Why I am a Southern Baptist (Ed Stetzer article)

I will be the first to say that I'm a Christian first and foremost but by conviction I am a Southern Baptist. This is a great article that articulates points that I agree with on this.

http://betweenthetimes.com/2009/09/22/why-i-am-southern-baptist/

Ed Stetzer does a great job in presenting this.

Monogamy in Marriage

Here is a great article about the impact of monogamy in the context of marriage. There is a huge impact on society and most importantly in families. Check out the article:

http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2009/09/21/how-monogamous-men-can-rescue-civilization/

What a great challenge for men to step up and serve well in their marriages and families! What a distinct honor we've been granted in doing so! Lord. I thank you for the gift of my wife and family may I serve You well before them as I serve them!

Stan's Retirement

In life God grants the opportunity to meet great friends and then live both along side them and from a distance. I've been granted that with my friend Stan Frazier and his family (Kim and Zach). Stan called a couple of months ago and asked if I could be involved with his retirement ceremony from the United States Air Force. I readily agreed.

Stan flew me out to Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I arrived yesterday and the ceremony was this afternoon. I've been to a number of USAF retirement ceremonies, as we once served at a church directly across the street from Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC, but this one was the best.

The ceremony started with a flag folding that was amazing. I had chills going down my spine as the flag was folded and then folded again to narration with a video playing in the background. I then expressed my thanks to Stan for the privilege and honor of being there today and delivered the invocation, I almost didn't make it as I looked at Stan and Kim and a flood of emotion come falshing back to mind of the ten years of friendship we've had. Then a former commander of Stan's, who drove in especially for the ceremony stood while Stan was in a chair and recalled Stan's achievements during his enlistment. Col. Banks then asked Stan to stand and had him recite his oath of enlistment in the past tense (this was touching and there were few dry eyes). Following this he was presented with numerous awards.

Kim and Zach then joined him on stage and each was presented with a certificate of achievement. I cried through the entire ceremony. Watching Stan recite his oath of enlistment and break down then watching as Kim and Zach were presented their certificates was amazing.

Today was a distinct honor and blessing. This is some thing that I will not forget. Thank you Stan for the privilege of being here with you as you celebrate this huge milestone in life! Thank you Jill for your sacrifice and graciousness in making this happen!

A Moral Dilemna

I read this early today and it broke my heart. At the same time it posed a moral dilemna that is upon us and one that will continue to arise and grow. Read the article:

http://www.albertmohler.com/2009/09/18/will-babies-with-down-syndrome-just-disappear/

It is an issue of abortion but it also poses for us where would this stop. We must decide morally where we stand and why. There is much more than politics at stake.

Who am I elevating with comments I make?

Here is a great post by Voddie Bauchman. I thought it was a stark contrast recently about outbursts by celebrities. Whether Kanye West at the VMA's or Michael Jordan in his rant of an speech at the induction ceremony to the Basketball Hall of fame. We let so much "slide" for those we consider great saying "that is what made them great". The thing about it in the end is that their selfish behavior always reveals their heart. Humility shows so much more depth to the nature of the person. In terms of Bauchman's post it shows the character of David Robinson, a man transformed by his Savior.

http://www.voddiebaucham.org/vbm/Blog/Entries/2009/9/16_Be_Like_David..._Not_Like_Mike..html

Read the post and be challenged!

I turned 35 yesterday!

I turned 35 yesterday! It's hard to believe that I'm that old! I truly couldn't imagine my life being any better that it has been! God has blown me away with a wife that is amazing and that I will cherish for the rest of our lives, our three children are truly gifts from Him (and the most beautiful kids I've ever seen)! I have great parents (I can truly say they are two of my trusted and closest friends) and a wonderful sister (though strongwilled at times)! My in-laws are anything but out-laws and I love them dearly! We have been blessed no matter where He has placed us to connect with and be challenged by great friends and He has blessed us to see lives impacted by His Gospel in every location! Truly humbling to consider all the He has done!

I can't wait to see what He has in store for the rest of my years! I will love and serve You with every beat of my heart that You grant! Thank You LORD!

Mr. Joe's Funeral

Our hearts broke for our dear friends Merlin and Stephanie Smith along with their awesome kids Lonnie and Bethany over the past three weeks. Stpehanie's Dad, Mr. Joe, passed away this past week. Hospice had been called in and they, along with Stephanie and the family, had been ministering to him for the past three weeks. On Saturday September 5th, while we were in West Virginia with our family, Merlin called to say that it was just a matter of time until he would pass away (hospice said it would be about 48hrs). I shed many tears that day for their family and our hearts sank when we recieved the call on Monday evening.

On Tuesday Merlin called and asked if I would speak at the funeral, I was humbled. It was an honor to speak at the funeral both in remembrance of Mr. Joe and to proclaim the Gospel he had embraced only one year before his death. I treasured my time with Mr. Joe and I truly cherish his family. It was a privilege to get to know him and proclaim the Gospel to him during our time together. It's an honor to share life with the Smith's, eventhough now it is at a distance.

While there the kids were able to love on Lonnie and Bethany and I was quite proud to see them embrace them as they did. Our kids truly look up to them both and they are great role models in that they both dearly love Christ and show that love to our children.

Thank you Merlin and Stephanie for the honor of speaking at the funeral and your hospitality in the midst of grief. Thank you to our friends that we saw on Saturday for your love of our family as well.

This is a great story

I must admit I'm a huge Albert Pujols fan. He is born again and handles himself with a humility that most athletes of our day do not. I'm not neccessarily a St. Louis Cardinals fan, though it would be easier to be a Cardinals fan than an Orioles nut and Pirates fan (the start of every season brings hope then the let down happens at some time later in the season, some seasons it's earlier than others), but this story really tugged at my heart and I wanted to share it.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/A34B97533108A7C786257627000A2C90?OpenDocument

It's not the disability that matters it's the transformation that God brings about in the lives of those around those with disabilities that is truly amazing. I say this as one transformed in such a way. In college I worked for 2 1/2 years in a group home for individuals who were mentally retarded and developmentally disabled and God did a work in my heart through contact with these awesome individuals.