could it be, I told you so??

Did you see the Reds victory again last night??? The final out ninth inning throw from Phillips to Valentin for the win! WOW! It was amazing? Where did this team come from? The pitching is really good, the offense is supporting the pitching, even the relief pitchers have improved about 98%!!! They are only 6.5 games back and only 10 games under .500! WOW!!!

If you have been at LCC anytime in the last month you have heard me PLEADING with you to buy tickets to watch the reds beat up on the Brewers on September 8th at GABP! I have been saying for weeks that "mathmatically" the reds are in this thing, now it is becoming a closer reality. I am not the only one saying it!!!! They play the three teams above them each 6 times to finish out the season, LOOK OUT!

SO, would you please purchase reds tickets from Nancy Coates and join us for LCC day at the park next Saturday, September 8th! I just heard last night that the first 40,000 fans will receive a team photo!!!!! A Red's win, great fellowship with the LCC family, a nice evening game, a team photo, half price tickets!!! What else can we do to get you to come???????

Go to http://www.lovedtolove.org/ to secure your tickets for this game! At last count, Nancy still had about 40 seats left, and they MUST be sold by the 8th! No refunds! Join us at GABP and let's cheer on our Cincinnati Reds!!!

B. Out!!

I love our small group

The summer has been tough on our small group. We have had a really hard time getting together on a regular basis. This evening, we had our first meeting of the fall season (fall? it was 104 degrees today) and it was awesome. From the moment people gathered at our home, there was laughter, sharing and love. The very first prayer request tonight was a PRAISE that we were finally back together again!!!

We are gearing up for a fall of intensive study on the basics of discipleship. We are all anxious to be the followers of Jesus He wants us to be. We made a commitment to meet every Wednesday except on the day we have our community night. There is a real spirit of excitement in the group I don't think I have felt any other time. I am charged up!! Can you tell??

We also signed up to do several projects around the church. We want to give our time, energy and money to get some things accomplished that are long overdue. The group is ready to learn, grow and serve. Jen and I are blessed to be a part of this loving and caring group. Thanks for everything: Tony, Angie, Mike, Heidi, Gerri, Dave, Gene, Sandy, Nancy, Rich, Robyn, Didi and Jen!!!!

If you are not in a small group, please drop Dan Ponchot an e-mail and get in one today!!!!

B. Out!

Drive for show, putt for dough!!

If you have ever played golf, you know exactly what this means. People can step up to the tee box and hit is 300 yards, then miss a few short irons and 3 putt to loose the hole. Well, that sums up my morning today! Keith Wrassmann and I were hired to "secret shop" a local golf course. It was cool, we HAD to play 18 holes, we HAD to get a cart, we HAD to buy a sleeve of balls and we HAD to eat lunch at the restaurant. He he he, like it has been said, "it's a tough job, but someone HAS to do it!!" George Downey and Keith's brother-in-law Mike also played with us. It was a really hot, but beautiful day to play. What does this have to do with my title...okay, here you go...

I was hitting the ball "a mile" off the tee. It was a beautiful thing to watch and it really felt good. First hole, second hole, third hole, on and on! I was stroking that ball off the tee like I never had before. THEN it all fell apart on each hole. My middle clubs, my short game, my putting STUNK!!! Everything else in my game was horrible and as a result I ended the day with a score of 113 on 18 holes. What's the point? Glad you asked..

On the way home I got to thinking. The Christian life is really a lot like my experience today. We can "put on the big show" every Sunday. We can "impress the crowds" with our service. We can really "drive for show". Everyone will cheer, our christian life looks good on the outside, but what about everything else?? See, it is the middle, short and putting game that really gives the victory. Are you quietly developing your relationship with Christ in Bible study, prayer, devotional time? Are you serving those in need around you? Are you using your gifts and talents for Christ? Are you sharing the love of God with your friends and neighbors? Are you a light in the dark world of your neighborhood, school or job? Are you loving your mate and kids as Christ loves the church? Those things get a lot less fanfare, but lead to real victory?

Church, let's not concentrate so much about our Sunday morning show and more about being God's disciples in our everyday life. In golf, driving and the other parts of the game are all important, you only true see victory when both are done well. Let's give 100% to Christ and experience victory!!!!!!!!!!!!

B. Out!!

view beyond the pew

Like the title??? It is my intention to post one of these each Sunday pm or Monday! So many "God things" happen on Sunday here at LCC and this will give me an opportunity to share my perspective "beyond the pew".

Sunday started off kinda CRAZY!!!! A picture I really needed to use during my sermon somehow just disappeared from an e-mail and so I could not get that to our video techs. THEN THE HEAT! Oh man, was it hot in the worship center! It is time to have a funeral service for the A/C unit that has served us so well for some 16 years! Anyone have one laying around????
I was in back of our AC unit at about 8:55 trying to get it started when my nice yellow shirt met up with some AC greece!!!!!! UGGhhhhhh!!! By this point, Satan had me! I was frustrated, hot, tired and angry!!!! In a last minute attempt to make the almost 90 degree worship center tolerable, I decided we would just open up the windows and go for it. What a blessing! By the middle of first service, the cool outside air had made it nice in the Worship Center and by the 11 service, it was really pleasant in there. So many people commented on how nice it was to hear the birds and to feel the fresh air. The worship band was filling our entire section of Lebanon Road with some really awesome praise music and people driving by took notice! It was sooo awesome! Once again, God took our "inconvienence" and turned it into a blessing. Why doesn't this preacher just TRUST HIM???? God really is good, all the time!

The worship was great!! The spirit was good and God was real! Thank you God for sending us 10 brand new faces to our family on Sunday! I was blessed to meet the Tamplin's, Balow's and Woodwards! Actually, I went to school with Carey Tamplin, her daughter Samantha was in our week of camp and the Woodwards take piano lesson's from my wife, so I really didn't meet them for the first time, just had a great opportunity to worship with them!!!!!! It is also so cool to see new friends over the last 2 months returning week after week! I am humbled that God continues to use LCC to meet needs! Attendance continues to be really GREAT considering we are in the "dog days" of summer, many folks are getting in last minute vacations and it is soooooo hot!

Once again people were moved by the Spirit to come forward and kneel in prayer. It is always so cool to see our people getting out of their seats to go and lay hands on others and agree with them in prayer! Never underestimate the power of God combined with a genuine and humble heart bowed in prayer!!!! HEALING is HAPPENING!

One last thing about yesterday... I LOVE FAMILY SUNDAY! We have some of the best kids in the world! They sit, listen, take notes, sing loud, do the motions and just really know how to worship God!!! One of our kids came out of worship, found me and simply said: "YOU ROCK"! We have one more family sunday to enjoy and I guarentee it will be a blast! Our children's ministry is taking a well deserved break, however, there is no rest, as they are working on a new stage and background for the fall season of NP-3! Their theme is: Beefephesians!! Get ready for the kick-off on Sunday, September 9th at 8:45, 10 or 11:15!

God, thanks for another AWESOME day! You came through once again in a big, big way!!! Remind me often that it is not about our "comfort" but it is about your "power"! Thanks for teaching this preacher another tough lesson!

The lost C's

This may not be the most popular thing I have blogged, but it has been on my heart all day, so I need to share.

Today was a GREAT day! Keith Wrassmann helped me to be able to take Caleb on a 6 mile canoe trip on the Little Miami River. I am so thankful for a Men's Ministry at our church that makes days like these happen, thanks Calvin!!!

HOWEVER, what happened guys???? There were nearly 15 canoe's registered earlier this week with around 30 dads and kids planning to attend. A whole 3 canoe's with 7 people attended today?!?!? See a problem? Before the excuses start flying, I know a few of the guys had to end up working and some had obligations they couldn't get out of. Actually, it is not even the fact that people couldn't make it that bothers me.

It is the seeming loss of the 2 C's in our culture that weighs heavy on my heart. Commitement and Courtesy. How can nearly 30 people "commit", sign on the dotted line, let the ministry team leader know you plan to be there and then not show up. For the 6 or so people who had to cancel and called or let Calvin know, thank you, however...as of this morning, there were still 9 canoe's with almost 20 people signed up and NO ONE CALLED TO LET US KNOW ANY DIFFERENTLY!!! They just didn't show up!! To make matters worst, the group of 7 of us were there by 8:40 and waited, and waited, and waited and waited. We finally started for our day at nearly 9:30, almost 30 minutes late,WHY? Because people promised to be there and didn't even share courtesy to call.

Did it affect our fun? Did it make the day horrible? Did it stop us from enjoying the river? NO, NO, NO! So why bring it up? Because this is a blog and it has really burdened my heart today and this is my way to share!

Wes, Zach (happy birthday), Larry, Cecilia, Keith & Caleb: Thanks for a wonderful day of fellowship, fun and memories!!! To anyone else reading this, Let's always strive to do better!

B. out!!

First day of K-garten

Could it be? Our baby boy, just born at Clay County Hospital, Brazil, Indiana, GOING TO KINDERGARTEN???? My infant baby, my cute toddler, two years of Preschool come and gone...now J.F. Burns Elementary. Can time really fly that fast? YES! If you have younger kids, hold on tight, because it is here and gone before you know it! I digress, back on task Brian...

Today was the day! It really happened and he handled it better than we did. We felt sad, he said: "can we go now?" We wanted to take pics, he wanted to go in the school building. Our hearts melted when the teacher came out to get him, he ran over and grabbed her hand. We walked away with tears, he waved goodbye and headed into the school!!! We drove away feeling lost, he was enjoying a new world called SCHOOL!

How long will this excitement last? How long will he want to go to school? How long will we feel lost and sad when he goes to school? I am sure, the tables will turn and before too long Jen and I will be just like the couple in the staples commercial who throw school supplies in the cart and sing "It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!!" Until that day, we will still shed a few more tears and learn to trust and let go!!! Ugggh! Thanks for all those who asked and especially for Rhonda Adamson who called to check on mom today!!! It meant more than you will ever know!

Tomorrow is Saturday and Caleb will go on his first ever CANOE RIDE! More about this tomorrow!!

B. Out!!

God is good...all the time!!

I received the following e-mail recently from a family at LCC and have been given permission to share it with you. This family has been given the opportunity by God to open their home to a young person and receive temporary custody. I have deleted names but wanted to share their general thoughts from this journey about faith, prayer and church family. Enjoy…

Well the meeting with the lawyer went well, everyone was on time(it really took God to pull this one off, let me tell you), and we all got our questions answered. The initial papers are signed and being prepared to file with the court. We signed her up for HS and she is excited. I also had some of the youth from church meet us for ice cream to meet her so she will know some friends at orientation tomorrow. I have really learned so much about prayer and faith and resting on his promises. It has been an amazing journey and I have been so blessed throughout the entire process. While we usually trust Him to take care of the big things there have been many, many little things that have made it even more awesome!! You all have completely prayed this situation through and I am so very very thankful and blessed to have the LCC prayer warriors and my family as part of my life. I(We) love you all.Please keep our entire family in your prayers to come.

Let’s do just that! Pray, support and LOVE! God bless!!!
B. Out!!

must of been the heat...i wish!

Okay, so I had a God moment yesterday and it was one that I did not want to recieve!! Jennifer and I had opportunity to spend an entire afternoon at Kings Island. We have gone many times this year but ALWAYS with the kids. While we love our time with Caleb and Lauren, it means we live in "kiddie land". We would walk near the "big people rides" and just wish. So, with our dreams in hand, we hit the park about 12:30 ready to ride every coaster at least 10 times!

We started with Top Gun and then went to the forward racer! What's this, my stomach is turning, I feel sick? Must be the heat! We then went to Vortex! Oh man, I am feeling dizzy and well could I actually throw up? Must be the heat! We "rested" for a few minutes and then went the THE BEAST!!!!! I am not sure at this point, I can make it, oh no, would I actually throw up in the final two tunnels? What is going on with me? Could it be lunch? NO! It must be the heat! We then sat down and had a big cup of Lemonaid! Now, we are ready. We rode Flight of Fear!!! AWESOME! It is inside, we waited in air conditioning! The ride is really cool in action and temp. Won't get sick now! NO! What is this! UGgghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! NO! Could it be? Sick again! Now, I never did throw up, but I got a terrible "pre-vomit" feeling even on this ride! Okay, it had to be lunch! Just to be safe, we better ride the Merry-go-round! Okay, no sickness on that one and yes, my horse beat Jen's, it ended higher than hers!!!! Finally, must ride FACE OFF! Awesome ride, that ride scares me to death! End result, SICK AGAIN! Must be the heat!!!!

Folks, the God revelation to me yesterday was simply....YOU ARE NOT AS YOUNG AS YOU USED TO BE! It wasn't the heat, it wasn't lunch, it wasn't the ride's fault! I am just a 37-year old man with grey in my hair who is not in good shape and simply, not as young as he used to be! For the record, my lovely wife, had the same experience! What next??? KIDDIE LAND, here we come!!!!!!!!!!

B. Out!!

board meeting or worship service?

What do you think of when I say: "Board meeting"? I know what I always thought of... frowns, yawns, personal agenda's, disagreements, non-essential traditions, dark room, an hours worth of stuff in 3 short hours, etc! You get the picture, many of you have experienced something similar. NOT LAST NIGHT!!

The Elders called a board meeting (all staff, elders & deacons) and then offered an invitation to all ministry team leaders and other leaders within ministry teams and anyone in the church who wanted to attend. We had around 40 folks in attendance, that represents about 98% of those invited!!

Now what happened next was AWESOME!!! Two new deacons and our newest Elder was introduced and the chairman of our Elders laid hands on them and prayed. They were received with a loud applause! Our new Part Time on staff missionary, Brad Estep was introduced. He will be working with our outreach and young adult population. We prayed over him and he shared a moment or two of his heart! How awesome that God brought him back here to serve on staff with us! PTL! A new ministry was introduced by Jen Richard, she will be leading an effort to allow every young person in our church, despite their special needs, to have a positive learning and worship experience. Holly Kern then prayed over her and the ministry. Jared shared a new and exciting vision of CCU (cincinnati christian university) entitled, "Beyond the Walls". We were challenged to continue our support of the school. Jared then prayed for CCU as well as all of our missionaries we support. I was given a great opportunity of sharing our long term vision for expansion here at LCC entitled: A18! Be watching for more details. Landa Conover shared some new policies and procedures for scheduling the church and ministry activities and introduced our "Special Events Coordinator" Brenda Turner. Landa then prayed for Brenda, the new direction as well as A18. Finally, I reminded everyone of our current growth and the 3 service format beginning on September 9th. Dan Bacon concluded with his view of how this meeting was like none other he had ever attended! It was more of a worship experience! Mike Howcroft dismissed with another prayer of blessing! WOW! All that prayer! All that affirmation! All that applause!! All that love!! All those smiles!! All that positive energy!! ALL THAT GOD!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't it great when a group of Christian people and church leaders FOLLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT?!?!?! God is soooooo good! If every board meeting could be like that, I vote for ONE A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just my perspective!!!

Love ya
B. Out!!!!!!

I am so blessed!!

As I added the pictures on this blog I had the opportunity to look through all the different family and vacation pictures on my computer. I am sooooo blessed!!! God gave me a loving, wonderful, caring, PATIENT, beautiful wife! He then continued the blessing with two very sweet children (a boy and a girl), THANK YOU LORD and YES, WE ARE DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a great ministry in a great church! I am surrounded by a wonderful staff and leadership! I have so many wonderful friends! We are blessed with wonderful extended families on both sides! We have an awesome house to make a home! We are part of an awesome small group! We live in a great school system! We have two cars that are both running! We have experienced the amazing love, forgiveness, grace, mercy and peace that only Jesus can offer!

To "put the icing on the cake" I finally have a PS2!!!!!!

God is good, all the time & all the time, God is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

B out!

second try is a charm

Okay, so I tried to do this several months back and never got past the first entry, why? I have a lot of reasons I could give you, but the only honest answer is: I forgot my name and password! Yes, I know there are ways to recover that, but it was easier for me to just scrap it.

Let's not live in the past!

Today is a new day and since our website (www.lovedtolove.org) webmaster has told me I must start a blog, HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I will remember it all now, but if you don't see any entries for awhile you will know my short-term memory loss kicked in again!!!!

So glad God is also a God of second, third, fourth, fifth, etc CHANCES, aren't you???

B.Out!