The guys - wedding pic

Nothing compares to having strong brothers around you that you feel honored to have stand beside you...the greatest feeling! Invest in these guys as they invest in you...it will pay huge dividends when you need it to...
Paul - thanks for being my best man...you have meant so much to me in my life. Thanks for teaching me how to shoot pool, connect with the lost, have fun, and mentor others. We have made some great memories together that will last a lifetime.
Nate - you easily could have filled in if Paul would have been indisposed. You are the best encourager any man would want...I love ya man for all your leadership and investment and ability to speak truth into my life. And to the best middle school youth pastor in the country! Hands down!
Boyer - Dude we go back way to far...freshman year when we were sweet mates...I miss seeing you around man...even though we are relatively close we need to hang more...U have taught me what it means to be patient, and pursue God in any and all situations...I count it a privilege to be a friend and old roommate of yours...and you still bring me to tears with your singing and guitar playing...thanks for singing in my wedding as well.
Big Purv - What can i say, you made a huge sacrifice to be there on my special day, but you did it...love ya man and it has been amazing to see the changes in your life. At every turn, you allow God to be exactly what He is supposed to be in our lives, a sculptor. I want to be more like you in that way...and to the best baller I know...I have always admired your discipline and work ethic...you will do great things in the ministry.
Landy - You are my big fan dude. I know i can always count on you for your encouragement and input in my life. You are always a phone call away man and thanks for always pursuing me and being there when I need a brother to chat with...I cannot wait to see the woman you end up with....she will be blessed.
Quinn - My new bro-in-law. I am quickly realizing how deep you are man. You think and delve into issues most don't, and for that, I appreciate you....you are also a gifted writer who will one day use that for great things, I am confident of that. Also I can see where you will always be a good friend and I look forward to that.
Crossman - My Nashville brother - Thank you for making the sacrifice to come all the way up here to attend my special day...a huge sacrifice on your part I know. To the most real guy I know...I continually endeavor to be more and more like you in that way...you will and have had a huge impact on so many because of your ability and giftedness to be open and honest...loved ya since the first day I met you in the IWU game room with your proud sis.
Scotty C - My seminary brother - We go back 6 years...craziness...all the way to Trunky T, Chancellor Pope, and your buddy in the cafe that you worked with there! ha! Love ya man and I hate we don't get to see each other more. You are a committed friend that is dependable and follows through on his commitments, which seems simple, but is huge...I appreciate that about you man...

Prayer Time Wedding Pic

If you are thinking of getting married, I highly recommend this in your ceremony, especially if you want to cry. We had all of our wedding party gather round us and pray for us...made me ball like a baby...

The Kiss

Ok so I know it is kinda mushy and such but this was my favorite kiss ever...for sure! And definitely my most public! Ah!!! Marriage is so great and I cannot wait until Valentine's Day when I can totally go all out and lavish my wife! Hey, that's what husbands are for, right?

Michael Jackson and the Ministry

Ok so I know most of you are thinking, "What in the world does Michael J have to do with the ministry?" And you would be legitimate in your skeptism given his recent negative press, however a recent email from one of my students reminded me of the importance of Michael J in the ministry, especially youth ministry.
Giving some background, I have a student in my ministry that gave her heart to God at a retreat in junior high, but in the same weekend at the same church was sexually abused by a youth counselor. Needless to say, she has been distant to God ever since. Then last summer, she went on a road trip with myself and other students. There were 5 total in my car including myself. The trip was 4 hours and in that time I was able to indoctrinate these girls and guys with my favorite music...80s. Thus, the time was filled with plenty of Jefferson Starship, The Outfield, and Michael Jackson. However, the trip was also filled with deep conversation about their struggles with drinking, smoking, and relationships. We are all real, including me, the pastor!
Since then, she has rededicated her life to Christ after much counseling, prayer, and accountability by myself, her friends, and her small group leader.
Fast forwarding to now, I received an email from her today telling me how her teacher played Michael J and 80s music in her class today. Consequently, it reminded her of the impact that I have had on her life. Now, truly, here is the extent of my interaction with her. Road trip, some counseling in my office, prayer, preaching to her and other teens every week at youth, and mostly finding other women to invest in her life. I honestly did not feel as though it was a ton, as I have invested much more in others, especially guys. However, she wrote me sharing how deep of an impact I have had on her life.
As I began to ponder where this first began, it all came back to the road trip and Michael J...Thus, my thoughts are these...
1. How do you capitalize on this more? How can you have more "road trips" in the ministry where deep connection and sharing takes place?
2. It is not the medium, but the message. It doesn't matter what medium you use (for me with this student it was 80s music), but that the message you send is the love of Christ that covers all and saves all.
3. Be real. In my sermons and the car ride, I was as real as I could be about my struggles, etc. in life without crossing any lines. Students appreciate this and it shows you have been there too!
4. Share your life. Allow others into who you are. If you like U2, share that. If you love to watch Seinfeld, talk about it. Whatever you love in life, talk about it...others will remember it.
5. Students are watching. Every thing I do or say, my students watch and see. Even the music I listen to, they remember!
Any thoughts, ideas? Let me know...anything more numbers to add past 5?