Going The Extra Mile

Good Morning Everyone,

As I sit here this morning I am reminded of a thought I had last night during Vacation Bible School. I watched as the faces of the children lit up at just the mention of the puppets coming out to see them. I listened in my Bible class as the children sang with their whole hearts all of the songs. I watched how determined they were to enjoy every second of playing outside and all of it got me to thinking about going the extra mile.

Children have no trouble going the extra mile because they are not hindered by so much of the baggage we adults carry around with us. They have no bills to pay, no cars to get fixed and don't have to buy groceries. Children amaze me in this way but it I am sad to say that we all have to grow up some time. But as is often the case being around our children at VBS this week has helped me to have some insight into my own life.

Jesus said in the book of Matthew "If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." As a child I never understood how anyone or anything could force me to go anyplace I didn't want to go. As an adult all I have to do is sit down to pay my bills and I understand this principle all to well.

So I have made a decision. No longer will I be satisfied with going just one mile I want to go on to the second mile. I will do my best to put my whole self into everything and not lose that child-like wonder and amazement at what God has blessed me with. I hope as you read this post this morning that you will make a decision to go the extra mile in life. I hope you are blessed today.

Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul

Things that go bump in the day

Good Afternoon Everyone,

It is good to be in Pearland. April and I have bought a home and we are loving being homeowners. Monday night we hosted an area wide devotional at the Pearland Church and everything went great. Sunday begins our annual Vacation Bible School at Pearland.

Yesterday my partner in crime Ryan Parsons and myself got the building early to turn the auditorium into a scene from the book of Exodus. Upon arriving at the building we were greeted by a new friend.

That's right friends there was a raccoon waiting for us. This female raccoon had decided to make her home in the indoor/outdoor foyer of our building. After several attempts involving a bullhorn, beating on the wall and using an umbrella on this little lady Ryan finally took matters into his own hands. We have several long lengths of PVC pipe lying around so Ryan did battle with our new friend and came away victorious. Ryan literally scared the poop out of this animal and I have proof.

All of that being said I want to invite anyone in the Pearland area to come to our raccoon free VBS June 22nd-25th from 6-8PM. For more information give us a call at 281-485-2436. I hope you have been blessed today from this little slice of my life.

Be Strong and Courageous,

Paul

Off To Camp We Go

Hello Everyone,

It is had to believe that a month ago I was in California and now I am here in Pearland working with one of the best churches in the state of Texas. So much has happened since I last blogged. We have bought a home and are set to close on the 16th of this month. I have already taught a Bible class and given a devotional and pretty soon we will be heading off to do one of my favorite things and that is go to Camp Bandina.

Going to camp is like a homecoming for me. From the time I was a young child I attended camp and I have been blessed to be there as a counselor on two prior occasions. This year marks what I hope to be the first of many that I will be going as the youth and family minister at the Pearland Church of Christ. I am blessed to be teaching with one of my greatest mentors and friends Ralph Bryant. Ralph has been going to camp for nearly 30 years and has been teaching the 10th grade class for a majority of that time.

For any of you reading this who will be going to camp with us there are a few things you need to know. You need to be at the Pearland building at 7AM to load the van and worship so that we can be on the road no later than 8:00AM. You need to bring a sack lunch we will provide water to drink. There are other details we will share with you at church tonight.

I hope if you are a teenager and are reading this that you are going to camp someplace this summer. Camp is a place where you can remove yourself from the world for a few days and allow God to work in your life. Camp is a place where you will make lifelong friends and friends for eternity. I hope you are blessed by camp and by reading this today.

Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul