My Grandparents 55th wedding anniversary!!

Today I am traveling to Dalton, GA to celebrate my Grandparents 55th wedding anniversary at Cracker Barrel.  They are so amazing and have always been so supportive of me.  To me they have always been a  picture of Christ, they have not always had much, but everything they have they would give it away to help someone else.  My Grandfather is about 6 foot 3 and my grandmother is about 4 foot 10 they are so cute, she tells him what to do, and being the smart man he is he does it.  They make me laugh so much.  I am looking forward to spending time with them, because I don't get to see them much anymore do to how much I travel.  They are truly inspiring.  And I love them dearly.

FSU and Panama City!!

I am just about to leave Gainesville, Ga and drive to Tallahassee with some of the staff we are meeting a group of college students at FSU, that I will be leading a trip with to the Bahamas in March.  Then I am heading to Panama City for a couple of days to finish setting up a camp there, that will happen this summer.

Hopefully it will be a little warmer there, than it is here right now.  Will post some pictures from that trip soon.

The last two messages that I spoke at City Church youth group are up on the internet at:  nunation.cc/default.aspx?pid=82

Blood Mountain!!

This past Saturday a group of us from the office in Gainesville, decided we would hike blood mountain.  I was thinking it would be a leisurely stroll, I was mistaken.  It ended up being 2.2 miles straight up.  My legs have not burned like that since 2 a days football practice back in high school.  But once we got to the top it was all worth it, to be able to stare off into God's beautiful creation.  We talked about as we were soaking it all in, how can anyone see this and not believe there is a God.

Sunday morning I drove back to Chattanooga to catch the last message in the series called Together at Ethos.  Shannon poured out his heart that we are called to be dreamers, at the end of the service everyone lit candles to symbolize that we were in this together, it was a very moving moment.

Last night I spoke for the second week in a row at NuNation the youth group at City Church, I finished up a series called I Heart God, it has been a really great series to be part of.  At the end of my message called Compelled by Love to Love, I challenged the students to do something not just realize that God loves them, but Be the change.  They responded by coming forward and we had the opportunity to pray for them.  

God is so amazing, and I am blown away that he allows me to part of what he is doing.

Nu nation tonight!

Tonight I am going to be speaking at City Church's youth group called Nu Nation.  My good friend Danny is the youth pastor there and him and his wife are having their first child tonight.  They are in the middle of a series called I Heart God, a series inspired by the book Crazy Love by Frances Chan.  I just got called Friday and ask to speak so it has been a little bit of a rush to put together a message, but it worked out well, and I am excited to share it here in a couple of hours.  I will also be speaking there next week.  

As soon as I finish I will be heading back to Gainesville, to spend all week working at TEAMeffort.  Spring break is drawing near which means camp will soon be here, so there is a lot to get done in a few short weeks.  

I am hooked on Jon Foreman's cd called Limbs and Branches, if you have not heard it, you need to get it.  

Today at Ethos was great, Shannon has had a really tough week with his grandmother passing away, but God really spoke through him, I wish them safe travels as him and his family  travel to South Carolina.

Skiing!!

Today I went skiing in Maggie Valley, NC at Cataloochee ski resort, I could not find anyone to go with me so I went by myself.  Which is the first time I have ever done that.  I drove up from Gainesville, and my parents decided to take a day trip from Chattanooga and met me there, they only watched from the lodge.  It was decent skiing, the snow was pretty good.  I had to break in some new gear I had gotten for Christmas.  Then we had a quick dinner, and I drove about 3 hours to Archdale, NC where I am speaking tomorrow night at a youth event.  A group from Archdale came to the Arizona camp that I was working at this summer, so I am excited about seeing them all.

After the event tomorrow, I will be driving back to Gainesville about a 5 hour drive, so may be a long night.

I am hooked on a band called the Glorious Unseen go check them out, and I just finished reading the Rules of the Red Rubber ball, a really good quick read.  

New Years and Grace!!

I spent New Years Eve in Orlando at the Gaylord Palms resort.  Nevertheless had a concert there, it was absolutely beautiful and a great time.  I am sitting in the passenger seat of the van on our way back, looks like it is going to be a long night.  But I just finished watching a dvd by Louie Giglio called Fruitcake and Icecream.  It was a great reminder of God's Grace, and how much he loves me and you.  

This songs lyrics are amazing and a great reminder:

Everyone needs compassion,

Love that's never failing

Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness, 

The kindness of a Savior,

The hope of nations.

Savior, He can move the mountains, 

My God is Mighty to save, 

He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave,

Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,

All my fears and failures,

Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow

Everything I believe in, 

Now I surrender.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,

We're singing for the glory of the risen KIng...Jesus

My Saviour, He can move the mountains, 

My God is Might to save,

He is mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave, 

Jesus conquered the grave.

Thanks Jesus!!