If you are close to my family, you will know that the last few months have been VERY hard for us. We have been presented with situations that we never dreamed we would be in. We have been scared. I know that we aren't supposed to be but the fact is that as God closed doors and opened others, we were scared. We questioned God along the way, not much but we did.
We saw God close a door in May and we knew it but we kept pressing until we thought it was opening again. In June, we tried to open it again and it seemed like it was opening but once again, God closed it. At the end of July, we tried once again to open it and much to our dismay, God closed it. We knew what God wanted us to do based on this door staying closed but going through the open door was going to be hard, so hard. As we were going through the open door, we tried one last time this past Saturday to open the closed door. We did EVERYTHING we could to get this door open because it was the easy way out but for the last time, God closed it.
As we continue down this new path that God has set before us, we have to walk by faith. We have to lean on God that he will always provide. The thing that keeps us going is God's face and not His hand. We do our best to have the attitude of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednigo "Our God will deliver us, but even if He doesn't, we will not bow". We trust in God to provide for our needs, but even if he doesn't, we will continue to serve Him.
Thank you God for loving my family so much that you guide us to where you want us to be. Thank you for not giving in to our selfish wants and providing us with what we need. Thank you for giving me the most awesome wife in the world who trusts me as the spiritual leader in our house. Thank you God for giving me children that trust their parents with future changing decisions. Thank you God for sending your son Jesus to die on the cross as the eternal sacrifice for my sins. Lead us God and we will follow.
We so often confuse God's voice with the voice in our head. Sometimes God's voice isn't a voice at all, it's biblical truths, it's honesty, it's integrity. I challenge you this week to hear God's voice.
I love you and God does too!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Good for you Chic-fil-a
Have you heard the latest controversy regarding Chic-fil-a? Seems that their CEO, Dan Cathy, said in a recent interview that he tries to run Chick-fil-a based on biblical principles. When asked if that means they have taken a stand against gay marriage Cathy responded "guilty as charged". I suggest you do your own research to get the details. Now there is a big public outcry against CFA. Chicago and Boston have both said that they do not want any new CFA restaurants. The "Muppet's" brand has severed their ties with CFA.
The funny and ridiculous thing in all of this is that the general public believes that if you are against gay-marriage then you are also against the ethical treatment of people. CFA says they stand for biblical principles, not only does that mean that they are against same sex marriage, it also means that they are against adultery, using the Lords name in vain, lying, and murder. It means that they love their neighbor and and they are going to treat people humanely; gay or straight.
The world misinterprets Jesus' statement that your are either "for me or against me" (Matt 12:30), they think that if we are against something then we are against the people. In reality, Christians are against the sin but they love the person. I'm against my kids lying but I forgive them and love them anyway, I don't disown them. God hates sin and we should to. I hate it when I sin and I hate it when you sin. Sin is sin. The good news is that God is "faithful and just to forgive us of our sins" (John 1:9).
I'm happy that there is a company that will say "we stand for biblical principles". What a great place this world would be if the "world" wouldn't try to attack anyone who stands for something. Thank you Mr. Cathy for providing as much of a Christian atmosphere in a public place that you can. I will do my best to have my family at CFA this weekend. I encourage you do do the same.
The funny and ridiculous thing in all of this is that the general public believes that if you are against gay-marriage then you are also against the ethical treatment of people. CFA says they stand for biblical principles, not only does that mean that they are against same sex marriage, it also means that they are against adultery, using the Lords name in vain, lying, and murder. It means that they love their neighbor and and they are going to treat people humanely; gay or straight.
The world misinterprets Jesus' statement that your are either "for me or against me" (Matt 12:30), they think that if we are against something then we are against the people. In reality, Christians are against the sin but they love the person. I'm against my kids lying but I forgive them and love them anyway, I don't disown them. God hates sin and we should to. I hate it when I sin and I hate it when you sin. Sin is sin. The good news is that God is "faithful and just to forgive us of our sins" (John 1:9).
I'm happy that there is a company that will say "we stand for biblical principles". What a great place this world would be if the "world" wouldn't try to attack anyone who stands for something. Thank you Mr. Cathy for providing as much of a Christian atmosphere in a public place that you can. I will do my best to have my family at CFA this weekend. I encourage you do do the same.
Monday, July 23, 2012
The good and bad of AAU
The Good: I want to start this by saying that I am a full supporter of AAU basketball. I thoroughly enjoy watching Kassi play against VERY good competition. She has certainly became a better player because of her experience in AAU. She has played with and against some of the top tallent in the country. Unfortunately, I don't get to see all of her games because I work.
The Bad: I miss my girls! Because I don't get to go to all of her tournaments, Kim goes. That means that I have to be without my wife, my cook, my care-taker, and my best friend for days. Kim is the best wife ever. I think one of the things I like best about her is she laughs at all of my jokes. Any body that knows me knows that I have a hard time being serious AND I have a very dry sense of humor. Kim knows my jokes and even when they may seem untimely, she laughs. Not only does she laugh, she smiles. One of my favorite things in the world is to make my wife smile. She has the most beautiful smile in ever.
The Bad: I find myself not disappointed if Kassi's team gets beat early so they have to come home early. This week's tourney in Nashville was a Sunday-Wednesday tourney so they pulled out at 8:20 am on Sunday. Kassi lost their first game so they will be home tomorrow. I hate that I'm not disappointed but when it comes to my time with my family, I am very stingy.
The Good: Kassi loves basketball like I love ice cream. She can't get enough. Last week, she was shooting every night until after 11:00 pm (she started each night around 8:00). AAU gives Kassi an opportunity to play against great competition almost every weekend (my diet doesn't let me have ice cream as often). She gets so excited before every game. I wish I had been as dedicated to get better at football when I was her age.
The Good: AAU provides Kassi exposure that she wouldn't otherwise get just playing High School basketball. She is already getting letters from D1 schools that saw her at AAU tournaments. I am very proud of her.
Summary: AAU is great but I'm jealous of the time I'm away from my girls. This week is the last tournament and I'm glad. I'm glad I won't have to be without my wife again until next year and I'm glad that Kassi will get a break...whether she wants it or not.
I am first and foremost the spiritual leader in my family. I am their protector and provider and I don't like being in positions where I can't protect them. I miss you Kim and I can't wait until I get to hold you and make you smile tomorrow!
I love you and God does too!
The Bad: I miss my girls! Because I don't get to go to all of her tournaments, Kim goes. That means that I have to be without my wife, my cook, my care-taker, and my best friend for days. Kim is the best wife ever. I think one of the things I like best about her is she laughs at all of my jokes. Any body that knows me knows that I have a hard time being serious AND I have a very dry sense of humor. Kim knows my jokes and even when they may seem untimely, she laughs. Not only does she laugh, she smiles. One of my favorite things in the world is to make my wife smile. She has the most beautiful smile in ever.
The Bad: I find myself not disappointed if Kassi's team gets beat early so they have to come home early. This week's tourney in Nashville was a Sunday-Wednesday tourney so they pulled out at 8:20 am on Sunday. Kassi lost their first game so they will be home tomorrow. I hate that I'm not disappointed but when it comes to my time with my family, I am very stingy.
The Good: Kassi loves basketball like I love ice cream. She can't get enough. Last week, she was shooting every night until after 11:00 pm (she started each night around 8:00). AAU gives Kassi an opportunity to play against great competition almost every weekend (my diet doesn't let me have ice cream as often). She gets so excited before every game. I wish I had been as dedicated to get better at football when I was her age.
The Good: AAU provides Kassi exposure that she wouldn't otherwise get just playing High School basketball. She is already getting letters from D1 schools that saw her at AAU tournaments. I am very proud of her.
Summary: AAU is great but I'm jealous of the time I'm away from my girls. This week is the last tournament and I'm glad. I'm glad I won't have to be without my wife again until next year and I'm glad that Kassi will get a break...whether she wants it or not.
I am first and foremost the spiritual leader in my family. I am their protector and provider and I don't like being in positions where I can't protect them. I miss you Kim and I can't wait until I get to hold you and make you smile tomorrow!
I love you and God does too!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Seek his face, not his hand
When was the last time you spent 15 minutes in prayer without asking God for anything except forgiveness? When was the last time you spent time in worship without asking God for a blessing? It's really hard when we are such needy people.
David was a man "after God's own heart". David was a man that just wanted more of God "Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek His face evermore. Psalm 105:4". In Hebrew, "face" is used in place of presence. David was saying "seeks his presence evermore". When we can learn to be like David and just want more of God, we will truly be able to worship Him in "spirit and truth" (John 4:24). That is what being a Christian is really about, being in God's presence. That's why he created us. He created humans so he could have a relationship with a being that had a choice. Why do we settle for less than all of God?
I challenge you today to spent time with God without asking for anything. I challenge you to just praise him and acknowledge his forgiveness and his love. Thank Him for what He has done for you but even more, thank Him for who He is. Seek His face evermore!
I love you and God does too!
David was a man "after God's own heart". David was a man that just wanted more of God "Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek His face evermore. Psalm 105:4". In Hebrew, "face" is used in place of presence. David was saying "seeks his presence evermore". When we can learn to be like David and just want more of God, we will truly be able to worship Him in "spirit and truth" (John 4:24). That is what being a Christian is really about, being in God's presence. That's why he created us. He created humans so he could have a relationship with a being that had a choice. Why do we settle for less than all of God?
I challenge you today to spent time with God without asking for anything. I challenge you to just praise him and acknowledge his forgiveness and his love. Thank Him for what He has done for you but even more, thank Him for who He is. Seek His face evermore!
I love you and God does too!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Missing my girl
Kim is away with Kassi at a basketball tournament and I'm missing her. Last week, I was away from her for one night so I drove to Nashville to be with her. This week, its Cincinnati and three nights instead of two. It just wasn't possible for me to be with her...I'm dying without her.
Why am I'm telling you this? Well, I don't know, other than it seems to make me feel better to write it down. I miss my girl. When she is away, I'm lost. I have sat around all day with Kalli and Kelsi not knowing what to do. The only thing I know to do is play with them outside and with the heat today, that just wasn't possible with a 2-year old. Kim would have known what to do today. Heck, if she were here, I probably would have too. Without her, I'm just lonely. Kalli is good company and she and Kelsi are fun but it just isn't the same without Kim.
I hope she and Kassi are having fun. As for me, I started counting down the minutes until she gets home as soon as she pulled out of the garage yesterday.
I love my baby!
Why am I'm telling you this? Well, I don't know, other than it seems to make me feel better to write it down. I miss my girl. When she is away, I'm lost. I have sat around all day with Kalli and Kelsi not knowing what to do. The only thing I know to do is play with them outside and with the heat today, that just wasn't possible with a 2-year old. Kim would have known what to do today. Heck, if she were here, I probably would have too. Without her, I'm just lonely. Kalli is good company and she and Kelsi are fun but it just isn't the same without Kim.
I hope she and Kassi are having fun. As for me, I started counting down the minutes until she gets home as soon as she pulled out of the garage yesterday.
I love my baby!
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