Your Best Life Now

My buddy Marty and I are currently reading the book "Your Best Life Now" by Joel Osteen. This book centers on 7 Steps To Living At Your Full Potential. This book has really challenged me and it is a book I am looking forward to diggin in to.

This week we read the chapter God Has More in Store. Here are some points I took from it:

• What you will receive is directly connected to how you believe and what you expect. If you want God to do the extraordinary, then you must start believing Him for bigger things.


• When God puts a dream in your heart, when He brings opportunities across the path, do you step out boldly in faith, expecting the best, moving forward with confidence, knowing that you are well able to do what God wants you to do? Or do you shrink back in fear, and say, "That's too big for me. I'm not not qualified. I'm not able. I could never do that." God wants to do a new thing in your life. But you've got to do your part and get outside that little box. We need to start thinking big!


• Too often, we get comfortable with where we are and we use that as an excuse to remain in mediocrity.


• We can affect future generations by the decisions you make today.


• God is not limited by environment, family background, or present circumstances. God is limited only by our lack of faith.


• We can't get satisfied at where we are at in our lives.

This chapter really made me stop and think how often I put God in a tiny box. God is so much bigger than I give him credit for. I need to start dreaming big dreams because we serve such a BIG GOD!

Quick Exits

Last Sunday Night was an exciting one for four Indiana schools as they found out where they would be playing in this years NCAA Tournament. Butler, Indiana, Purdue and Notre Dame each made the field and looked forward to making some noise once they got there. Let's just say that it was more of a "quick splash" for all four. Here is a rundown of what happened.

BUTLER: Out of the four, I picked the Bulldogs to go the farthest. They opened with an 81-61 win over South Alabama, then lost today in overtime to a good Tennessee team. The Bulldogs are the best team in Indiana.

NOTRE DAME: Had an impressive season behind big Luke. They won their opening game 68-50 over George Mason and then got hammered yesterday, losing to Washington State by twenty.

INDIANA: Well, let's just say this team was ranked in the Top 10 for most of the year, then all the garbage with Kelvin Sampson. Dan Dakich goes 3-4 as head coach and they get knocked out by Arkansas 86-72 in Round One. Who do you think really wants this job? No more D.J. White, or Gordon, and I hear others are packing up to get out of Bloomington.

PURDUE: Very young team who finished second in the Big Ten. The Boilers beat Baylor 90-79 and then lost to a good Xavier team last night.

March Madness

One of my favorite things is finally here....March Madness! Last night I watched the Big East Tournament with my buddy Dan as the Irish took on Marquette. Notre Dame, which was seeding #3, was playing a very good Marquette team. The teams split in the regular season. Both Dan and I knew this would be a tough game for the Irish because of the athletic ability of Marquette. The first half was kind of shaky for both teams. ND'S Luke Harangody, the Big East Player of the Year, only played seven minutes because of foul trouble. Somehow, the Irish took a five point lead into the locker room.

Then came the second half. I think Marquette had to shoot at least 70 percent from the floor as they were hitting everything they threw up! The Golden Eagle s won 89-79 and sent the Irish home after only one day in New York. As I was thinking this morning, it may not be a bad thing Notre Dame lost. Here are a few reasons why:

• They already have an NCAA tourney bid locked up


• They will have a few extra days to rest for the tourney

The real fun begins next Thursday. I think the Irish can go far in the tourney, especially with the ability to score a ton of points.

"The Ducks"

So, I have been playing on a team called "The Ducks." It is a team comprised of mostly high school guys as well as my buddy Marty and I. The league is held at the Elkhart Rec Center on either Monday nights or Tuesday nights.

We had our fourth game last night. We were 2-1 heading into the game and were looking for our third win in a row. The team we played last night was a bunch of guys from Northridge. They are also the team that gave us our only loss of the season, a four point setback on opening night. Let's just say the first game we played them they hit everything and we were struggling big time. This team definitely thought they already had us beat before the game started and let's just say the tide was turned this time around.

"The Ducks" showed up last night, winning by 16 and moving to 3-1 on the season. Let's just say that I haven't had fun playing ball probably since college. Anything I can add to this team is a plus. I am fortunate to have some great friends who also like to hoop it up!

Bowling... A Horrible Sight

On Friday night, I had a "guys night-out" with my good friends Marty, Dan and Derry. We went to Wings, Etc. and then headed bowling. I knew once my buddies mentioned "bowling" I was going to be well.......embarrassed! I am not the best bowler in the world (just ask my friends this) and I knew it could get a little dicey. Well, let's just say in two games played I had a 78 each time. I took home the last place scores both times and it was pretty embarrassing.

I am glad I have great friends who could care less about scores and more about our friendship. It has been too long since we all four got together for a good time of fellowship, laughter and fun!

It was a great night and I am looking forward to getting together again soon!

On Fire Rallies- Last Night

Wow! That pretty much sums up the On Fire Rallies for me. Tonight was the last night of OFR and it pretty much was an incredible night. As I stood there tonight listening and worshipping, I began to get chills that I rarely ever get. This week Caleb Bislow has really been talking to us about stepping out and really stepping over the edge for Christ. As we were singing the song "From the Inside Out" in the closing moment, the Lord really began speaking to me about what my next step needs to be. There are a few people who I have been hesitant to share my faith with but after these last four days, I have realized that I need to do something about it.

Tonight's title was "A Dangerous Invitation" Basically, Christ is looking for crazy ones that will step out of their comfort zones and going to battle for him no matter what the cost.

Scripture used: Matthew 4:18-22

• In the Bible, there are several examples of people who didn't ask any questions they just followed Christ. They didn't ask questions at all, they just went. Here are a few examples:


• Moses- takes on entire empire


• Noah- built an ark on dry land


• Joshua- walked around city for 7 days and then God wanted him to shout out loud.

All of these things are pretty crazy, pretty ridiculous things.....but you know what, these people got it! Are we willing to act ridiculous for God?????? This is a statement that pretty much hit me right in the gut tonight.

This might be the biggest thing I took out of the four nights:

"Sometimes when God asks us to follow him, sometimes we have to leave EVERYTHING precious behind." The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. As Christians, we need to step up our game for Christ. Who is willing to "step-up" with me?

On Fire Rallies- Last Night

Tonight will be the final night of On Fire Rallies. I was really bummed I had to miss last night's service. I am in a basketball league in Elkhart and had a game. Caleb Bislow has been really challenging me this week and I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store tonight.

On Fire Rallies- Day 2

Tonight was Day 2 of the On Fire Rallies. Caleb Bislow started right where he left off last night by asking if we wanted to just stay on the edge or if we wanted to go over it

Tonight's Theme: Unusual Soldiers: Baal-perazim

Baal-perazim means "The Lord burst through"

Caleb told of some "Baal-perazim's" in his lifetime where he has seen God burst through in people's lives. What was neat was that most of these people have never "stepped out in faith" and were scared to do this. However, when God calls us to "step out", we better listen and follow through.

Here were the verses from tonight:

1 Chronicles 14: 8-16

8: When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force ti search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; 10 so David inquired of God: "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The Lord answered him, "Go, I will hand them over to you." 11 So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, "As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand." So that place was called Baal Perazim. 12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn them in the fire. 13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley 14 so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, "Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. 15 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeion to Gezer.

Some other key points taken tonight:

• We need to listen to God's voice.


• We might look like idiots if we try to listen to God.

4 Keys to know if it really is God's voice speaking to us:

1. Does it glorify God?


2. Do other Christians confirm it?


3. Does it actually come to pass?


4. Is it scriptural?

After listening to this, I really want to "step out" and be an Unusual Soldier for Christ. I need to take time out of my busy schedule to just stop and take some time to listen to what God wants me to hear from him. I want to be one of those who steps over the edge for Jesus Christ!

On Fire Rallies

Every March, our church has something called On Fire Rallies. This is a four night awakening the passionate Christ Follower within. It is a time of 4 nights of passionate teaching and worship for all ages. Tonight was the opening night and it was awesome!

Caleb Bislow, who works for Kingdom Building Ministries, is the High School speaker and Yemi Mobalade is leading worship this week.

Tonight Caleb previewed what he is going to be sharing this week. His series will be titled "Unusual Soldiers". Basically the main point is that the world is looking for people that are willing to risk and lose everything for Christ. We need an awakening of Unusual Soldiers.

• Caleb talked about David and how he lived as an Unusual Soldier.


• 2 Samuel 23 (11-23)


• He closed by asking the question, "Who will run the battle for Christ?"

It was a great opening session and I am really looking forward to seeing what God has in store tomorrow night.

Golden Eagles Fall In State Finals

My high school, Oak Hill, took the court this afternoon at Conseco Fieldhouse searching for its first ever State Girl's Basketball Championship. As I was driving down this weekend I knew it wouldn't be easy. Oak Hill (2nd Ranked in 2A and 26-0) was going to be battling Heritage Christian (#1 Ranked in 2A and winners of the 2006 and 2007 State Championships). The Oak Hill section was rockin' and rollin early. Oak Hill sold over 2,500 tickets, the most by far in the morning sessions. The Golden Eagles trailed only 20-15 at the half, but totally fell apart in the second half before losing 53-31. It just wasn't the Golden Eagles day as they were off on offense and also couldn't keep up with the talented Heritage Christian team. Heritage Christian is awesome. They win their third straight state title and have everyone back next year. I don't think any team has ever won four in a row. For Oak Hill, they are going to be just as good next year as they only lose one quality player from this year's 26-1 team. Oak Hill has nothing to be ashamed of. They got to the big dance and this very easily could be the same two teams next season. It was obvious that Heritage Christian had been in this setting before. They showed today that they were the better team.