I must say that I am really excited about this coming year for Father’s Impact!  We as a staff have felt strongly God was once again tugging us in a new direction.  We have felt led to take the number of events from 9 to 4 this year.  This allows for longer and bigger events, as well as allows more time between events for getting the word out and preparation.  We have taken the events that had the biggest “impact” if you will, and set those as our events for the year.  There will be a campout in October, Pine Car Derby in January and another big campout in April.  One of the biggest changes is the way we are kicking off the 09-10 year.  For the first time since this ministry was started in 2007, we are hosting a fathers only seminar titled Fitness for the Father.  This seminar will be held at New Beginnings Baptist Church in Longview, Texas on Saturday September 19th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.  Tickets for this event are available for $5.  Anyone interested can contact me at jason@fathersimpact.com for tickets or more information.  Catfish on Wheels will be catering the dinner of catfish and shrimp.  We will also have several door prizes to give out that you don’t want to miss.  So, what is the seminar about?  

One of the big trends among men around the country is being physically fit.  Working out at the gym, riding bikes, running, and swimming are some of the ways men are getting their bodies in shape and keeping them there.  The question is what are we doing to be in “better shape” as men, husbands, and dads?  The focus of the night will be on 3 important areas that we as men need to “work out” in order to be fit as fathers.  I hope you can join us for this important seminar and look forward to kicking off the year with a bang!      

Fathers Impact will provide dinner Friday night and breakfast Saturday morning.  All you need to bring is your camping equipment, chairs, fishing equipment, drinks and snacks.

We look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks.  As always please contact anyone on the staff if you have any additional questions.

Directions to the Rolling R Ranch:
Take Hwy. 80 to Gladewater.  Turn left at the Loop.  Follow the loop to Hwy. 271.  Take a left on Hwy. 271 and go 3.3 miles to CR 3110.  Turn left on CR 3110 and go 0.8 miles ant the gate is on your right.

Thank you so much for being a part of this great ministry that God is leading.

I am not the first, nor the last, to say that our country is going through some difficult times.  Television, newspapers, Internet, and co-workers let us know exactly how bad things are from the moment we wake up until our head hits the pillow at night.  All of us know or know of someone that has lost his/her job because of the economy.  We all know stories of  folks that have been investing their hard earned money for years in hopes of being able to retire comfortably, only to see their nest egg cut in half.  I could go on and on but you get the point.  We are in the midst of a storm.

One of you reading this post may be the person I have described above.  First, let me say I am sorry for what you and your family are going through.  Second, I have to ask:  Is YOUR glass half-empty or half-full?  Does your family still see you as the “rock” you have always been for them?  Do you continue to read God’s word and spend time in prayer?  Are you still trusting that God will provide for you and your family through these difficult times?  Are you showing your kids the blessings that God is sending even during the darkest of days?  Are you still spending quality time with your wife and playing ball in the yard with your kids?  If the answer to these questions is yes; then the glass you are looking at is half-full.  If the answer is no; it’s not too late to change.

Car kits are being donated by Fathers Impact and will be available at the information desk on Sundays but you are welcome to build your own cars.

Prizes will be awarded for the top three cars.  Several heats with a series of head to head races will determine which Father/Son teams can be called CHAMPIONS.  For those that are less worried about speed and more concerned with the how well their cars look under the lights, prizes will be awarded for the most unique cars as well. 

Moms and wives are invited to come cheer you on.  This will offer a good time to be had by the entire family.  Also, if you have cars from when you were a child or previously ran cars bring them as we will have an unofficial race just for fun.

Box Car Derby Rules:
     — No cars previously ran at any other function.
     — Car length not to exceed 7 inches. 
     — Car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces (will be weighed at check-in)
     — No starting devices or mechanical help of any type allowed.
     — If the car is damaged in anyway, the team will have 5 minutes for repair.
     — Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!

For additional information contact:
     — Jason Withrow 903-736-0810 jason@fathersimpact.com
     — Carl Owens  903-353-5581 cowens@cscpails.com

God has recently reminded me that to surrender all to Him is quiet the opposite of quitting.  In fact, when you surrender everything you have, you are actually just beginning.  You’re beginning to let go of things that you think that you have to be in control of.

I personally have been struggling with this lately.  Struggling to the point that it has caused me to loose sleep at night.  As I tossed and turned in bed one night a couple of weeks ago, God got ahold of me and just said “you’re not giving it all to Me.  You’re trying to keep part of it for yourself.”

When we are faced with difficult circumstances in our lives, how do we let go of those circumstances and give God control.  We can’t just sit back and do nothing can we?  When we have problems in our jobs, we don’t just pray for God to handle it and then do nothing do we?  When we have difficulties in our marriage, we don’t just pray about it and then do nothing do we?  What about when dealing with difficult situations with out children?  Should we stop being a parent when we give it to God?  The answer of course to all of these is NO.  We still have to be parents even when we are struggling with what to do.  We still have to work in our marriage.  We still have to make decisions at work.

What I have learned is that giving God control is to lift up my circumstances to him in prayer and share my burdens with Him and then let it go.  Let Him have it. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your paths.”

I still have to make decisions about things related to my circumstances, but the moment I lift it up in prayer, I can let go and quit worrying about it.  Worrying about something is a sign that you haven’t given it fully to God.  When you trully surrender to God, you are not throwing in the towel.  You are actually putting the responsibility for your victory in that situation on God’s shoulders.  Don’t you think that God’s big enough to handle it?

Giving ninety percent to God is not giving it ALL to Him.  Don’t short-change God and yourself!

Every four years, we have the opportunity as citizens of this country to get out and vote  for the leaders that will fill the various elected positions within our country and the communities where we live.  As Christians, it is not only our right, it is our obligation to vote. 

My son does get the opportunity to vote today for Dog or Cat.  While I am not certain what office these guys are running for, I am certain that my son is learning about voting at school.  Our children are learning about voting at school.  Their hearing about candidates on television and other mediums as well.  This election day is an opportunity for us as parents to get in on the training action.  Take an opportunity to sit down and share with your children why you voted the way you did.  Share with them how the candidate you support shares your values.  You should also be willing to share with your children how that candidate might fall short of your values and beliefs in some areas.

Get out and vote……Cat or Dog?

Nothing has really changed now that I am an adult (some would question the validity of that) other than the fact I have to work today instead of being able to skip out on a day.  As I was setting in my office day dreaming about being at the deer lease, I thought I would write this to see if this day every year stirs any emotions the way that it does for me.  That is enough, I have to get to the lease……