Merry-Go-Rounds...

Oh, if I could only get the spinning to stop...

It's not easy living with a somewhat uncontrollable beast that's camped out inside your head. Over the years I've done my best to simply maintain stability, yet most-times all to no avail. Just when I'm beginning to think things are calming down, everything explodes. The first step is always to admit the problem...I guess I'm doing that now.

I have a problem.

I'm an over-anxious, aggressive, intimidating individual with a huge...huge case of hyperactive Adult ADHD. Combined with my ultra-sensitive case of OCD (or as my daughter would say CDO...it's like OCD but the letters are in alphabetical order...like they should be), life in my head is...well...(I'll let you fill in the blanks).

At any moment in time, I'm flippin' channels on the TV, checking my email, talking to 4 different students online, listening & memorizing new music, texting 5 different people and blogging...all at the same time. NO KIDDING! That's not to mention making a couple of phone calls and drinking coffee right in the middle of it all. Granted, I can accomplish a large list of things in a very short period of time, but my head feels like I've got a Tasmanian Devil trapped inside. It would just be nice if it would all go away when I sleep...but it doesn't. It keeps spinning...and spinning...and spinning...

What I've noticed over the years, is that even though my 'accomplishment rate' is phenomenal, it's easy for me to lose sight of the bigger picture. After all, if we miss the 'why', the 'what' sometimes becomes irrelevant. 'Busy' is the verb of the day...the decade. Why do we do what we do? Are we lost in this never-ending downward spiral where we're more focused on individual tasks instead of the final outcome? Is any of this making any sense or is this the beast taking over?

Even now as I write this, I'm making corrections on my calendar...listening & memorizing a new song...texting 2 students...talking with 3 other students online, making to-do lists (now that's funny) for this coming Freshmen Weekend at TU...and having dinner, oh and I'm checking the weather radar online.

Do you get it? Are you like me too? How do YOU do it? How do you tame the monster?

Imagine being on an old-school merry-go-round. Thirteen screaming kids all running and pushing their hardest to get that old merry-go-round to go as fast as it will go, then just at the right moment, jumping on for that unforgettable adrenaline rush...trying to hold on...

WEEEEEEEEEE!

Welcome to the corridor of my mind...

Then just as you least expect it, the merry-go-round comes to an abrupt halt. Some crazy child thought it would be cool to put his feet down and use them as brakes and has successfully brought this playground party to an crashing end. Kids are thrown in every direction, laughter transforms into tears, and as you look back, the mechanical marvel of the merry-go-round sits eerily still...motionless in time. And the images in your mind of the last few seconds play back over and over again like a video player stuck in rewind mode.

This is exactly what happens when I get a good dose of reality. Everything's going non-stop on this merry-go-round inside my mind, then reality steps in and brings my party crashing down around me. My instinct tells me to get up quick, get that merry-go-round going again...faster than ever before, only to realize my partners-in-crime are tired of this game and want to do something different. It's no longer about me...it's about others...it's about something bigger...

I forget sometimes about that much bigger picture...no, not forget about it, just am too focused...'busy' with the menial daily tasks to take that necessary glimpse. It's harsh at the moment, but very quickly the harshness fades away and the picture becomes crystal clear. Yep, I see the picture...I get it...

I've had a good dose of reality lately. And I didn't like it. But I needed it. My merry-go-round was going full tilt, almost out of control. I still don't like it. But if someone had not have applied the brakes when they did, I would seriously have missed & overlooked the main objective of the ride itself. And I'm very thankful for that. I'm focused again...kinda scary, huh?

I wonder if that's what it was like for one of Christ's disciples in Matthew 8:21. Ready to go...do...be, but this one had other things to do...his mind was occupied...OCD...busyiness...
I don't want to be like that guy. But I could be...could you?

Things I have to do: 1.) I have to...oh no, the merry-go-round is moving again, and it's my turn to help push...

Sometimes, Seeing Is Believing...

Check Out THIS VIDEO!

New Book Release...

One of my closest and dearest friends in all the world, Shane Knight, has just released his first book. It has been in the printing and editing stages for many months, and today it was announced to the public. I'm extremely excited for him and his ministry, and I strongly feel that his work can & will help other pastors and staff members.

"If The Truth Be Told" is a hard hitting book on the stress that ministers face in vocational ministry and how this stress can lead to ministers and other staff members leaving vocational ministry. He has put an unbelievable amount of time and research in this project. I have been with him from the very concept of this book, and I've read in it's entirety, and I must say, it is a must read for your libraries. It will be available for purchase at all major book stores on April 22nd, however, you can order your copy NOW online HERE.

Please pray that God will use this book in a mighty and powerful way.

Our h2o Campus Ministry Goes Global...

For many months now, God has placed a tremendous vision...a burning passion in my heart to 'step outside the normal thought patterns' of outreach. To literally take Acts 1:8 and pursue it with abandon. Everything pointed in one direction...somehow, someway music, had to be the avenue...but how? After all, music is the window to the soul. But how...what?

Then it all became very clear...

Beginning this Spring, our h2o Campus Ministry is launching a full scale Internet Radio Station! Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week non-stop Contemporary Christian Music along with today's Modern Worship Leaders. You will also hear online devotions...h2o news...and lots more! The world just became smaller...

Our station is on the air NOW! Please take this as my personal invitation to go over to our h2o Radio Station website. First and foremost, pray for it...ask for God's blessing, and for his protection. Ask God to use this outreach tool to His Glory!

Then, download the FREE Player and begin enjoying h2o Radio!

Remember, the more people that downloads the player...the more that listen...the more we share the Gospel. Be apart of our Acts 1:8 vision!

New Blogger In Town...

Hey Ya'll,

One of my best friends in all the world has entered the blog world. Get on over an meet Shane. He has 'A Knights Insight'. Tell him I sent you!

Have A Happy & Safe New Year...

Christmas Carol...

Click Here for the Best Christmas Carol of the season! Enjoy!

A Little Christmas Story...

Little Carol came into the kitchen where her mother was making dinner. Christmas was coming up and she thought this was a good time to tell her mother what she wanted. "Mom, I want a bike for Christmas."

Now, Little Carol was a bit of a troublemaker. She had gotten into trouble at school and at home. Carol's mother asked her if she thought she deserved to get a bike for Christmas. Little Carol, of course, thought she did.

Carol's mother, being a Christian woman, wanted her to reflect on her behavior over the last year, and write a letter to God and tell him why she deserved a bike for Christmas. Little Carol stomped up the steps to her room and sat down to write God a letter.

LETTER 1:
Dear God: I have been a very good girl this year and I would like a bike for Christmas. I want a red one.
Your friend,
Carol

Carol knew this wasn't true. She had not been a very good girl this year, so she tore up the letter and started over.

LETTER 2:
Dear God: This is your friend Carol. I have been a pretty good girl this year, and I would like a red bike for Christmas.
Thank you,
Carol

Carol knew this wasn't true either. She tore up the letter and started again.

LETTER 3:
Dear God: I know I haven't been a good girl this year. I am very sorry. I will be a good girl if you just send me a red bike for Christmas.
Thank you,
Carol

Carol knew, even if it was true, this letter was not going to get her a bike. By now, she was very upset. She went downstairs and told her mother she wanted to go to church. Carol's mother thought her plan had worked because Carol looked very sad.

"Just be home in time for dinner," her mother said.

Carol walked down the street to the church and up to the altar. She looked around to see if anyone was there. She picked up a statue of the Virgin Mary, slipped it under her jacket and ran out of the church, down the street, into her house, and up to her room. She shut the door and sat down and wrote her letter to God.

LETTER 4:
I GOT YOUR MAMA. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE.
Signed,
YOU KNOW WHO

Hell Has Frozen Over...The Finale

Mark 11:25 & 26, tells us about what forgiveness must be. More than a snapshot, this Scripture is the original portrait of the essence of forgiveness. I had read it many, many times…I had heard that specific Scripture used in uncountable sermons. I’ve even preached on it myself. But not until the middle of June this past summer did I ever see it literally come alive.

Jesus make forgiveness very simple, (my paraphrase), “when you are standing before Me, pouring out your heart to me, if you have ANYTHING against ANYONE, FORGIVE HIM, so that I may also forgive you. But if you don’t, neither will I forgive you.”

So with that said, how in the world can we allow anything to remain in us, where it can grow and manifest itself into a bitter beast and keep us from forgiving? When in reality, it has successfully built a wall around us that is keeping God from forgiving us? Talk about a gulf that spans the East from the West!

I actually thought I was enjoying life to the fullest, yet my spirit was being destroyed by an invisible beast within…

It was a typical Friday in the Delta. All effort was being made just to stay cool. The summer’s heat had been overwhelming. At Dad’s Place, we were getting ready for our Friday night Live Music venue. We had a special treat that week. An up-and-coming new Christian artist was performing that night, and was using DP as the location for his CD Release Party. We had expected a good crowd all along, but never did I suspect who would actually show up.

In the hustle and bustle of the crowd…the music and the mayhem, we were covered up making drinks…and in walked some of those same people from our last church that had given us so much grief and pain! It was at that point that all of my emotions, my anger and bitterness that I thought were long gone, came rushing out over me. I felt myself being transformed into something…someone I never knew existed. It was at that moment that I actually realized what had been going on inside of me for all of those years. It was all very vivid now. I remember telling Denise that I just can’t do this anymore…I know now THIS is what has been holding me back for so long. I could tell there was some sort of a barrier between God & me, yet I still didn’t understand it. For as much as I tried to break down the barrier, it kept growing stronger. I knew then, that all of the Bible reading, praying, Scripture studying and worshipping in the world wouldn’t help me grow in my spiritual walk UNTIL I was able to actually forgive everything and everyone that had been harboring inside my heart.

I made my way to our back office where I honestly think I had a nuclear meltdown. Our coffee shop was full of people, but it was just God and me in that back room. That little office space and storage area became Holy Ground that night. And when that encounter was over, I walked out a changed man. You see, I was the one that had to do the work…I had to be the one to realize, recognize and release. God had always been there for me and with me…waiting, but until I was willing to let go of the hurt, He couldn’t help me.

My life’s journey took on a brand new perspective that night. And in looking back, it was oh so needed for the path that He has taken our family on. We’ve climbed mountains and crawled into valleys that you cannot imagine since that night. But with each step I now take, I wrap myself in the blanket of peace of knowing that I have been forgiven, and, to help keep the chill out, for I’ll never forget the night that hell had snow drifts…

Hell Has Frozen Over...

Who would have ever thought that on a sizzling summer day in the hot Delta sun, things could have turned so cold…

One of the oldest clichés ever used goes something like this, ‘hell will freeze over before ______________ (you fill in the blank) will ever happen.’ I’ve used it…you’ve used it…we’ve all used it. And as usual, that ‘whatever’ never happens…just as you predicted. But have you ever wondered what would actually happen, if, that ‘whatever’ did come true? Generally, this cliché is always used when there is a guarantee that the ‘whatever’ will NEVER EVER take place.

I’ve learned, that’s not always true…

After years of serving on staff at a local church, not to mention all the years of being a preacher’s kid, watching…listening to each and everything thing that was said and done in the name of church, I’ve had to learn what it means to have ‘thick skin’. With my own experiences, as well as those from countless other pastors and staff members, it’s become extremely obvious that church members can be some of the most harshest people on earth. Some of the things they say…actions they take…literally can cut to the bone. And generally their target is church staff members. What’s sad, is that many times the advice from senior staff members to younger staff members comes only in the phrase, ‘Well you just need to grow some thick skin.” Instead of trying to help these young guys, they generally just get the brush off. I personally believe there is more to it than just ‘growing thick skin.’ It’s past time that church members stop using pastors and other staff members for target practice.

Having said that, let me also just say that I’ve heard just about every comment known to man when it comes to pastoral staff abuse. And I have developed ‘thick skin’. But just a few short years ago, my family and I suffered so much at the tongues and the actions of many of the church members where I was on staff, that it affected me much more than I realized. I honestly thought that I had moved beyond all of that hurt and bitterness that I felt in those early days. I was drastically wrong.

I had somehow, allowed the memories of that unbelievable experience, to hide themselves away in the pits of my heart. And there, they began to manifest themselves into deeper hurt…bitterness…even anger, without me actually realizing it. I truly thought I was over this. But instead, I had a mountain of unforgiveness growing inside me, with no end in site…


…to be continued.

Hello Again...

To all of our dear friends and readers, thank you for waiting on us to finally get settled. It's been a long few months. But as I write this, we've moved into our new home, trying to get over major colds, and doing our best to stay warm. We saw our first snowfall of the winter just a couple of days ago. That's so different to me.

I'm slowly but surely getting back in 'writing' mode. I'm currently writing for 3 different blogs, plus a couple of other literary works, so you can see I'm quite busy. But I've missed writing for this blog. You've been excellent readers, and I'm ready to get back to you on a regular basis.

I'll be seeing you soon...until then, I'm headed back to the coffee pot...

Horton...

Horton...an unlikely hero in a timeless children's classic. How ironic that the character of Horton resembles the modern day Christ-follower!

In 'Horton Hears A Who' the book tells the story of Horton the Elephant who, on the fifteenth of May in the Jungle of Nool, hears a small speck of dust talking to him. It turns out the speck of dust is actually a tiny planet, home to a city called "Who-ville", inhabited by microscopic-sized inhabitants known as Whos.

The Whos ask Horton (who, though he cannot see them, is able to hear them quite well) to protect them from harm, to which Horton happily obliges, proclaiming throughout the book that "a person's a person, no matter how small". In doing so he is ridiculed and nearly murdered by the other animals in the jungle for believing in something that they are unable to see or hear. His chief tormentors are the Wickersham Brothers and the Sour Kangaroo, and the small kangaroo in her pouch. Horton tells the Whos that they needed to make themselves heard to the other animals, lest they end up as part of "beezlenut stew", which they finally accomplish. The Who's finally make themselves heard by ensuring that all members of their society play their part. In the end it is the smallest Who of all, Jo-Jo, who provides the last volume lift to be heard, thus reinforcing the moral of "a person's a person no matter how small".

We looked at several Scriptural comparisons in this story, but the one I really wanted to focus on was just how compassionate Horton was, to a 'talking' speck of dust, that no one else could hear. We looked at Matthew Chapter 9, verses 35 - 38 where Jesus looks out at the multitudes and is moved with compassion. He compares the multitudes to 'sheep without a shepherd.'

One could say that Horton was 'born' to hear the 'un-hearable'...the ones that are desperate in need of saving. So it is that we, as Christ-Followers, that have been 'born again', are able to hear those same ones that are crying out...desperate in need of saving. But we have to be willing to hear...wanting to help, at all costs. Look at what happened to Horton...he was riduculed, injured, nearly murdered. When we as Christ-Followers start getting our hands dirty, reaching out to those who are searching for Christ, we will become riduculed...sometimes injured...and possibly, nearly murdered. Just look at all of the missionairies that have committed their lives to living overseas, in unknown lands, just to share the Gospel.

When Jesus told his disciples in verse 37 & 38 that the "harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few," and to "pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." He was telling them...and He's telling us now, that WE are the laborers that need to be in the harvest. But how can we see the harvest, if we cannot see with compassion?

Horton was willing to do whatever it took, just to save that little dust speck...the land of the Who's. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:22 that "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."

Even though our days are filled with chapters to read...tests to study for...and papers to write, games to prepare for...routines to rehearse...and don't forget we have to check out our FaceBook, we seriously need to take every opportunity we can to evaluate our campus, our dorms...see the harvest...and do as Jesus tells us, 'get busy', 'we have a crop to gather'. And we, are the workers.

Hear the hurting...feel the desperation...see with compassion...get in the harvest! We WILL make a difference...just look at Horton!

Things We Forgot To Put In Our Backpack...

Each year, about a month prior to the start of school, every elementary school in the land puts out a school supply list. And Wal-Mart sets out a huge display in their front door of gazillions of copies of each and every school lists for Mommies and Daddies to get a list, and go get all the supplies on the school supply list. It’s a nightmare to say the least when parents are out in full force @ Wal-Mart in the back to school aisles.

Now when we get to the High School, the lists were gone but we were in routine enough to go ahead and get the necessities: paper, folders, notebooks, pens, pencils, Kleenex, gum, breath mints, chapstick, hand sanitizer, you get the picture.

But when we get to college, all rules are pretty much thrown out because you don’t have a clue what your professors are going to want until that 1st couple of days of classes. And by then you’ve already been hammered with 47 chapters to read in 14 different books; not to mention trying to learn where your classes are, trying to park, and of course buying your books. The 1st time I had to buy college books, I about had heart failure. How in the world could 5 books cost $800.00 I’ll never know!

What’s Missing?

Today, the average college student is so unprepared to face the new world. Whether it’s lack of parental support, maybe we didn’t get totally prepared in high school to face the new classes… maybe we were never really taught how to study in high school and the list goes on and on. We come to college not ready.

In 1997, the dropout rate for college freshman:

a.) in public universities = 28.6%

b.) in private universities = 25.9%

c.) overall = 26.7%

Today, overall, for all 4 classifications of students 500,000 students dropout of a 4 year college. And to make matters worse, nearly 1/3 of all Americans in their mid-20’s are college dropouts. Today, ¼ of all new freshman who started T.U. or @ the Berg, statistically will not be back next fall. Again, what’s missing?

But there is a greater failure rate among college students and especially freshman. It’s a spiritual dropout… A relational dropout! Students today are walking away from any relationship they ever had with Jesus at an alarming rate. Today, almost 9 out of every 10 students, when they graduated high school are done/finished with their part of the relationship with Jesus. 85% - 90% of all Americans – 18–25 are unchurched...that means 17.5 million people!

What happened?

It goes back to that backpack concept. We forgot a couple of things. When we graduated, or left for college, we forgot to pack a few critical items for survival.

For me, a flash drive is critical to my survival and possibly for some of you, something like a flash drive is critical also. Imagine everything that you ever worked on, all your pictures, MP3s, things that were very important to you. Imagine leaving that @ home, and forgetting to bring it, or worse what is you lost it? Or what if it were your laptop?

Students are forgetting to pack:

Their curfews – I’m in college, I can stay up as late as I want.

Their morals – many times, morals disappear on college campuses.

Their food – (Bible) “I won’t need my Bible @ college.

Their focus/their purpose.

Girls are consistently looking for their “MRS.” degree and guys are looking for another notch on their gun. Yep, I would say, something is missing!

Grab your Bible and go on over to 1 Peter 5, and read verses 5 through 11. In a way, this is a perfect road map to college, and for college.

This is Simon Peter opening up his heart to us, trying to help us NOT make some of the mistakes he did. Simon Peter...the author of this book...the guy who 'literally' forgot his backpack, much less forgot to pack it. This guy knows first hand what it’s like to be chewed up and devoured by satan. He knew all too well that satan is consistently on the prowl. And if Peter tells us that in order for us to be on guard...be alert...ever watchful of satan, then we have to clothe ourselves in humility...how hard is that? Then Simon said to 'cast all of our cares on Jesus'. Why? Because Jesus cares for us...and Simon Peter knew that. Then finally, he says to 'resist the devil'. How? By being 'steadfast in our faith...knowing that we are not alone.' We're all in this battle, and Peter knew it. And he's sharing from the depths of his heart to try and protect us from this beast called satan.

And the end result...go ahead and read verses 10 and 11. Now you know...that's Peter we're talking about. He knew. Peter, forgot to pack his backpack. And this is his 'school supply list' for us. But not only for school...but for life.

So this is Peter, Simon Peter himself telling us how to be guarded…how to survive…how to defend…defeat…avoid the attacks of the devil. Because he knew that Jesus perfected him, established him, strengthened him, and settled him. And Peter knew that Jesus would do the same for us.

How? He humbled himself, clothed himself with humility...he cast all of his cares on Jesus...he was sober…self controlled...he was vigilant…ever watchful...and he resisted satan being steadfast in his faith.

I don't know about you, but I think it’s about time we repacked our backpacks.

Sometimes, God Just Blows You Away...

First of all, thank you all so much for your much needed prayer support. It is extremely obvious that enormous amounts of prayers have been sent up for our family. And I would personally like to briefly share with you JUST HOW your prayers...and our prayers have begun to be answered.

This past Friday, a pending offer on Dad's Place was removed from the table. I cannot tell you just how I felt in the pit of my stomach. I had honestly felt all week that 'this was the real deal'. I was so wrong. The 'last minute-ness' of this situation was overwhelming. This meant that on Saturday, the very next day, I was going to have to remove all of the furnishings and equipment from Dad's Place and put it into storage (not to mention all of the other details that went along with it). Late into the evening, I was on the phone with people who had expressed an interest in purchasing the business, but all to no avail...until the very last phone call. And would you believe that we agreed to terms in the 'literal' 11:00pm hour! Amazing how God allows us to actually get to the end of our ropes...and the rope has begun to unravel...and THEN He steps in!

After numerous conversations late into the evening, negotiating this and discussing that, we were blessed with a contingency offer from an incredible family to purchase Dad's Place. Prayerfully, this will be final in a few days to a couple of weeks. This will mean that I will have to be back in Arkansas for a couple of days to complete this business deal and to train the new owners.

You absolutely have no idea what kind of a burden was lifted off of me.

I headed back to Ohio on Saturday morning to stay until the offer is ready to be finalized. But not until God wanted to bless us again. Before I could leave Arkansas, an incredible young family wanted to give to our ministry...a gift of almost $700. This was for travel expenses, meals, and for two weeks rent on our temporary home in Ohio. You know who you are...and we thank you and love you so very much!

I arrived home at 2:30am Sunday morning...call it road lag or jet lag, I was exhausted. Physically...mentally...emotionally...and even spiritually...I was a train wreck. Being back with one's family after days of seperation has a means of reviving one's well being. For those of you who know me, you KNOW just how much I love my family, and being with them means so much to me.

Sunday also brought two great messages from our pastor, here in Ohio. Even though I probably looked like a zombie setting in the sanctuary, I was able to absorb every word. Thank you Bro. Jerry for speaking to 'me'.

Today, brought more blessings. We were presented with a check from three groups of people who have been led to financially support our ministry. One family in Arkansas gave us a one-time gift of $30. Another family in Arkansas gave us a gift of $100 and committed to sending $100 per month for one year. To both families...may God's richest blessings fall on you. Then we were absolutely blown-away with a one time gift of $1000 from a local association of churches in eastern Ohio. Our support check today totalled $1130.00! "Thank you God so very much for providing for our family! Please bless each and every one that has lifted us up in prayer and has given financially to our ministry. May Your richest blessings be theirs."

Please continue your prayers for our family as we push forward for His Kingdom.

Yesterday and today, I have been making a few changes in my blogs. After today, this blog, I Espresso'd Myself, will go back to my regular devotions and short stories. Writing is such a big part of my ministry, and I appreciate each of you for dropping by and sharing your comments with me. Dad's Daily Grind is a new blog that I've started to share about our personal ministry and what's going on with our family. Kind of a personal journal in a way, where I'll be listing prayer requests, ministry needs, personal needs, etc. Please make sure you stop over at 'the Grind to stay up with the Whaley family.

I have also launched a new blog for our collegiate ministry in Ohio. h2o...for all who thirst will be used strictly as a ministry tool on campus. You are more than welcome to dive in the h20 as often as you like to see what's happening on campus. Thank you again for your faithfulness. Please make sure you check out the new blogs.

Until...

Jim

Hello From Jim...

Hey Everyone,

I certainly appreciate each of you for staying up-to-date on our relocation and new ministry. As soon as I can get somewhat 'smoothed' out, I have so many things to share with you about what God has done for our family. It's my prayer that everything you read here, will be of great encouragement and hope for you. So please keep coming back to stay in touch with our family! And I certainly don't mind if you forward our blog to any and all of your fellow bloggers. I also would love to hear from you personally. I know that I have a tremendous amount of readers, but I don't hear from many. How's this, if you would rather send me something via email, INSTEAD of leaving a comment, then click here and send it to me. I would love to hear from you each time you stop by. I'm currently working on a new blog for the new ministry in Ohio. And you are certainly welcome to stop by anytime on that blog as well. I'll keep you posted when it's up and running!

I must ask you to please put my family and I on your daily prayer list. Denise and I have taken a serious look at our overall situation, and here is where we need your help. We have determined that if we can overcome the backlog of bills that keep mounting, then we can make great strides forward. When we accepted the call to become volunteer missionaries, our methods of income, changed very drastically. Our problem, is that we are incredibly behind on our bills, and it's easy to take our focus off of what we're supposed to be focusing on and see only the financial struggles. It reminds me of when Peter hopped over the side of the boat and started walking on the water to get to Jesus, when he took his eyes off of Christ and focused on the storms around him, he began to sink. It was when he re-focused on Christ, and reached out to Him, that Christ brought him back up on top of the sea with him.

I'm asking you to give serious prayer toward a way to eliminate these mounting bills. And I would also alk that you forward this to anyone that you have that is a prayer warrior in your family or church. And also, I would ask that if God is placing a burden on your heart to help us financially with our ministry, please contact me immediately.

You can send your gifts to:
Northcoast Baptist Association

Please mark your checks for: Jim Whaley Ministry in the 'Memo' section.

Please mail your gifts to:
Northcoast Baptist Association
980 Abbe Road
Elyria, Ohio 44035

Each of you have no idea just how much we appreciate you, your families and your churches. I pray one day, that we will have an opportunity to visit your church and share with your congregations in person just what God has done in, and through our lives. Thanks for your prayers and support.

Stay in touch,

Jim

Dad's Place For Sale...

After my last post, I did receive a few emails concerning the purchase of Dad's Place. However, I really don't think that I was taken as serious as I really am. I previously shared with you about our new calling and our relocation to Ohio, so as you can see, it's impossible for us to continue on with the day-to-day operation of Dad's Place. DP has become a virtual 'over-night' icon in Monticello. It IS the hangout of many high school and college students. And it is the location of many, many activities throughout each week that gives people the opportunity to get out of the house/dorm/apartment and fellowship with others in a family-friendly environment.

DP is the business opportunity of a lifetime. It is already established in the community with plenty of room for business growth...an established clientele...an incredible product...and a phenomenal location. And on top of that, it's just a great place to go!

If you are the SLIGHTEST BIT interested in this business opportunity, PLEASE contact me here. We are more-than-willing to work with you in any way possible. We will consider ALL OFFERS! And I DO MEAN all offers. Don't let this great opportunity slip by. I can't wait to hear from you! Email me TODAY!

Jim

Dad's Place Needs YOU...

Hello From Ohio,

I took a great opportunity on Friday to go home to Ohio. I hadn't seen my family in 3 weeks, so you can imagine what my adult ADHD was doing to me! :) Our family had moved to Ohio during the first part of July, and I returned to Monticello for the final sale of Dad's Place.

As so many of you know, Dad's Place was begun to minister to the 18 to 25 year olds in our community and surrounding area. What we didn't realize, was that the target audience was soooo much greater! Over the past three years, God allowed us to develop incredible relationships with many, many great people. All of which, I will always cherish. And in addition, we served great coffee too!

Upon arriving back in Arkansas from our move, we were notified that the purchase of Dad's Place did not grow through. As I shared in my previous post about our new calling, we will be heavily involved in ministry to college students in Ohio, however, it has always been our prayer and desire that someone would see the ministry and vision that we've had for Dad's Place and want to carry it on. At this time, it appears that at the end of August 2007...THIS month...Dad's Place will come to an end.

Here is where we need your help. If you or someone you know shares the vision and hunger for ministry as we do, and would like to carry on the ministry we know as Dad's Place and serve the best coffee and ice cream in south Arkansas, we would love to talk to you. You can email me here, and I'll get back to you as soon as I get the message. I would ask this, please no curiosity seekers...serious inquiries only.

And also one other favor...please pass this post on to all of YOUR blog readers, and link to us on your blog...we firmly believe that God desires that Dad's Place remain open in Monticello.

Could this be God's Call to you...


Thanks for your prayers,

Jim

Our New Calling...

To Our Dearest Friends And Faithful Bloggers,


Denise and I are blown away by a need that we have seen, and are humbled by a call that God has put on our lives. Thank you for taking the time to read and learn about our new adventure…and even pray about how God might want you, too, to be involved.

Today in North America, many college students will never have the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. College students, numbering approximately 16 million, are one of the most significant and unevangelized people groups in North America. The battle for the souls of collegians is growing more desperate each year.

Our love for collegians began many years ago when God allowed us to serve as the University Pastor for Nettleton Baptist Church in Jonesboro, AR. It was during this time, that we began to understand the needs, both spiritual and physical, that this particular people group has. It was the beginning of a love that has burned fervently in our hearts till this day. We always prayed that somehow, someway, God would allow us to return this ministry. He has…and that time is now.

Beginning this fall, I will begin my ministry as Campus Pastor of Crosswalk Ministries at both Tiffin University and Heidelberg College, in Tiffin, Ohio, and Denise will serve as Support Staff for the campus ministry. Crosswalk is the Collegiate Ministry of the Ohio Baptist State Convention. Tiffin is a beautiful community, located in North Central Ohio on the Sandusky River, near the North Coast of Lake Eerie, with a population of approximately 19,000. The two universities have a combined enrollment of approximately 5,000 students, with only a minimal evangelical presence on either campus. We are currently in the relocation process. Denise and Tabitha have already moved, along with our housing, I've returned to Monticello to wrap up a few loose ends and to sell Dad's Place.

Never before has Luke 10:2 come screaming so loud and clear: ‘Therefore He said unto them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.”’


We will be serving as Mission Service Corp (MSC) Volunteer Missionaries through the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. What is needed now is for other Great Commission-minded churches and individuals to join this partnership through providing financial support and praying for our work. The amount to be raised per month is over $3000.00, so it will truly take a unified effort of Christ’s Church to see this vision fulfilled.

I’d like to ask you to please do two things:

1.) Please pray for our family, our mission and our mission field. As we are currently in the process of finalizing our relocation, there are so many ‘little things’ that need extra attention. We are truly praying to see a mighty work of God on both of these university campuses, and your prayer support is much needed and greatly appreciated. Also, we would encourage you to pray for the sell of Dad's Place in Monticello. It is our prayer and desire that this ministry would continue in Southeast Arkansas.

2.) Please pray about supporting our mission financially. We are in need of partners at many different levels of giving to make the vision of this Collegiate Ministry a reality. We truly believe the Lord who calls is the same Lord who provides.

We are constantly encouraged knowing that there are people like you with a kindred spirit toward taking the Gospel of Christ to the ends of the earth. Thanks for your prayers. I pray that Christ will bless you with every spiritual blessing today. Thanks for reading and praying. Drop back by often for updates, and, a new collegiate blog is on it's way!

For His Glory,

Jim & Denise Whaley

Partnership...

CrossWalk Collegiate Ministries of Tiffin
Jim & Denise Whaley ~ Missionaries
Tiffin, Ohio

We pray that God will lead people to come alongside this ministry and embrace the title of "armor bearers" both financially and prayerfully. It is has been the template of God set forth in Scripture for God and His people to partner together for kingdom ministry. Therefore, we are asking God's people to prayerfully consider joining us in the ministry of reaching the universities in Tiffin, Ohio with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

All financial investments to the Collegiate Ministry of Jim Whaley are tax deductible and all contributions will receive an end of the year giving statement for your personal records.

Thank you so much for being a vital part of this exciting ministry. We are humbled by your willingness to partner with us. Feel free to contact us at any time for additional information concerning this ministry.

All ministry contributions can be made out to: Northcoast Baptist Association.

Please mark your checks for: Jim Whaley Ministry in the ‘Memo’ section.

Please mail to:

Northcoast Baptist Association
980 Abbe Road
Elyria, Ohio 44035

Thank you for your Partnership! We look forward to sharing great and exciting news of God's Work with you. A new collegiate blog is in the works...stay tuned!


Jim & Denise Whaley

Anticipation...

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (emphasis mine)." 1 Peter 4: 12-13