I love to run! For the past 8 years, I have enjoyed many miles on the road with friends and in running races. Some people call running an illness, but for me it brings a lot of refuge and release. Sometimes when I am out running alone, I have very deep thoughts. I have often solved the energy crisis and credit crisis all within one five-mile run. At least in my own mind! However, there are many times that I think of all the best “running quotes” I have heard. Things like, “the difference between a runner and a jogger is a name on a race entry form.” I continue to recall many of these quotes as I run for motivation and reflection. One of my favorite quotes is, “It’s not a matter of if you finish, it’s a matter of when you finish.” In other words, I am going to arrive at the end of my journey eventually, the question is when? Quitting is never an option, only finishing!

Paul spoke a lot about competing as an athlete. He often referred to the Christian life as a race. He even said we should, “run in such a way as to get the prize.” As I look toward 2009, I want to enter the race and FINISH. I am reminded of what Paul told the church in Philippi, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6) God wants to finish His good work in us. He later went on to say in chapter 2 of Philippians, “For it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose.” This coming year, I want to let God do His work in me in new ways. I want to continually ask myself, what will God choose to do in and through me if I fully surrender to Him?

I remember when I ran my first marathon. As I began the race, people were cheering me on, screaming, and confetti was everywhere. Thousands of runners gathered that day to do one thing, FINISH! As the race went on, I encountered more and more people who continued to cheer me on. At mile 25, nobody asked me how fast I was running. No one cared about what time it was, all they said to me was one word, FINISH. As I turned the last corner and saw the finish line, I only had one thought - I am about to FINISH! I went that day from being a runner to a marathoner. As I crossed the line I screamed, “I DID IT!” I FINISHED.

In 2009, I am expecting great things from God – most of all, the opportunity to let Him do His work in me, to bring me one step closer to the finish line. With a world so caught up in the economy, the environment, and world affairs, maybe God is saying to us as Christ followers, FINISH! Don’t get sidetracked by negativity or current events. Don’t allow this world to steal away the joy of the Lord. Just keep running and FINISH. Paul said it best in Acts 20:24, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” I believe 2009 is going to be a special year. Remember, “it’s not if you finish, it’s when you finish.” Make the most of the journey! Most of all FINISH!

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter (finisher) of our faith." Hebrew 12:2

Where did 2008 go? This past year has flown by. I am not sure why each year seems to go by faster- if it’s because life gets busier or if it’s that I am getting older. Either way, 2008 is gone and 2009 is here, and it’s time to look toward the future. I love this time of year. It is time to be with family and share special moments, but it is also a great time to regroup, refocus, get ready for the upcoming year. At the end of each year, I like to stop and reflect on what all God has done over the past year. It is a great way to remind ourselves of how great God really is. Even in the toughest of years, you see God’s goodness and grace. This past year has been a roller coaster ride for me and my family. I have seen God move in ways in our Student Ministry that have blown me away. I have seen students come to Christ on Wednesday night almost every week. Then there was camp – 31 students gave their lives to Christ. On the other hand, as a family we have dealt with new challenges that have forced us to come together and learn to trust God like never before. As we go into this new year, we do not know what to expect, but what we can expect is for God to be for us (Romans 8:31). Every year before we go to Student Camp, I challenge our students to look forward to camp and expect God to do something in their life. So before this year gets kicked off- What are you expecting God to do in 2009? That can be a pretty hard question to answer. As I look into the life of my family and the life of the ministry I serve, I have some expectations about what God will do.

In the student ministry at The Church at Pinnacle Hills, I am expecting another God-sized year. I want our ministry to be known as a Refuge for students all over the region. I am praying that we will see more kids come to Christ than ever before. I am asking God to do great things in the lives of our students, but also through the lives of our students. I want to see our students become ministers on their campuses. Learning to love not just their “little group,” but learning to love each person right where they are. I am praying God will raise up this generation and to see them turn back to Him. I see so much potential in the students I work with, and that excites me and motivates me more than anything. As a Student Minister, I am asking God to send parents to serve in the Student Ministry to help love on these students and challenge them to live godly lives. Please pray with me this year for this generation – that we will see a them cry out to God and that they will seek Him with all of their heart, soul, and mind. The only way this will happen is through prayer. We must turn back to being a nation of prayer. Praying is where it starts and where it ends. Please join with me this year to envelope these students, children, kids, in prayer. I am going into 2009 very energized about what God is going to do.

This past year has been a year of change in the life of our family. We started this year with my wife, Stacey, very sick. For the next four months we went to visit many doctors to find help for her. On April 1st she was diagnosed with Lupus. I won’t go into it all, but she has a lot of pain in her body and her energy level is gone. With all of that said, we have had to learn to trust in God a different way; a deeper more child-like faith. As 2009 approaches, I am expecting God to do something big in Stacey’s life. We serve a big God where all things are possible. I believe God will heal her. I don’t know what that looks like, I just know I believe. Its that child-like faith that God has called us to. Not a blind or dumb faith but child like – “I know my dad is stronger than your dad” faith. Thank you, God, for getting us through this past year. I expect to see our family grow in our prayer life as we trust God with each and every day. I want my children to learn now that prayer is our lifeline, not just when trouble hits our life, but every day. I am praying for my kids to be used of God to touch their generation and to bring glory to God through their lives. I am going into 2009 with my family expecting the unexplainable.

As each of us take time these next couple of days to reflect back on 2008, let us also look forward and expect a God-sized year. As we look at 2009, it is already a little unstable. With the economy not looking too bright, it is easy to worry and fear what is to come. Psalms 39:7 says, “My hope is in You, Lord.” Psalms 62:5-8 says, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and honor depend on God; He is my rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.” What a beautiful passage to meditate on as we go into the coming year. Go, expecting God to be God, for He is good.

I love this season of the year, and I love the hustle and bustle that goes along with it. I am a last minute shopper and that is just part of the fun for me. Giving gifts, wow that is a real blessing and makes a body feel good. On the other hand, I really like being with my family and friends and just relaxing at home.

A question we often ask each other during this season ism “Are You Ready for Christmas?” When we hear these words, we immediately think of the things we have left to do before the big day – Christmas. Do we have all of our gifts purchased for our family and friends? Do we have all of the food products we need for that special Christmas meal? Do we have the travel arrangements and plans made for getting together? Do we have the tree, trimmings and decorations in place? I have been reflecting on this question and even my thoughts when I hear it these days. “Are You Ready for Christmas” could mean and should mean a totally different thing. God sent His one and only Son Jesus to die for us, and we celebrate His birth on Christmas. But that was only a part of the story. Jesus lived and Jesus died. God raised Him from the dead, and because of that we can be forgiven of our sins and spend eternity with God. WOW! When we ask each other “Are You Ready for Christmas?” – it should mean have we prepared our hearts and lives to spend eternity with Jesus, the Birthday we celebrate at Christmas.

So, let me challenge each of us. As we hear those words this season, make it a point to go discuss them with those loved ones around us (a group that it is often hardest to talk to about eternity). Talk about being ready for eternity with Christmas. It is our calling as Christ Followers to tell others and ask others if they are truly ready for eternity with Christmas. Most people really are not offended by the question. They need to be asked. God wants us to ask. Just ask.

I hope and pray that you have a great Christmas and that God uses you to touch a life for eternity this Christmas.

When you are in the retail business for 25 years and spend six months a year preparing, planning and then selling Christmas merchandise, you have to really be creative to enjoy Christmas.

Did you know that in:

• 1820 – Retail stores began advertising Christmas shopping.
• 1840 – Children visited the first Santa Claus in a retail store.
• 1890 – The Salvation Army needed money to pay for the free Christmas meals for the needy, so they dressed up unemployed men in Santa suits and begin soliciting money donations in New York City.
• 16th century – Devoted Christians brought decorated Christmas trees to Germany.
• 19th century – Christmas trees were brought to America from Germany.
• 20th century – Americans began decorating Christmas trees with homemade decorations.

The most important date- 2000 years ago – our Savior was born!

When Becky and I married, we decided we would begin making our own memories as a family. When our daughter was born, we worked hard to focus our memories on God, family and then celebration. We did all the traditional things at Christmas, and we prayed that we would transfer our faith, values and ethics to our children.

Recently, when I was on a plane traveling with friends and colleagues, one of the individuals on the trip showed me an article from the magazine “Real Simple.” Our daughter wrote the following, and it was published in the December issue:

“My family and I adapted a holiday tradition from the book, The Ultimate Gift, by Jim Stovall. At Thanksgiving, we decide on an amount of money to put aside, then we secretly spend it in a random, kindhearted way. Each of us have until Christmas Eve to complete our task, and we reveal it to the rest of the family on Christmas Day. The first year, I returned to the nursing home where my grandfather had spent his last years and gave gifts to a few residents who didn’t have families. The thought of going back there after my grandfather’s death seemed almost impossible, but knowing what it would mean to my mother and grandmother when I told them was worth it.”

What Christmas means to me is very simple- my role in life is to influence my children and grandchildren to live like our Savior did while on earth.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Annually, I make my college football bowl predictions.  I will choose several bowls, but not all of them, since there are just too many of them anyway in my personal opinion.  In fact, with the season wrapping down within the final three weeks, there was concern that there would even be enough bowl eligible (at least 6 wins) teams.

Are you ready?  You make your predictions and I will make mine.  Here are my predictions:

Wake Forest over Navy (Jim Grobe is a great coach.)
S. Florida over Memphis (Great upcoming program)
BYU over Arizona (Arizona just too inconsistent)
Boise State over TCU (This will be one of the greatest bowl games, in fact, a toss-up.)
Notre Dame over Hawaii (Irish are struggling, but pride will win out.)
N. Carolina over W. Virginia (Great coaching will win this one.)
Florida State over Wisconsin (Speed kills and the Badgers will discover this.)
Miami over California (The magic is returning to the Hurricanes.)
Missouri over Northwestern (This should be an offensive show, but Chase Daniels will leave winning.)
Maryland over Nevada (The cold weather of Idaho will work in Maryland’s favor.)
Oklahoma State over Oregon (This will be another wonderful game, but the Cowboys will rise.)
Rice over W. Michigan (The Owls have one prolific offense.)
Air Force over Houston (The option will defeat the spread in this game.)
Pittsburgh over Oregon State (Wannstedt coaches pretty well in big games.)
Vanderbilt over Boston College (The Commodores will bowl the winning score.)
Kansas over Minnesota (The Jayhawk’s Quarterback will one this one.)
Georgia Tech over LSU (The Yellowjacket’s offense is far superior to LSU’s.)
South Carolina over Iowa (Steve Spurrier – what more do I have to say?)
Georgia over Michigan State (Choosing the Bulldogs and have no reason to do so)
Clemson over Nebraska (Not sure why I am doing this, but I like Orange.)
Southern Cal defeats Penn State (Speed and Magic will defeat the blue and white decisively.)
Cincinnati over Virginia Tech (High excitement for this team and their program and their coach)
Texas Tech over Ole Miss (Offense, offense, and offense)
Kentucky over East Carolina (Just a hunch!)
Buffalo over Connecticut (Turner Gill is a hero.)
Texas defeats Ohio State (Longhorns deserve to be in the National Championship, not the Sooners,
plus Ohio State does not even deserve to be in the BCS.)
Tulsa over Ball State (The Golden Hurricanes will finish well.)

Who will win in the Florida and Oklahoma game? I will wait to pick it later.  I want to insure nothing happens that will alter anything during game week. I feel I know who will win, but will wait to see for now.

Who will win the National Championship? I will tell you later.

Have a great weekend.

This Sunday, we will have our Banner Lord’s Supper Service at each of our campuses. This special service is always one of the favorites for our church family.  Each banner placed around the Worship Center represents a name for God. At different points in your life, certain names for God may mean more to you than others, simply because of what you are experiencing in your life.

As you arrive on Sunday morning, you will have the opportunity to consider which banner your family will go to when it is time to take the Lord’s Supper. Then, as I lead, you will come by yourself or with your family to pray and take the Lord’s Supper.  What a blessing this service has been to our family and to many others through the years.

I challenge you to be in God’s House this Sunday with your church family – worshipping, praying, and observing the Lord’s Supper in this special way.  You will be glad you were here.

Dr. Danny Aiken, President of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in North Carolina, wrote a little book this year called “Five Who Changed The World.” The book will really stir your heart greatly. If you have any appetite to become great for God in your life, get a copy of this book.

The book shares the stories of five missionaries who changed their world, accompanied with great biblical truths wrapped around their lives. Dr. Aiken does a superb job telling the stories, but yet constantly keeping us lashed to the Holy Scripture. My heart was riveted by this book.

I would say of all the books I read in 2008, this is one of the top three, and impacted my life greatly. I cannot tell you how much your life will be challenged and your vision enlarged by reading this little book. It is an easy and enjoyable read, but one that will shake your life from the inside out.

Order today, “Five Who Changed The World.”

The Shiloh Christian Saints won the AAAA State Football Championship on Saturday, defeating the mighty Pine Bluff Dollarway team by a score of 42-18.   It was a very intense and fast-paced game.  The great athletes of Pine Bluff were served to be a terrific challenge for our team.  However, great discipline and patience by the Saints resulted in a special championship score of 42-18.

This is the third year in a row for Shiloh to reach this game, winning it all two years ago, losing in overtime last year, but this year winning the game profoundly.  Here is just a little trivia for you.  This is the eighth time in the last 12 years Shiloh has been in the State Championship game, and this is their fifth State Championship.  This is a remarkable run considering our team plays against the public schools of Arkansas.

Therefore, our congratulations goes to Coach Josh Floyd and his coaching staff, the team itself led by 10 seniors, and the spirit groups of the school.  It has been a fun and great ride this fall.  The Saints were defeated the first game of the year by the national powerhouse, Shreveport Evangel High School, but then rolled off 13 victories in a row, resulting in Saturday’s state championship game.  Our young men who played were remarkable and great sportsmen.  They played with the highest level of commitment, continually being a testimony for Jesus Christ.  We are a blessed ministry with this school.  Our congratulations to Ben Mayes, the President of our school and the administrative team.  They work together to make all areas of our school excel.

The blessings of God are always special, even in the sports we enjoy playing in life.  Thanks Lord.

This weekend is a BIG weekend.  What is happening that is so big? Well, I am so glad you asked.

Saturday noon our Shiloh Saints will be playing in the 4-A State Championship game.  It is a big-time game against Pine Bluff Dollarway.  I wish all of you could come, but you can watch the game at www.shilohsaints.org or listen to it on FM 105.3  Pray for our Saints.  This is a huge opportunity to make a difference.

Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. at our Springdale Campus, you can enjoy a great day of Christmas worship music. I look forward to being a part of this Sunday morning.  I will be preaching at Pinnacle Hills as always at both 9:15 (via technology) and at 10:55 in person. Please understand, THE SPRINGDALE CHRISTMAS WORSHIP EXPERIENCE WILL ALSO TAKE PLACE AT 3:00 P.M. Be sure you bring someone with  you on Sunday morning and tell everyone about the Sunday afternoon performance.

This is a big weekend.