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Monday Morning Reflections

-  Enjoyed a great weekend with our senior high group led by Rob Jacobs. About 50 of us went to Awanita Valley, in South Carolina's mountains. Rob and Gina just do a great job relating to and leading students. So glad they're on our team.

- Kind of surreal to go back there. Darlene and I took our first youth group to Awanita in 1986. Then every year thereafter until '91. Now to be back again kind of blew my mind. And it was only this weekend that I learned "Awanita" is a Cherokee word for youth.

- I taught three sessions on Temptation. Luke, one of our worship leaders from our Hilton Head campus, did a wonderful job leading us. The most awesome thing was that four students indicated that they prayed to receive Christ and many more made some significant spiritual decisions.

- The rest of the time was zip lines into the lake (yes, it was "hypothermic"), full-on tackle football, death-defying Hummer rides, horseback riding, bumper boats, frisbee golf, "Sting-pong," and hanging with friends.

- On a personal level, it was a very good time. I wanted to attend this retreat because I was feeling that I didn't know our senior high students as much as I wanted to, and I was able to get to know a lot of the kids better. I had a blast with them!

- I was even presented with a birthday gift. And for those of you who heard my recent sermon on contentment you will be glad to know I received a leopard-print Snuggie! And no, I did NOT model it for the entire group.

- Afterwards, I drove down to Atlanta to see Lauren and visit my father-in-law, John Woodward, who is hospitalized after a serious automobile accident last week. The doctors anticipate a full recovery but it's going to take some time. We appreciate your prayers so much.

- I'm going to stay here in the A.T.L. for a few days this week for sermon series prep, message prep, some thinking and praying, and visiting Dad Woodward. I need to get ahead in message prep. No matter what happens Sunday's come every seven days! I like to stay about three months ahead in series prep and at least two-three weeks ahead in message prep. That way things have time to marinate in my mind and spirit. Too often the tyranny of the urgent crowds this out. These few days help me battle that and get ahead. I try to do this two-three times per year. It really helps.

- I'm also getting some face time with two of my mentors: Drs. Ravi Zacharias and John Hull. I am completely jazzed about that!

- Our South Africa team will be returning soon...good things have happened and are happening ... please keep praying.

 - Lauren leaves on an Equip trip tomorrow night to Belarus. My fingers are crossed (in prayer!).

- I'll probably blog more on this, but the Clothing Connection held at LCC-Bluffton on Saturday was unbelievable! We believe about 2500 persons attended. Read an article from one of our local newspaper's here. It will give you a good idea of all that took place.

- Enjoy your day. ¡Via con Dios!

Monday Morning Reflections

- I missed being at LCC-Bluffton yesterday but really enjoyed my time with LCC-Hilton Head. It's always good to re-connect with folks that I used to see regularly but now only see every few months.

- I believe everyone on our teaching team is enjoying preaching through this current series called Revolu$ion. Yesterday was no different for me. Anytime I can walk us through a passage of Scripture and help people make personal application, I just love it.

- A couple of thoughts from that message:
What I have is not mine - it all belongs to God.
Our potential is God's gift to us: what we do with it is our gift to Him.
"You are the only person on earth who can use your ability." (Zig Ziglar)
"And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming" (1 John 2:28).

- Was I the only one who awoke at 5:30 a.m. due to the time change?! Dude, if you were late for church yesterday, I don't even know what to tell you...

- I love it that it's brighter earlier but I've never been a fan of the darker and earlier part.

- Drove up to Clemson Friday afternoon, hung out with Lauren and her peeps some, and sat again through a down pour to watch the Tigers play. At least we won. This is getting old: it has rained for every home game so far. Here's what our tailgate site looked like; it's normally a beautiful, green, grassy athletic field:


- I did have a blast Friday night though. I've attended hundreds and hundreds of swim meets over the years, but perhaps never enjoyed one more than I did Friday night. Clemson was swimming against the hated rival University of South Carolina. Both men's and women's competitions came down to the final two events. The place was packed and incredibly loud. And the Tigers won them both! USC generally has a faster program than we do, so it was nice to win them both. And Lauren's former team, the Lady Tigers, are undefeated so far this season.

- Hey, it's Fall. Enjoy the beautiful weather today! Get outside and do something (my roof and gutters need cleaning if you're desperate) ... yeah, I didn't think so!