Raising kids with a Purpose

One of the great joys of being a leader here at kamp, is the fact that we get to help impact lives for the Lord. Personally for me, nothing is more exciting than being able to help grow others to live life with a purpose. It's the Great Commission that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 28. We are about the business of making leaders who grab a Kingdom Vision and pass that on to others.

One of my favorite people to ever walk through the gates of Kwest is Adam Barnett. An energetic, all smiles, never stop having fun character and personality, allows him to influence literally thousands of kids and college students in the Norman area as he works with Journey church.

I couldn't help myself after I read a recent blog entry of his on raising kids. He and his wife Andrea, have just been blessed with a new life, adding to their already busy schedule. Here is what he wrote:
Person vs. Purpose
I got an encouraging email from a friend the other day that said she was praying for Andrea and me as we continue to learn about parenting. She said something very profound that has challenged me and consumed me since the moment I read it: "Don't raise a person; raise a purpose." I've thought a lot more about this and here are a few things I've thought of:

Raising a person leads to fear. Raising a purpose promotes boldness and courage.

Raising a person limits creativity. Raising a purpose promotes dreaming wildly.

Raising a person is ownership. Raising a purpose is knowing what belongs to the Lord.

Raising a person creates worry. Raising a purpose is to fully trust the Lord.

Raising a person is to define a future. Raising a purpose allows freedom and choice.

Raising a person is selfish. Raising a purpose is to promote God's desires.

Raising a person is defined. Raising a purpose keeps one open to the Holy Spirit.

Raising a person requires plans. Raising a purpose requires following God's direction.

Raising a person can be done alone. Raising a purpose requires the body of Christ.

Raising a person is stressful. Raising a purpose is to be filled with the joy of the Lord.

Raising a person is boring. Raising a purpose is full of anticipation!

Raising a person can be done with luck. Raising a purpose requires prayer.

Raising a person lacks purpose. Raising a purpose promises a fruitful life!

... So, Lord, help Andrea and I (and those around us who love Ellie) to raise more than just a person, but a daughter with a purpose to shake things up in this world! Amen.


And I say "amen" too!

Home is Always Nice

I believe the best part of traveling with Kanakuk is the part that comes when we get to go back home. There is nothing better than coming off a week of traveling than to roll back into the drive way and see my family.

After traveling in Texas and enjoying one of my best weeks of trail, it was still more exciting to see my family, sit at the dinner table and talk, and kick back on the couch with the fire going.

This past weekend, Mike had 3 scrimmages up in Springfield. My brother came down with his family to see Weston and Mike play. Incidentally, they open their season next weekend in St. Louis. Basketball is here!

Don't get me wrong. College Station and Waco were great this past week. I loved slamming a Freebirds burrito and thoroughly enjoyed some Double Dave's pizza rolls (I even grabbed some Layne's chicken fingers). Traveling was sweet, but it doesn't come close to being at home with my own family and Beth's home cookin...it's always nice.

Klife Waco Style

I vote Allen Befort and Erin Groth the two best Klife leaders of all time. They are possibly not only the best team, but the most perfect fit to be dynamic leaders for kids who come to Klife.

I stopped by the other day for the Kamp Movie Tour and they hosted us at the Klife center. It was fun to see them in action with kids, families, and their staff. They have some good things going right now and it's fun to see the Lord working.

If you are ever near Waco, be sure to stop in and check out their ministry and work with kids (not to mention staff volunteers....I heard a rumor that they have 60 college students that want plug in and help, but again, that's just a rumor).

Baylor and Waco were good to us. We had ton's of interviews despite Pigskin happening. By the way, Andrew Gilbert performed last night on stage, singing and dancing. I can't wait to watch the YouTube video on that one

Aggie Dominance

Let's face it. There are plenty of reasons why I believe A&M may be one of the greatest places on planet earth. Tradition. Valor. Chivalry. And really good people.

After our kamp shows this week, it was fun to catch up on all that's happening on the campus. After Dark and Joe White will show up in College Station soon. Thanks to a great team of people, including Laura Browder, it might just be the best one we have ever had.

We capped off our trip in Aggie Land by running by Layne's Fried Chicken and slamming some chicken fingers. After a Monster Burrito at Freebirds, and some pizza rolls at Double Dave's, I left College station a satisfied man.

Be praying for the After Dark event, and for Laura and her team of folks. They are way fired up and way committed to see people come to the cross. They are dominating the campus for Christ.

Aggies

Aggie time on the KMT.

Last night we were busting at the seams with Aggies who are ready to interview with kamp. It was fun to see a room filled with that much excitement and energy. Our reps did a wonderful job.

It was also fun to see guys like Dave Browning, or as AJ refers to him, Brave. Interestingly, Dave just finished spending time with a former President of the United States, as well as our current President, both in College Station, both at the same time. Dave and his fellow Aggies were being honored for their volunteer work in the city for those who need help. Pretty cool.

The only bad thing about the whole deal was that Dave had to cut his hair...and his beard. Both Luke Finch and Dave are sporting some serious facial hair. You kind of just wish they could have it during the summer.

It's always good to be in Aggie land. Gig Em.

Reunion Time

This weekend we had the chance to rally the staff in Dallas as we prepped for the Texas/OU game. It was an opportunity for the family to be together to catch up and have some fun.

Kwest was well represented, along with all of the rest of the kamps. We fellowshipped, ate some good food, told some great stories, but mostly had the chance just to catch up with each other.

The highlight of the weekend had to have been Todd Rapp's skit. He was in vintage form as he and Shay Robbins performed a sundry of different skits centered around writing next year's summer theme song (see pictures).

We hit the road this week and I will be heading to College Station and Waco, Texas. The KMT is off and running and we are excited to see some people.

tweaker

I don't know why, but lately I have had a tough time keeping up with writing. I desire to be diligent...it just doesn't seem to happen.

It's late and I just got back from Dallas and the Kanakuk reunion. I have a few hours here in Branson before I turn around and head back down to College Station on Monday morning. Life is crazy.

After being with one of my leadership guys, I have decided that my problem with blogging might just be able to be solved by "tweaking" I mean "twitter" or whatever you want to call it.

I will give everyone an update on our reunion and some photos of Todd Rapps greatest work I have seen in over 20 years. He is, without a doubt, one of the most funny humans I have ever seen.

Here's to keeping up with you...
I will tweak you soon.

Out for a Walk

The human body is one of the most amazing machines ever created. We are able to do so many things from climbing mountains to running marathons, and biking 100 miles to graceful slam dunks.

The more science helps us advance the powers of the human body, the more human beings seem to have no limit as to what they can achieve.

However, the one thing that our body was best designed for is walking. God hand crafted the parts of what we are to be able to travel from point A to point B with efficiency and ease. We take for granted the simplicity of what we do every day.

We are made to walk with Him.

No one ever sets out to be a fool or become one on purpose. We take our eyes off of the Lord and make decisions apart from Him. We let go of His hand and take matters into our own hands. That's how we lose step. We don't walk wisely.

So go take a walk today...as you go, make sure you never let go of God's hand. We were created to walk hand in hand with our heavenly Father. It's the most natural thing we can do.