Dec 24 2009
Merry Christmas to all!
And you will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at His birth. Luke 1:14
We pray you have an amazing and blessed Christmas time; celebrating the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, allowing Jesus to bring you and your family “joy and gladness” in this Christmas season!
Merry Christmas and love today and in the New Year!
Greg, Kryssy and Jackson
Dec 08 2009
About a month ago, I bought some Old Spice Aftershave. I needed to feel the burn! It had been a very long time since I have had any. Years and years in fact. When I bought it, Kryssy was not too terribly keen on the idea. She said I’d smell like her dad (no offense Wayne, I think you smell good, ahem!) But I bought it.
This morning after shaving, I put some on and “bam!” Yes, the good old burn. Made me feel a bit more like a man. Isn’t that funny? But, this post is not about the masculine journey as much as love.
A memory came back to me. I was instantly transporter back to my father’s arms when I was a child. Remembering the way he hugged me. It was an awesome, emotional and humbling experience. I had forgotten the way it felt. How safe and how good! I just dwelt there for a few minutes. Then Jackson burst through the door and saw me weepy. He said, “Are you ok Dada?” I got to scoop him up and hug him close! Jack patted me on the back and said, “It’s ok Dada!”
Thanks dad! I miss you and love you more than ever! I praise God for engerneering that experience!
Oct 06 2009
Below is a message recorded by Pastor/Missionary and NWA Friend, Manolo Lozada from Nicaragua. He was recently in Shelby visiting for a week raising support for his mission in Nicaragua. He is always such a blessing and an encouragement. Take a look at his video:
Sep 25 2009
Would you be willing to support:
IF YOU WOULD THEN READ ON!
Greg is currently working for and employed by a ministry called New Wilderness Adventures as a missionary.
Through NWA Greg and Kryssy have had the opportunity to go on the international and home mission field to disciple, train pastors, mentor young men and women, and lead families of all ages into serving God through missions. Greg has also had the opportunity to go into 2 Texas Prisons where NWA gets to lead services for over 400 men and women. Two units; Beto Unit in Tennessee Colony and Hobby Women’s Unit in Marlin. Barry Strickland, our missionary in Dallas TX has the privilege of going weekly. Greg also leads NWA’s Guide Network initiative where we are training Guides. Through this, Greg daily walks with men who want to disciple and mentor other men. In essence, Greg gets to mentor the mentors. Moreover, Greg daily walks with men going through sexual addictions. Daily counseling and leading them in the restoration through Christ’s work of healing. Lastly, Greg and Kryssy walks with men, women and their families; simply being their for them in the “fox holes of life,” day by day!
NWA exists to build the family by introducing men to Christ, the ultimate man, and to introduce them to a life of adventure as His followers. NWA believes that God intends men to be strong and noble. We seek to reach men in all walks of life through adventure, marketplace ministry, discipleship, and counseling.
Here’s what Mark Folk, founder and director of NWA says: “I am passionate about inspiring men toward a lifestyle of ongoing transformational intimacy with Christ, so that they might fulfill- both in life and personal ministry- all that God intends for them as His image bearers.”
We have already sponsored ourselves and are participating as Golfers in this event. All we need you to do is to sponsor (Greg or Kryssy) with either a pledge to be paid after the event, or you can sponsor one of us with a secure on-line gift by clicking on the “yes” link below.
We will be golfing 18 holes and need sponsors for each hole at the level of your choosing. We are hoping for $100.00 per hole but please feel free to give whatever you feel God telling you to. We have sponsored ourselves for hole #1 at that level, and are asking you to sponsor one of us for one of the remaining 17 holes. All gifts are appreciated! Last year, some folks gave a few dollars a hole and we had a few that were able to give $500 or more on pledges. Once again, all gifts are so appreciated.
We really are thankful for your willingness to stand with us in our passionate support and investment in the ministry of New Wilderness Adventures. 
Please respond by clicking on the YES link below. Your gift is tax deductible. You will receive a receipt for that purpose as well as a “Thank-You” note and report from me on how the day went.
So, can you help us with the rescue and discipleship of men and their families by sponsoring one of us in this golf tournament?
It is NWA’s ONLY MAJOR FUNDRAISER FOR 2009!
Thank you so much, this really means a lot to US!
WITH LOVE, Greg & Kryssy Sailors
PS.. corporate sponsorships are also available. A corporate sponsor will have their name on a hole, in the paper and on the T-Shirt! For more information on that, email me.
Click here to learn more about New Wilderness Adventures
Put in Greg or Kryssy’s name on who you are sponsoring or you can email us and we will manually log you in at:
Greg: greg@newwildernessadventures.com
or
Kryssy: kryssy@newwildernessadventures.com
and lastly, you can give directly by making a check out to:
New Wilderness Adventures (memo Greg or Kryssy) and send to:
1050 Sam Lattimore Road
Shelby, NC 28152
Sep 09 2009
The other day was really tough for Jackson and us as parents. He found out he was going to be a big brother. He was at Child Watch at our local YMCA and a kid their wouldn’t share with him. This really hurt his feelings since we have been very animate about him sharing with his friends. On top of all the changes we’ve been going through lately with the new house, living somewhere different etc…
All this, and the fact that he is 3 and is testing his limits, caused him to act up and have some bad behavior. It was a tough day all around. Lots of different punishment and understanding on our part to try to help and love him through the day.
Well after Jackson went to bed, Kryssy and I discussed the day. Things we did right and things could have done better, areas we were wrong in, and our general desires for our Children etc…. It was a very emotional time and in a few short moments we hear Jackson. He is awake..
YES! We both really wanted to love on him and hold him. It was like a competition to get to him, a wild race to see who could rescue him from his pooped diaper or whatever the issue was. The discussion was done. It was time for love!
Then God really spoke to me. I felt Him say: “See, this is how I feel about you! I want you to want me, so I can rescue you!”
I thought about the prodigal son (not that Jackson is that…may it never be) but about the Father in the story running to him and killing the fatted cow, putting the kingly robe on him and giving him his ring all in celebration of his return.
God loves us and desires to be with us. To run to us. To rescue us. Is it too late? Have you went to far? No. Not at all. Christ Love can take care of everything. Let God run to you! I’d like to tell you how. greg@newwildernessadventures.com
May 06 2009
Men are meant to endure. They are designed to. God made them that way. It is in their DNA. And yes, it is true.
The definition for Endure is: Lasting; continuing; durable. However, I would bet that most of society would disagree with that definition. I would disagree as well. Much of what we see in men is not endurance. It is more like weakening and withering.
I want to be a man of endurance. James 1:12 says: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Think about the stories of men in the Bible who endured tremendous things:
Jesus of course comes to mind first.. what amazing endurance and persevering..
Think about Moses and all he had to endure with leading the Israelites out of the bondage of Egypt
What about the disciples. Wow, they stayed true under incredible odds.
And then think about Job.. my goodness, really. Everything was taken from him, from health to wealth. His wife said to curse God and die.. he didn’t. He endured. He came through.
There are so many stories about the endurance and the quality of men. But this is not just a Biblical experience but I know many men who have endured. Who have let the trials and difficulties of life break over them like water over a rock. I count myself as one of those men.
Take a look at this video:
OK, so that is pretty funny. It shows the “poser” in a man as well as hyperbole of a man enduring.
Friends, men are “meant” to endure. It doesn’t mean that they always do. But it is in their DNA and NWA is helping men to endure. Doing what is right, what is holy and what is good in God’s eyes. God did and we are designed in His image. You are brother! You can do it. Endure but only with God’s grace and help and by walking with men of strength.
Mar 19 2009
I love being a parent. It is an amazing responsibility. Jackson is an amazing boy and we are excited to have other
children in the future. I was in the NWA office the other day and Jamie sneezed. My first reaction was to grab a tissue and wipe his nose. I started to laugh. It was so dang funny. So, I thought I would ask a question?
That question being: “You know you are a parent when:”
100. Someone sneezes in the room (not your child) and you first reaction is to wipe up the projectile.
99. You blurt out “Wonder Pets, Wonder Pets, were on our way”
98. You know what I’m talking about in #99
97. You’d rather go to the park with your son than go to the pub with the boys
96. You’ve watched more noggin than any other network
95. You lay in bed at night rehashing the funny things they did
94. You undress the baby outside and spray him down with a hose
93. You hear a song like the theme to Blues Clues and you sing along (from Bobbie H)
92. Your reaction to the contents of a diaper is ‘way to go buddy!’ (from Rob L)
91. The words you say to your child are words that only THEY can understand - but to everyone else it makes no sense. (from Rob L)
90. When every activity is put to a song. (from Elise L)
89. When you are in the grocery store and all you hear is “mommy can I get this” and you end up saying no to someone else’s child. (from Sherri S)
88. When you are talking to your friends, WITHOUT YOUR CHILD AROUND, and say things like, “Mommy needs to go potty.” Will I always refer to myself in the 3rd person now?!?! (from Jenny D)
87. When the options are “time out” or “no Wonder Pets”
86. You love snuggle time more than potato chips
85. Your status message on facebook is about your kids more than anything else
84. You are in the grocery store and ask yourself, “would he eat this if it had ketchup on it?”
83. You call all meats “pork” because it’s the only way he will eat it
82. You remind him to say “no thank you” after he says no for no reason
81. You change the channel because of the contents are objectionable
80. Your leisure reading is What to Expect the Toddler Years
79. You always check to see if the “Bot” is with you before you leave on a trip
78. You pray that he will take a nap so you can take a nap
77. You are out of milk and want cereal so you are weighing the options between breast milk and formula
76. There are mountains of laundry
75. When the song stuck in your head is a noggin tune. (from Maureen W)
74. Your days of sleeping in are history. (from Maureen W)
73. You can’t leave the house without a sippy cup of juice and snacks. (from Maureen W)
72. You find yourself in the baby section in each store you enter. (from Maureen W)
71. Your idea of fun is going to the park or play date. (from Maureen W)
70. Parties don’t include alcohol anymore. (from Maureen W)
69. All your shirts have stains on them. (from Maureen W)
68. You trip over toys in the living room. (from Maureen W)
67. The books you are reading aren’t novels, but board books. (from Maureen W)
66. The tub is full of toys. (from Maureen W)
65. It takes forever to get out of the house and you’ll still forget something. (from Maureen W)
64. Your exhausted all the time, but still have energy to dance and play. (from Maureen W)
63. Whenever you hear the lid of the trash can swinging, you get up from whatever you’re doing to “rescue” whatever might have been thrown away. (from Melinda W)
62. You’re not at all surprised to come home and find that every pair of shoes your child owns (and even some of yours) has been lined up to form a train. (from Melinda W)
61. You know you are a parent when most of your dinner consists of leftovers from another person’s plate. (The good news is it’s already been cut up into convenient bite-size pieces!) (from Kara H)
60. You realize you must have eaten because there is nothing left on your plate. (from Sherri S)
59. When looking good in public is redefined as, No snot or spit up visible on the front of your clothing. (from Chris R)
58. You answer to any kid who yells “Mommy” or “Daddy” from the next aisle in Wal-Mart, even though your kids are right there with you. (from Kara H)
57. You begin to wonder if you shouldn’t get a plate of food because you are going to “clean up” what’s left on the kid’s plate
56. When you are up late praying for them to feel better and wishing you were sick rather than them
55. When, even though you are exhausted, you play “chase me da da” one more time
54. You begin shopping for Tar-Heel clothes in 3T
53. You drive 10 miles out of the way so they will not see McDonalds
52. You start to wish you had “light up” shoes too
51. When there are more people in your bed when you wake up than when you went to bed! (from Jill O)
50. You wonder if you will change diapers the rest of your life
49. You begin to diet and eat healthy because you want to be around to see their children
48. When you wake up more tired than you were went you went to sleep
47. You know when you’re a parent (especially of young kids) when you are out without the kids and smile at a loud child and their family because it’s actually not your kids making a scene this time! hahaha. sweet:-) (from Elizabeth G)
46. It hits you that you are responsible for a life
45. When you begin high levels of negotiations over the amount of vegetables one has to eat before dessert
44. You can’t wait until the kids go to bed so you can relax and get some “me time” only to find yourself talking about said kids
43. When you are on the phone and you begin a conversation with, “Well He is ok, but you want believe this…” and the person on the other end responds with “Honey my child was doing that when he was 3.”
42. When you are on the phone and you end the conversation abruptly with … “oh I gotta go… #%$@#^%$^”
41. When you open an account for the college fund
40. You you begin thinking if they make adult sized Wonder Pets clothes
39. When you can look at someone else’s child and automatically know their age within 6 months (from Becca H)
38. When you give your adult friends the “mommy look” and they respond. (from Becca H)
37. When you sit down at the computer one morning to find letters scratched into the screen and then suddenly, stepping barefoot on a thumbtack at 3am when your precious angel has asked for a drink of water makes perfect sense! (true story) (from Becca H)
36. When you have more kids then food (from Pam H)
35. When throw your hat in the air and say “Hot ole Mater!” (Thanks Dad)
34. You are aware of an impending poop due to the way your child looks at you
33. You begin to sacrifice material things that you want so you can give more to your child
32. Your daily reading includes: Bear Snores On, The Small, Small Pond, The Tall Tall Grass, Lion Can Share, and One Frog Sang although the boy is not around
31. You have all of #32 books memorized
30. When you say you wish you had a dollar for every time you’ve said “you wish you had a dollar for something”
29. You continue to watch noggin although the baby has left the room because you HAVE to see how it ends
28. You make silly videos just for fun
27. You think, “Does she have worms? How much milk could she possibly need?” (from Maureen W)
26. You’ve forgotten what sleep was
25. When the boy’s walls are full of trophy boogers
24. When you are so tired that it doesn’t matter what the question is. The answer is “YES.”
23. When you have the “look” and exact that “look” and a sudden hush falls over the brood of children you are around although they are not yours
22. You really enjoy playing WowWow Wubbz games on NickJr.com
21. You play old Duke vs. Carolina games where Carolina wins (as they normally do) at night so the boy will be a Carolina Fan, so you will not have to disown him if he were to go to the Dark Side. (or is that a, “You Know You Are a Carolina Fan When:”)
20. You cut your son’s stuffed animal’s hair to convince him that it is ok to cut his hair
19. You say multiple times “don’t make me come back there!”
18. You regret using threats with your children because now you have to make good on those threats and take the toy away that you enjoy the most
17. You get to play with toys again
16. When you have to wash the same shirt every night or the next day for that child will be a disaster
15. When you have to read the same Bible story (Jesus Loves the Little Children) every night or put him to bed in tears
14. You stay up well into the wee hours of the morning putting toys together for Christmas morning
13. You sleep with your children more thank with your wife (from Mark F)
12. When you feel a tug on you at night and your daughter asks “Daddy, can I sleep with you?” The question being made because she’s thrown up in her bed (from Mark F)
11. When you and your wife talk to each other in the language that only the baby understands
10. When it hits you, “I will never have a dull day left in my life”
9. When you have used a whole tank of gas in a day and have been to the grocery story, tennis, soccer, baseball, practice practice practice
8. When you make up games like,”Steamroller, Chase Me, and It’s the Pointer”
7. You’ve given more “Raspberries” than chewed gum
6. Your house looks like the toy department at Wal-Mart
5. When you don’t know what to say to them and trust God to come through with the words
4. When you wonder where “things” come from. Like the pile of sticks in your son’s room
3. When you’ve given him a bath for the 3rd time in a day
2. When you love sharing stories with other parents about your children
1. You know you are a parent when you make a list about knowing you are a parent.
This list was a lot of fun. Thank you all so much for participating. It’s awesome being parents. So thankful for the opportunity and thankful for my parents.
Do you have more to add? You Know You Are a Parent Whens? or maybe some stories about being a parent. Look forward to hearing from you.
Feb 16 2009
This past weekend, Kryssy and I were really blessed to have the opportunity to go to Bonclarken Conference Center in Flat Rock NC. It definitely was God’s blessing because they provided us a place to stay in their new Lodge as well as a meal. We really had a restful time. This was not something I had planned. I was out doing some scouting for a Marriage Conference for NWA and while talking with them on the phone, they invited us to stay as their guest. It was a cool and God sent invitation.
It was an Invitation to Life!
Christ says in John 10:10b that, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Go and search scripture, over and over we see an Invitation to Life. However, many people choose the opposite and many people think that Christianity is not about life, joy and happiness but a set of rules and regulations that will take life away and make things miserable. On the contrary.
This seems to be a constant conversation I am having with non-Christian friends. They will say to me, “Greg, how are you and Kryssy so happy?” With the assumption being that because we live off of little to nothing and that they assume that being “devout” means boredom and hellacious rules… Once again, on the contrary…
Kryssy and I are so happy because our hope is in the Lord and we believe contentedly in his promise that he “will never desert you (us), nor will I ever forsake you (us).” Hebrews 13:5 And he hasn’t!
Kryssy and I are extremely blessed and happy. Yes scripture has “rules” as one might say. But as I tell people that ask me about this, it’s not about the “rules” it is about the “relationship,” because when you know that God’s heart toward you is good; that he is not trying to squash you or throw lightning bolts at you, the “rules” are really not “rules” at all but rather like a highway map leading you to your destination. “Rules” are not guilt or condemnation but rather instructions for a happy and good life! Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Recently Kryssy and I started dieting. I have always hated dieting. It was like hell to me but I knew it was time. Back in the fall I weighed myself and I was up to 250lbs+. Wow.. I am only 5′10″. Which the book says I should weigh like 165lbs. (I’m shooting for 190lbs) 250lbs was too much and I had been feeling bad, sick and not good. No energy and depressed. I really felt like it was time to do something about it. So I turned it all over to God and asked for help. As Christ helped me through the pornography addiction I had many years ago, I felt Christ say, “take my hand and we will walk through this together.” It was an invitation. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
As I look over my 31 years of life, I see it full of different invitations. They come daily. Many are competing. Many bad invitations (especially competing for my heart and time in the morning) Some are good, some are great but I think God is in the business of inviting us into His Holy Best. That is what I desire for me and my family. His Holy Best!
The only way to experience His Holy Best is through relationship with Christ. To begin the journey of saying no to the invitations that will hurt you, take you away from God and saying yes to the invitations of life. Your heart matters to God. It needs to matter to you. Do something for your heart! Do it today. Walk with God into it.
I invite you to contact me about this invitation. I’d love to sit down and talk with you about it or talk on the phone and tell you about all the life, grace and love God has brought me into and all of the pain, hurt and distress he has brought me out of!
