august 08
| Sunday, August 31, 2008 Don’t worry…be happy! That was the Word today. Despite a less than sold out crowd, God still moved and we had church. God is perfectly faithful. Beyond a great service, we spent a wonderful afternoon with our good friends the Julianos (and the Jones). A little pre-Labor Day cookout if you will. For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 _______________________________________________________________ Saturday, August 30, 2008 It seems that my focus for the morning and the majority of the afternoon has been on the house; I brought in a cabinet that I recently stained (I had a little help carrying it), I trimmed some bushes, picked up the yard, cut some grass and cleaned up the garage a little…it has been a productive day! I am now just preparing for tomorrow. I anticipate a great day. The enemy (satan, lucipher, the devil – or whatever you would like to call him) has been stirring in many ways. As a result, God has ordered an opportunity for Himself to be greatly glorified. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed! 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 _______________________________________________________________ Friday, August 29, 2008 All I have to say about today is…Splashwater Kingdom! Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 _______________________________________________________________ Thursday, August 28, 2008 Ahhh, the smell of school is in the air! This coming Wednesday marks the beginning of second grade for Kennedy. We did a little school shopping today to celebrate this upcoming event. After a brief stint at the mall, for it takes no time to spend a hundred bucks on school clothes, we headed to the church for a small work day. Heather organized children’s ministry materials, I stained a cabinet and prepared for tonight’ s worship team practice, and the kids (besides Preston) rode their bikes all around the church. We ended our adventuresome day at Panera for a late dinner and finally landed at home some time after ten. But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14 _______________________________________________________________ Wednesday, August 27, 2008 Yet another consuming day with going to the hospital, errands, counseling and inevitably Wednesday night service; never a dull moment! For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20 _______________________________________________________________ Tuesday, August 26, 2008 Not much too much to report today! A few meetings, some office work through the day and a late night put-together-a-bunk-bed-extravaganza. Luke is certainly excited about his new bed. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 _______________________________________________________________ Monday, August 25, 2008 After a busier than normal weekend, I took it a bit slower today! I managed to do some visiting at the hospital and help make some small preparations for the women’s picnic. For the evening, the kids and I went to Cheyenne’s cookout. It was nice! And more than that, Chey and I prevailed at horse shoes. And so goes another Monday. For I know that my Redeemer lives! Job 19:25 _______________________________________________________________ Sunday, August 24, 2008 Yet another great Sunday! People are starting to settle back in and growth for the Fall is favorable. The service went as God intended; we worshipped, we gave and we certainly received – it was a good day! Beyond the service, we went to the Great Escape and hit the drive-in to top the night off. I die every day! 1 Corinthians 15:31 _______________________________________________________________ Saturday, August 23, 2008 I woke up bright and early and was off to church for a men’s breakfast! The food was good (there’s nothing like scrambled eggs & sausage), but the company was better. After eating, a little devotion and prayer, we worked a little around the church. To be honest, we accomplished quite a bit! I did find time to take the kids to the McDonalds play land later on. And as usual, I spent the majority of the evening preparing for tomorrow morning. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:10 _______________________________________________________________ Friday, August 22, 2008 I made my way to the hospital first thing this morning and from there my day unfolded quite smoothly. Soon after, I fielded some phone calls on the fly (literally). I then put some final touches on a wedding ceremony and topped the night off as God brought two unique individuals together and made them one. All things should be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40 _______________________________________________________________ Thursday, August 21, 2008 Today I went to a funeral…it was a sad day! Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. Psalm 37:16 _______________________________________________________________ Wednesday, August 20, 2008 Things really have not slowed down yet! Between errands and office work, my day almost got away from me. I then headed to Cambridge, NY for a viewing as one of our own, Jerry Sue, lost her son, Adam. There had to have been hundreds who came; the line was out the door for hours. He was certainly well liked and most importantly, loved! And yes, I did make it back for church (I was a little late). Not to worry, Dr. Dan was running a tight ship as he always does (with or without me). Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23 _______________________________________________________________ Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Now that I have readjusted, let the games begin! I was off to a meeting in morning, to the hospital in the afternoon, preparation for a wedding rehearsal in the late afternoon and finally a wedding rehearsal in the evening. It’s been somewhat of a busy day! And it looks as though tomorrow is sizing up to be just as consuming. No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3 _______________________________________________________________ Monday, August 18, 2008 Just trying to get readjusted to home life today…after being gone for twelve days and returning to a whirlwind of a weekend, readjusting sounds about right! You have seen, O Lord; be not silent! O Lord, be not far from me! Psalm 35:22 _______________________________________________________________ Sunday, August 17, 2008 It seems the day offered a little tension, although I have never seen the righteous forsaken. And forsaken we were not! Whenever the enemy comes in like a flood, God always raises a standard. It seems the standard took the form of a simple rebuke in today’s service. I took a few ‘rebuke breaks’ (similar to a praise break-with similar results) during service and told the devil to leave through the same door he came in. Apparently he got offended and manifested in the altar service. However, keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, I rebuked the demon and he too had to leave. It was quite a powerful service. I suppose one might say we engaged in spiritual warfare! Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Psalm 35:1 _______________________________________________________________ Saturday, August 16, 2008 Yes, we are finally home! After eighteen hours (there-a-bouts) on the road yesterday, we have ended our twelve day stint. I suppose now it is catch up time; phone calls, meetings and the never ending needs of God’s people. I officiated a wedding today, prepared for tomorrow and consoled a friend who lost a son…it has been a trying day to say the least. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning! So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 _______________________________________________________________ Wednesday, August 13, 2008 I’ve been taking it easy (or at least I’m trying to!!!), so I am a bit delayed in my blogging. My highlight for Monday was lunch at Chick-Fil-A, the best fast food fried chicken you will ever eat. My highlight for Tuesday was a four hour drive through the mountains to mom and dad’s house, The Gambill Mansion. My highlight for today has been a whole lot of nothing. I really don’t have a choice, for out here there is nothing and so nothing is always the order for the day! I suppose we may travel twenty or thirty minutes into town and peruse Wal-Mart; we’ll see what happens…after all, nothing can be quite consuming! Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 1 Corinthians 8:1 _______________________________________________________________ Sunday, August 10, 2008 It’s been a good Sunday! I preached at the Vine Grove Church God this morning and the service went well; God showed up and did His thing (that’ s what I mean by went well). We then went to Texas Roadhouse for lunch, a must eat attraction while in Louisville. Our afternoon turned evening was spent with some long time friends, the Taylors, and we finally retired around the midnight hour. I’m hoping to finally rest a little tomorrow, we’ ll see how it goes. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 _______________________________________________________________ Saturday, August 9, 2008 What an incredible week; it has been non-stop! The business sessions were moving, informing and necessary – Teen Talent was exciting, full of energy and unpredictable – and San Antonio was HOT (around 100 every day). Starbucks was always on the way! And they obviously don’t believe in cushions in San Antonio, for every seat I sat on was without one! All in all it was a great week. I was able to visit with friends I have not seen in quite a while, and the Riverwalk was as it always is, beautiful. At this moment, I am in the air heading towards Louisville, KY to see my long lost family I have been without for the last several days. I can’t wait to see them! Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. Proverbs 21:2 _______________________________________________________________ Monday, August 04, 2008 My day began at 3:30am and it has yet to end. From Albany to four hours in Atlanta all the way to San Antonio…that has pretty much been my day! Don’t you feel sorry for me. Anyways, I checked in the hotel, met up with my roomie for the week (Heather’s dad-Tom) and registered for General Assembly. It is like 105 degrees here today! I am now extremely tired…good night! The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1 _______________________________________________________________ Sunday, August 3, 2008 What a great day! I could not ask for a better service. The praise & the worship was right in step, communion was powerful and the word was certainly from God (I take no credit)! God is so good. After service we visited Moe’s for lunch and the rest of my day was in preparation for General Assembly. Greet one another with a holy kiss. Romans 16:16 _______________________________________________________________ Saturday, August 2, 2008 Today began with a funeral! It is always a very difficult endeavor when preaching a funeral; they are hard but certainly necessary. Beyond the funeral, I enjoyed a cup of coffee bought by my friend Donna, I took a walk, cut some grass & enjoyed some chicken on the grill. I spent the evening in preparation for tomorrow and I actually went to bed around eleven (that is early for me!). Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the King of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 _______________________________________________________________ Friday, August 1, 2008 If yesterday was not eventful enough, today was just as consuming! I first woke to an early walk and then I was off to ready the van for the long trip just ahead on Monday. After the van was ready, I took Heather, the kids and Patty to Great Escape for the day. It was the fullest I have ever seen the park! We finally arrived home around eight or so and I went to go check on the Chey-guy (I figured he was mowing at church and needed something to drink – and so he was!). When all was said and done, I settled in for the night and made final preparations for a funeral early tomorrow morning. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 14:5-6 _______________________________________________________________ |
The three most beautiful
kids in the world!
kids in the world!
alamodome
