Today, I had the privilege of being part of the "capital C" CHURCH....It was a very surreal experience. God taught me a lesson that will ever be etched in my heart. As my wife and I headed to a very special place hidden away behind iron bars and doors locked with electronic keys, I prayed God would open my heart to be used the way He would need. I prayed God would help me talk to young people who have been through more in their short lives than most of us will ever go through in a lifetime. I prayed God would use me to reach these young people, to let them know there was a group of men and women who love them, who pray for them, and who will be what the bible says a "Christian should be"....
Little did I know, God had other plans in mind....
As I stood before young men and women, I poured out my heart. I shared why I believe God is the one true God. I told them what Jesus did for us on the cross. I told them about being arrested and how God used that experience to change my life. I showed them tattoos I have to symbolize the experiences I have had. I told them how there were 2 others hanging on crosses beside Jesus.....One of which we assume didn't make it, One we know would be with Jesus in paradise.....I stood before young men and women who are in a different world than most of you reading this could ever imagine. You are probably thinking, "here he goes again....telling me how bad everyone else has it...."
I am glad you are thinking this way....Please continue to read....
As we ended our time together, my prayer over the group was a prayer of heartache and mercy for the kids and staff. It was a prayer for guidance and the mighty hand of God to protect this group. When we finished praying, all of the group said amen together...
I walked over to the administrator in charge and explained how, as a non-profit, we would like to help with shoes and hoodies for each and every child in their care. I told her to forward anyone who wanted to donate moneys to their program our way and we would make sure they got what they needed....
Then it happened....
I was told of a church wanting to help provide items for the young men and women...As we spoke back and forth, God opened my heart by what was said next.....
"We would like to get this group healthy enough to get them all to church."
I felt the Holy Spirit open my heart and mouth at the same time when I replied.....
"We need to get the church healthy enough to come out here."
If you are reading this blog, you may very well be reading it on Easter morning....the very day we as Christians should celebrate our existence.
Why have we allowed ourselves to be programmed into thinking we have to get healthy before we can come to church to hear what God has for us???
Why have we programmed the world we live in, you have to be healthy before they can set foot in our doors???
I have been thinking about this all day long...
Jesus gives us an example of what the Church is supposed to look like...What I read in my bible, shows me Jesus went where the people were....
All of His 12 disciples were chosen....asked personally be Jesus...the records I see show a Savior going out and finding fishers of men...are we doing that?
Look at how Jesus' at the age of 12-13 was in the temple talking to the priests...He went to them...are we doing that?
Look at the Samaritan woman, she was not who he should have been hanging out with all by himself, but he went through Samaria just to have an intentional meeting at the well....are we doing that?
Look at when people were healed of blindness, leprocy, lameness, or death....All show a Savior who went to people who needed what only He has...are we doing that?
Look at when he taught His disciples lessons on the sea, he went to them, walking on the water....Just to save Peter as he sank and teach them lesson after lesson...are we doing that?
He didn't sit in a sanctuary with high tech videography, awesome music, great speakers, and a program taught out of the next best book that some of the worlds best theologian has written(I love it too)....are we doing that?
He went and did what He was called to do....When it was all said and done, He even carried His own cross to His own death...
After he was risen from the grave, He still was on the move...talking and sharing what He had with everyone around Him...
I'm not knocking the church I attend or any other church in general....I am knocking the lack of willingness and the programming we have allowed ourselves to become subjected to...to busy, to hard, need some time to myself, need some time for my family....all excuses I have used too....
It's Easter....What are you going to do about it?
Maybe, as a church, we should get healthy and go find the unhealthy and share what only God has....
I know as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord....
Justin Presley
If you would like to support our cause, please donate....
https://inoroutfaith.cloverdonations.com/homes-hunger-hoodies-kicks/
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Sunday, June 15, 2014
"R.U.N.?"
I recently started a new business with a friend of mine. With my non profit, it was easier and less expensive for me to buy a timing system than to continue to rent one for the races we use to raise money to feed kids. I have done what I always do when it comes to new things in my life. I jump in whole heartedly with out reservation. I like to be in control and make sure everything is done the way I think it should be done. I like to dream of future success both financially and professionally. I dream big and figure out a way to make that happen. Its just the way I am. I try to live out the mindset, "GO BIG OR GO HOME.."
Its funny how God uses things in your life to make sure you are listening to Him. Its funny how you learn lessons in life when you least expect it. Your heart and mind are telling you, you are doing the right thing, but somehow someway, God shows you the truth....
A few days ago I had a dual purpose event. We held a glow run and we were using the glow run to raise money for the non profit. It was only our 3rd race to time and be in complete control. The pre race responsibilities were almost breaking us mentally as we struggled at times to get everything set and completed. The course was difficult to manage due to the physical distance between registration, the start line, and the finish line. I was stressed to the max because I couldn't make sure everything was going the way I felt it should be. During event times, I go into a mode that I thought was very productive. However, I will be proven wrong....
As the race finished, I felt like I had failed. I felt like I was not doing the best job I could have. The runners were thrilled with the race. The timing system did its job. My business partner did awesome. Registration was the best it had ever been. We made more money than we thought we would. It was a great night and I was not in control of any of it...
On several occasions, people would come up to talk and I was so worried about success, I couldn't even enjoy the moment....
The next evening as the entire family went to dinner together, God would use my oldest son to teach me a lesson I would not forget...
We sat at Polos Restaurant in Ada Ok with my entire family. My parents and my brother and his family were all sitting there eating and laughing about the weekend. I made a joke that was just like something I would always do. My son laughed, and said, "well, Dad is back..."
I looked at him as the table went silent...Everyone knew what he was saying except me....
My wife look at me and said,"you are a different person when you have a race. The day before, the day of, and the day after we just have to leave you alone...."
Parker then said, "I can tell you in one word..." As he held up his hand and counted every letter, God began to speak....
"R.U.N."
I sat there....I sat there and understood what my oldest son was saying....I didn't respond, I didn't react, I didn't know what to say....
You see, many times, as fathers, we think we are doing what we should by making money and providing for our family, but we miss the point... We miss the opportunity to serve our families... We miss the opportunity to serve others.... We even miss the opportunity to serve God....
R U N for being a great husband?
R U N for being a great father?
R U N for being a great leader?
It doesn't take money... It takes guts and desire to serve God, Family, and others....
Today is Fathers Day, what commitment will you make to be a better dad?
Its funny how God uses things in your life to make sure you are listening to Him. Its funny how you learn lessons in life when you least expect it. Your heart and mind are telling you, you are doing the right thing, but somehow someway, God shows you the truth....
A few days ago I had a dual purpose event. We held a glow run and we were using the glow run to raise money for the non profit. It was only our 3rd race to time and be in complete control. The pre race responsibilities were almost breaking us mentally as we struggled at times to get everything set and completed. The course was difficult to manage due to the physical distance between registration, the start line, and the finish line. I was stressed to the max because I couldn't make sure everything was going the way I felt it should be. During event times, I go into a mode that I thought was very productive. However, I will be proven wrong....
As the race finished, I felt like I had failed. I felt like I was not doing the best job I could have. The runners were thrilled with the race. The timing system did its job. My business partner did awesome. Registration was the best it had ever been. We made more money than we thought we would. It was a great night and I was not in control of any of it...
On several occasions, people would come up to talk and I was so worried about success, I couldn't even enjoy the moment....
The next evening as the entire family went to dinner together, God would use my oldest son to teach me a lesson I would not forget...
We sat at Polos Restaurant in Ada Ok with my entire family. My parents and my brother and his family were all sitting there eating and laughing about the weekend. I made a joke that was just like something I would always do. My son laughed, and said, "well, Dad is back..."
I looked at him as the table went silent...Everyone knew what he was saying except me....
My wife look at me and said,"you are a different person when you have a race. The day before, the day of, and the day after we just have to leave you alone...."
Parker then said, "I can tell you in one word..." As he held up his hand and counted every letter, God began to speak....
"R.U.N."
I sat there....I sat there and understood what my oldest son was saying....I didn't respond, I didn't react, I didn't know what to say....
You see, many times, as fathers, we think we are doing what we should by making money and providing for our family, but we miss the point... We miss the opportunity to serve our families... We miss the opportunity to serve others.... We even miss the opportunity to serve God....
R U N for being a great husband?
R U N for being a great father?
R U N for being a great leader?
It doesn't take money... It takes guts and desire to serve God, Family, and others....
Today is Fathers Day, what commitment will you make to be a better dad?
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
War Zone Everyday......
This morning as I drove to work, I happened to receive an update on a post from last night on Facebook. As I glanced at it, something caught my eye. Something that has hit me at the core of who I am. The post simply read, "Pray for Byng Schools..." When I got to the office, I sat in my car and cried as I read about my children's school being the topic of a possible attack. I immediately called my home to see if anyone was able to talk. As my son answered, I told him I loved him. I told him to be aware of anything out of the ordinary. I told him to pray for protection today and I was praying for him too. I told him to pay attention and if there were people at the school who weren't normally there to make sure and tell someone....
I asked to talk to his sister and she had already headed out the door and I didn't get to talk to her. Then, in the stillness of the parking lot with my car running, I prayed. I prayed for my children. I prayed for all the students. I prayed for my children's teachers. I prayed for the kids who wrote such horrific posts on social media pages.
When I was talking to my son, I felt as if I was sending him into battle...I thought that today he could be fighting for his life or someone else's. I had thoughts of total desperation of what may happen based on threats....
Then God said, "Why are you only worried about today? Why are you only worried about the worst case scenario? "Are they ready?"
Parents,
We are sending our kids into battle each and every day. We send them into a place of beauty and darkness. We must be more active in prayer daily for our children. I don't think we understand our children are learning more about "sex, drugs, and rock and roll" at an earlier age than we ever did. There are kids all around the state who are experimenting with sex and drugs at earlier and earlier ages.....
We send our kids into a war zone of peer pressure and bullying. We send our kids into a war zone where their faith may be put to the test. We send our kids into war every day.....
The questions on my heart are.......
Are my children equipped to handle the war they are in?
Have I done all I could do to make sure when the battle begins they can fight?
Have I made sure they know I love them?
Have I taught them who God is by my actions?
Am I ready for the war they are in?
The fact is, today should be an eye opening experience for all of us.....
What are you going to do now?
Justin Presley
I asked to talk to his sister and she had already headed out the door and I didn't get to talk to her. Then, in the stillness of the parking lot with my car running, I prayed. I prayed for my children. I prayed for all the students. I prayed for my children's teachers. I prayed for the kids who wrote such horrific posts on social media pages.
When I was talking to my son, I felt as if I was sending him into battle...I thought that today he could be fighting for his life or someone else's. I had thoughts of total desperation of what may happen based on threats....
Then God said, "Why are you only worried about today? Why are you only worried about the worst case scenario? "Are they ready?"
Parents,
We are sending our kids into battle each and every day. We send them into a place of beauty and darkness. We must be more active in prayer daily for our children. I don't think we understand our children are learning more about "sex, drugs, and rock and roll" at an earlier age than we ever did. There are kids all around the state who are experimenting with sex and drugs at earlier and earlier ages.....
We send our kids into a war zone of peer pressure and bullying. We send our kids into a war zone where their faith may be put to the test. We send our kids into war every day.....
The questions on my heart are.......
Are my children equipped to handle the war they are in?
Have I done all I could do to make sure when the battle begins they can fight?
Have I made sure they know I love them?
Have I taught them who God is by my actions?
Am I ready for the war they are in?
The fact is, today should be an eye opening experience for all of us.....
What are you going to do now?
Justin Presley
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Just the plain simple truth.....
This blog isn't a feel good one, so if you can't handle the truth, stop right now....just a warning...
I am sitting in my living room at 12:02 am in complete darkness listening to the kids tv blaring as they sleep, the wind is whispering outside the windows, a humidifier is buzzing down the hall, and I can't sleep. My mind is racing in several different directions. Occasionally the sound of a car races by my house. I'm wondering why I feel so lost. I have felt like something in my life isn't as it should be. I am not doing anything wrong. I am just so overwhelmed with ideas and strategy I can't move. It is like I am frozen in time and just getting lost in the shuffle and hustle of baseball tournaments, tball games, end of year programs, field trips, business decisions, ministry decisions, working out, and anything else you throw at us on a daily basis. I know none of you reading this feel the same way.
I met with a dear friend of mine this week and we discussed all that was going on with our lives. We talked about all the things interfering with what we should be doing. I began to feel a strong sense of stress and conviction in my heart.
You see, the reason I am so out of sorts, God isn't where he should be in my life. I have allowed time, effort, energy, and desire to get in the way of His place in my life. I haven't been the spiritual leader in my home that I should be. My quiet time has been taken over by sleep and car rides for work. My scriptural desire has been replaced with strategic planning sessions and a desire of success. I have replaced God with DVR recordings and conversations about business decisions. I haven't done it on purpose, but it has happened. My wife and I have replaced good conversation about the direction in our marriage with deciding where the kids are going so we can make all the events we have placed at such a huge priority in life.
Where is God in all this? I think we have just set him on the shelf and forgot Him. I truly believe we have done this without malice towards our beliefs and love for Him. We just have gotten too busy.
Tonight I laid in bed and prayed to God to help me. To guide me. To give me the courage to make the changes necessary in my life to be what I told Him I would be when I answered the call He has on my life. I begged His forgiveness. I asked Him to work in Heather's heart and my heart and bring us closer to Him and each other. I pleaded with Him to help me stand as a man of God in front of my children no matter where we are. I prayed he would give me the courage to leap and become the leader He needs me to be outside of the home. I asked Him to guide me in the decisions I need to make.
Maybe you feel the same way I do....But tonight, God has taken over and I am resting in the shadow of the Almighty...
It is time for us to do what God has called us to do...No matter how crazy it may seem....
and show him my salvation.”
I am sitting in my living room at 12:02 am in complete darkness listening to the kids tv blaring as they sleep, the wind is whispering outside the windows, a humidifier is buzzing down the hall, and I can't sleep. My mind is racing in several different directions. Occasionally the sound of a car races by my house. I'm wondering why I feel so lost. I have felt like something in my life isn't as it should be. I am not doing anything wrong. I am just so overwhelmed with ideas and strategy I can't move. It is like I am frozen in time and just getting lost in the shuffle and hustle of baseball tournaments, tball games, end of year programs, field trips, business decisions, ministry decisions, working out, and anything else you throw at us on a daily basis. I know none of you reading this feel the same way.
I met with a dear friend of mine this week and we discussed all that was going on with our lives. We talked about all the things interfering with what we should be doing. I began to feel a strong sense of stress and conviction in my heart.
You see, the reason I am so out of sorts, God isn't where he should be in my life. I have allowed time, effort, energy, and desire to get in the way of His place in my life. I haven't been the spiritual leader in my home that I should be. My quiet time has been taken over by sleep and car rides for work. My scriptural desire has been replaced with strategic planning sessions and a desire of success. I have replaced God with DVR recordings and conversations about business decisions. I haven't done it on purpose, but it has happened. My wife and I have replaced good conversation about the direction in our marriage with deciding where the kids are going so we can make all the events we have placed at such a huge priority in life.
Where is God in all this? I think we have just set him on the shelf and forgot Him. I truly believe we have done this without malice towards our beliefs and love for Him. We just have gotten too busy.
Tonight I laid in bed and prayed to God to help me. To guide me. To give me the courage to make the changes necessary in my life to be what I told Him I would be when I answered the call He has on my life. I begged His forgiveness. I asked Him to work in Heather's heart and my heart and bring us closer to Him and each other. I pleaded with Him to help me stand as a man of God in front of my children no matter where we are. I prayed he would give me the courage to leap and become the leader He needs me to be outside of the home. I asked Him to guide me in the decisions I need to make.
Maybe you feel the same way I do....But tonight, God has taken over and I am resting in the shadow of the Almighty...
It is time for us to do what God has called us to do...No matter how crazy it may seem....
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
My Shadow….His Lesson…
As I got into the truck with Shawn to head to Dallas, I was nervous as a cat on a tin roof. When we arrived at DFW, I was still nervous about what was going ot happen. What would these people be like? How would the plane ride be? Would it be hot there? Would the people like me? Would I really see what I sought out to see? All these questions were running through my mind and I couldn't help but wonder. Then I started meeting each person I would be sharing this experience with one by one. I worried about being accepted by the group and worried I would be too much for them to handle. Boarding the plane was the final straw. I knew I was going to Honduras. I was going to leave my comfortable life with my beautiful wife and 4 awesome kids to go serve in a foreign country.
Walking off the bus will be a moment I never forget. My eyes gazed at an amazing landscape. One where dogs, cows, vultures, and humans live side by side. I looked at the people who work and live in the dump as they formed 2 lines for the food they were going to receive. I found myself with feelings of anger at the fact they were even there. I found myself with feelings of sadness that we as humans have allowed this to happen.
I held back tears as I saw young children walking to the back of the truck to get a piece of chicken and a fruit drink. I wondered what their story was or if I even wanted to know. As they reached for their chicken, I noticed the dirt and filth on their hands and clothes. I noticed the miss matched shoes falling off their feet because they didn't fit or were just worn out.
I thought about all my family had and I felt guilty. I felt like I had never felt before. I stood in the back of a pickup watching person after person lifted their hands, covered in dirt and grime with finger nails black with filth reaching for some food and I was angry. I was angry that humans had allowed this…We had turned our back and allowed this to be…I was mad the country was allowing people to live like this and not do anything about it…All I could do was watch and pray…As I walked off by myself to wipe the tears I had falling off my cheeks, I noticed my shadow in front of me on the ground of the dump.
I was there. I wasn't sitting in the comfort of my office, home, car, or restaurant. I wasn't talking about what we should buy my kids for Christmas. In that moment, I wasn't worried about what I was going to eat for dinner. I wasn't worried about what pair of shoes I was going to wear. I wasn't thinking about anything except what God needed me to do to change this type of situation….I wasn't thinking about how I could make my life better, I was thinking of how I could make others life better….
If you have read this far, you will probably get mad in the next few sentences….
1. You have more than you need.
2. You have more than you deserve.
3. You need to give more to others.
4. You have a responsibility as a human to help others in need.
5. If you are a "Christian", you have a command from God to treat others better than yourself.
6. Your children have more than they need.
7. If your kids can't tell you what they want for Christmas, think about what that means…
These statements are what went through my mind as I looked at my shadow when I was standing in the dump. Then I looked up and saw the beauty of Gods love. I saw God in the eyes of the people living and working in the dump for less than $1.00 to $4.00 a day. You see, I went to Honduras to do what I thought was mission work for others and in the last day, I finally saw what Gods mission for us really is. He tells us to love others more than we love ourselves. We get hung up on all the details of music or no music, shorts or no shorts, hymnals or no hymnals, names on church buildings and whether or not they are the right church because they believe the right thing, doctrine, family, how much money we have in the bank, and the list goes on….
Jesus said, "Whatever you do to the least of these, You have done to me…"
What have you done for others…..
When the plane touched down in Tegus, my life would never be the same. I had no idea what would begin to happen in my heart and mind. God was going to make me so uncomfortable in my own skin, it was crazy.
There are so many stories to tell and I will tell them one by one as I learn the lessons God has taught me.
The Dump....
All week long and ever since I decided to go to Honduras, I heard about the dump and how crazy it was. I heard all the stories of despair, grief, challenge, smell, people, children, cows, vultures, gangs, lawlessness, poverty, and hope.
On the last day of our week, we finally worked it out to go to the dump. I was amazed as we begin to drive into the dump. What hits you first is the smell. If you have ever smelled rotten eggs and dirty feet with a little bit of dead fish all mixed up together, you would not even begin to come close to what the dump smells like. Driving in on the bus, we were told to make sure we put all our windows up so no one could reach in and take our valuables. We were then instructed to make sure we didn't leave any of our cameras or phones laying around or they would become property of the dump.
Walking off the bus will be a moment I never forget. My eyes gazed at an amazing landscape. One where dogs, cows, vultures, and humans live side by side. I looked at the people who work and live in the dump as they formed 2 lines for the food they were going to receive. I found myself with feelings of anger at the fact they were even there. I found myself with feelings of sadness that we as humans have allowed this to happen.
I held back tears as I saw young children walking to the back of the truck to get a piece of chicken and a fruit drink. I wondered what their story was or if I even wanted to know. As they reached for their chicken, I noticed the dirt and filth on their hands and clothes. I noticed the miss matched shoes falling off their feet because they didn't fit or were just worn out.
I thought about all my family had and I felt guilty. I felt like I had never felt before. I stood in the back of a pickup watching person after person lifted their hands, covered in dirt and grime with finger nails black with filth reaching for some food and I was angry. I was angry that humans had allowed this…We had turned our back and allowed this to be…I was mad the country was allowing people to live like this and not do anything about it…All I could do was watch and pray…As I walked off by myself to wipe the tears I had falling off my cheeks, I noticed my shadow in front of me on the ground of the dump.
I was there. I wasn't sitting in the comfort of my office, home, car, or restaurant. I wasn't talking about what we should buy my kids for Christmas. In that moment, I wasn't worried about what I was going to eat for dinner. I wasn't worried about what pair of shoes I was going to wear. I wasn't thinking about anything except what God needed me to do to change this type of situation….I wasn't thinking about how I could make my life better, I was thinking of how I could make others life better….
If you have read this far, you will probably get mad in the next few sentences….
1. You have more than you need.
2. You have more than you deserve.
3. You need to give more to others.
4. You have a responsibility as a human to help others in need.
5. If you are a "Christian", you have a command from God to treat others better than yourself.
6. Your children have more than they need.
7. If your kids can't tell you what they want for Christmas, think about what that means…
These statements are what went through my mind as I looked at my shadow when I was standing in the dump. Then I looked up and saw the beauty of Gods love. I saw God in the eyes of the people living and working in the dump for less than $1.00 to $4.00 a day. You see, I went to Honduras to do what I thought was mission work for others and in the last day, I finally saw what Gods mission for us really is. He tells us to love others more than we love ourselves. We get hung up on all the details of music or no music, shorts or no shorts, hymnals or no hymnals, names on church buildings and whether or not they are the right church because they believe the right thing, doctrine, family, how much money we have in the bank, and the list goes on….
Jesus said, "Whatever you do to the least of these, You have done to me…"
What have you done for others…..
Friday, November 22, 2013
"You want to know how big GOD is?"
I am absolutely amazed at how big God is. All we have been through in the past year and where we are right now is like night and day. It was about this time last year I finally decided to start a ministry and follow God's call on my life. It wasn't long before all hell would break loose and God would show me exactly how he needed to use me in this world. Up until the lowest point in my life, secluded from friends and family, my job, and what I thought was important, I was going to use God to get what I wanted out of life. I was going to use God to make a name for myself. I was going to use God to get riches and glory from man….
I know none of you reading have ever thought that….I just hope lightning doesn't strike close to you….
So how big is God? Let me tell you…
2 months ago I decided to raise money for kids in the Ada area who do not eat after they leave school. The only meals they get are at school each and every day. The schools are aware of the problem and every friday selected kids gets back pack to take home with enough food to last throughout the weekend so they won't go hungry. I didn't know how, what, or when, but I did know God was calling me to raise money to feed hungry children. I started reading my bible and praying about how we could do this? What would it take? What did I need to do? One day as I read, I found a story where Jesus fed 5000 people strong.
The disciples were in the same place I was…How, Where, Why….they asked Jesus…He replied,"You go feed them…."
There was no debate…Then I read a little further in the scripture. It says that Jesus took what they had and blessed it and it fed everyone and there was enough left over for 12 baskets full of fish and bread…
Wow, thats how big God is…
We just decided to go feed them….
Over the past few months, I have seen people donate money, time, energy, and effort they didn't have too for our cause. I have seen God provide interviews on TV and in the newspaper so we didn't have to spend money and take away form the reason we are doing this. I have seen God change peoples heart by bringing awareness of the needs in our own town. I have seen God move in schools and groups of students who are donating time to help at our event. I have seen churches donate without question of obligation or affiliation. I have seen young children willing to give up money so they can help their friends that don't get to eat. On Saturday night, November 23, God is going to bless our efforts to raise money for hungry children in our area…
Thats how big God is…
As I walked out of the Pontotoc County Agri Plex yesterday, I looked across the north parking lot and stopped and stared at the Pontotoc County Justice Center…where just 10 months ago, I sat in a jail cell at the lowest point in my life. In an instant, I was brought back to how big God is. How he provided a way for truth to shine through. You see, God doesn't need any help doing His job…He is the boss, we just need to work…
I challenge you today, to make a difference…I challenge you today, to check yourself with God's word…I challenge you today, to let God take over…..
For more information on how you can help go to www.inoroutfaith.com or you can register for our event @ www.signmeup.com/95798
Saturday, March 16, 2013
We got to be BOLD!!!!
As I read my bible this morning, I was reminded of how bold the disciples were. I read where Peter addressed the crowd after Jesus went to heaven and over 3000 people were saved. After I read that passage, I began to think about all the others in the bible and in life that were bold. I thought about Stephen. I thought about John the Baptist. I thought about Elijah. I thought about the young lady from Columbine who said there is a God. I thought about my grandmother who has always looked to heaven for direction. I thought about David taking down Goliath. I thought about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendigo. I thought about how bold it was for Mary to birth the King of Kings. I thought about how bold it was for Jesus to come to earth to be just like us only to die on a cross for each of our sins.
I thought about all the times I have had the chance to be bold for Christ and I have not took the opportunity. Why do we, as followers of Christ, not want to be bold every day? Why do we not want to listen to the call of God on our life? Why do we not want to let our light shine? Why do we not want to bring our God to a lost and dying world?
All of us have our own excuses and cop outs to not take responsibility for not being bold. I know until recently being bold wasn't something I even thought about. I felt like God was there for me to use to get by daily when I needed Him. I thought God was there for me to call on when I needed something. Maybe talk to him when something or someone was sick or even died. I thought God was at church and thats where we meet him each week and then we leave Him there and go back home. I think there are several reasons we are afraid to be bold for Christ....
Here are some of my reasons....
I thought about all the times I have had the chance to be bold for Christ and I have not took the opportunity. Why do we, as followers of Christ, not want to be bold every day? Why do we not want to listen to the call of God on our life? Why do we not want to let our light shine? Why do we not want to bring our God to a lost and dying world?
All of us have our own excuses and cop outs to not take responsibility for not being bold. I know until recently being bold wasn't something I even thought about. I felt like God was there for me to use to get by daily when I needed Him. I thought God was there for me to call on when I needed something. Maybe talk to him when something or someone was sick or even died. I thought God was at church and thats where we meet him each week and then we leave Him there and go back home. I think there are several reasons we are afraid to be bold for Christ....
Here are some of my reasons....
- I didn't want people to know the real me.
- I was scared it might not be as cool as joking around all the time.
- I didn't fear God like I should.
- I was focused on me.
Over the past few months, God has shown me several things. One thing He has challenged me to do is BE BOLD! He has challenged me to tell my story of how He has changed my life and continues to do so. He has challenged me to be REAL. He has challenged me to be BOLD about my faith with everyone I can. He has taught me to fear him. He has challenged me to focus on others and not myself. He has challenged me to do something I never thought would happen.
Start a ministry!!
I ask you to be bold and pray as Heather and I, along with several others, develop a ministry designed to be the hands and feet of the body Christ to serve a lost and dying world.
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess."
Hebrews 4:14
We are planning an "Community Wide Candle Light Service" at Kerr Dome in Ada, Oklahoma on Easter evening. We ask you pray that God will move across our community and teach all of us to be Bold....
Details will follow as they develop....If you would like to help and be involved, please email us @
Monday, February 25, 2013
our ways are not His ways....
As I set this morning, I reflect over the past 7 weeks of my life. How much we have been through. I think about the emotional roller coaster we are still on. I remember the initial shock as if it were happening right now. I can still feel the lump in my throat and the nerves in my stomach just bring me to my knees. I can remember the loneliness and isolation I felt. I find myself still dealing with emotions and sometimes wanting to scream out and then immediately turning to tears. I remember how cold and alone I was as I waited to go home. I remember worrying about money, pride, home, reputation, job, career, and a host of other things running through my mind. It was at that very moment I heard God clearer than I have ever heard Him before..."None of that matters..."
Something inside me broke that very instant. God began to speak to me in a way I never knew possible. You see, when He is all you have and all you may end up with, He is more than enough. I laid there secluded from the world not knowing any outcome or what the future held for me. I knew I was innocent, God knew I was innocent, and my family knew I was innocent. What God revealed to me in my darkest hour was, He was enough. I started talking to Him and discussing what did matter. He began to reveal to me what was between me and Him making Him unable to work in my life. He began to reveal to me why He needed to get my attention. It was not pretty. It was not politically correct. It was the cold hard TRUTH. I was a "sinner christian", hypocrite, or just a church goer! I sang the song we know, "I'll go to the darkest places, I'll go to the hurting faces, I'll go to the orphaned children, I'll go to the world they live in..." and then I would GO get in my car and GO eat lunch and GO back to the life I wanted to live and GO back to being a casual christian and GO back to being concerned about my needs and GO back to being what everyone expected me to be...... I had a plan to use God to get what I wanted. He had a plan to use me to get what HE needed. I had allowed so many things to get in between me and God, no wonder he needed to get my attention. The crazy things was, it was every day sin that had become the norm. I was so callused I had become accustomed to allowing sin to be a part of my daily routine. I was broken and spill out before God.
My prayer to Him changed in an instant. I began to pray for my wife. I couldn't imagine what she was going through. I prayed for Parker as he wondered why so many people were at our house and everyone was crying. I prayed for Faith as she had no idea what was going on. I prayed for Ethan and Emma that they would understand someday how powerful God is. I prayed that they would depend on God and I prayed that I had been a good enough example for them to know who to turn too. I began to feel a peace and a presence I have never felt.
My life has been forever changed. It will never be the same. As I set here now, feeling much like Jonah as he was spit up on dry land. I am pretty sure I know where my Ninevah is, but I know where I'll GO as soon as he gives the word...
My first Ninevah was my HOME....
There are 3 things I now strive to be the most important in my life....
1. God
2. Heather
3. Parker, Faith, Ethan, & Emma
Its weird that my name is no longer on top....It's scary to think "I" stood in the way of my family, myself and what God needed of me.....
This is the scripture that got me through the tough times. I read it every day for 7 weeks...I read it this morning...It still rings true and will forever....
Something inside me broke that very instant. God began to speak to me in a way I never knew possible. You see, when He is all you have and all you may end up with, He is more than enough. I laid there secluded from the world not knowing any outcome or what the future held for me. I knew I was innocent, God knew I was innocent, and my family knew I was innocent. What God revealed to me in my darkest hour was, He was enough. I started talking to Him and discussing what did matter. He began to reveal to me what was between me and Him making Him unable to work in my life. He began to reveal to me why He needed to get my attention. It was not pretty. It was not politically correct. It was the cold hard TRUTH. I was a "sinner christian", hypocrite, or just a church goer! I sang the song we know, "I'll go to the darkest places, I'll go to the hurting faces, I'll go to the orphaned children, I'll go to the world they live in..." and then I would GO get in my car and GO eat lunch and GO back to the life I wanted to live and GO back to being a casual christian and GO back to being concerned about my needs and GO back to being what everyone expected me to be...... I had a plan to use God to get what I wanted. He had a plan to use me to get what HE needed. I had allowed so many things to get in between me and God, no wonder he needed to get my attention. The crazy things was, it was every day sin that had become the norm. I was so callused I had become accustomed to allowing sin to be a part of my daily routine. I was broken and spill out before God.
My prayer to Him changed in an instant. I began to pray for my wife. I couldn't imagine what she was going through. I prayed for Parker as he wondered why so many people were at our house and everyone was crying. I prayed for Faith as she had no idea what was going on. I prayed for Ethan and Emma that they would understand someday how powerful God is. I prayed that they would depend on God and I prayed that I had been a good enough example for them to know who to turn too. I began to feel a peace and a presence I have never felt.
My life has been forever changed. It will never be the same. As I set here now, feeling much like Jonah as he was spit up on dry land. I am pretty sure I know where my Ninevah is, but I know where I'll GO as soon as he gives the word...
My first Ninevah was my HOME....
There are 3 things I now strive to be the most important in my life....
1. God
2. Heather
3. Parker, Faith, Ethan, & Emma
Its weird that my name is no longer on top....It's scary to think "I" stood in the way of my family, myself and what God needed of me.....
This is the scripture that got me through the tough times. I read it every day for 7 weeks...I read it this morning...It still rings true and will forever....
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The Beginning or The End - Day 30
Day 30
You are done with your family action plan. You are done and today I just want you to reflect on the past 30 days. I want you to remember the feelings you had as you held your children, you saw your spouse walking down the aisle, any commitments you have made in life, and any brutally honest feelings you have in your heart when it comes to serving God.
I remember the first time I held each of my children. Each one them looked at me and their mother as we held them in our arms and they knew. You could see the peace that would come over them as we picked them up. As they have gotten older, that hasn't changed. They still come to us for comfort. They still need us to pick them up and hold them for a broken arm. They may need to tell us a story for 30 minutes at a time. They may need us to sign their homework or change their diaper. They may need to come over and eat because they don't have enough money to get by until payday. They may need to ask us about our mortgage rate or how to fix a pilot light on the hot water heater that keeps going out. (Yes, I am speaking from experience.)
I remember watching Heather and Faith walk down the aisle as Parker and I were waiting to join them in marriage. I was scared and happy all at the same time. Our lives would forever be different. Going into our relationship, it was evident we would have some obstacles to overcome. We were blending 2 families together. We had our different ways of doing things as single parents and our ways were right. Our kids were accustomed to a specific way of life. It was amazing how God brought us together and when we thought it was too much at times, God held us together. Even when we thought it was all our doing, it was really His.
I remember telling our families Heather and I were having a baby. That would be 3 kids total. Everyone was just as happy as they could be. Ethan would be the final chapter in our relationship before raising our family. Then when the Emma bomb fell, once again, God had different plans. I was scared. I didn't know how. I didn't know why. I didn't know what we would do. God was doing what he does. His choices for us were already made. 4 kids are what He felt we needed. Whether we thought so or not.
Well, God thought 5 kids would be better. In the past few months, God has laid it on our hearts to be parents for someone else when we can. Due to circumstances beyond our control, God has saw us fit to add another child to the mix. If only for a few days a week, we have a responsibility to do what we can to provide stability in this child's life.
I remember 33 days ago when I made the commitment to start a blog over Faith and Family. I didn't know how. I didn't know when. I really didn't even know why. The only thing I did know, God wanted me too. I will be the first to tell you I was scared every time I sat down at my computer. I was also scared when I saw several of you face to face. I didn't know how the blog would be taken or if it would be beneficial to anyone. I felt a sense of accountability from the blog. Things that would be a normal occurrence in my life, have became less important. I understand people are watching me and the way I live my life. Most importantly, I am aware of my kids watching me. They are making their future plans on how we raise them right now. You may think they aren't but they are. I also understand my wife needs me to be the husband and father God has called me to be.
I want to be completely honest with you. I had to make a choice to be a Christian Husband/Father. It wasn't easy. It sucks working to make the right decisions all the time. It is devastating when you fail. It's uncomfortable leading your family the way Jesus would have you to. In no way am I an expert on raising a family or a theologian, I am just doing what I feel God has called me to do. I honestly just want the opportunity to speak about what God is doing in our family and hopefully it will help someone else do what God has called them to do. I want the chance to start a ministry for the family to get information and ideas to put God 1st in their lives and home.
What is the cost of your family? How much would they be worth? Is your family worth seeing when you get to heaven?
Let me tell you what the cost is....It has been paid...Jesus died for you and your family. He paid the price and all we have to do is choose to follow Him....
It's your choice. You are either IN or OUT... It's your choice.
Joshua 24:15
"But if serving the Lord is undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But for me and my house we will serve the Lord."
Last Challenge:
I need your feedback. I need to honestly know what you have thought about this blog and the material and challenges in each day. I don't care if you read one day or all days. I need your feedback.
Please email me @ justinpresley1977@gmail.com and tell me your thoughts or just comment on the blog....
justin presley
You are done with your family action plan. You are done and today I just want you to reflect on the past 30 days. I want you to remember the feelings you had as you held your children, you saw your spouse walking down the aisle, any commitments you have made in life, and any brutally honest feelings you have in your heart when it comes to serving God.
I remember the first time I held each of my children. Each one them looked at me and their mother as we held them in our arms and they knew. You could see the peace that would come over them as we picked them up. As they have gotten older, that hasn't changed. They still come to us for comfort. They still need us to pick them up and hold them for a broken arm. They may need to tell us a story for 30 minutes at a time. They may need us to sign their homework or change their diaper. They may need to come over and eat because they don't have enough money to get by until payday. They may need to ask us about our mortgage rate or how to fix a pilot light on the hot water heater that keeps going out. (Yes, I am speaking from experience.)
I remember watching Heather and Faith walk down the aisle as Parker and I were waiting to join them in marriage. I was scared and happy all at the same time. Our lives would forever be different. Going into our relationship, it was evident we would have some obstacles to overcome. We were blending 2 families together. We had our different ways of doing things as single parents and our ways were right. Our kids were accustomed to a specific way of life. It was amazing how God brought us together and when we thought it was too much at times, God held us together. Even when we thought it was all our doing, it was really His.
I remember telling our families Heather and I were having a baby. That would be 3 kids total. Everyone was just as happy as they could be. Ethan would be the final chapter in our relationship before raising our family. Then when the Emma bomb fell, once again, God had different plans. I was scared. I didn't know how. I didn't know why. I didn't know what we would do. God was doing what he does. His choices for us were already made. 4 kids are what He felt we needed. Whether we thought so or not.
Well, God thought 5 kids would be better. In the past few months, God has laid it on our hearts to be parents for someone else when we can. Due to circumstances beyond our control, God has saw us fit to add another child to the mix. If only for a few days a week, we have a responsibility to do what we can to provide stability in this child's life.
I remember 33 days ago when I made the commitment to start a blog over Faith and Family. I didn't know how. I didn't know when. I really didn't even know why. The only thing I did know, God wanted me too. I will be the first to tell you I was scared every time I sat down at my computer. I was also scared when I saw several of you face to face. I didn't know how the blog would be taken or if it would be beneficial to anyone. I felt a sense of accountability from the blog. Things that would be a normal occurrence in my life, have became less important. I understand people are watching me and the way I live my life. Most importantly, I am aware of my kids watching me. They are making their future plans on how we raise them right now. You may think they aren't but they are. I also understand my wife needs me to be the husband and father God has called me to be.
I want to be completely honest with you. I had to make a choice to be a Christian Husband/Father. It wasn't easy. It sucks working to make the right decisions all the time. It is devastating when you fail. It's uncomfortable leading your family the way Jesus would have you to. In no way am I an expert on raising a family or a theologian, I am just doing what I feel God has called me to do. I honestly just want the opportunity to speak about what God is doing in our family and hopefully it will help someone else do what God has called them to do. I want the chance to start a ministry for the family to get information and ideas to put God 1st in their lives and home.
What is the cost of your family? How much would they be worth? Is your family worth seeing when you get to heaven?
Let me tell you what the cost is....It has been paid...Jesus died for you and your family. He paid the price and all we have to do is choose to follow Him....
It's your choice. You are either IN or OUT... It's your choice.
Joshua 24:15
"But if serving the Lord is undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But for me and my house we will serve the Lord."
Last Challenge:
I need your feedback. I need to honestly know what you have thought about this blog and the material and challenges in each day. I don't care if you read one day or all days. I need your feedback.
Please email me @ justinpresley1977@gmail.com and tell me your thoughts or just comment on the blog....
justin presley
Monday, October 29, 2012
Finishing Touches - Day 29
Day 29
After our family fun day, I am wore out. Somehow we ended up at the Byng Track playing kickball in the grass. I think the kids had some serious fun. Of course, Parker and I just slaughtered the girls. It is funny how God works. It seems like more and more everyday I am learning how to enjoy my family. We laughed and had so much fun today. It didn't cost anything. It was just making the decision to go and do.
Several times I have gotten to this point working with groups and organizations. This is the point where the rubber meets the road. You have worked so hard to get your family action plan set up. Hopefully, you have had input from your family and you are seeing changes start to happen. I am not just talking about changes in your family, but a greater awareness in you.
The changes and awareness you may be experiencing are how we can measure the success of your plan. You see every objective needs to be measured. Some of them can be measured in days. Some of them may be measured indefinitely. Some of them may be measured just by being an ongoing activity your family will continue to do.
To many times, and I have experienced this first hand, we get a plan and work out all the details only to have everything fall through the cracks because we don't have any way of measuring how successful we were as we start working.
So far we have:
Now we are moving on to the final steps. Measures and Time Frame. Everything needs to have some type of time frame for a start and an end. If you have objectives that will be started immediately, use the date you start. Some of your objectives may be ongoing or only for a few months and thats fine, just make sure you give yourself enough time to complete your tasks. I will show you what this looks like with my examples.
As you identify the time frame, you can also set the measurement. Measurement are easy for the most part. The only reason for them is to make sure what we are doing has a positive affect on what we are trying to accomplish. Do not get hung up on the measurements if they throw you for a loop. I will show you what this looks like in my examples.
I hope this is easy enough to understand. It is just going the extra mile to assure success on the objectives you have set.
Once you get all the timeframes and Measurements in place, take the time to go through and make sure it all is going to work. Some of your timeframes may be a little extreme or they may be too lax. You just have to decide how committed you are to the process.
You may be asking yourself why this step is even important. If you really study the word, there are several timeframes and measurements that were made in order for everything to work properly. Ultimately, Christ's measurement of the grave was He would be raised again in 3 days. If this would not have happened, it would not be worth the time we have invested in this program. However, he did do what he said he was going to do. He is alive. He is wanting to be number 1 in your life and your families life.
I hope you choose to do what he has called us to do.......
justinpresley1977@gmail.com
After our family fun day, I am wore out. Somehow we ended up at the Byng Track playing kickball in the grass. I think the kids had some serious fun. Of course, Parker and I just slaughtered the girls. It is funny how God works. It seems like more and more everyday I am learning how to enjoy my family. We laughed and had so much fun today. It didn't cost anything. It was just making the decision to go and do.
Several times I have gotten to this point working with groups and organizations. This is the point where the rubber meets the road. You have worked so hard to get your family action plan set up. Hopefully, you have had input from your family and you are seeing changes start to happen. I am not just talking about changes in your family, but a greater awareness in you.
The changes and awareness you may be experiencing are how we can measure the success of your plan. You see every objective needs to be measured. Some of them can be measured in days. Some of them may be measured indefinitely. Some of them may be measured just by being an ongoing activity your family will continue to do.
To many times, and I have experienced this first hand, we get a plan and work out all the details only to have everything fall through the cracks because we don't have any way of measuring how successful we were as we start working.
So far we have:
- Set the objectives
- Identified the initiatives needed in order to complete the task.
- Combined initiatives that were overlapping.
Now we are moving on to the final steps. Measures and Time Frame. Everything needs to have some type of time frame for a start and an end. If you have objectives that will be started immediately, use the date you start. Some of your objectives may be ongoing or only for a few months and thats fine, just make sure you give yourself enough time to complete your tasks. I will show you what this looks like with my examples.
As you identify the time frame, you can also set the measurement. Measurement are easy for the most part. The only reason for them is to make sure what we are doing has a positive affect on what we are trying to accomplish. Do not get hung up on the measurements if they throw you for a loop. I will show you what this looks like in my examples.
Section 3: Step 1
Take your papers out again. This is for the last time for anything I am guiding you through. Once you are ready you will begin to go through your objectives and initiatives putting a time frame and measurement on them if possible. The time frame could be days, months, and even TBD (to be determined). The measurements could be completion of the task or even it could be ongoing growth.
Here are some examples:
Objective 1: Church member at Trinity Baptist
- Always make time to attend as a family
- Begin 10-28-12 End Indefinitely(Timeframe)
- Attending anytime we are together(Measurement)
- Making sure we are always together on Sunday morning - Sacrifice
- Commit as a family to attending together and teach our children the importance of this. - Commitment
- Mom and Dad - Responsibility
- Continue to help out with the kids activities at church
- Started 8-21-12 Ending 5-29-13(Timeframe)
- Attending church and teaching(measurement)
- Being available with our schedules and possible baby sitting arrangements. - Sacrifice
- Commit to the Youth Minister we are available to help and explain to our kids why we want to be there. - Commitment
- Mom and Dad - Responsibility
What We Need To Do Better:
Objective 1: Family Devotions
- Decide how many days a week we want to do them.
- Begin 10-29-12 End 4-29-13(Timeframe)
- Completing one per week for 6 months(Measurement)
- Identify which day is best for us and the devotion we will use. - Sacrifice
- Find by 11-12(Timeframe)
- Start devotions(Measurement)
- Commit to 1 day a week. - Commitment
- Mom and Dad - Responsibility
I hope this is easy enough to understand. It is just going the extra mile to assure success on the objectives you have set.
Once you get all the timeframes and Measurements in place, take the time to go through and make sure it all is going to work. Some of your timeframes may be a little extreme or they may be too lax. You just have to decide how committed you are to the process.
You may be asking yourself why this step is even important. If you really study the word, there are several timeframes and measurements that were made in order for everything to work properly. Ultimately, Christ's measurement of the grave was He would be raised again in 3 days. If this would not have happened, it would not be worth the time we have invested in this program. However, he did do what he said he was going to do. He is alive. He is wanting to be number 1 in your life and your families life.
I hope you choose to do what he has called us to do.......
justinpresley1977@gmail.com
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Family Fun Day - Day 28
Day 28
My family made a decision last year to go to a specific restaurant every Wednesday after church. My family made Polo's the destination spot for the 6 of us. It is funny how much they look forward to going there every week. When we are making our weekly dinner menu, our kids will be the first ones to say on Wednesday, we don't need to eat at home. I haven't figure out whether they like Polo's that much or do they just like knowing the family will all be together at the same place, at the same time, every week.
Although it happens every week and they are excited, sometimes Heather and I are there, but we are not really there. We may have an overwhelming need to check Facebook or text messages. We have emails still needing to be checked. I know several times my wife has had to remind me to pay attention and listen to the story my kids may have been telling me.
Our kids deserve us to get on their level. I know my youngest daughter loves to crawl all over me when I lay in the floor. I know when I look at life from her level, things are way bigger and totally different than my level. Maybe that's why she loves me to pick her up so she can see what's up here. Then and only then, she can see me face to face. When she's in my arms or I am on my knees, is the only time she sees her daddy face to face. The problem for her is I have to make that choice. She can't. I either have to get down on her level or bring her up to mine.
Challenge:
Today get to their level. Do whatever it takes to make sure you see life from there perspective.....
Challenge 2:
Somehow and in someway, bring them to your level. Teach them something you do or take them somewhere only you go....
Challenge 3:
Tell us about it. There are about 75 - 100 people who are reading this blog daily. We would all like to know what you did today and how your kids responded...
justinpresley1977@gmail.com
Saturday, October 27, 2012
the NITTY GRITTY!!! - Day 27
Day 27
I hope everything is going well for you in this process. We are going to take one more step towards completion. After this, we will take our normal Sunday off. You may even need to take the 2 days to get ready to move forward.
In the career I am in, I speak to people and groups several times a year. We always try and get them to tell us what it physically looks like to accomplish their tasks? What is it going to take? What is the sacrifice? We have to ask the hard questions in order to get the right answers.
Before you move on, you need to ask yourself if you are willing to do this? My hope is you will stay with it and see God move in your home. You never know what will happen when you ask the right questions and get the right answers. I will be the first one to tell you this is hard and sometimes very difficult. If it changes your family, is it worth it? I think we would all say yes!
Next move:
Get your papers out. You should now have Objectives with Initiatives under them. We are now going to ask the questions and put the meat on the bone. Our job now is to really flesh out our goals and make sure they are going to be feasible. We want to make sure we can accomplish our task at hand.
You now have objectives with their initiatives under them. We are now going to make sure of 3 things for each initiative.
1. What will it take? - Sacrifice
2. How will we make sure it happens? - Commitment
3. Who will own this? - Responsibility
Before you go any further, understand, some of your initiatives may or may not be able to answer these questions. If they can't, chances are they could be combined or maybe it is not really an initiative.
I have given you examples of what it should look like. This is the part where most people have several questions. I want you to know, I am available to help at any time and for anything you need.
Remember, if you have written down your answers from the challenges in the previous blogs, you have everything you need to continue to move forward.
Jesus left us here so we can bring others to a saving knowledge of Christ...Glorifying God in all things...fulfilling the Great Commission...Worship him daily...the list goes on and on...
2 Corinthians 5: 20
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: be reconciled to God."
anything we come up with for our action plan needs to tie back into Christ's overall objective...us spending an eternity with him...
I hope everything is going well for you in this process. We are going to take one more step towards completion. After this, we will take our normal Sunday off. You may even need to take the 2 days to get ready to move forward.
In the career I am in, I speak to people and groups several times a year. We always try and get them to tell us what it physically looks like to accomplish their tasks? What is it going to take? What is the sacrifice? We have to ask the hard questions in order to get the right answers.
Before you move on, you need to ask yourself if you are willing to do this? My hope is you will stay with it and see God move in your home. You never know what will happen when you ask the right questions and get the right answers. I will be the first one to tell you this is hard and sometimes very difficult. If it changes your family, is it worth it? I think we would all say yes!
Next move:
Get your papers out. You should now have Objectives with Initiatives under them. We are now going to ask the questions and put the meat on the bone. Our job now is to really flesh out our goals and make sure they are going to be feasible. We want to make sure we can accomplish our task at hand.
Section 3: Step 1
1. What will it take? - Sacrifice
2. How will we make sure it happens? - Commitment
3. Who will own this? - Responsibility
Before you go any further, understand, some of your initiatives may or may not be able to answer these questions. If they can't, chances are they could be combined or maybe it is not really an initiative.
I have given you examples of what it should look like. This is the part where most people have several questions. I want you to know, I am available to help at any time and for anything you need.
Remember, if you have written down your answers from the challenges in the previous blogs, you have everything you need to continue to move forward.
Who We Are:
Objective 1: Church member at Trinity Baptist
- Always make time to attend as a family
- Making sure we are always together on Sunday morning - Sacrifice
- Commit as a family to attending together and teach our children the importance of this. - Commitment
- Mom and Dad - Responsibility
- Continue to help out with the kids activities at church
- Being available with our schedules and possible baby sitting arrangements. - Sacrifice
- Commit to the Youth Minister we are available to help and explain to our kids why we want to be there. - Commitment
- Mom and Dad - Responsibility
- Make sure our children know we are always going to church
What We Need To Do Better:
Objective 1: Family Devotions
- Decide how many days a week we want to do them.
- Identify which day is best for us and the devotion we will use. - Sacrifice
- Commit to 1 day a week. - Commitment
- Mom and Dad - Responsibility
- When will we start?
- Where do we find a devotion that will speak to all our children?
*these can be combined with the one above because they are both covered above.
These are just examples to help you figure out how you should start putting action to your plan...
Remember everything we do should always tie back to the following....
whats the mission of Christians?
Jesus left us here so we can bring others to a saving knowledge of Christ...Glorifying God in all things...fulfilling the Great Commission...Worship him daily...the list goes on and on...
2 Corinthians 5: 20
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: be reconciled to God."
anything we come up with for our action plan needs to tie back into Christ's overall objective...us spending an eternity with him...
Please take your time with this and make sure you understand what you are doing. If you would like to contact me, please feel free to respond to the blog or email me at justinpresley1977@gmail.com
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