Agents for Christ
These are my friends “Agents of Christ”. They are two families (the James’ and the Chaffee’s) who sold everything they have so that they could travel the country coming alongside churches to help them in the area of evangelism and drug and alcohol abuse prevention.
Please pray for them as they put on evangelism classes, preach the gospel, share their testimonies with young people, and minister to whomever the Lord leads them to as the travel from city to city in their motor home and van.
Currently they are in the Phoenix area and plan to travel to New Mexico and Texas over the next month and then eventually all the way across the south and then up the east coast.
If you are a pastor or church leader in these areas and you are interested in having them come alongside your church you can contact them from their website here.
Jeff Stewart Update
I met Jeff Stewart about 5 years ago on the mission field in Mexico. I am thankful to God for that encounter. For Jeff has been a dear friend and brother ever since. Despite our busy schedules we talk regularly on the phone and meet up at least a few times year at different conferences and ministry opportunities. In fact Jeff is coming up in November to teach at our marriage conference.
Jeff served on the board of our church for several years and remains an integral source of counsel for me in all areas of life. Jeff has taught me to loosen up, to not take myself so seriously, to be relatable, to be applicational in my teaching, and so many more lessons that I couldn’t list them all here.
Yesterday Jeff went in for the second and final kidney surgery. In May Jeff received a new kidney (graciously donated by Matt Monzon) 
This surgery was to remove the native kidneys which weighed about 20 pounds!
Jeff texted me last night and despite the intense pain he is stable and is expected to make a full recovery. Please pray for Jeff as this surgery is extremely painful and can take weeks to recover from. In addition to Jeff please pray for Jeff’s wife Karen (37 year old non-smoker) who has terminal lung cancer and will be beginning chemo-thearapy very soon.
The Stewart’s have been an amazing example of how to handle trials and suffering. Not once have I ever heard Jeff complain and they continue to serve others despite their personal difficulties.
Advice about Advice
In Philippians 3:15 Paul writes…
“Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.”
I love that!
This verse is pregnant with wisdom. As a pastor I constantly find myself giving people advice. But there’s something I’ve learned along the way. When people ask for your opinion they are open to hearing what you have to say. However if people don’t ask for your advice it is an effort in futility to attempt to give it to them.
Blogging
I’ve always been an avid reader (I remember reading something like 200 books in 2nd grade). I’ve enjoyed writing since I was kid. I’ve always wanted to write a book. But since that isn’t going to happen anytime soon I’m getting my fix through blogging.