It's Tiger Woods birthday. He must be worth $100 million and he's turning 30. It's LeBron James birthday and he is worth at least $100 million and he's turning 21. So, does that mean if your birthday is on December 30 you must have a lot of money? Well, I'm here as living proof that it does not mean that. Today is my birthday and after double checking my bank account, I officially do not have lots of money. But, I do have plenty. I have an incredible family that God has blessed me with, good friends and pretty decent health (OK, the arthritis in my back is making me feel a year older). I don't know how Tiger and LeBron feel today but I am feeling very content. I can wish that I had a little more money and less debt, a little bigger house and a newer car, a 4 wheeler, a vacation home...oh, I could go on and on. Yet I look at the world and I see people on the news watching their children starve, living without a house, without food, without medical care or knowing that a bomb or gunfire could very well take their life at any moment. I have so much and I know all that I have means nothing.

I also see people who don't know God, who don't believe in Heaven and Hell, who think we just come back as something else or believe we just die and that's it. I see people who believe in a different God, who don't understand or believe the price that has been paid for our salvation. I am praying today for these people. I hope they will open their hearts to God.

Today is my birthday and I know I have more than I need in earthly goods. I am blessed with what I have. Yet none of that is really important when I reflect on all that I have through Christ. I have so much more than I deserve. I surely haven't earned His grace but I receive it freely.

I'm a year older and for the first time actually feeling a year older. Even though I may hurt a little more and move a little slower, I'm alright because I am content with all I have and I am overwhelmed by the gift God has given me.

As the end of the year approaches, I often think about the good and bad things that happened during the year. Too often, I glance over the good things instead of savoring them and think more about the bad. Then the questions flood in of why and how did it happen and what should I have done.
I want to try and be different this year. I want to savor the good moments. I want to think about them, remember how and why they happened and see if I can duplicate or improve on them. I want to enjoy the happiness and smiles the memories bring back. I will also spend a little time on the not-so-good things and spend time in prayer. I will ask God to help me improve, to learn from my mistakes, to move on and not linger on them and, I will ask God to help me eyes fixed on Heaven, not on the past.
As my children grow and they wrestle with their insecurities, I see now more than ever the need to focus on the future, to put my trust in what can happen and not what did happen. I will look try to remember the lessons of the past while looking forward.
It's nothing new. Our God is like that. His Word reminds of mistakes of the past but His eyes are on our future. He makes us new everyday. He forgives the past and throws it away prompting us to only think of Heaven, to focus on the life we can have because of His son.
That's my goal for 2006, to look to the future, to look to Heaven, to focus on the gift I have through Jesus.

I have a tradition of watching a basketball tournament after Christmas each year. Since 1988, I have been attending this 3 day tournament, sometimes all day for 3 days and other times I've only seen a few games. Yesterday, I watched games from 11:30 until 9:00 with my son. The tournament was recently ranked by Sports Illustrated as one of the top 5 Christmas tournaments in the country so I get to see some good (and not so good) basketball being played. This year, for the first time since I've been going, Robert Hughes wasn't coaching the Dunbar Wildcats, wasn't scowling at bad pass or stomping his foot at a bad foul. Robert Hughes retired last year as the winningest high school basketball coach in history so I was able to watch quite a bit of history being made of the past several years. I've seen his teams defeat the #1 team in the nation a few years ago and I've seen eventual state champions and one NBA player from his team. It's been a fun time but it has come to an end, at least with Robert Hughes, Sr. coaching. Now, Robert Hughes, Jr. has taken over. What a role to play. What shoes to fill. I hope Junior does well though it isn't likely to see him do as well as his father. Still, I hope he is successful and his Flying Wildcats are just as entertaining as ever.

I have read and watched the news surrounding the death of Tony Dungy's son over the last couple of days and cannot imagine the pain he and his family feel. Dungy is the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. They lost their first game of the year last week and up until that time had been one of the top sports stories. The Colts are still a favorite to go to the Super Bowl but I don't think that is what is foremost in Dungy's mind today. I don't think the team and their goal of winning the big game is really very important to him today. Based on some of the player's comments, I don't think it is real important to them either. They all have been hit with a dose of harsh reality at a very family-oriented time of year.
One comment everyone makes about Dungy is his faith and most of the people I heard speaking about him mentioned the most important things in his life were God and his family. Everyone I heard mentioned either God or his "faith" first. I know Dungy and his wife and family will have hurt that few of us know but I am confident he will come through this because of his relationship with God. His relationship with God must be strong and evident to hear what all the people say about him.
I cannot and hope I will not ever know their pain but I ask you to join me in a prayer for the Dungy family and others who are spending this Christmas without a child or without a loved one. I also will pray that the faith people speak of seeing in Tony Dungy will remain foremost in his life and that it will have a profound impact on the people he touches, that they will see God in him and want to know God better. It is the only good I can imagine coming from such a tragedy.
While we pray, let's thank God for the blessings we have in our life. I have so many that I so often overlook and take for granted. God is good. God is merciful. God is abundant in His love and faithfulness. There is too much hurt in the world but God, through His son, provides something so much more magnificent outside this world. I want to hold on to my family, I want to wrap them in my arms and squeeze them tight and let them know I love them. I don't want to lose them. But more than all, I want to know God. I want to be with Him and walk the streets of gold.
Merry Christmas to all!

I am blessed. I don't understand why, but I am. Our Wednesday night class has been an awesome study on the life of David. It's been great because I see a man who wanted to do what was right even as he stumbled over Satan. I would never compare myself to David other than to say I really want to do what is right but too often find myself stumbling over Satan. A harsh word, a mean thought, a hard heart. Yet, through David's life, I see that God continually looks for the good in me. He sees my heart in better view than He sees my faults. Oh, if we humans were only like that. We can see the fault in others even while the beam is perched in our eye. God sees the heart. He sees the hurt and the pain I cause when I don't follow His will. He sees the regret of things done wrong and He forgives. He even wipes the slate clean for me to start over. I am thankful I know God. I am thankful for faithful parents. I am thankful for a faithful wife. I am thankful for children who believe. I'm thankful for a boss, for friends, for family that want to glorify God. I am so thankful for a Savior who would die for me.
I am blessed. I don't understand why, but I know that I am.

Ho ho ho. It's almost time to eat like there's no tomorrow and open presents like a weedeater going through grass. The buildup is coming, the stress of getting it all done is growing and then it will be over. Just like a snap of your fingers, the tree and lights come down, the weight gain becomes the focus and we grumble into the new year talking about how fast the last one went.

OK, I'll admit I don't share the same feelings about Christmas spirit as others do. I don't like the crowds and don't enjoy the stress of making sure we have presents for everyone, cards to send, parties to attend and on and on.

I think what wears on me the most is how commercialized the season has become. I don't think stores should be open on Thanksgiving Day. I don't think Christmas decorations should be up before Thanksgiving. I don't think the lights should come down until New Years Day. I think all the world should think like me. :)

What I do think about is that a number of people consider Christ this time of year. Easter and Christmas, right? He's not the reason for the season anymore and I know we don't know His birthday. To me, that's no big deal because He is noticed. He is recognized. He is considered. I hope we can take the moment and help people see it all year, no, for the rest of their life.

Christmas does represent a gift to me. It's a gift I celebrate all year long and it's a better gift than anything I will open this year. It's the gift of Jesus. The example. The sacrifice. I thank God for such a precious gift.

It's been a good weekend. Friday night at Joe T. Garcia's with my wife always makes for a GREAT evening. Taking my son to a high school championship game with sideline passes and walking down the tunnel at Texas Stadium was a blast. Meeting the girls in Ft. Worth for dinner at Angelo's was awesome. Donny had a great class at church, Rick delivered another awesome message from the Sermon on the Mount and an awesome meeting with the Elders to discuss our mission work in Aracaju wrapped up my Sunday. It's been a good weekend. A blessed weekend.

I'm battling the new computer syndrome. Excited about a newer, faster, better machine. Going crazy trying to get all my stuff where it was and learning some updated software. It's more frustrating than fun today but eventually I'll have a greater appreciation for the increased performance and enhancements.

It's the same problem we deal with daily. We want things to work the way we want them to work NOW! I don't want to wait, I want it NOW! I want a microwave response with a gourmet taste. It just doesn't happen though.

Heaven is a ways off. I don't know whether it's 30 minutes or 30 years away but nevertheless, it's in the future. God's answer to my prayers are in the future. I don't know whether it will be 5 seconds, 5 months, 5 years before I get an answer but it's coming. Knowing all this, I still want it NOW!

God doesn't operate on microwave time. It's up to me whether I want to grab hold of the quickest answer I can find or wait for the best answer I could receive.

Last night was a great night. I got to witness a baptism, a new birth. It was a moving moment because it was a friend and someone I didn't think would make such a decision just a few years ago. People have been planting the seed within her for years and last night, God increased His kingdom. What a wonderful, wonderful moment.

Today, I have been labeled as a bigot and someone who spreads hate instead of love. I was also labeled a Baptist which made me laugh. I visit another blog, a more liberal blog written by an attorney in Decatur. He throws out volatile issues, usually of the liberal nature, and watches the vultures attack. Yesterday, he brought up Brokeback Mountain, the movie about two gay cowboys. I responded saying I wouldn't see the movie because I don't agree with the lifestyle and wouldn't condone it by paying to see the movie. I was hammered by some who admitted to being gay and some who feel they have a more enlightened view than me. I'm confident I said nothing derogatory about people but about the action yet they called me names while saying I should be more open-minded like them. They called me names and said I shouldn't be so judgemental, they called me names even while saying that judging others is sinful. I've come to have a great disdain for the word "tolerance" because it so often seems the most intolerant people are those that shout for tolerance the loudest.

I pray God sheds His love and His mercy on each one of us today and that He imparts more understanding and wisdom of His will to all of us. Have a great day.

Do you ever have a day that doesn't start out quite right? Today was one of those days for my daughter and me. We got cross-ways and it wasn't pretty. My son disappeared (ducking for cover!) and my wife stepped in to play peacemaker. I absolutely hate the way things went this morning. I want a do-over. I want my little girl to change the way she acted and I certainly want the opportunity to change my response. I've apologized to my daughter, son and wife and I still feel miserable about it. I want a do-over but I won't get one. I'm stuck with the memory of this morning.
The good news: I believe they will forgive me and move on. I can't change today but I believe I'll have the opportunity to start fresh tomorrow and today will only be a lesson of how to change behavior and actions.
Our preacher, on Sunday, spoke of a lady who had forgiven her husband and "refused to dwell" on his actions. How thankful are we when those around us take the same attitude?
Even greater, I have a Lord and Savior who not only refuses to dwell on my mistakes when I ask His forgiveness but He washes me clean with His blood. HALLELUJAH! He will make me clean again, He will purify me and let me once again walk on the path to Heaven.
I'm thankful when my family will forgive me. The people we live with are often the ones we cause the most hurt. It is only greater that I also have a God who forgives me, who sheds His grace on me and lifts me up. I have so much to be thankful for.

I read an interesting article today about a small, tight-knit community that has spent time and resources in redeveloping their neighborhood. They have grown to know each other and help each other in many different ways. From neighborhood get-togethers to making food after an illness or death. They have become a community of friends.
Do you know your neighbors? Growing up, I knew everyone on our street. Today, I know just a few of the families. I think it's a common thing today to be too busy or too comfortable to be able to know your neighbors and develop community in a small setting.
As I read this story, I thought about the community I am a part of, where I do know many of my neighbors and where we all come together to help each other. My church family is a community that I draw strength from and lean on, where I enjoy the camaradarie of others and also share a common purpose.
I'm thankful for the body of people I meet with, worship with, laugh with and cry with in Decatur. I thank God for these people and pray that as we grow together, we will strengthen each other, support each other and love each other while glorifying Him in all of our actions.

There's still a chill in the air. At this moment, the weather station at Decatur HS is reporting a temperature of 10.5 degrees and a wind chill of -6.8 degrees. Yes, that's a NEGATIVE wind chill. I love cold weather and can't wait for it to get here each year but the wind can make it miserable quickly. I'm watching Channel 8 and seeing shots of all the semis and passenger vehicles in some state of distress and glad I live close by to where I have to be.

These bad driving days always remind me of working for a CPA firm in Ft. Worth. When it was like this, very few of the staff would show up. Being one of the newer people and working from the "bullpen", I would often be the only one or one of two to show up. I would leave the house an hour late and would go home a couple of hours early but I was there when the managers or partners who came in needed something and called. It got me some deposits in the emotional bank accounts of those people.

Be careful today if you are out. If you aren't, enjoy the down time and use it to recharge. Have a warm day!

I'm headed to Ft. Worth today for a doctor's appointment, a meeting and some errands. The girls in the office (extreme alarmists) are already talking about the sleet and bad roads just south of here. They are planning their escape to get home ahead of this weather event.

EDIT FROM ORIGINAL POST: After first writing this, I'm learning that the roads are quite a bit worse than the reports I heard earlier today.

I know many people who look at this type weather with icy roads and think nothing of it driving along as if there is not a problem in the world. Others, like those in my office, act as if the world will stop spinning on it's axis. Then, there are the folks in the middle, giving due respect to the weather and the consequences it can produce but not about to go into "shut-down mode" as if they are paralyzed from fear of what could be.

Do you know people like this? Do you see similar situations in your work? your life? your church? Do you know which one you are? It's a rhetorical question.

Wahoo. It's Tuesday! I feel like I'm in a blog rut.

I was starting to write about my so-called friends who abuse me on blogs but decided that wasn't the right thing to do. We all have our faults and they have more than me so why discuss it here, right?

Icy roads tomorrow? Wasn't it 75 last weekend? This weather is just playing havoc with my wardrobe.

For those of you who think it takes too much time to do a blog, this one is dedicated to you. If you think this takes much time, you have lost your mind.

Kelly's new puppy is truly eating us out of house and home. First, she gobbled up the window screens and now the faucet covers. I'm contemplating buying new covers and lacing them with tobasco to see how she feels about that. Tobasco used to remind me of pledging (and still does at times) but more often it reminds me of a strange woman I met at Cooks Hospital when Kory was sick once.

OK, so this did take me about 6 hours to complete. It just doesn't make sense does it?

Wahoo, it's Friday! There's a guy coming to the office today that I like on a personal level but who has made some bad choices in his business life with how he treats people. He continually overpromises and seldom delivers yet he never sees it as his mistake and does a good job of laying blame at someone else's feet. In the last few months, he has been fired by 3 or 4 different companies that he has either been an employee of or represented in business dealings. He tells everyone all he can do, he asks for his money up-front and then never fufills his promise and it's never his fault. I bet you know someone like that. It's frustrating because I do like him, he's a nice guy and he really has a good heart - until he steps into the work arena and then it's like someone else takes over.
Many people have shut him out but he still calls me because I guess I'm too nice to say no. I'll continue to treat him as if it's the nice guy here and hope one day he will change his ways. We've talked about it in the past and he still doesn't see it, doesn't believe he's at fault.
I suppose I have my weaknesses too. Yeah, it's hard to believe isn't it? HA HA. OK, I don't need anyone listing them out for me. Back to what I was saying, I have my weaknesses and I sure hope people see in me the good and not the bad. I hope people will treat me kindly even when I may not be the person they want to be around at the moment. I know God treats me that way.
I want to have a heart like God. Oh yes, I'm a long, long, long way from being like God but I still want to try. God, grant me a heart that is open like yours, a heart that is merciful like yours, a heart that is ever loving like yours.

Josh and I went to see the mighty Boyd Yellowjackets take on the Bridgeport Bulls in basketball last night. It was a good game and I was a little surprised to see Boyd come out on top. They've got some good shooters but make too many ball-handling mistakes. Still, the season is early and there is time for improvement. Bridgeport came in with taller players who jumped better but they seemed out of sync all night. Their fans were upset and shouted at the refs, the players and the scorekeeper. That's the funny part, the scorekeeper is Phillip Ritchey and if you know Phillip, he's a pretty big guy. They yelled at him about the possession arrow, they yelled at him about putting fouls on the scoreboard and they used a 4 letter word at one point during their frustration. Phillip turns around to me at one point and says something to the effect of "these people make it hard to keep your Christianity sometimes." Now, he said it somewhat jokingly but he was right. I was listening to this ranting and raving and I was wanting to turn around and tell them #$*@(@_)!*#*^%&@()@_)#*&%.

It is hard at times to maintain the good thoughts we need to maintain when we see people around us acting so bad. It's hard when you hear about someone shooting a police officer to think of them as a child of God. I am faced with situations every day that test what I think and what I do. Too often, I don't pass the test but I'm thankful God keeps wiping the slate clean and letting me start over. And I'm thankful that even though I fail too many of my tests, they really aren't hard tests like David or Paul or many other Bible characters endured.

May God grant you and me the ability to stand up to temptations, to defeat the devil's tricks and to give us victory with Him.

Thanksgiving was good to me. Turkey and dressing and peach cobbler at the Beard's on Thursday, then fried chicken, black-eyed peas, hot water cornbread and lemon icebox pie at the Jones' on Friday. Life is good. What was amazing at both places was the amount of food still on the table when we were finished stuffing ourselves (well, I was stuffing myself and not paying much attention to other's eating habits). I am always surprised when I can eat so much good food that I love and there is still enough of it sitting before me that it would feed twice as many people.

I was driving home last night fighting the wind gusts and the back pain and thinking about all that food and saw a billboard for some church that had an image of Jesus and wording that said something to the effect of finding peace through Jesus. That shifted my focus a little and I started to think how God loves us, how He sheds His mercy on us and realized I had a visual of that idea looking at the table. No matter how much we absorb His love and take His mercy, there is always more, enough to cover us everyday and to cover so many others.

Thanksgiving is a time of food and fellowship but also a time to be thankful to our Father, the giver and provider of more than we can ever hope for.

UPDATE:
I realize now I was a bit abbreviated in my last blog as to what was going on. I've been suffering from some increasingly bad back pain and finally decided it wasn't going away and I should seek some medical attention before I couldn't stand up. Anyway, I was sent to the Baylor-All Saints Imaging Center today and only had some x-rays done. I wasn't sure if it would be an MRI or what but it turned out to be fairly benign except for having to wear that stupid gown. At any rate, it will take up to 48 hours for the x-rays to get to the doctor and get a response.

Thanks for the comments and prayers.

I don't like going to the doctor very much. I don't like going for X-rays or whatever else it is I have to go get today either. It gives me the feeling something is wrong and I don't care much to feel that way. The pain makes it obvious but I can live with the pain thinking it will go away and everything will be OK.

Going to church is like that sometimes. I don't want to go because I'll see that something is wrong with me. I rather hope that the pain will go away. Our preacher preaches a sermon and I ask "how did he know that about me?" Teachers teach classes and I read scripture thinking "I'm not really like that person am I?"

I suppose all in all, it's good to get the diagnosis so the problem can be cured. We just have to decide whether to take the therapy recommended by the doctor. If we do, we'll feel better and be healthier.

I'm guessing my tests today will reveal that I need to get some therapy, maybe do specialized exercises, possbily take some medicine or (yuk) require something more involved. I don't know but I'll soon find out. I'm thankful that God's medicine usually includes a lot of love and a double meaure of grace. It makes me feel good. It tastes good going down and when I let the medicine work, I can feel the curative powers throughout my mind, my body and my soul.

Dennis and Rick, thank you so much for your help around the house. You are invaluable. Once you have mowed, pulled weeds out of the flowerbed, trimmed the trees by the road and washed all the windows, I'll be sure to give you a public praising. What would we do without you?

It is a beautiful day. The sun is out, the temperature is great (for me, at least) and I'm reflecting on how many good things I have in my life. Thanksgiving is coming and I always ask myself this time of year if I can mentally list all the things I'm thankful for. It's tough, it really is. I encourage you to try it, to really think about what you are thankful for. Think back into your past to today and think about what you believe the future holds.

I don't know how long it would take me to write that list down. I could start with things from years past like my purple bike or the great memories I have with David Cheek and bring myself to the present with the relatively good health that I have today and the hope for a cure for diabetes tomorrow, my parents, my family and on and on. You've got 6 days to Thanksgiving - start making your mental list today.

I have so much to be thankful for that it is almost funny when I start to think about the "bad" things in my life. I am blessed beyond imagination. I trust that God is giving me all that I need and all that He needs for me to have. Most of all, I'm thankful I have His mercy and the blood of His son to cover me. What more do I need?

My daughter emptied the dishwasher this morning. Without anyone asking her to. And she was smiling. Prepare for an earthquake!

Isn't it a joy when someone does something unexpected for you? I wish I was better at doing that. It may be a kind word or some small action or just a smile and a pat on the back. It may be a backrub or an empty dishwasher or the dirty clothes picked up off the floor. It may even be time spent with someone in your presence, even in complete silence. What a joy we have from people when they do the littlest of things for us. I came home last night and noticed the bathroom rugs had been washed and the room cleaned. (Kelly, if you are out there, THANK YOU! I forget to tell you far too often.) It made me feel good.

Little things like that are emotional deposits made in our "account" by someone. Eventually, they will need to withdraw on some of those deposits but if they've made enough deposits, they will not be overdrawn with us. I think I make far too few deposits and too many withdrawals with people. I do that with God too. I make more withdrawals for His love and mercy than deposits doing what I should. With people, eventually we are bankrupt. With God, He keeps giving us what we need. We are never bankrupt in His eyes.

To those of you who respond to my blog (OK, that's Rick and Dennis), have you ever tried to make words out of the letters you have to enter in to post? Some of them can be quite funny.

I always listen to ESPN radio in the truck and driving to work today they were talking about Rick's old friend, Terrell Owens, and how he should be treated. One analogy they made was of someone wanting the best surgeon they could get and didn't care if he was a murdering, drug dealer who dressed up like a woman in his personal life as long as he was the best surgeon. However, if he spoke bad to his nurses and made the workplace (operating room) a bad environment, they wouldn't want his operating on them.

They went on to say how the things TO has done is not bad compared to people selling crack, killing people and whatever else. What's worse?

What is this world coming to? Where is the good news? Where is there something to brighten our day? I'm blessed to have the answer. He is all I need.

Feeling bad isn't fun. I got a request today to send a friend an email to cheer them up. They are going through some rough times mentally and several people are going to email him and try to help encourage him. He's one of those guys that many would envy. He's got a good job and a good family and he's a really neat person so most people couldn't imagine he's down. He's a Christian and he knows what is most important in his life yet he's still struggling because of things going on around him. Sound familiar? I know it does for me. There are struggles I face and I just don't see the situation improving. I pray and feel like I'm waiting on God but I haven't seen the result I'm hoping for yet. After a while, it is easy to start feeling mentally and physically worn down. I know I have better days ahead of me, I know heaven waits for me yet I only see today.

I've found there is only one thing that beats the "blues" for me and that is to pray more and put all my faith in God. I don't know the timing of how he will help me, I don't know what he will do. It's quite possible that the issues I battle will remain issues for me and the obstacles will challenge me to be stronger in my faith. I don't know what God has planned but I know He has done more than anyone can or will to make my future brighter. I will continue to face things in life that can wear me down, I will continue to let people down, I will continue to let God down but He will remain faithful, He will uphold His promise to me.

People may not see the best in me and people may not see the worst in me. Either way, only God can make me whole. Only God can lift me up to where I truly want to be. Please dear God, help me keep my eyes and thoughts focused on you. Please remind me how much you love me and let me know that through anything I face, you remain true to me.

I hope my friend will find peace. I hope the emails he gets will remind him that people love him even when they aren't with him. More than that, I hope that he will stay focused on the love God has for him and that love, more than anything, will help him find peace. I hope the same for you.

It was disappointing to see Boyd lose last night. It was the first Yellowjacket game I've been to that they lost. Afterwards, I was down on the field watching some of the players struggle with their emotions, receiving hugs and for some, planning for next year while others knew this was their last game. One thing I did notice was something I've seen at almost every game I've been to but it never struck me until last night. Phillip Ritchey is a coach for Boyd and there are a group of girls he coached in Junior High that make their way to him and always give him a hug. Maybe they do that with all the coaches but it is obvious that Phillip has had a positive impact on their lives. It really hit me last night after one of the football players came over to Phillip and with tears in his eyes thanked Phillip for "coaching me and helping me."

It's great to watch people who have such a positive role in the lives and developments of others. I'm sure every coach and teacher can have a positive impact but I'm convinced that Christians who also coach and teach have an ever greater influence in helping shape the lives of young people. I appreciated seeing and understanding the responses that were coming to Phillip last night.

That's the lesson for me. I'm a Christian who is also a businessperson and I must remember that order to have a truly positive impact on someone's life. You may be a Christian who is also a roughneck or a Christian who is also a mom. Whatever your "job", you can be an force of good in people's lives because you are a Christian. I want to be a person who will and can do that for others. I appreciate the many, many examples of Christian living and Christian leadership I have around me and I pray that God will give me wisdom to use that role for His glory.

Hatred. It is a cancer that will tear a person up. Physically, emtionally...spriritually, hatred destroys people.
I was listening intermittently to a new show this morning talking about the recent bombings in Iraq. I believe one mentioned had a suicide bomber walking into a wedding killing people. Others have been in buses, shopping markets, restaurants and other places. Can you grasp the hatred these psychopathic (my own medical diagnosis) people have for others? I'm not sure I can but I know it is something horrible to convince them strapping a bomb to their bodies and killing randomly is a good idea. Hatred has killed them long before the bomb explodes.
I can't fathom it. In America, we are truly blessed. Yes, we have had instances of killing and bombing at abortion clinics, hate crimes committed again gays, blacks and others. We are not immune to it but thankfully it hasn't taken on the fanaticism it has in other parts of the world.
I pray that God will wipe out hatred. Even at it's smallest level of infection, it can eat people up. Just carrying the hatred, not acting on it, will tear us down and tear us away from God.
Lord, give me strength to remain righteous in your eyes.

In life, there are questions we wrestle with always desiring an answer yet never finding one. Here is one of those questions; when someone says something is "out of whack", what's a whack? Or, is it wack? Here's another; why is a "fat chance" and a "slim chance" the same thing?

Have a great day.

A shout-out to newsworthy. You know who you are. :)

Joshua has been elevated to the status of Waterboy for the Boyd Yellowjackets. Phillip Ritchey lets him come down on the sidelines and get bottles of Gatorade or water to the players. At a recent game, I noticed Joshua and a couple of the other kids were having a much better time laying on the bench, kicking a plastic bottle around and generally goofing off during part of the game. Afterwards, I explained to him that he was there to serve those players and he needed to pay attention to when they needed water and be ready. This past Friday, before arriving at the game, I again explained that he was there to serve, not to play and that he should take his role as a servant seriously. During the timeouts, I would see him running instead of walking onto the field. He followed the flow of the game on the sidelines so he would be closer to guys coming out of the game and get them a drink. He took his servant role seriously that night.

We are all servants. We serve God and we are to serve mankind. Do we run or walk when we serve, or do we look for a way out? Do we pay attention to who might need us, to whom we can serve? Jesus washed the apostles feet. He turned his attention to those in need. He died on the cross for me...and for you. He, who is so much greater than me, was my servant. I hope I learn to be His. I hope I learn to run to those I can serve. I hope I learn to walk the sidelines looking for whom I can assist. Joshua learned that little lesson last Friday night. I hope I can do as well.

A small tragedy struck our house yesterday. We lost another pet as our cat, Tigger, died after having been attacked by something. That makes 3 dogs and 1 cat that I've buried since we've been in our house and 1 dog and 1 cat that have just disappeared. It's been a tough run on animals.

It's interesting to see how everyone handles it. Kelly's maternal instincts come out and I can see her hurting for the loss, deeply saddened. Kory does her best to put on a stone face and act like it doesn't bother her yet you can see in her eyes the pain and sweet little Joshua let's his emotions flow out. I'm not sure how I deal with it. Having grown up with dogs that always seemed to get in the street and run over, I'm used to some turnover in animals and have come to view it as part of life. I miss them but they are usually replaced and we move on.

How does God view us when He loses us, even for a small time? I get a mental image that God weeps, not just tears in His eyes, but truly crying as if hurt. I believe the pain He feels is gut-wrenching and I hate to think how many times I have caused that pain.

We often feel that pain when we lose a loved one. We weep and we mourn and we wrestle with the loss yet I think that might be when God's face shines because another saint is coming home. Oh, I know He feels for our pain yet I think He rejoices when another soul makes it home to be with Him.

That's the lesson for me. I need to feel the pain when I see my loved ones drift off course and I need to react to that, to reach out to them and try to help. And, when someone passes from this life that I know has a new, beautiful, glorious home I need to rejoice that they have attained what I truly want. Life with God. I know the pain of loss will still hurt and I know I will miss something I once had but those thoughts need to turn to God and His love and His promise for me...and for you.

I think this is pret

I think this is pretty neat. Go to the link below and answer 5 short questions. Your answers will create a reply that compares you with a book of the Bible. I thought mine was pretty accurate (Ephesians).

http://quizilla.com/users/reflectedgrace/quizzes/Which%20book%20of%20the%20Bible%20are%20you?/

What's on your mind today? Let me know. (Since most of you reading this haven't mastered the art of signing up so you can respond, I won't be checking back often for responses. Oh well, just the thought of it makes me laugh.) :)

Hi Dennis. I know you're out there. :)

The question of why bad things happen to good people is as old as the ages and I don't believe people will ever stop asking it. Just last week, a Baptist minister was electrocuted while preparing for a baptism. Last night, we found out a young lady at our church has a very serious illness and prayed for another lady who is going to take cancer treatments in hope of living long enough to see her daughter graduate. These are just examples of tragedy we face and we ask "why God?" and yet we never have an answer. I'm sure we all have theories or have answers that at least pacify us until tragedy strikes again. My answer is pretty simple. In all these things, all we can do is either rely on God or turn away from Him. These tragedies allow us to choose our path. Will we draw nearer to God or step further away?

There are questions I have that I want to ask when I get to heaven. Asking God why he didn't prevent tragedies I've experienced through friends and family is certainly one of those questions. (All the while, I don't really think those questions will be an issue for me when I get to heaven.) Yet, while I'm here and can't question God, I choose to trust in His will, in His mercy and in His peace that only God can give.

Pray for those who are facing grief, tragedy and turmoil that they may find the peace and comfort that God provides and pray that we will be there to help them, that we will be God's hands and heart on earth.

After an evening of dinner, talking and laughing, I've found that some of my friends are a bit odd. Like the one friend who has a weight bench for a boat seat. And the guy who meets strange men in parking lots. Then there's the "picking up the mower in the barn story". OK, you had to be there to hear the whole story(ies) but it did include a lot of laughing.
I had a blast last night. Kelly and I were eating with two other couples who are both our friends, but more importantly our brothers and sisters in Christ. Then, another couple from church comes in and then two more couples come in. As we were getting ready to leave, I listened to all the talking and laughing and wondered what it was going to sound like when we walked out. I bet it got quite and the atmosphere, the mood, of the room changed.
That's just the way it is when we are connecting with our Christian family. It's a time of joy and gladness, love and laughter. Even in sorrow, we have each other and we hold on to each other. Isn't that what you want for your family? Our God, our Creator has given us this family that is so special, so loving and so caring and when they are not there, it's quiet.
I am a person who doesn't care to talk much, who enjoys my time alone, who could go most of the day without talking to anyone. But I never take for granted that I have my family nearby, that I have so many brothers and sisters in Christ to spend joyous times with, to spend sad times with and in all times, they lift me up, they strengthen me.
I want to thank God for giving me such a wonderful family and I want to thank my family for showing me God through their lives.

I contemplated writing something truly profound today, something that would really strike people and make them stop and think deeply about the words they just read. However, all I can think about are the Astros getting swept in the World Series. What in the world? The first World Series in Texas and it's gone in two games? The agony of defeat.

Where is our society headed? Why are we called hatemongers when we speak the truth and why do we try to find "nicer" ways to speak the truth when the original version will do? What are we afraid of in our churches and our communites? Are we truly afraid of the wrath of our neighbors? I want to get along with everybody just as most people do but when I let getting along with people control my speech to the point that I don't speak up for God, what have I become?
"Speaking the truth in love" has probably been abused by people but why let it stop me from doing what I believe is right? We fret so much when someone goes above and beyond in using language and symbols in church that we shun it all to the detriment of ourselves at times. We must speak the truth, even when it is offensive to some. I read the Bible and often find myself wishing it didn't say some of the things that I read because I know I have sinned against God. Would I be a better person if the Bible said, "go ahead and do what you think is OK and it will all be alright." While I might be happier for a brief time, it wouldn't make me a better person because I wouldn't live within the guidelines set out by God that are meant to protect me, keep me safe and give me a life beyond any I can imagine right now.
Speak up, speak out and be proud that you are a Christian. I hope I can start doing a better job of it.

It's finally cold! Oh, I long for this weather every year. The heat of July and August (oh yeah, and September) start fading away. I get to wear a coat so I have more pockets for all my stuff. I'll get to start a fire in the fireplace and even though it doesn't really warm me up, it sure looks pretty. Kory is already talking about snow. I love the cold weather.

I don't have much on my mind today except all the stuff at work that I need to get done so I'll be brief and just say this...stay warm! :)

What's your outlook on the world? What's your onlook on today? Is it one that is led by the thought that Christ will strengthen me, that He will help me overcome every problem, every wrong, every obstacle that I will face and He will make me an example for those around me? Or, is your outlook one that makes you a victim of time, circumstances or other people? One that allows you to be bitter, to be fearful or to feel hopelessly alone?

It's the old glass half-empty or half-full question. My mom used to phrase it by either waking up and saying "Good morning, God" or changing it around to something negative.

I hope you have the first outlook I mentioned. I hope you wake up each morning knowing God is there for you, that he will help you overcome every burden if you will just drop it (or them) and allow Him to take control. My prayer is that I can have that positive attitude, that I will lean on God and become His instrument. I want to let Him take control.

I was worried I was doing the wrong thing last night but I stayed up and did it. I watched the Astros-Cardinal game after church to see how it turned out. The only other playoff game I have been able to watch this season was the previous game when Pujols BLASTED a home run off Lidge. Naturally, I was afraid I was the bad luck gremlin but thankfully that concept was squashed last night so now I can watch the Series in peace.
By the way, if you have tickets to a World Series game and need someone to go along with you, there's a good chance I'll be available.

The promise of cold weather is coming. Yahoo! Then again, maybe promise isn't the right word when it's coming from the weatherman. That's the problem with the weather. They tell you it will be cool and it's hot. They tell you it will snow and it's warm. They tell you rain is on the way and it's dry as a bone. They tell you the rain will stop and it keeps coming right up to the front door. It's tough to predict and even harder to make a promise on.

I'm glad I have one promise I can rely on. I'm promised the hope of heaven as long as I believe and as long as I try to keep walking in the footpaths of my Savior. I can slip and get off the path but I can come back and the promise is still there, still the same. I know this promise won't change like the weather. I know it won't let me down even when I let others down. This promise is always there for me, always the same.

It's not always easy to write a blog. Days seem to fly by and then it's been a week. Add to that typing two entries and they never posted even though it looked like everything was as normal. Trying to remember what I wrote 10 minutes ago is hard enough then add the interruptions that come every few moments. I need quiet time. I want a job where I can work from about 10 until 2:30 with a lunch. Oh yeah, I'd like it to have a six-figure income too. While I'm thinking about it, how about a company vehicle, paid insurance and 6 weeks vacation. Sounds good to me.
Don't get me wrong. I really enjoy my job and (most of) the people I work with. I've got a great boss and things usually go well. I've been able to dabble in different areas and do different things and can't complain about boredom. Every day, my goal is to clean my desk and it seems like I spend more time seeing stuff pile up on it than goes off of it. Such is life and it keeps things challenging. In all honesty, if I won the lottery or struck oil in the backyard and found out I inherited billions from a rich uncle I didn't know, I'd probably keep this job, hire someone to do some of the more mundane tasks and show up (almost) everyday.
What about you?

I'm not much of a history guy but have been reading a book on Stephen F. Austin recently and one comment has appeared multiple times about him even though I'm only in the first quarter of the book. The writer says that Austin had an ability that allowed him to overcome many obstacles and even helped him succeed - his ability to forgive people and never let past problems become an issue for him going forward.
I'm glad my life with God is like that. Each day, I can walk with him knowing that He has forgiven me for my sins of yesterday, that He is only wanting me to live better today.
Unfortunately, I get hung up over my past transgressions. I remember them and so often, so do others. We both see the ugliness. I shudder to think what life would be like if God did that also.
I am so blessed that God sees hope in me. He sees beauty in me. He sees a better life for me. My mistakes are erased from His mind. Oh, hallelujah, what a glorious God. If I can keep my eyes focused on Him, on His majesty and power and love, I too can see the beauty in others. I too can let go of the mistakes of the past, both my own and those who have hurt me and walk in the now. Join me in that walk. Let's take that path together and forget the errors of the past while looking towards the glory of heaven and the complete love of our Father.

It's cold. I'm glad I don't have golf in my plans for today. Then again, I did plan to go to a football game and sit on lovely metal bleachers. Hmmm...somehow a movie and popcorn sounds good.
Making decisions is tough sometimes. I get pulled from one choice to another because of many different factors. Some view their allegiance to God that way. They go where it feels good at the moment. This place serves coffee and donuts. This place excepts everyone, no matter what they believe or how they live. This place says doctrine really doesn't matter.
I want to know God. I want to know His will. He doesn't change but yet he remains constant, fixed in His desire and an ever-present anchor from the winds that try to blow me around. He is the same, always has been and always will be. I'm thankful for that. No matter when or how I might stray, He remains rock solid. He remains a place of safety I can return to.
God, please give me courage and strength and wisdom so that I will not stray but always remain in the safety of your arms.

I want to thank God for putting spiritual-minded and Spirit-filled people in my life. They challenge me to think, to act and to trust. They help to open my eyes and ears and mind to the voice of God, to what I need to aspire for in my life, in my walk with Him. These people are God's servants, His tools and they allow Him to use them to reach out, to minister, to help and encourage.
My life, my family and my church have been blessed by two recent additions who truly strive to be servants. There is no other word as fitting for the way they live. He has bestowed on them a gift of teaching and encouraging that has a positive impact on many lives. I know it does on me.
Thank you Lord for sending your servants our way. Thank you for sending people with such wonderful hearts and talents. Shower your blessings on them and on the body in Decatur. Help us to grow, to know you better and to do your will every moment.

So how do you get a title for each blog? I'm just not seeing it.

Bring on the cool (cold) weather. I'm just getting worn out with this hot weather. I'm hot all the time so I really need some 60 degree weather to get me in a good mood. This weekend should be great. Friday night football with cooler weather. TEXAS and Zero U on the TV Saturday with the windows open. That's living!

While I'm on the subject, why do kids have the ability to push their parents over the edge? My little angels, through a mixture of whining and moping can send me into orbit. After the initial explosion, I always wonder how my Heavenly Father feels when He has to deal with me. Does he have a life-size poster of the devil that He throws boulders at? Or a punching bag with the devil's face on it? Maybe He doesn't let things get under His skin like I do. Maybe He sees things through such loving eyes and a forgiving spirit that He understands I need some divine direction. I wonder? No, I know that is how He sees me. I've done (and still do) things I shouldn't and yet I always feel His open arms. I want to treat my kids like my God treats me. I want to forgive, to encourage and to push them to a better understanding of what their focus needs to be. Look to heaven, children. That is the goal. That is your future. Fix your eyes on Jesus and you will have a better life. Look to heaven, Jeff. That is your goal. That is your future. Jeff, fix your eyes on Jesus and enjoy the promise of His rest.

Preacher jokes are always so funny. Well, they are often funny. OK, OK, there are a few that are funny. Just kidding preachers, they are all funny. Anyway, the jokes are usually told because there is a message in the humor. Here is one I saw yesterday.

HOW TO STAY SAFE IN THE WORLD TODAY
Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents.
Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home.
Avoid walking on the streets or sidewalks because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians.
Avoid traveling by air, bus, rail or water because 16% of all accidents involve these forms of transportation.
Of the remaining 33%, 32% of all deaths occur in hospitals so, above all else, avoid hospitals.
You will be pleased to learn that only .001% of all deaths occur in church worship services and these are usually related to previous health disorders. Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place to be at any given moment is at church! Bible study is safe too. The percentage of deaths during Bible study is even less so, for safety's sake, attend church and study your Bible. It could save your life.

So true. I don't know that going to church or studying my Bible will add one day to my life but I know it can't hurt. Better yet, I DO know that going to church and studying my Bible will give me a much better hope of having everlasting life. While those things in themselves aren't what will get me to heaven, they both put me closer to my Lord and my Savior, the one who shed his blood for me and the one who intercedes for me. Lord, keep me close, keep me safe and guide me home.

I've recently been reading about "presence" as it relates to our ability to use technology to know when people are available to us and when they are not. The use of Skype and other technologies are truly fascinating to me by allowing people to know when you are available by email, or in your office or by cell or whether you are in a meeting, on vacation or just unavailable.
In college, I had a friend who always amazed me by his ability to stay "present" with whomever he was conversing even though he might have 20 people come by and say hello to him. He never let the person he was speaking with feel like anyone else was more important. It's no wonder everyone considered him a friend and enjoyed his company.
In my life, there is someone else who is always present for me, who is always available to listen and always willing to help. God is forever present. His presence in my life is for my benefit. When I fall, He will pick me up. When I cry, He will wipe my tears. When I shout for joy, He cheers with me. Whatever I need, whenever I need it, God is present for me. I can move through life knowing nothing is more important to Him than me at any moment and all the while knowing that nothing is more important than anyone who will call on Him. He shares equal presence with us all and always is present for me. Hallelujah that I have a friend who cares so much.

I love this weather. It was 59 degrees in Decatur when I took my kids to school this morning and I'm loving it. My kids were out early, riding their scooters and enjoying the coolness while complaining about it freezing and no more swimming.
I love my kids and I get a kick out of listening to them. To this point, they are fairly unaffected by the world around them and their biggest joys and struggles are in the moment. Their existence is relatively carefree and they aren't burdened by much at all. I miss those days. It is so true that we can't wait to grow up only to find the freedom and independence of it all isn't so free after all.
I have a great appreciation of joy through my children. The joy they have in the littlest of things brings a smile to my face and makes me realize that the thing I worry about, the things that bring stress into my life shouldn't be what controls my life. I want to learn to live with the joy of a child, to see the goodness in others and let the struggles not be something to weigh me down but to deal with as I watch the smile on a child's face.
I think (no, I know) that's what God wants to see in me. I know He wants to see me joyous, to see me caring about others and letting Him help me with my struggles. I hope I can continually learn to do that. I want to laugh like Joshua, be content like Kory and enjoy my time and the people in it.

I don't enjoy waiting on God. When I pray, I trust the answer will come quickly. Often it does, but it seems of late that my prayers don't seem to get the response I expect. Maybe I'm getting an answer I'm not looking for. Maybe I'm supposed to use this time to see something I was missing. Maybe He's preparing me for the answer. I don't know but I want my prayers answered. I am impatient. I'm confident in what I'm asking for, confident it would be good and confident God would use it for His glory but still I wait. It's confusing for me. Am I asking for the wrong thing? Am I clueless to His will? And still I wait and continue my plea. Hear me, O God. Search my heart. I pray my motives are good and my desire is to do Your will. I will wait God. I will continue to lift up my needs to You, I will continue to trust that You will hear me and answer me and bless me. I will beat the evil one who tells me to quit waiting, who tells me You are not listening. I will continue to pray, I will continue to hope, I will continue to trust in You.

I enjoy so many memories. My children have provided so many as has 40 years of memory making. One thing that makes me sad at times is that I forget things I wish I would remember. Again, thoughts of the kids come to mind and the funny things they say or do that I wish I could always remember but they get lost in my jumbled mind.
I thought about memories yesterday in church while taking the Lord's Supper. Do this to remember me, we are told. Every week, we have the opportunity to remember the struggle, the pain, the agony that Jesus endured for us and the victory He experienced for all of us when He left the tomb.
Jesus' death and resurrection is a memory I don't want to forget. I'm blessed to have it as a focal point at least once a week but I don't want to remember it only once a week. This is a memory I want to cling to, a memory I want when I'm tempted, when I struggle, when I'm down, when I begin to think I'm responsible for my success, when I begin to think I'm in control. It's a memory I want to always have near me to remember who's child I am, to remember who loves me beyond comprehension.
Dear God, give me a good memory and let me always keep Jesus, the cross and the resurrection in the forefront of my mind and my life.

I want the devil to the the funny looking guy with horns and a tail and a pitchfork, all red, so I can see him and keep an eye on him. Unfortunately, he seems to hit me dressed up as a word that doesn't strike me so well, as a computer problem that causes me to change my attitude towards people, as a TV show I want to watch that uses bad language and as a feeling of being worn down that makes me rather stay home than go to church. The rascal strikes me in ways I can't see but I know he's there. I know it because he takes a guy who really, truly wants to act like a Christian and causes him to act differently. I know it because I say and do things to family, to friends and to strangers that I don't reflect the person I want to be.
I'm glad to know the devil has been beaten, that he can only taunt me but that he can't beat me because I have a stronger, unseen force helping me fight the battle. Lord, let me use your Spirit to see the devil through his disguise. Let me be the person you want me to be, Lord. Praise to God for winning the battle and giving us aid to fight the fight.

I want to have a heart like God's. I want to love people the way that God loves people. I want to forgive people the way God forgives people. I want to know a peace and a joy that I can only find through God. As I study the life of David and see his repentence and God's forgiveness, I realize that to have a heart like God's, I must be like God. I must forgive and not hold grudges. I most love when someone doesn't seem loveable. I must see the people around me the way God sees the people around me.
Too often I find myself wondering about people's motives, making judgements of their actions, holding on to a negative feeling for something someone said or did that I may have even misunderstood.
God, let me truly forgive when I am wronged. Help me forgive with a heart that erases whatever happened from my mind, the way You forgive me.
God, let me truly love others, let me see them through your eyes and through your heart. God, let me have compassion for others like you have compassion on me.
Let me know your heart and your ways. Help me to be an example of what you are, help me to be a light to the world.

Count your blessings, name them one by one. It's a part of an old hymn we don't sing much anymore but one of my favorites that I still sing to myself often. I forget how blessed I am. When I deal with sleepless nights, diabetes, sick kids, bills and on and on, I forgot how blessed I am. A great wife, beautiful and healthy children, an incredible church family, a good home, a good job...I forget these things. How and why do I let that happen? I don't know really but that's why I often find myself singing in my head "count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings, see what God has done..."
Thank you God for blessing me so richly.

I enjoy my traditions. What about you? On election night, nothing is better than some cheese and summer sausage, maybe some chips and hot sauce to snack on while I stay up late watching the returns. When I go on vacation, I like to go to the same place, to a routine I'm comfortable with. When I mow, I usually cut the grass in one of two patterns. I like the comfort of some traditions. At the same time, there are traditions I need the Lord to get ahold of and break me free from. I was at a meeting with some church folks recently and one of the questions that came up had to be borne of a long-held tradition by this individual - something that was obviously important to him to the extent he would make it an issue even though it should not have been. I chuckled inwardly while also thinking, what are the things that keep me bound to something I shouldn't be bound to? Lord, push me to understand you better. Don't let the way I've always done it be my reason for not exploring Your will more deeply. Lord, break me free of the shackles I put on myself and make me a warrior for you.

Why do bad things happen to good people? I've heard that question asked numerous times and I'm always stumped for a good answer. A friend recently lost his 12 year old nephew to cancer. An employee lost her months old baby to SIDS. Cooks Childrens Hospital in Ft. Worth and places like it all over the country are filled with terminally sick children. Then there are the folks that have been displaced and lost everything from Hurricane Katrina. You can hear stories like this everyday and are left with the question of "why?"
I've read a number of posts on blogs lately about why God, if He exists, would let these things happen. If He's so good, so loving, why would people have to endure this pain and turmoil. I wish I knew. I wish I had the right answer for them. I can take them to scripture and tell them that the rain falls on the righteous and unrighteous, I can tell them God has a plan, I can tell them God can take their burdens but without faith on their part, it will fall on deaf ears.
One day we may know. One day we can ask God all these questions. I don't know if I will because I can't help but think I'll be overwhelmed with heaven. I think all the tough questions of life might become insignificant as I bask in His glory and hear the angels sing.
I have to remind myself that what's important isn't here and now, it's in my future. The things I want to know now won't be important one day and the pain I see will be replaced by an incredible joy and happiness that will be beyond anything I can imagine today. I look forward to that day.

Going to church is a wonderful thing. I've heard all the talk about finding God wherever you are and I believe that is possible. I also believe there is a reason the church was established. It does so many good things for us when we attend and participate. The benefit I so often find is hearing a message that really speaks to my heart, that speaks to something I've been battling. Yesterday, our class study based in Romans was about how we want to do the right thing but too often end up doing the wrong thing. Oh, how I wrestle with that. I pray that God will give me wisdom and strength to do what I need to do and then I find myself saying or thinking or doing something I shouldn't. What is wrong with me? Why I am wired this way? Can God ever love me when I stumble so much? And then...there it is in His word that others have stumbled , that we all wrestle with a sinful nature that we must be aware of and work on all the time. It's not just me. It's not just me. There are others fighting the same battle, there are others who have the same struggles. I take comfort knowing it's not just me but the devil messes with all of us. And best of all, God will help us, God will love us, God will forgive us, pick us up, brush us off and help us start fresh again.

Thank you God. Thank you for an incredible love. Thank you for an incredible gift. Thank you God.

Friday night football in a small town is so cool to me. I grew up at a 5A school and have been to see several big time high school games at Texas Stadium over the years but I still enjoy seeing the small town games more. Most of these kids aren't playing for big college scholarships - they simply play for the love of the game. After their high school years, many of them will wind up in the same small town, raise a family and cheer for their kids at the same small stadium. The games, the players, the town; it is really a passion for them.
What are my passions? Where does the work of God rate in my life? Too often it's like a football game for me. I go and spend 3 hours cheering and rooting on the efforts and then I go home and return to whatever it is I do.
God, please help me keep the passion for you burning inside me every day, every moment.

Two days in a row. It's a good start but I can't imagine keeping up the pace.

Kids are a wonderful thing. They show us some of our own weaknesses and they show us the joy of innocence. Why do we change from being childlike? I see my kids and their wants and needs are so simple. They worry about very little and when they do worry, it's usually over something inconsequential - though maybe not to them, certainly in an adult's eyes. Kids are sweet and trusting, hopeful and happy. I realize there are kids everywhere not as blessed as mine in different ways who know much more sorrow, grief and suffering than my kids do. I thank God for the peace my kids have in their life, I pray that they will learn compassion for those not as blessed and I hope they will learn to be a servant to those in need.

Oh God, help me teach them to be strong where I am weak, to trust you where I doubt and to hold firm to your promise where I forget who is the Ruler of my life.

What is this? Who am I? A couple of friends of given this a whirl so why not me? I like to write but don't particulary like to share my thoughts and feelings. I don't know what I'll write about or who will listen - probably the fewer the better.

I encouraged a friend to restart his blog because he has such good thinks to say. His daily devotional thoughts (I'm not sure what it should be called) help me focus on my spiritual nature during the day when I often get sucked in to the mundane tasks of work and life. I laugh when I type "my spiritual nature" because that isn't really my nature most of the time. Typically you would find me being cynical about some one or some thing that is beating me down - the devil's work to change my focus, to lose sight of God, to lose track of what is truly important.

My life has been such a series of strange happenings. I've walked both sides of the tracks...the bad more often than the good but God has shed so much grace on me it is overwhelming. When I'm alone, His love can bring me to tears. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. A wretch? Most people don't see me as a wretch but I often do. Thank God for amazing grace.