OK, so I am a toughie. I have spent way too much time working with kids that were basically spoiled by being with parents who let them get their way too much. After all those years working with behavior disorders I pride myself on knowing how to discipline my children. I have no problem matching up their consequences with their wrong doings.

So Baylee decided to pitch a fit the other day when she was told it was time to go home. Another parent actually reminded her to listen to her mother. Oh man, when I found out I was determined that she would learn her lesson. She would not be allowed to visit her friends houses for 1 week. Then wouldn’t you know it the very next day one of the mom’s was having a cookout over at her house with all of Baylee’s friends. OK, so you know my thinking, it is the perfect consequence! (picture me with the mad scientist laugh rubbing my hands together)

Everything was going well till my wife got a heart. She said that now could be a great time to teach Baylee about grace. Yeah I know, grace is for the weak, but after much considertion I decided to give it a try.

I got to explain that it was something not deserved but that it was given out of love. As a matter of fact I would not even use the fact that she was given grace if she happened to wrong her mother again. I also got tell her how grace works for all of us becasue we all have sin.

Since then I have to tell you that disciplining is actually easier. When she is kind of slow following a direction we just say, “First time direction please.” And she instatnly remembers the grace that was shown and she acts out of love not fear of a consequence. How cool is that?

How cool is it that we still are like this even as grown ups. Our behaviors are slowly changed the more we realize His love for us and our love for Him.

Ok family and friends here is the deal;

Heather and I are part of a new church family! Check out our new home; Oakleaf Church. I am the new Campus/Journey Group pastor. This is what that means. We will be launching our first new campus soon and I will be the pastor for this site. I will also be overseeing our small group structure called Journey Groups. Heather and I are so excited and blessed to find a place to serve that has a heart to reach those that are far from God.

Our mission statement is very similar to that of LifeChurch.tv as in we are all about taking people from where they are to where God wants them to be (for you lifers that is, “Leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.”). The church exists for the world and we are determined to do anything short of sin to help people understand their need and love for God.

It’s been quite a ride getting to this point. For those that don’t know the whole story check out this earlier blog. As the dust is finanlly settling it is an awesome feeling seeing how God has been working in our lives over the last three years preparing us for this moment in time.  Many thanks to those of you that have been praying for us.

We love and miss you Wellington, come see us soon!