June is over…and it was one of the craziest months ever.  Becca and I have spent very little time at home over the last 4 weeks…and we are not done yet.  I’ve got a few days back in the office before our family (dogs included) head North to Iowa for my brother John’s wedding!  I’ll be performing the ceremony (will have performed all 3 of my siblings wedding ceremonies over a 12 month period) and can’t wait to get up there…it will be a memorable week!  Upon returning from the Iowa wedding I’ll be preaching a 3 week series (3 things God uses to grow your faith) and getting back into the swing of things with the youth and young adults as we begin to wrap up the summer calendar.

Living out of a suitcase provides interesting perspectives on life.  I am so blessed to know a God who offers we Grace and Mercy each day in a new way.  I’m humbled to be living life with my wife who loves and supports me unconditionally.  My dogs greet me as though I am a celebrity…and it never gets old.  I’m so thankful for the simple blessings that make life so meaningful and special.

So…as we prepare for another trip to another part of the country in what has been such a whirlwind summer full of trips I am left thinking one thing.  God has been showing up in my life in amazing ways!  How has He shown himself to you this summer?  What has He been teaching you?  Or is your summer just slipping away with a focus on YOU?  Becca and I have felt challenged recently to take God out of the box that is our LIFE in East Tennessee.  He desires to do something in and through us.  However, when we get comfortable in our routines and our schedules we fail to allow His hand to guide and lead.  We want to follow him in all things.  I pray that for all of you today as we prepare to celebrate the fourth of July!  Have a great holiday weekend.  Talk to you all soon!

It’s summer, for real, which means my blogging will be toned down a notch until the fall.  The main reason for this is that my blogging happens on a pretty fluid schedule…as in, Monday-Thursday as soon as I get in the office after I make the coffee.  Take away the office and the coffee and I’m not nearly as diligent in getting things posted.  So…I wanted to give you all an update on everything that has happened over the last week and a half and to prep you for the couple of weeks that are in front of me and my family.

My Iowa golfing getaway was spectacular.  It was restful, peaceful, full of time with family, time with the Lord, and time on the golf course with my brother.  Had an incredible Wednesday night with my two sisters and their husbands hanging out in Downtown Des Moines and at Lisa and Kyle’s Apartment.  Thursday began the golfing marathon.  John and I played 18 at the Harvester in Rhodes, Iowa in the late afternoon hours.  After 7 long years of losing to John I managed to come out on top.  Played a great round on some FAST greens (Iowa High School State Championships were the next 2 days) from some of the back tees and shot 89.  I lost to John the next morning at his “home course” Hunters Ridge in Marion, Iowa.  And we finished off our golfing trip at the TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, home of the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic (John Deere is played the week before the British Open).  The drive home is never as much fun as the drive up, but after driving to Peoria on Friday night I finished the drive to East Tennessee on Saturday.  The highlight of my short time up in Iowa came at the Harvester with John.  Many of you have read my post called, “THE BACK 9 @ HARVESTER.”  When John and I arrived at the same hole where my “meltdown” occurred last year he said, “so, I know we’ve got some history on this hole and I thought we could make some more.  Will you perform Mollie and I’s wedding ceremony in July?”  I WAS BLOWN AWAY.  Apparently John had been planning for a while to ask me 0n that hole.  It was a special moment for both of us.  It meant a lot to me that he was so intentional about creating a pretty cool memory!  So, I’ll be performing John and Mollie’s wedding ceremony on July 10th in Cedar Falls, Iowa!  This means that in one calendar year I will have performed the wedding ceremonies for ALL 3 of my siblings.  WOW!  God is so good and Becca and I are so excited.

I arrived home Saturday evening in time to work on some final preparations for the NEXT BIG THING of the beginning of the summer.  Sunday night I had made plans with Becca to go over to her parent’s house to have a family birthday dinner (Becca turns 30 this week….but we are on high school missions on her exact birthday, June 10th).  Becca was fairly clueless until the day of when she seemed a little suspicious.  Little did she know that I had planned a huge surprise party with some of our best friend’s here in East Tennessee (Dave and Marian Lewis, Greg and Liz Shahan, and Alex and Stefani Hudson).  Becca’s brother and sister-in-law were also there.  The surprise party was catered by Becca’s favorite restaurant, Seasons Cafe, and we had an amazing birthday cake from Mag Pie’s that was covered in pink and white girly stuff (tiara’s, cupcakes, swirly swirls….you know!).  About a mile from Becca’s parents house I had her put on a blindfold.  I led her into her parents kitchen, told her to take off her blindfold, and……”SURPRISE!!!!!”  She was shaking she was so shocked!  It was awesome.  I wanted to have a small and special event with just a few people to make my wife feel loved!  We definitely succeeded as it was an awesome night of honoring her!   I still have a few small surprises up my sleeve for her actual birthday….but it was such a great memory for all of us.

Now we are making final preparations for our first major trip of the summer, High School Missions.  Becca & 2 other adults from FFUMC will be joining me as we lead 14 students (18 of us total) to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul for an Urban Plunge Missions trip put on by Latreia.  We leave Tuesday and will return the following Monday.  Please be in prayer for all of us as we travel and seek to have an impact for the Kingdom!  IT should be a great week with a fantastic group of kids and adults.  I’m pumped!  I’m praying for you all and certainly have not forgotten about any of you.  Things are a little crazy here with my summer schedule!!  I’ll catch you all when we’re back from Minnesota.  Have a great start to your summer…give God the Glory, take time with him, and take some time to relax.

Thanks for dropping in to check out whats happening this week.  The youth have had a tremendous workday here at FFUMC.  I’m so excited to take these kids away for summer trips to serve the Lord.

Wanted to ask for your prayers  as I leave in a couple of hours for the midwest.  I’ll be traveling to St. Louis this evening (about 500 miles) and will finish the drive off tomorrow into Eastern and then Central Iowa.  Just a couple of days with family and 3 rounds of golf with my brother!  Excited for the time of stillness on the road and the time in God’s creation with my brother.  Chances are I’ll come home with some more hawkeye gear (as if I need any of that).  Have a fantastic week!

Tomorrow is an exciting day as the youth from First Farragut make their final preparations for summer missions trips.  They will arrive at FFUMC @ 9am in Jeans, T-shirts, and Tennis-Shoes for a full day of work around the grounds here.  At 4pm they will go home, fully prepared and anxiously awaiting what God has for them on their respective adventures!  There is one student left in the High School group who attended our missions trip to Urban Promise http://urbanpromiseusa.org  during the summer of 2008 in Camden, New Jersey.  We were the grounds and maintenance crew for a week on their campus!  As we pulled in early during the month of June the Northeastern United States was pummeled by a heatwave.  Part of the dress requirement put into effect by yours truly on missions trips is that we wear Jeans, tennis shoes, and t-shirts each day…even during a heat wave.  The water bottles were constantly being refilled and the sun-screen was applied over and over again.  Hats and t-shirts were soaked, and much to my amazement, so were the jeans!  You know it is hot outside when your legs are sweating through your denim protection!  Fortunately the hydration and regular breaks kept us all safe and the stories that we still tell from that trip are phenomenal…especially of our celebration day in Ocean City, NJ as the kids received SURFING lessons!  In less than 4 weeks we will be looking at pictures and taking account of what God was able to accomplish at Urban Plunge in Minneapolis and St.Paul & Serve the City in Knoxville and the surrounding area!  I pray that whatever your summer calendars are holding that you have made room for the Holy Spirit to do great things in and through you and your family…maybe even through some sweaty jeans!  Have a great start to your week!   I’m praying for you all today!

CHECK OUT MY DAD’S BLOG TODAY @ STEVEARONOWITZ.COM!  He’s gonna bring it this week!

I’m preparing to head to our Young Adult Sunday School class to lead us in week 6 of Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  Has been an exciting series!  In a couple of short days I’ll hit the road for a mini-sabbatical of sorts as I travel to Iowa for a short visit and golfing expedition with my brother.  I’m really looking forward to the time away, the time on the road, and the time to clear my head before such a busy month of June.  I was dwelling this morning on our high school mission trip theme verse, 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.  It says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ’s behalf:  Be reconciled to God.  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Such an encouraging word from Paul and also a SIGNIFICANT challenge.  We are waiting for Christ’s return…and during that time we ought to focus our life around the thought that we are representing for Christ until he comes back.  Think about something for a second.  If you claim Christ as Lord, every single life choice you make…everything you say and everything that you do…everything you think and every place you go…you are representing Christ to the world.  We have been given such a tremendous responsibility to be Christ to the world.  Don’t take lightly the power that we have as His children to have an impact, to spread the good news, and to draw people into relationship with Jesus Christ.  I talk so often with the youth about their daily life decisions, small and large, having a huge impact on their soul which belongs to the Lord.  People are watching us as we live.  The question today is, what are they seeing?  Are they seeing an Ambassador of Jesus Christ?  Or are they seeing somebody who talks a big game for Jesus but makes decisions based on what is best for him/herself?  Great question for our Sunday.  As a Christ follower are you fulfilling your part of the call on your heart as a child of God to represent for HIM WHO SAVED US until he returns?  Have a fantastic Sunday!

My life is crazy right now! With missions training in full-swing and my wife out of town my mind for thoughtful blogs is crumbling. Fortunately, my best friend and partner in ministry(my dad) is having a GREAT blogging week! If you have not subscribed to his blog PLEASE DO SO TODAY….and read his Thursday blog, “Faithful Wounds.” Have a great day! Praying for you all right now!

“Faithful Wounds”

May 20, 2010 by stevearonowitz

The book of Proverbs talks about wisdom and how to live life skillfully. The Hebrew word for wisdom is one that was used of a skilled craftsman or artisan. I appreciate the number of times that Proverbs mentions the topic of friends. It is interesting because the book of Proverbs was written to instruct young people and just think how important good friendships are to growing up. Which leads to a very interesting verse in Proverbs 27:6. I like the way the New American Standard Translation reads.

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” Proverbs 27:6 NASB

I think this proverb raises the bar as far as friendship goes to say that if really do care about someone then sometimes we have to speak the truth in love about an area in their life. Here is what “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” said on May 12th.

“Jesus loved His friends too much to condone or comfort them in their sin. It is possible to be too gentle with your friends. When a friend is under deep conviction by the Holy Spirit, do you try to give comfort? Don’t ever try to ease the discomfort of someone the Holy Spirit is making uncomfortable! Be careful not to communicate to your friends that you find their lack of  faith acceptable. You are not acting in true friendship if you condone  disobedience or even look the other way. Kisses are far more pleasant than wounds, yet they can be even more devastating if they lull your friend into being comfortable with sin…Are you a friend of such integrity that you would risk wounding your friends in order to deter them from sin?”

Speaking of wounds & hurts. Some of you know that I have been having some serious lower back pain for the past month. I would ask you to pray for wisdom & direction as I have an appointment with my orthopedic doctor tomorrow Thursday at 2 p.m. Pray he will be able to figure out what is going on quickly. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my spiritual journey with you. Have a good Thursday and finish the work week strong!

This morning I was hanging out with my brother in Christ Gene Treacy.  I took him to get a Port put in for his Cancer treatments and then drove him to Parkwest hospital for chemo treatment number 7 of 12!  I was glad I could be with him and serve him!  He has such a great attitude about kicking cancer’s butt!  Please continue to pray for him as he battles.  Additionally, one of my ALL-STAR youth (Megan Scheuneman)’s mom is battling cancer for the second time in her life, this time with Brain Cancer.  She began treatments last Friday.  On top of that they lost both of their dogs last week.  The Scheuneman’s are an incredible family!  So positive, loving, focused on Christ and on one another.  They are vital members of the First Farragut Church family!  Please pray for Kathy as she goes through this ordeal and for husband Phil, daughter Megan, and son Matt as they support her.

My father also is dealing with some re-occurring back troubles.  He has had back surgery for nerve problems and is dealing with some of the same pain/ numbness that he had back in 2000 and 2005.  He goes to see the specialist tomorrow.  Please pray for him as he battles.

These three individuals have one thing in common today.  They are maintaining a strong faith in Christ, trusting in him to handle these issues, and staying positive!  Sometimes I feel like with tough stuff in life WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS.  As I was sitting in the waiting room at the Vein Center with Gene this morning I read a SPECTACULAR  quote which reads…”Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass.  It’s about dancing in the rain.”  Today as I thought about Gene, Kathy, and my Dad and some of the physical issues that they face they share one thing…they are all doing a rain dance!  I called to check on my Dad today and he said, “I’m encouraged, I’m trusting in Christ, I’m taking this as a Word from the Lord to get back in my Bible, on my blog, and back in regular communication with him!”  He’s setting aside the physical frustrations and dancing in the rain amidst this storm.  Gene and Kathy are doing the same.  Their faiths are all strong, their families are all amazing, and their ability to face their respective storms head on is awesome.

I love weather, I love rain (unless I have a tee-time), and our tendency with rain is to run inside and hide from it.  Is that what we do with our struggles in life?  Do we run and hide…or do we trust Christ and face them head on…even dancing in the midst of it!  I guarantee you this, whatever your situation…it could be worse.  I was counting my blessings this morning as I prayed for my friends battling Cancer and back pains…thankful for the day God has given me.   Have you been hiding this week?  Time to do a little dancing.   Have a great Wednesday!

I’m officially a single man for the rest of the week….well, single with a schnoodle and a schnauzer!  My wife Becca is off with North Middle School and their 8th graders on their class trip to Chicago!  She will be in the Windy City until Saturday night.  They have a busy week planned with museums, baseball games, Sears Tower, Navy Pier, Untouchables tours, and countless other exciting things!  She will be missed greatly by her husband but I know she is going to have a fantastic week with the students!  It is such a thrill for her to be asked to join the trip as a leader.  Only 8 teachers are attending to serve the students (which includes the principal and vice-principal).  If you know my wife, you know that she prefers to keep her feet on the ground…however, she’ll have the EXHILARATING opportunity to stand on the glass viewing deck of the Sears Tower!  Check it out!  Hope you all have a great Tuesday!  Praying for you all as you walk with Christ all over the country.

Last summer as we celebrated my sister Amy’s wedding my brother introduced me to one of the most spectacular golf courses I have ever played (probably my favorite course with Edisto Island’s Plantation course a close second), the Harvester.  Check it out at harvestergolf.com!  About 6 weeks ago I began craving time on the golf course with my older brother John.  There is nobody (other than my dad) that I would rather spend my time with outdoors.  With my month of June fast approaching (VBS, High School Missions, Middle School Missions) I decided I needed a mini-escape for my sanity’s sake.  Next Tuesday I’m going to hit the road and head for the Midwest.  I’ll drive from Lenoir City to St. Charles, Missouri on Tuesday night.  I’ll drive from St. Charles, Missouri to Des Moines, Iowa via Iowa City for some Hawkeye shopping to hang with my sisters and brother-in-law’s on Wednesday night.   And then on Thursday I’ll head 45 minutes Northeast of Des Moines to Rhodes, Iowa, site of the Harvester one golf course.  John will meet me there for a 3pm tee-time.  We’ll play 18 at Harvester before driving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to spend the night.  We’ll wake up Friday morning to play a round at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion, Iowa.  After Lunch we’ll head East just across the Mississippi River to Silvis, Illinois to play at the TPC @ Deere Run, home of the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic!  Saturday I’ll drive the remaining 600 miles home to East Tennessee.  3 unforgettable rounds…15 amazing hours of fellowship on the links with my big brother!  I’ve had a number of people already call me crazy for driving over 2,000 miles for a few rounds of golf.  However, the time on the road relaxes me.  Worship music, some healthy snacks, and the quiet.  It is so much cheaper these days and so much less stressful than flying to just hop in the car and go.  No hassles with security, bag fees, or flight delays.  Just me on the open road.  This is my relaxer before the craziness of the summer.  Beginning the first week of June we’ve got Vacation Bible School, High School Missions, Middle School missions, followed by family Vacation, my brother’s wedding in Iowa, and then my 3 week preaching series at First Farragut.  When that is done the kids out here will be back to school already!  Crazy!

2,000 + miles on the road- $200

3 tee-times at Midwestern gem golf courses-$150

15 hours of fellowship with big brother-$free

35 hours in the car-$full of worship

10 Peanut Butter Cliff Bars$15

12 Vitamin Waters$ 12

82 cups of starbucks coffee $ too much money

Another trip to my home state with my amazing family-  Priceless

What are you looking forward to this spring and summer that will point you to Christ and bring joy to your life?  Something with family?  Some trip to some amazing location?  Today is a great day to count your blessings and to be excited about what God has given you.  Do that as you start your week.  The rest is as good as Greg and Liz Shahan’s Biscuits and Gravy!  Have a great Monday!

Tough to write a blog today after reading my dad’s post.  He talks about my sister’s husband (my brother-in-law Kyle) and their entire family.  Read it!  STEVEARONOWITZ.COM