My Epic Journey

I am thankful for:

Today—With Anna’s Mom passing away this year, I have been reminded to be thankful for every day God gives me on this earth.  Though I am excited to one day meet my Savior face to face, I know that why I am here I have a mission and purpose to fill.

Home—We recently closed on our new house.  A house is simply a shelter but but it is called a home when there is a loving family inside.  I am so thankful for not only a new “shelter” but also a loving family that makes that shelter a home.

Anna—I don’t have a enough amazing things to say about my wife, best friend, and my forever partner in this life.  She is more than I ever dreamed and continues to be the most amazing part of my life outside of Jesus Christ.  I am thankful for the 13 years of marriage and can’t wait to spend the next 13 years with her.

Nothing—No, I am not saying I am not thankful for anything.  What I am thankful for are the times in my life when God gives me moments I have nothing on my plate I feels as if I can be me.  During these times I just read, draw, listen to quietness, or sing.  I am so thankful for these moments.

Kids—God has granted Anna and I three amazing children, Isaac (10), Noah (8), and Emma (5).  I am thankful that they are all healthy loving kids.  I am also thankful that they make us laugh every day.

Students—God put a passion in my heart 16 years ago to serve teens and their families.  I am thankful I still have the passion and the opportunity to serve God in this way.  The students at Grace Point/EPIC continue to amaze me and I am thankful I get to share this part of their journey with them.

God—I know it may sound cliché but I am most thankful for my relationship with God.  Through 34 years of my life He has been a constant provider, lover, and judge.  I am thankful for His grace and mercy and for His patience in my life.

Investors (in students’ lives)—I wouldn’t enjoy serving at Grace Point if I didn’t have a team of amazing leaders who are passionate investing in the lives of students.  Our EPIC leaders are not only my helpers in ministry but my closest of friends.

Victories—Though the life of following Christ can be rewarding, it can also be very difficult.  I am thankful that though there have been bumps and bruises, God has granted many victories.  I am thankful He has not given up on me.

In-Laws—I know it sounds weird but I am thankful for my in-laws.  After losing my mother-in-law this year it makes me realize the importance of my wife’s family.  I am thankful for their continual love for me and my family.  I am thankful that I can call them my own family!

Neighbors—I am thankful for neighbors that I can show the love of Christ to.  I am making it a point to wake up every morning and pray for those in my neighborhood.

Grace Point Community Church—Since we don’t have family that lives close, our church family quickly becomes our family.  I am so thankful for a loving, generous, and patient family called Grace Point Community Church.  We are not perfect but we have a love for one another that bonds us together in this journey of life.

November Teaching Series:  The Invisisbles

We are surrounded by the invisibles. These are people who simply want to know someone cares, someone notices—people who want to know God cares. Some of us would even say we feel that way—invisible to an entire world, daily passing us by. Whether that feeling is a familiar one or not, the reality is that each one of us has felt invisible at one point or another. But we didn’t stay that way. God saw us. He sees the invisibles. And because God took notice of us, we are able to open our eyes to see those around us.

· Week One: Can You See Me? (November 1st)

Sometimes you can stand in a room or walk down a hallway or sit in a chair and no one notices you. It’s not that you have some type of special ability that makes you invisible—people just don’t see you. They know nothing about you—nor do they seem to want to know anything about you. It’s like you’re not even there, even when you are physically in the room. You’re invisible. The good news is Jesus sees invisible people—even those who never realized they were invisible.

· Week Two: In Focus (November 8th)

Some people go unnoticed. There are people in the background of our lives we never see. Maybe it’s the guy at the gas station or the girl at the coffee shop. Maybe it’s the girl sitting in the lunchroom, or the guy hanging out in the back of the youth room. There are people all around us who we treat as invisible. But because of how God has seen us, because of what we’ve experienced personally, our vision is changed. How can we begin to see the people in our lives every day that may normally go overlooked? How can we see the people halfway around the world that go unnoticed? What can we do to bring those around us in focus?

· Week Three: Seeing Beyond the Seen (November 15th)

Sometimes what we really want isn’t what we are asking for. Sometimes what we really need is invisible to us. Thankfully Jesus sees us, really sees us. He sees the obvious physical needs and the more subtle spiritual ones too. And not only does He see them, He cares enough to do something about them both. When it comes to reaching out to the invisibles, when we provide friendship, water, help—sometimes it just isn’t enough. There’s a deeper, spiritual need that can only be met through Jesus Christ. And because of that, we do both—we help with the physical need but point them to Jesus Christ for the spiritual one.

· Week Four:  Service Project (November 22nd)

Excited about partnering up with Tonya Riedel and hosting a Parent’s Night Out for Parent’s with children with disabilities.  We will be meeting at the regular time of 5:00-7:00 pm.  Parents, if you want to join us as we serve the community, we would love to have you there!!

· Week Five:  No EPIC (November 29th)

Because it is the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, we will NOT have EPIC on November 29^th.

Over Thanksgiving I got to hang out with my nephews and nieces quite a bit.  I really enjoy doing that.  In the pic below, Noah and I were hanging out with Jonathan Wesley while watching a football game.

Here is a pic of my parents with all their grandkids: