I realize it has been a couple of months since my last blog, but I didn't have anything to say. Today I wanted to talk about my wife.
Yesterday my wife and I celebrated our 29th Wedding Anniversary. It has been a roller coaster ride in many ways. But I am grateful for the most wonderful wife that a man could have. She has been very patient with this hard-headed man.
Much of who I am and what I have become (which is not saying much, because I'm nothing special) is because of my wife. In college I used to joke that I would have to marry a perfect woman to put up with me. Well, my wife isn't perfect (to which she will admit) but she comes very close.
She has loved me and our children unconditionally. She has supported our family unceasingly. She has been a friend and a companion that is beyond what I deserve.
Syl, I love you.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Father's Day
It has been more than a month since my last post. I am also late with the Father's Day tribute. But I guess it is better late than never, as they say.
I was twenty-six years old when my dad passed away. As the years have gone by I still miss him today. He was able to experience some important events in my life (such as graduation from college and seminary, our wedding). He wasn't able to know my children and son-in-law. He wasn't there to see Megan and Clay graduate from college. He will not be there when Jonathan graduates (I say that believing that it will be in my life time).
It is disappointing that he didn't get to know my children and they didn't get to know their grandfather. They knew my father-in-law, but only for a few years of their lives. It is disappointing that I haven't had the opportunity to seek advice from my dad.
It is disappointing that my dad didn't get to know his grandchildren, who are some of best kids in the world. I am thrilled to be able to be their dad. I am so proud of my son, daughter and son-in-law. They are great people. It makes me proud to watch them mature and grow and become the young men and woman that God would have them be.
This Father's Day, I missed my dad, again. But I was able to talk with my children and I was able to spend some time with my son. I'm thrilled they call me dad.
I want them to see Jesus in me, so that they will learn to love their Heavenly Father even more.
I was twenty-six years old when my dad passed away. As the years have gone by I still miss him today. He was able to experience some important events in my life (such as graduation from college and seminary, our wedding). He wasn't able to know my children and son-in-law. He wasn't there to see Megan and Clay graduate from college. He will not be there when Jonathan graduates (I say that believing that it will be in my life time).
It is disappointing that he didn't get to know my children and they didn't get to know their grandfather. They knew my father-in-law, but only for a few years of their lives. It is disappointing that I haven't had the opportunity to seek advice from my dad.
It is disappointing that my dad didn't get to know his grandchildren, who are some of best kids in the world. I am thrilled to be able to be their dad. I am so proud of my son, daughter and son-in-law. They are great people. It makes me proud to watch them mature and grow and become the young men and woman that God would have them be.
This Father's Day, I missed my dad, again. But I was able to talk with my children and I was able to spend some time with my son. I'm thrilled they call me dad.
I want them to see Jesus in me, so that they will learn to love their Heavenly Father even more.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Others
This Sunday is Mother's Day. That is a reminder for you husbands, sons and daughters who may have forgotten. It is an opportunity express love to the Mother's in our lives.
This is the second year that I will be unable to talk to talk with my Mom on Mother's Day. She went to be with the Lord last year. I have been thinking about her lately. As I have thought about her an old hymn keeps coming to mind.
The hymn appeared in the old Broadman Hymnal, which was released in 1935. That hymnal contained a hymn which I haven't seen in any other hymnal. That hymn has always been special. It reminds me of my Mom, not only because I learned it as a child, but also because the words remind me so much of my Mom.
I enclose the words of the old hymn "Others" for you, but in memory of my Mom.
Others
Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self forgetful way,
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer will be for others.
Others, Lord, yes, others.
Let this my motto be.
Help me to live for others
That I may live like Thee.
This is the second year that I will be unable to talk to talk with my Mom on Mother's Day. She went to be with the Lord last year. I have been thinking about her lately. As I have thought about her an old hymn keeps coming to mind.
The hymn appeared in the old Broadman Hymnal, which was released in 1935. That hymnal contained a hymn which I haven't seen in any other hymnal. That hymn has always been special. It reminds me of my Mom, not only because I learned it as a child, but also because the words remind me so much of my Mom.
I enclose the words of the old hymn "Others" for you, but in memory of my Mom.
Others
Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self forgetful way,
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer will be for others.
Others, Lord, yes, others.
Let this my motto be.
Help me to live for others
That I may live like Thee.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Fall of a Convention?
For those who are not familiar with the process, yearly every church in the Southern Baptist Convention will complete the Annual Church Profile. This ACP tracks for the convention the health of Baptist churches around the country.
The ACP report for 2008 was recently released. The report shows a decline in the number of baptisms and in total church membership. This is the second year the convention has declined in both of these categories.
There are two men who are sounding the trumpet for change in the convention. One is Ed Stetzer, who works for Lifeway Research. Ed has an interesting blog about this continuing decline.
The other is by my friend Dr. Chuck Kelley, President of New Orleans Baptist Seminary. Chuck recently preached in chapel about how the SBC has become the "new Methodists." The article about his message is very interesting. He explains that the decline of the Methodist convention occurred when they failed to continue to evangelize and disciple people. Chuck says the "SBC are the new Methodists" because we are in danger of following the decline of the Methodist denomination.
I will close by quoting Ed Stetzer again: "Are we hurting enough to make the changes we need?"
The ACP report for 2008 was recently released. The report shows a decline in the number of baptisms and in total church membership. This is the second year the convention has declined in both of these categories.
There are two men who are sounding the trumpet for change in the convention. One is Ed Stetzer, who works for Lifeway Research. Ed has an interesting blog about this continuing decline.
The other is by my friend Dr. Chuck Kelley, President of New Orleans Baptist Seminary. Chuck recently preached in chapel about how the SBC has become the "new Methodists." The article about his message is very interesting. He explains that the decline of the Methodist convention occurred when they failed to continue to evangelize and disciple people. Chuck says the "SBC are the new Methodists" because we are in danger of following the decline of the Methodist denomination.
I will close by quoting Ed Stetzer again: "Are we hurting enough to make the changes we need?"
Saturday, April 4, 2009
A Tribute
Today I joined several of our church members in a work day at the church. It was an opportunity to paint the trim on the new building the church recently purchased and perform some landscaping.
While several of our youth, parents and workers were painting, several others were busy doing some landscaping in front of the church. Having some flower beds to add some beauty to the front of the church has been a dream of many for several years.
One of those who had dreamed of some landscaping was my friend, Roger Taylor. Roger, I'm sure is looking down from heaven seeing his dream. Roger and I had joked several times about him coming in the middle of the night and pulling up the old shrubs that were in front of the church. One of Roger's dreams was to see some beautiful plants and flowers decorating the landscape of the church.
I couldn't help but think about Roger. He would have been working as hard or harder than anyone today. It is tribute to my friend to see the plants and flowers providing some beauty to the church.
While several of our youth, parents and workers were painting, several others were busy doing some landscaping in front of the church. Having some flower beds to add some beauty to the front of the church has been a dream of many for several years.
One of those who had dreamed of some landscaping was my friend, Roger Taylor. Roger, I'm sure is looking down from heaven seeing his dream. Roger and I had joked several times about him coming in the middle of the night and pulling up the old shrubs that were in front of the church. One of Roger's dreams was to see some beautiful plants and flowers decorating the landscape of the church.
I couldn't help but think about Roger. He would have been working as hard or harder than anyone today. It is tribute to my friend to see the plants and flowers providing some beauty to the church.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Always
I know I have shared the lyrics of several songs lately, but this one ministered to me today. I had heard the song before today and liked it, but today I heard more of the words. The song, "Always," is by Building 429. May it minister to you as it did me.
Always
I was standing in the pouring rain one dark November night
Fighting off the bitter cold when she caught my eye
Her face was taught and her eyes were filled, and to my surprise
She pulled out a photograph and my heart just stopped inside
She said, "He would've been three today
I miss his smile, I miss his face"
What was I supposed to say, but
CHORUS
I believe always, always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and his promise remains
He will be with you always
He was living in a broken world, dreaming of a home
His heart was barely keeping pace when I found him all alone
Remembering the way he felt when his daddy said goodbye
Fighting just to keep the tears and the anger locked inside
He's barely holding onto faith
But deliverance is on its way, cause
CHORUS
I believe always, always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and his promise remains
He will be with you always
Friend, I don't know where you are and I don't know where you've been
Maybe you're fighting for your life or just about to throw the towel in
But if you're crying out for mercy, if there's no hope left at all
If you've given everything you've got and you're still about to fall
Well hold on, hold on, hold on, cause
I believe always, always
Our savior never fails
Even when all faith is gone
God knows our pain and his promise remains
Always, always, He will be with you always
Always
I was standing in the pouring rain one dark November night
Fighting off the bitter cold when she caught my eye
Her face was taught and her eyes were filled, and to my surprise
She pulled out a photograph and my heart just stopped inside
She said, "He would've been three today
I miss his smile, I miss his face"
What was I supposed to say, but
CHORUS
I believe always, always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and his promise remains
He will be with you always
He was living in a broken world, dreaming of a home
His heart was barely keeping pace when I found him all alone
Remembering the way he felt when his daddy said goodbye
Fighting just to keep the tears and the anger locked inside
He's barely holding onto faith
But deliverance is on its way, cause
CHORUS
I believe always, always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and his promise remains
He will be with you always
Friend, I don't know where you are and I don't know where you've been
Maybe you're fighting for your life or just about to throw the towel in
But if you're crying out for mercy, if there's no hope left at all
If you've given everything you've got and you're still about to fall
Well hold on, hold on, hold on, cause
I believe always, always
Our savior never fails
Even when all faith is gone
God knows our pain and his promise remains
Always, always, He will be with you always
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Homesick
These thoughts are not meant to be morbid. The older I get the more I realize that I have almost as many loved ones who have "gone home" as those who remain. I received the news today that my aunt passed away today. She is the latest of several in the past several months who have preceded her.
The group MercyMe have written several songs that deal with those who have died. I was reminded of several of their songs tonight.
I have included the words to one of them for you.
homesick
You’re in a better place, I’ve heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I’ve rejoiced for you
But the reason why I’m broken the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home’s where my heart is then I’m out of place
Lord won’t you give me strength to make it through somehow
I‘ve never been more homesick than now
Help me Lord because I don’t understand Your ways
The reason why I wonder if I’ll ever know
But even if You showed me the hurt would be the same
Because I’m still here so far away from home
In Christ there are no goodbyes
In Christ there is no end
So I’ll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
Written by MercyMe and Peter Kipley
The group MercyMe have written several songs that deal with those who have died. I was reminded of several of their songs tonight.
I have included the words to one of them for you.
homesick
You’re in a better place, I’ve heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I’ve rejoiced for you
But the reason why I’m broken the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home’s where my heart is then I’m out of place
Lord won’t you give me strength to make it through somehow
I‘ve never been more homesick than now
Help me Lord because I don’t understand Your ways
The reason why I wonder if I’ll ever know
But even if You showed me the hurt would be the same
Because I’m still here so far away from home
In Christ there are no goodbyes
In Christ there is no end
So I’ll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
Written by MercyMe and Peter Kipley
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