GO

Often times I struggle with the thought of "what I want to be when I grow up" and at almost twenty seven years of age surprisingly I do not have everything together. I am still a sinner, Sometimes my emotions get the best of me, I still over react at certain things, and some days I just want to be left alone. Every day I have to remind myself that I am nothing with out Christ and that it is by His grace alone that I am saved. He has created me, even with all my imperfections to do something great for Him.  God knows the desires of my heart and sometimes I desire to do too much.  However, I also know "that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) I know that I have been called according to His purpose, and just like Jeremiah God knew me before I was even thought of, he sanctified me and has ordained me and touched my mouth to declare His words to the nations. I have only begun to tap into the infinite dreams and desires God has for me. I just want to be available to Him!  I do not want to be remembered in my generation for doing nothing. Rather, I want to remembered as an ordinary person striving to do extraordinary things for Jesus in every nation in my  generation. 

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”   Isaiah 6:8

2013 New but familiar place

2013 I am back in Kennesaw, Georgia after what seemed to be longer than a year in Lexington, Kentucky. I have to be honest it does feel a little different being back here. The landscape is the same but something has changed in me. I believe it's because I'm in the will of my Heavenly Father. It's been perfectly orchestrated and natural. I've weighed and prayed about my choices in places to go and I'm convinced Gods hand has been on this whole process. Here are two reasons out of a list full why I believe God has called me back to Georgia....

EN Sports/ 925 at Kennesaw State University.
When I left Kennesaw a year and a half ago we had just stared meeting with athletes on campus. It was in the early stages but right away we could tell there was something special about this campus. And if it wasn't for a few key athletes on campus who already who felt like God had called them there to start something there is no telling where ENSports/ 925 would be today. This past November I had the privilege of coming down for a day to hear Steve Hollander and my dad minister at our 925 meeting. Finally I was able to see the tiny seed that i had a small part in planting and man, did that seed ever grow into something GREAT! The athletes that were there are so hungry for God and truly have a heart to see Gods transforming power unleashed on the student body and the athletic department. This in its self was super attractive and I could not help but want to be apart of something great and as life changing/ faith building as this. Right away I knew this is where I belonged and where God was calling me to be.

Un finished business
When I left Kennesaw in the back of my mind I had some sort of inclination that I would be back at some point. There was no time or date attached and I had every intension of staying put in Lexington, Ky for as long as God would keep me there. I believe my contract was up after the transition of the church in lexington, Ky. In my spirit I felt like I had some un finished business to attend to. When I moved to Kennesaw in the fall of 2009 I had a lot of anger and bitterness stored up in my heart. Truthfully ministry was probably the last thing I wanted to get involved in again but for the sake of keeping myself some what sane I jumped back in the deep end. Unfortunately when you are angry and have bitterness in your heart you can never be an effective minister of the Gospel. Bitterness toward others untreated ultimately becomes bitterness toward God. If it was not for the love and ministry I received from Sterling and Myssi Brown in the early stages of being there then I would not even want to imagine where I or God would be in this stage of my life. I owe them a lot. I fell like God moved me away from Kennesaw to prepare me for the the Harvest that is about to take place at KSU. I helped plant the seed and now God is allowing me to take part in the harvest.

Good news of Great joy

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Luke 2:1-20

Merry Christmas to all!
~Hungry Missionary

Transition

Transition "The act of passing from one state or place to the next."

This one word has dominated my life for the past five years. I have lived in a multitude of places and yet feel like I haven't gone anywhere. Everyone goes through transitions and some are bigger than others. However, the word I would like to replace transition with is Home.

Home "the place where you are stationed and from which missions start and end."

I have been on a mission to find a home. I have been craving this word for the longest time. The last couple weeks after prayer and guidance I believe my mission to find a home is over. God has opened a door for me and I have heard his voice. I know it's where I am supposed to be. I am excited to call a place home that I know I am going to stay at. No more transitioning for me. I am ready to settle down and embrace my calling in a place that has meant so much to me. Even though we have had our ups and downs God's plan for my life in this place has stayed the same. I guess you could call me a prodigal son finally returning to his home. Kennesaw, GA. I'm all yours!

Go Owls!
Stephen

Optimism

I've always tried to be an optimist. I try to see the best in every situation. Sometimes I fail at this but other times I give the situation the benefit of the doubt. Moving to Lexington I was an optimist. Thinking every single thing would work out exactly how I planned it too. But I have to admit church planting is hard. Optimism will not always turn out in your favor. It takes hard work, perseverance, dedication and faith in Jesus to make everything possible. Knowing that a small setback will not set you back but rather launch you forward. The last 7 months I've had to do over my mindset. Ask God for a mulligan. Being an optimist I've tried to see the best in every situation but sometimes I've neglected to see the best in me. That's the thing with optimism, it rarely works both ways. I've always been good at preaching to others but sometimes I don't take the time to preach to myself. I've learned that before you can carry the burdens of other you have to be able to carry the burdens of one self. How can I be effective if my own back is too sore from the weight of my own self righteousness? I was a fool to think I could do it on my own. I finally laid it all down because my own burdens were too much for me to carry.
" Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 NLT)
Optimism never got me where I needed to go. It wasn't till I fully put my trust in Jesus that he took me places that I would not have reached. Even though church planting is still hard God has given me the tools to make it easy.
"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:29, 30 NLT)

Courage and the Cowardly lion

Sometimes I find myself in situations that take a lot of courage. Although, sometimes i appear as the cowardly lion instead of the amazing hulk..well in my case more like the Jolly Green Giant. My point being is sometimes I lack the courage to do some things. I do not grab the bull by the horns. Instead I wear that silly red cape and entice the situation. I need to be better and staring that bull in the eyes and standing my ground. I do know this though, cowardly or courageous I know My God or Our God can give us that courage. I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. When I am down he will lift me up. When I am a little cowardly he will give me a Lions Roar!

7 Days 7 Lessons [Sovereignty]

Day 2/7:

There have been many times I have doubted God in my life. More times than i am willing to admit. Two years ago coming to Atlanta i was not sure of anything. One thing I know i am sure of today is God's Sovereignty over my life and every situation. A Biblical definition for sovereignty would be He has the absolute right to do all things according to his good pleasure. (ex. Romans 9:15-23) God has authority and power over all things. Many people see Jesus as the little baby in a cheap nativity scene outside a church or your parents house during Christmas. He seems helpless, weak, not alive, not powerful and just sooo.. plastic. If that was the real baby Jesus then we would be doomed. There would be no hope for the world. But luckily that is not the case, God is not a plastic baby sitting on you're lawn. Jesus is sovereign and Lord over all things. He has the power and authority over every thing that exists. including your life, my life. Every morning I get up thanking Jesus that i am alive, that he has created me for a purpose, he has a plan for my life. That God what ever situation i find myself in today you are Lord over it. You have to power and authority to change it.