“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

I was in my early 20’s when someone first asked me “Are you planning on being a youth pastor forever?” My response was typically “Well, I think before it’s all said and done, I’ll end up doing a little bit of everything.” I always thought that was an odd question to ask. Not because people don’t stay in student ministry for life, but because following Jesus and belonging to Him means that I didn’t just surrender to an area of ministry, I surrendered to Jesus Christ. At some point He may call us to something that doesn’t look like student ministry. I didn’t realize in my early 20’s how true that would be. I’ve had the privilege of serving in student ministry, church media and a whole lot of different experiences that run the whole gamut of ministry. And now, we’re about to take another turn in the road.

In May of this year, I sat down with Phillip, my pastor, and told him that our season of ministry at Cedar Creek has come to an end. I asked him if he would be willing to work with us through a transition period, and he very graciously agreed. So, that transition period is almost up as my last day as Creative Director at Cedar Creek Church will be August 31st. This wasn’t an easy decision for us, and it came after much prayer, counsel and A LOT of soul searching.

Now, let me just say a few things: Jesus and I are good. My wife and I are good. Cedar Creek and I are good. This has been a process in me that has been developing over the last several years. So, if you’re looking for some juicy details, I got nothing for ya While the last several years have been really difficult at times, I think that is the process that God often uses to move us on. If we were always comfortable and content, none of us would change or move.

Here’s what’s up next for us:
Over the last decade plus, I’ve developed 2 businesses that I have operated in addition to my work at Cedar Creek. Alive Media is my web, graphic and video production company that caters to businesses, churches and non profits. 4Thought Media is my company where i develop media (sermon illustrations, video countdowns, motion backgrounds, powerpoint games, and still images) for churches to use in varying ministry settings. I will be launching these businesses into a full time capacity. We will also begin expanding our video production for businesses as well as partnering with churches to serve as a “Creative Team” for churches that may not have that or even to be a creative resource for those that do.

Also, as I’ve been praying over our next steps, the words “leave margin” keep coming to mind. I believe that there is another piece to the puzzle that isn’t fully in focus yet, but as we go along, we are trusting that the Lord will make that clear. I do plan on doing some fill in speaking for pastors and churches that need a break or need a fill in guy, maybe some speaking at student ministry events if that opens up. I’m not sure exactly what that looks like, either, but it sounds fun to me.

I did want to publicly say thanks to some people at Cedar Creek that have been a part of my 13 years of ministry there and have made an impact in my life:

• Richard Swift – I want to thank you for taking a chance on this really young student pastor way back in the day. Thank you for stepping out in faith in starting Cedar Creek and for being a leader that others would want to imitate. You are a giant in my book.
• Phillip Lee – Thank you for your friendship through the years and for working with me as God worked IN me. I’m excited for you as God continues to lead Cedar Creek through you.
• Wes Holbrook – You were a brother to me in some very dark days. In the desert, you were God’s mouthpiece saying, “Don’t setup camp…Keep walking.” Love you bro.
• Danny Neu – You were the first Student Ministry staff that we had in addition to me. Multi-talented and a servant’s heart. I’m so thankful to have you as my friend. Many adventures we’ve had, many more to come I’m sure.
• Kay Stanley aka K-Bird – Still remember those days in the “Old Post Office” downtown where it was Richard, you, Travis and me. I think you will end up outlasting all of us Thank you for going above and beyond and being the face of Jesus to so many.
• Susan Reck – I’ll never look at a green piece of paper the same way again. Thank you for going to bat for my family and for keeping the church’s books on target all of these years.
• Walter Ray – I leave the creative department at CCC in very capable hands. While I love seeing how God is using you in ministry, the real joy to me is watching you follow Jesus and grow into the man of God you are becoming.
• Kidz Creek and Centerpoint – Thank you for investing in my kids for all of these years. Thank you that you not only shared with my kids the Gospel, but also “your very lives as well”. (1 Thess. 2:8)
• Samantha Thames, Tiffany Stewart, Terry Lee and the GRACE Kidz Staff and Volunteers – I have no evidence of this from Scripture, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if in Heaven there is a place of honor for those that minister to and care for children and people with special needs. Thank you that you saw a need, that your heart was broken for that need, that you listened to Jesus and made it possible for my son and other children with special needs to know and experience Christ. I don’t have enough words to thank you.

Here’s how you can help:
Pray – We really would appreciate your prayers for our family, especially over the next several months. This is a HUGE transition, and we’re leaning in to Christ as much as we know how. Here are some things that we’re praying about that we would invite you to join us in:

1. Clients and the right projects – Obviously we need clients on an ongoing basis (business, church and non profit) to pay the bills, so pray that we would make connections with clients that are a good fit. Also, pray that the Lord would bring out the creativity in us as we develop new scripts, projects and ideas.
2. Partnership – I really see working with a group of people (2 or 3…maybe more) with Alive Media and 4Thought Media to move them both toward becoming a studio of sorts. These people would have to be the right mix of talent, heart and we’d have to work well together. Pray that God would help me make those connections and raise up the right people.
3. House to sell – Right now our house is for sale…a tall order in this market. Pray that we would get a good offer, preferably from a pre-approved buyer.
4. Transition – Pray for each of us the next several months will be a lot of transition. Pray that we will all transition well.

Help us get the word out – The most effective marketing in my opinion is word-of-mouth. If you know someone that is looking for a new website, video production, graphics help, etc., pass my name on to them.

While this is a big step of faith for us, we’re definitely excited about the road ahead. Here we go.

I want to share a story about my dad.

One of my first memories was a time when my mom, brothers and I went to the airport to pick up my dad after he came back from a trip. I have no idea how old I was at the time. There was an escalator in the airport and I stepped on it – with one foot. I didn’t have enough experience with escalators to know that you have to jump on one step with both feet. As the escalator went down, my one foot went with it while the other stayed on top. It scared me really bad. Just when my legs were as far apart as they could go before falling, my dad swept in and picked me up. He carried me the whole way down.

I learned two lessons that day. The obvious first one being: don’t step on an escalator with only foot! The other was that my dad would take care of me. Thanks, Dad.

Here’s a list of the old things I found:

Alan’s beach towel (he got it for h.s. graduation gift) – 1991 – 20 years
Alan’s clock radio – (he used it in h.s.) 1990ish – 20+ years
Honda Accord – bought it new in 1997 – 14 years
Kim’s leather sandals – 1993 – 18 years
Hair dryer (we just had to throw it out) – 1997 – 14 years
Clothes hamper (got it when we got married) – 1995 – 15 years
Gold earrings I got as a good-bye gift from my workplace in Bowling Green, KY – 1983 – 27 years
Knife set (got as a wedding gift) 1995 – 15 years
Kim’s long black winter coat – 1992 – 19 years

What are some old things that you have and still use?

I think some of it had to do with my pride – wanting others to be maybe a little impressed with my pretty presents. Also, I guess I just didn’t think my family really noticed – that they would accept whatever I put on the gift. Although, this is probably somewhat true, I felt bad when she asked me about it. I thought about the fact that I tend to do that in other areas of my life, too. Like when I keep a smile on my face for strangers and then let my family see the “real me” that isn’t so nice. I don’t want to do that. Of all the people in my life, I would like to show kindness and love to those closest to me.

God, please help me to remember to put the pretty bows on my loved ones presents.

I didn’t get married until I was 31-years-old. That’s on the later end of average to be getting married, but I’m glad I waited. I always said that I would rather have 20 years with someone I adored than 40 years with someone I tolerated because I just didn’t want to be alone. I had a pastor’s wife tell me one time that there are worse things than being alone, but that’s a blog post for another day!

I actually had some specific criteria for a man I would be looking to marry. It’s in that funny-sounding acronym at the beginning of this post.

First of all, I wanted a Godly man. My relationship with God is the most important thing in my life and I felt like it would need to be first in my husband’s life, too, for us to get along.

I’m somewhat outgoing, so I wanted a husband that would be similar in that area. This one wasn’t one of the most important, though. I’ve known several couples where one spouse is extroverted and one is introverted, and it works out just fine.

I wanted him to be intelligent. I would like to be able to carry on a conversation that has substance to it. Alan is actually much smarter than me, and I learn a lot from him.

I needed my husband to have a sense of humor. I grew up in a family that laughed a lot, so I love humor. Thankfully, my husband has a fabulous sense of humor. He makes me laugh every day.

And lastly, I wanted someone attractive. Now don’t be judging and think I’m shallow – you and I both know that if we have to look at that person every day, it sure does make it nice if you think they look good. I still look at Alan and think “Wow!”. So thankful for that.

I married that GOIHA guy and I feel so blessed. Funny thing is, I remember at one time thinking that maybe I had set my standards too high. I wondered if I ever met such a man, would he want ME? I am so very glad he did!

We all go through ups and downs with our parents and sometimes it seems like the roller coaster is a bit curvier with our parent of the same sex. e.g. girls have a tougher time with moms, boys have a tougher time with dads. My relationship with my mom wasn’t any different.

When I was 17-years-old, I was involved in a very bad car accident. I was riding with my grandmother as she was driving her little VW Beetle home from church on Sunday evening. She had stopped at an intersection and then pulled out in front an oncoming car. The car that hit us belonged to a policeman who was on his way to a call, and so he was driving very fast. He hit the front of our car, which made it spin around for what seemed like forever. When we finally stopped, my grandmother was knocked out. I thought she was dead and I started screaming – I was so scared. She eventually woke up, much to my relief, but she was wedged in the car and they had to get the “jaws of life” to get her out. It took a long time. During this time, someone had called my parents (this was way before cell phones were around, so I’m not sure who called). A lot of people stopped to watch; the wreck was at a well-traveled intersection. I kept looking around and finally, among all the people standing there, I saw my parents step through the crowd. I could not get to my mom fast enough. I was 17, but it didn’t matter. She held me so tight; I knew everything would be okay then.

I can’t say that we never had another argument or that things were gloriously wonderful forevermore between us – but for that instant, I needed my mom and she was there for me. She has been there for me many, many times since then. Thanks, Mom.

I just heard from her recently and was brought to tears when she told me that she still has the Bible and it is practically falling apart from her use. She is on staff at a church in a nearby town and leads people on international mission trips. She told me that she keeps that Bible on her desk.

Wow. I am just blown away by God’s incredible faithfulness. Even though I loved her (and still do), He loved her more and He already knew the plans He had for her. I am so thankful that He allowed me to be a part of those plans.

I found out that it is really hard to stay mad at someone who asks for your forgiveness. On the other hand, it is MUCH easier to throw out a quick “I’m sorry” than it is to humbly ask someone to forgive you.

I think these four words have helped our marriage considerably over the years. When they are spoken in sincerity, the atmosphere changes. I feel like we are on the same team again. And that’s a very good thing.

I remember it seemed surreal at the moment. It was like time stood still after the doctor said it. After a few moments, I asked the usual questions. What do we do now? What’s my prognosis? Will I survive this? The last one was really tough. At the time, my kids were very young. Hannah had just turned four years old and Spencer was seven months old. I remember asking God to please let me live long enough to see my kids grow up.

Fortunately for me, thyroid cancer is one of the most easily treatable forms of cancer. They basically just go in and remove your thyroid gland and then you take synthetic thyroid hormone for the rest of your life. It does not typically metastasize.

One thing that helped me a lot during this time was believing that God knows my days. The Bible says that he knows every hair on our heads and that He knows when we lay down and when we get up. He knows everything about us – including how long we will be on this planet. I don’t believe I will die one minute before my time, cancer or not. I had to hold on tight to that in 2002.

Hannah surprised me when she said, “Well, although it’s a bit nicer to say that they got away, the earlier story sends a stronger message about making sure you build a solid house.”

Yeah, I guess a person would have a bit more motivation if they thought they were going to be eaten!