9/11 - 17 years ago!!

Holy smokes!!! The day that changed us more than anything since Pearl Harbor. I'll not forget my location, my kids, my pluresy, my fear, my confidence, my prayers, my nation, my God.

1974 Super Bowl Sunday and Salvation

On January 13th 40 years ago yesterday, my parents surrendered their lives and family to Jesus and my heritage of faith was drastically altered!! It was Super Bowl Sunday 1974. The game was played in Houston, at Rice Stadium!! My parents faith is the biggest reason for my love for God. They instilled it in me both intentionally and by default. I am forever changed because of that day!! By the way, the Fran Tarkenton-led Vikings lost to the mighty Dolphins and I was a big time Viking fan then!!

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!!

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

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

The Hurt & The Healer - Mercy Me

"The Hurt & The Healer" Favorite line.. Jesus come and break my fear Awake my heart and take my tears Find Your glory even here When the hurt and the healer collide

God Is...

His time is perfect, mine is flawed.
His will is perfect, mine is weak.
His power is perfect, mine is limited.
His love is perfect, mine is selfish.
His knowlege is perfect, mine is limited.
His presence is perfect, mine is egotistical.
His word is perfect, mine is situational.
He is perfect, I am not.

Your Grace Is Enough

In response to my current situation of dating or lackthereof...

So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise
Oh God

Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me

Your grace is enough
Heaven reaching down to us
Your grace is enough for me
God I see your grace is enough
I'm covered in your love
Your grace is enough for me
For me

His grace is enough and I'm okay with that.. today.

Praying for Connie Christoph

Connie Christoph, wife of Jim and mother of Sarah and Jamey, has ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). They are friends of mine from back in the days of Warner Southern College (now University), South Lake Wales Church, and Barry/Dana Shick.

I am praying daily for her condition and family.

Empty Me - Chris Sligh

This song by Chris Sligh (American Idol) is outstanding!

I've had just enough of the spotlight when it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood.
And I've tasted my share of the sweet life and the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.

Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.

I've had just enough of the quick buys of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.

Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.

Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you, compared to you.
Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you. So, I surrender all!

Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
Oh, filled with you.
Empty me.

Questions for the Heart

These I ripped from today's devotion in "My Utmost For His Highest":

- Does everything in my life fill God's heart with gladness?

- Do I complain when things do not seem to go my way?

- Has my life this week been a good reflection on his reputation?

- Am I so in love with Jesus that I take no thought for where he may lead me?

- Do I allow shame and humiliation create in me Godly sorrow, which leads to true repentance?

These I should ask daily...good stuff and hard to answer!

Vision & Darkness

When God unveils a vision, a picture or sketch of what will be or could be; sometimes it is followed by a closing of the window, silence, or perhaps even darkness.

It is in this time that many give up on the hope, turn to despair, or return to the visionless life they were living. I have been given a chance to see what could be or maybe what will be. But after a couple of months of this new reality, the door was shut. I was faced with many questions and doubt.

Yesterday, I was given the revelation of a new hope, the idea of waiting til the darkness fades to light. Then the sketch will unfold. So I wait...

Tony Dungy: A Winner

Tony Dungy resigned from being the Head Coach of the NFL Colts. He has not only been a great coach but also a great person. His greatness shined in the aftermath a couple years ago in the wake of his son's suicide.

I am impressed and moved by this man's commitment and heart.

2009 The Year of Worship

Pastor Chris proclaimed this year for our church, The Year of Worship! Count me in...

A Baptism - 7 Years Ago Today

Jon Mark and Emma were baptized by me on this day in 2001 in Georgetown, Kentucky! It was an awesome day...

Mighty To Save

This has to be my newest favorite song these days:

John 16:31-33 (TNIV)

"Do you now believe? A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
- Jesus of Nazareth circa 30-33 A.D.

This of course is when Jesus is speaking to his followers about his death and how they will all leave him alone to suffer and die. I love the part, "In this world you will have trouble." OK - and your point is...

The point is clear in the next phrase. It is for them and us a glance of hope, a knot to hold onto, a glimmer of light in the darkest days..."But take heart! I have overcome the world." WoW!!! Say it again Jesus...I have overcome the world! One more time for those who know this text and line way too well..."I have overcome the world!!"

So whatever trouble we face, let's keep it straight...Jesus faced the world and won! If God raised Jesus from the dead, he too can raise you and I from the depths of hell and destruction, as long as we are breathing - there is hope. "Even though I walk in the shadow of death, you are with me..."

That's something to write home about, hang your hat on, and do a jig in the middle of the mall!

"I Don't Like Remembering"

If you haven't seen the movie Reign Over Me (Adam Sandler),
There's a scene in the waiting room of the psychologist (Liv Tyler). Sandler's character is very complex and has really "lost it".

So often, we refuse to remember. It's just too painful. But in my life, I've learned that the possibility of healing and redemptive value is worth the tears and pain.