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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...

Sunday Morning Coming Down....

It's a quiet morning, here at the Whaley house. I've been up for quite a while now, both the girls are still sleeping. Even Sandy is still curled up on her blanket! I've taken this time to catch up on reading blogs, the news...do some net surfin'...and just 'enjoy the moment'. I got to talk to my best buddy Shane, down in the Promise Land of Arkansas this morning on Facebook chat, prior to his morning worship service. He's vision casting this morning for 2009...I've been prayin' for him.

Found a great new interactive site for church leaders...missional thinkers...church planters...collegiate pastors...etc, that you really should check out. It called The Urban Loft. By all means, drop by...and join up if you're interested.

Started reading a new book last night that I got for Christmas. The title is "Pop Goes The Church" by Tim Stevens. I literally couldn't put it down! It's a fresh new look at how today's church is/isn't using today's pop culture in growing the Kingdom. I would strongly recommend it! But be careful...it's brash...in-your-face...and possibly controversial. But highly powerful! Definitely will be on my Top Shelf!

As I sit here, the wind outside is howling like mad! We're back to our 40+mph wind zone! Yesterday was a record setting day for high temperatures. We were in the 70's yesterday...and today, will only get to the high 40's. Sounds like another cold could make it's way around thanks to the drastic changes in the weather.

Today, hopefully, will be a cruise day for me. After working till 1pm yesterday at the pharmacy, the girls and I spent the rest of the day in full-blown cleaning mode (more about that later!). We did get to watch a couple of really good Christmas-themed movies last night, I think on the Hallmark channel. But today...yep, it's gonna be quiet! I'm planning on doing a few 'smaller' things on my H2O to-do list before next semester begins. It's amazing how little things can always grow into big things! LOL!

Hope you have a great Sunday as well...time for me to crank up itunes...think I'll head for the coffee pot first...

Christmas Eve Thoughts...

Here it is, already after mid-night on Christmas Eve, yet somehow, I still can't go to bed. Something about the magic in the air that surrounds this single day of the year. Even though our home is decorated in festive fashion, and our Christmas tree is magnificent, my mind slips back to that cold night in Bethlehem where a young couple couldn't even find a empty hotel room. The winds here tonight have been howling like mad all evening, and I can only imagine what the winds must have been like that chosen evening. It's been hard just to walk upright in these winds, and driving has been next to impossible. Wonder what it was like for those two...soon to be three...as they journeyed just to get in out of the weather? And seriously, a cave wasn't too great of a place to stay. I doubt seriously if either of us would spend the night in a cave, surrounded by animals, if we couldn't get a room at the Holiday Inn Express! But then again, that's my Jesus.

Tonight has been filled with thoughts of Christmas around our house. Tabitha enjoyed a Christmas Eve Service with Devin at his church in Melmore...Denise and I enjoyed the Christmas Eve Service online from Trinity Life Center in Shepherdsville, KY. Our good friends T.J. & Melissa Scott serve on staff there. Afterwards, our family loves to watch Christmas movies...so to say the least, we've had plenty to choose from this past week! And for me...I've done my traditional Christmas wrapping! My father always had a tradition of 'having' to be in the hustle & bustle of Christmas Eve Shopping. And I have since carried on that tradition. For some unknown, crazy reason, I 'have' to be out in the midst of the mayhem on Christmas Eve. That's the true day of the year, when you are able to 'truly' see what a person is really all about, and what they stand for. I get a year's supply of sermon illustrations on this day alone, and today was no exception! LOL!

The Christmas Tree lights are still on, lighting up the dining room. It stands there almost as a protector of all the presents that are underneath. Tomorrow morning, the quietness of the room will give way to mass chaos as we dive in head first into the presents...and paper, bows and ribbons become projectiles! Man, I can't wait! Definitely got to have my coffee before I start that!

The girls have long gone to bed...they're the smart ones...they know Santa's on his way...and I've been enjoying the warmth and crackling of the fireplace. A good cup of coffee and that fireplace is a hard combination to beat! And I've been extra blessed by being about to chat with many of my students from H2O, and friends back home on Facebook. Geez, I love my students! The Christmas break sometimes seems forever, especially when you're used to being around each other soooo much! I pray that each of them have an incredible time with their families...and enjoy this time off...the Spring Semester looms in the distance.

I guess I need to finish up my coffee, and head to bed...NexRad says that Santa is somewhere over Canada...and that's real close. I better stoke up the fire real good...definitely want to give him a 'warm' welcome!

If you're traveling, please be safe...enjoy every moment of family time, even those in-laws and out-laws that always seem to get under your skin...eat lots of goodies! I've already got my GPS programmed to the goodie table! But more importantly, may you see the Christ in CHRISTmas.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

You Better Watch Out...

Partners...

For those of you who are new to 'the Grind', I'd like to share with you about our ministry. My family and I are missionaries on the Northcoast of Ohio. I'm the Collegiate Pastor at Tiffin University, and Pastor for The River Church in Tiffin, Ohio. Since we are MSC (Mission Service Corp) Missionaries, we are responsible for raising our own financial support. We are very thankful to have three churches that support us: Grace Baptist Church in Tiffin, Ohio; First Baptist Church in Sheffield Lake, Ohio; and First Baptist Church in Woodville, Ohio. However, we are in need of additional financial support. I would humbly ask that you...your family...your church, give serious prayer about becoming a regular financial partner. Maybe you also know someone who is looking for a ministry to make a year-end contribution to. If so, please share our ministry with them. All donations/contributions are tax deductible for your convience.

On my side bar, I keep this small article at the very top of the bar.

If you would like to financially support our family and our Campus Ministry, CLICK HERE to make your donations online. Your support will allow us to dedicate our time to vocational ministry and to echo the statement made by the Old Testament prophet Nehemiah, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down.” (Neh. 6:3) God Bless you as you pray and seek His will. Thank you for your support and friendship for our work.

If God so leads you, please follow the link above to make all your contributions. Here, you can also set up an account to make monthly contributions. Thank you so much for considering our ministry.

The Whaley's
Jim, Denise & Tabitha