What's On Your Mind Today?

Too many times, I get so overwhelmed with the daily struggles & trials of life that I easily get distracted. I get sidetracked with my own stuff that I don't take the time to focus on God's stuff...His will...for my life. I know He's got such a better plan for me and whatever storms I may be facing, my Lord is a Waymaker. He's never let me go and He's never forsaken me.

My God is a God of love, of peace, of forgiveness, a place of shelter, a refuge in a time of storm, my Rock and my Deliverer.

The Bible tells us to live our lives in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It says it should be our aim to do all things that will please Him. It says that we need to share Christ's love and message with everyone, not just a select few.

Everyone.

I need to take His Truth to the ends of the earth, reaching out to the lost and loving them in spite of how they dress, how they act or who they are. I need to look past their faults and their unbelief the very same way God looked past mine. I need to love them the way Christ loved me while He was on the cross. Be assured, God has no favorites and there is nothing that separates me from anyone else in God's site.

He loves us all the same and wants everyone to be saved...to receive His precious gift of forgiveness and salvation. How He longs to embrace us and welcome us all home, to the home He said He was going away to prepare for us.

With that being said, I'm looking past my own self & stuff today and I've got the ultimate reward of spending eternity with Jesus, worshipping Him and praising the Lamb that was slain on my behalf.

Today, I've got Heaven on my mind.

Heaven On My Mind

I started out with Jesus at a very early age yes I've known him nearly all of my life
well I'll admit there have been times where I've faltered along the way
but I'll keep trying cause somehow I've gotta make it in
you see I've got a charge on my life and I've got a job to do
and I can't stop until it's through

Chorus:
I'm determined I've got a made up mind
I can't stand around wasting my time
I'm gonna keep on working for Jesus
Every day of my life
'cause I've got Heaven on my mind

Verse 2:
I don't have time to waste criticizing someone else
There are some things I'd rather leave behind
And I don't have time to be bothered
With she said, that he said, that they said
Because it's all I can do to keep my own self in line

Oh Lord

I must work while this day
'cause I know the night is surely coming
I'm going all all the way

Chorus
I've determined, I've got a made up mind
I can't stand around wasting my time
I'm gonna keep on working for Jesus
Every day of my life
'Cause I've got Heaven on my mind

I can't understand how some people can move so slow
Maybe they don't know just what time it is
Jesus is coming back
and I know it that won't be long
I've gotta be ready, I've gotta be ready for my starry crown
I want to hear Him say
I want to hear Him say well done

Chorus
You can talk about me say what you wanna say
You can stand around wasting your time
But while you're talking I'm gonna keep on walking
Because I got Heaven on my mind.

My hope & prayer today is that everyone who reads this blog will be drawn closer to God and will find His peace and love waiting for them in His holy sanctuary.

A Busy First Week

Well, Friday is here and I'm sure like most of you out there, you're ready for a nice relaxing weekend. I know we are.

The first week of school for Kate is about to end and she's had an incredible time!! We were so worried about how she'd transition to 3rd Grade, especially since now she's earning actual letter grades and having more accountability put upon her...which is good. Thus far, she's made it by with flying colors and that's quite a relief for us, considering her 2nd Grade experience wasn't nearly as fun or exciting as she'd have hoped. Her 1st Grade teacher was incredible...lively, bubbly, full of life and fun. By contrast, her 2nd Grade teacher was old, cranky, impatient and about 15 years past retirement if you get my drift. This year though, from all we've heard, this teacher is going to be much better. She'll still be strict but she's also more laid back...at least that's what initial reports say.

The boy is home with the wife & me today. I don't quite understand how a full-time daycare needs another "in-service" day when they just had one less than 2 weeks ago but hey...that's cool. He and I are involved with some serious Ninja Turtle DVD's and already have fought (quite visciously too I might add) as opposing Power Rangers. We've got several guy things to do today...like take back a digital cable box converter, look for monster trucks, maybe rent a few Power Ranger movies and the best of all...

get ready for GG & Bapa!!

They're coming down for a visit as the wife & I head out to Little Rock for a dinner with some of her potential new partners. I know we're looking forward to a night w/out the chillins crying and fighting but we know they'll have a ball with GG & Bapa. They are so good and loving toward those kids and we never worry about leaving the kids in their care.

It's been busy for Jen & me as well. Her with her unruly work & call schedule and I've been doing some voicework for Tyson foods (yes, the chicken place) for some of their in-house training videos. Plus, I've also been asked to be the PA announcer for all the home Shiloh Christian football games. It's been fun thus far but I'm still trying to get a good feel for what I need to do and how much I need to acutally open my yapper.

Thank the Lord for all this rain. We've been so dry & parched the past few weeks that the rain we've gotten nearly every day this week is such a welcomed relief. My grass & plants & trees are actually turning green again and we're hoping for some beautiful, colorful fall foliage.

Cooler temps and the beginning of school means only one thing to me...

Football season.

Ahhh yes...life is going to be getting real good. Arkansas takes on USC at home next weekend and I don't think we'll be able to drive many places, let alone go to the game. Population invasions are set to reach record proportions as the Trojans come to town for what's set to be a huge grudge match for the Hogs who got roasted last year at their place.

This year, however, we have some incredible recruits, sickeningly talented running backs and a new offensive coordinator leading the charge. I can't remember a time when so many Hog fans have been anticipating the football season. I pray that we're ready for a much more competitive stand than we were last year.

Have a great weekend and get some rest. I know we will.

Mercy Came Running

As many of you who've read this blog since February have seen, music plays such an integral part of my life and nothing blesses me as much as one of those songs where I can almost hear God's voice whispering in my ears.

I was planning on surprising my wife this afternoon with a spotless bedroom, complete with laundry folded AND put away as well as the bed being made and jackets hung up. I knew she'd been working a lot lately and besides wanting to give her a nice retreat to come home to, I was tired of stepping over towels & t-shirts.

Anyway, a song came on my iPod called "Mercy Came Running" from the trio Phillips, Craig & Dean. I'd heard this song one or two times before and had always enjoyed it. But you know how it is when a song or story or verse takes on a whole new meaning? Like a light has just been turned on in a dark room? When everything is just right?

Well, this afternoon, everything was just right.

The melody, the lyrics, the word picture I saw in my head made me stop, meditate and just worship God right there.

Just imagine these images...literally taking place. This song takes on a whole new life and gives me a whole new sense of praise to our God for loving me that much...

"Once there was a holy place, evidence of God's embrace
And I can almost see Mercy's face pressed against the veil
Looking down with longing eyes, Mercy must have realized
That once His blood was sacrificed freedom would prevail

And as the sky grew dark
And the earth began to shake
With justice no longer in the way

Chorus:
Mercy came running like a prisoner set free
Past all my failures to the point of my need
When the sin that I carried was all I could see
And when I could not reach mercy
Mercy came running to me

Once there was a broken heart, way too human from the start
And all the years left it torn apart, hopeless and afraid
Walls I never meant to build left this prisoner unfulfilled
Freedom called but even still it seemed so far away

I was bound by the chains
From the wages of my sin
Just when I felt like giving in...

Mercy came running, like a prisoner set free
Past all my failures to the point of my need
When the sin I carried was all I could see
And when I could not reach mercy,
Mercy came running to me.

Sometimes I still feel so far
So far from where I really should be
He gently calls to my heart
Just to remind me

Mercy came running
Like a prisioner set free
Past all my failures to the point of my need
when the sin I carried was all I could see
And when I could not reach mercy...

Mercy came running to me."

Can you just see that? God looking down upon the sorry state of man...of me and of you...realizing that nothing we could ever do on our own would save us and thusly, He sent His one & only Son to pay that debt for our sins. He had such a passion for us that He came to die for each of us. He came running as fast as He could to save us and wrap His arms of Mercy around us.

The Song of Solomon says it so vividly!! Even though this is the woman speaking of the arrival of her love, read how she tells of his sheer determination to reach her:

Song of Songs 2:8-10
"Listen! My love is approaching. Look! Here he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. My love is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, he is standing behind our wall, gazing through the windows. peering through the lattice. My love calls to me."

This man had such a passion for his love, nothing would stand in his way of coming to be with her. You can almost see this in your mind...

A winded, exhausted yet determined man, standing just beyond the window, eagerly awaiting her arrival as his anticipation builds fiercely within...

Now imagine God Almighty doing the very same for you.

Imagine He loved each of us that much that He did come after us with such a passion, as a Father would run after His children, as the groom would run after his bride...

With all the junk and sin in my life, with every bad thing I've ever done, with anything that I've allowed to distract me from His call upon my life...even through all of that...

as ugly and so undeserving as I am...

Mercy came running to me.

Wow.

Praise the Lord for His mercy and His love for us all.

And Yet...

Webster's online dictionary describes the word "yet" with other terms & phrases that can really underscore just how powerful this small word actually is.

"Yet" can also be replaced with the words "besides", "even", "still", "eventually", "however", "nonetheless". You can even use the phrases "on top of everything else" or "no less" or "in addition" or "in spite of" to describe or even define it.

What has me so focused on this tiny word today is how it's used in God's word to give a state of His enduring, patient and never-changing love for each & every one of us. I was reading in Psalms this morning about how God saves in the midst of trouble. I was reminded how time & time again, the people of Israel wandered away from His favor and often found themselves in deep trouble. They then knew in their hearts to call out to God for salvation and each time, He would hear their cry and have mercy upon them.

Psalm 106:7b-8 says:
"they did not remember Your many kindnesses and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. Yet He saved them for His name's sake, to make His mighty power known."

Psalm 106: 43 states so simply:
"Many times He delivered them but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin."

This had such an impact on me. I so often get blessed by His holy word and the promises He reveals to me. Sometimes, I get so charged up I head out into the world, full of ME instead of letting Him lead the way and, as the Israelites found themselves way off course, I find myself outside of His will for me. However, I realize where I went wrong and cry out to God to save me...to rescue me from my situations and my surroundings.

From myself.

And as His word says, He is faithful to forgive. He is faithful to be there to lift me up, to raise me up and to put my feet on solid ground.

Job 33:20-30 speaks of how man falls away from God and often finds himself at the brink of utter, total decay & destruction. But praise God He is faithful to save us and spare us from a certain doom within the pit.

"then his flesh is renewed like a child's; it is restored as in the days of his youth. He prays to God and finds favor with Him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state. Then he comes to men and says 'I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved. He (God) redeemed my soul from going down to the pit and I will live to enjoy the light.' "

I got so encouraged by this verse and truth today!!! As many times as we fail our Lord, He not only saves but He also restores!!! He give us peace...He gives us victory!! To know that we can come before Him at any time and as His children, ask Him for His guidance and saving grace upon our lives, we are assured that not only will He do as He says but He will then fight for us.

Psalm 108:12-13
"Give us aid against the enemy for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory and He will trample down our enemies."

To know He cares for His own like this gives me such comfort. I hope that today, you will find the peace of knowing how much He loves you and how He so desires to save you, to redeem you and to restore you by His grace & mercy.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good...His love endures forever!!!

How Great Is Our God!!

I've got plenty of reasons today to be giving God all the glory!!

1. First and foremost, I thank my God for giving His one and only Son to give up His life for MY sins and the sins of the world. It dawned on me this morning during my quiet time / reading in the book of Psalms that God is indeed great, God is indeed holy and God is good. He provides for us at all times and remains closer to us than a brother. His word says that He will cast our sins as far away from us "as the east is from the west and remember them no more." I don' t know about you but I've got a few doozies I'd just as soon never remember but thank God, He has forgiven me of those sins and has washed me, cleansed me in the precious blood of Jesus.

2. A great friend of mine is pastor of another church in our area and yesterday they celebrated their One Year anniversary!! Over 500 people packed into that church and heard the Word of God preached as hearts & hands were lifted towards Heaven, giving praise, glory & honor where it is so righteously due...to our God. As well, they sang the song that has been their theme for this past year, an incredible song that simply says:

"How great is our God
Sing with me how great is our God
And all will see how great,
How great is our God!"

Look this song up online and give it a listen. I know a few people have recorded it, one of whom is Chris Tomlinson. He does a great job of really raising his voice in praise & adoration to the God of all gods and the King of all kings.

I rejoice today with Larry and his congregation in their One Year anniversary as it reflects ever more that God is STILL working, reaching and saving lost souls. Praise God for His mercy and His faithfulness!!

3. On a personal note, I am giving God glory today for:
a) helping me re-connect to an old friend who I hadn't heard from in years
b) putting me in touch with my bro-in-law who helped me update this blog (finally)
c) the kids going back to school today. Do I hear mothers & dads screaming for joy at this? LOL

Kaitlyn started 3rd Grade today and in all seriousness, as somewhat eager as I was to see her get back into school (and she's just as eager), it's sobering to sit and think of how this child was not so long ago wrapped up in a warm blanket, looking up at me with giant brown eyes that reflected the Father's love for all of us. Now, here she is...eight years old, in third grade and really beginning to mature and grow up.

Then...there's the boy. LOL

After a weekend of fits, fights, fists and falls (he threw fits, he had several fights with all of us, he balled up his fists into my gullet...playfully, of course, and he fell out of bed last night, ending up with a tiny bloody nose) he's back at school as well. Yet, God still shows me how He loves me by helping me realize how much I love my kids.

That's only one reason why I so love God. Even in the midst of when you feel like you're at your furthest away from His favor, He draws you close to Him and gives you that reassurance you need to always know He is our Father. He knows our every need. He cares for us at all times and He desires to be with us.

Yes indeed...how great, how great is our God!!!

Another Plot Diverted

News broke yesterday of a plot to use liquid explosives to blow up planes bound for the United States. Thankfully, due to the diligence of US and British intelligence and (ultimately) the grace & protection of God, this diabolical scheme was thwarted and resulted in the arrest of 24 people connected to this conspiracy in Great Britain. There is word today that there are signs of this group's connection to al-Qaida.

Surprise, surprise.

Travel warnings were issued, the color codes raised (the US code went from "yellow" to "orange" for all domestic and international flights) and immediate bans on all carry-on liquids were put in place. The list of banned items included:

all carry-on beverages
shampoo
suntan lotions & oils
creams
toothpastes
hair gels
contact lens solution
wine
all items of similar consistency to the above mentioned items.

You CAN still bring on baby formula and essential medication (like insulin) as long as it's name matches the name on the passenger's ticket.

Every news channel and nightly news program was reporting yesterday's events and many were taking every chance they could to sensationalize the whole thing. What astounded me was how some people who were being made to disgard their newly banned items (ie: bottled waters, sodas, makeup, etc) were actuall GRIPING about it.

One woman stood over the large waste bucket, almost crying because she had to dump out her purse full of makeup products. She bellowed as loud as she could, to anyone who happened to look her way

"It's not like they make bombs out of mascara."

(Sighs)

You know, the airlines and the government are TRYING to help keep people safe and how some people can find the time to gripe even during the most heightened, stressed out events is beyond me. Some security guard should have gone over, got right in her face and told her how terrorists are much smarter than McGuyver and could probably make a detonation device out of gum wrappers.

And, that she'd do well to be quiet and quit adding to the chaos.

What a selfish, self-centered, me-first society we live in. God forbid our officials do what they can to keep us safe because I just spent $150 on my high fallootin' snooty tunes brand of makeup.

Truth be known, I'd fly with a shirt & shorts if it meant I was getting where I needed to go safley. And while we're talking about the truth here...

I don't think her high fashion makeup was doing much to improve the sneer lines around her mouth. The term "persimmon" comes to mind.

I've always found it odd that you can buy a drink at the commisary and walk on the plane with it, without anyone checking it out. Perhaps they do in bigger airports but the family & I got on a plane here at XNA, each of us carrying a bottle of Ozark water and no one even looked at us twice. To me, banning all liquids and foods that haven't passed through some sort of airline check off only increases the odds of me getting where I need to go much sooner and smoother.

BTW, does it strike anyone as odd that "bottles of wine" were added to the list of banned items??? I know when we got married we had a complimentary glass of champagne on board (my mom-in-law was a former American Airlines stewardess and got us bumped up to first class to Cancun...ahhh, the good life) but it was from bottles the airlines already had on board. I sure hope that especially in this day & age, people aren't staggering onto flights with a bottle of Dom Perignon in their hand.

Hey, you've already spent $300 on the plane ticket. Put aside another $25, stop by Wal-Mart when you get wherever you need to be, buy a bunch of travel sized toiletries and move on.

There are far bigger things in this world to get all bent out of shape over than whether or not you can bring you Revlon eye liner on board with you.

And yet...the war continues. Keep our soldiers and intelligence agencies in your prayers for guidance, leadership, knowledge and protection from terrorist plots.

Thank You, Sir

Well, reality is finally starting to sink it's (sometimes) brutal teeth into my conscious thinking as I am realizing, without a shadow of a doubt...

I'm getting old.

(sighs)

It's kind of cute, I suppose, when you consider moving on in years, maturing gracefully, dignified and as stately as possible. However, in my case, I know for a fact my wife would argue those last 3 points against me. Gracefully? HA! Dignified? Like a child! Stately? As in a state of insanity? Sure. She could even argue the "maturing" aspect of me, saying that perhaps one day I'll start behaving like a 37 year old man instead of a 5 year old boy.

But you know what? That's what makes me "me"!! LOL

Try as I might, though, I'm still living in an aging body. A body that has seen it's fair share of wear & tear. No longer can I lay out in front of the TV playing video games and leap to my feet like a bolt of lightning to answer the phone. No, it's more like I groan & moan and try to get enough momentum going just to swing my leg up and under my torso, trying to prop myself up.

My knees, especially my left one, are sore and unable to support my "massively muscular" frame (at least that's how I see it). There's this shooting sharp pain from my left knee that I've been concerned about (or whining about by my wife's account) for quite some time. I wanted to have a doctor check it out but I know that it'd be a waste on money and time letting someone look it over just to say "well, I think you're just getting old."

As young as I may THINK I am, I can't go 9 rounds with my son in a hearty battle as Power Rangers or Ninja Turtles. I used to laugh and tense up, ready to absorb his 4 year old power coming at me at full-steam. Now, I grin nervously and wince as he continues to get stronger and place his attacks with highly precise accuracy. As men, there are some areas that never need be attacked, precisely or otherwise yet the boy seems to unknowingly find them.

The aches & pains will continue, even though as hard as it is to accept, time moves on. Common sense says this is supposed to happen so I guess I'm more prepared for a physical breakdown than a mental one.

Let me expound.

I'm not saying I'm on the verge of having to spend time taling about my inner child with Dr. Phil. No, what has me concerned is the acceptance of what once WAS and what now IS. For example, our dear friends the Yates have a lovely 18 year old daughter who, being properly taught and raised, uses proper greetings and references to those older than her.

People like me.

In fact, both she and her boyfriend are very well mannered yet are both guilty of using names I never thought I'd be called.

Sir.

Mister.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Ragsdale.

I'm always quick to tell them, "guys, please don't call me that. I'm just 'Jim'. When you say 'sir' or 'mister' I look for someone much older. I'm not old enough to be a 'sir' or 'mister' so you can just say 'Jim', OK?"

They look at me with nervous grins and nod. I'm sure they're thinking "this poor sap is so old and broken down, he doesn't even know it." They probably then agree to my face only to get me to shut up and move on to find a piece of cake or something.

Granted, Lauren & Crosby's parents are outstanding citizens and Christian parents, teaching all the attributes and morals found in Scripture but I don't want to be a 'sir' or 'mister' yet.

I want to stay 'Jim'.

I don't see myself at an age where I have become a 'sir' yet. I still feel like I should be hanging out with the kids, going to the pizza parlors after the sock-hops and cruising the strip in our '81 Olds Cutlass.

What's that you say? The kids don't do that kinda thing anymore? (shakes head in disbelief)

It's hard enough to see 18-22 year olds in the mall wearing t-shirts with logos of the rock bands I used to listen to 10-20 years ago (ie: Van Halen, Journey, Bon Jovi, etc) but I know for a fact they're not wearing these shirts because they're fans of the music.

No. It's more of a fashion statement. Retro, if you will. What's "old" is now "new" again. In fact, I recently even had a 17 year old tell me that although Eddie Van Halen was a great guitar player, he didn't really have that big of an impact / influence on the music scene.

What?????

You can understand why I stood there with my mouth open in astonishment, looking like the Coyote after the Roadrunner just kicked into super-hyper drive.

Fashion nightmares from the 80's are now making a comeback, as are many of the bands from that era. Songs on Radio Disney even trumpet about people like me who (mentally) may still live back in the 80's and can't quite come to grips it's now 2006.

Classic TV shows are making HUGE impacts on my kids' life alone. Here's what they like to watch on a near-regular basis...no joke.

Alf
Happy Days
The Cosby Show
Full House
Power Rangers
Ninja Turtles
Speed Racer
The Brady Bunch
Spiderman (from the 60's even! You know, the one with the famous song?)

While I love the fact that with these shows, you never have to worry about controversial content or curse words or anything that would cause you to raise your eyebrows, it's kinda weird to see my 8 year old giggling at some silly thing Bobby & Peter have done on the Brady Bunch...or even for Jake to be immersed in awe at the martial arts prowess of 4 talking turtles.

They're living my childhood. But, the good thing about this is I often get to re-live it myself.

Which may be why, at times, my wife says she has 3 kids she tends to at home.

God give her strength.

Did I also mention she was mocking me for finding some gray hairs blossoming on top of the ol' noggin? Oh yeah...she's quite the "encourager". LOL

The Attacks Continue

I was in Best Buy yesterday returning some software when I noticed they had their "new releases" set out on a table near the front of the store. I'm always into music, although not much of the secular stuff, but I thought there might be something there that I might like. I'd been specifically looking for Michael Sweet's (the lead singer for the Christian band Stryper) new CD called "Him", a praise and worship collection that are actually old classics re-done with a modern flare. I've heard 2 of the songs thus far, "Take My Life" and "At Calvary", and have been very impressed by the musicianship on it but moreso, the never-changing message that has remained true for all these years.

"Take My Life" is an especially great song, quiet and reflective, with only Michael and an acoustic guitar. While the melody is slightly different, it gives the song a brand new life and really takes on the worship theme he was going for.

Here's the link to his "myspace" website. The song loads itself automatically. Check it out if you've got a few moments to just sit back, be still, reflect and worship the Lord from your heart.

www.myspace.com/michaelsweetrocks

However, back to my story, I didn't find Sweet's new CD on the table. What I did find made me literally sick. Nauseous. Even disgusted and then that vile repulsion turned to anger. There, in front of me in plain view of any man, woman or child was the new CD by the Satanic metal band Slayer called "Christ Illusion". I won't post an image to it's album cover but it is extremely offensive, showing a limbless, bloody and bruised Jesus standing in a cesspool of decapitated heads, looking despondant and helpless.

I was astounded that something that vile and repungnant would be allowed to be shown with such disregard. In fact, quite the opposite. They (Best Buy as well as other record outlets) were proudly promoting the CD!! How in the world can people be filled with such hate and contempt and apathy that something like this doesn't bother them? Doesn't anyone have any morals, values, respect or even consideration for others? Are we so blinded by our greed that we willingly promote such vile and blasphemous images like these, all for the almighty dollar? Worse still, do we do this in outward rebellion to the true & living God, content to believe the lies that our lives are what WE make them?

The anger and repulsion began to boil within me. I actually began to get slightly white-knuckled holding the CD as I considered smashing each one and turning over the display table in a fit of rage.

But then, something happened within that caused my anger to turn to literal sadness. In fact, I began to feel tears well up within as I thought of how hurt and sad (an understatement) Christ must feel to see people desecrate and mock Him and what He did for ALL of us nearly 2000 years ago. I thought of how God must look down on mankind and ache for us to return to Him but allows us to choose these paths. I thought of how it must break His heart to see CD's like this and thousands more mock Him, despise Him and outwardly curse & challenge Him.

I looked at that depiction of Christ and felt a wave of sorrow come over me. There was the person I love with all my heart being portrayed in such a heinous manner. I know how upset and outraged I'd be if someone had made a picture like this of a family member. How much more was I that it was Christ my Savior being mocked?

I put the CD down and began to breathe a prayer that God would take away my anger and rage, replacing them with love & compassion, and that He would send His Holy Spirit to fall upon each and every member of these bands to open their eyes, ears & hearts, to realize what they were doing, to repent of their sins and to submit their lives to Him.

Only God will know if any of these rockstars will ever turn from their evil ways. Only He knows the future and only He can execute judgment. I had to remind myself it's not up to me to judge and condemn. I have to love these people, just as Christ loved us when He was on the earth. I have to imitate Christ in all things and that means showing love & compassion, remaining in prayer for ALL mankind and ultimately realizing that God's will will be done.

God is STILL in control. No matter how bleak or dark things may appear around us, we can take heart that He loves us all, not wanting that any of us should perish and that no matter what may be going on around us, whether at home, at work, in our cities or in this crazy world, He will NEVER leave nor forsake us.

As these attacks continue, and they will continue and intensify until He comes back for His own, we need to remind ourselves that the battle is not our's.

It's His.

Yet, the good news about this is...

He's already won.

May God be with you, protect you and reveal Himself to you this very day.

Back From The Family Vacation

It’s been almost a week since I last wrote a blog but we’ve been to Texas and back since last Tuesday and I’m SO thankful to be back where the humidity is in the lower 90% instead of over 100%. In Arkansas, with the current heat wave, you break out in a drenching sweat in minutes. In Texas, specifically Austin, you have a black t-shirt within seconds.

No joke.

Thankfully, we stayed at my wife’s sister’s home, which I might add has a beautiful pool in the backyard and to which we utilized…many times. While Dave & I tasted the bitterness of defeat at the hands of the ladies’ in Spades, we thoroughly trounced them in a cool game called “Sequence”. Still, to be beaten like a rented mule at Spades…that’s not like us. Must’ve been the deck we were playing with.

We’d gone to the Ringling Brothers Circus in Dallas last Wednesday night, second row seats at the American Airlines Arena and in full view and grasp of the “odiferous emanations” that came from a number of huge elephants & tigers. Jake summed it up best when he simply looked at me and said

“Those elephants are stanky!!”

Yes, they were. Smelled them for up to 5 days afterwards. You know how it is when you smell something that is so retched that it stays with you subconsciously for days at a time? That’s how rotten elephant exhaust was for me.

However, elephantal hygiene aside (yes, I know I made up a word there), it’s great to be back home and getting back into our groove. Kaitlyn has less than 2 weeks before 3rd grade starts so we’re trying to make the most of it with her. Jake is getting back to school, where he was welcomed back like a triumphant war hero yesterday and the missus is working harder than ever in a tiresome, redundant routine that we HOPE sees some relief soon.

I’ve got a couple topics I want to get into the remainder of the week. I need to write them down so I won’t forget them and so I will have time to develop these thoughts out completely and in a well-communicated fashion.

One last word though for today. This is for a special reader who may or may not be able to see this today. I’ll refer to this person as “T” but for them and anyone else who may be hurting tonight, I hope that these passages from the Bible will lift and encourage you.

Jeremiah 29:11 (this is one I really hang my hat on)
“For I know the plans I have for you”-this is the Lord’s declaration-“plans for your welfare, nor for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Psalm 4:7-8
“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety.”

Psalm 5:8
“Lord, lead me in Your righteousness, because of my adversaries; make Your way straight before me.”

Psalm 9:10
“Those who know Your name trust in You because You have not abandoned those who seek You, Lord.”

Psalm 18:25
“With the faithful, You prove Yourself faithful;
With the blameless man You prove Yourself blameless;
With the pure You prove Yourself pure”

As the storms of life continue to wreak havoc around our lives, may we hold fast to the One whom we can anchor our lives to without fear or regret. One of the greatest truths I’ve come to rely upon each and every day is that God loves His children and by His word, He will never leave nor forsake us. If the God of all gods, the King of all kings cares enough about the sparrows of the field to provide for their every need, as His word says, “won’t He do much more for you?”

I know these times seem to be engulfed in complete darkness, yet through it all, we can be assured that joy will come in the morning and His blessed light will rise in our hearts!!

May God pour out His richest blessings and protection on you all this very night.

A New Path In A New Direction

Sunday was one of those days where you realize that God's plans are much bigger than our own as we said goodbye to our worship minister Buster Pray. Buster is leaving the FBC Springdale to follow God's calling upon his life as he begins a new "worship consultant" ministry called "PureChurch". He and his wife Martha are relocating to Atlanta to begin serving churches and worship ministries across the nation, helping them revitalize the way they "do church" and give them an outside, fresh perspective on how it could happen. From a leadership training role to advice on technological issues to styles of music and overall presentation, Buster has said this is where he feels God is leading him after faithfully serving us at FBC Springdale for 18 years.

While we are excited whenever we see God move in someone's life, it's sad that there are times when those we love move away. As much as we remind ourselves that it's God's will and plan they are following and that as believers, we will not truly be separated in spirit, the fact remains that they are no longer there physically with us. Such is the case of Buster & Martha.

I shared a note with Buster a few weeks ago when I learned he would be moving to Atlanta. I recalled how after moving back to NWA over 3 years ago, my family & I were looking for that one special place / church we could call "home". We had only visited 1-2 churches in our area before we came to FBC Springdale and I remember that first day when we walked into the sanctuary. I told Buster how the first thing I saw was him and the choir behind him, preparing to sing one of my favorite songs of all time "The End of the Beginning".

As Buster and the choir began to sing and lead in that song, I felt a sense of excitement welling up within me. Not just because it was a song I really liked, but more so because I felt like this was where God was leading us to worship. I also felt like God was telling me it was time to get involved with a choir again. It had been years, I mean literally YEARS since I had sung in a choir, let alone even been to church on a regular basis. Yet here we were and sensing God's leading our lives, we joined FBC and I joined the choir.

I was still extremely young spiritually when I started singing with Buster & the FBC choir so each song was just another new experience for me. Some of those songs/experiences were literally life changing. I can only imagine the hundreds of songs I was exposed to under Buster's leadership...so many powerful truths revealed, so many songs of praise to the Lord, so many seasons of encouragement, development and focusing on Him.

Just a few of the songs that have really impacted me...and I know I'm going to forget a few:

God Is Here, Cover The Earth, My Help, Arise My Love, He Lives, Something Happens (one I was introduced to but we haven't sung in public...yet), Made Me Glad, Alive Forever Amen, Orphans of God, Everything To Me, No More Night, End of the Beginning, Jesus (What A Mighty Name), Joy, God of All Gods, Let It Rise, Jesus Dropped the Charges, Friend of God, Worthy Is The Lamb, More Than Enough, Lord I Believe In You...

and of course, there were all the old-time classic hymns that Buster and Chris Emert, our assistant worship minister and incredibly talented band/orchestra leader, revised and rearranged.

Such incredible music...such awesome words of praise to our Lord & Savior and to me, it was all made so evident to me, in large part, to Buster's faithful and servant's heart. He was always willing to share a moment with you after choir, come visit in the hospital (which he did when I was admitted for chest pain last year...a visit I've told him did more for my spirits than any medication the docs could've given me) and he was always, ALWAYS faithful to his wife, family, ministry, pastor and above all else, his God.

Our God.

Buster always pointed us UP in our worship each & every Sunday morning, reminding us of one very vital fact:

we are NOT a performance choir.

We are a WORSHIP choir.

Buster, thank you so much for everything you did for me and for our choir. I pray that God will bless you and your ministry as you follow His plan for you & your family's lives. God is faithful and will provide for your every need. May the blessings of Heaven fall upon you today, my friend.