It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.....

Odd?  Perhaps.  I have been called worse. 

I love this time of year.  Yes, I enjoy the leaves changing colors, the crispness of the air and warm, delectable drinks.  However, I enjoy this time of year for a much different reason.

Our church puts on an event for the community called Fear Factory and the Maze of Darkness.  There is a lot of controversy with what we do.  I have gotten into many debates about why it is wrong and have had my fair share of opinions on the subject. 

With our FF/MoD, we are giving the community something they are searching for while sharing the gospel in an unconventional manner.  At the start of the attraction, guests are plunged into a maze so dark they cannot see their hands in front of their faces.  With many twists and turns, you must find your way out.  The maze indicates our lives without Christ - we stumble in the darkness, searching for the light that can save us.  Once guests exit the maze, they are then plunged into a post- apocalyptic, interactive experience that is a representation of our interpretation of the "end times" taken right out of the book of Revelation. 

Many express concerns, saying they don't agree with scaring people into salvations.  However, some people (myself included) need a radical, in-your-face realization to finally comprehend what they may face if they continue on the path they are taking.

When Jesus spoke to fisherman, he talked about fish; when he talked to farmers, he mentioned wheat; when he talked to tax collectors, he mentioned money.....we need to get on their level with something they are familiar with without compromising our beliefs in order to share the gospel and have them truly hear what we are saying.

A lot of Christians like to shut their lights off, close their blinds and pretend to not be home - deeming Halloween as "the devil's day".  In Psalms it states 'This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!'  It says THIS is the day; not this is the day except October 31st.  We give too much power to the devil!  I don't know about you, but I refuse to hand over one of God's days to the enemy.


 I understand the origin of Halloween and I am not saying to practice the evil associated with it (which was created by man and superstition).  However, I am saying not to point fingers and cast a stone because a church wants to reach a community.  It seems there is no grey area on the subject; either you are okay with Halloween or against it.  That is your choice and your walk with God to determine your convictions on the topic. 

I love my church and the fact that they step out of the norm and offer something so different and radical to the community.  The area wants a "spook house" type of attraction and we give it to them - complete with blood, jump scares, strobe lights, dead bodies and rats.  We just do it in a manner that does not compromise what we stand for and who we are and in the end, we present the Gospel and give out candy! 

So if you are in the NW Indiana area, come visit us on one of our opening nights. $8.00 to experience both and we have yummy concessions for purchase!  The Maze and Fear Factory are both enclosed so rain, snow or shine we are open!  We begin construction on our  maze late August and on our Fear Factory early October.  It has taken many, many hours (some days as long as 10-12 hours), many scrapes and bruises to complete this attraction.  It is our 10th year (and you get FREE popcorn to celebrate!) and I love every minute of it.  THIS is ministry!  You many not think so but I am sure when Jesus turned the water into wine for his friend's wedding, onlookers gasped and thought "what in the world is he doing!?"  He saw a need and he met it.  We do not want one to parish, so we are meeting them where they are.  Like it or not, it makes no difference......200 people came to Christ last year.  That is 200 people that I will be partying it up in heaven with.  That is 200 people who won't parish in hell.  That is why we do what we do.

*Special shout out to Jeremy and Cindy Cummins who took a God instilled idea and made it a reality.  

On the Outside Looking In

Feeling left out.

I think that is one of the worst feelings in the world.  Looking over at a group of your peers and seeing them laugh and connect in a way that is endearing only to not be part of that connection.  I am a people watcher.  In a group setting, no matter the size of the group, I watch people.  I take in their quirks, their mannerisms and their emotions.  I calculate it all in my mind like a mainstream computer and can get a pretty good feel for someone quickly.  Being a people watcher, I notice things.  I see the groups standing to the side laughing loudly for all to hear and see the one person sitting alone.  That solitary person's glances their way as he/she gets up to find a reason to walk past the group.  That solitary person that steals a glance their way with hopeful eyes wishing nothing more than to be drawn into their conversation.  That solitary person that acts like he/she doesn't care but in reality it hurts in way like no other. 

And yet the group doesn't even know.  They continue to guffaw, slap each other on the back and talk about upcoming plans that don't involve everyone.  It infuriates me.

I often tell people to be aware of those around you.  If you are going to talk about fun plans, don't do it around people you have no intentions of inviting.  Don't talk about have a fun "girl's day" around a young girl that wants nothing more than to be invited if you aren't going to invite her.  Don't talk about a "guy's day" around a guy that you don't plan to invite, creating an awkwardness.  Talk about those things in private with one another.  Don't huddle together in the corner of the room and laugh loud enough for all to hear but talk in a voice just above a whisper.  We know you are there.  We see you in your cliche.  Stop drawing attention to yourselves and making those not inside the circle painfully aware that they are on the outside.

I am not saying I am perfect and always see these situations in my own life.  I do try though.  I am not an extrovert by any means.  I tend to keep to myself, rather quiet and task orientated.  In being so, people think I am not a happy person or that I am angry all the time because my face holds a look of determination.  Not so!  However, being an introvert, I may not be the first person to start a conversation however, I do notice when someone sits a little closer, hoping to be drawn in.  Or perhaps they are in the middle of the group that is speaking of going out and they laugh a little louder or mention key words like "that sounds fun" or "I haven't seen that movie yet" hoping someone takes the bait and offers an invite.  Sadly, more often than not - no one does.

We have all felt left out to some degree.  It isn't fun - at all.  It isn't fun to see a group enjoying one another's company and you aren't included.  It isn't fun to hear of fantastic adventures or see pictures posted and know that you were never a thought.  It isn't fun to think you might get invited this next time only to realize you will never be. 

I know some will read this blog and feel conviction and others will read it (that are in my life) and think "is she talking about me?".  I assure you, this is not directed towards anyone in particular.  This has been on my mind and wanted to blog about it because it is something we all deal with.  I suppose if you are feeling convicted, perhaps it is because you are inside that circle I speak of and know what I say is true.

The next time you are in a group setting, look around.  See that person that isn't included.  Offer then a smile then wave them over.  Invite them to a day out.  Laugh with them. I am realistic.  We all won't get along.  We can't be friends with everyone because personalities clash.  I am not saying be bff's with every person.  What I am saying is there are 365 days in a year.  It won't kill you to use one of them to include someone in your day.  And when you do include them, don't ignore them.  Don't invite someone along only to hang out and giggle in the group, excluding them once again.  Invite them, engage them in conversation and make them feel welcomed and loved. 

It is an easy concept yet as I watch people, it is rarely executed. We rather stay in our comfort zones with the people we are comfortable with.  I assure you, if you start being aware of your surroundings, you will see the hurt in others eyes as they watch from afar, wishing for nothing more than a wave to invite them over. 

Just something to think about.

Those that leave us are never truly gone.

I was going through my dad’s writings and sat for a few hours poring over his wisdom on paper.  So thankful I have these.  My dad was always clicking away at a Royal typewriter.  He wrote weekly for a local paper (in IN), monthly for a magazine (in KY) and bi-monthly for a newspaper (in VA).  He also wrote a book, that I hope to one day get re-published, that was the subject of a 6 week high school curriculum in Florida. He was a brilliant man. 

So, as I went through his writings, I can’t help but share one.  I cherish these works for several reasons.  One being, they are all I have.  He had many more rough drafts, books in progress and nuggets of wisdom but they were burned by a gentleman who shall remain nameless.  That day broke my heart and made me want to break his face.  But, I digress….   Second, I find pieces of him in these writings.  Pieces that help me remember who he was, the way he spoke and sometimes he spoke of me in his works.  Those I treasure most.

This excerpt is from the local newspaper The Leader.  He had a weekly column called “On the Back Side”, clever isn’t it?  (his last name was Back)  He always ended his articles with “Think about it.”

I thought this was appropriate considering the season. So enjoy.

“You might have trouble believing this.  Had I not experienced it, I'd be in the same boat.  It was totally unexpected and caused more than a little irritation to swell up inside of me.

On October 29th, I walked into a nearby department store and what do you think my wondering ears heard?  Are you ready for this? How does Christmas music grab you?  So help me, it was being piped throughout the store.  Honest to goodness Christmas music!  Halloween was yet to be, Thanksgiving a month away, and the store already had attached itself to Christmas like a voracious parasite.

I admit that extremely cynical thoughts competed with the music being forced upon me.  I wondered why we don't eliminate Halloween and Thanksgiving completely and start singing Christmas carols the day after Labor Day?  Nothing like getting an early start on things, is there?  While we're at it, why bother taking down decorations and Christmas trees every year?  What the heck-- leave them up and let's have Christmas the year around.  By comparison, the others really aren’t that important or nearly as lucrative, are they?

Side-long shots aside, doesn’t it seem as though the Christmas season begins earlier every year?  Is it just my longing to see the restoration of good taste and proper homage to the holiday, or was there a time when the merchandizing blitzkrieg associated with Christmas didn't commence until Santa Claus made his initial appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC?  What happened to those times?  Are they really over for good?  Sad to say, they are.  Like so many tradition-filled yesterdays, they're dead and gone.  They were slain by insensitivity, indifference, selfishness, and cut-throat greed.  All killed without remorse or lamentations.

Oh, I know there are some who'll contend there's nothing wrong with playing Christmas music in toy-filled department stores in late October.  They don’t or won’t accept the fact that it is they for whom the music is being played.  On the other hand, if you suggested buying fireworks for the 4th of July in April, you'd be labeled a moron.  Whoever heard of buying 4th of July fireworks in April, for Pete's sake?  Why, you can’t even find them to buy at that time of year.  No, you can't.  However, the Christmas season isn't hamstrung by such inconveniences, is it?  Of course the fact that fireworks don't gobble billions of consumer dollars probably has a lot to do with that.  Christmas is big bucks while all other holidays are small potatoes. The holiest of all holidays is vastly more commercialized than the combined holidays made by man.  Say what you want, but there's something very, very wrong about that.

I hope no on draws the conclusion that I don’t like Christmas.  I enjoy it very much, but there is a time and a season for all things.  October is not the time or season for Christmas carols.  I will enjoy them in December, but I refuse to be moved or motivated by them before I've had the privilege of observing Thanksgiving. It is an affront to the Creator to ignore Thanksgiving and musically honor the birth of Christ while people are in the process of preparing to celebrate Halloween -- a "holiday" which arose out of paganism and is deeply rooted in bizarre superstitions that provide no sane logic to justify annual observance.  The very thought of Christmas being simultaneously associated with witches, ghosts, vampires, werewolves and ghouls is repugnant and an insult to everyone who possesses reverence for that special holiday.  Furthermore, any retail business establishment that lowers itself to that level in order to increase profits insults the buying public and cheapens the very spirit of Christmas.

Unless dire circumstances force me to change my mind, I will not patronize the store which is the focus of this article.  When I found myself surrounded by Christmas toys and trappings on one side and grotesque Halloween costumes on the other while Christmas music filled the store, that was it for me.  That reflected a cold-blooded greediness the likes of which I've never witnessed.  I've observed the blatant commercialism of Christmas in the past, but I'd never seen it set side by side with Halloween.  That stretched my tolerance well beyond the breaking point.  To be frank, I'd feel guilty if I bought anything from that particular store.  I'd feel as though I was compromising my values and helping tarnish something that should be kept spotlessly pure.

I'm sure it won't be long before other retail establishments begin to hit us with their best shots.  Most have their shelves stocked with toys as this article is being written.  That’s all well and good, I suppose, but I won’t buy anything from any store that bombards me with Christmas carols before Thanksgiving.  As I stated before, there is a time and season for all things.  Let’s keep them in proper perspective and stop allowing the quest for profits to determine the degree of importance we should attach to them. It’s time we got back to thinking for ourselves and stop allowing merchandizers and their gimmicks to influence our decisions and actions.

Think about it.”

-Robert G. Back
 11/08/1987

Some of my dad's writings (the articles I laminated and have an article front and back)

Got pets? Got Fleas? This works!

I haven't blogged in awhile.  Not entirely sure why.  I guess I have been busy and just "not in the mood".  So, I decided today was the day and this isn't something I normally blog about but felt it was worth sharing.

I have pets, always have.  My home just doesn't feel complete without a furry friend around.  Currently, we have a dog and two cats.  They get along great and they are pretty special animals.

Well, if you know anything about Newfoundlands - they are big and hairy.  Ours is no exception.  While he was the 'runt' of the litter, he weighs in at 150 pounds of pure, stocky muscle.  He is an amazing dog - laid back and friendly.  He has never threatened to hurt anyone or anything. 

Some interesting facts about this breed:

• They have webbed feet like a duck (they are water dogs)

• Even though, in the movies, the dog from Peter Pan is always portrayed as a St. Bernard, it is actually a Newfoundland.  They are great "babysitters" and will watch and protect.

• They are represented on fishing boats in pictures and artwork.  They are notorious for loving the water and saving people from it.

....and they have a lot of hair!!! 

So you can imagine what happens if we get a flea problem!  He is an inside dog but goes outside to potty, therefore fleas jump on the smorgasbord for a free trip inside the warmth of the house. Once inside, they jump to our cats and infest them.  We typically use Vectra from the vet but I tend to slack off getting it at time due to being busy or just don't have the extra $22 to spend.  It is the only topical flea medicine that will work on him. I should know better because once he gets fleas it is a nightmare.

Not only does he get fleas, but he is allergic to them and not only is he allergic to the fleas but he also has separation anxiety - hates for me to leave.  Anyone else can leave and he is fine, but I leave him alone and he sits and waits for me......and chews himself.  When I say he chews, I mean his backside looks like hamburger. 

Recently, after about 9 months of not chewing, he started again.  With the fall weather, the fleas are hitching a ride to get inside.  People have the misconception that fleas die off in the winter - not so.  They are a year round pest.  So, I went to get some Vectra but it didn't alleviate the issue.  I began to research home remedies.

Here are a couple tips that I found WORK!  These remedies actually eliminated his scratching/biting, haven't seen the cats scratching, haven't seen any fleas and all is well in our world.....

First off - it seems an impossible task to get rid of them but not so!  Persistence is the key.

Mix equal parts of Dawn dish soap and white vinegar together.  This is creating a shampoo.  Bathe your pet like you normally would, be careful around eyes or any open sores and rinse.  My dog has sensitive skin and this doesn't dry it out like other soaps do.  The dish soap (has to be Dawn, tried others and no success) sticks to the fleas and suffocates them which will kill them and the vinegar makes what doesn't die from the soap, not like the taste of their meal, so they hop off.
(cost : small bottle of Dawn $1 plus vinegar $1 = $2)

Next I mixed Apple Cider vinegar and water (1 part water to 3 parts ACV) in a spray bottle and douse the pet's fur, rubbing against the hair growth to get to the skin.  The smell is strong but will go away after about 24 hours.  Again, be careful around eyes and open sores.  The ACV creates a bad taste for the fleas and they fall off and die due to no food source.
(cost : AVC - $1.50, spray bottle, if you don't have one - $1.00 = $2.50)

Now to get them out of your carpets.  Sprinkle normal table salt all over your carpets and leave overnight them vacuum up.  The salt dries out the fleas and kills them.
(cost : Great Value salt - $.47)

You can also add garlic to their food once a day, creating a nasty flavor in their pores causing the fleas to not want to munch down.  Be sure to use fresh or garlic powder, not garlic salt.
(This is optional.  Sometimes I do it, other times I don't.  My dog loves it; cats won't touch it.)

I did the bath, spray and salt and have had no issues at all.  They have pretty much vanished.  I felt the need to blog and let other pet owners know that this does work.  I know how frustrating it can be to battle these pesky parasites! 

So I hope you enjoyed the read and were well informed!

 Goliath and his two pals, Phoenix and Kirby

When Goliath first met Phoenix

Golaith

Where is the Pause Button?

 Life is full of change.  For someone who is a creature of habit, this is foreboding.  No matter how much I dwell on it, no matter how much I shed a tear - it isn't going to stop the days from ticking by.

Tomorrow, my son turns 18.  I seriously cannot believe it.  I say that just about every year since he was 10 but this year, it is hitting me right between the eyes.  He will be an adult.  He no longer needs me to sign for him - for anything.  He is going into his senior year and I will soon be thinking about senior pictures, graduation and an open house.  This is it.  This is the moment I have raised my kids for.  The moment that they become adults and start their lives.  Granted, I know he isn't packed and ready to leave the house and nothing has changed as far as who he is and our relationship with one another but I cannot help but be a little sad.

That chubby, round faced little boy is no longer evident in the man that calls me mom.  How can a mother not feel a sense of mourning?  - mourning for a childhood gone.  A relationship between a mother and a son is special, especially ours.  We have been through a lot together, he and I.  I enjoy his company and sitting and talking with him.  He has went from being completely dependent on me to being one of my friends.  That, in itself, is pretty cool.

I remember, when my kids were little, saying I could not wait for them to grow up and be independent, move out, etc.  Now, I wish I could get those moments back.  I was young when I had Caleb.  I had no idea what I was doing and made some pretty big mistakes and took the experience for granted.  There are many times I wished I had just enjoyed the moment - enjoyed him crawling in my lap, enjoyed him smearing ravioli all over his face, enjoyed his cute dances he did when his favorite tv shows came on, enjoyed his elf-like voice calling me mommy, enjoyed him crawling in bed with me.......so many things I took for granted.

However, he is a pretty amazing young man.  He is crazy smart and has great expectations for his life that I have no doubt he will fulfill.  He is stubborn.....very stubborn and will stand by what he believes and thinks no matter what adversity comes against him.  He is loyal.  If he considers you a friend, you are his friend.  Period.  He has a gentle spirit about him, rarely does he say a negative word about anyone.  He has a sense of humor that is incomparable.  Even on the worst days, he can make me laugh.  He isn't embarassed that I am his mom as most teenagers are.

I adore him.  I pray that he doesn't move far when the time comes but if he does, he knows that I am merely a phone call away.

So, as I always do, my prayer for him....

I pray that you find happiness in every aspect of your life.  I pray that you continue to love and show passion about things/people that interest you.  I pray you are successful and you are doing what you love. It makes it easier to get up and go to work if you love what you do.  I pray you set goals and strive to achieve them.  I pray you never stop learning and that you set your standards on yourself high because you deserve the best.  I pray that you will always know that my home is an open door.  No matter the reason, you are always welcome.  I pray that you want to come home from time to time.  I pray that you know that I am your biggest fan you will ever have.  No matter if you get married and have kids, I will be your biggest supporter.  Know that when you do get married, that she will be part of the family, so please make sure she respects me and I pray that I love her as much as you will.  I pray that she loves music as much as you do, she knows her way around an Xbox, loves Adventure Time, enjoys a cold Dr. Pepper from time to time, laughs at the silly things in life, isn't afraid of failure nor making a fool of herself and above all - loves God more than you.

With all that said, just know that no matter where you are or who you are surrounded by, no one will love you more than I.  I pray peace, happiness, lots of love, joy and success over you daily and forever.

I love you.
Mom.

Caleb at 3 months old

Caleb (age 4) and Cheyenne

Caleb (age 6) and Cheyenne

Caleb (age 10) and I

  

Caleb (age 14) and I

Caleb age 16

Caleb (age 17), Matt and I at 'Run For Your Lives'

In the words of Frosty - Happpy Birthday!

Where has the time gone?

It seems I have been saying that a lot lately.  Today is the last day of school for my son.  After today, I can say I have a Senior!  Holy Toledo! 

Not only that, but today is my daughter's 16th birthday.  And while we celebrated with our friends and family last Saturday, I am one that feels children need to be celebrated.  So she woke up to flowers and a balloon from her dad, something he has done the past few years.  Not only that but this weekend we will take her out for her birthday dinner.  It will be an entire week of celebrating her!  Yet part of me is sad.  She is 16.  She will be driving soon, she is thinking of college, she has had her first serious boyfriend (and still does), she has taken on leadership roles inside the church and she was our guest speaker at our youth rally this year - which she nailed it, making me tear up on more than one occasion.

It is crazy when I think of it.  I had her at a young age and she was not planned.  I was married to Caleb's dad and hooked up with Matt out of desperation because I had no where to go, had a 12 month old son and was leaving my husband.  Matt just got out of jail (glamorous story, isn't it?) and we started talking and soon moved in together.  I used him.  He knows this.  I used him for a place to stay, for drugs, money, etc.  However, I believe even then God was up to something.  Soon, I got pregnant and 9 months later a 9 pound 14.5 ounce baby girl came into the world.  She was taken by C-Section as was my son.  However, hers was much more complicated.  I was sick and mostly incoherent.  The doctor couldn't get her out and Matt told me he physically put his foot up on the table to pull her out like a turkey.  But there she was.  I had a 22 month old son and a new born and I wasn't yet 22 years old.

It wasn't easy.  There were times I wanted to quit.  I can remember saying on more than one occasion that I couldn't wait until they were independent.  I would say I can't wait until they are old enough to be on their own or go to school or even move out.  Now, I cry when I think about it.  I want them with me forever, even though I know that is not feasible.

She was a little butterball and soon grew into quite the character.  She had a speech impediment for a long time.  It wasn't until she started school that they put her in speech class and after 3 years, she could finally be understood.  We called it Chey-nese.  Only we could understand her and even we sometimes had to ask Caleb what she was saying.  She would mix letters around or omit them all together - for example the work "like" would be "ike".  That was an easy one.  But she would say "bathroom" like "tashroo".  It made for a very frustrating life for her.  But she was cute as a button and I remember times her and her brother would sing to Backstreet Boys.  While Caleb was singing his little heart out, she would be too - we just couldn't understand a word she said.

She loved Teletubbies, LaLa (she called Ya-Ya) was her favorite.  She loved Rugrats and Blues Clues.  Bear in the Big Bluehouse was another favorite and The Big Comfy Couch would hold her attention for hours.  She loved to snuggle and watch movies.  She would play outside but not for long, hating the heat.  She was scared to death of swimming until she was 8.  When she was 6 she was paralyzed for 3 weeks due to a rare disorder called Gillian Barre Syndrome. 

She is a soft hearted person and her shyness is often mistaken for rudeness.  She does things her way and she cannot be persuaded otherwise.  She is a free thinker, an imagineer and is going to change the world. 

She loves unicorns, Edgar Allan Poe, old cameras and old typewriters.  She loves animals and hates butterflies.  She enjoys books and reading, she is a pretty stellar artist and has a beautiful singing voice, especially when she doesn't think anyone is listening.  She loves God and wants to do something in her life that pleases Him.  She is a loyal friend and yet it seems like her loyalty is often taken for granted.  She is who she is and is happy with herself.  She often sings and whistles and has a laugh that is contagious.  She loves Youtube, the movie Mirror Mask and still enjoys coloring and cartoons. 

She is a teenager that doesn't think her parents are lame and she enjoys hanging out with us.  Often times she is the one asking if we want to watch a movie and she rarely holes up in her room, like most teenagers.  She is usually around me so much that I am begging her to go find something to do in her room or elsewhere.  It won't be long before I will wish that I had those moments back.

She is talking about college and that scares me to death.  I see how dependent she is and to think of her as independent frightens me.  I know that this what we are to do - raise them up and let them go.  But why is it so hard?  I don't want them to grow up but I know they must.  I don't want them to leave but I know they will. 

So with that, happy birthday pretty girl.  I am honored that God made me your mom.  I know we have had our highs and our lows but in the end I can look at you and be proud of the young lady you have become.  I am glad you can talk to me about anything.  In a world where parents aren't being parents and where kids do as they please, I am thankful you still abide by my decisions and authority.  I am thankful that I know where you are and I know that if you are not home, you will make wise decisions.  Therefore, with that being said - my prayer for you.....

I pray that you find happiness.  I pray that you find joy in every situation.  I pray that when love is awakened, you recognize it and you give it your best because it is ordained by God.  I pray that you love often and cry less.  I pray that you always look at home as a place you can come to, no matter the circumstance.  I pray that you always view me as your number one fan because I am.  I pray that when you are on your own, that you don't forget me and call me often.  I pray that when you have kids, you understand that I will have them often and for lengths of time....and you will be okay with that.  I pray that we have a relationship where when you are sad or lonely, you call me.  I pray that even though we will argue, you will never hate me.  I pray that you will look at the world as a place of opportunity and while it may be dark, you can be the light.  I pray you look for ways to show Christ no matter where you are.  I pray you listen to the nudging of the Holy Spirit.  I pray that you continue to hold onto God stronger than anything else in your life.  I pray that when you feel like the world has beaten you down and you have nowhere to turn, you can turn to me.  I pray that you grasp every opportunity that comes your way and live life to the fullest with no regrets.  Above all - I pray you are happy.

I love you and happy birthday!

Sound the Alarm!

I am still walking with a limp and feel like I have gotten run over by a truck......but it is all worth it.

Built for Battle (B4B) was this past weekend.  And, once again, it blew me away. God is so good.

This year we featured "From These Ruins" a metal band out of Terre Haute.  They rocked the stage and melted a few faces all for the glory of God.  Some could claim that this kind of music does not ratify God.  I beg to differ.  We are a wondrous variety because our Creator enjoys our differences.  While you may not like the growling and the screaming, others do.  While you may not understand the lyrics or wince at the guitar riffs or the clashing of the cymbals, others do.  It is all for the glory of God and we worship Him in our own way.  "From These Ruins" rocked it for the Kingdom and a bunch of great guys!  Look them up on Facebook!

My daughter was our teen speaker this year and she delivered a powerful message.  She brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion as she shared her testimony of sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts and bullying.  She made me and her father so proud.

Worship this year was done by my son Caleb and one of our former youth, Shannon.  These two are small but powerful.  They mesh well together on stage as if they have been playing for years together.  They pack such a punch and invoke the Holy Spirit that I believe there is a special anointing when they get together on stage.

Matt brought a dramatized message about the Stockholm Syndrome.  Powerful and brought a message of being held captive.  Good stuff.

I closed the evening on a message of Lazarus and a story of the Sacred Grave walker.  My point was to ring the bell over your lives so the Sacred Grave Walker will quickly "dig up" what was once dead and give you a second chance at life.

Altar time was so electric.  Several were slain in the spirit and we got word that some youth received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Praise Jesus!  Chains were broken, lives were made whole again, hearts were healed and bondages fell off. 

It wasn't all serious.....J-Walkers performed, we had a yummy taco dinner and we had a photo booth this year. 

Now that I broke it all down, you wished you had come, right?  It was phenomenal and I couldn't have done it without my amazing volunteers and businesses that had helped make it a success!

So what is B4B?  Time for a little history lesson.

This was our 4th year of doing this event.  Several years ago, we were taking our youth group to large conferences that would entail them paying $100 dollars to cover expenses.  It was getting to the point that kids were having a hard time coming up with the money.  Not only that but for us to go (and our 2 kids), that is $400 (no, youth pastors don't get in free).  So, Matt brought a proposal to me and said "Why don't we do our own?".  I was doing a once a year concert (Rock the Heavens) and didn't want to take on the responsibility of an entire event.  However, the more we talked the more we agreed this was the route God was wanting us to take.  So now, we needed a catchy name.

In a casual conversation I said - "We need something catchy and powerful...something like Built for Battle."  We wrinkled our nose at that name and decided we both weren't fond of it therefore we tossed around many other names.  However, Built for Battle kept surfacing.  So we went with it.  God then directed me to call the event B4B but tag line it every year, so I have.  Year one - The War Is Raging; year two - Stand Your Ground; year three - Storm the Gates; this year - Sound the Alarm.  God has given me these tag lines and without a doubt it is directed by Him. 

If you look, it creates a story -

• The War Is Raging - This generation needs to know that there is a war going on.  The enemy of our souls wants to destroy us.  

• Stand Your Ground - now that you are aware of the dangers, you need to stand your ground.  Don't let the enemy push you back into a retreat.  Stand firm because if God is with us, NO ONE can come against us!  

• Storm the Gates - now that you have stood firm, it is time to take action.  We cannot lie around and let the enemy attack.  The Bible says the enemy is like a prowling lion waiting to attack.  It is time to storm the gates and get the upper hand.  

• Sound the Alarm - all throughout the Bible, it speaks on sounding the trumpets.  Many times it was during battle.  It is almost like we need to let the enemy know we are coming.  Let him worry about what we are going to do, let him scramble to try to create a plan of defense......let him know we mean war. 

We were not created to live a life as a spectator.  We were created with the purpose to go to battle.  We were made for war.  We are equipping this generation with the necessary tools to go into the battlefield and fight for those that are lost.

With that being said, God has given me next year's tagline......drum roll please........

Built for Battle 2014 - "Armed & Dangerous"