vacation… 06

I love vacation. When else do you get to goose hunt and pheasant hunt in the same day. For me, it’s vacation. It was freezing but cold though. It snowed over night and so everything was iced over this morning. I think it was something like 10 degrees this morning. It really didn’t feel that cold until we laid down in the blinds… well worth it. After our goose hunt we grabbed some breakfast and then walked some pheasant. Unfortunately we saw nothing. All I got was a really good workout.

Followed it up with a really good nap. From there I spent the rest of the day bumming around the house getting all of our stuff together. Sarah went to Lubbock to spend the next few days with her family, and I will meet up with them tomorrow. I’m a little bummed that my time with my family is already coming to a close. I enjoy and cherish every minute spent with them.

Alright, I’m out… the hot tub and merlot drained me. Yes, I said merlot. Just me, my brother, and Jesus (for all the people who just got offended by the merlot). Mix in a hot tub and call it a night. Hasta Muchachie!!!

… end of day 06

vacation… 05

Merry Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!!

This has to be my favorite day of the year. Not because of any of the hype or Santa Claus or presents but because this is the day that the greatest gift of all time was given.

Luke 1 … 26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Isaiah 9 … 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Revelation 12 … 1 A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. 4 His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. 6 The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days. 7 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. 12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!

Come on Jesus!!! The best and greatest gift we could have ever received was freely given to us. Jesus was born this day and He came to ransom our hearts. So, as you go throughout your day remember that today was the day our Savior was born. His kingdom will never end!!!

vacation… 04

We did a little goose hunting this morning, and sweet mother it was cold out there. I won’t say how we did because there are game wardens out there… or maybe we just sucked it up and only shot two geese, you will never know. On the other hand, I did get some good pictures.

Afterwards, we rushed back to have Christmas with my parents. I loved it. It is total chill moe now. Nobody gets in a hurry and gets upset if it goes without any structure whatsoever. It’s great… I credit the nieces and nephews for this. Although, I am calling for a destination Christmas next year. I have a few on board already… cabin in Colorado here we come!!! Maybe I’m missing something but I don’t see how that could go wrong. Cabin, snow, aspens, snow, and family… uuummm yes I’m all in. After we had Christmas with my parents we headed out to have Christmas with Sarah’s family. Some call this “the only bad part about marriage.” I don’t say this because I know my wife reads my blog. Just kidding babe… I love you!!! No, but really it was a great time other then the fact that I ate way too much food.

Merry Christmas Eve!!!! I hope you don’t wake up to find coal in your stocking.

… end of day 4

vacation…03

This morning we got up and went to church, but before that we made time to go scout some geese. I was pretty bummed because it was starting to look like we weren’t going to get a chance to go this year, but we managed to get a hunt set up for in the morning. There will be 8 of us going and I think we have a pretty good location. Unfortunately, there is a lack of birds compared to last year… where did they all go?

Here is an interesting thought… simple but interesting. It doesn’t matter how many are going, or how much stuff you have, or how prepared you get if there are no birds you will come back with no birds. I think the same is true about lost people… the same is true about hurting people… the same is true about lonely people. You can prepare and get as ready as you want but if there are no hurting, lost, or lonely people around I’m pretty sure you will reach 0 people. And, I’m pretty sure if were are reaching 0 people we aren’t stewarding what God has given us. Imagine this, sitting in your living room decked out in your camo with your bird dog and your goose call. Pretty ridiculous right? It looks just about the same when God has given you everything you need to reach people and you’re avoiding them.

Just finished dinner (it was amazing) and we are all unwinding. It is going to be an early morning. We have to be up at 5:15 so we can get our decoys set up before sun up. Yes it is worth it.

… end of day 3

vacation…02

Isn’t this just like Texas, we left Dallas yesterday morning running the a/c and we woke up this morning to blowing snow. I’m loving it… it is 20 degrees outside so I actually get to wear a coat. On the other hand, my sinuses are completely out of whack. But that’s the price I’m willing to pay for some snow.

So, we spent the day shopping at the vintage funk. We have pretty much made a yearly event out of it. Sounds insane that we would get out in the blizzard to go to a vintage furniture store, but that’s what we do. Then I had to go to a wedding. I really didn’t want to go but I have learned that there are things that make my wife happy and she gives me the choice to do them or not. Trust me you learn. Sometimes slowly but you get there. This was one of those moments. We just got back to my parents house and she caught me for a second and told me how happy she was that I went… that’s why I went, to be with my wife and make her happy. I think that’s what Ephesians 5 means, putting your spouse before yourself. I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s always easy, but I will tell you it is a easy choice to do everything I can to make my wife happy.

Well, I’m tired… more to come at a later time.

… end of day 2

vacation…01

It is officially vacation time. We made the drive yesterday from Dallas to Tulia and I was reminded that the only good thing about that drive is the time I get to spend with Sarah. It is a good 5 hr drive and so there is plenty of time for conversation. We made it in around 6 and officially kicked off Christmas vacation. This is my favorite time of the year… time with family and friends.

Last night my brother, Benjamin, and I built a fire in the backyard and spent some time just talking. It was nice. Moments like these are cherished because it’s not that often that it happens. Two of my favorite people to spend time with are my two brothers. We need to make time for it more often.

… end of day 1

New Life Church

Just read about what happened yesterday at New Life church.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316322,00.html

My prayers go out to Brady and the people there. I can’t imagine being in that situation. I don’t understand what would cause someone to storm into a church and open fire. I am sure the Lord will move through this situation and give Brady the word’s to say. I pray that the Lord would comfort the family who lost their 16 and 18 year old daughters. My heart breaks for them. I couldn’t imagine waking up this morning after experiencing so much loss. God can rebuild what the enemy tries to tear down.

I don’t have anything else to say. I don’t know what to say. Words couldn’t say enough.

Lord I pray that you would comfort and protect the people of New Life. Turn this situation for the good of your Kingdom. You are all powerful and You reign in all the earth. Bring peace to the family who has experienced this great loss. I pray that You would overwhelm them with your presence.

Provision

A few days ago I was having a conversation with Preston. We were discussing what the Lord had revealed to him for this past Tuesday’s message. I thought I would share some of what we talked about. Do you think it’s funny how the Lord puts people in your life to challenge you and cause you to think outside of your little box. Well, this was one of those times. The Lord is speaking some great things to Preston and I’m happy to be included on the other end.

Here are some of the cliff notes from our convo:

The title of the nights message was “Daddy’s Money.” We were talking about how the Lord provides for us, but how most of us take ownership of what we have in a way that doesn’t indicate it is His. Here is the best way to envision this, imagine pulling up to the gas station and seeing some young high school kid pull up driving a ‘07′Saab 9-3 turbo. He gets out… struts around the car… making sure everyone sees him. You know what I mean. And you usually think to yourself… that’s not your car, that’s your daddy’s car. Yeah, it looks ridiculous. But that’s how most of us steward our things. We act as if it is actually ours. Here’s a news flash, it’s not… it’s the Lords… He gave it to you and He can take it back. Stop stewarding it like it’s yours.

God’s provision is perfect. He somehow knows exactly what you are ready for. Here are a few thoughts about Provision:

-Provision is a pleasure to provide.

-Provision is not always monetary… but is always relational.

God is a provider who exceeds our needs. If you get a chance read Genesis 2:18. Did Adam say it wasn’t good for him to be alone… or did Adam ask God for a wife? No… God knew and He wanted to provide. Here’s Adam walking through the Garden of Eden, he’s just been given authority over all that walks on the earth, oh and he meets personally with God everyday, and God says, “I want to give you more.” God wants to exceed your needs, but you have to start seeing your stuff as His.

Luke 12:32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Yeah…yeah… come on Jesus. Chew on that for a while!!!

Amazing Grace

I watched the movie “Amazing Grace” last night. If you haven’t heard anything about it, it is the story of William Wilberforce and his dedication to end the slave trade during the 18th century. It was very inspiring. He carried a burden for what God created him to do… I mean he was truly passionate about it, and he didn’t care what anyone else thought. Do you take the same approach? With what God has called you to do, would you go at it alone… just you and God?. William Wilberforce almost drove himself mad for what he believed was a better way. Here are some of the thoughts and emotions that ran through my mind during this film.

- the quote: “It is a sad fate to die well known to everyone else, yet still unknown to yourself.” Francis Bacon. / My advise, chew on it for a while and see what the Lord says about it.

- the part where Williams butler (Pitt) asks, “Did you find God sir?” and William responds, “No, God found me.”/ God is passionately pursuing us. I once was lost, but now I am found. God is not this person who is needing to be found. It is not a treasure hunt. God found you and I. Now, He just waits for us to notice. Do you notice, and do you rejoice in the fact that you were found?

- “I am a great sinner, and God is a great savior.” / Even on my best day I still fall short. But, by God’s grace I am lifted up. All of us need a good dose of this. We put ourselves in a dangerous position when we don’t see it this way.

I will end it with this: All men are created equal.

and the winner for…

the 1,000 times visited award is…. thelemonstand!!!

Yes sir, this is a big milestone for me. My blog has just reached the 1,000 times visited mark. My first response was… really, there are that many people who actually read my blog. Unbelievable. No, but seriously if you read my blog thanks for the support. I hope you are getting something out of it. Hopefully, it challenges you in some way.

Thanks and God bless!!!