The Weather and a new Word!

• We got ice instead of snow. Snow is much better and more desirable. My driveway is on such an incline that I am afraid to leave the garage with ice this thick. I am afraid I would not be able to stop and run into the mailbox or worse the house across the street. I am staying in today. Thank the Lord for internet because I can still work.
• I was listening to a sermon by a very well known Pastor in Southern Baptist circles and he was preaching from the book of James. It was the passage which says; "Count it all joy brothers when you encounter various trials." He then used a word I had never heard before. Here it is;   PUSILLANIMOUS!   
• Who knows what it means without looking it up? I will give you a hint.
• One of Dorothy's friends on the yellow brick road would have best been described as pusillanimous.  Let me know if you knew the meaning.

4 Pet Peeves

• People driving out the wrong way when they leave a parking lot (specifically WalMart)
• People who drive at night with their lights on bright with no thought of oncoming drivers on 2 lane roads but also 4 lane interstates
• People who are too lazy to return shopping carts to their proper place
• People who go through express lanes with double the number of items allowed

I think I need to re-read "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff!"

Here is a scripture to commit to memory.

"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."    (Philippians 2:3-4)

I think I am spending way too much time at WalMart.

It's Monday!

We (my wife and I) had a wonderful weekend in Lexington Kentucky. We attended a conference called "Shepherding the Shepherd." The Kentucky Baptist Convention has been putting it on for the last eleven years. It is designed for pastors and their wives, no children allowed. If you are a minister it is worth checking out. Here is the link www.kybaptist.org then search for the name of the conference.

Have you ever heard of the Doerfel's? We had the privilege of having them in our Sunday evening service and they are amazing. They play bluegrass and they have 10 kids. They are a joy! Here is a link where you can learn more about them http://web.mac.com/tjdoerfel/DFB/Welcome.htm.

Quitting Golf?

Every year when it turns cold I lose interest in golf. I decided this year I was going to quit playing and have told a few people. When I say that they look at me like I have 2 heads. The response is always "you like it too much" and "WHY?" Well, the truth is I really do like it and think it is the greatest individual sport but the reasons to stop are compelling.

• I probably will not get any better because it takes practice and I don't like practice. Not that I am any good now!
• It is an expensive hobby! 
• The most compelling reason is 2 young girls, my daughters. As many of you know it takes a good 4 hours to play a round of golf and that is 4 hours I should be using in a more productive manner.

Well there it is. Will I really quit? I may play sparingly but I don't want to become obsessed with golf. I want to focus this year more on my FAITH, and FAMILY!

ps Will it be OK if I decide to take a MULLIGAN?

Potpourri

What about those Gators? Unfortunately for me I was pulling for the Sooners. It's not that I dislike TEBOW or the SEC. I am a huge fan of the SEC and Tebow is wonderful witness for our Lord. I really like Sam Bradford and Bob Stoops. Well put me in the loser bracket. It won't be the last time. It was a good game!

Who are you pulling for in the NFL? I like the Giants, Titans, and the Cardinals. 

SUPER BOWL is February 1.

A New Year!

My family and I have enjoyed Christmas and the New Year. We spent about a week in Rockwall Texas (at the home of my in-laws) and had a good time with Leigh Ann's family. My family is somewhat scattered and both of my parents are deceased so the only Grandparents my 2 girls have are in Texas and we always enjoy spending time with them. While there I worshipped at the FBC of Rockwall with my friend Pastor Stephen Swafford. Steve has pastored FBC for about 13 years and they have been a leader in the SBC in "Mission Giving". The Sunday I was in attendance they announced they had reached their Mission goal for the year which was a little more than $500,000. I am inspired by their giving. 

I also attended the First United Methodist Church of Rockwall. I enjoyed worshipping with my Methodist brothers and sisters. I like to take the opportunity to visit other denominations and churches when I am away and encourage others to do the same. We can learn from others.

What does 2009 hold for you? Well, only the Lord knows for sure but we are responsible for planning and making preparations. On Sunday morning January 4th I challenged our people to make 2009 a year of sharing our faith and telling our story of what God has done for us. That is one of the purposes for our existence. I gave them a prayer formula to use daily as we seek to make evangelism a natural part of living the Christian life this year. I put it in acrostic form. I firmly believe if we pray in this manner God will answer our prayer! I challenge you to give it a try! Pray "BAPOW"! 

BOLDNESS. pray that God will give you boldness to speak for Him. (for God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control)

AWARENESS. pray for awareness of those around you who need to hear the good news.

POWER. pray God will supply you with power/strength to do what is contrary to the flesh.

OPPORTUNITIES. ask God to provide opportunities for you to share your story with others

WORDS. finally pray and ask God to give you the words to say that you might be salt and light to those around you.