The Heart of a Champion.

Tomorrow afternoon, Shannon, Jordyn, Preston and I will be travelling to Summerville, SC to watch what will hopefully be the final game of Jessica’s high school softball team, the Mauldin Lady Mavs. If they win their game tomorrow, they will be the South Carolina AAAA Champions! They won their first of the best of three games last night 10 to 0, and so we’re hoping that tomorrow’s game will end in similar results. The team that she plays on is a very special team. They have overcome alot over the year, but have worked hard and have accomplished all of their goals save the final goal, which they are striving to accomplish tomorrow. Several key things have gotten them to the place where they are today and I want to share them with you.

1. They started off the season with one major goal in mind and that was to win STATE.
2. They trained hard during the preseason to prepare themselves for their goal.
3. They went through the entire season with the main goal in the back of their minds at all times.
4. They endured alot of pain, not only physical pain but mental and emotional pain.
5. Each player invested time and energy.
6. Each player came to the understanding of their role on the team and sought out to fulfill their role to the best of their ability.
7. They worked together, they were unified in their purpose.
8. They encouraged one another.
9. They shared their ups and downs with one another.
10. They never gave up, they never quit.

It’s everyone’s dream to be a part of a team like that (at least one time in their life) and it’s been a real joy for me as a dad to see my daughter Jessica participate on such a team.

When a group of people come together, set goals, work hard to achieve their goals, work together, encourage one another and never give up, AMAZING THINGS CAN HAPPEN!

As a church, amazing things can happen when we put all of those ingredients together. We are all players on a much bigger and more important team than just a recreational game. We are all on a team that God has wonderfully designed and each of us have a responsibility on the team in order to accomplish all the goals that God wants us to achieve.
We cannot afford for anyone to “step out of the game” we can’t afford to stray away from the goal, we can’t afford to not work together, we can’t afford to not encourage one another or fulfill our role on the team, for if and when we do that, we will not be able to accomplish our goal.

I Corinthians tells us that we all are a part of a unique body that must work together in order for it to be healthy and productive. If any part of the body doesn’t do it’s job, the body malfunctions.

What’s your part in the body of Christ…….specifically what’s your part at Daventon. Everyone has the responsibility to encourage, to invest time and energy, to endure the pain and hardships and to work together, and there are still others who must step up and complete their role so that we can accomplish the goal God intends for us to reach.
Be a player, not a spectator. Be a TEAM player and not an individual trying to achieve your personal goals. Support your other team mates, keep your eyes on the BIG goal and let’s see what God can do!

MONDAY MORNING THOUGHTS!

It’s been a couple of weeks since my last blog but that doesn’t mean alot hasn’t been going on, actually the opposite is more accurate. There has been a lot going on and it’s all been GOOD!
Yesterday at Daventon Baptist Church we celebrated Mother’s Day and it was a joy to honor all of our mothers! Quite honestly, I was taken back at all the moms that were present yesterday. I would say that we had at least 60 mothers in our worship serivce!
This coming Sunday is going to be special! We are honoring all of our senior citizens in the service! Also, in our service this Sunday we will have a special guest. Tom Williams, founder of God’s Pantry, will be coming to share his heart about his mission to help needy families in our area. It is a pleasure that Daventon will be joining him in his passion. We will literally be able to help many families right in our own neighborhood who are having a difficult time with the simple necessities of life! What a joy!!!! Isn’t that what it’s all about? Loving God and loving people? Looking forward to a wonderful day Sunday! Oh, by the way, after our service Sunday morning, we will be having dinner on the grounds. After our dinner, Bro. Tom will be training those who are interested in helping with our food pantry. The training will last no more than an hour and it will equip us to better assist families in our area who are in need!

God is good! He is blessing our church in so many ways, I can’t mention them all in just one blog!

Will you join us? Henry Blackaby, in his study, Experiencing God encourages us to “find where God is working and go join in the work” God is working at Daventon, find your place and join the mission! Everybody has a place!

I’m extremely excited about AWANA starting up at Daventon in the fall. It’s going to be a huge undertaking but the potential that we will have to reach children and their families is staggering. Please be praying even now for God to give you direction as to where you will serve. We need leaders, readers, assistants, and prayer warriors! Everyone can participate!

Hope that you all have a great week and that you’ll have a chance to share your story of how Jesus changed your life this week!

In His Grip,
jon