The Ministry of Teaching

On Monday I will start my second year teaching Bible and Counseling at Harding University. This is by far the greatest job in the world! I get the opportunity everyday to talk to people about their current and future marriages. I get to discuss how to communicate and deal with conflict better. I feel it a privilege to be in this position because I have some influence on marriages and families throughout this country.

It saddens me to hear about the divorces, neglect, and pain that many families go through. I believe that if most people had the opportunity to learn some basics about how to be in a relationship with someone else then our families would be so much stronger. I know that I am not perfect, but I enjoy being able to share from my own mistakes so that others will not have to experience similar situations.

I pray that I can be an example through my own family and show people the glorious plan that God has for each of our families.

Please pray for this ministry and the lives that I come in contact with everyday.

I Need To Slow Down

Wow what a week! The past 10 days have been nothing but a blur. Here are a few things we have been up to.

Last Friday Dana and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. The Lord has been more than good to me by giving her to me. We have had many good and bad times together and the Lord continues to bless. Dana has literally followed me around the world in support of me being in ministry. This has not always been easy. We have found ourselves in places and situations that have challenged our marriage. There have been times where it would have been easier to just give up, but we continued to fight on because our marriage was worth it. I do not know where I would be today without the love and support that Dana provides me. She is my friend, lover, and encourager. I thank God for her immensely. I only pray that those who are reading this will be blessed enough to find a spouse like her. I think I will keep her for another 50 years or so.

This past Sunday we attended Holmes Road Church of Christ in Memphis, TN. I previously worked there and we went back to see some good friends. Cameron Holland is the youth minister there and he preached Sunday morning. I must admit that he literally had me in tears as he taught about love and forgiveness in 1 Corinthians 13. It has been an extremely long time since I had a sermon move me emotionally like that. I must admit that I was prepared for “just another” sermon on love because the passage was so familiar, but I was floored by the way he preached from his heart. THANKS CAMERON! You blessed us all by your words and transparency.

This past Monday my baby girl, Mikayla, started preschool. She has been at home with Dana for the past 4 years. She could have stayed home again this year, but the child is a Jones and needs social interaction. It KILLED me to go to the open house because I knew that my little girl was now BIG. The influence that Dana and I have on her will now be challenged by the things she will pick up daily at preschool. I know that every child goes through this process eventually, but it does not make it any easier. I want her to be her protector and her only influence! I know this is not realistic or possible but it does not change my feelings. It is just really hard to trust someone else with the special gift we were given from God.

Well this is just a little peek into our lives this past week. Next time I will talk about my orientation and first week at Harding. God bless you.

Unexpected Blessing

I have been unable to update my blog for the past 2-3 weeks due to an overwhelmingly busy schedule. God has put before my family some awesome opportunities that have kept our minds occupied.

Roughly 2-3 weeks ago I was offered a position to teach on the Bible faculty at Harding University in Searcy, AR. Teaching on the college level has been a dream of mine for several years, but I figured I would be in my 40's and finished with my doctorate before that would be a possibility. Who knew that God had different plans for me?



This decision would not be easy to make because it would mean: 1) Dana would have to return full time work outside of the home and 2) Leaving our congregation that I have only been the minister for almost 2 years. She has really enjoyed being home with the girls and has been a great blessing to them by being at home. We also feel that we have seen some good spiritual growth in the congregation here. Why can't these type of decisions be easy?



We have prayed so much about this decision and have been seeking the counsel of many close friends. After MUCH prayer and direction we have decided to make the move in August. It is very exciting, but will require much change on our part in such a short time period.



Our summer will go as follows: 1) Dana finding a job teaching, 2) Finding childcare for our girls, 3) Preparing our house to sell, 4) Selling our house, 5) Finding a place to live, 6) Preparing for my fall classes, and 7) Actually moving down there. This should be easy right!?



I will be teaching two sections of 'Christian Home'. This class will focus on how to prepare for marriage, mate selection, raising children, and integrating spirituality into this process. I will also be teaching two sections of 'Christian Counseling'. This class will focus on teaching counseling skills to those individuals who will work in the church.



Words cannot express the overwhelming feeling of God at work in our lives. It is awesome to see how He blesses His children even though none of us deserve it. Please pray for our family, the congregation here, and for the work at Harding.