Happy 93rd Birthday!

Today is March 23rd, 2010. In the year 1917, Max White was born. He would turn out be my grandfather. He served in the army and fought during WWII. He has always lived in Virginia and was my best man in our wedding 16 years ago. (Check out the pic)

Max was the only grandad I ever knew. Grandaddy Qualls died before I was born and there were many times because of health issues that I thought Grandaddy White would not be around long, but he endured.

Grandaddy White taught me to fish. We did a lot of pier fishing at Virgina Beach. I absolutely loved getting up with him at 4:00 a.m. and going to the Waffle House for breakfast and being on the pier for the sunrise. We caught so many fish over the years. Grandad would always take my sister and I to the candy store and then to the local 7-11 for a slurpee! What great memories!

I remember his surprise 85th birthday where Kim and I flew in to make the party. My son, Benjamin made the trip as well from the comfort of inside his mother's belly. Ben was born 2 months later. The look on grandad's face was priceless when we got there that day.

The highlight was seeing my grandad come to know Jesus when I was 10 years old and seeing him baptized. I think the Lord for working in his life and giving me 38+ years with the best grandad in the world! Happy Birthday Grandad!! I love you!

"Dinner with SBC President,Pastor Johnny Hunt"

Last week, I had the privilege of picking up several pastors from the airport for the Real Evangelism Conference at FBC Indian Trail. It was a real blessing to hear pastors such as Jonathan Faldwell, Ergun Caner, and Johnny Hunt preach, but even greater was the one-on-one time in the car and time spent for a meal. These men were just down to earth and "real". God is certainly using them to grow the Kingdom and blessing their ministries.

I had met Pastor Johnny in Nashville, TN in 2005 at a meeting to help launch a church plant in Las Vegas, Nevada. By the way, we did sponsor that church plant along with several other churches and that plant known as Gracepointe Church baptized 200 last year! WOW! I am sure Johnny did not remember our personal meeting, but even then I remember his attentiveness while we talked liked I was the only one in the room.

I learned a lot from Pastor Johnny that night, but the greatest thing I will take away from our few hours together was his love and passion for Jesus and sharing it to everyone. There was a kinship in that Chili's in Matthews, N.C through the Holy Spirit and was a night that I will treasure as long as I live. My prayer is that I will keep the passion and energy that Pastor Mike Whitson (FBCIT pastor) and Pastor Johnny Hunt have in 25 years when I am their age and to encourage younger pastors to see stay focused on Christ. (How does the suit look? I know some of you are thinking the same thing....save this picture..it might be a long time before you see me in one again) :)

The Harvest is Plentiful!!!!

Over the past three days I have the privilege of leading two young ladies to Christ. Wow! God is awesome in how He works in peoples lives and uses others to plant the seed and then at the right moment they give their lives to Him. I will admit there are times as a Christ-Follower I don't tell others about Him. I rationalize in my mind that they will figure it out in there own time......etc...

With the latest two ladies coming into the kingdom - Heather and Kerry, I am reminded how God is working in hearts and they are searching and we have to be available and ready to share and lead them to Jesus. I, like most of you can become too busy doing good things and miss these opportunities. May we slow down and see these moments where people are searching for answers and simply need to hear that God loves them and has a plan for their life. That no sin they have ever committed can keep them from the forgiveness God offers through His Son Jesus!!!

The Bible says, "the labourers are few". Will you join with me to be a labourer?

A Date with Dad

Our church just hosted it's first ever Father/Daughter dance last weekend! It was a blast! Over 40 father/daughter couples attended and danced the night away. My daughter is approaching those "dreaded" teenage years quickly and these moments are vital to show her how a date should treat her. As fathers - our daughters look to us as their rock and shield, a protector and example of what they should eventually look for in a guy. These opportunities pass us by all to quickly. May we all not miss out on these teachable and priceless moments with our sweet little girls.

Dads - Let's not do this once a year, but take regular opportunities to show the special ladies (our wife and daughters) in our lives how much we love them and express that through date nights. Yes- that does mean buying a few flowers every now and then too!

On a side note - most of us parents really make a major mistake when we allow our children and especially our daughters to date at an early age. Often, they are exposed to quickly to emotions and other things that really can wait a few years. That being said, it is personal conviction, but it is something parents should certainly pray about.