What is your Encounter

So when you think about an encounter with something you usually think about first impressions right, but as I thought about something today, the word encounter, it really shook me up. If someone were to show up late to an event and there excuse was, well I got a flat and my wrench rolled over into the street as I was changing my tire. When I went to go and get it this huge 18 wheeler rolled over me and smashed me so it took me awhile to get up and get here. My first thought is either you are a complete lunatic, or you don't realize that I know your lying. To have an encounter with something that size would definitely change your life if not kill you,and as I was thinking about that don't we all say at some point we have had an encounter with Jesus by a t-shirt we wear or by a fancy necklace we have on. If we truly have an encounter with the one true Living God, Jesus Christ, who is far bigger than an 18 wheeler, who is the creator of the heavens and earth, don't you think people should be able to see the encounter we have had a little more obvious than a christian logo we wear. I couldn't help but think about this do I let the material I wear speak louder than the very mouth he created on me to proclaim his name. I wonder, do I let the shoes Im wearing speak louder than the very walk he commissioned me to carry out to the world, I wonder. The encounter is a very scary thought to me b/c it really reminds me how much I give into the flesh encounter daily rather than the almighty encounter. I thank God for his loving Grace and Mercy that gives us a new encounter everyday, it's so good to know that we serve a father who has immeasurable compassion. Think about the encounter, or better yet what are we encountering today, JUST US OR JESUS. I hope the encounter we have had is big enough for others to see without me having to say a word, I hope that is my encounter.

Thankyou For Your Love

Some of the College students worshipping at the Fusion Retreat

Just a friendly game of DodgeBall "Hey if you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a ball"


Have you ever come to a place in life where all you can think about is the Love that so graciously saved us, so perfectly covered us, and so selflessly gave to us. I've been in that place for the past couple of days. It's been hard for me for the past year because I've watched so many people close to me turn from the faith and walk out on God or just decide that without him things would be better. This past week I had an old friend decided to tell me he had become an athiest, my first thought was wow, what brought him to that place, how did he become so focused on his problems that he forget about the one who could fix them. It is truly heartbreaking for me to hear things like this, my best friend of 16 yrs I dont even talk to anymore because he dosent want anything to do with Jesus anymore, and dosent want to be around people that do, I just cant understand. I look at all these stories that people are writting in their lives and it brought me to a couple of verses the 1ST is Proverbs 19:3 People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord. All these people I have watched make decisions that have led down the wrong road and then when bad things happen they get angry at God for letting it happen. I pray that I never get to a place where I think someone else is responsible for my own actions, Let me be accountable for what I do, but most of all let me be led by Christ so my heart stays pure in this world. The 2nd scripture is Matthew 25:9-13 Then you will be arrested,persecuted,and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn from away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will decieve many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere and the Love of many will grow cold. BUT THE ONE WHO ENDURES TO THE END WILL BE SAVED. I just thought to myself, father we are all one step away from finding a reason to run from you, thankyou so much for your Love that keeps me in your arms. I could be one of my old friends but Im not. For some reason Im still here, with you, Thankyou for Your Love. I pray God that you dont deliver me from the trial but develope me in it, someone who dosent know you yet needs me to come through this trial so they will know what you can do for them. Let us Endure till the end. Our Hope, let it be in him and not ourselves. As I was at the Fusion retreat this weekend I was thinking about how blessed I was to still be in his presence, let us believers remember that it is such a priveledge to be near him, when we remember this we will have a greater love towards those who dont know him yet. Thankyou Jesus So Much For Your LOVE.

My 23 Birthday

Ok So my Birthday was October 30 and I know it's been a few days but I'm just now getting to blog. I'm finally 23 and it's really scarry to be honest, I never really have handeled the age thing to well. There is always that since in me that says you can go 5 days without sleep, and run 18 miles without stopping, and lift a 1000 pounds without ever pulling a muscle. I have deffinatly discovered that a few years in the Marines and plenty of sports injuries catch up with you, haha. And that Im invenciable mentallity only last till your 18. But it was a great day we went to the new cabellas that just opened up and then we went to cracker barrel to have dinner, after we headed home watched spider man 3 and ate some cake. As I get older I have come to value the few times with family I get nowaday's alot more than spending time with something else. I always find it interesting how just a day with a title on it always gives you a new perspective on things in life. One year older, but diffrent outake on things, more aware and much more intentional. I love how value comes with understanding, now that I understand what is so important I can see why it is so valuable to me. The greatest presents always come from God this year he gave me time with family, 4 yrs ago on Paris Island, I turned 19, then he let me know how important my family really is. But this year it was just time, soak it up because there are only so many more days where presents can be given. And only so many more days where I can stuff my face with cracker barrell pancakes.

Lance,Heather,Mom, Me

Me stuffing my face with pancakes

Cracker Barrell

Life For Marriage, Dinner Night

I have to say Sunday night was absolutly awesome, with great friends and tons of amazing food it was a great way to wrap up the first half of Life for Marriage class. Todd and Candy are absolutly wonderful people for letting us come and fellowship with them at there restaurant, Sno's Seafood. If you have never been there go check it out they have some killer bread pudding. We have been in the class for 6 weeks now and Brother Wayne and Mrs. Dee are the best teachers you could ask for,it's really cool b/c we go to class during 10:00 service and then head straight from there to 12:00 service at Highland. So we get to hear alot of fresh word and it really helps us grow. But last week Bro. Wayne decided to bless us with a date night for the half way point and it was great, hey being in Elevate means no Money and very little food,or time with the lady, cant pass that up. So we played games, ate alot and then chowed down on some dessert, I dont even remember falling asleep last night I was so full. But with all that said there was nothing better than fellowshiping with one another and enjoying everyones company, sometimes the best things about ministry are just sharing life with one another especially over a good meal. Oh yeah, did I mention Heather and me won a $25 gift card to the mall I have to say she brings me all the blessings, I would have won a dirty pair of socks without her haha. Great Fellowship and Great Word, thats what it's all about,It's all for HIM

Heather and Me

My Boy Edwin and His Wife Jennie

Mrs.Dee,Heather,Bro.Wayne,and Me. You couldnt ask for any greater teachers.

Mrs.Dee leading the Q&A game for the couples.

Few Days For the Ladies

So from Thursday to Saturday there has been an abundance of pink,gold,black and tons of other colors for the Live the Dream Women's conference at the Church. Immediately after Friday morning I headed to a wedding for Heather's brother,that I just so happened to be a Groomsman in. It was a very pretty night at Houmas House plantation, and as I sat at the reception Friday night I just started laughing, What a past few days for the Ladies. Even though I have been surrounded by estrogen up to my eyebrows for the past few days with a Wedding and a Women's Conference it has all been great. Jesus really touched lives this week and women were living the dream." Alot of us guys were joking that with all the girlie stuff around us guys were living the nightmare haha. But it was all great. The wedding was alot of fun too,Tim is no longer the oldest living bachelor in America haha he is married now, if you have ever seen My big Fat Greek Wedding you would understand why we all cracked jokes on him about, Tim we never think this happen for you. But with all the food and the fun behind us now it's time for some much needed Man time. Football and Rambo marathons, Braveheart, and Gladiator. Well all in all it was an awesome week and still more like it to come. Till next time Go Live the Dream

Beautiful

Just Rehearsing ours

Happy Birthday Sleepy

Friends, Family , and a Birthday Girl

Mr.Lou Making sure everything is staying Holy

Heather, Me, Caleb, and Kelsey

Oct 23 is a special day, why you ask? Well it just so hapens to be Heather's birthday. The big 22, it was a simple gathering with simple people and alot of cake and ice cream. You can always thank Mr. Lou for the extra notches in the belt. But another year has passed and another memory in the books, I think I liked it best when Mr.Lou said it was her last birthday as a Leblanc. Yep next time come around and she will be a Pickens, what can I say welcome to the family. But all in all there is nothing better than spending time with crazy kids all running around and lot's of fun stories being told. Yes the good ol days. Happy Birthday Heather, thankyou so much for being so patient with me, I truly am blessed and I cant say that enough. Love you, Papa Bear

New Mornings and New Man

So I have been gone for awhile, it might seem a little odd for that to be a good thing in the blogging world but it has truly been a blessing for me. New seasons and a new life, there is so much to share and so many to thank. And all because of Grace, thankyou Father, for the many times you have so freely graced us, but then I remember that Grace is not free, it is not a christmas present that is found so ritually under a cut down sapling. It is a grace that is found under the foot of the cross and a grace that only the Loving mercy of a father can give to his son or daughter. It is good to be back. For who the Son has set free is free indeed. And he who has been forgiven much Loves much. There is so much Love to talk about and there is so many people to love, the lost, the saved, and the multitudes in the valley of decision. What a priveledge, to have New Mornings. For the Sun rises and sets on his timing and new men are awaken to his light. Thankyou Father that you love and that the price you paid has given us all a gift of free Grace