The proverbs of Solomon:   A wise son brings joy to his father. – Proverbs 10:1

Debbie and I still don’t know how he pulled it off, but today our 17 year old son is graduating high school a year early! If you have never met Devin, there is something special about this young man. Yeah, I know every parent thinks that, but seriously there is something really remarkable about him.

What is it?

Devin is full of wisdom and joy. While many young people today bring so much grief to their parents… Devin has brought his mother and me nothing but JOY.

It’s the payoff of wisdom.

Today, I want to thank him for that.

Devin, thank you for choosing wisdom. Your mom and I realize you have plenty of other options and temptations, but you have chosen wisdom. We understand the origin of your wisdom is not you, but rather Jesus in you. Thank you son, for loving Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. It’s the greatest thing you will ever do in your life.

Thank you for not just hearing Jesus’ voice, but listening to His voice.

When you feel lost, His voice will guide you. When you feel alone, His voice will comfort you. When you feel scared, His voice will give you peace. When you are unsure, His voice will give your clarity. When you need forgiveness, His voice will speak grace. When you need your butt kicked?  His voice will speak truth. His voice will never lie to you.

God has unbelievable plans for your life, Devin. Stay humble… Stay pure… Stay joyful. Don’t look to the left or the right but stay focused straight ahead on what God has for you.

We are soooooooooooo proud of you!

We love you,

- Dad and Mom.

If you know me or have been around my blog for a while, then you know my “big bro”, John Cremeans. Together, we have been through a lot over the years.

One of the BIGGEST blessings God has given me in my life is my brother John. God has used my brother in my life more than I can express and communicate. John is a great man of God. John is a great Dad. John is a great leader and friend.

Months ago, I requested prayer for John as he was facing his most challenging season. John has made a lot of progress, however, last weekend John resigned from his church.

Please continue to pray with me for John, his family, and Fellowship Church. I’m confident that the best is in store for John and Fellowship Church.

Debbie and I are speaking this weekend on Honor in the Home. We are talking specifically about giving and receiving Honor. Here is where you come in. We could use your help!

Feel free to answer any or all of the below questions by leaving a comment.

1. Why is it easier to give honor to those outside of the home instead  of to those closest to you?

2. What are ways men dishonor their wives?

3. What are ways women dishonor their husbands?

4. What do you think holds you back from giving honor in the home?

5. How would you complete the following sentence? I would feel honored if my spouse would _______________________.

Thanks everybody!

So I’m new to some of this social networking stuff…especially Twitter. In fact, I haven’t even reached my one week anniversary. I admit I’ve been skeptical of the Twitterverse. Why? I just couldn’t justify giving my time for the theoretical benefits.

Yesterday at 12:30, I took my 13 year old daughter to the Doctor. She had a 103 degree fever even with Motrin and Tylenol in her system. Scary stuff! The Doctor was cynical about testing her for the flue since Natty just had it less than 2 weeks ago. The Doctor said that in her experience she had never seen anyone get the flu back to back.

Congratulations… Leave it to our daughter to break a record!

The Doc ended up referring us to the hospital to get some more tests for Natty. Close to 10 hours later, they decided to release Natty to come home…with a scheduled follow up. When we arrived home at 1:00 AM, I checked my Twitter…and I was shocked at the response!

A Pastor from Corpus Christie TX, a Pastor from New jersey, a Pastor from Miami, a Pastor from Utah, a Pastor from Illinois, and so many others Tweeted publicly to let Debbie and I know that they were praying for our girl!

My Twitterspective has completely changed.

Thank You “Twitterers”!

All of us experience times in our lives when we need people to Speak UP.  Today, I want to Speak UP for a person I love more than I can explain.

My brother.

One of the greatest gifts God has ever given me is my big brother, John Cremeans.  Fourteen months my senior and people today still mistake us as twins. When I’m with John we immediately morph into mischievous childhood fun. We laugh hysterically at everything…and I mean everything. If you can imagine the movie, Tommy Boy, then you get a pretty good picture of what we are like when we are together.  I won’t tell which one is Tommy.

To say we have been thru a lot over the years is an understatement.  But, no matter what has happened in my life, I could always count on my brother to have my back.

It’s a brotherhood thing.

John is a great man, a great leader, a great Pastor, and a great friend. John Cremeans has impacted my life more than any other man.

Scripture tell us that no one is immune and that all of us will go thru difficult seasons. Well, John is going thru a pretty crappy one right now…and I want to ask all of you bloggers out there to Speak UP and send John some blog love.

The Bible tells us our words have the power of death and life...Speak UP!

Please pray for John, his family and his church.

Thank you!

In the past two weeks, I’ve had a front row seat to observe in people that I love, strength and stamina that’s hard to measure. In this series of posts, I want to HONOR them. Today, I want to honor my Father-in-law, Ray Barndt.

God’s word tells us…Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church. Many times I wish God would have left that out of scripture.  Why? Because you can’t get the bar any HIGHER! However, if there is a mortal man that could be an example of this, it is…

Ray Barndt

Ray has loved and cherished his bride, Josephine, for 50 years! 34 of those years, she had cancer. Think about that…not days, weeks or months, not even several years…but 34 years! I have watched Ray silently thru the years serve and care for his bride. From surgeries, from hospital stays, to keeping track of her medicine, to taxiing her to numerous doctors.  Ray’s list was never ending. I don’t know how he stayed sane, but he never complained. He just did it.

All the way till the end. He just did it.

I watched Ray sleep by his bride’s hospital bed on a small twin bed. (I don’t think he ever really slept in the past month). I watched Ray as he would sit with his bride during the day and talk to her even though she couldn’t talk back.  But, she did manage to pucker her lips at him to send him a kiss. If there ever was a woman who felt unconditional love…it was Ray’s bride, Josephine.

Ray, you are Remarkable! Not just in human eyes but in HEAVEN’S EYES! Jesus said the greatest in the Kingdom are those that serve. I have never met a person who has served someone MORE than you. You are the essence of HONOR. Thank you for being an example to ALL of us.  Thank you for modeling what a real MAN is. Thank you for setting the bar for all of us…now we must guard the bar.

I will do my best to honor my bride and your daughter as you have honored your bride and her mother.

In the past two weeks, I’ve had a front row seat to observe in people that I love, strength and stamina that’s hard to measure. In this series of posts, I want to HONOR them. Today, I want to honor my Bride, Debbie Cremeans.

Yesterday was my bride’s birthday.  I always knew I married over my head…I guess I never realized how HIGH.  Debbie is a class act. She is smart. She is loyal. Debbie is one of the most disciplined people I have met. She is feminine. She is a lady. She is a leader. Debbie is a person of great character. She is a great friend. She is fun. She is wise. Debbie has an incredible work ethic. She is compassionate. She is trustworthy…oh yeah and by the way…She is down right GORGEOUS!

After 20 plus years of marriage, I’m still crazy about her! However after witnessing her unforgettable strength last week, I have a new appreciation for her. Debbie refused to leave her mom’s bedside. I watched her face the fear of unknown territory and experience sleepless nights, and yet I’ve never seen Debbie demonstrate more kindness, gentleness and compassion. I was in amazement as Debbie nurtured her mom’s every need. It was one of the most honorable things I’ve ever witnessed.

Two of the most intimate times in our lives are when we are born and when we die. You discover a lot about a person watching the care they provide for a loved one that’s dying. I think it gives you a glimpse into their soul.  I also think it gives you an indicator of the care you may receive if you happen to be on your death bed before they are.

Debbie, I admire your courage and strength. I have a new respect for you. You are a great human being. It’s an honor to know you.

I love you always.

How do you quantify someone’s strength? If it’s how much weight you can lift, then I peaked years ago. Back in the day, I used to lift weights hardcore.  It may be hard to imagine, but I was cut and chiseled.  Today???? Not so much.  Currently, I’m more easily recognized for my puffy and fluffy physique…but don’t underestimate me.  I’m definitely stronger. Why?

Life experience has made me stronger. With life comes adversity, hardship and resistance.  The same essentials required in weight lifting to increase your physical strength are necessary to increase your emotional, mental, and spiritual endurance.

In the past two weeks, I’ve had a front row seat to observe in people that I love, strength and stamina that’s hard to measure. In this series of posts, I want to HONOR them. Today, I want to honor my mother-in-law, Josephine.

Josephine (Debbie’s Mom). Tuesday morning I had the Honor of speaking at Josephine’s funeral. To date, I don’t know that I have ever met a stronger person. In 1975 at the age of 42, Josephine was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease. She was informed she had a 50/50 chance of living. She battled thru treatments for 6 months, only later to have her cancer return in 1977. Fast forward to 1989, she learned she had breast cancer and underwent a radical mastectomy.

Thru it all, she never complained. She never gave up. She used ALL her energy to battle her illness. But Josephine’s life is not marked by her cancer. Josephine’s life is marked by her SMILE. Her gorgeous contagious smile! The greatest strength Josephine possessed was she never lost her smile.

She smiled thru the sickness.

I marvel at her life, her endurance, and her perseverance. In fact, in her last week of life, Josephine displayed more strength than I have ever witnessed. Her mind was fully aware of all that was going on. And even when her body was shutting down and she could no longer talk…she couldn’t swallow…somehow she still managed the strength to Smile.

Josephine, “Mom Barndt,” you are an inspiration to all of us. I will never forget your strength. I will never forget your smile. Thank you for giving me your baby girl…She has your smile.

We will see you soon.

Check out the great pics from the Cremeans Family Reunion!  Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Buddy, Debbie, Devin, and Natalie; Chuck, Mary, Buddy, Kristin, and John; the whole Cremeans Clan

This past weekend I was reminded how rich I am. Seriously, I’m loaded! Not in tangible things but intangible things. I’m wealthy in things that last forever. God has blessed me beyond my dreams…more than I could ever express! Perhaps that’s why He’s given me eternity to try?

• I am blessed to have Jesus Christ as my Redeemer!
• I am blessed to be forgiven and free!
• I am blessed to have Debbie as my bride and best friend for 20 years!
• I am blessed to be the Dad of the two best kids on the planet!
• I am blessed to Pastor the greatest church in the Northeast…let’s be honest…it’s the best church on the planet…Northway Church!!!!
• I am blessed to do ministry in the Northeast!
• I am blessed to lead and do “life together” with the best team on the planet!
• I am blessed to have Chuck and Mary Cremeans as my parents. Thank you Dad and Mom for leading the way. Thank you for your legacy of faith. Thank you for not quitting and staying committed to each other for 51 years!
• I am blessed to have John Cremeans as my brother. Thank you, John, for making me better. Thank you for impacting my relationship with Jesus more than any other man. Thank you for your hospitality and generosity.
• I am blessed to have Kristin as my sister. Kristin, you are a woman of class and beauty. You are a woman of influence. Thank you for following your dreams for God and being a difference maker.
• I am blessed to have the best nieces and nephews in the universe. From John’s family: Ally, Emily, Bailey, Drew and Grace. From Kristin’s family: Kelley, Kristie. and Katie. You make life fun! You are the greatest generation for Jesus!
• I am blessed to have Michele as a sister-in-law. Thank you for your hospitality. Thank you for being such a gracious host. Thank you for your friendship with Debbie. Thank you for impacting our family more than you will ever know!
• I am blessed to have Jerry as my brother-in-law. Jerry, you are God’s servant. God’s wisdom runs deep in you. Thank you for being an incredible husband to my sister. Thank you for making a difference in my life. Thank you for being a global difference maker. Looking forward to being with you soon.
• I am blessed to have a nephew-in-law like Rob. Rob, it was great to see you. You play guitar better than anyone I have ever heard. Thank you for your love for Jesus and my niece Kelley. Thank you for being a great Dad to Ella. She looks just like you, dude! Thank you for being you! Come see us!
• I am blessed to experience a Cremeans Family Reunion. Just the BEST! Pics coming soon!

Thank you, God, for making me RICH. Thank you, God, for relationships. Thank you, God, for my precious family. Thank you, God, for your faithfulness. Thank you for seeing all of us thru the different seasons in life.