A look back at my 2009 New Years Resolutions

New Year Resolutions...everyone seems to make them, yet few keep them.  I thought for fun I would look back at my 2009 Resolutions/Goals and see how I did.  Here were mine from '09:
1)Improve our family devotion time
2)Continue my financial plan
3)Eat healthier
4)Exercise Consistently

So how did I do?  1)We have worked hard to be consistent in our family devotional time.  I believe it's my responsibility to disciple my kids so we are still working, but had a good year in this one.  2)We have done excellent with our Financial plan.  We went through Financial Peace University (FPU) and have followed this plan and it has helped us be very responsible financially.  3)As for eating healthier, I have cut back my portions and eat less food at each seating.  I need to still improve on eating healthier foods.  4)I have Exercised Consistently all year.  I set a goal to run a 5k in early 2009 and did.  I have keep running and started other exercises as well.

As a whole I would say I did very well with my 2009 Resolutions.  So what are my 2010 goals?  That post is coming soon.

The Real Meaning of Christmas Charlie Brown Style

13th Wedding Anniversary & 33rd Birthday

December 21st is both my Birthday and my Wedding Anniversary.  The best birthday present I ever received was my wife.  I'll never forget that day that occurred 13 years ago today.  God blessed me with an amazing woman that shares this great life with me.  She is encouraging, uplifting, supportive and loving of me.  She is an incredible mother to Ty and Haley.  I can't imagine life without her.  We are a perfect fit for each other.

I remember seeing her walking down the isle of the church and thinking WOW!  As I look at her today I still say WOW!  I thank God for blessing me with Sara and the 13 years we have now shared together.  Each year seems to get better and better.  I love you Sara and Happy Anniversary!

 

Missions @ Beech Street

In December of each year Beech Street takes up it's annual Mission Offering.  The "Acts 1:8 Offering" is structured with this verse in mind, "...you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Many people have given to this offering over the course of the entire year, while others give a lump sum on the actual day in December.  Last Sunday was our "ingathering" for the Acts 1:8 offering and we have received $97,000 to go toward missions, PRAISE THE LORD!  I fully expect it to go well over $100,000.  This money is divided up in to 4 categories and a percentage goes to each:  International Mission (IMB), North American Missions (NAMB), State Missions (ABSC) and Local (BSFBC).

It's exciting to be apart of a church that has a huge heart to see people won to Christ.  Thank you for your obedience to God Beech Street!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

I always enjoy attending our Small Group Christmas Parties, it's one of the benefits of also being the Education Pastor side of my job.  This past Saturday our "Threads Too" Small Group had an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" party.  As you can see from a few of these pictures there were some really ugly sweaters.  Lots of people went all out and did the entire outfit.  This group know how to have a lot of fun.  Sara and I had a blast hanging out with them Sunday night.

Sara & I

 

Burns, Neil & I

Sr. Adult Christmas Party

Thursday our Sr. Adults had their Christmas Party in the Fellowship Hall at the church.  They did a great job of putting a great event together.  The tables were decorated very nicely, the food was excellent and the entertainment was fun.  They had Roasted Pork Loin, dressing, sweat potato caserole, green beens, salad, rolls and some amazing deserts...I personally had the Apple Pie and Ice Cream cake...it was all very very good! 

For entertainment they had a "Illusionist."  He performed all kinds of illusions and did a great job of entertaining the crowd.  At one point he brought Pastor Craig up front and tried to teach him a trick.  He had Pastor Craig tear up a napkin is several of different squares then wade them up and put them in his mouth.  This idea was for it all to come out in one piece...of course it didn't work for Pastor Craig and it did for the Illusionist guy, it was  pretty funny.  (the picture below is of Pastor Craig with the napkin in his mouth.)

I always enjoy spending time with this age group in our church, they are such a big encouragement to me.  So many of them send me cards and offer many words of encouragement.  Plus they are some great prayer warriors.

New...

We had a great Thanksgiving with our families last week, now it's back to the ministry at hand.

Monday morning I hit the ground running, mostly planning for 2010.  Part of our staff team spent most of the day Monday meeting with "Worlds of Wow" about the design for our Childrens area.  Two of their team members came down Reagan, President, & Wayne, Project Manager.  Our team was very impressed with them and looks forward to partnering with them.  Emily, our Children's Minister, shared her vision and direction with them and this area is going to look simply amazing.

Tuesday I went to the monthly Super Summer Leadership Team meeting in Little Rock.  I am priviledged to serve on this team of Student Pastors from across the state in planning Super Summer for 2010.  For those of you that don't know, Super Summer is a camp for teenagers that takes place each summer at Ouachita Baptist University (OBU).  Super Summer does two camps, a Jr. High Camp & Sr. High Camp, with each one having  over 1000 students.