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.