Last night 2/19/2012.
While we attended Greensburg Church of the Nazerene in rural Kentucky, Bro Greenway made an everlasting impression on me and Jetona. While going through his on struggles with a death in the family he God used this man and spoke to the crowd there. Finally, I understand all of that reading in Exodus about the tabernacle they build, so that was a teaching moment for me. However, it was what he said about following God that struck me the most. A week prior I delivered a message about The Race and Running With God. What Bro. Greenway said was to praise God all the day long. Not just in the morning, not just in the afternoon, not at night before bed. But ALL DAY LONG!!!!
So as we were driving home last night I laid the challenge out, to PRAISE GOD ALL DAY. I told Jetona when she woke up out of bed that I wanted her to shout to the Lord and praise him, I let her know that due to the fact that I can sleep through anything this would not bother me. In return when I wake up I will not do it unless she is already awake, because she has a tough time returning to sleep. Well morning has come and I heard it. It made me smile.
Folks I am not hear to tell you what to do, when to do it, how to do it, etc. But I offer a challenge to each of you. Let's start praising the Lord daily, lets dive into the Bible and start to digest it more than just In the beginning God created (Gen 1:1), or the stories about Arks, Ten Commandments, The Birth, The Death, The Resurrection, etc. Don't get me wrong its great to know all of these stories, but it's what we do with these stories.
So how many of you will jump on the challenge with me and my family?
Monday, February 20, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
The Race: I Am Not A Runner
Please feel free to watch my first sermon I gave at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Greensburg, KY on Feb 12. God works in mysterious ways and I have never been closer. Keeping my faith and trust in Him.
For over 28 years I have been running and finally in year 29 I have started to see the light. The time my fellow brothers and sisters is now. Its upon us to find what our purpose is and not be like Jonah and run from our calling and purpose.
http://www.bbcstar.org/media/sermons/?p=641
God Bless and have a wonderful weekend.
For over 28 years I have been running and finally in year 29 I have started to see the light. The time my fellow brothers and sisters is now. Its upon us to find what our purpose is and not be like Jonah and run from our calling and purpose.
http://www.bbcstar.org/media/sermons/?p=641
God Bless and have a wonderful weekend.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Tick, Tick, Tick, A Life Lesson.....
I sit in a isolated room waiting for the opportunity to go home from my annual training. Yesterday as my plane got brought back to the ground and I was letting Jetona know of my current situation, she informed me that my father has to go back into surgery, yet again. It's his heart. Makes me question what is truly wrong with such a man. I sat in silence and held back my true emotions because I did not feel like being bothered by all those around me with questions of what is wrong? It'll be okays. Etc. I just wanted to sit in silence for a few moments.
As one of my earliest post explained my father is my hero. He was the one who helped shape me into the man I am today. While I sit 3,000 miles away I find out that he is not as well as he thinks. I feel helpless that I can not help him during this time in his life. I know that he wouldn't want it any other way as he would want me on the trip, etc.
Here Is My Life Lesson:
I view my dad as a wealthy man. He's rich. I do not measure my dad in terms of worldly possessions, the number of friends his has, the money in his bank account, etc. I measure my father's worth in the values and morals that he taught me, the numerous sacrifices that he made for me growing up, those father-son pep talks, the value of hard work, being a provider, etc. However, over the past few months I think he gave me the greatest gift of all. THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WORKING HARD ALL YOUR LIFE IS NOT WORTH IT. I value the hard work and dedication my father has put into his work and farms. No one can say that he isn't a hard worker. However, its that lesson that he has passed on to me that I cherish more than anything. I have realized that at the end of the day money, honors, rewards, etc do not amount to squat when at the end of the day you have worked yourself to death, FOR WHAT? To say that you have something someone else doesn't, to have to the new toy, to provide just a little more for your family. It is through this bout of struggles that I have found the truest meaning of the work/life balance. I once had a teacher tell me that he got into teaching not for the money but for the time.
After watching my father battle these last weeks and months I realize that time is the one thing we can never get any more of, we can't buy it, can't get more of it by wishing for it, etc. Time is elusive, it comes, it goes, sometime is passes fast, sometimes it passes slow, but when its gone, well its gone. My friends, my family, as time goes on it waits for no one. It does not care about what you have or haven't done, what you have or do not have. Time will continue to pass us by, tick tick tick. Old Father Time is taking moments off our lives daily. I have a task for you. Look at your life, what are you missing out on that you could be doing, places you could be going, or how about time you could be spending with that special someone(s) in your life. I task you to make some time for yourself this week, make sometime for someone in your life that means more to you than anything else in this world. Do not let time pass you by, because when its gone, its gone. Tick, Tick, Tick...
As one of my earliest post explained my father is my hero. He was the one who helped shape me into the man I am today. While I sit 3,000 miles away I find out that he is not as well as he thinks. I feel helpless that I can not help him during this time in his life. I know that he wouldn't want it any other way as he would want me on the trip, etc.
Here Is My Life Lesson:
I view my dad as a wealthy man. He's rich. I do not measure my dad in terms of worldly possessions, the number of friends his has, the money in his bank account, etc. I measure my father's worth in the values and morals that he taught me, the numerous sacrifices that he made for me growing up, those father-son pep talks, the value of hard work, being a provider, etc. However, over the past few months I think he gave me the greatest gift of all. THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WORKING HARD ALL YOUR LIFE IS NOT WORTH IT. I value the hard work and dedication my father has put into his work and farms. No one can say that he isn't a hard worker. However, its that lesson that he has passed on to me that I cherish more than anything. I have realized that at the end of the day money, honors, rewards, etc do not amount to squat when at the end of the day you have worked yourself to death, FOR WHAT? To say that you have something someone else doesn't, to have to the new toy, to provide just a little more for your family. It is through this bout of struggles that I have found the truest meaning of the work/life balance. I once had a teacher tell me that he got into teaching not for the money but for the time.
After watching my father battle these last weeks and months I realize that time is the one thing we can never get any more of, we can't buy it, can't get more of it by wishing for it, etc. Time is elusive, it comes, it goes, sometime is passes fast, sometimes it passes slow, but when its gone, well its gone. My friends, my family, as time goes on it waits for no one. It does not care about what you have or haven't done, what you have or do not have. Time will continue to pass us by, tick tick tick. Old Father Time is taking moments off our lives daily. I have a task for you. Look at your life, what are you missing out on that you could be doing, places you could be going, or how about time you could be spending with that special someone(s) in your life. I task you to make some time for yourself this week, make sometime for someone in your life that means more to you than anything else in this world. Do not let time pass you by, because when its gone, its gone. Tick, Tick, Tick...
Friday, July 22, 2011
Update on Dad
So it is Day 5. Still not sure what is going on. Might be thyroid, infection, heart, kidney, liver, and I am sure might be something else.
We are praying, stressed, worried, laughing, I am sure we are crying, what thoughts do you not have when you see a loved one in the hospital. Today has been the most trying one of all. Dad, went for fluid withdrawal and well his Blood Pressure bottomed out and he almost flat-lined. I was not there but had a fear come over me that was so strong it was difficult to deal with. Made it to the hospital and he was doing some what better. Most recent update he has been moved to ICU, so he can be monitored more closely.
The thing is, what does it all mean? I do not question the man upstairs. You know they always say God never puts more on you than you can handle. Agreed. I am sure there is some hidden meaning behind it all.
Here is the thing. I am not immune to hospital scares, close calls, etc. But when it becomes someone so near and dear to your heart, someone that you know would do anything for you at anytime if needed, who has provided love and comfort for so many years, etc it becomes difficult to be apart of it all. He was there for me when I was young and there for me now, but it is so difficult because he is my hero and right now I cannot help the hero get back up. He has fallen.. But there is one good thing about all those hero stories, they usually rise again. I know God will give him the strength he needs to get back up and conquer the world.
I do not want to appear as selfish because I know so many have lost loved ones as well. But I am slowly feeling the pain that you have, or have had. My thoughts are with you and your families as you have dealt with or dealing with the same struggles that face me and my family now. I have FAITH that GOD has a plan and he will watch over dad.
We love you dad.
We are praying, stressed, worried, laughing, I am sure we are crying, what thoughts do you not have when you see a loved one in the hospital. Today has been the most trying one of all. Dad, went for fluid withdrawal and well his Blood Pressure bottomed out and he almost flat-lined. I was not there but had a fear come over me that was so strong it was difficult to deal with. Made it to the hospital and he was doing some what better. Most recent update he has been moved to ICU, so he can be monitored more closely.
The thing is, what does it all mean? I do not question the man upstairs. You know they always say God never puts more on you than you can handle. Agreed. I am sure there is some hidden meaning behind it all.
Here is the thing. I am not immune to hospital scares, close calls, etc. But when it becomes someone so near and dear to your heart, someone that you know would do anything for you at anytime if needed, who has provided love and comfort for so many years, etc it becomes difficult to be apart of it all. He was there for me when I was young and there for me now, but it is so difficult because he is my hero and right now I cannot help the hero get back up. He has fallen.. But there is one good thing about all those hero stories, they usually rise again. I know God will give him the strength he needs to get back up and conquer the world.
I do not want to appear as selfish because I know so many have lost loved ones as well. But I am slowly feeling the pain that you have, or have had. My thoughts are with you and your families as you have dealt with or dealing with the same struggles that face me and my family now. I have FAITH that GOD has a plan and he will watch over dad.
We love you dad.
Monday, July 18, 2011
The Mortal Man
I ask for your prayers as I blog with a heavy heart.
Tonight I finally witnessed the weakness of a man that I hold dear to my heart. At roughly 600pm I was contacted by Jetona as she let me know my father was being admitted to the hospital for the first time in his life. At this time there are no known problems just more precautionary measures being taken by the doctors.
As I drove home on I-65 the realization that my father is no immortal human being began to set in. I finally realized that the man I grew up looking up to, the man I longed to be, the man I placed above others, the man I thought was Superman, is nothing more than just that, a human being, he is a man in the truest form. While I have known for all my life that he bleeds, he cries, he gets mad, is happy, gets hurt, sick, etc today brought to the forefront of my mind that at anytime, no matter how powerful, how magical, how indestructible, how unbreakable, how strong, or how super, the truth is we all are prone to the elements of this world (psychologically, physically, emotionally, etc). My father is by no means perfect (I'll admit it), he is not indestructible, untouchable, he is not superhuman, but in my eyes he was/is. But while sitting there watching him in that hospital bedroom I realized that one day this will end up possibly being his final destination, as God calls one of his children home. I sat there and looked at a man who for my 28 years plus has never needed or asked anything from anyone, but I sat there and watched a man that I realized at some point is going to need someone. My father is 51 years old and I finally saw in his eyes a small bit of fear (though he would never admit to it). But through the fear, being the strong man that he is, he constantly told me and reassured me that it was going to be ok, that he was going to be fine. I sat there and wondered how can he be so sure, I found myself telling him the things I have only seen in movies, Dad we need you home, you got to battle through whatever this is, etc. For many of you who know me you know that I tend to have a big soft side, I tend to get somewhat emotional (ok really emotional). But tonight I finally realized that he is not invincible, but that he is MORTAL!
Tonight I finally witnessed the weakness of a man that I hold dear to my heart. At roughly 600pm I was contacted by Jetona as she let me know my father was being admitted to the hospital for the first time in his life. At this time there are no known problems just more precautionary measures being taken by the doctors.
As I drove home on I-65 the realization that my father is no immortal human being began to set in. I finally realized that the man I grew up looking up to, the man I longed to be, the man I placed above others, the man I thought was Superman, is nothing more than just that, a human being, he is a man in the truest form. While I have known for all my life that he bleeds, he cries, he gets mad, is happy, gets hurt, sick, etc today brought to the forefront of my mind that at anytime, no matter how powerful, how magical, how indestructible, how unbreakable, how strong, or how super, the truth is we all are prone to the elements of this world (psychologically, physically, emotionally, etc). My father is by no means perfect (I'll admit it), he is not indestructible, untouchable, he is not superhuman, but in my eyes he was/is. But while sitting there watching him in that hospital bedroom I realized that one day this will end up possibly being his final destination, as God calls one of his children home. I sat there and looked at a man who for my 28 years plus has never needed or asked anything from anyone, but I sat there and watched a man that I realized at some point is going to need someone. My father is 51 years old and I finally saw in his eyes a small bit of fear (though he would never admit to it). But through the fear, being the strong man that he is, he constantly told me and reassured me that it was going to be ok, that he was going to be fine. I sat there and wondered how can he be so sure, I found myself telling him the things I have only seen in movies, Dad we need you home, you got to battle through whatever this is, etc. For many of you who know me you know that I tend to have a big soft side, I tend to get somewhat emotional (ok really emotional). But tonight I finally realized that he is not invincible, but that he is MORTAL!
I leave you with the following verse:
Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV / 113 helpful votes
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Making/Taking Vows
What is a vow?
In society most of us think of vows as what we do the day we stand up and make a commitment to get married. This is true. However, vows are more than just something we do at marriage time. Making a promise to do something, committing our time, talents, etc to a purpose is making a vow. So why do we break vows so often? In my case I tend to make a lot of promises: I'll do the dishes, take out the trash etc. I usually always put a clause in there but I'll do it in a minute. Sometimes that minute turns to 15 and sometimes it goes forgotten. Was it intentionally forgotten, No. I get side tracked, a lot. But the point is I committed to doing something so I should just do it. It's hard to change bad habits.
As we have been doing to devotion we came across a section called The Magnitude of Vows here are few things I would like to share with you about vows.
First Numbers 30:2 says When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.
So in layman's terms, your only as good as your word.
Second, a marriage perspective: we make commitments to our significant other. We say we are going to love, obey, cherish, etc. Some of us take that as a serious commitment and others see it as unfulfilled truths. But there is one person that takes those vows very serious, God.
Third, Gods word. If you look back over the Bible and know even just a little His word is not broken. He sent His son to die for us, Check. He said that Jesus would arise again, Check. He told Moses to go to Egypt and to set his people free and in doing so they would be rewarded with the Promise Land, Check. The Bible is filled with these promises/vows and well He has delivered on all of them. And these are no little promises might I remind you, these are HUGE.
So why is it that when we say we are going to do something, when we commit, when we vow. It is so easy to break promises. Every time we make a promise (to a loved one, to a friend, to work, to God) we are held accountable to those promises. So let your yes mean yes and your no mean no (Matt 5:37).
So I task that start by taking is slow and easy, build up our commitments and follow through on them. If you are married recommit yourself to honor, cherish, from this day on. If not married commit to yourself that when you say you are going to do it do it. Of course, this doesn't mean things will not happen or come up that requires you to tweak the circumstance. I look forward to hearing you success stories or difficulties that you might have. But together with God's assistance we can do this.
God Bless!
In society most of us think of vows as what we do the day we stand up and make a commitment to get married. This is true. However, vows are more than just something we do at marriage time. Making a promise to do something, committing our time, talents, etc to a purpose is making a vow. So why do we break vows so often? In my case I tend to make a lot of promises: I'll do the dishes, take out the trash etc. I usually always put a clause in there but I'll do it in a minute. Sometimes that minute turns to 15 and sometimes it goes forgotten. Was it intentionally forgotten, No. I get side tracked, a lot. But the point is I committed to doing something so I should just do it. It's hard to change bad habits.
As we have been doing to devotion we came across a section called The Magnitude of Vows here are few things I would like to share with you about vows.
First Numbers 30:2 says When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.
So in layman's terms, your only as good as your word.
Second, a marriage perspective: we make commitments to our significant other. We say we are going to love, obey, cherish, etc. Some of us take that as a serious commitment and others see it as unfulfilled truths. But there is one person that takes those vows very serious, God.
Third, Gods word. If you look back over the Bible and know even just a little His word is not broken. He sent His son to die for us, Check. He said that Jesus would arise again, Check. He told Moses to go to Egypt and to set his people free and in doing so they would be rewarded with the Promise Land, Check. The Bible is filled with these promises/vows and well He has delivered on all of them. And these are no little promises might I remind you, these are HUGE.
So why is it that when we say we are going to do something, when we commit, when we vow. It is so easy to break promises. Every time we make a promise (to a loved one, to a friend, to work, to God) we are held accountable to those promises. So let your yes mean yes and your no mean no (Matt 5:37).
So I task that start by taking is slow and easy, build up our commitments and follow through on them. If you are married recommit yourself to honor, cherish, from this day on. If not married commit to yourself that when you say you are going to do it do it. Of course, this doesn't mean things will not happen or come up that requires you to tweak the circumstance. I look forward to hearing you success stories or difficulties that you might have. But together with God's assistance we can do this.
God Bless!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
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