Super Tuesday

Did you vote today?

It's a very critical time in the history of the United States of America. America is divided over what kind of leader they want and need to lead them on issues such as the war in Iraq, health care, the economy, immigration, and the list goes on. The question is... What kind of voice will you be? What will you contribute? It begins with our vote, but continues with our prayers. Let's be a prayer force for our country. Let's not be lazy when it comes to our future and the future of our children. Let us get involved by voting and praying for God's will. God has a plan for America. It's through our prayers we learn to trust and believe for the impossible. God is in control.

The BIG Win!

The Giants did the unimaginable! They beat the New England Patriots. As I sat and watched the game last night, I was amazed how a team rallied around a common goal. The constant pressure on Tom Brady, the coverage on the receivers, shutting down the running game and an offense that kept doing the basics... moving the ball were key. In the end, the Giants outplayed the 18-0 Patriots (now 18-1). It just goes to show you... no matter how intimidating a situation might be, if you will go out and do what you know you should do (play the game)... anyone can be victorious. Ecclesiastes 9:11 says: "The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all." Everyone has an opportunity to win.

What about you? What desperate situation are you in? What unimaginable win do you need in your life? If you will do what you know is right, playing by God's rule book... your situation will turn out for the good! Don't start the challenge with defeat. Begin the challenge with trust in God. He will work it out for the good. Our win is coming. Don't give up!

Flu Central

This has been an interesting week. On Tuesday evening, my two middle girls came down with a fever. Throughout Wednesday we medicated them hoping they would come through. When they did not, we decided to make them an appointment for Thursday morning. They never made it. On Wednesday evening their breathing had become irregular, so we took them to the emergency room. After a breathing treatments and chest x-rays, they did a flu test and bingo... it was the flu. We got in bed around 3:00 PM Thursday morning. On Thursday, my eldest awoke with a fever and by Thursday evening, my youngest felt like she wanted to join in the party. My house is flu central. Four girls down. Jenny and I are just trying to stay well. I told her yesterday that she's not allowed to get sick. Hopefully, she will listen.

Struggle is part of life. I think we all know that, but let me ask you a question. Is God absent when you go through a struggle? My Bible says He never leaves us. Christians are not exempt from life's ups and downs. We go through them just like anyone else, but be encouraged in knowing that God is with us. Sometimes we forget that when life becomes stressful. I know I have from time to time. Everyday we learn to lean more and more upon Him. Life is not meant to push you away from God but life is meant to be lived with God. Remember... He is Jehovah Shamma (The Lord is there) Ezekiel 48:35.

My girls are sick, but God is there! He knows! He cares! He understands! He will bring our family through the struggle.

Living What We Believe!

Have you ever heard someone say, "I don't know how to live my beliefs!" Maybe you have never heard it, but... maybe you have thought it. You wonder.... How do I take the things I believe and apply them to my everyday life? How can I translate the things I've learned from church/Bible study into ordinary living?

In case you didn't know, Jesus never meant for our spiritual life to be complicated. He never meant for us to struggle from day to day with our belief system. If we believe something, it has become a value to us. If we value something to be true it affects our behavior. For example, if you read in the Bible lying is wrong... you internalize that principle... you believe that principle, it becomes a part of your spiritual DNA... it becomes a value which affects your behavior. How does that affect your behavior? You don't lie! Easy enough... right?

I said all that to say... if you have a hard time living your beliefs... do you believe? Your beliefs are truths you value. Truths you value affect your behavior. Let God speak to you and be challenged to step out this year. Let's live what we believe!

Winter Wild Update

I'm getting too old for lock-ins. Staying up all night is not a hard thing to do. It's getting up the next evening after a few hours of sleep. Even though I'm paying for a lack of sleep this evening, it was worth it all to see 32 young people step out to receive Christ as their personal Savior. PTL! What an amazing night! Kudos to Devin Williams, our worship leader, and Gus Garcia, who brought the Word! God is good. Keep these young people in your prayers. The battle has begun.

Winter Wild Countdown!

Winter Wild begins tonight at 9:00 PM. Up ALL night! Here we go! I'll give you more later.

Having A Bad Day?

I showed some pictures tonight in service of people who probably had a bad day. They were various pictures of car accidents, off the wall incidents that where captured on film. Most of them were humorous to look at but I would imagine for them... not so funny. We have all had bad days. We all go through trying times in life. The truth we must remember is... the day doesn't dictate your life. Don't let one moment sour your attitude or your spirit. God is at work to complete the task He has started in you (Philippians 1:6). Don't look at bad days as bad days. Look at them as opportunities of growth.

How can you turn your bad day into an opportunity?

Movie Review: The Game Plan

I just finished the movie, The Game Plan with Dewayne "The Rock" Johnson. This is a great family movie. Two thumbs up... my kids loved it. The feel good movie of 2007. I sound just like a movie critic don't I... not really. See it if you want! You make up your mind.

Super Bowl

Well... the Pats move on and the Packers go home! I was cheering for Favre yesterday, but he didn't pull it off. Manning did impress me with his determination and never give up attitude. My hat is off to the Bills and their win. How about you? Do you have a determination and a never give up attitude when it comes to the game of life? God wants to give you a win! Don't just settle to not lose... determine to play and win!

Start Your Day With A Song!

I had the privilege to be at FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) this morning at Hawkins Middle School. I make it a point to be there every Thursday morning just to hang out with the students and to be a help to the sponsor. The teacher/sponsor (Amy) asked me yesterday if I would lead a song for the meeting today. I agreed! Have you ever lead P/W at 7:00 AM? Interesting... for me anyway! I'm a bass singer at 7:00 AM. The kids, however, were up on their feet clapping and singing and they sang well. Amy e-mailed me later this morning letting me know the kids told her they had been singing the song since the meeting this morning. Cool! Sing unto the Lord a new song and sing all day! God is worthy to be praised! Have a great day.