i am .... (part two)

my nicknames are peetah and pedro
i am an avid sale-shopper
i enjoy watching movies in the theater
i dislike people who are unprepared
i vow to never drive a neon
i hate it when people only go on international mission trips
i cut out coupons weekly
i like my pillow to be cold
i would like to one day teach youth ministry in a liberal arts institution

everyday, i try to live by His grace and for His glory....

i am .... (part one)

my middle name is john
i cant stand nail filers
i enjoy traveling in planes
public audiences don't scare me
i dislike events that bring attention to me
i am a struggling phd student
i have a great ministry position
i wish popeyes had its naked strips still
i am a msc missionary with namb
i like the hgtv station
i dont coook very well
i enjoy drinking out of wakka juice cups
i could wear a shirt and tie everyday
i like reading books, some more than others

everyday, i try to live by His grace and for His glory....

B-RUNS-WICK finally

Greetings to you!

I am finally making it to a post on the Connector Blog. I have so many things to update you with that I'm going to go bullet-style:

1. I live in Brunswick, Georgia, which is on I-95 - Halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville. My brand new apartment is incredible. Positive: love not living at the office like I did at Myrtle. Negative: there are only two instead of fifty putt putt courses!

2. I serve as the Mission Projects Coordinator for the Southeast Baptist Association. I partner with my Associational Missionary to help serve 34 southern baptist churches from as far north as Darien as far south to St. Marys. This is a similar position like I had in Myrtle Beach, and the resort name here is Golden Isles Ministries.

3. School! I am struggling through online statistics (spss program if you really want to know) and enjoying my Youth Ministry in Culture PhD seminar this semester. I fly out of Brunswick into New Orleans three times during the semester, and my last weekend this semester is December 3-5. In Spring semester coming up, I am taking 2 PhD seminars along with 1 reading colloquial. (doesn't that just sound like fun)

4. Books... Books... Books! I want to share with you some of the books I have read since May 25th when summer missionaries invaded my life in Myrtle Beach. The first four are for the PhD seminar and the last one is the small one i started during the summer and just finished this past week:






5. Travels: since my summer missionaries left me in Myrtle Beach on August 1st and before I started here in Brunswick, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit some places for work and vacation:

Columbia, SC...
Mom and Dad moved to a newer house in town and I helped them move

Chicago, ILL....
Todd Wood, Pastor Rob pierce & I made a 24 hour whirlwind trip on Spirit airlines to see the Cubs beat the Nationals... and eat that famous Chicago pizza!

Nashville, TN...
I had a personal conference at Lifeways Youth Ministry event and got to share in some great corporate worship with other youth ministers and Dwain Hayes of FBC North Myrtle Beach (who I went with to Wales back in April of this year)

New Orleans...
school work - enough said!

Grenville, SC...
Attended the North Greenville Missions Conference and to visit summer staff from all the summers I have been at ICO

Vandalia, IL...
Where I was one of the featured missionaries for the local baptist association's On Mission Celebration. Spoke at five different churches and had the pleasure to stay with and fellowship with Pastor Don & Dianne Price. Pastor Don shepherds the flock at FBC Farina & we shared many glasses of hot tea in their new, beautiful home

and,
This past week I attended the Georgia Baptist Convention in Woodstock, GA, and it was surprising to see former ICO mission group leaders (who were from GA) there and to see the pastors from the association here. And, the folks at NAMB on Tuesday afternoon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am totally blessed. I have wonderful friends. A donated washer/dryer that works. A place to call my own. Parents who love me so much. all of this and it is His Grace that is...
"Indescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name. You are amazing God. All powerful, untameable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing God" - Chris Tomlin

My last Waccamaw Baptist Association meeting:

The following address was shared tonight, Monday July 20th, to the messengers of the Waccamaw Baptist Association's Executive Meeting...

Tonight, you will find my report about the summer ministry on page 6 of the book of reports you received this evening on your way in. I can not do any better giving an oral report of the WBA’S resort ministry Intracoastal Outreach than our summer missionaries shared with us during the meal tonight. I am so proud to have had the opportunity to serve alongside them this summer and I want to thank this association for the continued opportunity to have summer missionaries serve alongside us each year. I hope that your hearts tonight have been filled by the stories and conversations across the table you shared in with them tonight.

This month marks 4 summers with Intracoastal Outreach, and it has been an incredible faith journey for me personally in my walk with the Lord. As I look beyond the month of September I wonder where Almighty God will have me serve and minister in Kingdom work. I want you to know that place, position, ministry field, and the ones whom I will work will be grateful for the opportunities and experiences you have shared with me to work and minister in this county for the furtherance of His Kingdom.

Many of you have asked the question: What’s next? What I know at this point is that this fall, I will begin pursuing my Research Doctoral Degree from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the area of Christian Education with the desire to train future student ministry leaders to reach students with the Gospel and Love of Jesus Christ. I am prayerfully seeking a position in which to be involved in ministry while obtaining this degree, as well.

As I look over the audience tonight, I see faces that have encouraged me along the way. There have been pastors who have given me the opportunity to break open the Bread of Life to their churches, while others have prayed for me and the work I have had the opportunity to do serving on your behalf in this county. Tonight I am thankful for Brother Rick, Todd Wood, Marty Minto, Diane Hutto, and Lugene Hammond in their service to me, the help they have given along the way, and the weekly prayers lifted up on my behalf.

I have received hugs from you here and those who are unable to be here for whatever the reason, that have brought compassion and care to a sometimes run-down and tired body. I have received notes of kindness from you that have lifted me up along the way both my e-mails and snail mails. And as I remember the way you have reached out to me, a single middle-twenty something year-old seminary graduate, I resonate in the words which the Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Corinth: “I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” You have showered your love and appreciation for me in the past two and half years serving as your US/C2 resort missionary, and for all of your support I will be eternally grateful.

Just this afternoon as I looked outside my office window to 17 Business / Kings Highway just near First Baptist Church downtown Myrtle Beach, I am reminded that still to this day -- our field is ripe unto harvest. Over my time here, I have urgently and passionately tried to equip you, the churches of our association, and the myriad of ministry teams from all across our country each year, to empower-equip-excite local churches to do the Great Commission through the Great Commandment. It is with this same urgency and passion that I leave Waccamaw Baptist Association walking, trusting, believing, and worshiping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So continuing in the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31 I say thanks tonight, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”

Mid-May 2009, summer's coming, RUN FOR YOUR LIVES

I have nine more days till all 18 summer missionaries come in for ten full weeks of ministry. I got back earlier this evening from a 35 hour round-trip to Jackson, Georgia for a pre-project training event that all new group leaders must go through with me to bring a summer mission team to ICO. There are thousands of things to do this week in the office, in addition to getting myself ready for the onslaught of summer m's coming on Memorial day.

Thursday at 4pm I am leaving to attend the graduation ceremony at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary of my two bestest friends in the whole world, Ryan and Melissa Peduzzi. They also will celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary (which in and of itself is a whole another story that puts us 3 first together in ministry on dorchester road in the Summer of 2002 serving as summer missionaries with Charleston Outreach). So to keep the details of that away, I thought a post was in order to say CONGRATULATIONS RYAN & MELISSA. (PhD Ryan?)


The plane ride to Atlanta yesterday morning from Myrtle Beach connecting in Charlotte gave me some great time to catch up on some reading (since the last flight to Pittsburgh a couple of weekends ago) so here are two more books to add to the library--- the books read one that is!

What Women WIsh You Knew About Dating by Stephen Simpson. Ryan laughed at me through text today on this book. My singleness is the end of a lot of his jokes, but I do seem to find a 'single, need a date, maybe a little bitter' book each year to read. I liked this one actually. Blunt, to the point, honest, and a little controversial. Simpson writes from his heart on a subject many either blow up in your face about or shy away from, so way to go Simpson!

The Generosity Factor by Truett Cathy and Ken Blanchard. I had always wanted to read this book, since I delight in eating the Christian Chicken regularly. Picked it up for like $2 at a used bookstore back in the fall and I really enjoyed this one. I liked the dialogue between the broker and the executive, whom gave generously out of his wealth not just to give money but to build significance in people. I think its the same 'factor' we find in the live and ministry of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Quick read, yet full of reality ... specially in our recesional-bail/out world today.

Myrtle Beach FIRES! and 3 more books

Many of you have inquired and thought about me in the latter part of this past week concerning the fires here in Horry County. Below is a picture my friend and ministry partner, Todd Wood, took while with Horry County Emergency responders as he worked with our association's Disaster Relief:

I had the opportunity to do fly to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in a 25 hour whirlwind trip this weekend, and I got two books finished:

Counted Righteous in Christ by John Piper, I started in 2007 and it has been a deep struggle to comprehend and understand.

Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America by Jeff Pollard, I picked up used and 60% off and let's just say "it was interesting".

Here is a throw-back book I finished at the end of last year, 2008. I never got it on the blog, so here is to forgetfulness. I really enjoyed reading this book (written before the national election in November) and specifically about the unbiased writing of Mansfield. He (to my lack of knowledge) expounded greatly on the controversy of Obama's previous pastor, Reverend Wright. I am interested (and have obtained) others books by Mansfield regarding former President George W. Bush and current Pope Benedict XVI.

Book update 2 (2009) and SUMMER is COMING...

Wow, Easter has passed and the summer is just around the corner. I am five weeks away from our summer missionaries coming in on Memorial Day for the 10 weeks of Summer at Intracoastal Outreach! We have around 800 volunteers coming in as well throughout those 10 weeks which divide out into about 25-30 different churches. PRAISE THE LORD. We have prayed hard and worked very hard recruiting this year and are looking at about 250 more volunteers than in 2008 in our summer and spring break ministries.

I had the opportunity to go with some adults and students from the First Baptist Church of North Myrtle Beach to the country of Wales April 4-11, and the time we shared with the students there was a great experience as we shared Christ and hung out with them. I did a lot of serving and praying which was a little different for me but I was glad to just be a part of the team.

I am adding two books to the library that have i have completed and read in the past two months. I have a goal of one book to read every month, so lets see how much I can exceed that goal like I did last year:

I was able to read this one on my trip to New Orleans to take the PhD entrance exam and to do the department interview. What an incredible book and insight to the "call" I have experienced like many others who faithfully serve in ministry. Iorg pointedly and thoroughly explains the difference between how every Christian is to be a minister and those who are "called" to be ministers in ministry leadership. Great read, well written, and a must for those who feel God's calling and those who may be questioning theirs.

I got this one read on the Wales trip, and had to finish up the ending this afternoon. This was a great read for those who are stuck and complacent in their student ministry endeavors. Nothing really new, but more of an insight into how to move from shallow complacent student ministry to life-changing and tranformational ministry to today's students. With personal victories and struggles along with testimonials from those in the trenches, Clark and Powell provide a worthy read to encourage student ministry leaders (adults, ministers, and students) to continue on in their students lives for the purpose of mature Christian growth!

Book update 1 (2009)

NEWS: PhD process is continuing, I have done the application, taken the entrance exam, and have had the interview. The committee meets end of the month, and I hope to hear something from them soon. I will keep you updated. For those of you who do not know, I am pursuing a PhD degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the area of Christian Education. This will require three seminars a semester (Thursday noon - Saturday noon) on the campus.

I have had the opportunity to read a few books in the new year thus far. Here they are, and look for others to be added soon as i have a couple I'm reading to finish:

Zigarelli, a professor at Charleston Southern University, illustrates a number of principles to influence people like Jesus. There are a lot of principles, and plenty of examples in which to lead and influence others in the name and for the glory of Jesus Christ. Maybe a great book for the businessman or the church staff person interested in leadership, but I'd probably not use it for small group study. Thanks Zigarelli for bring the principles of the Word to the area of leadership, and go bucs!

This is our ICO summer staff 2009 book. Grieger (co-author of Simple Church with Thom Rainer) accurately delves into 1 Peter 2:9-11 and how our identity should be found in Christ and Him alone. He uses this verse to show Christian and non-Christian how intimately involved God the Creator is involved with man His creation. I am very excited to use this book to encourage and challenge our summer missionaries this summer as we seek together to find our all in Christ Jesus.

In effort to continue the tremendously successful rebuilding of the Big Easy, the New Orleans Marriott has launched "Build & Bond," offering voluntourism groups a special nightly rate of $84, including all taxes. This rate is based on an occupancy of one to four, which could bring the price per person, per night as low as $21.

"Build & Bond" makes it easy for groups visiting New Orleans for mission trips. It offers a resource kit including information on area transportation companies and city guides; a complimentary meeting room, where the group can congregate to discuss and plan the day ahead; complimentary parking for 15-passenger vans; 50 percent off parking for personal vehicles and discounted pricing for box lunches to keep volunteers fueled "on the job." For guests in need of some direction about where to lend a hand, "Build & Bond" provides recommendations on a variety of local volunteer organizations so do-good guests can plan where to donate their time.

For more information about the New Orleans Marriott or to book "Build & Bond," call 504.553.5526.

from the PhD application (part three)

4. TO WHAT AREAS OF SERVICE HAS GOD CALLED YOU AND WHAT ARE YOUR MINISTRY GOALS?

Over the past ten years, I have really felt God’s call to the area of student ministry. I can not seem to get away from my passion for students, even when I have tried. There is a connection I feel for students, for their culture, and their hurts, from one extreme to the other. When I pursued the undergraduate degree in youth ministry from Charleston Southern University, my ideal job would have been to travel all around the world speaking to students (whether in churches, schools, big events, etc.). When I began seminary and throughout seminary, the possibility of teaching youth ministry really touched me in very special kind of way. In my past almost nine years of ministry, God has allowed me to do a myriad of ministries all relating to students in some facet. I have had the opportunities to serve an internship under a Music/Youth Minister, do some travel speaking to student groups (football teams, D-now, youth nights, etc.), in addition to Singles (mostly college and young adult) and Student Minister positions.

Currently, as a resort missionary with the North America Mission Board and serving on the associational staff, I work with youth ministers and directors and assist them in their mission trip in my mission field, Myrtle Beach, SC. Our summer missionaries are high school and collegiate students who sacrifice ten weeks of their summer to serve the Lord sharing Christ’s Message and Love. I travel a good bit educating people that missions is possible (at all ages) and I attend a few mission conferences on college campuses encouraging students to be involved in mission work. I have the opportunity as a young adult to reach out to students in over seventy churches that make up our association with the platform of missions, in addition to speaking to the over five hundred students we have each summer four nights a week in our services.

I have written a number a number of times that my passion is threefold: youth/college/evangelism. This passion has been and continues to be evident in my pursuit of God and in Him allowing me to serve Him in ministry. When I came to serve in Myrtle Beach, my vision has been this: “To empower, excite, and equip local churches to do the Great Commission through the Great Commandment”. This has been my focus in all audiences of people that I have spoken to in my time as US/C2 resort missionary, whether that be a Wednesday night youth group, WMU ladies luncheon, associational meeting, men’s breakfast, missions celebration week, or a pre-project weekend for summer ministry leaders. This vision and my three-fold passion come hand in hand—loving people and sharing Christ with them.

5. GIVE YOUR EDUCATIONAL GOALS. WHAT IS YOUR REASONS FOR PURSUING THIS DEGREE?

For much of my life, I thought college was an absolute, and then through much of college, I knew seminary was even absolute. Then to the end of seminary and with the hope of graduation, I was really excited about getting on the field and closing the study books for a time. It was been an amazing experience to serve Southern Baptists as a missionary appointed by the North American Mission Board. Further, it has been incredible to serve a two year appointment with an extension in this resort ministry field, Myrtle Beach, SC. I have learned numerous elements, concepts, and valuable tools to reach unbelievers with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Halfway through my appointment, I began to realize (yet again) my desire to help assist in the training of future ministry leaders and servants. Each summer, I immensely enjoy leading summer ministries through our summer program and teaching them ministry development through their experience in resort missions here at the beach.

Even with a un-desirable verbal score on the GRE this past Friday, I fully believe that God has led me to apply for a PhD. Many have encouraged me, and affirmed me in this time commenting they could see me in this particular role/ministry. I intend on using this PhD to attain a teaching position on a Christian College campus to help empower, excite, and equip men and women(in certain positions) to be pastors, leaders in this world, and specifically student ministry ministers and leaders. I want to use this PhD to reach students with the same vigor and influence that those like my parents, student minister, professors, and Godly adults had on me.

This PhD is far beyond me by any imagination. Honest, the thought of PhD scares me. I have wrestled and thought about this decision for a very long time, but time and time again I really been moved by the Holy Spirit that this will not be mine, but His. If I was to walk across the stage in the chapel in a few years, I would know without a shadow of a doubt that this degree would be by His grace and favor alone. I want to use this for His glory and to continue making Him known in my life, in the community around me, the among the globe in the places he Has allowed (and will continue to allow) me to go, and for the furthering of student ministry leader development in the years to come.

from the PhD application (part two)

3. SHARE ELEMENTS AND FACTORS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. TELL ABOUT YOUR CALL TO MINISTRY.

My Spiritual development has been influenced early on through Christian parents, Christian education, and the involvement in a local church. I learned as a middle and high school student more and more about what spiritual faith looked liked in a practical way through my student minister at church, Danny Wilson. It was very common growing up that everyone said that I would become a preacher one day. To this day, I reflect back on his counsel, friendship, and commitment to me as a student that has helped me to be a man of service and real faith for Jesus Christ. He modeled for me a Christian marriage (in addition to my parents), an authentic walk with Jesus, and the importance of excellence in ministry. He took me places, showed me trust, and at times allowed me to have responsibility in different aspects of our student ministry.

In the Summer of 1996 (after my freshman year in high school) I attended a World Changers mission project in Charleston, West Virginia. It was during this week that I really felt God’s providential and guiding hand on my life and surrendered to the ministry. Some call it ministry leadership, others call it full time Christian ministry and service… call it what you will, but it was there that God got a hold of me and to this day, I have never been the same. It was as clear as it could be, and it was here that I knew that God had set me a part to serve Him vocationally as a minister.
In college, I pursued a Youth Ministry major because I fully believed that my call to ministry was to help students (middle school, high school, and collegiate) know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and to guide them in a real and growing relationship in Jesus Christ. Throughout much of my experience in college as youth intern, summer missionary, singles minister, student revival/d.now/bcm speaker, and as student minister, I have had countless number of people in my life affirm and encourage my call and passion for ministry on numerous occasions. I enjoyed ministry both in the church and on my Christian campus where unbelieving students went to school. Over these years I have learned much from those of whom I worked and studied under (i.e. Pastors, Youth Ministers, Professors, Campus Ministers, Missionaries).

In my seminary time, I learned a lot about sacrifice and surrender. Hurricane Katrina taught me a lot of people and a great deal about myself. I really began to learn that everyone has a story, but the greatest story I have tell is the most important thing in my life, and that is a relationship with Jesus Christ. My life verse has been for a couple of years now 1 Corinthians 10:31, when Paul stated, “Therefore, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do all for the glory of God”. I believe and will go to my grave confessing that my life should be lived for the Glory of God. Before all people, at all times, and in all things, my life should worship Jesus Christ. I have had men and women who loved God in my life model this passage for me, and so I want to model this cry of Paul’s for generations to come.

from the PhD application (part one)

1. EXPLAIN YOUR CONVERSION EXPERIENCE. INCLUDE YOUR AGE, THE CIRCUMSTANCES, ETC.

At a very early age, (in addition to local church involvement) I attended a non-denominational Christian school, and every summer I grew up going to children’s camp at Bonnie Doone Plantation (owned and operated by the Charleston Baptist Association) in Walterboro, South Carolina. I accepted Christ Jesus as my personal, Lord and Savior one night at our camp chapel at the age of eight. That night, I will never forget. It was this night that I responded in faith to my Savior, Jesus Christ. I knew I was a sinner in need of forgiveness. I believed that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on a cross for my sins and I confessed my sins to Him. I committed my life to Him that night, and I have never been the same since then.

About a year later, I (along with my brother) was baptized on the last night of our church’s revival. I understood that baptism was an outward expression of an inward change—a relationship with Jesus Christ—but the fear I had of water kept me from immediately getting baptized. With a desire for God to use my life in extraordinary proportion and realizing I experienced salvation at the age of eight, I rededicated my life at the age of thirteen. It was here at my first youth camp, the summer after my seventh grade year in a new public school that I began to realize that salvation in Christ was a daily commitment to a daily relationship with my best friend, Jesus Christ. Jesus became for me more than a religion, but an intimate, growing, vital, and real relationship that would cultivate into daily study of His Word and a continued commitment to church and service.

2. DESCRIBE YOUR FAMILY BACKGROUND

I have grown up in a loving, Christian home. My father and mother are examples of Godly faith and perseverance. My father and mother has been active in local church work throughout their lives individually and their marriage together. My father has found his employments, whether he was a insurance salesman, shipyard pipe fitter, air force reserve man, or supply manager for Fort Jackson, to be his mission field. He has served his church families well as deacon, pulpit supply preacher, small group host, or Sunday school teacher. My mother has found her employment, as a public hospital nurse on the mother and baby floor, to be her mission field for over thirty years. She, as well, has been an active servant in her church families with my father, as nursery workers, vacation Bible school teacher, youth camp cook, and mission trip participant.

i preached this past sunday

One of the many things I do as a missionary is preach at local churches. This past Sunday (yesterday) was just a little different. I didn't preach my usual third sermon to a church that had already heard me twice before. I actually hadn't preached the sermon since about seven years ago.

It was awkward. It just was. I really thought all week that I would talk about the Greatest Commandment and how God wants us to love Him and the second like it, love others more than we love ourselves. But something just didn't seem to fit.

Sunday a week ago the guest preacher (and my supervisor who is the Director of Mission) talked about "how deep is your love" so I thought a sermon on love would just continue the thought he shared with the congregation last week. I thought that could work, but something deep within just was not quite right. Then i thought of tying in the adulteress woman's story and the call to love we have and add the Shema (the Jewish confession of faith) found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

So in stuggle and wrestling, I changed my sermon Saturday early evening. I decided to shoot back 7 years ago this month to the very sermon I had written in manuscript and spoken orally for a class grade in homiletics during j-term. And then the thought hit me-- what if everyone in the audience and myself took off our shoes before I preached (just after we read the text of Moses and the burning bush) the Exodus 3:1-9 text.

Ridiculous, unheard of, very far-fetched (yes, to all of those). But it worked. The following is the church's website where you can watch the special soloist and myself preach: http://www.langstonbaptist.com/ondemand/ for a good look at all the shoes at the alter of the church, forward to 12 minutes 3 seconds.

The sermon wasn't the best, and I know it. It was within the text, accurate to the best of my ability, but just not my best. I think though, looking back, the text hit home because the church experienced the text.

Maybe I'm rambling, but it's my blog anyhow. I just thought for down the road, someone may have a very far-fetched idea like I had, and maybe know that sometimes God works in far-fetched ways to get His people to experience His Word.

ps. By the way, the church also held baby dedication. The gentleman who led this dedication time (as the church is without a Pastor), read the Deuteronomy 6:4-9 text. God is "I AM"!

quick 2008 look back

Two stories of two people who made me remember 2008:

Number One:
I was really impressed with one of our summer missionaries whose name was Courtney Spiers. If you could have a model missionary to serve on your staff as far as knowing the Bible, telling the Bible, and devoted to the Bible… she was the one! As I and some of the summer missionaries traveled each week to our WBA churches, I always enjoyed hearing Courtney share her testimony and how she had grown up in Mission Friends, GA’s, and Acteens learning about missionaries (praying for them, writing to them, etc.). That part of her story coupled with the Acts 1:8 scripture that she shared really made me thank God for her testimony of her mission desire to make Christ known all around the world. The way she related the Bible to kids at day camp and even to collegiate lifeguards was a true sign of her relationship to Christ and His Word. She was a good people person, hard worker, good staffer, but ultimately she was used by God because she had a clear and right upbringing that made her want to know Christ, His Word, and to share it with people around her.

Number two:
Every opportunity I have to present my ICO presentation before people, I speak of one who I respect and love more in each passing day. She is the best missionary to lifeguards that I know. Her heart and passion for lifeguards gets stronger and stronger each year and she has done it for many years, and just this month she turns 70 years old. Her name is Beady Moore and she helps coordinate the suppers in the FBC of North Myrtle Beach each week during the summer. To the lifeguards, she is known respectfully as the “Church Lady” and she loves her lifeguard hugs as they come in each week and as they depart. One of the added benefits of my position has been to work with Beady and get to know her personally. She’s a volunteer minister (basically) at her church. If its ministry in any shape or form, Beady has got a part in it… dedicated and active in her local church. Her resume includes many years of service and ministry and even missions, both locally-statewide-internationally. I had a lunch with Beady about a month after the Summer to talk about our summer lifeguard ministries/suppers and what we can do better to reach the lifeguards in a greater way. I wish you could have gone with me, to hear the stories and concerns, to hear a person whose faith has been challenged, yet she spoke with full faith and confidence in her Lord. Maybe I’ve made a mark on her life, but the mark on mine she has made is bigger and better.

Terry "T-MAC" McCoy will be missed...

Richland Northeast High School has many many memories for me. One of which will always Terry McCoy whom we affectionately called "T-MAC"!

Whom I personally studied under while at RNE and am forever grateful for are TMAC and Mrs. Barbara Thomson.

The following is today's post from the Greenville Newspaper regarding the life, accomplishment, and memory of one whom today I will greatly miss:

"Long-time educator, Terry McCoy of Columbia, died Sunday.

Mr. McCoy, 61, was student activities director at Richland Northeast High School and executive director of the South Carolina Association of Student Councils. A native of Easley, Mr. McCoy was born on August 4, 1947. Following a short illness, Mr. McCoy had spent the past week at Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

An English and French teacher with 40 years' experience, Mr. McCoy was a respected mentor to student government leaders throughout South Carolina. Today, there are countless civic, community and business leaders who first learned their lessons of service from Mr. McCoy, affectionately known to many of them as "T-Mac". An eloquent speaker of both languages that he taught, Mr. McCoy impressed on his students the value of precision in English. He passed this passion on to the many students who have served on his award-winning school yearbook staffs.

A towering figure with a beautiful bass voice, Mr. McCoy was a true gentleman who fostered courtesy among those around him. Each of the events, he touched bore his personal stamp, as he oversaw the many details that together made those occasions successful and memorable for the participants and spectators. As Richland Northeast's first student activities director, Mr. McCoy leaves a legacy of such events he created, including the Miss Richland Northeast pageant and the school's commencement ceremony, among many others.

At Richland Northeast, Mr. McCoy established the student government, a leadership effort that is nationally recognized for its success. Student life at the school has been immeasurably enriched by Mr. McCoy's efforts. Prior to coming to Richland Northeast at the school's opening, Mr. McCoy taught at Spring Valley and Dentsville high schools. For his efforts in Richland School District Two, Mr. McCoy was in 2005 presented the Richland School District Two Unsung Hero Award.

Mr. McCoy was a devoted and active member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, where he served as bass soloist and section leader in the Chancel Choir for 25 years. In 1991, he served as chairman of the committee to adopt the new Presbyterian Hymnal. His good will and humor were credited with making the task a smooth one. Mr. McCoy has been a member of the Carolina Chorale and the Arpad Darazs Singers. In addition, for several seasons he was a leading member of the bass section in the Palmetto Mastersingers.

Among several solos he had with the group, many of its members recall his infectious rendering of "Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas".

Mr. McCoy was an avid Gamecock fan and a loyal supporter of the Richland Northeast Cavaliers. He enjoyed the fellowship of a group of teachers and friends who went to dinner and Cavalier games together on Friday nights. His love of sports was nurtured as a young man keeping score for a local textile league baseball team in his hometown.

Especially admired for his efforts to develop high quality student councils, Mr. McCoy was a member of the National Association of Student Councils, the National Association of Workshop Directors and National Association of State Student Council Executive Directors. He served as a mentor to new executive directors of the NASSCED and was on the organization's executive board. Mr. McCoy was a member of the Southern Association of Student Councils, one of the oldest student council organizations in the naation.

Prior to assuming the role of executive director of the South Carolina Association of Student Councils in 1985, Mr. McCoy was the assistant executive director for three years. Under Mr. McCoy's direction, the organization's state summer leadership training camp has grown to capacity, training hundreds of students in leadership skills. Many participants fondly recall their experiences at the camp, commonly referred to among them as "Cherry Grove" for the location in which it is held.

In 2007, Mr. McCoy developed the first Middle School Student Council Workshop in South Carolina, which is held in January in conjunction with the SCASC Advisors' Workshop.

Mr. McCoy was recognized for his service to student councils with the 1994 nomination for the Southern Association of Student Councils Advisor of the Year; the 1995 SCASC Advisor of the Year; the 1996 NASC South Carolina Warren E. Shull winner and the 2003 NASC/NAWD Earl Reum Award - Region 3 winner. In 2007, Mr. McCoy was recognized at the state convention for 30 years of service to SCASC.

A 1965 graduate of Easley High School, Mr. McCoy graduated in 1969 from the University of South Carolina. He was a former treasurer of the South Carolina Foreign Language Teachers Association.

Mr. McCoy was preceded in death by his parents, Troy E. and Varo McCoy. He is survived by two sisters, Dot M. Brown and Glenda M. Cannon and husband, Buddy, all of Easley; three nieces, Tomi Lane, Linda Adams and Teresa Bearden; and a nephew, Glenn Cannon; two great-nephews, Heath Lane and Bradley Cannon; three great-nieces, Kelli Hunt, Leslie Mousa and Marlee Cannon; two great-great-nephews, Kaleb Land and Kolton Lane; and a great-great-niece, Cadence Mousa.

Private graveside services will be at a later date at Hillcrest Memorial Park with Rev. Jeff Mousa officiating.

The family requests that memorials to Mr. McCoy be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621 or the Terry A. McCoy Leadership Scholarship, c/o the Central Carolina Community Foundation, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 213, Columbia, SC 29204."

Early December update

It has been awhile since i last put a blog post up so i thought a Sunday afternoon one would be a good time for one. I've got all the gifts bought, well except for Grandma who is always the person i need Mom's help with in buying. But I'm getting very excited, even though it does not seem like Christmas is 18 days away. It's been a slow month thus far and it appears as it will be a slow one all the way through, which I am thankful for!

I don't know if I've ever quoted Reverend Billy Graham on my blog, but i thought the following excerpt was worth it:

In his recent letter to supporters of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Graham writes: "I also told my friend that my main reaction as I have approached my 90th birthday has been one of deep gratitude and thankfulness. For seven decades, my calling has been to preach the simple message of the Gospel: that God loves us, that He sent His Son into the world to take away our sins by His death on the cross, that we can be forgiven adn reconciled to God through faith in Christ as our Lord and Savior, that through Him we can have hope--hope for a new life right now, and hope for a joyous eternity with Him in Heaven"

More Books I've Read for 2008:

I read at least one Lucado book a year, and usually it is not the current one! Facing your Giants gives a character look at the popular Old Testament figure David. Born a shepherd boy who later becomes King, Lucado drives the reader to see the successes and flaws of not just David but his/hers as well.

She may not be Liberal American's favorite, but she has instilled tenacity and a new wave of GOP leadership into American politics. This book gives a touching history and background of the Sarah Palin many know but don't know much about! Definite read if you enjoy US politics.

I usually don't read books very fast, as comprehension is a difficult for me; however, this book and the book above and below were all read in a matter of a few sit-downs. Mouw, though sometimes a little inclusive in his theology of salvation, describes an accurate description of anyone who describes to a non or pro calvinistic theology. What description would that be? Love! How important it is to love others like Christ loves us no matter where we agree, disagree, or agree to disagree!

Some of you may or may not know, but dad allowed us (randy and I) to watch professional wrestling growing up. To this day I do enjoy the matches and hoolah of wrestlers both on and off the mat. But by far, Sting has been my favorite ever since I can remember. This autobiographical looks shows how a man so well-known and involved in a world-ly lifestyle turned to place his faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Read it in about 3 hours.

ABC bans flag lapel pins

here is an interesting find:

" I have checked this out on Truthorfiction.com and on Snopes.com. This is true and even though I will have little effect on ABC News revenue I do plan on being careful to not view any program that is on ABC and boycott, if at all possible, the sponsors of ABC. Barbara Walters said that this was going to hurt ABC bad. As you know she works for ABC.

ABC NEWS BANS FLAG LAPEL PINS!

YESTERDAY THE BRASS AT ABC NEWS ISSUED ORDERS FORBIDDING REPORTERS TO WEAR LAPEL PIN AMERICAN FLAGS OR OTHER PATRIOTIC INSIGNIA. THEIR REASONING WAS THAT ABC SHOULD REMAIN NEUTRAL ABOUT 'CAUSES'.

SINCE WHEN IS SUPPORT FOR PREVENTING DEATH AND DESTRUCTION SOME SORT OF A 'CAUSE'? SINCE WHEN IS PATRIOTISM TO BE DISCOURAGED?

I URGE YOU TO BOYCOTT ABC AND ITS SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES. WE ARE SLOWLY LOSING EVERYTHING OUR COUNTRY STANDS FOR AND EVERYTHING OUR MEN AND WOMEN FOUGHT AND DIED TO PRESERVE!

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO AS MANY AS YOU CAN. THIS HAS BEEN VERIFIED THROUGH: http://www.snopes.com/rumors/noflags.asp

as well as through:

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/a/abcflag.htm"

very interesting.... -pc

Concerning the 2008 presidential election

I admire Walt Mueller to a great extent. His concern for media and students has been enjoyed on my part since I started seminary in 2004. Here is a recent thought off of his blog concerning our post-election rollercoaster:

"According to some people, the world ended at around 11pm last Tuesday night. Now, these people are depressed, down-in-the-dumps, morose, etc. Many of these people are fellow followers of Christ. I've even heard some of these people speculate on whether or not Barack Obama might be the Antichrist. By the way, I've been around long enough to have heard the same about other Antichrists dujour.

According to other people, the world began at 11pm last Tuesday night. It appeared to me that many of the people who descended on Grant Park and other places around the country to celebrate Obama's victory were heralding "good tidings" of "great joy," almost as if the Savior had come.

I understand that these seem like blanket overstatements on my part. However, they capture the two ends of response on the 2008 electoral spectrum. I voted. I won't tell you how I voted. Some of my fellow believers would be happy with my vote. Others might think I'm off my rocker. I know because I've had these discussions. As I voted, I tried to do so through the lens of my Biblical world and life view. Sure, that perspective informed the issues for me and directed my decision on who to vote for. But even more than that, it gave me perspective. So as the sudden void of a 24/7 barrage of political messages and posturing has left me with more time to think, I'd like to share some perspective. . . for the simple reason that I think our responses to the election are often indicators of a lack of faith and Christian maturity, rather than a sign of faith and Christian maturity.

So. . . . my thoughts. . . .not exhaustive. . . . and certainly not very deep. . .

God's got this all under control. He's taking our country and world where He wants it to be. To those who think that it's all starting to fall apart due to the election results, you need to realize that it was all falling apart a long time ago. And if we are proud enough to believe that it wasn't all shattered until now. . . well, that's just a sign that our own falling apart led us to accept and believe a delusion. Which is, of course, proof positive that it's all fallen apart. In my own humble opinion that's based on my own personal experience. . . I think we feel good about the country when we feel good. And feeling good is predicated on the chicken in our own pot and the car in our own garage. It's symptomatic of our deeply embedded North American materialism, which is - by the way - epidemic in the church and our homes. Maybe, just maybe, a crisis that would shatter our idols and force us to our knees in dependence on God is just what the Creator ordered and just what we need for the sake of our own spiritual growth.

If God's in control, then we don't need to be afraid. So. . . . why are we? Perhaps we should be spending less time complaining about the change we think is about to come, and more time looking in the mirror at the changes that need to come in our own lives based on our fear. . . . including a little more dependence on God.

Government can't save us. Numerous societies have been down that road all throughout history, and it's never worked. Those who think Obama is the Savior are wrong. And those who think that Obama is the opposite are equally wrong. . . . simply because their despair is an indicator of the fact that they have relied on the political status quo to save them (whatever that means), and now that the political status quo has moved them from a place of comfort to discomfort, the world and their lives are doomed. Either way is idolatrous. . . replacing the Creator with something created.

Let's say Obama is the Antichrist as some Christians believe (and there's no way of really knowing is there?). Do we really think that our vote could have changed God's grand plan to redeem His world and work out what He's had in store for all eternity in His way and His time?

Maybe the most valuable thing to come out of this election is the truth about ourselves. We live in a media saturated world with a media that's saturated by spin. Fair and balanced? I don't think it exists anywhere or at either end of the spectrum. Yet, we still buy into it when it caters to our leanings. Truth is, as well, that our world is hungry for the Redeemer. Obama won't do it. And truth is, as well, that the component of the church that placed their faith in McCain and Palin are equally wrong. Don't misread what I'm saying so that you hear me say that however you voted you were wrong. I'm simply saying that many on both sides have placed their faith in people and things that don't warrant our allegiance.

So, for the next two months and some days our responsibility as God-following citizens of this country is to live under the authority of our current leaders as long as they don't require us to disobey the authority of our Lord. In addition, we should be praying for the President and all others in authority. And, when the new administration takes over, these commitments must continue.

And remember, "as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Finally, I knew my blog title would catch your attention..."