Laboring Day

I'm laboring on Labor Day because retail never sleeps. I'll make sure and sneak out a little early today though - I hope.

Gustav is coming ashore. I feel so bad for the people who are affected by this weather. I'm praying today that God will take care of them with what they need.

I'm tired of all the Barack-bashing email. Folks, he's not my candidate but John McCain ain't Superman either. I disagree with most of Obama's stances but respect the fact that he has the guts to run for President. I get the feeling most Americans would rather complain than step up. The latest bashing email says Obama only has 143 days of experience but it's coming from people who plan to vote with absolutely NO experience. What qualifies them to vote? McCain has been in government for years and how has that improved my life? I enjoy politics for the psychology of it all but have no faith in our government to do much for us.

Speaking of the psychology of politics, how about McCain's VP pick? This will be really interesting (especially with all of her national experience!) to see how people respond to this choice.

My daughter ran her first high school cross country race on Saturday and set a PR (that's personal record in high-school speak) for herself. It was a warm, humid day running a pretty hilly course. I chased her around as much as I could and it is amazing to see the difference in her running and her will to compete since last year. I am so proud of her because she is accomplishing something that is hard and requires a lot out of her. It speaks volumes about the girl she is and the woman she will become. I love her and am thankful she encourages me.

Primetime

I got a primetime speaking slot last night. Jacob is out of town and asked me to teach the youth class. It's the Wednesday after school starts so most everyone is back and we had somewhere over 40 in class last night. Way cool. I love these guys because I look at them and see hope. I hear prayer requests like "pray that our youth group will reach out to be at school" and I look around to see several visitors that our kids bring with them. I have high hopes for what these young people are doing today and will do in the future for the kingdom. They encourage me. They lift me up and push me forward in my walk. They challenge me in many ways. I am thankful for my time with them. I hope God is using me to help them but I know, I feel it, that he is using them to help me.
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Put Bill Clinton in front of a camera and he is just good. I heard most of his speech last night and the guy is talented. He was better than the VP-elect but I guess they couldn't let Bill upstage him. If I was inclined to vote for Obama, I think Bill would have sealed the deal last night. I didn't care for him as a President and I don't think he really engineered all he takes credit for but the guy can speak in front of a crowd.
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The news hit last night that McCain has picked his running mate. I've heard pro-life and pro-choice candidates, men and women, Republicans and Democrats. I wonder who it will be.

The thing that makes me feel bad for our country is that I don't think the running mates of either nominee make much of a difference and I don't think things will change much (other than tax rates) whichever candidate is elected. The world didn't come to an end with Clinton was President even though that's what we were told and all things considered, things haven't been so great with Bush in office.

I think there is room for a lot of social changes and tax changes and health care changes. Universal health care scares me but I'm also tired of paying 5-figures for health care and medicines every year. I'm highly interested in the election but in the end I don't think either candidate is going to have much impact on my life. Do you?

The End of Summer

We're in Day 2 of school which is hard to believe. College football kicks off this weekend and the Friday night lights for high school football cranks up in the next week or so. The Rangers have folded up again though they did finally win one against Kansas City last night. The Cowboys are the talk for most people around town. Yep, summer is about over and fall is on the way. Here's to hoping it brings cool days and crisp nights and plenty of wins for our teams.

I mention football only because it is the biggest sport of fall but our high school volleyball teams have already played a number of games and our cross country team kicks it off this weekend.
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Did anyone watch the Democratic convention last night? I caught Michelle Obama's speech and Barak's interaction with her afterward. I was struck by how many "holes" there seemed to be in their talking giving me the feeling they are much more nervous and not quite as cool as their handlers would hope for. Ms. Obama had several pauses in her speech in mid-sentence and when Barak appeared on the screen, he couldn't remember if he was in Kansas City or St. Louis.

I sure couldn't pull it off but I expected a little more seamlessness from him than what I saw last night. Don't get me wrong, I'm not hammering Obama or saying he's a bad guy - just not as polished as I was expecting to see.

I think the next 2 weeks are going to be media crazy. The Republicans have a "war room" set up near the Democratic convention so they can respond and attack at the drop of a hat. I'm not too sure "war room" is the best terminology for the Republicans to use in the midst of such dissension on the troops being in Iraq but what do I know?

Ouch

I took my baby girl to high school today. Neither she nor I am old enough for her to be going to high school. I remember walking her to her kindergarten class holding hands. That certainly wasn't an option today! My baby girl is growing up into a beautiful young woman and I am so proud of her. I wish I could hold back the years and stop the aging process but know it isn't possible. Instead, I will keep trying to learn to live today and help prepare her for tomorrow. She has been a gift from God and I am thankful she is in my life - even if it means she is going to grow up on me.
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I took my little boy to his first day of middle school. He's growing up too fast also. I remember when he was in kindergarten and I got to walk him to class the first few days of school. I pull up one day and he says "I got it Dad." He didn't need me to go with him anymore. Brutal.

I have been blessed with two incredible children. I thank God for them and hope they will spend their lives striving to know Him and being a light to the world.

Where's Your Sign?

One of the country comedians had a big hit a few years ago with a "where's your sign?" bit aimed at stupid questions and a lack of common sense. It was pretty funny and has hung around for awhile. I got to thinking a few years ago that church might be better served if we wore our signs in - our signs that listed our sins and our failings - not so that we would feel bad but that we would remember we are all sinners without the grace of God, not that we would call attention to ourselves but that the hurting that came in would know they were not alone.

My cousin (thanks Linda!) sent me an email with a link to Cardboard Testimonies on YouTube. (It appears this church read my mind!) For me, it's a powerful video because a lot of the signs could be mine. They remind me that I am worthless without God - that my life means nothing until I can hold up my sign showing my sin but be able to flip it over and show what a wonderful, powerful, loving God can do in my heart.

Old Friends

I got to see John Scott last night and while it was brief, it was fun to spend just a little time visiting with him. John preaches at Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland but I met him 20 years ago in Fort Worth when I moved there for an accounting job. John was preaching at Southside where I attended on some sort of basis (not frequent enough at the time!). John always caught me at the back doors while I was trying to hurry out and made me feel comfortable and glad I came. Even when I missed a couple of weeks, he would make sure and catch me before I got out the doors. His love for me led me in a path I needed to be taking and over the years, he has become a very special person in my life. I started teaching a Bible class when he left for Garland and while I didn't want to do it at the time I see now that his move started me in a Bible study that I might have avoided otherwise. He is someone I was around for only a short time but who has made a big impact on my life. I am thankful that God led us to cross paths because I am better for it.
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I am getting more and more emails about politics and religion. You would think McCain is one of the original apostles and Obama is Satan himself. What I hear is that God will be pleased if McCain is elected while Obama will drag us to the gates of Hell.

Here's my trouble with all these emails and it's my opinion alone. Walk away thinking I'm a fruit loop if you want! The United States is not a Christian nation. (How's that for a bold statement?) God called each one of us to follow Him. He didn't call our country or our government or our politicians (in their role as a politician) to live in His will but he called you and me. Can I be in an uproar about government legislating prayer in schools if I don't pray with my kids on a regular basis, if I don't help the suffering around me, if I don't see people through Christ's eyes instead of my own?

I will not be defined by who is elected President of the United States. Instead, I will be defined by how my life measures up to that of my great example - Jesus, my Lord and my Savior. Oh, I certainly have a LONG way to go to be the person I need to be but my focus will be on me and what I need to do to be right with Christ instead of what Barack Obama has or hasn't done.

More Rain

It was pouring hydrogen and oxygen this morning. It's great other than I have Rangers tickets tonight. All in all, I wouldn't mind a rain out if it keeps the temperatures down awhile longer.

Rumor has it the Cowboys have played a couple of preseason games. I haven't seen a lick of it and haven't been watching the news lately due to the Rangers and Olympics. Does Romo and TO still play for the Cowboys? I'm truly oblivious and couldn't care less.

The Rangers are stinking it up. I'm trying to remember why I'm going tonight.
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I missed the debate with McCain and Obama at the church in California this past weekend but wish I would have seen it. I've read stories about how impressed people are with Obama's compassion for people. I can only assume it is genuine and hope that the idea of compassion comes through in the final results of the winner.

People get so mad about candidates changing their thoughts or positions on different things but I wonder who never changes a little. As I grow closer to God, as I think I come to understand Him more and what it takes for me to live Christ-like, my compassion for people is growing. I'm not just talking about people who are going through life's ups and downs but people who are truly in the grip of evil.

I think I've reached a point where I would question a candidate who hasn't changed their thoughts at all in the past 10 years - especially where it comes to social justice. Obama still isn't my candidate but I think the party I tend to vote for more often certainly needs to be more compassionate.

Rain, Rain, Rain

It's raining in Decatur, Texas and the temperature is in the 70's. I can't help but think it will go away soon and we will be living with highs in the 100's soon but I am enjoying today.

The Rangers have gone in the tank. Tom Hicks was quoted as saying that paying for free agent pitchers is the biggest gamble in baseball and he wants to cultivate the talent they have in the minors. Uh, Tom...isn't paying hundreds of millions of dollars for a professional sports team a gamble already? Wasn't paying A-Rod $250 million a gamble? Picking up Milton Bradley? It's all a gamble but buying free agent (proven) talent isn't the same gamble as being able to prepare your own pitchers (which the Rangers have never done). Let's see, we heard all about John Danks and Edison Volquez and where are they? Danks is doing well for the White Sox and Volquez actually made the All-Star game. Yep, the Rangers do a great job developing their own talent.

I'm going to go scream now.

Sick of Spam

I'm so tired of spam. At work, we utilize a special software to filter spam because our public domain name makes us an easy target. Lately I'm getting bombarded by CNN Special Alerts that want me to buy some penny stocks. Fortunately, they are all getting caught in my spam filter and a quick press of a mouse key makes them go away but I still have to check it periodically just to make sure email I do need isn't lost in the filter.

I see spam around me more and more often now. I'm constantly bombarded with messages I don't need or want. Whether it's provocative TV and billboard ads, people who are always negative, junk on TV, crazy drivers - whatever it is that is at work to draw my attention away from where it needs to be, it drives me crazy. As I turn my focus more and more to the spiritual battle that is going on around me, a battle that I cannot always see or define but that I know is actually being fought for my heart and my mind, I realize the spam in my life is the devil at work trying to draw my attention and focus away from God. Fortunately, God equipped me with a spam filter - the Holy Spirit - that I can use to trap the spam and remove it from my sight. All I have to do is use it.

What Makes Me Turn Off The Olympics

Coming home last night with my son, we're listening to the Rangers game as the score goes to 10-0 with Boston leading after the 1st inning. Yes, the 1st inning. Big Papi hit two 3-run homers in the 1st inning. Yes, the 1st inning. Game over, right?

We get home, settle in and flip on the Olympics and then decide to run get something to eat. We're back to the Rangers on the radio and hear that it is now a 2 run game. We get back home and watch the Rangers lose in a 19-17 slugfest. Incredible. I hate the Rangers are still lagging too far behind in the wild card race but compared with last year's team - this is still a little bit of fun.

Tell me if you've heard this one before. If we can just bring in some pitching...

CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets and A.J. Burnett are all free agents after this year. I don't know what it would cost but put those 3 guys with this offense and the Rangers would have the potential to rule the baseball world.
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The Shack is still in play. I talked to someone yesterday who just finished it and had a similar response to me. "Man, there's some stuff in there that's too far out but it has expanded my thinking and understanding of God in ways I didn't know possible." I think it is a book that will be debated on it's merits for awhile but I simply see it as a tool to reach different people in different places. If we are to come to God as we are, all the books and all the preachers and all the teachers and all the evangelists and missionaries and active Christians can't do everything the same way. People come in various forms and while there is only one God, He sees us as he created us, not as we see each other. I'm the only father my children have but I do not always respond to them in the same way because they are different children with different personalities. I want the same thing for both of them but getting them there may take different approaches.

The Shack will be a re-read for me, not to wrestle with the parts of the book I didn't like but to see if there is more there that God wants me to know about how I can approach Him and serve Him.

If you have read it, I would love to hear your thoughts on it sometime - either here or in person.

The Olympics

I am caught up in the Olympics. At any other time, I would flip the channel away from men's gymnastics as fast as I could but during the Olympics I sit and watch marveling at what they do. The same goes for women's gymnastics, swimming and many of the other Olympic sports. I think it's the fact/allusion that the Olympics remain an event primarily for amateur athletes who train diligently in relative obscurity in the hopes of standing on a platform, wearing a medal and hearing our national anthem play. Michael Phelps will make a lot of money in endorsements when this over but he appears no happier than the USA gymnastic guys I saw last night throwing their bodies around in incredible feats of strength and power with smiles from ear to ear when they completed near perfect routines. Oh yeah, how about synchronized diving? Let's gather up a few of us and go do that to perfection a few times. Wow.

The opening ceremonies with the drummers is one of the neatest visual experiences I've ever seen. The Chinese may have horrible views on human rights but they have some good drummers and brilliant imagination. How about the guy running through the sky carrying the torch. Really cool stuff.

I'll be torn tonight. Texas is playing Boston with (slim) hopes of hanging around for the playoffs. I may have to find my old portable radio to listen to the game and watch the Olympics.
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It's 72 degrees this morning and the ground is wet. I wish there was a way to bottle this morning and open it up every day from now through mid-September.
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What's your favorite summer Olympic sport? I suppose my favorite is still basketball but I will spend more time watching individual sports like swimming and gymnastics.

Whew...Glad That's Over

Yesterday I had the opportunity to make a presentation to our church about our trip to Brazil. Because I have gained so much from my trips to Aracaju, I was excited to do it but getting up in front of a crowd on Sunday morning still makes me pretty nervous. I thought I had it worked out to go about 25 minutes and no more but I have a problem with thinking of stuff I want to say as I go sometimes so I ended up going longer than planned. Fortunately, our song leader and planned for my rambling and cut the song service a bit shorter than normal. All that to say, there is so much more I wish I could have shared, so many experiences that have impacted so many lives, so many moments seeing people do things to help others, to make them laugh, to lift them up but that could take a lot of time.

Our church is a wonderful place. I feel hearts busting open to God's desire all the time and the effort and assistance that was given to help us get to Brazil and hold us up while we were there is a wonderful glimpse into the hearts of our church. My focus on yesterday was about the body of Christ that meets at the Decatur Church of Christ that is impacting lives in Wise County and around the world. It is a body that is working for God, a body that lives in the grace of God.

I'm glad my presentation is over but even happier, more joyful, that the work that will be done for the kingdom will keep going and keep growing from right here in little ol' Decatur, Texas.

Early Days

My little girl runs cross country. That means that every morning except Sunday, her mother or I (or both) are up at 5:30 A.M. to take her to practice. This makes for some very long days, especially when I may not get to sleep until 11:00 or later at night. I could moan and groan about it I suppose - and sometimes do - but the fact that my daughter is out running miles and miles is motivation to me. I know she doesn't always enjoy it because sleeping late is more her style but most days she comes in with a great attitude, she's incredibly fit and I love to watch her run when she kicks it in. She almost glides over the ground. The thing is, even though she rather be sleeping, she keeps pushing, keeps going forward, keeps working hard. For that, I thank her because she is an example to me. Thank you girlfriend!
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The Rangers split 4 games with the Yankees. David Murphy is hurt and I'm wondering how that will impact his Rookie of the Year chances. I hope it doesn't because he has played as well as anybody and better than anyone expected from him a year ago. I think everyone holds their breath when Josh Hamilton comes to the plate and the game on the line. It's like we all expect a home run everytime he swings. That's a lot of pressure on one guy but I suppose he may not feel it. I wonder what the Rangers will have to do to get 2 or 3 great pitchers in here. I think it will cost billions.

Have a great weekend. Seek God.

Talking to God

Have you ever struggled talking to God? I feel that at times, that my requests are all the same, that my words are not appropriate, that I've overextended my prayer minutes and God can't fit me in again (I'm picturing God looking at His called ID and groaning, "not him again"). Sometimes I have trouble and all I can ask is that God look into my heart and hear my plea. The Bible says the Holy Spirit groans for us so that God will hear our plea. I am thankful for the gift of the Holy Spirit that God gave to me.

I know God hears me. I know He doesn't check called ID but I still struggle at times. I wonder why that is? I'll give Satan some of the credit. As I come to truly believe there is a spiritual battle being fought in me and around me this very second, believe that anything that comes between me and God is an attack from Satan's demons on my heart wanting me to believe God isn't listening; that He doesn't have time for me.

The war has been won but the battles are still being fought. I will have struggles but know there is something awaiting me that is wonderful and I can take hold of it today if I keep my heart open to God's will and desire for me. I may struggle but He will pick me up if I just extend my hand. There is joy in knowing that.
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Favre to the NY Jets. Whoopee. I guess that will be the story of the football year. Jerry Jones must be fuming. :)

Comeback Kids

OK, I'll try to make this my last Rangers-centric post for awhile but last night's game was incredible. I was able to get some tickets to the game last night a little higher up than my normal vantage point but it didn't matter with the ending the Rangers gave us. I got home rather late but couldn't sleep so I got to see SportsCenter and the Rangers had the #1, #3 and #6 plays of the day. Not bad for a team that doesn't get much respect or time from ESPN.

Naturally, the Rangers were down early but hung in there and tied it up in the latter innings. The game went into the bottom of the 9th tied 5-5. The bases get loaded with 2 outs and I'm thinking extra innings and a very, very late night when Marlon Byrd blasts a walk-off grand slam to win the game.

I'm impressed with these guys. They aren't a great team but they do battle and I appreciate that. I never expect the Rangers to do alot but I do want to see some competitive baseball and they are making it fun this year. Go Rangers!
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Tonight should be fun. We are taking several young ladies to Ft. Worth to eat celebrating my little girl's impending birthday. I wonder if it will ever be quiet at the table? I hope not but that they have so much fun it is noisy the whole time. I'm looking forward to it.

It Was HOTTTTTTT

Saturday was a rather warm day but it was the day my son and I got to play catch in the outfield of the Rangers ballpark. It is amazing to stand out in centerfield and see how much real estate those outfielders have to cover and it's amazing to realize how far a baseball has to travel to make it 400 feet. While all that was fun, it was just the time throwing a ball with my son that was the best part of the whole day.
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If I only knew then what I know now. Ever made that comment? Experience is a great teacher but sometimes the experience gaining part of the lesson isn't so great. The closer I grow to God and the more I move my focus and desire from what I want to get done to what He wants me to do, I realize that I have learned a lifetime of lessons that would I have had my eyes and heart open to God, would have been much easier learned. I hope the next 43 years are approached with my relationship with God in check before I think about anything else.

Phooey

It was almost another comeback night. The Rangers lost but made it a bit exciting in the 9th.

Is Gagne still pitching? I don't hear his name anymore.

I really thought the Rangers would make a move before the trade deadline. I'm surprised it didn't happen but glad they didn't make a trade just to make one. I wonder how much influence Nolan Ryan has in who stays and who goes. I'm not sure what the President of a baseball team does.

Rumor has it Nolan and "W" are going to buy into the Rangers when Bush comes back from the White House. Not sure if Hicks stays or not and I heard it from a source who is on the way out fringes of the baseball world.
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I love the Bible verse today. "God is my refuge..." Daily I am realizing how far away from God I have been. I feel like I have danced with God at an intellectual level for some time but have not really known God. I hope that is changing daily and I think it is. I want a real relationship with Him that goes beyond anything I have known or can imagine even today.
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I hope you find peace in your day and joy in your heart.

Enough Already

I realize I've been on a Rangers kick of late but they are keeping me up watching late inning comebacks and it's kind of fun. I'm headed to the ballpark on Saturday and ended up scoring some tickets on Monday for the Yankees (upper deck seats that will probably be surrounded with Yankees fans - fight, fight!). Saturday will be a cool day. My son and I get to play catch in the outfield before the teams take the field for batting practice. We've done it once before and it's a neat experience. It's amazing how expansive the outfield is and how much ground they have to cover. Maybe I will get some pictures.
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I don't know how many of you saw the "Wife Swap" episode that included a family from Alvord (Wife Swap is a TV show where they take a mom from two families and swap them. The women and families are VERY different and the families live with their new moms with the regular rules for a few days and then live with the new moms rules for a few days. Alvord is just north of Decatur.) but one of the kids from the Alvord family was at church last night. The show portrayed them as out of control kids but the one I met was very nice and polite. I can only imagine the show eggs on a bit of drama for the ratings.
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We got rain yesterday. It was wonderful and I can only imagine some people will feel better today because of the rain yesterday. I think I do!

I'm praying for peace today - peace for the battles going on in the world and peace that only God can bring to our lives.

Comebacks

I almost gave up on the Rangers last night. I was ready to turn it off after CJ Wilson came out for another lackluster performance and Ramon Vasquez made his 3rd error of the night that cost 2 runs putting the Mariners ahead of the Rangers. I was tired and ready to sleep but couldn't push the button to turn the game off. What a finish. Vasquez had been booed after his 3rd error (something I hate the fans to do) but came up to bat with two men on base and ripped a shot to the right-center gap just out of reach of Ichiro scoring the two baserunners and giving Texas the win. Cool stuff.
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We got a (very) little rain overnight. It didn't register in the rain gauges apparently but it was good to see a little water on the ground. It just feels cooler outside.
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Here'a poem I got by email the other day. It was a good reminder for me.

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp,
The thieves, liars and sinners
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from 7th grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice,
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Herb who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Sitting pretty on cloud nine
Looking incredible well.

I nudged Jesus and asked what's the deal?
I would love to hear your take,
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

And why is everyone so quiet
So somber - give me a clue,
Hush child, He said, they're all in shock
They didn't think they'd be seeing you.

I'm captivated today by how God looks at sinners because that is what I am - no better and no worse than the next one. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.

2 Negatives

Last night, I took my son to a Best Buy store to find a game he wanted. They didn't have the game but what disappointed me was the poor service we got when asking about the game. The answer was basically "we don't have any and don't know when we'll get it." No offer to call another store, no offer to find out when it would come in. Nothing. We did have one employee tell us on the way out that a truck would be coming in the next few days but she didn't know what would be on it. I don't expect much service in stores anymore but last night fell below what I wanted.

We came home to watch the Rangers and that didn't go well either. They are playing lowly Seattle and couldn't win. The had 1 out with men on 2nd and 3rd and couldn't get them home. Vasquez got thrown out at 3rd and then Josh Hamilton struck out to end the inning. Hamilton has created an expectation of home runs and you could almost feel the air go out of the stadium through the TV when he struck out.

It's still hot outside. I walked last night around 9:00pm and it seemed like there was a bit of humidity in the air to add to the late night heat. I don't know much about global warming (actually, I think it is an issue somewhere between the "sky-is-falling liberals" and the "ignore it and maybe it will go away conservatives") but the part of the globe I was standing on last night was HOT.

Time to go to work. Have a good day.

All Those Zeros

Manny Ramirez and the Boston Red Sox are at odds again. It seems like this happened this time of year for the past 3 or 4 years. I'm not sure what Manny gets paid but did hear he has an option next year for $20 million. $20 million. That's a lot of zeros at the end of a number. I guess it just goes to show that money can't buy happiness.

The Cowboys are back on the practice field so now we'll get to hear about Tony and Jessica, TO and Pacman non-stop.

Some ESPN radio guys were debating whether the Josh Hamilton story was worthy of all the news it got. One guy said it's not a big story because Hamilton made the decision to use drugs and just did the right thing to stop using them. He compared it to a cancer victim who didn't elect to get cancer and has battled back and that being a true feel-good story. Having seen the Hamilton story play out in Texas and having read some stories about him a few years ago, I can't imagine someone saying his story isn't a great one. Should he be considered a hero? Maybe not in the classical sense but I think he is a hero to people who have had to battle the demons of drugs. I appreciate the fact that he is so open about his faith and God's place in his personal battle to overcome drug addiction and hope he continues to thrive and be a spokesman for good.

It's another HOT, busy week. Stay cool.

Going to War

I was up late last night wrestling with the idea of spiritual warfare, a battle I cannot see but know that I am actively involved in. I am beginning to see, ever so slightly, how Satan uses my weaknesses, my blindspots, my pride, my selfishness and worldly desires to wear me down and play a part in my sin. The responsibility for my actions are mine but I believe there is another force that is stronger than me pushing me towards those bad decisions. The sad thing is, there is a force even stronger than me or evil that I could call on - if only I would.

A man in our community was arrested yesterday for a hideous crime. I don't know whether it is valid or not but the fact is that the information is circulating that he did this. He's an acquaintance of mine and I have always thought of him as a good man. He has raised good children, he's always nice and I know many people he has helped. Yet, it would appear he made a grave mistake and it is something that will haunt him and hurt him for years to come. Evil forces were at work on him finding his weakness and exploiting it. Yet the battle of evil doesn't stop there. Satan will use this to take on others, people who will treat this man like Satan wants them to treat him, not how Christ would want him treated. The battle is on.

I am a weak, sinful creature. I do not understand why God continues to have mercy on me but I believe He does. I believe He loves me unconditionally and gives me strength that I cannot imagine if I will take hold of it. I am a wreck but He uses amazing grace to carry me forward. The only way I can overcome the forces of darkness, the only way I will win the battle here and today is to live in the knowledge that God loves me no matter how weak I am, no matter how sinful I am, no matter how wretched I am. He will give me the love I need and the strength that comes with it to win the battle if I will only reach out for Him.

There is a battle raging today. It's a battle for your heart and my heart. Two forces are at war for how we will treat each other, how we will see each other, how we will respond to each other. Far too often, I have sided with the wrong force, done the wrong thing, made the wrong decisions. Today, I pray for the strength to join forces with the one who has already won the decisive victory so that I can win the battle today.

Back Again

I've returned from Salado and the humidity generated by Hurricane Dolly. My son and I went to a Round Rock Express baseball game Tuesday night and 30 minutes or so before the game, a downpour rolled in. It looked like it was pouring down over the field and barely raining in the parking lot. Within 10 minutes, it was gone as fast as it came.

Nolan Ryan and his family own the baseball team and through a connection I have, we were setting in their family seats. Unfortunately, Nolan wasn't available to sit by me and carry on a long conversation but we did sit next to his son Reid for a little while. It wasn't a good game for the Express but we had fun watching a bunch of guys who are a pulled groin or sprained ankle away from moving up to the big leagues.

It's good to be home for a bit. Since June I have been on the go and kept my suitcase sitting out ready for the next trip. I was able to put it away for awhile yesterday and was glad to see it go for a bit. Now I'm just waiting on cooler weather. Whew.

49 Weeks

That's how many more weeks I have until I return to Colorado for vacation.

It's hot in Decatur. I never really enjoy starting my truck, looking at the temperature gauge and seeing anything starting with a 9, much less numbers in triple digits which is what I saw yesterday.

My baby girl is in Ft. Worth this week visiting Fortress. Fortress is located in a rougher area of Ft. Worth and is a mission field started by several churches in the North Texas area. It serves underprivileged children and our kids are down there this week working with these kids and showing them that there are people who care about them. Some of these kids don't know their parents, some of them have parents who are in prison or have been killed in violent crimes and some just live in poor conditions. I know it will be a great experience for my daughter and the kids that went from Decatur and I pray that it will be a time of planting seeds about God that will one day bear great fruit.

Yesterday, we heard from a missionary working in Ecuador. His family runs an orphanage and a school in a very poor area of the country and are doing some incredible things. What most struck me was his heart for what he is doing and the fact that he gives God the glory for everything that is working. It was an uplifting time. Justin Snyder is the missionary and they have a web site you can see at http://www.hohministries.com. Justin is in the states raising money for a new building to house their growing school and we were fortunate to have money to help with their cause.

I'll be on the road for the next couple of days visiting one of our stores so I'm not sure I'll get anything posted but you never know.

Have a great week.

Short Days

It seems like the 6 days since I came back from vacation have flown by. I've still got so much work to do and it seems like a lot has been done. I remember the 2 week vacations we used to take when I was a kid and can't imagine what it would be like to come back in the office after two full weeks - but I might still like to try!
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I wonder what the attendance figures will do at Ranger games after Josh Hamilton's show at the All-Star Weekend. I'm ready to get back out to the ballpark and hope they have installed air conditioning units in the seats. I talked to a guy who went to the game last Sunday, a day game, and he lasted about 6 innings before the heat drove him out. Yikes.
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The price of crude oil has been dropping. Yahoo! I wonder how long it will last and when it will show up at the pump? I noticed diesel in Decatur was 20 cents a gallon higher than in Saginaw yesterday. It almost seems like it's worth a 20 mile drive to buy diesel. Crazy.

Have a great weekend.

In The Groove

It's tough getting back in the groove after a vacation. I'm struggling to do that now but I witnessed quite a groove on TV Monday night. Did you see Josh Hamilton in the Home Run Derby? WOW! It was a show though the ending was anti-climatic with Hamilton seemingly worn out from his first round phenomena. Just goes to show it's not how you start but how you finish.
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My trip to Colorado was wonderful. We stayed at Fun Valley, our regular hang-out since 2003 and met up with the Medford family that has been in the cabin next to us for those years. We enjoyed camp fires at night (can you believe that if you are living in Texas?), good fishing during the day in 40-50 degree water, good food (not the best but the hamburgers are cooked on an old grill and come out juicy) and plenty of games of air hockey. We had a family tournament. I was the #1 seed going in to the bracket play and came out in 4th place. My son won barely beating my daughter for 1st place. Just 51 more weeks before I go back.
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How 'bout them Rangers? They probably won't contend for the World Series but I've been with them through seasons where I couldn't give away tickets in July and August but the guys are playing good ball through the first half of the season and making it fun to go to the ballpark. I'm looking forward to the August 2 game against the Blue Jays. If all things work out, I'll be there with my son playing catch in the outfield before the game. Fun stuff and great memories.

Almost Done

Today is my last day in Colorado and I am not happy about it. I love it here. The weather has been cool to warm and the fishing has been decent. I don't look forward to heading back to Texas but all good things must end and regular life will take over. I look forward to sharing some moments and maybe a few pictures when I get back.

Going...Going...Gone

EDIT NOTE: After writing my blog, I went to Melissa Taylor's and saw that she is posting pictures of our Brazil trip. Check them out at http://thetaylorfamilytree.blogspot.com.

The last day of work before a vacation is always hard. I feel like I have started to mentally check-out but still need to get some things done today while my mind is already headed up 287 on it's way to cooler climate, fish and camp fires. I'm looking forward to our annual retreat and what it always does for me mentally and emotionally. I can't wait.

One of the things I always appreciate the most about this time is seeing the majesty of God in His creation. The mountains and streams of Colorado are also my picture of heaven (my picture includes bigger fish and more stamina to get up and down the mountains) and when I am there, I can't help but take time to just look and see what He can do. It's a beautiful place and when I am there, I always feel pulled closer to God.

If the campground has any Internet access, I might blog about something going on but for now I plan to be taking the next several days off from blogging. I hope to have lots of good fishing stories when I get back.

What Did We Learn?

A thought that has been rolling around in my head since returning from Brazil is "what did we learn while we were there?" We saw several things while we visited a foreign country - from poverty to joy, from sensual influences to pure love. I guess my question isn't as much about what we learned as it is about how our lives will be affected, how they will be changed as Christians. I hope my life is changing everyday - more towards Christ and away from evil. It's hard at times though. I get desensitized to so much of what is around me, to the hurting, to the hungry, to the poor, to evil. I see it so much it becomes a blur in the speed of life. Too often it happens with those closest to me also. I don't slow down to see them and to hear them. I bounce from one thing to another lost in a sea of business - not hearing God. I hope our trip opened many eyes and is working on many hearts. I know it happens to me each time I visit and I thank God for the opportunity I had that let's Him into my heart more and more.
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From one trip to another. I am headed out of town again this week and hoping my destination still has little, if any, cell phone service or Internet access. It's nice to get away and decompress, to stop living in the things that occupy my day and see God's glory around me. I may get another posting or two up before I leave but if not, I hope you live in the peace of God and His forgiveness and mercy.

Home Again

I'm back in Decatur and had a good night sleep in my own bed. It was a wonderful feeling to be home and without much problem. Our trip to Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil was wonderful and I believe God was active in everything we did. We saw and experienced some wonderful things and met old friends and made lots of new ones. I hope the seeds we planted in Aracaju bear fruit and the church there grows in spirit and number. Just in case you missed it, check out http://decaturmissions.blogspot.com for information from our trip. I hope to have some pictures and video posted online before long but need to get caught up in several places first.

It was so nice to see my wife and children when I stepped off the bus. Being home is a great feeling after being gone so long. It was also nice to ride in a suburban and truck some yesterday after going everywhere in either a subcompact taxi or on a bus.

I'm still in a bit of a fog. My exhaustion from the trip hit me hard yesterday afternoon and I sure haven't recovered yet. I came to work a bit earlier than normal today because I'm sure this afternoon will go downhill mentally at some point.

I'll try to get back in the posting groove before long but bear with me. I've got a busy 6 days ahead of me before leaving for a Colorado vacation with my family.

Between the Eyes and Straight to the Heart

Today's scripture hit me right between the eyes and is seeping into my heart as I think about it. Even in our evil ways, if we are working to do good, the Lord gives us the Holy Spirit to help us. God is good. I have been overwhelmed in the past few years as I have studied and prayed for God to reveal Himself to me by His mercy and love for me. I am slowly realizing that no matter what I've done, no matter what has happened to me in this life, there is One who will give me anything and everything I need - even though I do things I shouldn't, things that are not in God's will - I can return to Him. I have learned what it is to feel His forgiveness and I feel like the next step in my journey is to learn to use the Holy Spirit to help me be strong in times of weakness.

I ask for your prayers today. Sunday I will be leaving home and family for Aracaju, Brazil. I ask for strength to focus on God's call for me while I am there. It's hard to be away. I also ask that you pray for my family while I am gone and that they feel my love for every one of them even though I'm not there for a period of days.

I am brimming with excitement and fear as I leave for this journey. I am praying that God will use me and mold me while I am gone and that He will prepare the way for me when I return.

Crazy Stuff

Last night's lesson was what it would look like if we truly let our love for God show. What kind of (seemingly) crazy stuff would we do? What have you done in the past for/with people you love? Stay up all night talking? Do things with them or for them you don't normally do? Change your habits, your appearance, your talk?

What would the world look like if we put God first and our desires and dreams and problems a distant second?

When the question was asked last night, "what would doing something crazy because you love God look like in the eyes of the world?", the first thing that came to mind was the young girl at Columbine High School, who when confronted with a gun to her head and asked if she loved God replied yes knowing the answer would get her killed.

If I were willing to give my life for God, what would I do while alive to live in His will? What would I do for my family? What would I do for Christian brothers and sisters? What would I do for complete strangers?

I pray that I will live crazy in the world's eyes - that I will overcome, that I will change directions, that I will go where I'm not comfortable - that I will do anything I can to live a life that is worthy of the love God has shown me.

So Much To Do

I'm just 5 days from leaving for Brazil. What a whirlwind. There is so much going on, so much to do and life's problems in between. Today's scripture on my blog was one of my favorites - from the book of Psalms - "Be still and know that I am God." There are things going on around me right now that I simply can't control, much less even keep a handle on. All I can do is turn to God and trust Him but it is hard. I want to keep thinking of something I need to do, ways I need to respond but my prayer is that I will let God direct me.
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I am hoping to blog about our trip as much as possible. The mission blog space can be found at decaturmissions.blogspot.com. I hope you will visit it during our trip (leaving 6/15 and returning 6/25).
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I hope to post a couple of times before leaving but I ask that you include me and all those on our trip in your prayers.

9 Days and Counting

Our Aracaju travel group leaves in 9 days. My son goes to camp in 2 days. We have some birthdays to celebrate within the next 2 weeks. Work is piling up around me. My suitcase needs to go on a diet. There are some things involved in preparing for a trip that create moments of stress and I think I'm finding a few of those.

I am still soliciting your prayers for our team that is going to Aracaju. We leave next Sunday and will return 10 days later. Everyone who has been is excited and all the new travelers have a mix of excitement and trepidation over what they are going to experience. There will be some specific prayer requests found at decaturmissions.blogspot.com and there will be updates from our trip posted when possible. I ask you to be in prayer for us today and throughout our trip, that our time and our message will glorify God and lead the lost to Him.
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I watched some of the Celtics-Lakers game last night. It seemed to be tight until the 2nd half (which I saw less of). I'm not sure who I would prefer to win and I'm not cheering for either team but there is a chance I'll watch more pro basketball over the next week than I have all year. Then again, maybe not.

The Rangers are back to .500 but can't get over the hump. They're only 6.5 back and the Angels never know when the injury bug might bite. So far, the Rangers have lost the games I have attended but won the following night so anyone interested in going should call, get my schedule and go the next night.

Foggy Headed Thursday

My mind is mush this morning. I'm starting to feel the strain of getting ready to leave the country in 10 days and all that comes with it from work to home. I'm sure it will all come together but it seems overwhelming today. Packing restrictions in Brazil is the biggest headache at the moment.
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I wish I was up on the latest news better. I know Obama won something earlier this week and Hillary may be dropping out and may be or may not be positioning herself for a VP slot. I'm predicting the wildest and ugliest campaign season yet.
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The kids got out of school yesterday with a couple of awards and a desire to get summer vacation started. My daughter was up running EARLY this morning with the cross country team so I will be interested in hearing how that went. I don't think it was what she was wanting to do early this morning when it was time to get up. I'm proud of her for doing it though.
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I've set up another blog, decaturmissions.blogspot.com for our Aracaju trip. I don't know how much I will be blogging here while we are gone but will be trying to update that site as often as possible while we are away.

What A Day

If you read my post yesterday, you know I was struggling through it being a mentally-manageable day. In the end, it was much more trying than I would have ever expected but also I constantly reminded myself to trust God to help me carry the burdens of the day and it was more peaceful than I first imagined. What I really brought home at the end of the day was the desire to grow into a relationship with God where I instinctively rely on Him instead of reminding myself that it's not all about me and what I decide to do.
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If you are reading this on June 4, please be sure to read the verse of the day on the right-hand side of my blog.
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This weekend is my son's last baseball tournament of the year. He's playing better than ever and I'm sad to see the season come to a close while he's having so much success but it's time for Camp Deer Run, a trip to Brazil, Uplift, vacation and Fortress - trips all or some of us are involved in. As I look at our full agenda for the summer, the one thing that makes me smile is that so much of what we are involved in is related to a desire to serve God and to grow in our relationship with Him. I don't say that out of personal pride but joy and thankfulness that God has surrounded me with so many people, especially family, that love Him. God is good.
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Tonight I get an opportunity to speak to our youth group about prayer. I have wrestled with this topic for several weeks now and it is something I will be studying for weeks to come because I feel like I'm only scratching the surface of what God wants me to understand. I worry that I won't be able to present what I'm feeling very well but have an excitement inside me because of what I have started to see and understand. I am praying that God will let His message come through me tonight and I will be able to share some of the joy I am finding in this study with the kids tonight.

I hope you join me today in a journey to seek God and know His peace.

When the Walls Close In

Do you ever get that feeling that the walls are closing in on you? I had that feeling this morning - the pressure that comes with forgetting to turn things over to God, the pressure from thinking I am in control, that I can handle all my problems and issues I have to deal with.

I am slowly, very slowly, learning the peace that can come when I put more trust in God; when I seek His help and turn over my worries, when I quit spending my time trying to think through everything and I spend more time talking to God. I wonder why I don't let go, why I let the stress and pressure of doing it all myself beat me down.

I have to make a trip to Ft. Worth today for a business problem and I hope to spend some of that time in the car visiting with God, asking for His help and thanking Him for caring so much about me. I believe if I can do that, the walls will start pushing back out, the light will come in and I will feel lighter and peaceful.

Not Much Today

I really don't have much going on today.
I'm sick of hearing about Adam (Pacman) Jones.
I'm willing to bet a Diet Dr. Pepper there are some golfers who have used steroids.
The Rangers lost their first series in a while...to Tampa Bay...who has the best record in baseball. Go figure.
I really enjoyed our study of Ecclesiastes this past quarter. It reminded me that the things I put so much effort into in this world are really meaningless unless those actions are aligned with my ultimate goal of Heaven.
I spend every waking moment with thoughts on forgiveness and prayer bouncing around in my brain. I know they are two areas that will draw me closer to knowing God the more I know and practice them.
I'm realizing more every day that the practice, the routine of trying to forgive and praying will be somewhat empty until I build my relationship with God by trusting Him and submitting to Him.

I long for peace...for you, for me and for everyone who walks this planet.

End of School

It amazes me that another school year is almost over. My baby girl goes to high school next year and I'm still not fully accepting that. My children have now blown through the elementary and intermediate schools - it doesn't seem right. When I slow down long enough to reflect on their growth, I'm struck by how big they are getting; physically and emotionally. It scares me that they will be gone before long but reminds me how I want to cherish the time they are here.

They have both blown me away this year with their academic achievement. I know parents think their kids are the brightest and best looking ever and I'll sign up for that role. I am very proud of how they have done in school and thankful they got their mother's smarts and good looks.
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Tonight at church, the incoming 7th graders get to come meet with the youth group. Both the kids will now be a part of this program which has been an absolute blessing to our church. Our youth minister, Jacob and his wife, Heather have been incredible leaders, examples and friends to so many kids who have come through our doors. I joke with Jacob at times that he is now responsible for raising my children but, in fact, he and Heather take on a role of being a teacher and mentor to the kids which allows them to be a great influence in these kids lives. I am so thankful for these two and the love and passion they both share for our youth.
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How 'bout them Rangers? They are still hanging in there but can't seem to get over the .500 hump. It's just fun to watch them play some competitive baseball. They beat the Tampa Bay Rays last night who, surprisingly, own the best record in baseball. Go Rangers!

Cool Air

Gig 'em Aggies. The friend who came over to look at our air conditioner is an Aggie and being that it seems our a/c is working properly again, I'm a big Aggie fan today. I think I've got the fenced patched up. It's down to getting the truck running again.
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Do you go through periods where you feel like there is something you need to be seeing or learning or correcting but can't put your finger on what it is? I feel like I'm going through one of those right now, a time where I believe God is wanting me to see something or do something but I haven't quite figured it out yet. It's frustrating and trying. I want answers but don't necessarily want to seek them or wait on them.
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A scripture from Colossians came up last week in a conversation that always strikes me with a mental thump on the head. "Forgive as God forgave you." I can't help but always wonder what kind of person I would be if I forgave the way God forgives me and if the world forgave as God forgives. What would our relationships between family, friends, church members, governments, nations - what would our relationships be like if we forgave like God forgives? What would we be like?

We would be more like the image of God.

Happy Holidays

Today is Memorial Day, a holiday I think really gets overlooked. Today is a day to remember people who have sacrificed their lives for this country, for you and for me. I hope people will stop to remember today, remember what we have and what it cost to achieve it.
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It's been an "exciting" weekend for us. The air conditioner has gone out, my truck quit running and the dog literally tore a hole through the fence and got out. I don't know what's coming next but I could use a break right now. I think I've got the fence pretty well secured. A friend from church who used to work on a/c units is coming over today to look at ours and hopefully, I'll get my truck in the shop tomorrow and it won't be too expensive to make it go again.
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If I'm adding in my head correctly, we are roughly 20 days away from leaving for Brazil. That doesn't seem quite possible but the day is coming fast. I ask for your prayers for safety and for God's will to be served in our trip and for our families who stay home and keep things running.

Peace to you today.

Hoops

Last night was basketball night after church. I got to play on the team that won both games we played. Someone made the comment last night about people not realizing they are too old to be playing anymore (most of the guys playing last night were in their late-teens or 20's) and I thought I resembled that remark. I have to spend more time stretching out and wearing braces that keep me from falling apart but I still love to play basketball. My leaping ability has degraded to the point where I'm happy to jump over a string so I spend more time passing and setting picks so the young guns can do what they do in the lane. The majority of my shots come from the outside so I can get a little spacing. Still, it's a game I have always loved to play and it remains that way today...even with the aches and pains.
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Jacob started a great class on prayer last night. He talked about making sure we are seeking what God wants when we pray, not just what we want. He made the point that we sometimes treat God like Santa Claus, just giving him our wish list and then going on our way. I appreciate what Jacob challenges our kids with and challenges me with also. I want to pray that God will use me, will work through me and let me speak for Him instead of just telling God the way I think things need to be. I want to honor God by giving Him control and glorifying Him.

Speed Racer

I went to see Speed Racer last Friday with my son and some of his friends. While I wasn't crazy about the movie overall, there was a scene that got me thinking about something else I have been thinking about which made me think that much more about it. Confusing?

Speed is a little boy and Rex, his brother, is letting Speed sit in his lap driving Rex's race car. He tells Speed something along the lines of "just listen to her (the race car) and she will tell you what to do." The idea was that instead of Speed having to make it all happen, if he would listen to what the car was telling him, he would know how to drive better. In a way, it comes down to the relationship between the driver and the car.

I'm going to be talking to our youth class in a few weeks about prayer and my lesson is going to be centered on our relationship with God and the idea that the better our relationship is, the better our prayer life will be. Just think about someone you don't know very well and having to start a conversation with them. It's not always easy and sometimes there is little said. Other times, as you converse, you find commonality and build bonds and the conversation is easier and future conversations are something you look forward to. One of the keys to building that relationship is to not be the one doing all the talking but to take time and listen, hear what the other person is telling you. That's a failure often in my relationship with God. I pray telling him what I need, what I want, what I hope will happen and then I'm done and gone. There is no listening on my part and only 1/2 of the relationship is being fulfilled.

My prayer life has to be built on a relationship. I need to know God well enough that I can have a conversation with Him and that prayer time is something I look forward to over and over. To build that relationship, I also need to listen, to hear what He is telling me. If it do it, I will certainly go further, faster than any race car could ever take me.

Cool Night

Our church building was filled last night with parents and video cameras for The Children's Place end of year program. It was another great night with the kids showing just a little bit of what they have learned during the year. The Children's Place has been a great project over the years and I have enjoyed being a part of it and watching it grow.
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The Rangers lost yesterday. Just when I thought they would win the rest of their games.

Are the NBA playoffs still going? I wouldn't know. I heard something about LeBron getting on his mother at a game. I bet that was fun for him later that night.

I'm so tired of the sports scandals but it won't end until the fans quit paying lots and lots and lots of money to go see these guys perform.
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This is where some blogs leave a question for you to answer. Since I don't have many responders, I'll leave the question up to your own mind today. I hope you get the answer right.

Mid-week Slump

It's Wednesday and I feel brain-dead today. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the rainy weather and a small desire to get back in bed and sleep.
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How 'bout them Rangers! They played some really, really good ball last night.

They still scare me at 1st base.
I don't think C.J. Wilson would be a closer anywhere else but he's all we have right now.
Hank Blalock has spent way too much time on the DL the last few years to give me the feeling he will be a reliable player in the future.
Pitching is always iffy but our guys have done well more often than not. I just wonder how long it will last.

With the exception of those concerns, the Rangers are fun to watch right now. They've won the last 6 series which they last did when they made the playoffs ('99 I think). I'm ready to go to another game and wish I could make it out for the Houston series this weekend.
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Our mission group is roughly 33/34 days from leaving for Brazil. I am starting to solicit your prayers now and will do so more the closer we get.

Peace.

Sports and Thoughts

I stayed up watching the Rangers last night and was rewarded for my lack of sleep around 11:00 when Ramon Vasquez hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th. It was a crazy game that both teams should have put away and neither team really deserved to win but I'm glad the Rangers came out on top. They are still toying just under the .500 mark and only 4.5 games out of 1st place. In the end, they don't have to win it all for me to be happy but just be competitive. They are doing that right now and I retract my earlier remarks that the sky is falling on the Rangers.
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I'm going to recommend The Shack as a book to read. I finished it last night and have a myriad of thoughts from it and about it. I am recommending for one reason only; it has made me think, rethink and think some more about how big God is, about how far He goes with us and how He works in ways I cannot imagine. It has pushed me to start taking down the mental borders of where I think God works and to give Him control of everything instead of me thinking I can share control and see the parameters of where God works.

The book is written as a true story yet I still think of it as fiction. I just can't believe it's real but for now will accept that God can do whatever God wants to do whether I believe it or not. I think there will be a lot of people who read it and use it to point out areas of liberal theology. Others may read it and use it to state no rules exist and whatever we want to do is just OK. Others, and I hope it will be the biggest percentage, who read it will simply grow in a desire to know God better.

I don't understand God and don't know that I will while on this earth but I do know I want to get closer to knowing Him and understanding Him and to do that, I have to quit thinking about God in the box that I'm comfortable with and let God express Himself to me in the way He desires. That's not easy but where I am today.

I think this is a journey that will be tumultuous at times but will lead me to peace in Him, through Him.

Challenges

I think I've mentioned that I am reading a book titled "The Shack" right now. It's a big seller in Christian book circles and there are lots of recommendations to read it (of course, they don't post most of the don't-read letters). I'm not finished with it yet but I'm going to take some space to write about some of the challenges and thoughts it has brought to me.

The very first challenge I had was the wording that was used to define God. The author uses "Papa" when referring to God and that just flies all over me. I'm not sure why but if I don't like it, it shouldn't be done and I shouldn't give the book much credibility, should I? That's the way I think at times, as silly as it may be.

The idea that my theology is right and that's just the way it is is one of the biggest challenges that has come to me in this book. As I read, I keep having the thought that maybe, just maybe, it's not what I want to believe but what God wants me to believe - that maybe my doctrine and my parameters and my paradigm aren't exactly the same as God's doctrine and parameters and paradigm. YIKES!

What I've determined through a little introspection is that I need to be more open to God - to open my eyes and my mind and my heart more to hear Him instead of seeing things through my own experience. Yes, that is a challenge.

Mom's the Word

Sunday is Mother's Day and I want to give thanks for the mothers in my life. Moms have a special place in most people's lives and mine is no different. My mom certainly had her hands full at times but always loved me through whatever I put her through. She helped mold me and shape me and make my life the best she could give me. I may never appreciate the sacrifices she made for me but I am pretty confident that she still wouldn't have it any other way. Most of the memories that immediately come to mind have to do with food or moments that I was surely exasperating her. Lemon ice box pie, fried chicken, black-eyed peas and hot water cornbread, boiled shrimp. I certainly ate good. We still laugh (maybe I laugh more than her) about the last spanking she gave me. I remember the fear I put in her life when I was off on my motorcycle and she couldn't find me. It's only been since I've had children that I understood that fear. There's no telling how many basketball and football games she sat through cheering me on.

Thank you mom for loving me every moment of my life.
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I am thankful for my wife, the mother of my children. I would guess, like I was and many children are, that they do not know how to appreciate their mom for all she does but one day they will. How many meals have been prepared, how many pieces of clothing washed, miles driven to church and school functions and on and on? How many scrapes, bumps and bruises have been cleaned and kissed for faster healing? There is so much she does without fanfare simple driven by her love for her children. I have been blessed and my two kids have been blessed with a wonderful wife and mother.
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I am thankful for my mother-in-law. She has been a blessing to 3 children, their spouses and 8 grandchildren. Her love for her family is shared all the time. I am thankful for the love she gave her children which is evident in how they live their lives and the feeling of acceptance she gave to me many years ago. I count it a blessing that I have such a good relationship with her and I give thanks for her.
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The common thread through these 3 mothers is their love for God and their desire to honor Him. What an incredible blessing and legacy for their children.

Thank you to the 3 wonderful women in my life.

Wet Days

It's one of those rainy, sleepy days. One of those days where crawling back in bed and going back to sleep seems really appealing.
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I'm currently reading a book titled "The Shack." It's a story about a guy who goes through some turmoil in his life and his relationship with God. I'm not sure how I feel about it right now but it has some interesting thoughts on how we view pain and suffering and what God sees. I simply bring this up because of the cyclone that hit Mynamar, a tragedy in human eyes, and this book is making me really think about why God would or wouldn't let something like that happen.

I'm trying to open my mind to God more, to get out of the habit of trying to only understand God through my eyes but to let God show me what He wants me to see. I have a habit of trying to figure out God in my paradigm of experiences and I'm coming to the conclusion that He just might not fit in a box that I can imagine or create.
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That's all I have for today. It's Wednesday. Church and basketball. I'm headed out of town either Thursday or Friday so I may miss a day of posting.

I hope you have peace for today.

New Stuff and The End

I've been playing around with what you see on my blog a little bit. My wife told me about the verse of the day feature from Biblegateway.com which is a cool feature. Thanks to her for helping me be a bit more technologically savvy. I also added a picture I took in Venice, Louisiana last year. It's sunset around the Gulf of Mexico. I love sunsets and this picture is very calming to me.
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Many of you have probably heard the story of Randy Pausch (I think I spelled it right) who is dying of pancreatic cancer. He was a professor at Carnegie-Mellon and delivered his last lecture at the school last year. It was a lecture about things that have come to him knowing he had a relatively short time to live. He is married with 3 very young children and he was looking for a way to pass on his love for them and nuggets of wisdom he would want them to know. It's a touching story but even more, a thought-provoking story for anyone who hears him.

What would you do if you knew you only had months to live? What would you tell your family? What would you tell others? Where would you go? What would you want to leave behind? How would you change? Are there people or things that frustrate you now that don't matter if you only have weeks/months left? Are there things you would go try? Questions that all of us have encountered at one time or another but not with the intensity of someone with a short time to live.

These are questions that are on my mind but I'm living as if there are years and years to get to them. I'm contemplating my current approach to those questions and many others. In the next day or so, I'll post some links to his lecture so you can hear more for yourself.

Peace to you.

Prayer

I believe in the power of prayer, I believe in the beauty of being able to talk to God and that He hears us. I believe in the necessity of constant, continual prayer to stay linked to God and to give Satan less access to our heads and hearts. I believe these things but find myself so often struggling with prayer. Making time for it. Feeling like I know what to say, how to praise God, what to ask for. Sometimes my prayers are asking for forgiveness and I am brought to tears because of the grace God extends to me. Other prayers are for my family, for missionaries I know and don't know, for people I know that are hurting, for strength. I pray for so many things and yet, often I feel my prayers are so inadequate that I just pray for God to understand what I cannot even figure out how to say. And, I believe He does that for me.

I am thankful for prayer and my hope is that I learn to use this gift God gave me better each day; that through my prayers I will grow closer to God and that my prayers may bring peace to those in need of what He offers.

I hope you live in His peace today.

No Post Today

I'm sorry but I don't seem to have the mental capacity to offer much today.

Avery's gone.
I saw a clip on GMA this morning about a softball game where a girl hits a home run and when coming around 1st base, her knee blows out. Some girls from the other team come over, pick her up and carry her around the bases letting her touch each one so she gets her home run. Great sportsmanship.
The Rangers won! The Rangers won!
I've been asked to speak to our youth group about prayer. Yikes! It's one of those things I think I could babble on about for hours and fear I'd never make sense. I have so many thoughts about it but feel inadequate to talk about it. Pray for me to find some wisdom to share in a message God wants these kids to hear.
Yesterday was the end of the month. I always have some deadlines at the end of the month that I worry about making because I have to depend on other people. I got it done and now I'm just waiting to exhale.
I hear the Phoenix coach may be coming to Dallas. I could criticize him all day but at least he hasn't admitted to smoking marijuana or started a riot in a strip club.
Last night in our youth class, 1/4 of the kids (I'm guessing) don't normally go to our church. It's the power of our youth to be willing to share Christ with anyone they come in contact with. From what I know, several of them that come regularly don't have a church home. Amazing. I am encouraged every week by the young people at our church.

Peace to you today.

Throw 'Em All Out

This is about the Mavs, not politics. I have to admit I watched very little of the Mavericks season because I do not enjoy pro basketball and the Mavs brand of the last several years has been the worst in my mind. I guess I'm old school. I like hard work, fundamentals and defense - something sorely lacking from most of the Mavs play I did watch. In my useless opinion, Dirk is a great 2nd guy but not a good1st guy. I think he plays soft and shows little, if any, emotional fire but it's not all Dirk. He doesn't have the cast of characters around him that he needs. There's no meat to the team, no fight. A bunch of guys shooting jump shots in a league that doesn't shoot jump shots very well. I'm glad their season is over so I don't have to listen or see them. Anguishing over watching the Rangers is bad enough.

Speaking of the Rangers, it's painful and I wonder why something hasn't been done to show hope for the future. Washington doesn't seem to be the guy so why keep him? Or is it Daniels? Yes, they need pitching but the fielding has been horrific and Washington is supposed to be the fundamentals coach. Uh-oh. My wife got me the MLB package a couple of years ago and I find myself watching National League games the majority of the time. I'll watch the Cardinals and the Braves with some Mets thrown in and I enjoy watching the Padres, Rockies and Diamondbacks for later games. I just can't cheer for another American League team so I'm more of a National League fan now. Thanks Rangers.

I enjoy watching the Firehouse Muscle the most. It's been an up-and-down year for the team. They take the field again this weekend and hopefully will continue to show improvement from their two good games in the last tournament.

Focused

Our Sunday morning class is currently studying Ecclesiastes (I may have misspelled). I don't recall ever studying it but have found it fascinating. I don't understand much of it after reading it once and have to go over it several times. Last week we began reading Chapter 7 and, again, I was fascinated by what I read. The first verse says something like "a good name is better than a fine perfume and the day of death is better than the day of birth." As we studied, I kept coming back to that verse and what it meant. My focus kept going to "the day of death better than the day of birth." I think what the entire section we read was telling us that our focus has to be on heaven, not earth. The day of death on earth leads us to the first day of heaven.

I think I am becoming more heaven focused and want to keep doing that. I am growing more comfortable that the day of death will take me to a better place, a place I still can't fully imagine and know will exceed anything I can imagine.

Lights Out

The power in our part of Decatur went out this morning. It's crazy when the electricity goes out because so much of what we do is dependent on it. Fortunately, the power company had it fixed in a relatively short time and life is back to normal.
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The Rangers are now on a "win-1, lose-2" program. It's not very exciting but good to see them win now and then.

My son and I saw ACU play Friday night and Saturday afternoon. There were a combined 38 hits in the Friday night game and I think Tarleton threw 6 or 7 different pitchers. The Saturday game was a bit closer but it wasn't a pitcher's duel either. The ACU facility is really nice and a fun place to watch a game.

The Fort Worth Cats start play pretty soon. It's always a fun time at the Cats game. The stadium is great, the seats are inexpensive and they serve Kinkaid's hamburgers.
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I didn't pay much attention to the NFL draft over the weekend other than to think how many new millionaires were created in a day. It's astonishing what those guys do and how much they make doing it. Even a guy like Pacman Jones can keep playing and making loads of money if he has the ability. Astonishing.

Then I hear Josh Howard admitted to smoking pot on the radio Friday. What in the world?

Rangers Schmangers

The Rangers are killing me. It's just horrible baseball and the owner needs to make a change. I don't see any improvement from last year and, in fact, think they may be playing worse. The "player's" manager who was going to be the hero of fundamentals just isn't getting it done and I don't think I can stand to watch much more of this pathetic play without something happening to shake things up. I don't expect them to turn it around and make the playoffs but do something other than ask me to spend my money with no effort at change.
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I'm headed west this afternoon with my son to watch some baseball at my alma mater. ACU did not have baseball when I was at school and I don't know that I cared but we have gone out for a game almost every year for the past 3 or 4 years. It's a good environment to watch a game (no beer, no cussing, no streakers - I suppose) and a fun time for us. Here's hoping the rain leaves us alone.

Awkward Silence

The idea of being still with God has been on my mind of late. When I think of being still with God, my thoughts go towards not only being still but being quiet. My idea is to work to free my mind of all the things I am thinking about and let God speak to me. Now, I don't think I'm going to hear this booming voice and rays of sunshine but I do think, over time, that simply clearing my head may help guide me to a better understanding of what God wants for me or maybe what I need to be doing for God.

This isn't a very concrete idea which may be part of the reason it's hard for me and maybe others to grasp. It's also difficult to be quiet sometimes. Have you even been in a conversation or class where there was a moment of silence? You can almost feel people wanting to speak up just to break the silence...something must be said. Rick's blog recently referred to a mantra I have heard used that we should speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. I think some of our traditions, our rules and our judgments have come because people have a hard time being silent so when the Bible is silent, someone feels the need to fill the silence with their ideas.

I don't know where I'm going with this other than wanting to explore more into the idea of being quiet, being silent in the presence of God and to hear what He wants me to hear. Maybe it will only be a time to free my mind of my thoughts and my desires. Maybe He will lead me to a thought. Maybe I'll hear a booming voice and see rays of sunshine. Whatever the case may be, I hope to try it and see what I learn from it. Maybe there will be more on this later.

Go Eagles

The Decatur Eagles baseball team pulled out a thrilling victory last night in the bottom of the 7th inning against Bridgeport. The winning team got the final playoff berth so it was great to see our guys win.
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Wednesday nights are always the best night of the work week for me. I attend the youth class and help out occasionally speaking, driving or whatever I'm needed for. I've written about the excitement I have about our youth group and the things I see them do and it gives me a big lift every week to spend some time with them.

After church, a few of us stay and play basketball. Lately, it's been the "old" guys against the "young" guys. I'm always one of the oldest and the youngsters are typically high school kids. They are confounded why we consistently beat them even though some of us can't run or jump. And I can't help but laugh when one of them guards me close like I'm going to blow by them or jump over them.

It's always a beating for me. I come home sore and in need of Tylenol, Motrin, ice, heat, water, Gatorade...and anything else that helps revive a 40+ guy but I love it. It's always been m favorite sport and I think it always will be.

The Table

Rick Ross, the preacher at our church in Decatur, is on a roll with his sermons. He started a series of sermons on heaven awhile back and then had a series on the cross. Now, he is leading us through a series on the table, the communion time we share. Each of these have challenged my ideas and caused me to spend some time thinking about what God has in store for me and what my response needs to be. As he talked about communion yesterday, I couldn't help but wonder what it was like for the people who had spent time with Jesus while he was on earth, what the emotion was, what the conversation was, what the thoughts and feeling were.

I am thankful God is using Rick to bring messages that inspire me to learn and to grow and I am thankful Rick is willing to use his talents to glorify God. Even more, I am thankful the body gathers around the table to remember the price that was paid for us and celebrate the glory of a risen Savior.

As Rick talked yesterday, I thought of the suffering Christ endured prior to dying on that cross. I can't fathom how miserable it must have been yet even that suffering was only for a short time and the glory, the joy, the everlasting salvation that came from it is so much greater. It reminds me that anything I face, any troubles and obstacles, are temporary and nothing compared with the eternity that lies before me through Christ. Hallelujah!

The Storms

Another line of storms moved through last night without the fanfare of the week prior. It struck me last night how we sometimes prepare for storms that bring much less turbulence than we expected while other times the storm is on us before we are prepared.

My life is like that often. I worry about things that turn out to be much smaller than what I had imagined while other times, I'm overcome and didn't even see the problems coming. As I get older, I am learning to prepare as best I can and pray...a lot. I am reaching a time of life where I want to know more about prayer. Slowly but surely I am realizing there is only so much I can do on my own and that I need God to lead me, to work in me and around me. By spending time in prayer, I believe I open myself to God and the more I can pray, the more open to Him I will be.

I still get caught praying the most when I need God the most and praying the least when things of life are going well. I hope I can reverse that trend because things go well most of the time. It's a time to praise God, to be open to Him. There will still be prayers through the storms and the storms may be plenty but how much closer to God will I feel when I've spent more time in prayer with Him?

Alma Mater Alcohol

I recently read that my alma mater, Abilene Christian University, will be changing one of it's rules regarding alcohol use by students. The current rule is if any student is seen using alcohol, they are subject to dismissal from the school. The new rule will not prevent students of legal age from using alcohol away from campus and non-school events.

I have some mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, there aren't that many students of legal drinking age. Add the fact that the school can't afford to try and babysit students all over town and it makes it seem like a rule that doesn't have to be on the books anyway. On the other hand, and what really bothers me, I feel like ACU is relaxing it's standards. While I was a student, I happened across a few people who broke a few of the rules but they and I all knew ACU's standard and respected the school's right to set rules to hold to that standard. Now, it appears the standard is loosening and I feel like that is a problem our society already faces. "Kids are going to have sex so tell them about condoms instead of abstinence." "People are going to use drugs so legalize marijuana." How far can we go as a society to lower our standards to nothing? How far will ACU go in lowering than standards?

I don't know all the reasons for their decision and oddly enough, they didn't ask my opinion. Maybe they think it will be a revenue stream for the new Budweiser Field they want to build (did I mention they passed on 3 student-athletes of excellent character and enough ability to play for other LSC schools and I'm still rather disenchanted about that) so their star athletes can show off their prowess. Maybe it's a simple as saving some ink for a rule they cannot enforce.

In the end, ACU doesn't care what I think and I don't think too highly of ACU. I don't know that their new decision will amount to anything but I also wonder if it's the first step down a slippery slope of decisions that will eventually render it a "Christian education" much like you will find at TCU or Harvard or a number of other schools that started with some religious roots but have effectively abandoned them in the name of academia. Time will tell.

Reaching Out

Yesterday was a "local outreach" focus at our church. We heard some reports from some of our members involved in different aspects and a challenge to continue finding ways to make an impact in our community. A question I read on a blog recently and one that was asked from the pulpit yesterday was something like this; if your church went away tomorrow, would the community notice? or would they care? I think it's a great question for churches to ask.

I imagine there are a good number of our members who do things in the community quietly and without seeking praise or notice. I've written in the past about a song titled "If We Are The Body" and asks the question "if we are the body, what are we doing in the name of Christ?" Are we sitting in our pews teaching religion without touching anyone? Are we doing a lot of stuff but not teaching people the Good News?

I enjoyed the thoughts and questions that came to me yesterday because they challenge me to examine what I am doing to reach out to someone outside my circle, to reach out to someone who is hurting, to reach out to someone who is trying to find God.

I told my wife I wouldn't blog about Desperate Housewives but the fact is I watched most of it last night and there was a character who has been through a lot of tough times and decided to start a search for God. I have no idea where the show will go with that but there she was - someone looking for God and looking for someone to lead them to finding answers. This morning while watching GMA, they flashed a snippet of some forum the Democratic contenders were at where they were being asked questions about faith and the Bible. The point is, there are people who want to know more about God and the question to me is whether I will be available to them to help them find the answers and to help them find the loving mercy of our Savior.

The Back Window

As I looked out the back window for the funnel clouds I couldn't help hear the Casting Crowns song "Praise You In This Storm" rolling through my head. I also prayed for safety while realizing we need a much, much bigger closet to hide in. Had I tried to get in the space that would probably be the safest, I think my family would suffer much more pain from me being the last one in than what the storm would do. God answered my prayers and we were spared any damage. I know others were not as fortunate and I will be praying for them today.
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Our lab split again the other day. We've gotten so used to dogs not lasting around our place that it didn't cause a big stir. My wife and I both spent time out driving the streets and backroads close to us looking for her with no luck.

My wife had told one of our friends who came by the house Tuesday night and last night he calls saying a dog that matches the description of ours is across the street in the neighbors garage. Sure enough, my son and I went over and found her with some of the nicest people you would ever meet.
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I'm headed back to see the Rangers tonight. I sure hope they have better success tonight than on Tuesday. Since they were rained out last night, they will play a double-header but I'm not going to be able to make it to the first game. Phooey.

Good and Bad of Opening Day

The Rangers pitching was back to normal (horrible) and our seats were just as bad. We were down the 3rd base line where the seats angle out just a bit and it was impossible for my son to see the game with all the people in front of us even though we were on the 3rd row. I think Neal McCoy was off-key singing the national anthem too. Still, there was a lot of fun stuff that happened yesterday.

1. Watching Josh Hamilton at batting practice. We got there early enough to watch the Rangers take BP and Hamilton was hitting the ball VERY high and VERY far. It was incredible to watch.
2. Challenger. A bald eagle named Challenger flew into the stadium. WAY cool. Even better, Challenger's handlers walked right by us on the way out and my son got a picture from about 6 feet away.
3. Fly-overs always give me chills and the B-1 bomber out of Dyess did it again. A magnificent plan that rumbles the ground.
4. Watching my son with his 2nd/3rd cousin (I can't remember how all that works) who is several years younger. He was great with him.
5. The national anthem. I enjoy it the most at NASCAR events because I think there are more people there who have fought for our country or, at least, been involved in military duty. 2nd on my places to enjoy it is at baseball games.
6. Being with my children. I love every opportunity I have with them.

Opening Day

I need a blogger break so I will probably be writing seldom for the next several days.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) I'm pulling my young son out of school early and we are headed to Arlington, Texas for Opening Day at The Ballpark. Sure, it's not really Opening Day other than at the stadium but the excitement will be the same. The Rangers are 3-3 coming off their road trip which is awesome and the amazing thing is they won with pitching. Sure, it probably won't last but that's the way it is so far and I will enjoy it. An afternoon game, a full house, the national anthem and 2 B-1 bombers doing a flyover. What a wonderful day to enjoy in America.

Tonight, I'm watching a great basketball game between Kansas and Memphis. I'm pulling for Kansas (Texas would get to play the defending national champion twice next year) but Memphis will be hard to beat. What a wonderful night in America.

Last night, we were able to watch some of our kids who had participated in LTC and share in their successes. I was proud of both my kids doing well in the events they entered and the roles they take on. I really missed LTC this year - all the kids, all the energy, all the effort, preparation and focus on God. Every day I grow more excited about what the future holds because I continue to be impressed and inspired by the young people I get to be around at church.

Hail

There are few things that can wake me up but last night's hail storm was one of them. It was fast and loud. One friend I spoke with this morning got some really big hail that left some holes in his roof and water coming inside his house.
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Opening Day for the Rangers at home is next Tuesday and I'm excited. While the Rangers are 1-2 after their first series with the Mariners, Opening Day at home always brings hope and a little optimism that something crazy may happen and the team has a decent year. I'm not hoping for any kind of title, just that games in August and September have a little meaning.

A few years ago when most of the team was pretty young, they won 83 games or something like that and there was an air of excitement every time I went to the ballpark. Last year I couldn't give my tickets away.
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This morning I keep thinking about a recent conversation I was having about baptism. While our conversation on that day dealt with some broad thoughts on doctrine and interpretations, this morning I kept thinking about the beauty of baptism. A recent study we had in our youth class took me back to Romans 6 where it says we are united with Christ in baptism. For me, that is one of the most powerful pieces of scripture I read. I want to be united with Christ, to be one with Him. If that's what baptism does, it is a beautiful thing in my eyes.

I like the days I start off thinking about Christ and the joy I have through Him. I hope you share in that joy with me.