It’s a tale as old as time and true as it can be….that understanding your child can be a parental rollercoaster. We all love our children, obviously, but do you know what it means to make a true love connection with your son or daughter? Today we are going to delve into the words of apostle John so we can truly understand how to strengthen the love connection with our children.

Flipping to the back of the Bible, 1 John 3:18 (NLT) states “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” John’s saying that the best way to communicate love is through the unity of TRUTH and ACTION. One way to do this is to understand your child’s primary emotional touch point (also known as a love language).

An emotional touch point a way to effectively communicate love to one another. The incredible notion is that when we understand how to love with biblical love, we are able to “walk as Jesus” or...

For 3 years I have been working with the Louisburg College Women's Basketball team.  I have built relationships with them, ridden on the bus to games with them, talked with them, prayed with them and they have become a part of my life.

On February 14, 2019, Valentines Day, one of the players Nadia Davidson was tragically killed in a car accident. 

She knew Jesus and we know one day we will see her again, so we grieve with hope.

Last night was the teams last game of the season and it was sophomore night, so we took some time to honor Nadia.  I was so honored that Coach Shay Hayes asked me to speak briefly about Nadia, and I wanted to share that with you.   Her life was not in vain.  Jesus has been lifted up and glorified even in her death.

Tribute to Nadia Davidson

Tonight we want to take some time to remember Nadia Davidson, # 32, a first-year Hurricane and sophomore at Louisburg College, majoring in Computer Science.

Nadia was...

The other day I was at a Q&A session and somebody asked,  how can I get my teenager to read their Bible? 

My response was, ”You can't!”

By the time your kids are teenagers there are some things you just can't make them do.  And if you try it will probably just provoke anger and not a love for God. Ephesians 6:4 tells us "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord."

So what do you do if you have teenage kids and you want them to have a heart for God?

First, I would say to make sure they are in church.  It is important to have Christian leaders around them that they love and respect and want to follow.  They need people in their lives that will teach them how to read the scripture and to live a life for God.  Get them involved in a student connect group.  Get them serving on...

This week in All-Staff Prayer my communications director, Sheena, brought the prayer focus.  It was so good and encouraging so I wanted to share it with you:  

“I have declared the word “Cultivate” my word for 2019. I want to cultivate an intentional life that is about serving the Lord for his purposes and growing what matters with him. 

In Matthew 13: 3-8 (NIV) Jesus told a parable about 4 different types of soil: 

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or...

I have been getting a lot of questions about coaching so I put together this blog to explain what it is.

"What exactly is a coach?"  is one of the most common questions I get. 

A coach is someone who wants to help others become who they are meant to be. A coach is someone who helps you to see the possibility of what your life holds and inspires you to take the next steps to help make it happen to get stuff done. 

Coaching helps you become emotionally whole as you address your hardships, fears and the limiting beliefs that stand in the way of you taking your next step.

 Coaching can also help you to: 

• Discover what matters most 

• Discover your God-given purpose 

• Identify the hurdles and limiting beliefs that are holding you back

• Create goals and action plans and help you to actually accomplish them

How do you know if Coaching is a good option for you?

Coaching is a great option for you if you are looking to improve in...

This past Sunday, I had the honor of Preaching. Matt started a new sermon series called Pray, Give, Go.  I spoke about giving and since we are in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting I connected how praying and fasting and giving are a powerful 3 braided cord that is not easily broken.  

I shared the story of the sower and how the principles in this story can be applied to praying, fasting and giving.

God tells us in Mark 4: 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” 9 Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

Mark 4:20 And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

When you plant seeds of praying you will get a 30% return on your harvest.

...

One of the questions I get a lot when people are doing the Daniel Fast is, "What do I make for my meals?"  So I have put together some recipes to get you started.

Remember Drinks lots of water all day! :) Add some lemons, limes, or cucumbers for a little extra flavor!

The Ultimate Green Smoothie

(This is great for breakfast or a snack.)

1 1⁄2 cups water (the 1/2 cup can be almond or coconut milk)
2 large leaves kale, (do not use the stem unless you have a high powered blender)
3 large handfuls spinach
2 cups frozen mixed berries
1 banana
1 scoop Organic Protein, any flavor (optional, I just like putting protein in mine)

In a high-speed blender, blend water, ice, and greens for 30 seconds. Add fruit, protein powder, and blend until smooth.

 Cabbage Soup

Ingredients

1 Tbsp olive oil

4 cloves garlic

1 large onion

1 cup Carrots

1/2 bunch Celery

1 cup Green beans, frozen

1 Green bell pepper

1/2 head Green cabbage 

1 Onion, large

1 tsp Oregano, dried

1/4 bunch Parsley,...

When you start doing a Daniel Fast it can seem like it is all about the food.  What can you eat and what can't you eat,  but a fast is supposed to be a spiritual journey.  A fast is about getting yourself in spiritual order.  

However, spending quality time with God can seem overwhelming and it shouldn't be.  So we took the Lord's Prayer and the 7 parts and wrote out prayers for 21 Days.  If you are new to praying it will give you words to say,  just like when a child is learning to talk you give them words.  And if you have been praying for a long time it will give you new words and enrich your prayer life.  

The book is called To My Real Dad, a 21 Day Guide Through the Lord's Prayer.

God is our real Dad.  He created us in our mother's womb.  He made us wonderfully complex.  He is our Real Dad and He gave us earthly parents to raise us.  

Each day in the guide starts off with a short video. I...

January 6 through January 26,  we started 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting.  We are joining with hundreds of churches around the world.  It is not too late to start. 

Why Should We Fast?

Fasting helps to get us in spiritual order.  Our body and soul, mind, will, and emotions, can get so loud it is hard to hear the Holy Spirit speaking to us.  Fasting allows us to die to self and hear the Holy Spirit.  Jesus also tells us that some things we can only know through prayer and fasting.  I don't want to miss anything God wants to speak to me.  

What Do You Fast?

There are many types of fasts but we are doing what is called a Daniel's Fast, it's where you cut out the meat, sweets, and bread.  There is a list of foods below.  But you can do a partial fast and cut out any types of food.  You can cut out just sugar or fast foods or processed foods.  This is not a Daniel Diet, however, you do cut out certain foods...

How can we end this year with a bang and launch into next year ready to go?

You need to do 2 things.   

If you do these 2 things you will have closure to 2018 and be ready to start 2019 strong.

Are you ready?  You will need to set aside a little bit of time, but it will be so worth it.

1.  Remember.  

That's the key, remember.  Go back through 2018 and remember what happened and what God did and the opportunities you had and the people you met.  

In the Bible we see several examples of God reminding His people stop and remember before they moved on to the next place or the next season of life.  And if God is the same yesterday, today and forever I think He still wants us to stop and remember the goodness of the Lord.

Go back through your calendar, look at your pictures and take a journey through 2018 remembering.

2.  Give thanks.

That's the second key, give thanks.  As you go back through 2018 give...