Congratulations on graduating to the students of Oneida, Tennessee and to those I know in the Dayton area.  I met the Oneida students that are graduating this year when they were just freshmen.  I recieved a graduation invitation from Marcus today.  It has been a wonderful blessing to have many of them find me on the internet.  I wish that I could be at graduation and visit but I am just not able to.  I feel privelaged to have been apart of thier lives.  I am continually praying for you all. 

In other news, life is good and I have so much to be thankful for. 

Currently Listening Flyleaf By Flyleaf see related

76 pages later...my strategic planning project is done!  Yay for that!! 

Also, after several months of planning and a very long night the FCA battle of the schools event is over!  I am honestly disapointed about some of the schools who asked me about the event and told me that they were brining students (and some that helped plan the event) who did not show up.  However, the event went smoothly and the post event follow-up should be great.  I think about 10 schools were represented (including stivers middle school..pleasant surprise).  I was able to give away lots of devotional books (and I think many of them will actually be read) and a lot of unchurched students were exposed to the gospel that will be contacted in the next few days.  I think that God was glorified by our efforts. 

I am loving having family in town-my aunt and two cousins from Tennessee and my sister and her two children from Texas.  What a blessing!

Currently Reading Roaring Lambs: A Gentle Plan to Radically Change Our World By Bob Briner see related

It has been a while since my last post and I am ok with that.  First Baptist Kettering (the church I am a member of) moved out of kettering into a beautiful new building that lends itself to a world of ministry potential.  That was definitely a milestone event and many great things were done on that day.  Through a combined effort of the entire church reading at the same time, the whole Bible was read before entering the sanctuary.  Many other good things happened that day as well.  Many other great things coming up in roughly the next month....

April 24th= my sister comes to Ohio for the first time in over 3 years to spend a week (until may 2nd) with her friends and family.  She is bringing her two children (her husband still has to work as he is a teacher and a great 3 sport head coach) who are awesome!  She will be staying for a week and we will have so much fun. 

April 27th= the long awaited FCA battle of the schools event that I have been the point person in putting together happens.  There will be friendly competition all night from area high schools and middle schools and an Ohio State football player will be sharing the gospel with the students.  We will also be raising money for suffering people in the Sudan. 

May 12= Jeremiah and Carolyn are getting married.  Sooo excited for them.  They are a great example for other couples.

May 18th= I will be graduating from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Christian Education. 

I will be having lots of fun outside of these dates, but the preceeding is lots to be excited about. Stay tuned for more great things to come.  God has blessed me soooo much!

Blessings to all my readers,

Dave Reed.

Some of the talk about Christmas is just plain silly.  Some people don't want to hear merry Christmas (why don't I ever hear anyone say merry anything else)?  They say that merry Christmas is too offensive.  I don't know any Christians that would be offended by hearing happy haunica (terribly missspelled I know) or even happy quanza (probably also misspelled).  I think it would be funny to hear someone say, "happy quanza."  I guess the truth hurts.  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the Life.  I know this because I read it and because I know Him personally.  I have my intense thoughts, but really my salvation is undeserved and people that don't know Jesus need compassion, prayers, and to be introduced to Him. 

I know that Jesus is the real reason for the season.  Some people might try to say, "that's not the real birthday of Jesus, how do you know when Jesus was born anyway?" or "that date used to be for a pagan holliday"  Even if these things might be true, it is still of no consequence.  December 25th celebrates the birth of Jesus.  Hope came into the world.  The Godman came down and experienced physical limitations and pain like we do.  He lived a sinless lives, died for those that didn't know how to love Him (even the ones that beat, mocked, and killed Him), and everyone else.  He conquered death raising from the dead so that all that give their lives to him, repenting of their sins and putting thier faith in Him would recieve the gift of salvation- which is not just a free trip to heaven, but a chance to walk with, live for, and fellowship with an increible savior. 

Jesus changed the course of history and allowed humans the chance to personally meet an incredibly holy God.  Christmas is about worshipping Jesus.  I love that like the magi, my church brings gifts to Jesus to celebrate Christmas.  I saw the Nativity movie.  I have heard it preached and studied it lots of times but it was powerful to see what really happened (accurate as far as hollywood movies based on the Bible go).  The Lord has shown us what real giving is!  He is so generous and wonderful and really indescribable.    The virgin birth a foundational truth of Christianity. 

Also, back in the day Saint Nicolus gave presents, but said, "don't thank me, thank the Lord."

Also, for those that think that Mary was always a virgin: That's just silly.  Jude and James were both brothers of Jesus.  They were not concieved through virgin births also.  God showed favor to Joseph and Mary.  To think that they were celebate for their entire lives is just rediculous.  Call me crazy but I think we should all study our Bibles and learn things about church history so that we aren't easily confused and can enjoy our privelage of getting to know our amazing Lord better.  Just some thoughts I had. 

I am out of town now (still doing course work for my January class) feeling thankful to be with 10 wonderful relatives.  Also, tomarrow we are going to make a birthday cake for Jesus and sing to Him.  Call me crazy, but that's what the holliday is about.  I'll admit, it is also wonderful to give and recieve gifts and to be wih family.  The occasion needs to be kept in perspective. 

Much love, blessings, and a wonderful Christmas to all.

Currently Reading Jesus Freaks: DC Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs - Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus, the Ultimate Jesus Freaks By DC Talk see related

I would like to introduce Jessica Briggeman.  My sister turns 30 this week.  I believe that she thinks that 30 is old.  Turning 30 just means that you have been an adult for a little while.  My sister lives in Texas.  Most people that know me will probably never meet my sister.  She is a truly amazing person.  I could not imagine having a more incredible big sister.  She had become a teacher and then a principle when she was not much older than I am now.  She has two children, Ainsley-2 and Bett-1.  She sells make up and health products now as a side job, but spends most of her efforts in raising her children.  She has been married for 6 years.  So much of what is shared about people is often surface information.  Our stats do not define us. 

My sister Jessica is a great wife and one of the most skilled and loving mothers I have ever seen.  She is an excellent relative and friend.  She is a dedicated Christian.  She possesses wisdom, class, joy, peace, kindness, and a special presence.  So much about her I cannot convey with words.  Words can be powerful, but they can't always adequately show everything.  If you have had the privelage of knowing her, you know that she is amazing.  My sister is one of a kind.  I am fortunate to know her and truly blessed to call Jessica Briggeman my sister.