“Knowing Jesus – Live” on iTunes

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  I got a new album today that I’m pretty excited about.  North Side’s “Knowing Jesus – Live” is available on iTunes.  If you are a purist, you can get your hard copy at North Side.  23 tracks of the story of Christ.  Pretty special stuff (even if I was a part of it). Even if you have a hard …

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Knowing Jesus (Live)

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Originally released in 2012 as a studio album, this live version was recorded Easter weekend 2013. Prologue Come Lord Jesus Gloria Wisdom and Stature You Must Increase It Is Written Words of Life I Will Follow Our Father Peace Be Still All Things Are Possible You Are the Christ Unconditional Love Friend of Sinners Hosanna Woe to You Not My …

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The Deceivers

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Even though the rain was still coming down in Greenwood, the worship was going up.  It was such a special time today as we studied 2 John and celebrated the release of our “Knowing Jesus – Live” CD and DVD.  The above picture was from soundcheck with my lil’ man Eli worshiping alongside me.  He doesn’t miss a beat or a lyric.  Rock solid.  I need to get him up there with me past soundcheck some time.

The time of worship was really special.  We did only music from “Knowing Jesus” and had a ton of singers, band members, choir members, kids’ choir, and teach can percussion ensemble.  It was a lil’ rowdy this morning.

Today, we worshiped to:

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Knowing Jesus Live Release

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I got to watch the “Knowing Jesus” DVD with our band and tech team tonight at the house. It was a great time watching these people worship along to these biblical truths. 16 months ago we met in our house to begin writing these songs, and here we sat together as a family celebrating what God has done among us.

I am blown away at how well this came together. God blessed us with some special people on our team and outside our team to put together an incredible double disc CD and DVD. It sings the Bible. You can feel the passion in the room. It’s very special.

We will have each available on Sunday for $15. Get both for $25. Get some for a friend. Share the gospel in a unique way.

Tonight, I am truly humbled that these wonderful worship leaders let me lead with them.

Here’s a sneak peek from the video – hope you enjoy:

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“There Aren’t Enough Hours in the Day!”

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  Time is one of those things that you can never get back.  We all have an appointed time to live, and we will not see another second of it.  Everyone has a certain purpose to live for on this earth, and when that purpose is accomplished, our time is done (Acts 13:36).  No magic wand will ever be able …

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936 Saturdays

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The picture above was taken last Saturday in our backyard.  Amanda and the boys went out to lunch to spend some time together.  I was enjoying some one-on-one time with my little girl, Gloria.

With a list a mile long of things that needed to get done or could get done, I was very tempted to set her in front of something that would occupy her attention while I worked.

As a progress-aholic, I am used to taking such steps.  Last Saturday, the Holy Spirit and Gloria wouldn’t let me.

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1 John Recap

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A few months ago, we looked at the calendar and needed to plan how we were going to end the series on 1 John – “Knowing That You Know Jesus.”  I had this random idea.  I began to tell Jeff what I was thinking, and he said, “I was thinking the exact same thing.  Let’s go with it.”

So, anyway, that “go with it” happened this morning. It was powerful and unexpected.

We simply read through the Book of 1 John.  At the end of different sections, we worshiped according to the truth read.  It was so simple and powerful just letting the Word speak.  No commentary.  No need for explanation.  And we know it did not return void.

Gus Burgdorf did a great job sharing his work with the Gideon’s ministry.  The Word is powerful (getting the theme yet?).

Today, we worshiped to a lot of music:

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Send Montreal

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This has been a whirlwind of a week.  Monday morning, I traveled to Montreal, Canada to meet, encourage, learn, and pray for church planters in that area.  We were back Tuesday night!  It was a fast paced but a very special time.

Our time was spent with passionate men of God, who are dedicated to the Great Commission.  They love the Lord with their hearts but also their minds.  They have studied that city and know the areas in which they are trying to reach.  Spending time with the Send Montreal team of the North American Mission Board was not only educational but edifying as well.

Montreal’s history is unique.  There was a time when the city basically walked away from organized religion.  The city is now 0.5% evangelical Christian and there is 1 church per 185,000 people in that area.

We were invited to come and see the work that is being done.  While the stats seem bad, God is at work.

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“Risen” Video

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  So excited to give you a sneak peek into the “Knowing Jesus” DVD.  The video below is the song “Risen.” We are so grateful to how energetic this looks and sounds.  Our friends working on this project went over and beyond. And I am excited to say that you will be able to get your copy of the DVD …

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“G.P., Are You With Me?”

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This month has been full of traveling and full of exciting developments. We have been working on the mixing and editing of the Knowing Jesus Live CD and DVD. We were in Charlotte on Thursday to finish the mastering of the audio. As I was walking down the hallway, I took a picture of the album (with cassette tape) on …

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Something Beautiful

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The other day, I walked into our bedroom and my son, Obadiah, said to me: “Dad, there’s something beautiful in this room?” “What is it?” “Mommy! Isn’t she beautiful?” Oh, yes she is. Not that I needed to be reminded, but I love hearing it from our son. Teaching and celebrating honoring his mother is a worthwhile pursuit. I pray …

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Keep from Sin and Idols

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Today is the last sermon from 1 John!  We will conclude our series “Knowing That You Know Jesus” today. Ever doubted your assurance of salvation?  1 John has great help so that you can know that you know that you know you belong to Jesus. If you don’t have a church home, we’d love to see you at 9:30 or …

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“Why Are You Looking at Me Like That?”

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There are moments as a father where I wonder if my kids are getting it or not.

Then there are moments when I know that they are.

The other day I was outside with my boys.  Eli was raking and Obadiah had just gotten my shovel out of our shop.  He began to rake a hole next to our bonfire spot.  The conversation that ensued was rather hilarious.

Me: “Obadiah, I really don’t think you should dig right there?”

Obadiah: “Why?”

“Well, because someone might trip in it in the dark when we are having our next bonfire.”

“But I think it will be OK.”

And then he continues to dig.

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Believe God

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Special day at North Side!  Celebrated baptism and communion.  Worshiped with all our hearts.  Heard the Word proclaimed.  Loved seeing the church in action!

We studied in 1 John 5 and talked about the 3 witnesses: the water (baptism), the blood, and the Spirit.  We were able to experience that and celebrate each element today!  It was such a special time.

Today, we worshiped to:

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Day 88 of M’Cheyne

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I started the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan on January 1st of this year.  The goal is to read through the entire Bible once, the NT and Psalms twice.  At first I was unsure of the format, but I have grown to love this plan.

It is a simple format reading through 4 different of sections each day, and it is not geared around any holiday.  That’s why Day 88’s reading was so powerful.

It so “happenned” to be Good Friday.  It so “happenned” to be on the day we were starting our “Knowing Jesus” presentation.  It so “happenned” to be after a very rough dress rehearsal on Wednesday where everything you could possibly imagined that could have gone wrong did.

And I wake up that Friday morning and I pull out the day’s reading and I was overwhelmed by what I found:

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Knowing Jesus Weekend Recap

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In January of 2012, our worship team began studying Scripture and writing music to chronicle the life of Jesus.  During Easter weekend, we presented our King as passionately and skillfully as we were able.  Both Friday and Saturday night were full of visitors and worshipers.  Those who knew the story well and those who were being introduced to it for the first time.  People who had never walked into a church in their entire lives and people who were following along in their Bibles as we proclaimed the truth.

I am still trying to process everything that went down, but here’s what I know for sure:

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Overcome the World

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Such a special time at North Side Baptist Church this morning.  I love gathering with these people because it truly is family.

We were blessed to have the Erskine Gospel Choir lead us in worship this morning.  Tobe Frierson’s leadership is so passionate and the choir does such a wonderful job.

Today, we worshiped to:

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1-Year-Old Baby Girl

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It’s hard to imagine that 1 year ago it was Good Friday and I was celebrating that I was the new father of a baby girl.

This year, she has grabbed my heart in so many ways.  She is making me the kind of father where I want to set the standard so high of what a man looks like that she could never imagine one day marrying anyone that didn’t love Jesus that much or more.

She is a joy.  She is a delight.  She has the most wonderful woman in all the world in her mom to learn how to become a woman of God.  She has the best brothers in the world who love to play with her but take seriously their responsibility to watch over her.

This year has gone be so quickly.  It’s been a busy year, but a great year.  I’m honored to be Gloria’s dad.

I went back this morning to remember all that happened on her birthday, but this section reminded me of one of the reasons her life is so very precious:

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He Is Risen

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Easter Sunday was an incredible time of worship.  Coming off a busy weekend with “Knowing Jesus” being absolutely incredible, our time together was such a special way to conclude the weekend.

Different people gauge success in church in different ways.

If you define success with numbers, we had more people at church than what we have ever had.  If you define success with momentum, there was more energy and excitement than what we’ve ever experienced.  If you define success with the number of visitors, we received more visitors over the weekend than what we’ve ever encountered.  If you define success with the polish of the service, everything went wonderfully well (even if some of the things were never rehearsed since we were working on “Knowing Jesus” so much).  If you define success with a powerful message, it was off the charts.

So, how did we determine if it was truly successful?

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Come, Lord Jesus, Come

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(In some browsers, you might need to refresh to see the video above if it doesn’t come up right away.) Tonight is the night!  After over a year of prayers and work, we are here. In gearing up for our “Knowing Jesus” weekend, we are sharing some of the exciting info concerning this special event.  Listen to the very talented …

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Live Recording – Knowing Jesus

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We have some exciting news to share with you today!

1. We are almost out of tickets for Knowing Jesus this weekend.  There are a few left for Saturday.  Friday is completely gone.  Now, these are free tickets.  So, we anticipate some tickets being out and not being used.  We will have overflow, and there is a chance that we will have extra seats – even on Friday.  The best bet is to get there.  We will open doors at 6:30.  If you do not have a ticket, we will give you a holding ticket.  If there are seats in the auditorium at 6:55, you come on in.  We are overwhelmed at the response.  We shouldn’t be surprised.  Jesus would attract a standing room only crowd back then, no reason He wouldn’t do it now.  Even if it is super packed, let’s rejoice in the fact and get cozy to the people next to you!

2. We are making a live recording from this weekend!  We have been making preparations for this for a while but held back the news of it.  God has placed some wonderful friends in our lives that are helping record a live DVD and CD from this weekend’s service.

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“Not My Will” – Storytellers

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“Not My Will” was written for “Knowing Jesus” to show the commitment to which Jesus went to the cross.  In the Garden of Gethsemane, he knew exactly what was waiting on him.  He wasn’t fearful of Pilate or the Jews or the torture or the cross.  He comprehended he was about to absorb the entirety of God’s wrath upon him.

In light of his coming crucifixion, Jesus stated his desires.  If there was another way to provide salvation for mankind, his flesh would have readily accepted it.  But since there was not, he was resolved to state these famous words: “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

Can you imagine if we lived like this?  No matter what God called us to, no matter how difficult it might be, no matter the circumstances facing us, we look at him and say “not my will, but Yours be done.”

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The Love of Christ

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Powerful day of worship.  It was great to begin celebrating Passion Week as a church family.  Jeff’s message was so true.  1 John 4 paints a picture of the love of Christ that is simply breathtaking.  He wanted to save us.  He loves us.  Christ loves people like me!

Today, we worshiped to:

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Children Are a Blessing – Not a Burden

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I’ve been really challenged as a parent as of late.  I’ve got three wonderful children who love to pile up in the backseat of my pickup truck, wrestle and tickle me, and talk with me (or jabber with me) about every little thing on their mind.

I know they are blessings.  I love them.  I would do anything for them.

But sometimes, I get really tired as a parent.  I get overwhelmed.  Some of that is due to the fact that they are children.  It’s their “fault” I’m tired, but a lot of the fault is mine.

It made me think about the joy I first felt when I heard I was going to become a father, and how, unfortunately, my perspective can shift overtime if I’m not careful.

Think about this:

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“Peace Be Still” – Storytellers

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“Peace Be Still” was written as an interlude for “Knowing Jesus.”  In between “Our Father” (a song on the Lord’s prayer highlighting Jesus’ prayer life) and “All Things Are Possible” (a song about Jesus’ miracle ministry), I wanted to continue to tell the story in a unique way.

I attempted to create a soundtrack to when Jesus calmed the storm.  This event showed Jesus’ command and even nature itself.  I began to collect sounds from storms and began to create what the feel might have been like on the boat when the disciples thought they were perishing and Jesus was snoozing on the lower deck.  In the song, the storm escalates to this big crescendo and then dies down to this beautiful calming effect.

Then, I just had to try to come up with a guitar riff that sounded like it could be a soundtrack for that moment.

Sure, that sounds simple.

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Test the Spirits

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Sunday’s service consisted of focusing upon 1 John4 and the exhortation to test the spirits.

In our culture today, you can get your hands on more “Christian teaching” than ever before.  Books, sermons, services, shows, podcasts, etc.  You name it.  I’m living proof that ANYONE can write a book.  There has never been more spiritual resources available than there is now and never a more reason to discern every teaching you encounter.

In order to navigate through these times, John was advising the church to test the spirits.  Jeff did a fantastic job handling this text.  Solid sermon.

Sunday, we worshiped to:

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In the Beginning Was the Word

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  In gearing up for our “Knowing Jesus” weekend, we are pinning some quotes from some of the music on Pinterest and other social media sites.  You can see one of them above from a picture from the last time we did the event at North Side. We can’t wait to do this live again on March 29 & 30th.  Here are some links …

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Love {in}Deed Recap

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Still hearing reports of all God did through his church on Sunday as North Side participated in a Love {in}Deed day as we served Greenwood.

We said, “Amen,” and then we went throughout the city to serve others.  As the worship service concluded, the real service began.

Here were some of the feedback we received from just a few of our sites:

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“All Things Are Possible” – Storytellers

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“All Things Are Possible” was the first song that I worked on for the “Knowing Jesus” album.  I had a direction for the album, I was getting ready to unveil the plan to the band, but I needed something to share with the band so they could see what I was thinking about.  I didn’t want to write to much of any song or a little of a bunch of songs.  I wanted them to be a part of about every corner of it, but I needed one to show them what I was thinking.

That night, I gave them a list of 14 major songs that we would do for the album.  It listed the titles of the song and the themes of the song, but the song had not been written yet.  It was just a direction for the theme of each song or the time period in Jesus’ life that it would cover.

As I prayed through the list of song titles, I decided to take a stab at “All Things Are Possible.”  This would be the song that would cover the sign ministry of Jesus.  This would somehow attempt to summarize all the miraculous deeds that Jesus did during his 3-year ministry span.

No easy feat.

But we took a shot at it anyway!

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Love {in}Deed

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What a great day of worship all day long with North Side!  What started in a worship center ended all over the community.  When the service ended, the real service began!

Our church left worship and went to every corner of Greenwood and showed love in deeds rather than in just words.  As we studied 1 John 3:18, we decided to put it into practice.

Today, we worshiped to:

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Build Your Church Here

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  In gearing up for our “Knowing Jesus” weekend, we are pinning some quotes from some of the music on Pinterest and other social media sites.  You can see one of them above from a picture from the last time we did the event at North Side. We can’t wait to do this live again on March 29 & 30th.  Here are some links …

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Pastors Are Not Celebrities

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On Sunday, I heard my pastor say something that I’ve heard him say many times before.  It doesn’t matter how many people are within earshot, he still says it.  It doesn’t matter the size of our church or the busyness of his schedule. He had just preached this incredible message on the assurance of salvation.  As he made a plea …

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Primary and Secondary Marriage Issues

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We had a fantastic time at the Marriage Getaway this weekend!  Couples from North Side met up at Ridgecrest for some intentional time working on their marriages – never time wasted!

We had a blast getting to know some new couples.  Made some new friends.  We walked through Genesis 1-3 and how that addresses our marriages.  It was Marriage by the Book.  Some of my favorite content we have ever taught on marriage.  We walked through the Scripture and did a session on The Image of God, Suitable Helper, Leave and Cleave, Naked and Unashamed, Breakout Sessions, and Truth & Consequences.

At Friday night, I finished up a session on being a suitable helper to your mate and what that really looks like.  I showed a video that is one of the most powerful examples of sacrificial love I have ever seen.  It is 9 minutes long, but it is worth every second.

This video helped teach the truth that in marriage, there are primary issues and secondary issues.  If you can differentiate between the two, it makes marriage so simple.  Take the time to watch this for anyone who is married or wants to see a biblical picture of marriage:

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“Hosanna” – Storytellers

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As we began to put the final touches on the “Knowing Jesus” project, there were some spaces that I wanted to fill in with some either shorter songs or instrumental pieces.  Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem at Passion Week was one of those places.

The moment when Jesus rides into Jerusalem is at the peak of his popularity and also the peak of people hating him.  While celebration was breaking out in the streets, in the shadows, the Pharisees conspired together on how to take him out.

Usually, when I have heard a song with “hosanna” in it, the instrumentation and choral structure sounds very regal and majestic.  I love all of those songs.  But as we tried to tell this story, common folk were singing this on common instruments really on the spot.  This wasn’t a song fit for kingly courts.  This was a street song.

In my mind, it originally probably sounded like a rowdy hoedown.

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Hate Sin

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What a special time of worship today!  I am so thankful that while we had some curve balls thrown our way today via technology bothers, we have a such a special group of volunteers that make things happen in such a great way week in and week out!

We were so blessed to have Cassie back with us today.  Such a special time just to see the church love on her.  Excited about the movement of the gospel among us.  OG also gave us directions for the way we are wrapping up our Love {in}Deed Sunday next week with a North Side staff vs. Burton Center clients basketball game Sunday 7PM.  Can’t wait!

Today, we worshiped to:

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The Gospel of John

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We took 11 sermons from our Knowing Jesus: The Gospel of John sermon series and made sermon remixes from them.  Our worship team reduced the time and put some music to some great sermons.

I Will Follow Jesus Anywhere

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  In gearing up for our “Knowing Jesus” weekend, we are pinning some quotes from some of the music on Pinterest and other social media sites.  You can see one of them above from a picture from the last time we did the event at North Side. We can’t wait to do this live again on March 29 & 30th. …

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Take Your Kids With You

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I’m not the best father.  I’ve got plenty of issues I am working out.  God is still shaping me to father like he fathers.

But I have been learning a pretty solid secret of fathering as of late.

Ready for it?

When you go somewhere, take your kids with you.

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The Love Dare for Parents

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I’m honored to have been asked by LifeWay and Sherwood Pictures to partner with them again on another Bible study curriculum.  I’ve been very humbled to play a very small part in their ministry over the last couple of years, and I was humbled again that I was thought of to come alongside the latest project. I was contacted about …

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