TimHowey.Com

Why Teens Leave the Faith...

Check out this article on Why Teens Leave the Faith and What We Can Do About It. Studies like this one were the motivating factor for us to move our Middle School ministries to Sunday night and challenge families to worship and serve together on Saturday nights or Sunday mornings.

"Yes, this decision makes life more inconvenient for me as a dad. It's more inconvenient for us as a family. But parenting is never about our own convenience. It's about raising children with a sustainable faith." (Me, 2012)

Jacob's Trombone Solo Contest

I'm a proud dad...and trombone teacher for my son...  (It's pretty good for 7th grade if you ask me!)

 

New Kids in the Kingdom

We had TWO families have children accepted Christ in/after our services last weekend!  Check out this story:

• "_____ is my 7 year old son and he sat with me in 'adult church' today. On the way out I asked if his name was in the book of life and he said he didn't know. I asked if he would like to know how to get his name there and I told him about the prayer that Pastor Tim said at the end of the service. While driving home, he said he prayed that prayer with Pastor Tim. _____ asked if it was the same to say the prayer without talking as it was to say it out loud. I explained that it was because...and _____ finished my thought...God heard him. I said that Jesus likes when we say it out loud so that everyone knows... I admit to still just scratching the surface of understanding the application of faith to my own life but I will never forget this day and I would love to support my son in any way possible..."

And check out this tweet!!

• @bgann6 @TimHowey @ownit365 @graceks [My son] got saved 2night, message at church really had impact on him #jesuscancomenow

Wow. That's what it's all about...

CALLING ALL MEN!!!

CALLING ALL MEN to join me at the Grace Church Men's Breakfast on Saturday February 11, from 7-9 a.m.! We'll be hearing from Craig McElvain on "What is God's BEST for my life??"

Takes one minute & register right here.

Watch a special invite from Mike Anderson, our Men's Ministry Director. Hope to see you then!

 

Men's Breakfast Invite from Grace Church on Vimeo.

OWNit365 - From Charles & Andrea

The stories just keep rollin' in!!! Here's what Charles & Andrea had to say about OWNit365.com and its impact on their family:

"We just want to say how wowed and thankful we are for what God is doing at Grace. The ownit365 for 2012 is very exciting. As parents, we are pumped about the tools to teach our kids daily as well as the tools for our own personal study. Thank you for your diligence and commitment.- Charles and Andrea"

#BadKitty & Working Don't Mix

Cathy & the kids just got back from vacation. My wife's cat (AKA #BadKitty) & I hung back. This video will give you a glimpse into why I have difficulty working at home. (Actually all of this guy's cat videos are hilarious.)

 

Lessons from the Roller Coaster

I cannot thank everyone enough for their prayers for my family at this time. We're trust God for some big things. And we have absolutely no idea how it will turn out. It's awesome!!!

But I wanted to share what we're learning:

• Grace Church is AWESOME -- Our church family is filled with people of every race & walk of life who are passionate about Christ and prayer & incredibly supportive of us at every step along the way.
• Adoption is a Roller Coaster -- Make no bones about it. One day you think it's on. Two days later you think it's off. Two days later... It just doesn't stop.
• Premature Labor is Common -- We've received so many encouraging notes and comments about other people's journey through premature labor. There are a lot of children running around & you'd never know they were so at risk during premature labor or premature birth.
• God is Good -- We have this peace & calm that ONLY comes with prayers (ours and yours). So thank you.

I've got so many other thoughts being developed in me but I want to hold off a bit to share those.

I love you all & keep praying!!!

Pastors Retreat - Backstage Pass

Hi everyone,

I was offsite this week for our semi-annual pastor's retreat. We had someone loan us their lake house which has no wifi & no tv. It's a place to totally disconnect, which I absolutely LOVE. I couldn't update everyone on my daily OWNit365 readings while I was out there.

We also had the chance to spend time with our new Spiritual  Development Pastor, Phillip Kelley. His first day will be Tuesday, May 31. We are PUMPED to have him on our team! Check out Ben's twitter feed the last few days for the pictures leading up to his "reveal." He got the chance to see that we don't mess around when we get to work. Our work environment is a total "No-Whimps-Allowed" zone.

We worked on some initiatives that -- if God brings to fruition -- will literally change our community & the world. Things like:

• Spiritual development ministries
• Family development ministries
• Internships and pastoral residency programs
• Reproducing Grace locally, nationally, & worldwide
• The next two years of OWNit365.com
• Etc.

I really believe God has given us some "game-changers."

There are a number of other potential dreams that we're praying about and can't even allude to right now.

If you could pray for us for a huge amount of God's WISDOM for us (James 1:5 style), we'd really appreciate it. Frankly, no one is interested in ANY plans that are not birthed and supported directly by God.

Plans change. God remains. Whatever God wants, He should get.

I'd Move Fast If I Were You...

Registration for our Summer Breakout or SBO (our equivalent of summer VBS) has been open for just over a week.  We done no significant promotion.  And we're already half full.

All the information is here.

I'd recommend you sign your kids up now.

There will be a waiting list... :-)

 

OWNit365.com - The Comments

Here's what people have been saying about OWNit365.com recently:

• This is awesome!  Thank you for all you’ve done in planning and providing this opportunity for us all!
• Some days I read to check the box, some days I am so engrossed I read ahead.  But everyday – whether I am fretting to get it done or celebrating the completed task – I encounter God who looks after me daily.  That has been amazing food for my soul and an unexplainable love for my spirit.  I am reminded that my every word and action can be an offering to my King.  These things have given me so much in my relationship with Christ.  Thank you for all the work you do His glory, honor, and Kingdom. 
• Every day I read, I place importance in “Him”, and realize how small and unimportant “I” am.
• Absolutely love it.  Thanks so much for doing this.
• I’m behind but want to get caught up and onboard.
• On track…and so is the whole family!  Awesome!
• Going to start fresh today!
• It has been much easier than I thought so far.
• I bought the Bible on tape (well CD).  I have an hour a day commute time to add to reading.  It is so awesome!  I love all the support tools – makes reading so much more beneficial – exciting
• Thanks for the encouragement!  We got behind and have struggled to get back on track, but we’re determined to get back in the game and not get stuck on the missed days.  Hopefully, after we regain our momentum we will get all caught up!
• I’m loving it!!
• Stories I have heard or watched growing up, now reading and understanding that the stories are connected.  It just keeps me going on to see what is going to happen next.  Praise the team that put this together.  So it would not be overwhelming.
• Our family is reading too!  My kids beg to read and even want to read ahead!
• Love it, love it, love it!  Thank You!

·         Love it, love it, love it!  Thank You!

 

·         I’m just behind about a week.  I need help keeping on track.

 

·         This is awesome!  Thank you for all you’ve done in planning and providing this opportunity for us all!

 

·         Some days I read to check the box, some days I am so engrossed I read ahead.  But everyday – whether I am fretting to get it done or celebrating the completed task – I encounter God who looks after me daily.  That has been amazing food for my soul and an unexplainable love for my spirit.  I am reminded that my every word and action can be an offering to my King.  These things have given me so much in my relationship with Christ.  Thank you for all the work you do His glory, honor, and Kingdom. 

 

·         Every day I read, I place importance in “Him”, and realize how small and unimportant “I” am.

 

·         Absolutely love it.  Thanks so much for doing this.

 

·         I’m behind but want to get caught up and onboard.

 

·         On track…and so is the whole family!  Awesome!

 

·         Going to start fresh today!

 

·         It has been much easier than I thought so far.

 

·         I bought the Bible on tape (well CD).  I have an hour a day commute time to add to reading.  It is so awesome!  I love all the support tools – makes reading so much more beneficial – exciting

 

·         Thanks for the encouragement!  We got behind and have struggled to get back on track, but we’re determined to get back in the game and not get stuck on the missed days.  Hopefully, after we regain our momentum we will get all caught up!

 

·         I’m loving it!!

 

·         Stories I have heard or watched growing up, now reading and understanding that the stories are connected.  It just keeps me going on to see what is going to happen next.  Praise the team that put this together.  So it would not be overwhelming.

 

·         Our family is reading too!  My kids beg to read and even want to read ahead!