I am extremely excited about 3 things right now that have to do with XLR8:
1. A brand new series that I am preaching on Wednesday nights starting on October 17th called WE ARE XLR8. I will pulling clips and thoughts from the movie WE ARE MARSHALL. This will be four week series that will teach us a lot about being a team and overcoming adversity. I will be tying this in with our Small Group Launch which is the second thing I am excited about.
2. Small Groups are almost here! We had the 6.8 Kickoff last night and had a blast! The buzz around XLR8 is picking up regarding Small Groups. The 9.12 Kickoff Party is this Saturday from 6-9pm and the Hecklingers house in Milbury. Small Groups will help us grow spiritually and numerically. We will all benefit from the one on one discussion, discipleship and intimate setting for worship. You may even be able to use your God given talent in a small group, which brings me to the third thing I am excited about.
3. Fine Arts Festival is upon us. In February, we will be taking students to Dayton for an amazing weekend of demonstrating our talents and abilities. We have over 75 entries already for this year and look to add even more. If you have not been a part of Fine Arts before, you are missing out. The fellowship with other members in your group is amazing, the development of your talent is worth the investment, and the chance to do something great for God is life changing.
Well, there you have it. Now you know what I am excited about. Actually, on a side note, I am excited that my kids are all growing up and doing great. Nash, Katie, and Annie are so great! If you haven't spent any time with them yet, you need to. they are amazing and will change this world for God.
Oh yeah, I am pumped about the Buckeyes and Steelers too.
One last thing, please pray for me as I travel to Charlotte, NC this week to serve in the National Fine Arts Festival Steering Committee. I will not be with the greatest students in the world at XLR8 this week, but Amanda will be bringing the the Word to you and I can't wait to get the tape.
See you all Thursday at the Appreciation Banquet!!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Taking a Stand
All across the nation, students took a stand for Jesus today. I cannot be more proud than I am of students who are not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. I am clapping my hands and rooting on every student of XLR8 and others across the USA who sacrificed sleep & reputation to pray for their school today for See You At The Pole.
Even though my sleep time was shortened and I was nearly eaten alive by mosquitoes, I was thrilled to be standing shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand with teenagers who will change this world for Jesus.
I can't wait until tonight to hear the testimonies of what God did across NW Ohio. If you are reading this on Wednesday, Sept. 26th and it is not yet 7pm, you need to be at the XLR8 youth service tonight because God has something in store for you.
See You At XLR8!!
Even though my sleep time was shortened and I was nearly eaten alive by mosquitoes, I was thrilled to be standing shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand with teenagers who will change this world for Jesus.
I can't wait until tonight to hear the testimonies of what God did across NW Ohio. If you are reading this on Wednesday, Sept. 26th and it is not yet 7pm, you need to be at the XLR8 youth service tonight because God has something in store for you.
See You At XLR8!!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Changing Seasons
Yesterday was beautiful outside. I was on a golf course in Findlay (no, my team didn't win the Pastor's Masters Golf Tournament - Addison Sterling's team did - CONGRATS!) Anyway, the skies were clear, the sun was shinning, I was warm . . . and then the sun went down, the air froze, and I was faced with the reality that Autumn was upon us.
For all the summer fans out there, I'm sorry to say, the seasons are changing. Here at Dayspring, the seasons of ministry are changing as well with the search for the new senior pastor winding down. Soon, we will have a new leader with new vision ready to help Dayspring with the changing of seasons.
I recently went through a changing of seasons in my life. I guess as you would have to look at the last 2 years as a time frame to understand this. Amanda and I used to enjoy quiet nights together playing games, watching movies, talking into the late hours of the evening. We even managed to do this with Annie being 4 yrs. old. We could jump in the car and go get ice cream or visit at a friend's house or shop (yes, I actually enjoy shopping).
However, on Labor Day 2005, we found out that Kaitie was on her way. Shortly after Kaitie was born, Nash decided he wanted to join the family. Now we have 3 kids, 2 under the age of 2 and the quiet nights have turned into exhausting days of changing diapers, feeding babies, laundry, cleaning, etc. We never have a dull moment in the Valantine home. It's a new season. It's a fun, exciting season, but also difficult and challenging.
So what do you do when the seasons change and you have to adapt? You adapt. You can't fight it. You have to roll with the punches and live every day to the fullest for God. I love my kids. I have the best wife in the world and thank God for her always. Do I get to do as many things for myself as I want? No. Do I get to sleep as much as I want. No. Is life hard at times? Yes.
The seasons have changed for Amanda and me. I could get upset and pout because I don't get as much "me time" as I used to have or because I have to change another dirty diaper, or could make the most of each day realizing that God has blessed us with 3 beautiful children who need discipled, trained, and loved.
I could pout because we don't have a senior pastor at Dayspring and talk bad about the church, or I could work hard, draw closer than ever to God, and serve Him each day with all of my heart and a good attitude.
What season has changed for you? What approach have you taken?
Learn to embrace the changes that happen in your life!
For all the summer fans out there, I'm sorry to say, the seasons are changing. Here at Dayspring, the seasons of ministry are changing as well with the search for the new senior pastor winding down. Soon, we will have a new leader with new vision ready to help Dayspring with the changing of seasons.
I recently went through a changing of seasons in my life. I guess as you would have to look at the last 2 years as a time frame to understand this. Amanda and I used to enjoy quiet nights together playing games, watching movies, talking into the late hours of the evening. We even managed to do this with Annie being 4 yrs. old. We could jump in the car and go get ice cream or visit at a friend's house or shop (yes, I actually enjoy shopping).
However, on Labor Day 2005, we found out that Kaitie was on her way. Shortly after Kaitie was born, Nash decided he wanted to join the family. Now we have 3 kids, 2 under the age of 2 and the quiet nights have turned into exhausting days of changing diapers, feeding babies, laundry, cleaning, etc. We never have a dull moment in the Valantine home. It's a new season. It's a fun, exciting season, but also difficult and challenging.
So what do you do when the seasons change and you have to adapt? You adapt. You can't fight it. You have to roll with the punches and live every day to the fullest for God. I love my kids. I have the best wife in the world and thank God for her always. Do I get to do as many things for myself as I want? No. Do I get to sleep as much as I want. No. Is life hard at times? Yes.
The seasons have changed for Amanda and me. I could get upset and pout because I don't get as much "me time" as I used to have or because I have to change another dirty diaper, or could make the most of each day realizing that God has blessed us with 3 beautiful children who need discipled, trained, and loved.
I could pout because we don't have a senior pastor at Dayspring and talk bad about the church, or I could work hard, draw closer than ever to God, and serve Him each day with all of my heart and a good attitude.
What season has changed for you? What approach have you taken?
Learn to embrace the changes that happen in your life!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Stirring the Passion
This week has been all about renewing the passion in my heart for God. It started when Amanda asked me how things were going with me. I told her with the transition at the church as we search for the next senior pastor and the extra work at home with 2 babies now, that I was just, "trying to survive."
The more I thought about that comment and realized it was true, the more motivated I became. To do what? To make sure that I live every day passionately for God, even if i am tried and feel like I don't have anything to give to Him.
My uncle was officiating the funeral for his grandson (my cousin), Gabriel David Savon, who lived for only 2 hours last week, and this is what he said that stuck with Amanda and me, "When prayer is most difficult, prayer is most necessary. When worship is most difficult, worship is most necessary." WOW! How true are those statements?
The bottom line for me is I've heard that we should live every day like it's our last. I was not as I tried to "survive." At least learning that I was in a funk challenged me to stir my passion for God. He has so much for me and I want to experience it now, not after I get through my difficult time.
Psalm 63:3 "Because your love is greater than life, my lips will glorify you!"
The more I thought about that comment and realized it was true, the more motivated I became. To do what? To make sure that I live every day passionately for God, even if i am tried and feel like I don't have anything to give to Him.
My uncle was officiating the funeral for his grandson (my cousin), Gabriel David Savon, who lived for only 2 hours last week, and this is what he said that stuck with Amanda and me, "When prayer is most difficult, prayer is most necessary. When worship is most difficult, worship is most necessary." WOW! How true are those statements?
The bottom line for me is I've heard that we should live every day like it's our last. I was not as I tried to "survive." At least learning that I was in a funk challenged me to stir my passion for God. He has so much for me and I want to experience it now, not after I get through my difficult time.
Psalm 63:3 "Because your love is greater than life, my lips will glorify you!"
Friday, July 6, 2007
Fireworks vs. Bang Snaps
Happy 4th of July week to everyone. Does anyone else ever wonder if people are actually reading your blog posts? If you read this, humor me and shoot me a quick e-mail for encouragement. (Go back to the staff page and click e-mail) I saw my fair share of fireworks this week. It started at the Sanctus Real concert in Sylvania, then it was the Toledo show, and I caught some of BG's show as well (From my house! I am definitely charging for parking next year).
The big fireworks shows are great. I mean, there is just something about a real loud bang and a masterpiece of colors sprayed across the sky. You also have the grand finale. I personally love it when someone says, "oooo, that must be the finale," when it clearly isn't. Come on! You'll know it's the finale when you see it, it's the highlight of the show.
Think back to when you were just a kid. Maybe you were throwing some of these this week. What am I talking about? Bang snaps. You know, those little white wrapped up things that snap when you throw them on the ground. What do they put in those to make them do that? Bang snaps are nowhere near as flashy and showy as the grand finale, but they still are vital to the arsenal of 4th of July materials.
This reminds me of our walk with God. Everyone loves the big show, the lights, the flair, the high energy and emotional displays that happen occasionally, but what about the bang snaps. The everyday, non-flashy and non-emotional events in our walk with God. Our foundation should be built on these moments, not the grand finales. Now, don't get me wrong, big events aren't bad, emotional times with God are not to be taken lightly, but our Christianity should not be built on the show and the hype.
Your bang snaps might be your personal quiet time with God, a challenging conversation with a Christian friend or family member, or serving someone you know. Don't wait around for the grand finale and expect to make it. Live daily embracing the bang snaps and your foundation will be solid, unless of course you get blindsided by an m-100.
Happy 4th of July!
The big fireworks shows are great. I mean, there is just something about a real loud bang and a masterpiece of colors sprayed across the sky. You also have the grand finale. I personally love it when someone says, "oooo, that must be the finale," when it clearly isn't. Come on! You'll know it's the finale when you see it, it's the highlight of the show.
Think back to when you were just a kid. Maybe you were throwing some of these this week. What am I talking about? Bang snaps. You know, those little white wrapped up things that snap when you throw them on the ground. What do they put in those to make them do that? Bang snaps are nowhere near as flashy and showy as the grand finale, but they still are vital to the arsenal of 4th of July materials.
This reminds me of our walk with God. Everyone loves the big show, the lights, the flair, the high energy and emotional displays that happen occasionally, but what about the bang snaps. The everyday, non-flashy and non-emotional events in our walk with God. Our foundation should be built on these moments, not the grand finales. Now, don't get me wrong, big events aren't bad, emotional times with God are not to be taken lightly, but our Christianity should not be built on the show and the hype.
Your bang snaps might be your personal quiet time with God, a challenging conversation with a Christian friend or family member, or serving someone you know. Don't wait around for the grand finale and expect to make it. Live daily embracing the bang snaps and your foundation will be solid, unless of course you get blindsided by an m-100.
Happy 4th of July!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Improvement Ahead
Ok, I must confess that I have been doing a poor job with my blog. What can I say? Now that we have 2 babies in the house under 15 months, I feel good if I just remember to brush my teeth each day.
Having a son is great. He already seems more laid back than the girls, no offense to all the lady readers. People have noticed that he has long arms and legs, of course, that means I am already pursuing offers from professional sports teams. You have to dream, right? If he's more into art & music, I will be ok, I think.
Sleep is a rare commodity around the Valantine home these last 2 weeks. You sleep when you can and rely on a good double shot caramel macchiato to make up the difference. It's worth it in the long run. Kids grow up fast, so they say. I'm still growing up.
Well, I just got "the eye" from Amanda that I have spent quite a bit of time on my computer today and not as much time with her, so I must depart this great adventure, for now.
Talk to you in a few days, I hope.
Having a son is great. He already seems more laid back than the girls, no offense to all the lady readers. People have noticed that he has long arms and legs, of course, that means I am already pursuing offers from professional sports teams. You have to dream, right? If he's more into art & music, I will be ok, I think.
Sleep is a rare commodity around the Valantine home these last 2 weeks. You sleep when you can and rely on a good double shot caramel macchiato to make up the difference. It's worth it in the long run. Kids grow up fast, so they say. I'm still growing up.
Well, I just got "the eye" from Amanda that I have spent quite a bit of time on my computer today and not as much time with her, so I must depart this great adventure, for now.
Talk to you in a few days, I hope.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day
Today was a great day. Of course, the church office was closed and I was able to relax with my family at the lake. Amanda's parents have a cabin at Indian Lake in the Bellfontaine area in central Ohio. Kaitie enjoyed the swingset and getting into everything and Annie caught a few fish. Amanda was able to rest as she nears the end of another pregnancy. And I worked a little more on my corn hole game.
If you haven't seen the new craze, it's a game in which you throw bean bags toward a wooden game boards that rest on the ground. The boards have holes in them and the bags are filled with corn, hence the name. Let's just be honest, I'm pretty good at the game. In fact, I am thinking about joining a league. And if I can't find one, I may just start one. It's addicting. I guess we all need simple pleasures to enjoy as we take time off from our busy schedules. Wish me luck in my new hobby!
If you haven't seen the new craze, it's a game in which you throw bean bags toward a wooden game boards that rest on the ground. The boards have holes in them and the bags are filled with corn, hence the name. Let's just be honest, I'm pretty good at the game. In fact, I am thinking about joining a league. And if I can't find one, I may just start one. It's addicting. I guess we all need simple pleasures to enjoy as we take time off from our busy schedules. Wish me luck in my new hobby!
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