I know this has been a long time coming but I felt the need to tackle it.

When I began reading the book, I was attending Crosspoint.tv as we were going thru the Plan B series. I was in a personal time of struggles and doubt. I needed to hear a few encouraging words that helped me see God in this time. Here’s how it went.

I was in a place where I had to stand for what I believed and left my job. After this decision I didn’t have anything lined up but knew I had to. God had a plan, unfortunately mine was NOT it. My Plan A was not going to happen but God’s Plan B was. It was amazing to watch unfold. It took a lot longer than I had expected to see what was next.

Pete’s wisdom in this book was phenomenal. I had the privilege to even sit down with him and just talk about life, how to cope, listen and trust in God. He offered easy, but for some reason hard (when putting it into practice), advice to begin tackling in my daily life, with my wife, friends, job, etc.

This book is a must read for all. Doesn’t matter if you are currently going thru a hard time and wondering what the plans really are, but however if you are struggling then this is a definite answer to hopefully give insight into your situation. Or at least lend hope in a tough time.

Be Blessed.

It’s almost here. Dec 1st is going to come really fast. (well it is tomorrow after all) But how are you preparing yourself for the crazy season the world creates when it really is an incredibly significant time?

I’m stoked for our students here at UNI+ED. We’re remixing Christmas. As we searched high and low for a theme or topic to look at during Christmas we realized our students know it as the world depicts it, consumeristic. So we decided to give them CHRISTMAS REMIX.

We seem to each year forget the real meaning of Christmas.
We get caught up in the Black Friday sales.
We want to decorate bigger and better each year.

What we need is the understanding of…

The “Preperation” of the season.
(the prophecy, and preparing the way of Christ)

The “Presents” of the season.
(the present is Christ and His presence on this earth)

The “Christmas Tree” of the season.
(the real tree is the Cross)

So that’s where we’re heading with the next few weeks for our students.
I can’t wait.

What are you guys doing in your church or ministry this xmas…

So many things have been going on lately. This afternoon was one of those times where you just sit, ponder, wait, & try to make sense of all the thoughts and feelings rushing through your mind and body.

Have you ever asked yourself…

Who knew what I would be when I grow up?
Who knew what college I would attend?
Who knew what girls I would date?
Who knew I would marry the girl of my dreams?
Who knew that by 24 I’d have lived in 3 different states permanently?
Who knew I’d be a youth pastor?
Who knew that my hearts desire to have a family would be so strong?
Who knew adoption is such a constant thought in our lives?
Who knew I’d have all these memories at 24 to ponder?

WHO KNEW…

GOD did.

That’s where we can rest during that time, like this afternoon when you feel so overwhelmed by emotions and maybe even doubt. God knew. Don’t worry about where you’ve been but where you’re headed. Ultimately, God’s had these plans, your story, written for years. I think I’d rather Him run my life than me if that’s the case.

Let this resonate in your hearts and minds today.

“GOD KNOWS.”

It’s been a while since my wife and I relocated away from nashville, and haven’t had a chance to update you all. I’ve been just so busy settling in and just jumped straight in to my new gig.

But seriously, Nashville. It’s been real. I can’t even begin to share the stuff that was learned while living in Nashville for the period of time that I was there. Great, no…better yet, AMAZING friends that I miss dearly. Leaders/Mentors that I’m glad got to speak into my life. Student ministry connections and experiences that I was involved with. It’s all God’s way of preparing me for what was next.

The trip from Nashville was great, can’t begin to thank my folks enough for their time and effort helping us. Upon arriving in DE, H & I were accepted with open arms. God is good. This chapter that has begun has been interesting and I know I’m excited to see what happens.

Stay tuned. Lots coming…

It’s official Nashville. Only a few more weeks and the Searles are packing up.

Many of you may know I’ve been out of the full time ministry grind for just over a year and H and I have been praying about what’s next. We had teamed up with the crew at Crosspoint and were welcomed with open arms to work along side of one of their campuses youth programs. The staff there was just absolutely great to take me on board and let me be a part of the team, but not part of the team. Haha. However this was not our permanent home.

Back at the end of May I received a phone call from a youth pastor in mid Delaware who was in search of a 2nd student pastor to join his team and help reach more students in this particular section of DE. We talked multiple times about the position and prayed hard about whether this was worth making the trip to check it all out and possibly make the decision that I would fit the needs of United. Last weekend we made the trip up to see what United was all about and H & I just fell in love with the crew, students, and vision of the program. Over the last week the staff and leadership spent time seeking the Lord if this was the right fit.

Late yesterday I accepted the offer to join their team. I cannot wait to step into this new role and assist United however the Lord moves the program. This is going to be an incredible season in our lives and what a greater family/staff we get to join than in mid Delaware.

We will certainly miss our friends/family here and will certainly visit. But this blog will be a place where I will update you all on life/ministry/leadership/creative stuff/etc.

So Nashville, It’s been real!

I want to apologize to all those who have returned to read my thoughts and fun. This week is just simply crazy for me and I have so much to share and not enough time to truly type it all out for you. I plan on getting back into the swing of things after this weekend. My wife and I have the privilege to join some new friends this weekend and check out their ministry so we’ve been trying to get ready for that. I hope to have you all back here on Monday.

Have a blessed week.

I just want to say thanks to everyone who stopped by here yesterday.

Winners have been selected and will be contacted here in just a bit.

Please stop by and support Hunter & the gang at Mend. (Their shirts are super comfy)

Have a great weekend & I’ll be back Monday with some new stuff.

Be Blessed.

You know you want in!

So here’s the scoop. I saw a really cool looking ad one day on Carlos Whittaker‘s blog & went to check it out…AND FOUND THIS!

Mend is a brand that helps communicate the “Message of Love”.
They have tees, bracelets & decals to be tools for us to share the message of Christ.
You can read all about it at their page HERE.

My man Hunter at Mend has hooked us up. We talked about giving away a great tool.
The bracelets that Mend puts out is to “Remember Love”. This symbolizes the nail marks of our Savior. I have already had multiple times to share the word with folks due to this great tool. (And it looks tight)

Here’s the deal….

We’ve got 5 bracelets that we’re giving away today that Hunter has provided and I’m stoked to give 5 lucky folks the chance to have a piece of spreading/remembering the message of love.

There are 2 ways to sign yourself up to win.

FIRST. [Tweet]
I want to “Remember Love”. You can too, just go here. http://bit.ly/olLcO4 #MendedByLove (@mendmark) Please RT.

SECOND. [Comment Below]
You can also put yourself down to win by telling a story of how you “Remember Love”. I want to hear a readers digest version of your testimony. This will be a cool way to just share our stories and how we remember the Love that saved us.

If you don’t want to win one but support a really cool brand that also gives away cash to Living Water Int. then stop by their site and snag some sweet swag.

Be blessed and super BIG thanks to Hunter and everyone at Mend.

[Winners will hear from me Sat. am]

As I begin to stop by my blog more often to share whats on my heart and the happenings of life/ministry I thought what would be a great way to give you the readers something fun. Well I found just that.

So this Friday I have nicknamed, Free Stuff Friday! You won’t want to miss hearing about one cool organization and we’re trying to spread the gospel and give you tools to do so. With that being said you’ll just have to stop back by Friday and see what’s going down.

On that, I’m out.

I’ve always been that kid that just couldn’t stay away from home.

I know my parents hated when I use to hang with my friend in grade school, Ryan because everytime I would go over his house for a sleep over they’d get a phone call and would have to come get me or meet somewhere to pick me up.

Being a homebody for a while was good and bad.
I remember when I left for college that was one of the hardest things. My freshman year, I’ll be honest, my breaks couldn’t come fast enough. All of my good friends stayed back at home and went to tech school or local colleges. But I left.

Now living away from home, friends, and family its been tough. Lately with the season H. and I have been in our prayers have been that if it’s God’s will we’ll make it back towards home so that friends & family wouldn’t be more than a day drive away.

However, the long wait to have this occur has reminded me that I’m always safe and sound where ever “Home” currently is, because I have a comforter. God has definitely been the comfort when I just miss home. He’ll put certain conversations into my life so that it satisfies that desire to rush/race HOME.

It’s amazing how lessons are just everywhere when you turn your life over and into the Fathers hands. Now this doesn’t mean I’m always content, I’m human, but God certainly does take care of us if we let Him.

I’m currently in my Home away from Home.

Are you content with your current “Home”?