Star Date 2009.04.04 (Saturday)
0500 Rene' is up and headed to a training ride for the MS 150.
0700 The clan is up eating breakfast, watching cartoons.
1030 Headed to fields to pick up baseball equipment from David's baseball manager, then headed to practice. Warmed him up. Rene' got home from his ride.
1100 Headed home; made lunch.
1200 Headed to David's practice to pick him up, so he and Rene' could go to Father/Son Paintball event through his youth group at church.
1215 Rene' and David headed to paintball.
1415 Eleanor and Jack headed to Quillian to get Summit Softball underway for the day: drop off balls, score cards, signup sheets, etc.
1600 Rene', Eleanor, David and Jack met at home and got changed to head to Jack's baseball practice.
1640 Family headed back to ball fields for Jack's practice. We had the best practice ever!
1900 Practice ended and family headed home.
1915 Family scarfed down some food and headed to Quillian for Rene' and Eleanor's coed softball games.
2100 Rene' and Eleanor played two co-ed softball games; boys took the dogs and they had a blast!
2330 Finally got home, cleaned up and unwound.
0100 Beddy Bye!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sunday, February 08, 2009
ALARMS
Last week at church, a woman pulled the fire alarm. The piercing noise evacuated all the singles playing volleyball in our church gymnasium to the parking lot. The fire department showed up…and swept through the building finding no fire and no danger. We were given the all clear and allowed back in the gym.
So we entered the building only to discover the alarms were still blaring. The noise lasted over an hour. Our young singles persevered and no one complained. Finally, the alarms were turned off. What a relief.
Then I started wondering in my demented way, “What if we had alarms? Spiritual alarms. What if we had spiritual alarms that everyone could hear around us?”
Can you imagine? The sound would be deafening. For instance-“We have a lustful thought in the gymnasium. Yes! He gave her the up and down!” Do you know how many guys would be running for cover?!
I often think back to that Far Side cartoon with the guy exiting the bathroom into a crowded restaurant. An alarm goes off announcing that he didn’t wash his hands. Yikes.
What if alarms went off when we weren’t being obedient? Take tithing for instance. Our Pastor very rarely talks about money. But when he did could you picture all the alarms going off announcing those in the congregation as NON-TITHERS!
(A word on tithing-I don’t understand how precious people don’t trust God with the income He has allowed them to have. My goodness! He fed 5000 people with a Long John Silver’s value meal. God is concerned with the birds of the air…wouldn’t He be able to provide for us financially. Okay…enough of that.)
We do have alarms. Our alarm is the Holy Spirit who resides in us. 1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us of that. Within us...our alarm is conviction. The Holy Spirit is dwelling within us and I am His. And the by the grace of God or His infinite wisdom no one around us can hear those alarms when they blare conviction into our minds, souls, and/or ears.
On a normal day, I’m a 911 dispatcher’s nightmare.
Last Sunday, the alarm blared for over an hour because the authorities at the church did not have the proper key to turn it off. But we have keys to turn off the alarm of conviction and avoid sin. Those keys are God’s Word, Prayer, and Grace.
So we entered the building only to discover the alarms were still blaring. The noise lasted over an hour. Our young singles persevered and no one complained. Finally, the alarms were turned off. What a relief.
Then I started wondering in my demented way, “What if we had alarms? Spiritual alarms. What if we had spiritual alarms that everyone could hear around us?”
Can you imagine? The sound would be deafening. For instance-“We have a lustful thought in the gymnasium. Yes! He gave her the up and down!” Do you know how many guys would be running for cover?!
I often think back to that Far Side cartoon with the guy exiting the bathroom into a crowded restaurant. An alarm goes off announcing that he didn’t wash his hands. Yikes.
What if alarms went off when we weren’t being obedient? Take tithing for instance. Our Pastor very rarely talks about money. But when he did could you picture all the alarms going off announcing those in the congregation as NON-TITHERS!
(A word on tithing-I don’t understand how precious people don’t trust God with the income He has allowed them to have. My goodness! He fed 5000 people with a Long John Silver’s value meal. God is concerned with the birds of the air…wouldn’t He be able to provide for us financially. Okay…enough of that.)
We do have alarms. Our alarm is the Holy Spirit who resides in us. 1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us of that. Within us...our alarm is conviction. The Holy Spirit is dwelling within us and I am His. And the by the grace of God or His infinite wisdom no one around us can hear those alarms when they blare conviction into our minds, souls, and/or ears.
On a normal day, I’m a 911 dispatcher’s nightmare.
Last Sunday, the alarm blared for over an hour because the authorities at the church did not have the proper key to turn it off. But we have keys to turn off the alarm of conviction and avoid sin. Those keys are God’s Word, Prayer, and Grace.
2 Timothy 1:14 reads-
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Once again…I’m called to be authentic in my walk. I've been entrusted with an expensive but free gift of salvation. The title Christian will follow me until I die. How I present myself could influence those to Christ or far from Him. I will fail and I will win. Alarms will be present. But hey…I have the keys and I’m glad when the alarms go off…they are there for a reason.
Status
Status. Profiles. Flair. Friendship Requests. Ignore. All words associated with Facebook.
I love Facebook. At this point...I'm updating my status.
FB is a tool. A connection point. And to those who don't like it...a waste of time. And to those that like it...it's still a waste of time. FB allows you to put on a good face online. FB can let you present yourself better than you really are. Wasn't it Brad Paisley who sang-
Online I live in Malibu
I pose for Calvin Klein, I've been in GQ
I'm single and I'm rich
And I've got a set of six pack abs that would blow your mind
It turns girls on that I’m mysterious
I tell them I don't want nothing serious...
Yeah, I'm cooler online
In Matthew 16, Peter declares Jesus as the Christ. The Son of the Living God.
"He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied," You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven."
Jesus' Profile is clear. He was God. Not a prophet. Not a good man. Not a teacher. Jesus had those characteristics...but He was God. Jesus came to save the World...not condemn it.
His profile can't be ignored because He is the Son of God..The Messiah.
As a Christian, I won't be perfect. My goal is to be authentic in my walk with Him. That means I will fail and I will win. Jesus' profile is my guide. His word is my map for life.
I love Facebook. At this point...I'm updating my status.
FB is a tool. A connection point. And to those who don't like it...a waste of time. And to those that like it...it's still a waste of time. FB allows you to put on a good face online. FB can let you present yourself better than you really are. Wasn't it Brad Paisley who sang-
Online I live in Malibu
I pose for Calvin Klein, I've been in GQ
I'm single and I'm rich
And I've got a set of six pack abs that would blow your mind
It turns girls on that I’m mysterious
I tell them I don't want nothing serious...
Yeah, I'm cooler online
In Matthew 16, Peter declares Jesus as the Christ. The Son of the Living God.
"He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied," You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven."
Jesus' Profile is clear. He was God. Not a prophet. Not a good man. Not a teacher. Jesus had those characteristics...but He was God. Jesus came to save the World...not condemn it.
His profile can't be ignored because He is the Son of God..The Messiah.
As a Christian, I won't be perfect. My goal is to be authentic in my walk with Him. That means I will fail and I will win. Jesus' profile is my guide. His word is my map for life.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Barry Won't Give Up Cell Phone
Here is a new argument for teenagers who have had their cell phones taken away from them. Your parents don't have an argument anymore. Our new leader refuses to give up his crackberry despite a Federal Law. Barry is above the law or is he just being the moral equivalent of a teenager?
Breitbart.com reports the following : BHO did not divulge just how he will overcome legal constraints, given the requirement of the post-Watergate Presidential Records Act of 1978 to keep a record of every White House communication.
So first Bubba teaches our children the benefits of cigars, interns, and a desk...now we have Barry usurping Federal Law to keep his crackberry. No wonder he can't stop smoking.
Breitbart.com reports the following : BHO did not divulge just how he will overcome legal constraints, given the requirement of the post-Watergate Presidential Records Act of 1978 to keep a record of every White House communication.
So first Bubba teaches our children the benefits of cigars, interns, and a desk...now we have Barry usurping Federal Law to keep his crackberry. No wonder he can't stop smoking.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Small Victories and Defeats
Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NET
Brad Lidge, Colt McCoy, and Tim Tebow gave credit to God-specifically Jesus Christ-when the microphone was thrust into their face. All three were victorious in their respective sports and gave credit to 'their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ'.
Brad Lidge had just completed pitching in a World Series Victory. Both Tebow and McCoy had just brought their teams from behind to win their respective Bowl games. Tebow's win insured a National Championship. All three credited Jesus for their success.
On hearing this...I was proud that someone had given credit to God...but specifically claimed Jesus' name in the National Spotlight as the reason for their accomplishment. Nothing wishy-washy about that...no anonymous congratulatory god credit...no two-fingered jab at the sky…but a full blown thank you to Jesus Christ.
Friends and family were IM'ing me with joy. One wrote..."God honors his people.'
Now...wait a minute, I thought. I'm sure there were Christians on the losing teams as well. Didn't the Lord Jesus Christ get them to that stage as well?
I will never throw a touchdown in a National Title Game. I will never throw a wicked slider in the World Series. I will, however, face victories and defeats on a daily basis. Publicly and privately, I am obligated because of His kindness to thank Jesus Christ when those times arrive.
I must be genuine. I'm not questioning these amazing athlete's' authenticity or disparaging their achievements. I'm elated for them. Our character is tested far from the microphones...away from the cameras. Our character is proven when no one is looking.
Then the Crown will be awarded to those genuine. And that is worth more than any World Series Ring or National Title accolade. Tebow, McCoy, and Lidge know this and that is why they thanked their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Brad Lidge, Colt McCoy, and Tim Tebow gave credit to God-specifically Jesus Christ-when the microphone was thrust into their face. All three were victorious in their respective sports and gave credit to 'their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ'.
Brad Lidge had just completed pitching in a World Series Victory. Both Tebow and McCoy had just brought their teams from behind to win their respective Bowl games. Tebow's win insured a National Championship. All three credited Jesus for their success.
On hearing this...I was proud that someone had given credit to God...but specifically claimed Jesus' name in the National Spotlight as the reason for their accomplishment. Nothing wishy-washy about that...no anonymous congratulatory god credit...no two-fingered jab at the sky…but a full blown thank you to Jesus Christ.
Friends and family were IM'ing me with joy. One wrote..."God honors his people.'
Now...wait a minute, I thought. I'm sure there were Christians on the losing teams as well. Didn't the Lord Jesus Christ get them to that stage as well?
I will never throw a touchdown in a National Title Game. I will never throw a wicked slider in the World Series. I will, however, face victories and defeats on a daily basis. Publicly and privately, I am obligated because of His kindness to thank Jesus Christ when those times arrive.
I must be genuine. I'm not questioning these amazing athlete's' authenticity or disparaging their achievements. I'm elated for them. Our character is tested far from the microphones...away from the cameras. Our character is proven when no one is looking.
Then the Crown will be awarded to those genuine. And that is worth more than any World Series Ring or National Title accolade. Tebow, McCoy, and Lidge know this and that is why they thanked their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Houston, We Have Snow!
So it's not much, but it's been snowing off and on about 6 hours and we finally have accumulation on the car, mailbox, grass, trashcans, etc. It started about 3:30. That's snow on the boys' clothes, not big flakes of dandruff!
It's been neat - cold - about 36 degrees all day. And our front door has been open all day because we are remodeling a bathroom, so it's cold inside too!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Snopes!
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
-Matthew 13:44
We’ve all gotten the emails with outlandish stories about fraud, viruses, dead atheists trying to take away freedoms, people waking up in bathtubs full of ice...urban legends.
We roll our eyes when friends with credibility forward this junk email to us convinced that it is true. We throw our hands up when family send us the same email and we wonder how we are related to such gullible people.
We confirm the story through a website that we consider a reliable source. Snopes! Most likely, the story is false. So we send out an email full of wisdom comparable to Solomon.
BUT…every now and then…Snopes verifies a story as TRUE. And we accept it. No questions asked…and we pass on the email. We are the enlightened ones. Our job is to get the word out. So we click-“SEND”.
Would our lives be easier if Snopes listed the Bible as True. The statement: “Jesus is the only Way” was preceded by a green dot of truth. That Hell is a real place. What about Heaven? Would we be more inclined to pass that story along if Snopes had it listed as TRUE and validated our walk with Christ?
-Matthew 13:44
We’ve all gotten the emails with outlandish stories about fraud, viruses, dead atheists trying to take away freedoms, people waking up in bathtubs full of ice...urban legends.
We roll our eyes when friends with credibility forward this junk email to us convinced that it is true. We throw our hands up when family send us the same email and we wonder how we are related to such gullible people.
We confirm the story through a website that we consider a reliable source. Snopes! Most likely, the story is false. So we send out an email full of wisdom comparable to Solomon.
BUT…every now and then…Snopes verifies a story as TRUE. And we accept it. No questions asked…and we pass on the email. We are the enlightened ones. Our job is to get the word out. So we click-“SEND”.
Would our lives be easier if Snopes listed the Bible as True. The statement: “Jesus is the only Way” was preceded by a green dot of truth. That Hell is a real place. What about Heaven? Would we be more inclined to pass that story along if Snopes had it listed as TRUE and validated our walk with Christ?
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Off the Record
Off The Record
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
-1 John 1:9
You have heard the phrase “off the record.” You may have used it.
Usually it’s said in some movie script between two characters in a tense scene. Or you hear some sports figure defending what he said by mentioning that his quotes were “off the record.” Or colleagues at work begging forgiveness because what they said was wrong and “off the record.”
Well, just for the record, when a Christian comes to Christ with a repentant heart and asks for forgiveness for sins…God cleans the slate. He purifies us and makes us clean. The sin never happened. It’s off the record.
Caution…the verse is not a free pass to sin. It is a calling to live righteous and pure.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
-1 John 1:9
You have heard the phrase “off the record.” You may have used it.
Usually it’s said in some movie script between two characters in a tense scene. Or you hear some sports figure defending what he said by mentioning that his quotes were “off the record.” Or colleagues at work begging forgiveness because what they said was wrong and “off the record.”
Well, just for the record, when a Christian comes to Christ with a repentant heart and asks for forgiveness for sins…God cleans the slate. He purifies us and makes us clean. The sin never happened. It’s off the record.
Caution…the verse is not a free pass to sin. It is a calling to live righteous and pure.
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