Mike Edmisten Follower of Jesus. Husband of Nicki. Father of Ryan & Brock. Communicator of the Word.

A Fatherly Charge

In honor of Father's Day, I thought I'd share a Scripture that has become one of the themes of my life.

As the father of two boys, I know that it is my job to disciple them. David gave a charge to his son, Solomon, before he died that has become a Scriptural linchpin for me. It encompasses many of the dreams and desires I have for my boys.

When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.

"I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said. "So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: 'If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.'" (1 Kings 2:1-4, NIV)

Anniversary Weekend

Currently, I am in Louisville with my bride. Sunday is our 12 year anniversary. This is the first time we have ever gone away to celebrate our anniversary.

Got some fun stuff on tap…a Louisville Bats game, Jeff Ruby steakhouse, the Louisville Slugger museum, etc.

I've been anticipating this trip for months. Being alone with my wife is the closest thing to heaven that I'll ever experience in this world.

I wouldn't trade the last 12 years for anything. And it gets better everyday.

Meet Our Staff – Melanie Presta

Spouse: Paul

Kids: Adriana (10), Gianna (9), Lexie (8), and Luke (5, soon to be 6).

Hometown: Paoli, IN

Favorite book: The Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright, The Air I Breathe by Louie Giglio, anything Beth Moore, anything Liz Curtis Higgs, The Shack.

Favorite singer or band: This may take a while…I have a wide range, basically anything other than rap. Here’s a few to get started…Lee McDerment is who I’ve been listening to a lot lately, Yancy, Daughtry, Mandisa, Natalie Grant, Restless Heart, Phil Vassar, Steve Fee, 33 Miles, FFH, Go Fish, Julianne Hough, Kris Allen (can’t wait til he makes his first album), Lincoln Brewster, Phil Joel, Little Texas, Reba McEntire, Rich Mullins, Sugarland, Something Like Silas

Favorite restaurant: Cheesecake Factory & Smoothie King

Favorite movie: Any chick flick. Only You (Marisa Tomei version), Sweet Home Alabama, Enchanted, Meet Me in St Louis, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Oklahoma, Gone With the Wind, Wizard of Oz, basically anything old or anything girlie.

Must See TV: 24, Grey’s Anatomy, and I am a Reality TV freak! Amazing Race, American Idol, Survivor, Dancing with the Stars, Biggest Loser.

First concert you ever attended: Randy Travis and the Judds

Coke or Pepsi? Diet Coke, Diet Coke, Diet Coke. I truly believe there will be a Diet Coke fountain in my mansion when I get to heaven and my banquet table will be filled with Diet Coke and Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.

The mountains or the beach? The beach, doesn’t even matter which one. However, there is nothing like the Smoky Mountains in the spring or fall. Ok, so I decided…I’m undecided.

Paper or Plastic? Depends on what we are talking about. If we are talking grocery bags, have to go plastic even though it’s not the green way to go. It sure is easier to carry.

One thing that ACCers probably don't know about you: I am filled with useless trivia from the Friends TV show. Oh, and I can make a mean chocolate pie.

Favorite Scripture: My favorite book is Nehemiah, but my favorite verse is,“We don't have the right to claim that we have done anything on our own. God gives us what it takes to do all that we do.” (2 Corinthians 3:5)

What is God teaching you right now: This may sound simple but He is teaching me how big He is. There is a line from a song that says “You are bigger than we let You be.” That line stopped me dead in my tracks when I first heard it.

I don’t want to be the one to put God in a box. I don’t want to get to heaven and hear God say “It was good, but look at what I had planned for you if you had just believed me for it.”

What excites you the most about ACC? The possibilities!!! I can’t wait to see what God is about to do. I don’t know what it is but I just get the sense from Him that He keeps saying, “Oh, you thought that was good? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

Meet Our Staff – Brian Morrissey

Spouse: Cara

Kid: Josh (almost 7)

Hometown: I was born and raised in Birmingham, AL. However, I consider San Diego, CA to be my hometown. It's where the majority of my life-changes occurred and where I still have many, many friends.

Favorite book: I could be really cliche and say that it's the Bible (which it is), but beyond that, I read a fictitious book in the fifth grade called "Blade of the Poisoner" and I liked the characters and the plot so much, that I bought a copy of it (first book I ever bought) and I still have it to this day. It's also where I got my nickname, "Scythe."

Favorite singer or band: This is a difficult question because I can't point out one singer or band, but some of my favorites are: Journey, Live, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, P.O.D., Alter Bridge, RED, and Daughtry. From that, you should be able to decipher my musical tastes. However, I also have an affinity for Beethoven and anything Jazz.

Favorite restaurant: Without question, Red Lobster. There is no other.

Favorite movie: Again, like the music question, this is a very difficult one to answer, but if I had to pick one that stood head and shoulders above the rest, it would be Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. The entire film is done from the perspective of human emotions and every shot captures raw passion in one way or another. Plus, it's part of the second greatest saga known to man and it has the best plot twist of any film EVER.

Must See TV: Bauer, Jack Bauer. 24 is awesome, even if it is predictable. The suspense is phenomenal and the writing is great. Heroes comes in at a close second and after that, I would have to sadly admit….American Idol. I love watching a nobody become a somebody. It's great.

First concert you ever attended: Seriously? The Gospel Lads, when I was 4. Oh Wait, that doesn't count. Well, how about Guns 'N Roses/Metallica. Yes, I was a rocker.

Coke or Pepsi? R/C Cola. Yeah. Didn't see that one coming did ya. It's the most underrated cola ever and it tastes better than either of the two front-runners. Although, Pepsi Throwback is winning me over….

The mountains or the beach? Both. Seriously. I lived an hour from each in San Diego and I can't choose between either of those, or riding quads over the dunes in the desert.

Paper or Plastic? FUR!!!!!! (That one's for all of the animal rights activists out there.)

One thing that ACC'ers probably don't know about you: Not only do I love to write music, but I also enjoy writing literature as a past-time and I am currently writing Book One of a trilogy I have designed, which is along the lines of Lord of the Rings. It's all about a young man who undertakes a quest to rid the land of evil and along the way he meets up with….oh wait, I don't want to give everything away just yet.

Favorite Scripture: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

What is God teaching you right now? God wants to teach me how to listen to him more. Sometimes it's great to have a conversation with God, but sometimes it's good just to go into a dark room, sit down and be still in the presence of God, listening to what He wants to tell you.

What excites you the most about ACC? This church is the most exciting church I've ever been a part of. If I had to pick one thing (and there are many) about ACC that I am excited about, it's the potential I see in this church to reach a community that desperately needs Jesus. This church has so many capable people doing the right things in the right places and I cannot wait to see what God will do in the life of this church week in and week out.

Church, you are awesome and God will do awesome things through you and I am blessed and honored to partner with you in serving the kingdom of God here in Amelia.

Meet Our Staff – Mike Edmisten

How well do you know our staff at ACC? The next few posts will help you get to know those who minister to you every week a little better. We'll start with me. Hey, it's my blog. If I want to start with me, then I'll start with me! :o)

Spouse: Nicki

Kids: Ryan (5), Brock (1)

Hometown: Georgetown, OH

Favorite book: What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey

Favorite singer or band: That's tough. Here's a few: ACC Worship band (no, I'm not kidding…they rock!), Alabama, David Crowder, George Strait, Bon Jovi, Alan Jackson, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jim Brickman, Sugarland, Third Day, Brad Paisley, Simon & Garfunkel, Waylon Jennings…how's that for an eclectic list?

Here's a basic rule of thumb for me…the best music is country and rock music from the '70's & '80s. If that makes me an old fogey, so be it. Pass the Geritol and crank up the volume.

Favorite restaurant: It's impossible to name just one. Here are a few of my favs…Skyline Chili, Red Lobster, Texas Roadhouse, Starbucks Coffee, LaRosa's Pizza, Graeter's Ice Cream.

Favorite movie: The original Star Wars trilogy. The Return of the Jedi tops the list.

Must See TV: King of Queens, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Andy Griffith Show. Notice that they're all comedies. That's because I'm a totally fun person…and I'm a pastor, so I get enough drama in my daily life. :o)

First concert you ever attended: Alabama

Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi…although I'd choose Canada Dry Ginger Ale if it was one of the choices. Guarana is also amazing, but I've got to drive to Jungle Jim's to get it (it's a Brazilian drink).

The mountains or the beach? The mountains. No question about it.

Paper or Plastic? Plastic…every time. I can't even remember the last time I left a grocery store with a paper bag.

One thing that ACCers probably don't know about you: If there is an item on a restaurant menu that has a girly sounding name, I won't order it. Case in point…I have never ordered a panini. And I doubt I ever will.

Favorite Scripture: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:3-4)

What is God teaching you right now? My walk with Him trumps everything. If I don't stay close to Him, my ministry will crash and burn. I can't do any of it on my own power. Without the anointing of God, I'm done.

That also takes a great amount of pressure off of me. This church is God's church He has a plan for us. All I have to do is follow His lead. I used to think that I had to be "relevant," "hip," or "cool" to be a successful pastor. Now, I couldn't care less about any of that. All I need to be is faithful to God's call and God's leading. He'll take care of the rest.

What excites you the most about ACC? The lives that have been changed. I talk to someone every single weekend whose life has been changed through the ministry of ACC. That never gets old!

Centripetal Force

Mark Batterson blew me away with this post. My mind has been racing ever since I read it. You've gotta check it out.

Centripetal Force – Mark Batterson

Absolutely spot on.

Breaking the Bondage of Debt

You do NOT want to miss church this Sunday! Yeah, I know I say that all the time. And I MEAN IT all the time.

Are you in debt? Do you have a car payment? Student loan? Credit card debt? Then you need to drive, walk, or hitchhike to ACC this weekend. Seriously…do whatever you have to do to get there.

You will experience week#2 of our series called "Life. Money. Hope. featuring Dave Ramsey." When you're talking about debt, you are in Dave's wheelhouse.

My family is currently doing the Dave Ramsey debt snowball and let me tell you…it is awesome! We are on our way to being debt free. We're making a lot of sacrifices, but it is totally worth it. Debt is a cruel master, and I'm done wearing the chains.

How about you?

Tennessee!

My family is heading to the home of Black Bears, pancake houses, Dr. Enuf, and Al Gore.

For the uninitiated, that would be Tennessee!

We're going to enjoy a family vacation in Gatlinburg. But never fear, blog fans!

During my vacation, there will be a new post every weekday on my blog (plus a weekend post or two). These posts are already written. I'm not blogging on my vacation. In fact, I don't even want to see a computer during my time off.

One note…comments have been disabled until I return to work.

Hope you enjoy the posts. Catch ya later!

Don Thomas

ACC, we have lost a good friend, pastor, and leader.

Don Thomas passed away earlier this week. Don was a former pastor of our church.  We owe him a debt of gratitude.  He led our church through some pretty tough times.

In later years, Don ministered to grieving families through his work at E.C. Nurre Funeral Home.

I only met Don a couple of times, but those who knew him well have shared a lot of stories with me.  Heaven will be more crowded because of Don Thomas.  Join me in honoring this man of God.

Funeral arrangements: all services will be held at Lockland Chrisitian Church this Friday, June 12. Visitation from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.  Funeral service at 12:00 pm.

Random Thankfulness

A few things I'm grateful for…

1. Staff meetings where laughter and fun are the norm
2. My vacation begins tomorrow!!!
3. Throwbacks (of the Pepsi and Mt. Dew variety)
4. Pandora
5. Ministry volunteers who knock it out of the park every week
6. Dave Ramsey
7. My upcoming anniversary getaway with my bride
8. God's grace is way bigger than we can imagine
9. Should get to see my Virginia family again in a few weeks
10. I'll be eating breakfast at The Old Mill in a couple of days
11. There will be no allergies in heaven
12. Ryan's recent summation of our family: "Daddy, we have a great family." Yes we do.
13. George Strait now has 33 platinum albums.  Third all time, only trailing behind Elvis and the Beatles. Choke on that, you non-country people!
14. Hearing Brock say, "Yeah!" (I know that doesn't make sense if you've never heard it.)
15. God's church is unstoppable.  Jesus said so Himself.  (Matthew 16:18)
16. My new niece, Mara
17. Leaders who get it
18. The people who constantly pray for me
19. A God who never gives up on me, even though I've given up on Him countless times