Our Adventure

Kingmaker Ministries is now ONLINE! http://www.traildad.org/ Check out the site and give some feedback. How does it look? Is it missing anything? Is everything clear and understandable?

My son, Caleb and I got back from the bluffs just outside of Bakersfield, Ca. We scrambled up a class 3 mountain side and perched ourselves on top of the highest ridge just west of the Kern River. From a distance the mountains have a greenish brown hue, but up close the hills sang with purple tall grass highlighted by wildflowers. The huge Sierra Nevada mountains were the back drop of this excursion and no car, no plane, or voice could be heard for miles. Just open country as far as the eye could see.

I shared with Caleb that its not everyday that a dad and son can get out like this. Many dads, in fact don't have time for such an excursion. However, I chose to be there right then. Yes, I had to keep stopping so he could get stuff out of his shoe and I had to carry his Batman backpack part of the way because it was too heavy. He wanted to go back a few times as he saw how high we were and how far the truck was, but we pressed on. We got to a place of quietness and closeness, he rarely stopped talking but the low hum of his 6 year old voice was over shadowed by wisping wind over the ridges. I could feel the pleasure of God at that moment when I crouched down to take a picture with my son. He is so curious, so imaginative, so unaware of an absent love. I am so grateful that I get to share a father's love with my son. I am so grateful that he will never have to question if he matters to anyone. He gets to walk through this life knowing his father loves him and that love is close, affectionate, and generous.

King David's Training

David grew up in a classic Jewish home; Kind of like guys who have been going to church their whole life. David couldn’t remember a time when God was not a big part of his family and his life.

He was the youngest son of 8 boys and God had an extraordinary plan for his life. He was going to be King! OK, this kid is like 11-13 years old, he was a sheepherder and was destined to stay a sheepherder the rest of his life. But God looked past the outside and into the heart of David. There was something about him that no one else saw except God.

So from the day he was chosen (secretly) to become the next king, God began to prepare him. God first got him a gig working under the current king. He was the king’s armor carrier and part-time guitarist (while still taking care of his dad’s Sheep). God’s Spirit was with David guiding him the whole way.

What is the best way to learn how to be a king? Hang out with kings! That is exactly the preparation he needed for the plans God had for him. Being an Armor Carrier and guitarist, he had access to military and Government strategies.

He learned by listening and watching. David spent long hours nurturing his relationship with God (in the fields with the sheep) and gaining wisdom behind the scenes in the King’s court. Remember he was barely a teenager and had a firm grasp on his future and worked hard taking care of his responsibilities.

After a few years of training God had a test for him. He had to face a Giant, Goliath. You probably know the story. The greatest moment in the battle was when Goliath basically called God a “Punk” and told the Israelites that he and his people were going to enslave all of the Jews and wipe out any belief in God. The people of Israel were terrified, including the king. When David arrived to see everyone so afraid he was actually confused. David took his relationship with God seriously and during those training years God showed him that the promises of the Bible were true and for him, especially when someone calls God a punk and tries to invade.

How could this now 15-18 year old be so sure that God would give him victory over the Giant? Because God prepared him for the battle by facing Bears and Lions while he was a Sheepherder. David faced this Giant, Goliath, alone and he defeated him without getting a scratch. He even cut the Giants head off and brought it to the King!

This victory was the catalyst for a long and successful reign as King of the most powerful kingdom on earth. His preparation, as a Shepherd and in the king’s court, set the stage for his success. He had many obstacles to overcome after this: dodging spears, watching his best friend die so he could live, being chased by armies, living in caves and many other exploits, but one thing never changed...HIS HEART TO FOLLOW GOD. God is preparing the same heart in you!

Attack of the Karate Kitten

Daddy's doing school...we came up with a tongue twister with the letter K

A kangaroo kisses a karate kitten. The kitten kicks the kangaroo.

Say that 10 times fast.

The Discovery Pen Adventure

I am not much of a conspiritor but I believe with my whole heart that the Discovery Church pen is actually alive. The thought crossed my mind when it would show up in random places around the house like the basket in the bathroom (hiding in the Sudoku Puzzle book), or in the car, in all of my Bibles (it seems to jump from one to another), or what about swimming in the washing machine (WITHOUT Floaties, dangerous!)

Well my suspicions were confirmed when this seemingly innocent pen stowed away into one of our backpacks. See, some friends and I decided to go to the Shining Rock Wilderness in western NC. Over 5 hours away from home and over 1 mile above sea level this little bugger showed its purple little head. It decided to trapes across 15 miles of rugged wilderness and snuggle up with us in our tents at night.

We were a little freaked out at first but because of our Christian faith and compassionate hearts we decided to welcome this stranger as part of the crew. Now that the weekend is over we just can't imagine the adventure without our precious little purple pen.

Here are some of our most special moments...

The Cowboy

Do you ever think about death? I don't normally, mostly because I'm so ADD that I cant finish anything I start so finishing life seems to be off the table, too. Anyway, death has made its way to my mind. Mostly because I have a grandpa (Grandpa Rice) who has been in and out of the hospital for a year or so and barring any unfortunate accidents will be the next family member to leave us. (hopefully its 10 years from know!)
My ministry is built on capturing moments and speaking into the lives of those who mean the most to you. Typically I would focus on teens and kids here because we have a responsibility to lead them and bless the goodness that we see in them. But there are end moments that deserve a measure of closure and kind of a last word. That end moment/last word has been haunting me when I think about my grandpa and what I'll say at his funeral.
Why is there a sense of urgency to fit-in a life's worth of meaning into the last few interactions with people? Because we missed so many along the way? or we think that we'll have another time, or plenty of time to address it? Sometimes i'm just afraid to speak to others when there are other people around, as if it is too uncomfortable for grandma to hear what I think grandpa's life meant to me.

I didn't intend for this post to be an obituary, or to even suggest that Grandpa is on his death bed cuz he is doing good. But now that the can is open...

Things I hope to tell my Grandpa Rice one day but to scared to say today...
You are one of the most positive influences in my life.
I learned about a hard days work from you.
I learned plenty of dirty jokes...some real humdingers too!
I heard you when you talked about how much of a hard worker I was to other men.
You never let a moment get too serious
You never let another man get the better of you.
You're a cowboy. Always had a gun and a dog by your side.
You have a steel will, to quit alcohol and cigarettes 'cold turkey' is amazing.
You let me work on your crane and the summers we spent together were the most amazing adventures of my young life. I cant thank you enough for bringing me along to share in your story.
I loved sharing "a grease burger" with you at Steak and Shake after a long days work at the yard.
You have the best, most contagious smile.
I love how you tell stories and the great experiences you've had. From small town country living, to working on the Alaskan pipeline to building and walking the steel on the skyscrapers of Michigan's grandest buildings, I love hearing about the pink Cadillac and seeing all of the pictures of you with your cowboy hat tilted a little to the side.

I hope one day my grandchildren will be as proud of me as I am proud of you. I couldn't be the man I am today without some credit going your way. Some guys called you the Marlboro Man, and others called you Ray-mo, I will always call you Grandpaw. And one day my grankids will hear about your great adventures and know the story of "The Cowboy".

Camping Trip

We are ready for our trip

On the trail

Reached the Summit...900 feet above sea level...we hiked 5 miles and well over 600ft elevation gain. I only had to carry Caleb 2wice

notice: "Created By God" and State Park on the same plaque...

The only thing between us and the Black Bear that night

Conquerers of the Wilderness....Wild Men!

Caleb setting up Camp: Nite 2

Mmmmm....Chili Mac and Hot Cocoa

Good Ole' Sleepin Buddies

Pic just before the huge mess of Mallow.

They weren't bears this time.

Happy Birthday Caleb!!!

I know...no excuses...I gotta post more and that is that!

6 weeks is just too much time not to post. God is doing things and I just have to hatchet out the time to update this page. You can help...you have full permission to email me a scathing rebuke. I am getting more discipline about these things, just not 'this' thing.

Examples if self discipline recently:

1.I recently lost more than 20 pounds...down to a slim 215. No fad diets just eating right.

2.While as a 'stay at home' dad, I did all the house chores, dinner, laundry, kid taxi service...etc. (knowing me, this is a big deal...typically the longer i stay somewhere the messier things get...to have a clean house on my watch is kind of a breakthrough...just ask my wife after I cook a big meal.)

3.Consistency with the kids...Cessie tells me that I am good at this, so you will have to ask her...I think that I am just a meanie sometimes but Cessie likes my style...hopefully the kids will turn out OK.

Where I need improvement...

1. My regular DAILY devotion time...I want to do better. Maybe I am lazy or maybe I am still dealing with some rebellion issues associated with "a certain denomination" that made daily devotion equal to 'true' salvation.
I am not where I want to be (MY responsibility)and I miss time with God that I can never get back...like those great conversations on the boat with grandpa.

2. My Administration and paperwork skills...I am a very focused person, the trouble is that I never focus long enough on this area. I admittedly live moment to moment and am great at capitalizing on opportunities. Its those daily, consistant, administrative exercises (logging payments, filing paperwork, tracking numbers and trends) I get distracted and just need to focus more on the weekly duties. Like it or not, I am the president of a company, I got to get on the ball and stop working from behind and get ahead of the paperwork and stay there.

3. My wife and date nights...we used to have one every friday (rain or shine)...since moving to Greenville we have not had one for 4 months. Mostly because I wont call others and ask for Babysitting... partly because I dont know people that well around here to inconvenience them with our kids and the other part is it takes planning, 2 weeks to be nice and at least 1 week notice to be fair. I certainly love my wife and she deserves it and as the husband I must take the initiative on this.

4.Updating my blog, facebook, and newsletter....it is a shame that God is doing so many cool things and you don't get the privilege of celebrating them/Him with us.

If you want to help in any of these areas...well, I probably won't call you back anyway ;) Just Kidding! Any tips, techniques?

Wow, this post was kind of therapeutic!

What is the definition of Love?

God calls us to love our enemies. He expects us to forgive those who hurt us. It is certainly difficult to even comprehend love but is it natural? Is love a human tendency? Is it enough to model love? Can love be taught?

The bible talks about love and even gives examples, but what is the definition of Love?

Small Groups vs House Churches

I recently got a letter in the mail from a ministry that I respect and follow regularly. This was a monthly update that answers a longtime question "what kind of church do you go to?" Being that they are not a denominational ministry that was a fair question based on the success they have experienced in the last 5 years.

The ministry leader supports the idea of "big church" but said what works for him and his family is having a 'house church'. A house church is a group of believers who meet in someones house at least once a week for a bible study and other religious exercises as opposed to going to a church building and plugging into religious denomination or organization.

As I understand it, it is very organized and you can join "house church" non-profits for tax exempt purposes and to get ideas of how to function effectively. This sounds very appealing to me and it certainly has biblical roots since houses where the first places people met as Christianity was building it's foundation.

The people that I know who participate in house churches have been hurt by "big church" or that they have seen so much corruption in the 'church' that they would rather see their money used on feeding people than on paying salaries, rent, lights, carpet,...etc. (I am not saying all house groups Christians are like this, these are just the opinions of people who I know participate. And this Christian leader in the above paragraphs certainly advocated for house groups as an option.)

I like the idea of house churches. But maybe you can help me answer some questions about it. Like, why not just join a church and participate in a small group? Or What is wrong with having a church building? Or what happens if the house group gets too big for the house, do you by a bigger house? "Big Church" is messy because people are messy, relationships are complicated and not everyone is pleased all the time, Is that enough justification to disassociate with a large group of believers?

Whatcha think?

Afternoon Worship

I love computers and the Internet. As I write this I am listening AND WATCHING Live Worship at The Crossing Church in Tampa. This is the ultimate lunch break!

http://www.crossingonline.org/crossing-live

Check- it out. It is on 11:30am - 1pm every wednesday afternoon.