I Hate Being Wrong

A former NBA basketball player has recently announced to the world that he is gay. He has a book that will be released this week and has been in several news reports promoting his story and lifestyle.
I read a story on ESPN's web site today where the guy points out that those who have spoken out negatively are either naive or ignorant. Now, Mark Cuban has joined in the fray calling the guy a "hero" for being willing to tell his story.
Once again, a lack of tolerance towards homosexuality gets you branded as naive (the kindest of insults) or backwoods stupid (the ordinary type comment). On the other hand, tolerance towards a viewpoint based on the Bible is considered crazy. My ranting and raving about this won't change anything so I'll just pray that one day those who prefer the way of Satan to the way of God will change their minds, their actions and their words.
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On a brighter note, Spring Training starts in less than 2 weeks. I would love to be able to travel to Florida or Arizona and spend a few days watching workouts and games. The fresh cut grass, the sound a ball makes hitting the pocket of the glove, the sound of the bat hitting the ball, 90+mph fastballs and breaking balls that move 12 inches across the strike zone, climbing a wall to rob a home run and fireworks going off after a ball goes yard...it all starts soon. Let's play ball!

What in the world?

Last week, we in Wise County found out a 14 year old in Decatur had made a public death threat towards a teacher at the high school. I cannot imagine what is going through the minds of those involved - the child, his parents, the teacher and her family, other students. It's one of those events that makes me ask "Why?" and come up completely blank on answers.

It's scary to think someone so young could be thinking of that type of action, even scarier that he would make it public. Thank goodness he did though as his MySpace page was what alerted his mom and then she called the police. What causes a child to think that way? Is it his parents? Is it society? We don't know the answers and may never know or understand.

I know the teacher and have a high regard for her. I let her know she and her family were in my prayers and she responded that prayer is what is getting them through this ordeal. There is power in prayer, in people raising their voices to God, in asking Him for help for whatever the situation is. So often, I have seen the result of faithful prayer and I am ever-thankful we have that avenue to God.

There are so many things we can and should be praying about. If you haven't talked to God today, I encourage you to stop now and lift up praise and petition to him for whatever is on your heart. He is faithful and He will hear you.

It's Late...

...and I can't sleep. My brain will be dead in the morning so why not blog in the middle of the night? It's getting cold again and it looks like a wet weekend. I'm glad for the rain and enjoy the cold weather but would prefer it comes Monday through Thursday and then warms up with sunshine for the weekend.

The weekend is almost here. Spring training is near. Happy thoughts abound.

I was throwing the baseball with my son the other night and he said he could "smell" a game at the high school field. I assured him the game was the night before and out of town. He responded that he thought he could smell a baseball game. I laughed...the thinking of a 10 year old. We left to go to basketball practice and guess what...the JV was playing a game. I'll trust his sniffing ability from now on.

I'm getting sleepy...very, very sleepy. It's way past time to be in bed so I will go there now and I leave with this thought swirling in my head - I have been saved by a Savior whose mercy I cannot fathom, whose love I can never match, whose joy I can never exceed yet I am content that I have all I need. I hope I will show mercy to all who need it, that I will show love to all who seek it, that I will show joy to all who want it. More than that, I hope I show the glory of my God so that those who need mercy, seek love and want joy will turn to Him, to the one who can give it all with abundance and will accept what only He can bestow.

Wade Phillips?

ESPN is reporting that Wade Phillips will be the new head coach for the Dallas Cowboys. Say what? Norv Turner was getting skewered because of his record as head coach in other locales but I have not heard that much about Phillips record (which I don't remember being stellar). Maybe it's because the reporters are shell-shocked that he would be the choice. I know I am. I realize defense is important but the young QB is going to be a big part of where the team goes and while I like Jason Garrett (what little I know about him anyway), I'm not sure he is ready to develop a young QB that is so important to the success of the Cowboys.

I really wonder about Jerry sometimes. He has lots of money and apparently made some good decisions along the way but it's starting to look like Jimmy was his flash-in-the-pan good decision for this team.

Who do you think should be coaching the Cowboys? Do you think Landry or Johnson was the best coach the team has had? Do you think Barry Switzer was cognizant that he was coaching in the pro ranks or was just happy to get free hot dogs on the sideline?

If We Are the Body

There's a song I've heard recently by a contemporary Christian group titled "If We Are the Body." The premise of the song is that we sit in our churches and too often reflect the world instead of Christ. The chorus goes something like this, "if we are the body, why aren't his arms reaching, why aren't his feet going..." I don't like being called on the carpet. I don't like being indicted of something I've done wrong. It makes me defensive. Eventually though, I'll realize what I have done, whether intentionally or accidentally, has not been the right thing to do. This song has indicted me. I am comfortable sitting in my pew. I am comfortable going to class. I am comfortable. Should a Christian ever be comfortable? I would venture to say we should be content, content in our salvation, content in the fact that God has provided us all we really need but comfortable is something we should avoid.

Comfortable keeps us in our ruts. Comfortable keeps us inactive. Comfortable keeps us from being the hands and the feet, it keeps us from going.

Lord, don't let me be comfortable. If I am part of the body, if I am your hands and feet, put me to work, let me see what can be, let me glorify you. I know I will stumble Lord. When I do, help me up Lord and set me back on your path. Let me remember others will also stumble and let your hands and feet (me) rush to help them up, to wrap your arms around them and help them find their way back to you. Lord, let me share your love, your mercy, your peace with others and them with me. Make me content that all I need is you and my comfort be that you have given me a home with you, a home greater than anything I can know now.

Crushing Defeat

My 5th grade boys team lost to Bridgeport Saturday. It's always bad to lose but losing to B'port makes it worse. If just a few of our missed shots would have gone in, it would be a different story but no such luck. We have one more game - a must win to make the playoffs.
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I heard the Colts won the big game Sunday. I was at the rodeo so I haven't seen the game or the commercials. I've got it all Tivo'd but don't know that I'll end up watching it. Now all eyes turn to who the Cowboys are going to hire and Jerry in the spotlight.
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Our preacher is taking us through Acts on Sunday mornings. I always like to study Acts, to read and think about the early church, what they went through and what they did. It always causes me to examine my life and my ways and to attempt to reconcile them with what God wants from me. Am I sacrificing, teaching, edifying, serving the way God wants me to. Is my focus on God or on me?

I pray my focus and my desire will be more on God and less on me.

Winter Wonderland

We woke up this morning to a beautiful blanket of snow on the ground and truck. It is a beautiful sight to see and something the kids really, really enjoy. I think they would have much preferred staying home and throwing snowballs or building a snowman but school was open so off we went.
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I'm glad the weekend is almost here. It's been a busy week at work and compounded with illness and I'm ready to rest and catch up. Decatur plays Argyle tonight and I can't miss that so the rest will come after the game.
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I won't be worried about global warming this weekend.
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I read on the Internet about an Indianapolis area church that was advertising a Super Bowl party and would be showing the game from a projector so everyone could see. The NFL threatened to sue them if they didn't cancel the party because using Super Bowl in the ad was a copyright infringement and the game cannot legally be broadcast on a screen bigger than 55". I'm sure there's a reason for that but in my mind it's another example of punishing the 99 good people for the 1 bad person.

I'm up in the air on who I will be pulling for. I don't like Indianapolis because they play in a dome and I do like Chicago because they play in the elements. I like Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith. I like Peyton and Freeney. I like Urlacher and Manning, the ACU kid. In the end, I'm only semi-interested but hope it will be a good game.

Who are you rooting for?
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Have a good day and a good weekend!

They Beat Me Down

Blogger finally made me switch. I'm not a fan of the new blogger because posting a response isn't as easy as it was on the old Blogger. The Tab button doesn't tab you to the right fields. I hope the complaint department is listening.
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I've got some sort of sinus thing going on and not feeling too great today. I certainly can't eat a Sonic coney so don't even go there. Being sick makes for a long day and really makes me appreciate feeling good.
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I spoke to the Junior High and High School class last night about influence. I brought up the chants the Decatur students have used in basketball games and mentioned the moment last year when my son asked what a certain not-so-nice phrase meant. You could have heard a pin drop at that moment. I'm hoping that was the moment a few of them realized that eyes are watching them. I'm hoping a few them may realize and use their influence for good starting today. I hope I reached someone last night.
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Our preacher's wife is planning for a trip to Kenya in just a few months. She is going with a group of ladies who go and have a meeting/conference/fellowship/support gathering for women involved in mission work in that part of the world. Planning and going on a trip like that is tiring and a little scary but also very fulfilling. Our missions committee was able to help support a portion of her trip and I'm thankful for that opportunity and thankful for the work she and many other Christian women will do to help carry the gospel all over the world. Thanks Beverly for your dedication and compassion. (And thanks to Rick for supporting her to go also.)

The New Blogger

For the past several weeks, each time I sign on I'm encouraged to try the new version of this software and each time I decline. Shortly, I will have to switch and I don't think there is much to the change but it's just the dread of changing, even for something as simple as this. I won't make this a big blog-lecture on adapting to change but you get the idea...I'm just getting old.
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Barbaro was put down yesterday. He's the horse that one the Kentucky Derby (I think) and then broke his back leg in the Preakness (I think). It was all over the news, even a spot on ESPN Sports Center. It always strikes me that someone or something with a little bit of fame can generate so much press and yet we lose people everyday who have truly touched other lives in a positive way that go unnoticed. What a shame.
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The Cowboys have to be closer to finding a new head coach and I find that I couldn't care less. It's interesting to see the process and wonder what Jerry Jones will do because he's made so many off-the-wall decisions in the past. I'm starting to believe that the combination with Jimmy Johnson was lightning in a bottle that may never appear again.
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The Rangers signed Sammy Sosa. Interesting. If you are interested in sharing in some Rangers season tickets, let me know. We have a small group and need one or two more to join in. We have 4 seats and you will get to pick 13-14 games during the year.
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That's all for now. I know this has been a special time for you. (haha)

The Battle

I've been battling computer, car and time problems today. My truck died yesterday so they had to tow it in today. Fortunately it was no big deal except for the hassle. My computer started acting up Friday and I just got it back up (2:50p) today. It's very frustrating when 50% of my job demands my computer. On top of that, I was supposed to go out of town for a business trip while having a myriad of things to still finish here and deadlines and time constraints the rest of the week. It's been a stressful, frustrating morning.

I finally postponed my trip after a moment of clarity. I was able to see what needed to be done and how it could be accomplished and am feeling much better than I have all day.

The devil works on us like that. He wants everything rushing around us, stirring up dust so that we can't see God. Fortunately, for all the devil's work, we are able to gain moments of clarity, moments where we can see God and know He sees us and things become much better. I'm thankful for every time I cut through the devil's work and find clarity between God and me. It's those moments when I feel a sense of peace unlike anything else I know. Of course, as soon as I feel it I know the devil is back at work trying to block my vision but I know God is still there, still reaching out to me, still waiting for me so I can know His peace.

I Remember When...

I remember when I started working in Decatur and we moved here a while later. There was very little crime. It seemed like the crime report was published in the paper and you would see a few bikes stolen and a few other seemingly minor incidents for the most part. At the time, I think there had only been one murder in the previous 10+ years. Today that has all changed. There is a high incident of theft and there have been a number of murders. Drug labs and drug use is way up and arrests for them rise with it.

Looking at Decatur over the past 12 twelves, I can understand why so many people who had grown up here wanted to keep it the way it was. I was quickly one of them thinking, just let me move here and then shut the gates. It doesn't work that way though and now we are seeing a lot of the bad that comes with Lowes and Chili's. Oh, I'm not blaming Lowes and Chili's - it's the growth of an area that brings in good people and bad people.

Today, I think about being burglarized at business this way - not if, but when. I hate to think that way and I would love to see things back the way they were but it doesn't work that way. Hopefully, Decatur will be able to maintain as much of it's old charm and down-home feeling awhile longer because I remember when...

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Addendum to Wednesday's post...

First, I didn't realize how many people are out there reading blogs and was surprised by people telling me they had read mine. It's scary in a way. First, I have a comfort level thinking I'm writing for myself but that there are only 6-8 people and 1 Sonic coney fiend reading it. Second, it hit me that what is written on the web is there for all the world to see so be careful what you write. Third, I realize that as I come down off my soapbox, I have faults of my own that certainly need to be addressed.

That said, there is one disappointment I left out of Wednesday's post. I'm also disappointed that a bunch of parents must think it's OK to say what our kids are saying. What are they teaching?

The response I got that hit home was from a friend who said they didn't enjoy having to explain to their young child what the phrases meant. That's exactly what I was thinking a year ago when my then 9 year old son asked, "Daddy, what does screwed mean?" That question should not have had to come up at that time and that place. Now, at 10 he has a sense of what it means and wonders why it's OK for the big kids to say it.

Finally, I'm thankful for some parents I know that have told their high school kids it is unacceptable. What a simple but wholesome response.

Have a great weekend.

Disappointment

I went to the Decatur-Bridgeport basketball game last night. Decatur put a thumping on them so that was a good thing but during the game I heard something that really disappointed me. There are two cheers the Decatur students use, one having the phrase "Haile yeah" (it supposedly refers to an actual student with the last name Haile) and another when a ref makes a 'bad' call where they chant "we got screwed." I brought this up with some people last year and know it made it's way to the Principal. I have not talked to her directly but the alleged response was "what can we do." So I ask, who's running the asylum? It sounds as if it is the inmates.

I understand that teenagers would get a momentary enjoyment from saying these things in public, as a group. I would have probably gladly joined in when I was younger although I would have had to duck so my dad didn't see me saying it. Last night, it just sounded classless. And, in my opinion, makes the school and the administrators look classless.

I could see some schools in our district where this might not be surprising - and maybe some people feel that way about Decatur.

It's disappointing to me that the administrators take the hands-off approach they do but no surprise why the students defend them. If they can't control the situation at the school gym on school property at a school function, it's not a place I'm excited to send my children. I know there are many good educators there, several who care about the kids and will do their best to teach them what is good and bad, right and wrong. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they get much support from the top.

It's a downer post today but I needed to vent.

State of the Union

The President is speaking tonight. I feel for him. I don't think he can say anything without getting picked apart for it at this point. I saw a poll today saying only 33% of those polled think he's doing a good job. Add Hillary to the mix and I'm sure the camera time will be split at best.

President Bush has a high hill to climb to make headway with the American public. I hear and read about long time Republican and/or Bush supporters that have questioned his decisions much more often and vocally than ever before. Tonight has to be a tough night for him.

I will be at basketball practice. There were a period of several years when I wouldn't have missed the President's speech. I stayed up to watch election coverage, read the papers to see who was who and what they were doing. Now, I find myself being one of those who are more apathetic to the process. I don't think the media is fair. I don't the candidates are so different nor trustworthy. I don't think we have elected officials who care about the good of the country as much as they do themselves.

I hope I'm misreading what is going on. I hope I am seeing it wrong and will snap out of this funk to find that the leaders and decision-makers of our country do care about us and do make decisions they truly believe will benefit the people of this country. I still have hope.

1/2 Right

I wanted to see New Orleans and Indianapolis in the Super Bowl. Instead we may be overrun with "2 black coaches in the Super Bowl" headlines for the next couple of weeks. I realize it's a big occasion and maybe I don't have an appreciation for the significance of it but I hope it doesn't come down to color, color, color. I've been a fan of Tony Dungy for several years. He appears to be a real class act. Lovie Smith seems much the same though I know much less about him. I hope what comes out in the press is more about what good people they are, not what color they are.

Chicago and Indy would probably have been my second choice for teams. I like Manning and wanted to see him break through his playoff jinx. In my mind, the Bears tradition is as great as any team and I like the way Urlacher plays. It ought to be a good game - offense vs. defense.

Predictions?

Hey, Coach...

I have coached youth sports for several years. I started out helping our preacher in Fort Worth when he was coaching his son's team, then helping a friend here coach his son's team and the last nine years or so coaching my daughter and son's teams. I've coached basketball (my passion), baseball (a growing passion because my son loves it) and soccer (I was completely clueless) and had great experiences in all of them. My goal in coaching has always been to 1) make it fun and 2) teach fundamentals that will help the children as they grow. I've been around too many youth coaches who coach to win now and don't help the kids develop. It used to really get under my skin. I remember coaching one of my son's early games and the other coach put her tallest player on my shortest player all in an effort to score more points in the last quarter and win. At that time we couldn't change the players around once we placed them and we were stuck in that predicament. What did it do to my little guys enjoyment of basketball? What did it teach her tall kid? They won and in the end they got the same medal we did and I'm pretty sure the kid didn't sign a scholarship or pro contract after the game.

I coach because I want to see the kids succeed in the years to come. Winning or losing a game today isn't the most important thing (even though I replay the losses in my mind for hours after a game). My hope is that what I teach them now will prepare them for what they will do in the future. That is the real success in coaching.

I pray that in the end, they won't just learn basketball or baseball from me but something greater. I hope I can touch them in a way that will open the door to something far greater than athletic success but success in making the decisions that will carry them through eternity.

A White Blanket

We awoke this morning to a white blanket of snow on the ground and another day of school closure. The kids are happy today but don't realize they will be making it up on days that would have been much nicer to be out of school. I guess it's always fun to be out of school, no matter the weather, and hitting your brother or sister with a snowball or two makes it even better.
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I stayed up to watch Texas and Oklahoma State battle through 3 overtimes last night. In the end, OSU came out on top but it was a great game to watch and even Rick Barnes, Texas' coach couldn't help but smile through the final two OT's.

Kevin Durant sure looks like the real deal. He had been projected as the #2 NBA pick in last year's draft but a new NBA rule prohibits most kids from going straight to the pros from high school so he has to spend a year at Texas (the kid projected to go #1 in last year's draft is a 7-footer named Greg Oden playing at Ohio State this year). Based on how he is playing this year, he will still be worthy of a top-3 pick next year.
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I'm helping our youth minister on Wednesday nights now working with our junior high and high school group. I'm speaking next week to the group and the scripture that immediately popped into my head has been a long time favorite - Philippians 4:8. If we followed the directive given all the time, I wonder what the world would be like. I wonder if people couldn't help but get along. I wonder if nations would cooperate instead of fight. I wonder.

Still, in all my hope that the world and the people of the world could find peace, it isn't peace in this world that I care the most for. I want to see peace here and now so that my children will grow up in a safer place but more than that, I have the hope that I and that they will spend eternity with God. That is something truly admirable, truly noble, truly good to think about.

Ice Ice Baby

I was singing part of the Vanilla Ice song (his only "hit") to my daughter the other day. Maybe I shouldn't have. Ice abounds today. I was glad to only see one other car on the road while I was on my way to work but you just never know what will happen. I remember when I was younger, maybe 13 or so and a friend's sister was driving he and I somewhere in Tyler. We were on the loop when she hit a patch of ice and her Mustang started spinning in circles. When it finally stopped, she was so scared it took us what seemed like several of minutes to start driving again.

So what are you doing today? Did you use the ice as a reason to stay home or did you head out in it going to work or Wal-Mart? I would much rather stay at home but no such luck today. I'll leave a bit earlier than usual just to miss the yahoos out speeding home who might hit that one patch of ice that sends us all spinning.

Have a great day and don't slip.

Brrrrrrrr....

It sounds like we might need to get prepared for an icy blast in Wise County. I love the cold weather. I don't know that I would if I lived somewhere that the cold lasts very long but maybe I would. I think some of my joy in it is due to being hot natured. My wife is the complete opposite which gives the thermostat a workout through much of the year. I like it cold. I like to put on a coat, put on gloves and a hat and trudge through the cold. People around me have often heard my goofy statement that "you can always put more clothes on but you can only take so much off before going to jail" and that's my mentality on the weather. I'm confident you are glad to know that about me. :)
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I used to be a current events fanatic. I loved watching the news, reading US News and World Report and local and national papers. Today, I'm not sure I could tell you what is going on around me except for a battle in Iraq. Baseball and basketball keep me busy a couple of nights a week, some areas I'm getting more involved in at church is taking more of my time, work is certainly eating up bigger chunks of time recently. They are all good things that I am enjoying and thankful for but occassionally I sit back and wonder where things changed so much. I guess I find it interesting to stop and look back at the twists and turns of the path I've traveled to be where I am now. Things that were once enjoyable, if not seemingly important are nothing more than a memory now. I wonder what will happen with the things I enjoy and feel important now? (There's a moral to that story somewhere in there, I just haven't thought it through yet.)
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Oprah opened a new school for girls in Africa. It was all over the news (that was one story I couldn't miss if I tried) and she is hailed as a great person for doing it. Bush, on the other hand, is a modern day villian in many folks eyes because he has tried to eliminate a harsh world for people in Iraq and give them a hope for a little bit better life. I have a suspicion (and could be completely wrong) that Oprah and her followers are opposed to what is going on in Iraq and all goo-goo over what she did in Africa. One question, could Oprah have ever accomplished what she did without past wars to eliminate oppressive control by government?
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Bundle up.

A Total Blank

The state of my mind today is...a complete and hopeless vacuum of nothingness. I can't come up with a coherent thought to save my life. It's your lucky day! So, I'll leave you with these profound thoughts.

The President speaks tonight. I want to hear it because I feel he is now in a no-win situation. I think he's a good guy but has put our troops and country in a bad position that leaves little opportunity for a good ending. Saddam may be done but it seems there are hundreds if not thousands of people willing to carry his battle on.

I enjoyed seeing Florida win the NCAA National Championship even though the game got a little boring in the end. There's no Big Ten team I care for much and now that Spurrier has left, it's easier to like Florida in this type of game.

Basketball season is here finally. It's the games that count and March Madness will be here soon. It is my favorite sporting event/time of the year when college basketball whips up a frenzy on TV and on the court. You can have the pro basketball but I'll watch almost any college game any time.

I took my son to a select baseball team tryout last Sunday and he did great. It was fun to see him do well and enjoy himself. We won't know the results until this weekend and I'm hoping we can still put a Decatur team together but it's great to have options - even better to see him doing something he enjoys and doing it well.

Have a great day!

If You See A Computer On The Street...

it's one of mine. Tonight has been an exercise in self-control and I just lost the battle. A computer has driven me to a level of frustration that is ridiculous. The only reason I can write about it here is because you use a computer too and I'm pretty sure you've been where I am now. I want to throw the thing out the door and pray that a big truck runs over it. Things are at a stage where I know it can be fixed, I just can't seem to do it which is what is really driving my blood pressure through the roof. The silver box is silently taunting me, laughing at me, mocking me. I can feel it. If you hear loud screaming tonight, it will be trying to communicate with this thing.
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Go Gators! I'm enjoyed watching Florida tonight. I'm no Big 10 fan and since Spurrier has left Florida, I feel I can cheer for them in these situations. I'm one of those who thought Michigan certainly DID NOT deserve another chance in the title game and also thinks the SEC is the toughest overall conference in football. I don't know much about Urban Meyer but he seems like a good guy and I hope Florida wins it tonight.
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Tomorrow will be a new day. I am hopeful all the computers will work and all the people are nice.

A Week Almost Gone

Did you see the Boise State/OU game earlier in the week? It was an exciting win for a small school that most thought would struggle against the bigger, more seasoned Sooners. I was cheering for Boise State from the beginning but had little hope they could pull it out. What a game and what a group of young men. From the smile on the coach's face to the marriage proposal on the sideline, it was a fabulous night for the guys from Boise.
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Good Morning America had a new set of NYC heroes on TV this morning. It seems a small child had crawled out a window on to a fire escape and was barely holding on when these two men saw the child. They positioned themselves to catch him as the child dropped from the fire escape and through some trees and into their arms. The subway hero had earlier in the day encouraged people to find ways to do good things. It sounds like New York City is off to a good start.
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Randy Warzecha, our missionary in Brazil, is getting married this weekend. Keep him in your prayers as he and Angela begin a new life together.
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I hope you have a great weekend, that you enjoy the life God has given you and that you seek ways to glorify Him in whatever you are doing.

On Hold

I am sitting here on hold for almost 15 minutes now wanting to speak with someone about software I want to acquire. I think it will help us but I am beginning to wonder if this is the service level I can expect. I wonder if it will really help me since no one seems to be in much of a hurry to answer my questions.

While I'm sitting here, I've started wondering how many times someone wanted me to share the Gospel with them but I put them on hold, I didn't have the urgency I needed to share information, to share the Good News, with someone that could change their life. I am guessing there are people I see every day that are on hold and I am not picking up the call.

I pray God will give me the courage and the urgency to take the call and share the knowledge that will give people what they need to truly live.

A New Day

It seems like I haven't blogged since last year. Ha-ha.

I was asked today what my new year resolution was. It's a good question and something I don't know that I approach the right way. The answer is that I do not make new year resolutions. Maybe I should be I don't. I have all the rote issues like losing weight, exercising and all that stuff that I need to do all the time. Other than that, I just want to live each day looking for the opportunities to do the right thing, to help someone, to be a good example for someone, to encourage someone. Maybe that is my resolution. I know God puts opportunities in front of me all the time. I want to recognize them and act on them when they come my way. I know I will fail at some but hope that I will be successful in making a difference in people's lives as much as I can.

It is continually amazing how fast a year goes by. I see my children growing up before me and, like so many, want to stop time, to capture a few more days with them at this precious time in their lives yet I know that isn't going to happen. In the absence of stopping time, I want to enjoy the time, to know that it is fleeting and to spend it in pursuit of enjoying them every minute I can, to teaching them all I can in that time and preparing them for what lies ahead.

This year will be over in a flash. I will start enjoying the moments I can today so that when I reach this point a year from now I can trust that it has been a good year because I have spent it with people I love.

Out of Order

I hope everyone has a fun New Year's weekend. I'm off today and headed to more basketball games in just a bit. It's a cold and rainy day in Decatur so perfect for staying inside and watching some good ball. We watched a team from Kentucky last night that had a couple of man-children playing. I'm easily entertained.

I'm done blogging until next year. I hope 2007 is a great year for you!

Hellllooooooooooo

With Rick out of town, I'm not sure anyone is out there. If you are, blink twice.

I'm finally coming to the realization that I'm getting older. I played basketball with some of my 5th grade team the other night and felt little pains I'm not used to feeling. I went to the eye doctor and she mentioned that I'm getting closer to needing reading glasses. A few brave folks mention that there is a spot with less hair than there used to be.

I've got a birthday coming up soon and I still am one not to put much stock in birthdays. In my world, they are just another day and I'm only a day older than I was the day before. I prefer to downplay parties and enjoy the few cards I get but don't wish for any more than I have. I'm also not one who dreads the next birthday. 30 came and went, 40 came and went...no big deal because it's just another day for me. It's only when the body begins to be less cooperative that I'm impacted by a birthday and that is starting to happen from time to time. I guess I'll start searching for that fountain of youth.

The good part is now I have some excuses on why I can't do things I used to do like move big boxes, paint, mow and on and on. :)

I'll celebrate my birthday this year like I have the last several spending a few days watching good high school basketball and listening to one of my favorite performers at Bass Hall. Thank you to the people in my life that tolerate my only acknowledgement of the day with these two events.

Was It A Bad Choice?

This morning I asked my son how much he spent on a video game for his new PSP. His response was $40 (of which he had Christmas money to help pay for it) and then asked "do you think I made a bad choice Dad?"

I've given him a bad example in my "betting" with my wife. When we disagree on something minor or inconsequential and I am confident I am right, I'll always say "wanna bet?" and suggest we bet anything from a Diet Coke that's already in the refrigerator to a mythical $100, $1,000 or $1,000,000 when I know she's not going to bet me. My son has bought in and is willing to bet money on things he doesn't know for sure so he got a lecture the other day on the foolishness of it and his lack of respect for the money he is given or sometimes earns. That led to his question this morning of whether I thought he made a bad choice.

I was just curious today. I knew he wanted the game and had the money for the game and he used what he had to get what he wanted. Yet for an instant, he wondered if he had done the right thing. I hope that means he is learning to think about his decisions. Over time he will need to make sure he has answered that question before he spends the money but at least he's asking the question.

Too often I've had to ask myself that question. Was it a bad choice? The sermon we heard this past Sunday was on Paul's question of why he didn't do the things he wanted to and why he did things he didn't want to. It's a question I am too often faced with in my life and one that I hope I can change over time. The Spirit will lead us to the right choice if we focus on God and His will for us. I am usually focused on Jeff and what Jeff thinks is best. That's the bad choice. I need to focus on God and what God thinks is best. If I do, if I live that way, I'll never have to ask if my decision was a bad choice.

Here and Gone

Today is the 26th and Christmas is over. At least that's the way it is at our house. I've always held that all the decorations should stay around until the end of the year. My wife is ready for it to come down today. Since she does it all, I certainly don't belabor the point. How does it work at your house?

This is a busy week for me. We are bringing in a new Store Manager to one of our stores, are short handed in the office and it's the week I love to be gone for a bit and watch some high school basketball. Add to that basketball practices and teaching Wednesday night on Ezra and Nehemiah (I'm not an Ezra/Nehemiah scholar) and it will be busy, busy, busy.

I hope you have a good week and the New Year gets off to a great start for you.

Merry Christmas To All...

Someone asked me recently why the Church of Christ doesn't celebrate Christmas (that's what they had been told anyway). It was a funny question seeing Santa comes to the Mother's Day Out program, the women all wear Christmas sweaters and earrings and everyone is talking about their Christmas plans and flat panel TV's (which may cure more than a coney ever will).

I joked with someone the other night that "we don't celebrate Jesus' birth at Christmas" and I guess there is some validity to the comment but I know that this weekend, more people will think about Jesus' birth, more people will hear songs about Jesus' birth and more people will go to a church service than maybe any other time during the year. When it comes down to it, whatever day Jesus' was born, there are a lot of people celebrating the fact that He was born, that He did come to earth now more than ever. At our congregation, we celebrate Jesus' life, ministry, sacrifice and resurrection year 'round.

I'm thankful that we do have a time where everyone has some focus on our Savior and pray that it doesn't end after Monday but will be a relationship that begins and lasts all year, every day of every year until they have the chance to be with God. Maybe then we can ask what day Jesus was born but I rather doubt that will be an issue in Heaven.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and I hope you experience the joy of knowing the gift that God sent us this day and every day.

On Christmas Day...

It will snow 4 inches.
Santa will put a swimming pool in my backyard.
The troops in Iraq will all pack up and come home.
T.O. will catch 3 touchdowns and have 200 yards receiving.

I hope #1 and #3 happen but I'm not betting on any of it.

This is more likely...
The gift opening will be over in minutes in a whirlwind of noise and paper.
Batteries for something will be missing.
Thousands, maybe millions, will call loved ones to say Merry Christmas.
Thousands, maybe millions, wll talk about the diet and exercise program they are starting in a few days.
Thousands, maybe millions, will talk about diet and exercise while eating their 3rd piece of pie/cake/dessert.
Someone will be sad they didn't get what they wanted.
Lots of people will be in a rush to get the flat panel HDTV hooked up before the basketball and football games start.
People will start their shopping plans for returns/sales the next morning.
Dads will want to play with their childrens new toys.
More people will smile and more people will appreciate their life than normal.

I look forward to Christmas Day. It's the culmination of a busy, busy time of year and a time where I can almost always slow down, look around me and see the blessings I have. It's a day where people really do think of others and make a pledge to try and do it more often for the next 364 days. It's a day of hope, a day of peace (albeit a loud peace at times), a day to remember the gifts and THE GIFT.

Merry Christmas!

P.S. There will be no blog on Thursday. I have an eye doctor appointment and then a special appointment with a beautiful young lady to spend the day shopping for fun. It's a special time I have with my daughter and I am elated it will be here soon.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

Santa Claus will be here in just a few days to bring gifts and happiness to kids big and little. It's a magical time when you see the excitement in a child's eyes and feel the excitement they have over receiving a gift. While I hear parents complain about what their children expect from Santa with regards to pricing (it seems they could exercise some control over what Santa brings), I think the kids are just excited about getting to open a gift, to receive something with no strings attached and to know they were remembered. Whether I'm right or wrong, that is what I want to believe. I see the excitement in my children's eyes and see pure joy. I want to find the ways to give them that feeling every day with how I treat them, how I raise them and how I teach them to give of themselves to others.

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It seems all the news the past few days has either been about lost mountain climbers or T.O. I feel for the families of the climbers yet am still amazed at the amount of press coverage it generates. In the end, I realize the story is a story of hope until they are all found, a story that maybe something good will come out of something bad. It's a window into our society, that people still hope to find something good amidst all the bad. As long as there is hope, there is a chance that a seed we plant today will grow tomorrow.

Christmas Carols Are In My Head

I'm hearing the Christmas songs so much that they are always in my head now.

I appreciate the gift giving thoughts from the 3 wise guys. The fly rod would definitely top the list.

It seems people would get tired of fighting. I was reading an article yesterday about the fighting and killing in the middle east and the bad blood between the Fatahs and Hammas. One group killed the children of the leader of the other group within the last few days. I cannot fathom someone giving the order to go kill children or the ability to pull the trigger in that situation. It blows my mind that they can kill and kill and kill and never see the insanity of it all.

The other story that won't quit (and shouldn't) is when our troops will come home. One of my son's teachers from last year as endured her husband being in Iraq for many, many months. I'm not sure how long he was there but he came back home recently and the plan and hope is that he will not be redeployed but will begin a training position here for the immediate future. I cannot imagine having a loved one in that area of the world right now. I do hope our leaders will find a way to get those troops back home and back home quickly.

Join me in praying that God will be able to intervene in these world events and that our children can know peace on earth and goodwill to men.

What Do You Want For Christmas?

OK, I've got some folks who keep asking me what I want for Christmas and I don't know what to tell them. There are only a couple of things I want (but certainly don't need) but they are priced out of the normal range for gift giving. So I need help and I need all my faithful bloggers to give me some ideas of gifts to tell someone (no foot long coneys or "My Favorite Sermons" on CD). I'm looking forward to your response.

I'm Blogged Down

I've hit the blogging wall again. No cognizant thoughts are streaming this morning so I'll resort to an email I received yesterday for text.

Egg nog or hot chocolate? I'd have to go with hot chocolate. I'm not sure I've ever had egg nog.

Does Santa wrap presents or leave them unwrapped? Unwrapped. The joy in a youngster's eyes when seeing what Santa left is too good to keep under wraps.

Colored lights on white lights on the house? If it was me choosing it would be colored.

Do you hang mistletoe? No. (I've thought of many comments to add but better leave it alone.)

When do you put up the decorations? It's starts on Thanksgiving around our place. If it was up to me, maybe by the 24th. Thank heavens for my wife.

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? It has to be the shrimp - a long standing tradition in my family.

What are your favorite holiday memories from childhood? There are too many to write about. My dad's family was always at our house which was always fun. One of the Higginbotham's driving me around while Santa "visited." The hope for snow.

Do you open a present on Christmas Eve? Why wait until Christmas Eve? My family always opened presents on Christmas Eve. Now, we are with my family on Christmas Eve and my wife's family on Christmas Day so we're opening presents on both.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Again, thank heavens for my wife. I would have a 2 footer sitting on an end table. She gets out the big tree and she and the kids put on more decorations than I can imagine will fit. I have a few select decorations I always put up along with the star on top. I truly enjoy watching the kids put up the decorations. It's fun to watch them get excited about an ornament and then put all of them on the same branch.

Snow. Love it or dread it? Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Can you ice skate? Haha...very funny.

What's your favorite holiday dessert? Lemon ice box pie always tops the chart. Other than that, why limit one to be a favorite?

What's the most important thing about the holiday for you? I have always enjoyed how it brings people together. In spite of the commercialism, the small gifts, the smiles, the Merry Christmas wishes we give and receive - it's glimpes of how we should treat each other at all times.

Sadness in Football Land

Boyd lost to Littlefield Saturday night and the Waterboy's career may be over. It was a tough game and Littlefield did have a potent running game that couldn't be stopped that night. It was tough to watch some of the seniors on the team who were emotional afterwards knowing how close they were to a championship game and that it was their last hurrah. They had a good season going further than many thought they would but it still is tough to get that close to the big game and not make it. Better to be close than watching all the playoff games though.

My son was excited about the opportunity to work the sidelines in a state championship game. Unfortunately that won't happen but it was a fun year for him and something I know he will remember for a long, long time.

Our attention turns to basketball now which is my favorite time of the year. Tonight we will catch some 7th and 8th grade girls basketball my daughter wants to see. Tuesday and Thursday is our 5th grade practice. After practice Tuesday we will go watch some varsity action at the new high school and maybe again on Friday. Basketball has always been my favorite sport and I can enjoy watching game after game at the high school and college level.

Is it nap time yet?

Can You Hear Me Now?

Last night our class discussed listening and the need to truly listen to people. Since I am one who prefers to say little, I think listening is a trait I have developed over the years but still struggle with at times. It's so easy to listen through our own filters of experience at times. Too often, I hear what people are saying but not listening for their experience, their feelings, their emotions. I hear it while thinking of my experience, my feelings and my emotions.

Steven Covey in his 7 Habits book says one of the habits of highly effective people is to first understand and then be understood. If we can't understand the other person and only try to make them understand us communication will never be effective. Covey does a great job of teaching about listening, listening deeply and intently to what others are telling you so you can understand where they are. In the end, if you don't know where someone else is how can you truly help them if they are seeking help or compromise with them if they are seeking compromise or advocate your position if looking at alternatives to an issue? You can't help the lost if you don't know where they are and you can't battle the enemy of you don't know where they are and you can't find love and peace and mercy and grace and salvation if you don't know where it is.

I need to listen to my wife, my family and friends and associates at work better. Even more, I need to listen to God better. I need to hear what He is telling me without subjecting His thoughts to my desires. I need to hear Him clearly and to understand Him because He already understands me.

Confusion and Wandering

I taught my 5th grade team our base offense last night at practice. I made them walk through it slowly to make sure they saw the options and knew where their teammates would be. We spent time talking about it, discussing options and problems that might present themselves during a game. Then we scrimmaged another team that was practicing on the other half of the court. There guards put pressure on our guards and all of the sudden, my players couldn't remember anything we were supposed to do. It was confusion and chaos driven by pressure applied by an outside force. I got so frustrated but I understand because I too often lead my life the same way. I know what I need to do but outside forces put pressure on me and I lose focus and things quickly become chaotic.

The easiest way for my basketball team to overcome the confusion and chaos is to have someone they can focus on that will help them do what they are supposed to do. On my team, the point guard needs to help them get in the right position, to get them focused on where they should be and what they should do. Of course, he can't make them do it right because the game doesn't stop. I don't intend this to be a "God is your point guard" analogy but the ideas are parallel. God will help us get in the proper place mentally, emotionally and physically if we will let Him help, if we will focus on Him and listen to His words.

I have as much trouble doing that as my 5th graders do getting setup in a formation but I know it's something I can work on and pray that my focus and my the actions of my life will improve with time.

Giving

Yesterday was a day to contemplate giving for me. The sermon at church was about Annanias and Sapphira (I'm trying to spell from memory) and last night I spoke about our mission efforts at church. As one "friend" told me, I'm no Rick Ross when it comes to speaking but our messages had some parallels, namely that we need to have a desire to give and a heart to share all that we have. I've been guilty in the past of thinking that if I gave 10% that I should be content. I now think of giving differently because I've seen what having nothing and still being joyful really is. I now examine my heart and wonder if I could really give all that I have and remain joyful. I examine my heart and look to see how much selfishness still exists, how much pride still exists, how much of ME and how little of God exists. I examine myself and think of what would happen if I was in Annanias' shoes and know they probably would have been carrying me out to bury me also.

I want to change my life and my motivations and my heart. I want to be able to examine my heart and only see God, to know that all I have I would part with for a deeper relationship with Him, that my desires come from His desires. That is my prayer today.
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Weekend Update: Boyd won another fun game and will be playing Littlefield in Abilene this weekend. Fortunately, our basketball team has a bye so we don't have an issue this weekend for the waterboy. His basketball team won 30-7 which was awesome to hear about. It sounds like they hustled their way to a victory.

Decisons,..Decisions

Tomorrow is our first basketball game for the 5th grade group. There's also a Boyd Yellowjackets playoff game scheduled. My son who has been a waterboy for Boyd (and was listed as a manager on the playoff t-shirts) had to make a decision; play basketball or deliver the water. He has to do "his job" and be at the Boyd game on Saturday.

It's been interesting to see his thought process grow regarding responsibility this year. He considers being a waterboy a "job", something he needs to do. He has come to think of this job as something that people are depending on him to do. He feels like he is part of the team too. It's been fun to watch him grow this year and find something that he feels is important. We've even gone from getting to the game on time to needing to be there at least 30 minutes up to an hour early.

I'm glad he has had this opportunity because I am confident it has begun a building process of things he will learn over the years and this job has been a positive experience. I appreciate Coach Ritchey for giving him the opportunity and I appreciate Ian and Braden making him feel welcome and wanted over the past couple of years. It's building memories that will last a lifetime and, maybe more, it's building a foundation that will last a lifetime.

Brrrrr....

It's cold in Wise County today. The kids were a bit surprised that they had to get ready for school this morning. They were up at 4:20 turning on the TV to see if school had been cancelled but sound asleep when I came through to get them up. Needless to say, I was a bit surprised to see one on the sofa asleep and the other curled up in my chair asleep. Kids are funny in a very precious way.

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We had a small gathering at church last night due to the weather (it was pouring buckets of rain on us) so we had a devo instead of our regular classes. One of our brothers who is a school teacher spoke briefly about the harsh words that children speak to each other as we all considered what and how we say things. It would have been good if we were built with a feature similar to my voicemail at work where I can say something and then listen to it before I put it out for others to hear. I've said so many mean things to people in my life and it hurts to think about it. I know it hurt them and I wish there was a way to take it back. Unfortunately, I can't rewind yesterday but I pray I can learn from my mistakes and be more controlled with what comes out of my mouth today and in the future.

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Enjoy the winter weather and be careful if you are out and about.

Rain, Sleet, Snow

The forecast we are getting for the next few days drives me batty. No one knows if it sleet or ice will come but they can sure worry about it. If it doesn't, life goes on as normal. If it does, you make do the best you can. Yet there are those who check the forecast every hour to see what it has to say about the ice. It's one of the things people do that drives me crazy.
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It's funny to think we are preparing for COLD weather and I just left a place that is preparing for the hottest days of the year. I never used to think about such things until I was able to travel to Brazil. It has opened my eyes to a broader world view of simple things along with the bigger issues of daily life.
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Now that the phrase "Romosexuals" has been coined (for those who are in love with Tony Romo) I'm hearing the radio speculators saying Dallas is going from playoff contender to playoff favorite. We'll see. The Giants may be down but I'd be a little worried about playing a team that just got embarrased like the Giants did last week. Strahan and company may have some plans for Mr. Romo and I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of them.
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It's Casa Torres night. There's nothing like a week out of the country (or state or city) to make me look forward to Mexican food at the local restaurant. Add cold weather and it will taste even better.

Christmas Decorating

With no football and no races, yesterday afternoon was Christmas decoration Sunday. The lights were up outside and the tree was set up so yesterday it was time to put the ornaments on the tree and start putting out some of the other smaller decorations for the holidays. My wife does such a good job making the house look like Christmas every year and gives it a warmth and glow that makes the season a happy time. The kids help with the tree trimming and it's always funny to see how many ornaments might get hung on the same limb. There are just a few more things to put up and we will be set for the holidays - except for all the shopping. Thankfully, she does most of that too!

Who decorates at your house?

Black Friday

This is the day retailers live for. 10 months of getting by comes down to the next few weeks and the whirlwind it is. I was at Wal-Mart this morning at 6 to check out the crowds. Our store doesn't open until 7 so I was wanting to see what the effect on our cash registers might be. Wally World seemed slow but I ran into a couple of people saying the store had already sold out of what they wanted. At 7, our doors opened and people came pouring through. It was certainly a busy morning and a lot of merchandise went through the doors. I'm hoping for a good shopping season while dreading going shopping. Ironic I suppose.
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I realize my blogs over the past week had a hint of me wanting to be at home, which I did, but it was also a wonderful time and I feel blessed to have been able to go. I'm so appreciative of our church and their support for mission work. I'm in awe of a young man who left everything he knew to go to a place where he knew little to sow the seeds of hope and salvation. I've grown to love people who love the Lord and want to share His joy. I'm thankful to the Elders at my church for making sure this trip and all the work we did would happen.
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I hope everyone had all the good food I did yesterday. It was a great meal and a great day to be with family.
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As I write this, things aren't looking so good for my favorite college team. If they lose this one, I may need to find a friendly therapist. Just kidding but I do hope they start putting some points on the board. Hook 'em Horns!

Happy Thanksgiving

It's good to be home. Our flights and travel went off without a hitch and I am extremely thankful for that. My wife and children picked me up at the airport at 6:30 this morning and we went back home for a brief nap and a good shower. Being back in familiar surroundings is nice but nothing as near as good as being with my family. It was wonderful to see their smiling faces even though they had to get up early to come get me.

Our trip to Aracaju was successful and I am confident the effort, money and time will help to yield more fruit in the work of the church there. Plans are being made to help teach the Brazilians to be more evangelistic as individuals and to help them eventually become self-supporting. I am hopeful and confident that the day is coming that we will be able to take our money and begin supporting a new work because the people of Aracaju can do all they need to in their effort to reach lost souls on their own and with little, if any, support from the U.S.

One of the sisters wrote us the sweetest letter before we left that truly shows the loving spirit the people there have for God and for the church.

I look forward to going back one day but will enjoy my time back home in the arms of my family.

One More Sleep

We have been counting down our return by the number of "sleeps" we have in Aracaju. We have only one more tonight and then we begin our trip. We had a good day of meetings yesterday and great fellowship with some of the leaders in the church last night. I'm still struck by the friendliness of the people here and only wish we could communicate better. We finished our meetings today and will spend tomorrow getting ready to leave and visiting the market. I'm ready to go so pray that our flights work out and we make it back OK.

The pictures attached are: lunch after church on Sunday with several church leaders and missionaries and Randy next to cashew fruit.

One More Sleep

We have been counting down our return by the number of "sleeps" we have in Aracaju. We have only one more tonight and then we begin our trip. We had a good day of meetings yesterday and great fellowship with some of the leaders in the church last night. I'm still struck by the friendliness of the people here and only wish we could communicate better. We finished our meetings today and will spend tomorrow getting ready to leave and visiting the market. I'm ready to go so pray that our flights work out and we make it back OK.

The pictures attached are: lunch after church on Sunday with several church leaders and missionaries, Randy next to cashew fruit, Everett preaching on Sunday and me teaching on Sunday.

Sunday (Part 2)

What an invigorating and exhausting day. It started very early (4:15 Texas time) and lasted several hours. Church in Aracaju was uplifting. The brethren love to sing and have such joy. It was great to see their smiles and receive their hugs and good wishes. After church there was a graduation ceremony for 7 students who completed the School of the Bible course. Then we had lucnh with several members of the church at a nearby restaurant with more fellowship and joy in getting to know some of our brothers and sisters better. Many of them seem surprised that I remembered them from our previous trip and I hope to explain to them before we leave that they had a profound impact on me.

After lunch Randy, Angela, Everett, Idalicio and I loaded up in Randy's little Fiat and headed to Malahdor to meet with the church there. Today, 9 members were present and we met in a school room they use. Everyone there was related to each other so we joked about it being a real church "family." Afterwards, we were invited to Senor Antonio's house and farm. He grows a root that they make flour from and use in many foods. The root is poisonous unless processed properly so I was able to see their setup. It is not very mechanized and during their harvest, they work from 5am to 7pm 5 days a week. I was also able to see a kaju (cashew) tree. I had forgotten that cashews were also poisonous until processed. I ate jocku fruit (not so great) and watermelon (not very sweet) and saw many beautiful plants and other fruit trees. They insisted we stay for dinner and were so hospitable.

Driving to Malahdor and back, I saw more poverty. Small, small homes with dirt floors and drapes for doors. It is sad to see the conditions so many live in yet the Brazilians seem to be fairly enterprising people and ever friendly.

We are finishing the night with Everett and an exploding shower door. As he was getting out of the shower, the door shattered and glass is everywhere including in his hands and arms. It is quite a mess and we are waiting for someone to come up - hopefully someone we can communicate with.

I am worn out after today but have been edified. I thank God for this time. It is hard for me and my family at home but it is a tremendous time that strengthens my faith and my desire to serve the Almighty.

Sunday (Part 1)

We are preparing to head out for church in just a little while. Yesterday was spent with Randy in meetings discussing the past experience and future plans for the church. It was a good day but we have so much more to do. Today is packed with church (I'm teaching class and Everett is preaching), a graduation ceremony for students from the School of the Bible, a lunch with small group leaders at the church and then we head off to Malyador (about an hour away) for church service and time visiting with the people at that church. Malyador is a church that grew from the work at the School of the Bible and has even hosted a School of the Bible class in their church.

None of these buildings have a/c so I am praying that I will make through without too much trouble. I saw another Santa at the Jardins mall last night. The material for his outfit was odd looking but I think something to help keep him cooler.

I hated to hear the Eagles lost Friday in such a heartbreaker. I wanted the team to win but especially hoped good things for my friend Kyle. He's a great guy with an incredible heart and I hurt for him. Boyd won so we will be following one team a bit deeper into the playoffs. It must be good luck from the waterboy!

I'll try to write more tonight when we get back.

Christmas in Brazil

We arrived yesterday very tired and weary. About 20 members of the church were awaiting us at the airport when we arrived. It was great to see their smiling faces and receive their welcoming hugs. The ever-present language barrier is overcome through the looks on their faces and the warm feeling you receive from them.

We got to the hotel, unloaded our things and grabbed some lunch at the mall. I didn't expect to see Santa wandering around but there he was. The mall is ringed with icicle lights on the outside which is a little humorous considering the weather here now (hot and humid). We finally got some sleep which was a wonderful thing.

Today we begin meeting with Randy spending time evaluating what has happened over the past 4 years and where we go from here. It will be long days of discussion, thought and prayer. We will also meet with the Ledbetters and some of the church members during the week. Tomorrow we will meet for church and also go to Malyador to meet with another small congregation that has been started through the efforts in Aracaju.

Keep us in your prayers.

We Ride at Sun-up

I've always enjoyed westerns and always like hearing the lines like I used in the title. If you know me though, you know I avoid riding at sun up whenever possible. Fortunately, we fly out around 3:00 tomorrow afternoon which gives me a little time to pack in the morning (because I just can't seem to get it all together yet) and have lunch with my wife before getting to the airport.

Today is 40-something and rainy. I'm going to 90 and humid. It's two different worlds, two different languages and cultures but we are there to be focused on one thing. I am looking forward to being with Randy and so many others in Aracaju who made a profound impact on me. At the same time, I am sad to be leaving my family behind even for a week.

I will do my best to blog a little while I'm there. We will mainly spend our time in meetings so it won't be too exciting but I'll try to keep you posted.

Keep praying!

The Mind is A Terrible Thing To Waste

I had a good idea for a blog last night and really, really wish I could remember what it is today. It's just gone. I had crafted the blog in my mind and today, "poof", there is nothing there blog worthy.
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Basketball starts tonight. I'm coaching several 5th graders and the intensity level goes up a few notches. The rules are almost like real basketball with full court presses, steals anywhere on the court and all the fun stuff. We are behind some of our counterparts on practice time so it will be interesting to see how we progress. It's also the first year that we don't have to play all players equal amounts. I'm wrestling with that as I want to let everyone play and grow but I also want to be competitive and win a few.
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Just a couple of days until flying off to Brazil. Keep Everett and me in your prayers please.
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Chili dog man, consider that while my arms may seem shorter than yours, my shoulders are also 4 inches or so above yours. I realize I need 5 foot long arms to appease you but it's just not practical.

Love and War

Yesterday's Bible study was the parable of the good Samaritan, a story we've all heard. As I heard it again, I thought of it as story that I know and love but easily forget as I approach the world. Do I really stop to help my neighbor? Sure, I'd stop and help my Christian brother...if I don't have anything else planned. Sure, I'll help the guy across the street...if it wasn't raining. Sure, I'll help the individual who would do me harm...if I didn't hope some bad things would happen to him.

The story starts with the greatest command, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is like it, love your neighbor as yourself.

I am constantly reminded, because of my own failings, that if I were to show the love that I receive from God to those around me, the world would be an infinitely better place. What if everyone showed each other the love God shows us? What if everyone showed the patience and forgiveness that God shows us? Would we harbor ill feelings against people who have wrong us? Would we be more thoughtful of those who need us? Would our hearts feel more peace and our actions show more joy?

God, give me the strength to love like you love, to be patient as you are patient and to forgive like you forgive. Give me the courage to be more like Christ every moment.

The Journey

For some reason I haven't been able to log on for two days. Technology can be very frustrating.
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My trip to Brazil is rapidly approaching as I keep thinking of and forgetting things I need to do before leaving. Please keep me in your prayers that I will navigate the next few days with some level of sanity, that the trip will be safe and most of all, that God will be glorified in Brazil with the work we do.
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I've been reflecting of late about another journey I am making. I grew up "in church" and have always known God and what I should do yet looking back, I feel like I only knew those things at an intellectual level and did not experience it at an emotional and spiritual level. Over the past few years, I think I have truly come to know God much more intimately. It has been a journey that has led me to more peace, more hope and more understanding for how loving God is if we allow Him to live in us and through us. I now know and feel God's mercy and grace for a sinner like me and I feel it at the core of my being.

I know my journey has miles and miles to go yet they are miles I look forward to traveling with great anticipation.

The Two

Thanks to Rick and Dennis for your comments. I appreciate your thoughts.
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Today is election day (unless you voted last week like I did) and tonight I'm sitting in front of the TV waiting for the results. I've been very interested in politics over the last few years and even had a buried interest at one time of being a participant in the process. Over the last two or three years, I have become jaded to the process and have lost a great deal of trust in people who are in the political arena. I've seen good people who I feel gave in to pressure from bigger interests and I've seen others who have left the arena before giving in. Until there is a major change in how the campaign process works, I don't think there will ever be an improvement in the political landscape.
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I get to come home tomorrow. Two nights away is about all I can take. I'm thankful for my wife and her ability to keep everything going when I'm away. I hope my children behave extra good when I'm gone and am thankful when they do. I miss being home and look forward to being there sometime tomorrow.

Big Times in Bell County

Tonight at dinner I was sitting next to two ladies who were excited about an event they were going to later in the evening. I couldn't figure out who they were going to see but heard them eagerly discuss where their seats were, how many people would be there and so on.

On the way back to my motel (I'm in lovely Salado tonight), I passed the Bell County Expo and saw that Joel Osteen was speaking tonight. He was the object of their excitement and anticipation for a great evening. They were prepared to hear the good news and were obviously excited about the opportunity but as I drove by, I wondered what good news they would here. Would they hear the good news that there sins have been covered by the blood of the Savior, that life is not about us but about serving God and others or would they hear the good news that if they believe in Christ good things will happen in their lives?

Too often I hear people try to put the "pretty" spin on their love for Jesus...that they love Him, He loves them and everything will be good. More often I wish I heard the real story...that our churches are full of people who have battled drugs and alcohol, service to self, sexual sins, pride and hatred and all the other tools the devil uses against us. What would it be like if we all had to wear our signs of struggle at church instead of putting on our pretty clothes and looking right? Would we be more broken, more humble, more open to the beauty of grace and mercy?

These TV evangelists scare me because I wonder what their message is really doing to people. At the same time, the facade we maintain around those we know, those we worship with and those we love scares me too. Would it help someone if they knew they faced the same struggles I face or that someone else faces? Would it help if they knew the pretty church building was really a place that could deal with the ugly face of sin?

I hope those two ladies will really know Christ and the love He has for them. I hope they will know that people struggle just like they struggle and knowing the love of Christ doesn't mean their problems will all go away. I hope they know that whatever trouble the face today will mean nothing if they will let the blood of Christ cover them and receive the promise of an eternity unlike anything imaginable. I hope they will know the true Good News.

Community

I spent part of last night at the multi-purpose building listening to a music program done by the 5th grade. As I sat and looked around the room, I was struck by how many people I know because of my children. Being sociable does not come natural to me. Most of the time, I rather be left alone to enjoy peace and solitude. Thankfully, there are drivers that get me up and in front of people from time to time and I have found over the last several years that my kids and their activities are often the biggest instigator of putting me in front of people. I wasn't suprised by the number of people I knew last night as much as I was floored by the amount of people I have the opportunity to make an impact on and began to wonder what kind of impact I make. I also realized how many people I had a "Hi, how are you? Great and you?" relationship with, a surface level relationship where the only thing we may have in common is that our kids are at the same place at the same time.

I pray God will help me be an influencer for Him in peoples lives. I pray that they will see through my faults and failings and know that behind all the facades I put up, they will see that God's will is my purpose and that they will be drawn to Him. I pray also that each day I will live more like God wants me to live. I pray that for you too.

Lovely Day

I enjoy the cold weather. Today isn't all that cold but it's better than it has been. I look forward to winter every year and while the fall and spring are nice, I'd like just a bit more winter than what we get around here.
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Two weeks from today I'll be leaving for Brazil. I'm excited but not completely ready either. It's a busy time of the year and a hard time to be gone. I'm looking forward to my time there though and ask for your prayers that it will be profitable time spent building up the kingdom and that we will have safe travels.

I come home Thanksgiving morning and know that I have, and will have, much to be thankful for.

Dancing With Emmitt

We've been watching Dancing With The Stars and are cheering for Emmitt Smith to win the prized trophy. While some of the dances and costumes are a bit provocative, I get caught up in the effort and time these people are putting into this contest. It's obviously no easy feat to perform one of these dance routines yet several of the contestants do so well week after week while still carrying on a somewhat norml routine for their lives.

I'm often impressed by people who display great dedication to something they are passionate about. Professional athletes are the easy example of people who have to spend time and effort perfecting themselves and their trade. One example works with some of the youngsters on our baseball team each week. He is up at 5:00 for his first workout of the day and has a second one mid-afternoon. He lifts weights, runs, does yoga and is careful about what he eats. It's a 7 day-a-week process for him.

I hope, as a Christian, I can have the same focus and dedication.

Boo!

Happy Halloween to all of you witches and goblins out there. Watching the news last night, they were interviewing a lady who was upset that her child was part of a Halloween program and felt it offended her religious beliefs. I'm not here to debate whether she is right or wrong but it got me to thinking about Halloween and my memories of it over the years.

1. Dad dressed up in football pads and helmet with a mask on sitting on our front porch scaring people.
2. Halloween at the Lott's. The Lott's had a farm outside of town. Some of our dear parents dressed up as witches and boiled body parts or babies. I never got too close to figure it out. Dad was in his costume hiding in the creek bottom chasing us just when we thought it was over. Another parent appearing to be hanging from a tree limb. The preachers wife falling into an open grave. Someone coming down a zip line at an old cemetary and one of our kids getting so scared he ran off down the road with parents chasing after him. Cooking hot dogs and roasting marshmallows around the fire when it was over.
3. Dressing up in costumes when I was little and trick-or-treating with Suzanne Kirby. I don't remember the costumes but I'm sure they were cool.
4. Wondering how sick my kids would get trying to eat all the candy they collected and hearing "let me unwrap it first to make sure it's OK" ringing in my head.

Halloween was always scary fun. It still is in many ways. Tonight we will stay home most of the night and give out candy to the little ghouls, warlocks, pirates and angels that come by. Maybe we'll hide in the bushes and scare a few of them too. :)

I'll Take One of Those, Three of Those...

We had a great class last night at church discussing the desire for "things", for material goods and the danger that it leads to - pulling us away from our relationship with God. Keeping up with the Jones' (easy enough for me) seems so prevalent in our society. After spending time in a foreign country, I could see how we looked in their eyes. It's saddening in many ways and I hope I can stay focused on God and want less and less in the days to come.
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Along those lines, this was in a church bulletin I receive. I thought it was great.

Cell Phones vs The Bible
I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around on our belts or in our purses?
What if we turned back if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't afford to live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as a gift?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of an emergency?

I like the analogy. I am one of the few who thinks the world was a better place before cell phones and leave mine somewhere else as often as I can. Yet, the analogy it makes with the Bible is a good one in the sense that the Bible should be a focus point for living our lives.

People in Need

We've recently added an employee benefit that will help people get help they need through Wise County Christian Counseling. I am aware of several couples and families going through difficult times in the last few years and I hope this will be an opportunity for them to get help.
An employee approached me yesterday and asked if relatives would qualify. She told me about her sister-in-law who is in remission from cancer but depressed and battling bulimia. She has a young son who wants attention from him mom but can't get it because of the mental struggle she is in. The son is suffering also and is now acting out in different ways for attention. Our employee's concern is that the sister-in-law won't get help, that she will feel like those trying to encourage her are intruding, meddling.
There are so many people we are around each day that need help and we don't even know it. I'm praying this morning that those people will seek and find the help they need. I know people are hurting and feel all alone. I hope they can find the hand of God and will follow Him, that they will find love and support among us to help them through the struggles and that they will know a loving and saving Christ who has given us all we will ever need. I hope that even in times of distress, they will find peace in the shadow of the cross. This is my prayer.

I Say "Tony", You Say "Romo"

The Cowboy game had it's bright spots last night but not many.
1. We sat four rows up from where Chris Berman, Steve Young, Michael Irvin and Tom Jackson were doing the pre-game and halftime shows on ESPN. Stuart Scott and Chris Mortenson were also there for Sports Center. ESPN was a great idea.
2. The QB switch at halftime had the crowd buzzing. It didn't turn out so well but it's all Cowboy fans can expect I suppose.
3. Red parking isn't all bad. It's just all the turns you have to make to finally get on the highway you want to be on.
4. The announcer noted that "football is a team sport" and "in that spirit, the Cowboys take the field as a team." They did and all the hoopla was cool. Loud music, flames, fireworks. I was ready to go play until I saw Michael Strahan hit Drew Bledsoe. OUCH.
5. Once the team was on the field, all the cheers were for TO and Romo.
6. It's amazing how many people will sit in the stands and cuss at players and coaches mistakes. I can't imagine spending $80 or so a seat to let your anger out at people you don't know. (I should have had a local counselor's cards with me to hand out.)
7. Michael Irvin still gets the love. People were continually yelling his name hoping he would look up and wave at them. (Sidenote: People can be incredibly forgiving of athletes but harsh to people close to them. As Christians, we should be the very example of that. Sadly, it isn't always the case.)
8. There were a lot of people drinking beer but surprisingly not as many as I would have expected.
9. The guy in front of me brought radio headphones and a little TV. Why come to the game?
10. We stood for almost the whole game. It was loud. I remember when people on TV talked about Texas Stadium as being quiet. It's loud now.
11. Hank Williams Jr. was there to start things off in a really cool looking Ford truck.
12. Rayfield Wright and Troy Aikman were there to receive their Hall of Fame rings. Things have gone downhill since their playing days.
13. It's just a little humorous to hear thunderous cheers for the backup QB coming in and then, on his first play, he throws an interception. He did good but made a number of mistakes along the way.
14. Two kids in front of us painted their upper bodies blue. One had a T, the other an O on their chest. I think they had dreams of TV that didn't pan out for them. They were peeling it off by mid 4th quarter.
15. I wondered how many people stayed in the parking lot during the game at their own little party area.

It's a sports fan heaven right now. The World Series, football and the start of basketball and hockey. I'm pulling for the Cardinals but won't mind seeing the Tigers win (with stuff on their hands or not). I'm pulling for my fantasy football players instead of teams. The Chargers defensive problems are really bumming me out. I haven't figured out hockey so I don't watch it but enjoy the games live. Pro basketball doesn't do much for me so I don't watch until the playoffs come along. Lest I forget, the Chase for the Cup is winding down and the Byron Nelson and Colonial are only half a year away.

Missionaries and Football

It's been a good weekend for me. I've been able to spend time with Randy who is a missionary we support in Brazil. We have been able to pray and talk about the future. I was able to be with him in Lewisville last night as he spoke to the church there and saw the encouragement they give him.

Randy is a humble man when it comes to his needs yet a bold man when it comes to sharing the Good News. He is a servant and often overlooks his own well-being for the sake of others. As we discussed his budget needs for the coming years, he was ever hesitant to talk about his own salary, what he might need and want. I am hoping through our church and his other supporters, we can raise his salary 50% next year. To many of us, that seems like a big jump but that isn't the case with Randy' situation. After currency conversions, he actually receives less money in Brazil than he did when he started there 4 years ago. I hope to get him in a situation where a 50% raise equates to about a 10% increase in Brazilian funds over his 2002 salary.

If you know of a church that might add Randy to their missions support, please let me know. Also, I ask for your prayers that the Decatur church and his other supporters can rise up and meet the needs of an expanding Brazilian work that is gaining souls to the Kingdom. 77 baptisms in 3 years, 500+ people coming through the School of The Bible - the field is ripe for us to play our part in reaching the lost around the world.

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I'm headed to the Cowboy game tonight. I'll be the one with my shirt off and these words painted on my chest, "TO, Rick's pulling for you!"

There's a group of us from church who play fantasy football each year. Typically, I have always finished high enough that I won back the money I paid to play. Things aren't looking so good for me this year and I will be 3-4 after the weekend. Adding insult to injury, I lost this weekend to a previously winless team. Hopefully, tonight the Cowboys will win and our parking spot will be close and I can forget about the slackers on my fantasy team who let me down.

Chili

I'm so glad we are getting cold weather finally. Those who know me know I am not a hot-weather guy. I like it under 80 degrees and enjoy these bursts of cold weather. I started thinking about chili today on the way to work and am wishing I had a big bowl right now. What do you like to eat when it gets cold? (Sonic coneys don't count since they are more for medicinal purposes.)

Last night at church was good for me. Our missionary from Brazil spoke and showed pictures from our trip there. I was reminded of some of the wonderful people I met and came to love. We saw one picture, a family of 10, and I noticed most of them were not wearing shoes. I saw a picture of Idasio and remembered he was always smiling, always laughing or you would find him playing his recorder or guitar and singing to us. So many great memories, so many wonderful blessings that we all experienced. I thank God for the way that trip has drawn me closer to Him.

Have a great (colder) day!

Anyone Up Early?

I've got to be at the airport at 6am in the morning and am looking for someone to take my place. Our missionary in Brazil is coming in for a few days and as much as I look forward to spending time with him, that's awful early. I prefer to only have one 6:00 in my day and that would be close to supper.

As much as I dread the early rise, it will be a good day. He will speak to our church Wednesday night regarding the mission trip that 30 of us took to Aracaju and what that trip meant to their church. He will be making a presentation at the Lewisville church Sunday night in their effort to raise $50,000 in a special missions contribution.

There are not many people I hold in truly high regard. I know everyone has their faults (I only have to look in the mirror to know that so well) but he is someone who exudes Christ-likeness to me. He wants nothing but to share the Gospel. For someone living in Brazil, he makes a good salary and would be considered upper middle class at the least. Yet he lives in a very modest home, drives a very modest car, eats as native Brazilians eat and gives so much of what he has. He is extremely humble, extremely compassionate and loving. He cares about people, more importantly he cares about their souls. I am glad to know him and thankful to God that I have crossed paths with him, shared successes with him as well as fears. He encourages me to walk in Christ's path and challenges me to know God better.

I will look forward to seeing him...even early in the morning.

Homecoming

We went to Abilene for the ACU Homecoming this past weekend. The campus has changed so much since I was a student in the late-80's. Seeing the changes almost makes me wish I was a student now. I think back to my days and wonder what I didn't appreciate having that people who had attended in the years before me would have thought was so wonderful. We drove by some of the places we lived, saw some old friends and watched ACU win a football game (another thing that didn't happen much when I was in school).

On Friday, we had stopped in Eastland to watch Boyd play football. It was a funny little stadium and Boyd won easily. I spent much of the night watching my son avoid getting in another collision. He was quick to be on the move if a play started coming his way. I don't think he wants another memory like that.

My next trip to Brazil is rapidly approaching. I'm looking forward to being back in Aracaju to help and learn with my brothers and sisters and work on planning for the coming years with our missionary and the team there. The things I experienced and learned on my previous trip still resonate loudly within me and I still remain thankful that I have had this opportunity. Please pray that this coming trip will be safe and profitable in expanding the Kingdom.

Safety in Numbers

About this time last week, I was listening to someone I know talk about severe stress and strain their family went through battling a crisis in their marriage. I was awestruck by the willingness to share such a heart-wrenching, emotional struggle. It struck me how a family of faith can and should be willing to share their deepest thoughts and emotions and know they will be supported and loved. I saw that last week and I am thankful I have a church family that holds others up.

I'm still not comfortable sharing my hurts, my fears, my failings. I still exist in a world where my problems are mine, mine to deal with and live with. It's hard to make that move to a more open, more transparent life. I hope one day I will but between now and then, I will cherish the opportunities to see people loved unconditionally, to see people edify others, to see people empathize and pray for others. I'm thankful to be where I am right now. I look forward to what God has in store.

Lotto Texas

The question came up in our Bible study yesterday about how many people had bought a lotto ticket (more replied in the affirmative than I thought they would, me included) and what they would do with the money if they won. That was a hard question, especially in church, because I think everyone who buys one thinks of many things they would do but would it be the right thing to do? What is the right thing? It got me to thinking again about priorities, how we decide what our priority is or how it just creeps up on us. I am convinced the use of our money says a quite a bit about us. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those who thinks being wealthy and being a Christian or mutually exclusive but where I put my resources is an indication of where I place my Christianity on my priority heirarchy.

I appreciate the question yesterday and the reminder for what needs to be first for me.

So what would you do with all the money? Since it's my blog, I guess I have to go first with what I would want to do.

I would set up a missions endowment through our church. I have come to love missions work and want to help more people willing to make the sacrifices needed to travel around the globe sharing the Good News.
I would set up a building endowment through our church. I would like to see us create more recreation areas for our youth, more space for our Mother's Day Out and let the 5th Sunday contribution go to spreading the Gospel.
I would pay off debt.
Invest.
Past that, I'm not sure what I would do. Do some things to the house, help establish college funds for family members, go to baseball games at every stadium, put a pool in. I'm sure there would be no lack of ideas for how to spend all the money.

My prayer today is that I remember what and who is most important.

The Excitement of World Travel

I spoke with the shoppers/travelers who have gone to the big antique flea market (I wonder what an antique flea looks like) and it would appear they are having the time of their life. Heat and hotels from...well, you know where...are making it a trip to remember.

I would guess the couple with the holes in their sheets must have had the Presidential Suite. Another couple had a room with an unbolted toilet (I won't venture a guess as to what they were doing to move the toilet so much to know it was unbolted). The final pair (of which my spouse was one) has apparently created a Lysol cloud over South Texas. I can't imagine why a blood stain on the bed or a toenail clipping would bother some people but apparently it does.

I can only imagine there are many people in the world who would deal with such travesty but when the Devatur 6 comes to town, a little higher level of expectations come with them.

Dennis, I think you know why I passed on this trip now!