I love Fridays. It’s my day off, but I often drop by the office to get some small things done that I should have done during the week. Usually it’s just an hour or two. But the office is quiet. No one here in the office area. It’s just nice to be away from the noise of people sometimes. But then again after about an hour I’m screaming for company. I can’t stand too much quiet.

Things are sure changing in my life right now and I’m doing a lot of contemplating. My youngest daughter graduated last week. In 8 weeks she’ll be married. My oldest daughter is preparing her resume’ to send to Baltimore. In a few weeks my wife and I will be extremely empty nesters. No weekend kids visit every three or four weeks.

I guess the roughest right now is that my oldest may be moving 12 hours away. We had a short conversation this morning. She asked me if I wanted her to stay in the Atlanta area. OF COURSE! That’s where I can protect her, see her, know she’s close. BUT…from the time she left for college I knew that she wouldn’t hang around Atlanta. I really thought she might be in South America or somewhere.

Here’s where I want her to be though: In the center of God’s will. Only there will she ever find contentment, joy, and happiness. Only there will she not be constantly searching for something to fulfill her and wondering why she is so uncomfortable in her own skin.

I see so many people called to ministry, missions, even a career that let life, sometimes a seemingly comfortable life, get in the way of what God would have them do and be. At the end of life they are miserable and wondering why. Even those that continue to serve God. If you have a calling on your life, just do it. Don’t let circumstances get in the way of your calling. God gets to really show you amazing things when you determine that whatever the cost, I’ll follow Him.

Recently I’ve dealt with a couple of people, but one in particular that let life get in the way of his calling. He is nearing the end now and suffering, his question to me, “Is God punishing me?” It is sad really he had a great future in ministry but life got in the way. God doesn’t want your excuse He wants YOU.

Brooke, if God sends you to Baltimore, they are getting the best Georgia has to offer. Follow Him.   

This is where we start when we train church planters.

We hope church planters get a bigger picture than their own little world and can see a glimpse of the entire KINGDOM of GOD and their place in it.

We want church planters to know that there is a CALL to ministry, but I believe a specific CALL TO CHURCH PLANTING. Church Planting is bruising. It is hard, it is demanding, but the most rewarding work a man will ever do. If a man is doing this because he can’t find another ministry he will likely fail.

We believe success begins with PRAYER. I’ve said it many times my prayer life was never as intense as it was when I was planting a church. Many times we knew that if God didn’t show up with an answer at just the right time I might not get paid, the lights may be turned off, people may not show up, yada, yada, yada. Prayer is an essential habit and spiritual discipline a church planter must develop.

And now a personal confession, I joined a facebook group today; Krispy Kreme lovers! That’s my kind of group!

This week the 4th church planting class kicks off. We have 15 guys committed to attending. At least two of these guys are looking to partner with a church planter to be on staff. But if all these guys finish the class and pass assessment it will push our partnerships next year toward the 40 mark!

Pray for these guys:

Lloyd/Atlanta; Todd/South Carolina; Shane/North GA; Austin/South Carolina; Michael/Connecticut; Alan/Villa Rica, Georgia; Kevin/Paulding, Georgia; Jim/Tennessee; Joel/Georgia; James/Georgia;  Phillip/South Carolina; Mequell/Alabama; Eddie/Georgia; Bruce/Georgia; Blake/Alabama.

God is going to do great things!

I have two great daughters! Yesterday my youngest daughter Anna graduated from UGA with a degree in Public Relations. In the last 15 months both of my daughters graduated from UGA. They are actually a second generation of UGA grads. My mom graduated with a teacher’s degree in 1929 and my inlaws graduated from UGA in the early 1950’s. Me I couldn’t get in and the wife went to UTN of all things.

So I have made my last trip to Athens without a football ticket!

But pride turns to sadness. My daughter got a call last night about 10:30. A friend that graduated with her was on the way to New York to celebrate graduation. In South Carolina their car ran off the road and Anna’s friend was killed. I cannot imagine a parents grief. From the heights of graduation to planning a funeral. I hope you will pray for this family. I am.