Write Night

Wow earlier this week Staci and I went to a write-night at my Dad's school. We had a great time reading and writing with these parents and children. I thought I would share mine (not sure why, I guess because I haven't had a topic to take off on lately.

I know…

I know about the Thrill of Victory,

…and the Agony of Defeat.

I know the need for laughter,

…and the pain of tears.

I know the Joy of being an expecting parent,

...and the fear of the unknown.

I know sports,

…and the pain of injury.

I know words can hurt,

...and the importance of forgiveness.

I know perfection is impossible,

…but hard work is mandatory.

I know the Joy of “Man’s best friend,”

…and the mess they can make.

I know what it is like to marry up,

…and I know a good marriage takes work.

I know the gift of having good parents,

…and the number of kids less fortunate.

I know the love of Jesus,

…and that Grace didn’t come free.

I know how to teach history,

…and the need to continue learning.

I know how AWESOME reading and writing is,

…and the realization that it is phasing out.

I know the need for friends,

…and the need to sometimes be alone.

I know a leader never criticizes,

…but never accepts the praise.

I know times are hard,

…and that America will one day be GREAT again.

I know I don’t have all the answers,

…but I know who does and where to find them.

Football, Perserverance, Hard times, and FINDING JESUS!

This weekend ended my second season as an assistant coach at FCMS (8th grade). This year was full of ups and downs. Our record didn't reflect how much we improved throughout the season. One area of the game that we certainly made strides in was PERSEVERANCE. It seemed like every time (other then maybe twice) we got down we found a way to fight back and score a touchdown or get a turnover or onside kick. This was a great "Teachable moment" with these kids. To show them that life will get hard and you have to keep trying and keep fighting especially when times get tough. I was so proud of how we finished the year this week, after a horrible game last week we bounced back and after one of our leaders got hurt we persevered through adversity to pull out a big win to end the year. Seeing these kids fight through hard times means more to me then seeing them score touchdowns.

As I bragged on this aspect of these kids this week I realized how important it is for Christians to persevere through hard times and "storms". Then as I started looking at my life I realized that I was standing in the middle of a few storms myself. Max Lucado shines some light on this topic in his new book Fearless. Jesus is the commander of every storm.Are you scared in yours? Stare at him.This may be your 1st storm. But it's certainly not his!

The more I prayed the more I turned to scripture and the support of God's people. Three things have helped me keep my focus on Jesus during these storms. 1. The presence of Christ in my life. (IF you have it give PRAISE, IF you don't GET IT) 2. Good Godly Christian friends who with spend time in God's word and in prayer with me. (FIND GODLY FRIENDS) 3. God's HOLY word!(Spend time in IT) All of these thing have helped me keep my eyes on the cross and I am thankful to thos people and their guidance.

I was once asked HOW LONG HAS GOD PESERVERED IN WAITING FOR YOU TO ANSWER HIS CALL? Are you eyes looking at the Storm or the ONE who can BRING YOU THROUH THE STORM?

May we look to JESUS in all times! AMEN

Scripture tells us this about PERSEVERANCE:
-1 Chor 16:11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
-Psalms 37:24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Is the LORD holding you up? Paul perserved, the Disciples did, JESUS did on the CROSS CAN'T WE? Is it easy NO by NO MEANS is it easy.

When your storms come will you be like Peter when he walked to Jesus ON WATER in a HUGE STORM or will we be like Peter when he took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink???? THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!

There are a few songs that help me in hard times, 1. Praise you in this Storm by Casting Crowns 2. Bring the Rain by Mercy Me
(Bring me joy, bring me peace Bring the chance to be freeBring me anything that brings You glory And I know there'll be days When this life brings me painBut if that's what it takes to praise You Jesus, bring the rainBring me joy, bring me peaceBring the chance to be freeBring me anything that brings You glory And I know there'll be days When this life brings me painBut if that's what it takes to praise You Jesus, bring the rain).

I realize very few of you are still reading this and most got mad and stopped reading it because it didn't apply to them (even though it does more then they know)! BUT how Christians handle hard times shows non-Christians what we believe about the greatness of God.

When I am afraid,I will trust in you. In God,whose word I praise,in God I trust;I will not be afraid.What can mortal man do to me?Ps 53:3-4! So as for me I am going to continue with everything I have to keep my eyes on CHRIST AND WALK TO HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS STORM!

Facebook, Twitter, ipod Touch, and Synced up with God!

So bare with me....just had ideas start popping in my head and thought hey write it down. When ideas like this show up it normally has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God. So here we go...

Within the past 6 months or so I (like most of you) started a facebook account and I soon remember how effective it could be in today's society to stay in touch with people (sad as it may be). Then it was a Twitter account was next on the technology wave for me. What is the difference in the two? At times nothing but small details. Do you need both? No but once you have both you aren't getting rid of one because they are two different things that can be synchronized together to post your 1 comment in two places. Weird? CERTAINLY. Then this week I purchased a ipod touch and now I can sync absolutely everything to it and update and post on any site at any time. I can browse the web and I can check emails, blog, listen to music, and sync mine to other's ipod to instantly share data. Is it necessary? NO by no means, but it is cool and certainly got me thinking. I had all of these things separate, but I have synced them together to make my life easier (or lazier whichever your prefer).

So what? Good question. This is where I think God took over. The last 6 months have been a very interesting time in my life spiritually as well, but the last month or two has taken it to a new level.

It all started with a prayer like it always does. The time and day I do not remember, but I do know that after reading Come Thirsty by Max Lucado I decided to go to God's well and drink as much as I could. (Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain-his Spirit-where we all come to drink.- 1 Cor. 12:13).

From there the prayer was answered, the question (Where are you in my life Lord? What do you have in store for me?) The answer....coming soon. If I would have followed God's answer I would have be synced up with His Will for my life, but no I had to pray again and again to make sure what He was telling me was the best thing for me. The answer...I don't make mistakes....trust me and I will prepare you.

I put this off for quite some time before sharing it with Staci. Then Upward Football and Cheerleading began (yes the one that Brad and I said we weren't going to do). But I knew it was God's will (not the answer by the way). That season is almost over and it is not the topic at hand, but it showed/taught me something. It taught me that even when you can't do something or don't have time for it God can and will use your blind step of Faith to do big things. This season has been amazing, our numbers increased and most importantly we had more then a few kids raise their hand to accept Christ in our Gospel presentation at Practice 7. I almost teared up thinking that before that practice I was apologizing to God (and had been for a while) for messing this year up, for not doing a good job. His answer WATCH THIS! LOOK HOW AMAZING AND STRONG I AM! Why do I tell you this, for one reason GOD is POWERFUL when weak people step out in faith and trust His Will. When we are synced up with God he can do AMAZING things in our lives. I mean he is the God that fed all those people with 5 fish and 2 loaves of bread. (Matthew 14: 13-21).

Now back to the story. God started doing small things in my life syncing me to him and I never saw it coming. After being reminded that syncing my actions with God's will was best for me and my family I jumped all in and found some prayer warriors to pray for strength and perseverance through the answer that God gave me way back in the beginning of this blog. (answer still to come) I started going to a bible study at work early on Tuesday mornings. The people in there were close friends of mine and that provided me with mornings full of great discussions, scripture, doughnuts,and coffee. Then a few guys asked me to read Wild at Heart (John Eldredge ) as they were reading it. I started reading this book about being the type of man that God wants men to be. I immediately began to see how this book was a helpful tool for living life, being a good husband, father, friend, and Christian Male. I really didn't want to read it, but I felt God wanted me to do this with them, so I did. Once again trying to be in sync with God's will for my life (knowing that I made a pledge to be). Then GOD SYNCED them all together in a see I told you I would prepare you and guide you to the answer.

Ok God's answer to my first prayer (of this blog) HAVE A CHILD. Those of you that know me you know my answer NOOOOOOOOOO! Then I said ok lets get in sync here Sizemore. Shortly after starting this book and this group (which is mostly made up of good Godly men that teach and Coach middle school football with or in the same district as me) Staci and I got the news. Your pregnant. Now this in itself was a test of faith and trust God to sync our lives to His will.(another story for another day)

You see when I allowed GOD to sync my life to His will, my life got easier. It also left me open to more blessings then I could have ever imagined. Some of you are saying these events are separate events they have nothing to do with each other. Oh they do...they were synced together BY GOD to help prepare me for the big news he knew would be coming sooner the later. My facebook, twitter, and ipod touch have nothing to do with each other either, but I sync them up as most of you do as well. So why can't God sync events in our lives together too?

First the reminder that God can work through anything (even me doing a less then superb job with Upward). Then the guidance and support from people at work. The book that taught me lessons I certainly am going to need. (the book spends a lot of time talking about relationships between Dads and their kids) Then the news...oh and if your not convinced the next book on the list to finish (already started) FEARLESS by Lucado. (does anyone else see the irony?)

God used all these things (ALL SEPARATE in their own way) to sync my life to His will.

I believe everyday we should evaluate how in sync we are with God's will. YOU are the only one that can answer this, yes others can provide guidance and support but you are the only one who can truly answer that. Notice the challenge .....We need to evaluate how in sync OUR lives are with GOD'S will not your friends, co-workers, family members etc idea of God's plan for you.

There are some people who no matter what will say Andrew this is ridiculous or others may say he is lying (they will say the same things to you as well). That's how this battle of Spiritual warfare works. God syncs us to his will using people and events in our lives, Then the devil comes along and uses people (some times people close to you) to create fear, doubt, and insecurity to un-sync you from God's will.

SYNC up with GOD and see what happens in your life. Once again I felt led to sit down and slow down long enough to type. God put the words on the page. So be encouraged and SYNC UP!

God bless you all and thank you for getting to the end of this!

How often do we miss CHRIST?

Luke 24: 13-32

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;
16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;
21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.
24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.
29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I have been thinking about this topic for some time now, but just couldn't put it all together. Then this week I have been reminded of how easy it is to "miss Jesus" in today's fast paced society. Even when every day for the last months have been full of doing Kingdom work it is so easy to miss opportunities that Christ is giving us to make an impact on some one's life.

These moments can be very little things that we overlook all the time. For example it could be something as small as saying hello to someone or holding the door for someone. "These aren't God moments" you say. I disagree! These are the times that scriptures refers to sharing the Love of Christ with everyone (believers and non-believers). These are the moments where as a Christian you have the ability to be difference, the opportunity to "be different " to leave an impact.

So many times we are so tired or so busy we miss these people that God wants us to share his love and grace with. To many times we fall short of completing the simple task that God gives us and we get frustrated when we don't get instant gratification or our prayers aren't answered instantly. The disciples (those who knew Jesus the most) didn't recognize him on their walk to Emmaus until after they had dinner with him. It is safe to say that anyone reading this, even if they aren't a Christian, would show kindness and love to Jesus if they recognized him walking beside them. It may be out of admiration or out of fear. However, when Jesus is disguised as someone in need, a kid who needs support because they don't have support at home, a stranger who has lost a job, the homeless guy walking the streets, or the woman/man working a second or third job/shift just to provide for his family we miss him. When this is the case we don't recognize Jesus, we miss a chance to LOVE JESUS (You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:38, Matthew 25:40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.") we miss a chance to share HIS love with others.

There is no way you will ever get it right every time, but I sure hope I learn to get it right more times then I get it wrong. Think of what the world would be like if we weren't like the disciples on the way to Emmaus, what if we recognized Jesus the second we saw him, and better yet saw those who need to see him the second GOD put them in our path.

I am so thankful that because of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross God is willing to forgive us and to provide more second chance then you can imagine. GOD IS GREAT....ALL THE TIME....ALL THE TIME...GOD IS GREAT!!!

Thanks for reading may God strengthen you and guide you in the days to come.

God is GREAT.....Pain hurts.....Summer is over....

Man the last week or so has certainly been like a roller coaster ride. We had an amazing time at the beach. We had a great time with an amazing family in our first real vacation since we were married. Upon our return we jumped straight into our UPWARD evals. It seems like no matter how hard you think you have worked to get ready your are always behind. Then we started experiencing our first "God moments" of the year. Shortly into the night it was obvious that God was at work.
Then a few hours later our family was hit with news that our only Grandparent had a very bad night in the hospital. In a short phone call I was reminded how much pain can sting. We spent almost the whole day at the hospital talking to our family and grandmother. The day was full of uncertainty and a sense of fear. However, the day was full of laughter and great stories with my family. In the midst of this fear and pain it is very obvious that trusting in God is always the best answer.
After a long day today I realized that my summer was over. No more part time work, no more lazy days fishing or laying around with the wife and dogs :(. I hope whoever reads this, if anyone does, will be blessed by God in will realize how great he is. God Bless you!

UPWARD

Wow it is here and I can't believe it. Tomorrow will be our first evaluations date and things won't slow down until October. There is no doubt that God is going to do powerful things this year with this ministry. Please consider being a part of it, and please pray for this ministry. Come join us at Lyman UMC and watch God work miracles through average people to reach his children.
God Bless!

Beach

Staci and I just returned from a wonderful trip to th Beach. We had such a good time with our geat friends, our God-daughter, and their family. I has been a long time since we have been to the beach and I must admit I had a blast, even though I hate the sand. With that said I can't wait to sleep in my own bed.