I am sitting on a Philadelphia – DFW flight writing this blog today, returning from a business & pleasure trip back home to Southern New Jersey, or “South Jersey”. I had an opportunity to share my testimony, calling, and vision at the church I grew up in, Hammonton First Assembly of God, and spend some time with family and friends. It was a great trip, and one I hope will be fruitful, in terms of prayer and financial support for our vision at Leadership Academy in Spain. It was the first time I have been the main speaker for a church service, and I have to say that even I was amazed by how well I did. I can definitely say it was only through God! I believe the service was taped and I will post it as soon as I get it.
My message was one of “entering the battle”-shocker ;^)-and was a challenge to enter God’s service in building the Kingdom through discipling the next generation and ministering to widows and orphans.
But it was great re-connecting with some old school friends and my brother Jason and his family again. Christmas is a great time to be in the Northeast and a nice change from Phoenix, where I have to admit, it’s a little hard to get into the Christmas season. But South Jersey had cold weather, even a little snow, and just the right Christmas Carols on the radio to bring back memories of childhood Christmases. I looked through some old photos and even scanned some… hopefully I’ll be able to scan in a lot more of my parent’s old photos and get them online for “posterity.” For any family members reading this, send me your photos and I will start a photo gallery site soon…
One photo really brought me back, I can still hear those 8-tracks in my head, and especially the Andy Williams and Carpenters Christmas albums… whenever I hear those songs on the radio I am transported back to those Christmases of the 70’s and 80’s… I just hope I can make those same good memories for my own kids as they grow up. Rebecca and I are really trying to establish some traditions with our kids like I had as a child.
Overall, it was a fast, but brilliant trip.
Overall, it was a fast, but brilliant trip.
Now it’s back to work, packing for Spain and working the logistics for the Leadership Academy. I’m meeting with Andrew Shearman and David Fredrikcz this week to get more definite plans down on paper. Keep checking in here and the G42 Leadership Academy site for updates!
