As I was in Birmingham this week seeing friends and clients, I was reminded that relationships matter! One of those relationships is with Tim and Lynne Petro. I met Tim Petro in 1992 as a friend of John Brady, my coach, at Samford University. Since that time, we have had many memorable experiences.

We have been to Final Fours, Alabama football games, unforgettable golf courses, and had great meals together. Although those have all been “mountaintop” experiences, we have, as all friends do, grown the closest during those “valley” experiences. I took great joy in God allowing me to be in their home the night before and in the room the morning of his prostate cancer surgery a couple of years ago.

You see, that is why relationships matter because I am reminded daily as Andy Stanley says, “do for one what you wish you could do for all!” So, the cumulative effect of ballgames, fellowship, family, conversations, and time has lead us to this point in our friendship and for that I am forever thankful. May we all remember to be intentional in how we build relationships because they just might last…

Well it has been a week since the +1 Movement Night, I have appreciated and read all text, emails, and FB messages/post. I have also enjoyed phone calls on how we can make these events better. Although I know these events will never please everyone, we are going to try and make each one a little bit better by getting feedback from those of you who attended. With 801 tickets sold for this event, we now hope there are even more people who will be intentional daily to bring some+one closer to Christ.

The stories I have been told by many of you have given me hope that the future of Live ON Purpose and the +1 Movement is building momentum. Such stories as the child who accepted Jesus the night of the event, children that are asking questions about God, prayer request about being more intentional in parenting, several youth who were inspired by the night and want to get closer to Christ, unchurched families who were inspired to explore their faith deeper, and those who attend church but want to give more than what they currently give. So help me to continue this momentum by focusing ON Jesus, praying, and working together to spread the morning text, share your stories, and invite some+one to the next +1 Movement event!

If I see you out, please tell me your story and let’s get a picture with the wooden +1 !!!

Next event Sunday June 1st at Madisonville First Baptist Church….more details to come!

Related show

• Artist: Joey Davenport
• Tour: +1 Movement Event
• Date: 06/01/14
• Time: 5:30pm
• Venue: First Baptist Church
• City: Madisonville , KY
• Country: US
• Admission: free
• Age restrictions: All Ages
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

Last night was an awesome experience of dedication, fellowship, love, and inspiration! We witnessed what God can do when His people come together as one body across denominational lines to worship together. I am thankful for those of you that came, and also those of you who sold tickets, invited people, and most importantly prayed for this event.

The hundreds of text, FB messages/post, emails, and phone calls that I have received are confirmation that the vision of the +1 Movement is expanding to those of you that came. Now it is on all of us to be intentional everyday to do something to bring some+one closer to God. The only way that happens is to keep our focus ON Jesus! We trust and obey–He transforms!

So now “your world” is waiting to hear YOUR story–tell it!! Raise your level of commitment to the Lord by praying, reading the Bible, attending church, and allowing others to SEE Jesus in you. Wake up EVERYDAY with your focus ON Him because EVERYDAY His focus is ON you!

I want to see God do a mighty work through the +1 Movement and I feel after last night so do you!! Join me in praying that this is only the beginning of a bright future as we bring God glory together!!

I was standing outside at a ABA tournament on Saturday with over 50 parents and players from different counties. The sky was beautiful and blue and in between games we tried to enjoy some much needed sunshine.

As I walked around trying to get a signal for my next call, I was approached by a tournament referee that I had never seen. We spoke about how awesome it felt outside and how blue the sky was. He then pointed to the large “+”(pictured) in the sky and asked me, “what do you think that means?”

My first response was a laugh and then I asked him if he knew me or had been sent to ask me this. He obviously had no idea what I was referring to so I told him the +1 Movement story. I can’t prove this but I believe somewhere “up” there someone was smiling…..I know I am!!!

Whether we are healthy or terminally ill, we should learn a lesson from Gary Mays. Here’s why…

This message was written to me on Facebook by a client and friend of mine Donna Mays. On October 23rd her husband, Gary, went to spend eternity with his Maker.

Please read:

In going through some things, I came upon a “Testimony” if you will, that my husband wrote in 2010 (I think) when he could still write. I want to post this as a legacy to him to hopefully fulfill his desire in affecting even one person’s life. So here it goes:

I WAS SAVED AT A YOUNG AGE AND I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF CHURCH FOR ABOUT 50 YEARS. I REALLY WASN’T SERVING GOD LIKE I SHOULD HAVE.

IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR, I FOUND OUT I HAD AN INCURABLE BRAIN TUMOR. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BAD THING, BUT IT REALLY WASN’T. IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE. I AM GOING BACK TO CHURCH AND TRYING TO SERVE GOD. IT HAS GOT ME AND MY FAMILY CLOSER.

IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR, I HAD MASSIVE BLOOD CLOTS GO THROUGH MY HEART INTO MY LUNGS. THE DOCTOR SAID I SHOULD HAVE DIED BUT HE SAID GOD WASN’T READY FOR ME YET. I HAVE A REASON TO STILL LIVE.

I USED TO WORK AT BIG RIVERS, BUT THAT’S HISTORY. I HAVE GOT A BETTER JOB NOW – THAT TO SERVE THE MASTER (GOD). THE HOURLY RATE IS NOT MUCH BUT THE FRINGE BENEFITS ARE OUT OF THIS “WORLD”.

IT’S SAD TO THINK THAT IT TOOK A BRAIN TUMOR TO SEE THE LIGHT, BUT THEY SAY IT’S BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. WHAT YEAR I HAVE LEFT, I INTEND TO SERVE GOD IN MY OWN HUMBLE WAY. IF THROUGH GOD’S WILL I COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN JUST ONE PERSON’S LIFE, THEN THE BRAIN TUMOR WOULD BE WELL WORTH IT.

“OH GOD, LIFT ME UP AND NEVER LET ME FALL
I’LL TRUST AND SERVE YOU AND GIVE YOU MY ALL
OH GOD, I HOPE AND PRAY THAT WHEN WE MEET
YOU WILL SAY WELL DONE MY FAITHFUL SERVANT AND REST IN PEACE.

Thanks Donna and Gary for Living ON Purpose and having a +1 Mentality. His legacy will live on because Revelation 14:13 says, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”

2013: Live ON Purpose! +1

What started as a text message ministry some 6 years ago, has now grown into a world-wide message, ministry, and movement of inspiration and hope for thousands! I thank God most of all that He has blessed and expanded this for His glory!

I also want to thank everyone that has prayed, passed on the message, bought Live ON Purpose!+1 apparel, and come to the different events that we have had in 2013. Through your support, giving, and spreading of the message we have been able to donate to missionaries, the homeless, families in need for Christmas, cancer patients in financial distress, provide meals for those that are hungry, and advance the message of Living ON Purpose! and bringing some+one closer to God daily!

I want to especially remember the ambassador for Christ, Todd Satterfield, that I had the privilege to call my friend. It was through his passion for these morning text and this movement that pushed me to do more and commit my life to this cause. I thank God for his life, our many hours of Christ-filled discussions, and his desire to see his legacy to be about bringing some+one closer to God. So as I mention his name and have events and T-shirts in his memory, I know this was his desire to advance the cause for God’s glory. For that I am thankful that God saw that our paths would cross and that His name would be glorified not only in the messages, but by desiring to be the hands and feet of Jesus!

So continue to pass on the messages, direct people to LiveOnPurpose.us, wear your Live ON Purpose+1 apparel, and pray for God’s direction for this movement!

Looking forward to what He has in store for 2014!

So thankful for the willingness of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church and Bro. Ted Burke to allow us to have this night for the tri-state area to celebrate Christmas. We had a great crowd that sang joyfully and listened intently to a Christmas Story

My message to those that were gathered was to open the three gifts that God has given us. We are to celebrate the gift of the Christ child, be thankful for the sign of love which is the cross, and believe in the power of the Risen Lord! Until we embrace all three of these gifts, we will never completely have the true meaning of Christmas.

We shouldn’t just celebrate Christmas as an event or time of the year, but make it a part of who we are daily. We are going to be told by the world that this is impossible to do everyday, but I disagree. We don’t have to give physical gifts daily, but we can give the gifts of faith, hope, time, and love. We are able to give these consistently when we have the discipline and commitment to be about His Word, His Son, His Spirit, and His Way.

Now that most people see Christmas 2013 as being “over”, don’t “buy in” to this. Be different, focus on Him, love more than others think is possible, give without guarantee of return, and Live ON Purpose!