Genealogies Matter

Matthew 1 contains some of the beautiful words written in the Scriptures.. ancestors. The line from Abraham to Jesus was both promised and fulfilled. God's word never fails. He uses rascals and rebels, as well as righteous and right!! God is in charge, even of the family of Jesus and yours.

1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David[a] and of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram.[b] 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. 6 Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah). 7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the father of Abijah. Abijah was the father of Asa.[c] 8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram.[d] Jehoram was the father[e] of Uzziah. 9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham. Jotham was the father of Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amon.[f] Amon was the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin[g] and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon). 12 After the Babylonian exile: Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor. 14 Azor was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Akim. Akim was the father of Eliud. 15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob. 16 Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah. 17 All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.

The next time we complain or feel unjustly treated by being in such and such's bloodline, remember Jesus. He had several who were suspect in character, but strong in purpose.. God's purpose.

Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) - Bruce Springsteen

His energy is amazing and unmatched!! Great version!!!

The Small Town Boy

Matthew 2:5,6 (NCV)

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

He was born in a small town and lived in small town.. (reminisce of John C. Mellencamp). God is partial to the small, the insignificant, the unimportant of the world. He sees the big in the small (Geoff Moore & the Distance). He sees winners, when they lose. He sees worth, beneath all the poor self images we have of ourselves. The small town boy changed the world forever.

Christmas: One Birth, Many Deaths

If you think on it, the birth of our Savior Jesus wasn't pleasant for all the families in the town of David. In fact, for many parents, it meant the loss of their son, on the account of the one born in Bethlehem.

13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”[e] 16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. 17 Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A cry was heard in Ramah— weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.”[f]

So, the birth of Jesus resulted in the death of another Jesus, or Abraham, or Daniel, etc. He still changes families, some are torn apart because of his arrival. They can't stand the holiness which exposes their sin. God rearranges everything, which sometimes equals loss and pain. His purposes are beyond mine and I trust him anyway and fully, with my life.

"Praise Him!!" - Hillsong Live (2012)

Love the banjo in this!!

Passing the Torch

Leonard DeLautre was a dear friend, in my last few years of ministry in Georgetown, Kentucky. I was the Pastor of Central Church of God and he lived across the street from the church. I spent many hours sitting, listening, and learning from him. He gave me books every time I visited, and now looking back I wonder why I didn't see him more often. When I left the community in 2004, to move to Texas, he blessed and prayed for me and my family and believed in me. I will never forget him.

New Again.. Sara Evans & Brad Paisley

(Brad Paisley) Mother - do not cry for me All of this is exactly how it's supposed to be (Sara Evans) I'm right here. Can you hear my voice? My life, my love, my Lord....my baby boy (Brad Paisley) As they nail me to this tree Just know my Father waits for me (Sara Evans) God how can this be your will? To have your son and my son killed? (Brad Paisley) Whatever happens...whatever you see... Whatever your eyes tell you has become of me This is not... Not the end... I am making all things new again (Sara Evans) I remember when you were born In that manger where I first held You in my arms So many miracles and lives you've changed And this world repays you how? With all this pain (Both) Whatever happens(Whatever happens)...whatever you see(I don't wanna see)... Whatever your eyes tell you has become of me This is not... Not the end... I am making all things new again

March Madness (& Sadness)

This is the time of the sports calendar that people suddenly care about College Basketball. Last season, University of Kentucky won and dominated the tournament, with such players as Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, and Marquis Teague. This season, they didn't make the tourney and actually lost in the first round of the NIT!! Even though they were the number 1 overall seed!!! I have listed 12 of my most memorable NCAA Tourney Moments (in random order): 12. The 1978 Kentucky championship, led by Jack Givens' 41 points!! 11. The NC State miracle shot missed and dunk by Lorenzo Charles to defeat the mighty Houston Cougars in 1983!! 10. The 1982 last second shot by Michael Jordan for UNC. 09. The 2011 Gordon Heyward miss from halfcourt that almost beat Duke!! It banked and rimmed out!! 08. Christian Laettner sucks. 07. Keith Smart hits last second shot for IU in 1981. I was listening to the radio, laying on my bed. 06. Villanova beats Georgetown in the perfect game. 05. 1996 Kentucky rolls through the tourney and beats both teams that beat them in the year, for the title!! 04. Chris Webber timeout in 1993. 03. Danny Ainge drives full court for a layup!! 02. Bryce Drew for the win!!! 01. Magic vs Bird and I watch it with a small crowd, at a Spring Fling Festival!! haha!!!

From Clifford to Classics

Clifford the Big Red Dog was one of my kids' favorite book series and TV Cartoons in the late 90's and early 00's. The stories taught values of friendship, loyalty, the love of pets, family ties, and honoring your word. My son will be graduating high school in a few months, and he will have traveled from Clifford to Potter to Tolkein to the classics he will read in college. I pray that he develops habits much better than he has shown in high school. There will be reading beyond what he has ever faced. God, give him wisdom and determination to do what it takes to get it done.

Youth Camp 2013!!

Youth Camp 2013 June 24-28

Remiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind Meeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

My song!! So on fire and so in love, that look in your eyes I miss so much!!! Great line!!!

Rediscovering the Joy of Coloring

“Christianity is not about learning how to live within the lines; Christianity is about the joy of coloring.” ― Mike Yaconelli, Dangerous Wonder

He was right. We strive so hard in trying to do life just right. Attempting to appease our kids, parents, pastors, church leaders, teachers, mentors, friends, family, and then ourselves. We at some point color outside the line and we all gasp at our messiness and disorder. When really, just loving to color is the key! Such wisdom from one who loved to color, and color outside the lines. So, today.. I'm going to enjoy the crayons and love life!!

Why Can't We Be Friends?

The struggle is implied in the title; can single men and women truly "be friends?" I have been gifted to work well with women (haha), with the ability to understand them better than some men do. That's where the tension arises, when my emotional connection goes over the line of friendship, even if its unexpressed and unexplored. I have spoken to several single friends about this and most believe that it's impossible for men and women to close friends. I think it's possible, but with parameters: First, honest communication about the man's intentions, up front and center. Which means both parties must first be honest with themselves. I like this quote:(thedatingblook.wordpress.com)

"The guy has to decide, if he's going to be her friend, then he's choosing not to date her. If he is choosing to date her, he's choosing not to be her friend."

This sounds tough, but it keeps the boundaries clear and manageable. Friendship can be built early and established within the relationship. Second, be careful if you spend any time alone. This has the potential to heighten sexual tension and increase expectations (especially for men). Third, having an opposite sex BFF is not a good choice for women or men. Best friends of women need to be women and best friends of men, need to be men. It assists in keeping healthy distance and maintaining good boundaries. These are some thoughts I have regarding opposite sex friendships, gathered over the past few years, mostly from painful experience and unpleasant conversations.

Where's the Beef??

Looking for my killer instinct, dominant gene, my whatever-it-takes resolve!! I seem to have lost it somewhere along the way to gentleness, kindness, and learning to be content in all situations. I need to keep moving forward in my life. I have done well in healing from divorce, restoring broken relationships, being an involved and loving Dad, and accepting God's restoration back to ministry. But, I still lack the something to push faster, higher, and overcome some obstacles. God, give me the vision, strength, and stamina to make it happen.

Hope Beyond the Shattered Life

I was chatting with a friend this weekend, who has gone through a painful experience. They are trying, really trying to overcome the sadness, bitterness, and muddy waters of a shattered life. I encouraged them to keep looking and moving forward. God is in the midst of the mess. You may not see him, but he promised he would be there.. always. I am living proof of one who saw no light, no hope, no future in 2008. Yet, today I'm awake and alive!!

"But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.." - Psalm 33:18

MLB Hall of Fame Needs An Overhaul

With first-timers Clemens, Bonds, Piazza, Sosa, and Shilling joining holdovers Palmeiro, Bagwell, Morris, Murphy, Raines, and Trammel; they voted no one in, such a tragedy. If we don't recognize, nor penalize (no awards, titles, rings, records, or championships have been removed by MLB) them, then we must put them in their rightful place as being some of the best players of all time. It's time MLB looks at the voting process and reason for having a hall of fame, and make some serious changes. It started wrong in the first place by allowing them in 1936 to vote in Ruth, Wagner, Cobb, Matthewson, and Johnson without any of them getting 100% vote. Are you serious?? Come on, baseball world. Let's get this thing corrected and made into a great process of honoring the best players we have ever seen.