, BUT I have to ALLOW Him to move and show me where HE wants me to go. Please pray!

One of my favorite books in the Bible is the Book of James. It is a book on conduct. It is clear in how we should live that Christ-like life. I believe that God had it placed (though there are some who don't) in the canonized Bible because he knew that we needed a plain and simple "how to" manual. He knew that we would screw up at times and needed to be reminded often just what it means to be a Christ follower. This is the book in which I will be speaking from Sunday. I am excited about this opportunity, BUT I want to speak in a fresh and new way. I'm not saying that the messages that I (and others) have spoken were not God inspired and truth....they are, but I want to speak a message that looks at this text a little different. In the end, we will get to the same conclusion...we just may take a different road to get there.

Again, please pray for me. Pray for The Church, your local church(es), our families, church services (whenever you have them) and most importantly....God and growing His heavenly kingdom.

Take care and God bless,
Aaron

Last Day

As I sit in my office on the last day as Minister to Youth, Children and Families I keep coming back to a song that was playing in my car on the way in this morning. It touched me more than it has any other time and I am guessing because it was heard through a new lens, that of not being a part of the staff any longer. I listened a little more intent than ever before. The song is entitled "Way Beyond Myself" by Newsboys:

I've been thinking it's about time
To win the war that fights against all the lies invading my mind
You have brought me to my senses
Even though You built this world to shake
You still love me in a personal way
So I think it's time to leave my doubt behind

There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I believe in something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
Giving into something way beyond myself
I'm giving into something way beyond myself

Oh the way we build our empires hoping to impress our friends
We've forgotten how to inspire those who fall to rise again
Oh my God, You've built this world to shake
You still love me in a personal way
So I think it's time to leave my doubt behind

There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I believe in something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
Giving into something way beyond myself
I'm giving into something way beyond myself

Storms are gonna come my way, I know

Some things are out of our control but there's a hope beyond myself
It's You and You will never let me go
Now I want my life to show
You got me thinking beyond myself
Way beyond myself
Yeah!

There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I believe in something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
Giving into something way beyond myself

There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I'm giving into something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees
Giving into something way beyond myself

There's so much more than meets the eye
Or what's going on inside
I'm giving into something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You move me to my knees

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us talented people who write songs and produce music. Because of these people I have been given a moment to hear and reflect; to describe in a way that I otherwise could not, the way I am thinking and feeling. Bless those at the church, bless me and my family as we all move towards your plan you have laid out for us. I love you! Amen.

Peace and Love Be With You,

Aaron

Facebook

I had the opportunity this past week to participate in a one day seminar that talked about all the social media outlets that are around and the ties they have to churches. It was an interesting time of looking in on these new ways of community, which by the way, they are communities. In sitting among ministers who wanted to get a better hold of this new happening I realized that we have a long way to go to provide this outlet to the local churches. Long gone are the days where just snail mail, the pulpit on Sunday mornings, and phone calls are used to promote and inform. See, those things work BUT we have to also realize that we are EXCLUDING a GREAT NUMBER of people if we think that is the only way to communicate with people. And if I'm not mistaking, didn't Jesus make sure that he did not exclude anyone?!? My point is, that as the printing press came along.....things needed to change. Now, as the internet becomes so much more involved in each of our lives.....we need to change!

It has been said so many times before, BUT.........

The message is the same, the packaging HAS to be different! I pray that those who are fitting this "new" technology sit down and work on taking part, it will change your life but that is okay.

I was never good at writing (or that's my thought) but I decided to try this blogging "thing" and I have to say that I enjoy it. I still am no good at it, but look forward to what comes to my mind and fingertips. I have only written twelve posts before this but I get to look back and read these posts and they remind me of times in my life that were blessings that I wanted to share with others. Good and bad, I wanted to share things because I felt that God could work on someone through these times.

Take time today and thank God for the gift of life that He has GIVEN you and ask, "what can I do today that will honor you, Lord, bless others and in turn be a blessing to me?"

Take care and God bless.
Aaron

Family

Well....
I am writing today because (1) it's been way too long since my last blog and (2) I wanted to share with you about family. I have mentioned before that I recently got married. That has been SUCH a blessing....thank you Lord for one of the greatest blessings I have EVER received!!!! In that marriage I gained a father, mother, sister and so many other family members and I am SERIOUS when I say "gained." Now, NO ONE could replace my biological father, mother, sister, grandmother, etc. They are all VERY special to me and will continue to be. I loved getting my Valentine's Day cards from each of these family members....they brought tears to my eyes. What I am getting at is that I have been added unto....God has GIVEN, yes GIVEN me more family. I along with my parents, sister and grandmother all agree that we have been blessed beyond measure because of my wife and my families joining together.

I say all this because for a few days I am getting to spend time with my "other" family doing God things. I was graciously given the opportunity to be a part of a conference that I KNOW God has something for me to hear! In this opportunity I get to visit with family that I don't get to see often. God places people in one's life for a reason. I am learning each day, more about why I have had these particular people placed in my life.

Today, God spoke to me in a way that I have never been spoken to before! That is an exciting thing and and I can't tell you how enthusiastic I am right now....God is good!

Thank you, to all my "new" family! You know who you are (yes, this includes Mark, Lisa and the others)!

Until the next time, take care and God bless.

Aaron

Ain't it fun?

Sorry it has been so long since I last wrote.

Often times I have found myself saying, "it sure would be nice to go back to my middle school years," thinking that it was so much easier. And in some ways it was.....some of the biggest concern was deciding to do homework or not. I'm not saying life was so very easy then, BUT I am saying that it did not carry so many "life decisions." Today, I am celebrating 6 months of marriage to my beautiful wife. Thank you Jessi, for saying yes!! I am EXTREMELY blessed to have 2 great families (of course, they are now 1). I thank God for my Godly wife!! See, this was my beginning thought. Marriage is so much more than two people coming together! It was only one of a number of "life decisions" that I have had to make since middle school!!! I have enjoyed my life so far....yes, even the hard times. Why? Because God's hand has been in it from the beginning!! Yes, there are times that I struggle to understand that or even remember that, BUT in the end I am brought back to that simple concept...it REALLY IS simple....God's hand is upon me! So, though middle school may not have had as many "life decisions" as adulthood (college, grad school, career, purchasing a home, marriage, etc.), I am okay with being a grown up simply because God has me in His hand. I just have to remember that!

Thanks again, Jessi, for your love and care! I am excited for what God has in store for us!

Until next time. God bless.

Aaron

Reflecting on "The Energy Bus"

     As I am preparing to take a group of people through Jon Gordon's "The Energy Bus," I can't help but stop and think often right now about my own bus. I never really thought about my life as bus ride. But, after reading this book it is interesting how many times I have stepped back and referenced the bus analogy in recent weeks. Also, I am amazed at how much a negative atmosphere takes a toll on you. I appreciate Jon and his foresight to write this book because it has given me A LOT to think about. I'm not saying that I have been entrenched in negativity because I haven't but the truth is that it doesn't take much!!! See, that's the point I am trying to make today is that I have been the giver and receiver of some negativity. Jon's book has called attention to that for me and I have been working to change my ride. In his book, Jon reminds the readers that we have a choice EVERYDAY that we can be positive or we can be negative. If we chose to be negative we do not pay ANY attention to who is on our bus (which, by the way, he says we have a right to invite people to get on or off our bus) BUT if we are positive we make a conscious decision to invite POSITIVE people on OUR BUS!
     I encourage you, whether you are a positive person or a negative person right now, to pick up this book and read it. I promise by the time you put it down, God will have worked in you and you will take a more positive approach to living. It amazes me how God works sometimes, though it shouldn't because God IS SO AMAZING!!!
      So, which attitude are you going to take today? Get on your bus, be proud and work hard to make it a ride full of memories and OTHER passengers! Take care and God bless.

Aaron