Making memories

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words.  Well, if that is true do your pictures reflect the memories you want to be making?  Making memories or creating a memorable moment doesn’t just happen.  As a dad and husband I’m constantly looking for ways to be intentional with my family and my time.  One of those ways is to look for “memory making moments” and capture them.  In story, in memory, and in pictures.  As a husband I’m always looking for ways to create couple memories between Erin and I. This weekend we are getting away for a kid-free weekend to a fancy resort here in Texas — memories. Taking time.

This weekend at Second all of our Bible Studies are going to pause and take a class picture – create a memory. We are also posting up photo booths around the church lobby to give couples, singles, siblings, and friends a chance to remember the times they had a blast  – and it was in church!

Dad, and Moms – how are you capturing those “memory making moments” in your family’s life that you kids will pass on to their kids?  Couples how are you stopping to celebrate, remember, and create in your relationships.

Be intentional. Live upstream.

Building your Marriage in 2014

Erin and I just celebrated 11years of marriage (even though our real celebration comes in form of a weekend getaway in a few weeks).
For me a part of that celebration was reflecting on what (right things) we built into the first decade plus of our marriage. Here is what I came up with:

1. We built friendship – before Erin and I are parents, partners, or anything else we are friends. It’s seems like every marriage book or seminar will tell you to find a way to find common interest, but Erin and I found that the foundation of that is being friends.

2. We built faith– after 10+ years of marriage and counseling with dozens of couples it’s obvious that our tendency in marriage is to look for significance in our spouses when God’s design is to find our significance in Him first and foremost. When I’m closest to The Lord it turns out Erin and I are closer to each other. Faith first, family second, everything else third.

If you are looking to build into your marriage in 2014 I would suggest the “Building a Sacred Marriage” conference on February 23-24 at Second Baptist Church, North campus. You can Register here: https://second.wufoo.com/forms/north-2014-building-a-sacred-marriage/
Building a Sacred Marriage Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/416289528473537/

making every second count in 2014

This year here at Second we are challenging ourselves and our church to make “every second count.”  To realize that in everything I do, in all my activities, in every arena of life I have the chance to capture that moment/second for eternal and lasting things or to let it slip by.  I don’t know about you, but for me that challenge seems daunting.  When I consider all that I have going on, sitting down and creating a strategy for being intentional with all those things is somewhat overwhelming…until, I realize that making every second count is not another thing to do, rather it is keeping the appointments I already have…let me explain.

In his first letter to Timothy The Apostle Paul, who is arguably the most focused and intentional Christ Follower in history, states, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper [appointed] time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. (1 Timothy 2:5-7 ) Simply stated, Paul recognized the weight of God keeping his appointment in Christ, and therefore he recognized the weight of his own appointment as a herald of the gospel! I’ve been thinking about the appointments I’ve been given, and how I can make the most of those appointments. 3 specifically:

1. In faith – daily I have an appointment with my creator. He longs to meet with me, but the question is am I keeping that daily appointment? The consistency with which we hear from The Lord daily is directly related to our ability to live “on purpose.” In 2014 I aim to keep my appointments with Him – daily.

2. In family – another obvious appointment in my life is that I hold the title of “husband” to my wife and “dad” to my kids. Am I making the most of those appointments? Am I intentional with my wife (date nights, listening, sacrificing self)? Am I intentional with my kids (making TIME, being involved, looking for teachable moments)? If I don’t do it who else will?

3.In my flock – Just like Paul we have all been given a ministry post. Yours may be the block you live on, it may be your workplace, it may be an actual leadership role at your church. Do those under your care know you care? Are those in my charge regularly challenged by me to be all they can for HIM?

Here is to making every Second count in 2014!