So I'v been to part of the country I've not been to yet, Madison, WI. It was clean, yards were immaculate, and met a guy from Memphis who says he will never return to Memphis....
God has answered numerous prayers for our family. Providing a new business, therefore providing finanacially, He ha taught me quite a bit this past month and is working on teaching me how to not stress for I feel the first time in my life. Teaching me to manage time and money better has been huge in relationships all across the board. Pray that I'll listen and walk through only the doors God needs me to walk through. Pray I can love and teach and nurture my family as I'm commanded to do.
I met a young man named Quincy while in Wisconsin. He was walking down a road while I pulled into a driveway and parked. He yelled something at me so I asked him to come over to me so I could understand him better. Talking with him, he just got out of a summer school program obtaining his GED. He apparently got comfortable with me and continued to tell me some problems he was having at home and how he wished his sisters and mom would be better people. I asked if he went to church for Easter the Sunday before I met him and he expressed he ususally works on Sundays so no need in going to church b/c he has to make money to pay some bills at his home. I began to witness for Christ to him and he showed excitment when helping him understand a few things about who and what Christ did for all of humanity. I shook his hand and he gave me somewhat of a half hug? You know the fist bump, elbow bump style type of hug; it's just what men do. I thanked him for allowing me to get to know him a bit and I prayed for him right there; awesome time.
So I owe Mr. Craft (and wife) sushi...do I owe anyone else sushi? NO? Good.
Pray for the Craft family as they will be going to Brazil this coming week and presenting the Gospel and holding classes. I must admit I am drawn to go on a mission trip again; my last one being when I was in Dallas with my youth group from Merton Ave. Baptist in Memphis. I can still recall very clearly the kids, the games, the food, the chuch we stayed at, and even the smells. Our youth pastor at the time, Drew Randle, who I keep up with on FACEBOOK, and his wife Suzanne, were such a huge influence in the path I chose to walk. Genuine and caring people. I want to thank my mom and dad for taking us to church regularly during that time in our lives b/c without that motivation and direction from them and the youth leaders, who knows what'd be going on.
See you guys shortly. Have a great weekend. More to come.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Church is people not a building
Frday night was the first night of our Easter Cantana at church. It turned out great. 22 people expressed their new found faith in Christ and committed to serving God through Christ blood that saves us through our sinful nature and allows us to escape death and have an eternal life with Christ in Heaven. God is so good and so faithful. The tremendous talent of our choir and drama team along with the orchestra and direction of our ministers reaches the depths that can't be seen by human eyes. It's amazing to watch God expand His kingdom right before us.
I was puzzled when I was told to 'go to make up'. I was doused in products I've never had on and felt pretty odd. Being for a much bigger cause than myself, it felt great to be a part of something that God uses to expand territories beyond what we ever imagined could happen through us.
Before this drama, I got up at 430 AM, drove to Byrdstown, TN (ever heard of it?) then throughout the Nashville area doing some work. It was a pleasant drive for the most part though all I could think about was the lack of time I have spent with my wife and 3 children this week. That urge to provide for them sometimes overpowers my ability to balance. It catches up every couple of weeks and I take a few days to just hang out at home and enjoy God with their beautiful personalities, abilities, and strong grips around my soul. During my day, I had a bloodhound express to me through his houling and echoing barks in the depths of an east middle tennessee hill that I was not welcomed. I took pictures of this dog and even fed him a peanut butter cracker but he wanted no part of it. With his tailed tucked and one leg in the air; as if he was waiting for an opportunity for me to turn my back on him; he was quite aggravating. My imagination ran with the thoughts of no one ever seeing me again thinking I just might end up in the revene next to me that was endless and swampy-like. These people don't know who I am and if the dog doesn't like me either, well, different type of people live in places like that. But with a bold nature, I finished up and threw the dog another peanut butter cracker as he was chasing my car down the road.
Tonite we present the drama of Christ's death and resurrection again and I'm so excited to do it praying that people are convicted and see the need for forgiveness and love. I pray that God convicts me and my brothers and sisters that are presenting this drama and grows us and uses us. I pray thank God for you today and for the part you play in my life and growth and in our small role we play in God's historical drama for eternity.
I was puzzled when I was told to 'go to make up'. I was doused in products I've never had on and felt pretty odd. Being for a much bigger cause than myself, it felt great to be a part of something that God uses to expand territories beyond what we ever imagined could happen through us.
Before this drama, I got up at 430 AM, drove to Byrdstown, TN (ever heard of it?) then throughout the Nashville area doing some work. It was a pleasant drive for the most part though all I could think about was the lack of time I have spent with my wife and 3 children this week. That urge to provide for them sometimes overpowers my ability to balance. It catches up every couple of weeks and I take a few days to just hang out at home and enjoy God with their beautiful personalities, abilities, and strong grips around my soul. During my day, I had a bloodhound express to me through his houling and echoing barks in the depths of an east middle tennessee hill that I was not welcomed. I took pictures of this dog and even fed him a peanut butter cracker but he wanted no part of it. With his tailed tucked and one leg in the air; as if he was waiting for an opportunity for me to turn my back on him; he was quite aggravating. My imagination ran with the thoughts of no one ever seeing me again thinking I just might end up in the revene next to me that was endless and swampy-like. These people don't know who I am and if the dog doesn't like me either, well, different type of people live in places like that. But with a bold nature, I finished up and threw the dog another peanut butter cracker as he was chasing my car down the road.
Tonite we present the drama of Christ's death and resurrection again and I'm so excited to do it praying that people are convicted and see the need for forgiveness and love. I pray that God convicts me and my brothers and sisters that are presenting this drama and grows us and uses us. I pray thank God for you today and for the part you play in my life and growth and in our small role we play in God's historical drama for eternity.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
So basketball isn't my thing..still
Tonite I decided to go give basketball another shot. I feel goofy when I shoot still, I feel goofy when dribbling, but I also feel like I now what I'm doing. Wierd thing is that I went for a ball going out of bounds, tripped, landed on the edge of the bleachers with my back, now it hurts to bend over, walk, and drive. We will see if there's any damage over the next few weeks; I'm not too concerned about though. Had fun and great time of excercise. Echlin absolutely has too much energy, one minute he's shooting from the 3 point line, gets his own rebound, then back inside the interior of the other end of the court blocking shots. Too much energy is possible I think.
At half time we talked about 'Where are we at?'. His point was asking us if we are in the stands, on the bench, or in the game. Sitting in the stands are non-Christians. On the bench are Christians but they are just sitting back doing just enough, not being used by God much and riding the wave. In the game are the Christians who are shakers and movers; people winning people for Christ, serving others in many areas, doing what they can to expand God's kingdom. I feel like I've moved off the bench and am in the middle of it all at times but more times than none I am sitting on the edge of that bench; wanting to act on instinct of the Holy Spirit nudging me to do this or do that but I just don't become bold enough.
A good friend of mine once reminded me of how Jesus kept pursuing people regardless of the reactions he got from them. Out of the action of love and kindness He pursued them until they made a choice to serve and acknowledge or not to serve and acknowledge. Just as Moses and Aaron stayed focused, I too must stay focused on the ultimate goals and know that w/ God's protection, noone can harm me in anyway.
Loosing and binding are terms used to describe the discipleship that happens between Christians when they discuss the Bible and things they have learned and the ways they have interpreted it. It is needed and highly suggested that we discuss the Bible as much as we so we can learn from each other what God has taught us. God is multitrillion times more dimensional than I am. I feel I know truth when I see it and hear b/c I have prayed for proper discernment hard the past year. Loosing and binding with friends and fellow Bible study group participants as well as co-workers, has allowed me a tremendous honor in sharing biblical learning with them and looking into their growth and what God has done in their lives and what He has done and is doing in mine. Being BOLD comes out of it so many times. It seems we always end up on the subject of being bold. What do we have to lose? Nothing. What do we have to fear? Nothing. And society's way of thinking on it now: What does it cost? Nothing. So for free, without fear or harm, and gaining everything, we can share with one person each week what has been given to us and what God has done in our lives. Loose and bind with others, supernatural favors of God will come of it I assure you.
Back to a point from the beginning, after binding and loosing with others in my life each week, I feel I become more BOLD. An minister to youth said this past week that feelings are not reliable guides for determining right and wrong; absolutely. So, I believe the next time I feel a nudge, I'll ask myself nothing and just do it. My fears nor my feelings will detour me from what is the right thing to do and that is to share Jesus with people that come into my life and that I get the opportunity to come into their lives.
Last thought, my wife put together a cabinet today. I only had to adjust a small portion of it but it was impressive to me. I knew she had the ability to be great but this beyond that. Something that is beyond her scope of practice and I feel horrible that I ever doubted her mechanical/ carpenter-like abilities. That's just one more thing I'm nervous she may not need me for anymore; "Let me get that sweetheart, it needs to be done like this"...(Her) "No, that's ok, I've got it. It's pretty simple to do and the directions are so clear". <<<----Mine aren't?
At half time we talked about 'Where are we at?'. His point was asking us if we are in the stands, on the bench, or in the game. Sitting in the stands are non-Christians. On the bench are Christians but they are just sitting back doing just enough, not being used by God much and riding the wave. In the game are the Christians who are shakers and movers; people winning people for Christ, serving others in many areas, doing what they can to expand God's kingdom. I feel like I've moved off the bench and am in the middle of it all at times but more times than none I am sitting on the edge of that bench; wanting to act on instinct of the Holy Spirit nudging me to do this or do that but I just don't become bold enough.
A good friend of mine once reminded me of how Jesus kept pursuing people regardless of the reactions he got from them. Out of the action of love and kindness He pursued them until they made a choice to serve and acknowledge or not to serve and acknowledge. Just as Moses and Aaron stayed focused, I too must stay focused on the ultimate goals and know that w/ God's protection, noone can harm me in anyway.
Loosing and binding are terms used to describe the discipleship that happens between Christians when they discuss the Bible and things they have learned and the ways they have interpreted it. It is needed and highly suggested that we discuss the Bible as much as we so we can learn from each other what God has taught us. God is multitrillion times more dimensional than I am. I feel I know truth when I see it and hear b/c I have prayed for proper discernment hard the past year. Loosing and binding with friends and fellow Bible study group participants as well as co-workers, has allowed me a tremendous honor in sharing biblical learning with them and looking into their growth and what God has done in their lives and what He has done and is doing in mine. Being BOLD comes out of it so many times. It seems we always end up on the subject of being bold. What do we have to lose? Nothing. What do we have to fear? Nothing. And society's way of thinking on it now: What does it cost? Nothing. So for free, without fear or harm, and gaining everything, we can share with one person each week what has been given to us and what God has done in our lives. Loose and bind with others, supernatural favors of God will come of it I assure you.
Back to a point from the beginning, after binding and loosing with others in my life each week, I feel I become more BOLD. An minister to youth said this past week that feelings are not reliable guides for determining right and wrong; absolutely. So, I believe the next time I feel a nudge, I'll ask myself nothing and just do it. My fears nor my feelings will detour me from what is the right thing to do and that is to share Jesus with people that come into my life and that I get the opportunity to come into their lives.
Last thought, my wife put together a cabinet today. I only had to adjust a small portion of it but it was impressive to me. I knew she had the ability to be great but this beyond that. Something that is beyond her scope of practice and I feel horrible that I ever doubted her mechanical/ carpenter-like abilities. That's just one more thing I'm nervous she may not need me for anymore; "Let me get that sweetheart, it needs to be done like this"...(Her) "No, that's ok, I've got it. It's pretty simple to do and the directions are so clear". <<<----Mine aren't?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Let's Roll
Remember Philadelphia Flight 93? I decided since I've grown into a stte of searching for pure truth, that the name of the blog wuld be as is and that the first entry is appropriate for getting started. The men who defended all they had left on 9.11.01, and ultimately defended who America is and what we stand for, stated 'Let's Roll' to begin what they knew would be their ultimate gesture of protection and the beginning of their legacy.
I've chosen to do this to leave a legacy for my wife and children and God willing, my grand children to look at it and hopefully obtain a hint of truth from my unworthy thoughts, intepretations, and the absolute most sense I can make from the Bible, God's love, life in general, and society's mistakes. Ok, my wife created two blogs now so I decided I'd enjoy it myself, there's truth.
I will make this one short for you to reel you in. I'll continue as time allows and sink you into what I think is important, fun, and interesting. I've wanted to write a book for some years now so this is my way of writing a book. Hope you enjoy and have fun. If I ever stop learning, I'll ask you to give broadway my regards.
I've chosen to do this to leave a legacy for my wife and children and God willing, my grand children to look at it and hopefully obtain a hint of truth from my unworthy thoughts, intepretations, and the absolute most sense I can make from the Bible, God's love, life in general, and society's mistakes. Ok, my wife created two blogs now so I decided I'd enjoy it myself, there's truth.
I will make this one short for you to reel you in. I'll continue as time allows and sink you into what I think is important, fun, and interesting. I've wanted to write a book for some years now so this is my way of writing a book. Hope you enjoy and have fun. If I ever stop learning, I'll ask you to give broadway my regards.
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