Oops. I nearly had this finished at Christmas time. Then time got away on me. Better late than never? Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I haven’t written a Christmas letter in many years. It’s often hard for me to write another letter after writing monthly ministry updates throughout the year and mailing all those year-end ministry support letters. This year, I have some extra energy, so here’s a sneak peek into my life … [Read more...]
Jason’s Take Down
When I first met Jason, he was part of a core group of people who were planting a new church. He oversaw and led small groups, greeted people in the lobby, and worked in the insurance field (not his passion). I could always count on Jason to provide me with a laugh whenever I visited the church. He was outgoing, playful, passionate, loyal, truth-telling, and had a big heart for God’s adventurers. I could tell he would be a leader worth … [Read more...]
Michael Breaks Free!
“My name is Michael Swalley. I serve full-time in Break Free Ministries, a ministry that uses breakdancing to reach out to young men in urban areas, most of whom are fatherless. "This ministry is based upon building relationships. Breakdancing is an effective way to enter into the lives of a very diverse group of young men. "It is our desire to see disciples made by putting ourselves in position to invest in people one-on-one. It is … [Read more...]
The Red Zone
The Red Zone (in Kevin’s Words): “Seven years ago I started hanging out at a rundown apartment complex in my neighborhood. The local police had labeled it a ‘red zone,’ because it had the highest concentration of crime and poverty in the area. “God showed me something different. I saw a neighborhood and a group of people loved by Jesus—a place where God was about to do something new. “I will never forget the day God gave me a prayer and a … [Read more...]
Mentor Training Session
Mentor Training: Wow! The above brochure/advertisement looks pretty official, especially with my jacket-cover-like pose! I had the honor and privilege of leading an hour long session at a mentor training event at a local church, near the end of this month. It’s such a joy to be able to pass on some of the things I’ve learned over the years to kindred spirits whose hearts beat strong for spiritual mentoring/discipleship. I believe … [Read more...]
Passing It On – 4 Generations!
Passing It On! One of the keys in disciple-making is equipping people to pass on what they have received. It’s the hope of this ministry that the people we are investing in will go out and invest in others, who will in turn go out and do the same. A Real Life Legacy Example – Four Generations…so far! For a number of years, this ministry invested in a woman name Andrea. Andrea is a natural spiritual mentor, who invests regularly in … [Read more...]
Infertility and Miscarriages
When God’s Plans Aren’t Our Plans: There has been a recent wave of young people I meet with who have been struggling with infertility issues or miscarriages in their marriages. It is heart-breaking for couples who deeply desire to raise a family (and who would be great parents, in my opinion) not to be able to have children. It’s an extra sting when they see people all around them getting pregnant easily and having healthy babies … [Read more...]
A Young Man’s Father Wounds
"Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21) "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) Erick’s Father Wounds: Erick grew up with a loyal, committed father who made his family a priority. His dad camped, fished, and spent time with his children regularly. It had the potential of being ideal – a … [Read more...]
Casey And The Desert Of Numb
Casey In The Desert of Numb: “I was not in a good place in the fall of 2014. I was tired, stressed, not motivated, careless, lacked enthusiasm, and my wife and I had both agreed that our marriage was not at its best. “The best way I could describe it was, ‘I feel numb.’ “To say those words, for me, was significant because that is not at all who I wanted to be or ever was. “Before this desert season, I enjoyed living a … [Read more...]
How We Love!
“How We Love” – A Book Recommendation: Is there a reoccurring issue in your relationship that you and your spouse go round and round about, that never seems to get resolved? Is there a predictable pattern or way you and your spouse react to each other that leaves you both feeling frustrated or dissatisfied? If there is, below is a book recommendation for you. (Note: I recommend this book to single people as well, if they can look beyond … [Read more...]
36 Questions That Can Make You Fall In Love With Anyone!
Happy Valentine's Day! I ran across this article - “These 36 questions can make you fall in love with anyone” - one morning over breakfast (Click on the Title to open the article or keep reading to see the questions below). Basically, some researchers developed 36 questions (followed by four minutes of eye gazing) that they tested on complete strangers to see if they could get them to fall in love. They had some interesting results, including … [Read more...]
Louis Goes Back To Prison, A Pregnancy and A Tragedy
What’s happened since my year-end updates? Louis Goes Back To Prison: (Reminder: Louis was sentenced to life plus 100 years in prison. Miraculously, he was released after seventeen and a half years.) Since my October, 2014 update, two more God-sized things have happened in Louis’ life: Louis’ parole was scheduled to end in 2079 (basically, he’d be on parole for the rest of his life). His parole limited some of the ministry he could do. … [Read more...]