Our story

· Categories Family, Personal

This picture was taken when my wife Corrie and I were 15 (though obviously we weren’t married yet ). At that point we had known each other for about 2 years, and our friendship was a lot of fun. A few months after this picture we would date for a little less than 4 months. Before and after that short tryst we both dated other people…all the while, remaining friends.

In college our friendship grew. I confided in my roommate that I really liked her a lot, but was afraid we were now in what Joey and Ross referred to as the “friend-zone”. Her mom badgered her about why she didn’t just date me. Her reply was always, “He’s just my friend.” My mom didn’t believe us.

I got a job working at a church as a part-time youth pastor and my friend Corrie helped me connect with the girls. Our heart for ministry and the increased amounts of time spent together only deepened our bond. In January ’03 my pastor called for a Solemn Assembly of 40 days for prayer and fasting. Both Corrie and I, unbeknownst to the other, participated in the fasting component. Neither of us were asking God for a mate, we were asking Him for clarity about the future, a sense of purpose in life, and a growing relationship with Him. The 40 days ended on a Friday…we went on our first date the following Saturday night.

On Tuesday I called my mom and told her I needed help finding a ring. A few weeks later I went to a youth conference in Nashville, TN. I had a couple of rings shipped to the hotel from a jeweler/family friend. I picked the one I liked and sent them back to have it sized. Then I talked to Corrie’s mom and received her blessing.

9 years after meeting her, but only 6 weeks after dating her, I asked Corrie to marry me on a Wednesday night in a youth service in front of the students we had been ministering too, together. I told her that night, “this place seems fitting to start our life together, because ministry is what we are committing our lives too, together.” It didn’t have the Hollywood effect of roses and candlelight, but it had a certain understated quality that fit our lives pretty well. She said yes, by the way.

A few months later I accepted my first full-time ministry position and moved to Mobile, AL…alone…but only for a short time. 7 weeks later Corrie and I stood in her home church to pledge our love for one another.

6 years later, we have added 3 little boys to our family:

…and oh how that has made life fun.

I don’t know what the future holds, but if the last 6 years are any indication it’s going to be an unbelievable ride! I’m so happy this little girl

said yes to this little boy

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An Awesome List to Live By

· Categories Christianity, Church, Quotes, Student Ministry

My friends Jared and Ashley Waldrop are moving from their place of ministry the past 4 years to a new place of ministry. They will do very well there, no doubt in my mind.

For lack of a better term, I grew up with Ashley. Our parents were friends before we were born, so we spent lots of time together in sporadic increments in our early years. Life and ministry took our families apart and we saw less of each other in our teenage years.

Jared, I don’t know as well. I met him while we were in college. I have always liked him. We see each other far fewer times a year than I would like. But I watch their life and ministry from afar with great admiration.

As he leaves his current church he created a list of the things they’ve heard him say during his time there in messages, at lunch, etc. It’s a great list, worth your time. Here’s a snippet:

1. Love God. Love People. Let everything else flow out of that.

3. What you do today is forecasting your tomorrow. Your choices matter.

9. You’ll never feel more alive or more like Jesus that when you’re helping others.

10. Spirit vs. flesh – what you feed will win. Feed your spirit.

20. Pray. And stay around people that do.

21. Guard your influences. Guard your eyes and ears. Keep the Godly close.

24. Sowing wild oats isn’t worth it. Ever. You reap what you sow.

25. Go. Mission trips, conferences, retreats… get away, let God speak to you.

26. Be a catalyst for Godly change without becoming cynical. Keep a firm resolve while staying tenderhearted.

Here’s the whole list.

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I was a proud daddy

· Categories Family, Personal

Yesterday Cooper participated with his K4-5 choir in our Kid’s Christmas Musical at the church. He had a little speaking part in between songs, and he really prepared over the last few weeks making sure he had his part memorized. He also dressed himself because he wanted to look “like a preacher”. I thought the size of the crowd would freak him out a little, but he said he was “only a little bit nervous”.

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