The Blizzard of January 2009...

We really thought it might miss us. We were wrong! At 10:00pm last night, I got out and cleared off our driveway of the 3" of snow that had fallen since 6:00 that evening. I had everything cleared out, both vehicles were cleared and ready to go for this morning.

Little did we know untill 7:30am this morning that an additional 11" of snow had fallen overnight! Add the wind factor, and we had 4' - 5' drifts all around our house and beside all vehicles. We literally couldn't get out of our driveway. Then...we added another 2" - 3" during the day.

Luckily, Tabitha didn't have anything going on, on the campus, so she was safe and warm inside the house...I called in at work, since getting out of the driveway wasn't happening.

It took over 3 hours just to shovel off this ridiculously long driveway! Then to work around one of the vehicles. I think I uncovered the North Pole while I was shoveling...that had to be Reindeer tracks I saw....

Enjoy the pictures...

Sandy absolutely loves the snow! She loves to hop around in the drifts!

H2O Promo Video

The Indy Road Trip...

This past week presented a wonderful opportunity for me. I was invited to attend the North Central States Rally that was held in Indianapolis, IN. This is a huge 'by invitation only' conference that is for the leaders in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. I was honored to be invited. I was able to make several new friends and meet new colleagues that are 'out here in the trenches' everyday like me. I was blessed by being able to listen to two of my favorite authors and speakers, Thom Rainer and Ed Stetzer. 'Engaged' was the theme...and 'engaged' I was...

But, I have to admit, that some of the best moments were not at the conference, but, were on 'the road trip.' I road to Indy with six of my fellow pastors/colleagues from the Northcoast Baptist Association. I was next to the youngest on the trip...let the adventure begin...

I could not begin this photo blog without starting off with 'the red hat'. The oldest pastor that was on the trip was Bro. Guy Morton. Without question, a gentleman to the core. It's been said that if you look up the word 'gentleman' in the dictionary, you would find Bro. Guy's photo beside it. He certainly could be my adopted grandfather. A wise, understanding man with a true heart for God. Bro. Guy rode 'shotgun' in our 15 passenger van. Totally distinguished in his black suit, black wool overcoat, and every one of the flowing white hairs that was on his head was very gently put in place. But sitting on top of this mountain of cotton...was this crazy red felt hat. It was three sizes too small...VERY RED...yet, Bro. Guy worked it. No pomp...no circumstances...just Guy...with the red hat. We knew that we would never be lost in the snow as long as Bro. Guy had his hat. On a sad note, Bro. Guy left his hat at the conference...sounds like a special offering waiting to happen...

You can't have any type of a Baptist gathering without food...and lots of it...

This was lunch Tuesday at Applebys...

My first visit to Indiana...on I-70

Driving through Indianapolis on a snowy Tuesday...

We've arrived at the Adam's Mark Hotel...but why, please tell my why were they not prepared to register the nearly 800 of us that were coming in this afternoon...

It must go without saying, that I thought the accommodations at the hotel were unbelievably atrocious. Either it didn't work...you couldn't, or wouldn't, pay for it...the service was horrible...whatever, just simply bad...

Of the 800 guests that attended this conference, 799 of us had laptops. Good news: the hotel had internet. Bad news: it cost $9.95 a day. NO WIRELESS! Oh, except in the HOTEL LOBBY! And then, it crashed on Tuesday night when the word got out about the wireless in the lobby when 563 Baptists attempted to hook up to wireless. The hotels answer to this problem...use the computers in the 'Business Center' in the hotel. Good thought, however their 'Business Center' only had 2 computers and one of them was broke! Yep, Business Center...

They provided bottles of water for their guests in the rooms...at $4 a bottle!

There was a bright spot...Texas Roadhouse for supper! They were NOT prepared for 7 seriously hungry preachers...

And this was just the first day...

New Year's Purpose Statement...

As with each New Year, 2009 will bring with it, new goals, new visions and new dreams. As I have been preparing for 2009 in our ministry, I'm continually amazed at the opportunities God is providing for us to be as creative as we possible can, in order to further His Kingdom. It's such an awesome experience to be in a place where I'm limited, only, by my creativity and my imagination! Sometimes that's good...and sometimes that's no so good.

I've recently read a statement that God has used to speak volumns to me. And I've chosen to adopt it as my own kind of purpose statement, if you will, for when things are 'not so good'. When you read it, you'll understand why.

"I am as strong as the coffee I drink, the friends I can count on,

and the prayers I say."

Plain...simple...yet very me.

Here's why...

The coffee I drink packs a powerful punch! It's an Italian Espresso Roast, made from the finest of Arabica Coffee Beans. My consistent AND my favorite drink is a 6 or 8 shot espresso with a shot of White Chocolate. And yes I'm serious.

My friends, they're quite an eclectic bunch! Each one unique in his or her own way, yet so very important to me. They love me...support me...believe in me...and pray for me all on a daily basis.

My closest and best friend is my wife, Denise. It's often been said that, behind every great man is a great woman. With Denise, that would have to be changed to 'behind this simplistic dork, is the most incredible woman on the planet!' She is the most supportive person I have ever seen. Always at my side...encouraging me...believing in me...praying for me. Outside of my relationship with Jesus Christ, Denise is my everything. Period.

Then would come my incredible daughter, Tabitha. I've never known any two individuals to be so close alike as she and I. It is as if we are literally created from the same mold! I have enjoyed every waking second watching her mature into the awesome young lady she's become. Any ideas I have get bounced off of her first. After all, when your ministry target is collegiate students, why not ask one of your closest friends...who happens to be a collegiate student? She's brutally honest...but then again, she's brutally honest.

Outside of my immediate family, my closest friend circle comes from all over the United States. First stop, Benton, AR...a suburb of Little Rock. Shane Knight is the Senior Pastor of Salem Baptist Church. I've known this young man for many years. Author of "If The Truth Be Told", Shane is way mature beyond his years. One of the most aggressive and forward thinking individuals of his generation, Shane understands the complexities of 21st Century ministry, without EVER compromising the life-changing message of God's Word. My day is just not complete without a visit to Shane's World.

Louisville, Kentucky's suburb of Shepherdsville is home to T.J. Scott. T.J. is the Worship Elder at Trinity Life Center in Shepherdsville. He is the most quirkiest and self-proclaimed geekiest person I know...and I love that about him. His 'if-you-can-dream-it-up-I-can-make-it-happen' mentality is crazy! If it has ANYTHING to do electronically, T.J. is light-years ahead of the game. I'm consistently awed by T.J.'s hunger for the presence of God. Always looking at new and creative ways to lead his congregation in worship, he is like a lightning rod, seeking out...drawing in the Holy Spirit. T.J. is also the only person I know who can text me, while being on stage during a live-online church service...dude, that was funny!

The Grateful Dean hails from the mother-land of Louisiana. Just as spicy as the food Louisiana is known for, Dean always brings to the table such a unique perspective that's always ministry based...and heart driven. Dean Cirelli and his wife Crissie are house parents at the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home in Monroe, LA. A life-long youth guru, this position lets him be the 'dad' that so many children are missing, and to minister to their spiritual needs at the same time. Dean has always believed in me, when many, many others walked away. I can always count on Dean for a listenin' ear...and prayerful spirit.

Our relocation to Ohio has brought two more incredible men into my life. The first, is Dan Duffy, the Associational Missionary for the Northcoast Baptist Association. From the first time I spoke with him on the phone, months before our first visit to the coast, Dan has believed in me and has supported my vision for ministry. The second, my new hero, Ron Woods. Ron is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Sheffield Lake, Ohio. Ron has been a lifer in youth ministry, until now...he knows my heart...he sees my vision...he feels my passion...and he is an incredible confidant.

This list would not be complete without Jimmy Hull. Jimmy and his family are our friends that are 'way out in West Texas!' Jimmy was my Senior Pastor many years ago who saw the relentless beast inside of me that couldn't be contained in traditional ministry. He was the first to give me the unconditional freedom (which at times cost him dearly) to lead worship and reach students using out-of-the-box methods. And it worked.

My prayer life is a quiet topic...I rarely discuss it. But I can say this...it happens often, it happens intently...and it's focused. James 5:16 says it best...'The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.' That, I believe.

So as we enter the New Year, what is God calling you to do...how is He calling you to stand apart...where is He calling you to go...who is He calling you to be?

"I am as strong as the coffee I drink, the friends I can count on,

and the prayers I say"

What about you...