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My pastor spoke yesterday on the perils of porn. He talked about how our minds will eventually lack understanding and our hearts will become calloused by continual involvement. Our perception of reality will eventually be altered by continually viewing porn. He was not advocating “occasional” use of porn, but making a point that we must be diligent to put “filters” and “safeguards” in place to help us as followers of Christ exist in the world we live in each day. Soft porn is around us each day as we move about the workplace, grocery stores, television,  and the web. Each of the little steps we take toward the “soft” could lead toward more extreme and overt porn outlets. 

We were encouraged and challenged to make a covenant with our eyes (Job 31) and set up an accountability system with our spouse or someone of the same sex who can ask us hard questions about what we view and think about.

What are the “safeguards” you have in place to protect you and your family? Do you think you need to protect yourself and your family? Ladies, give some examples of how ”other” ladies struggle in this area, realizing that women are emotional and not visual.

No one will assume that anyone struggles with these issues because you weigh in on the topic. Though I can honestly say if I didn’t set up safeguards I would be in trouble. 

Why do you think God put you on the Earth? Besides to bring glory to Him, what specifically do you think God has given you to do? Some people might call it their purpose, some might say their calling, others might say it is the thing they were created to do in life. What do you think God has planned for you?

Amy has been gone for the past few days on a staff retreat with the school. She needs the time away to refresh and refocus with the team of people she works with each day. It is also a good time for her to be away from the kids and me. She needs to be able to have fun and laugh without having us around. With all that being said, I sure do miss her not being with us. I feel like I am really missing a part of me when she is not here.

I went last night with Pat to talk with a lady who is dying and her family. She has cancer and the doctors have given her around three to six weeks to live. Pat and I first met with her about six months ago at her home to talk about life, family and he relationship with Christ. She is a follower of Christ and confident in her walk. Her husband is Jewish and is really interested in Jesus and church. He is not ready to submit his life to Christ though. This lady has a six year old boy and a fifteen year old daughter. We received a call to come to her home and talk with the family since she is in the last weeks of her life. She wanted to make sure that Pat or I would handle her funeral and she wanted us to talk with her daughter. The young lady wanted to talk about submitting her life to Christ. Her mom’s faith and the impending death had caused her to want what her mom has, a secure peace. Pat spent an hour explaining how man had a broken relationship with God and how Jesus sacrificed his life to repair the breach and bring Glory to the God through His death.

While Pat talked with the young lady I spent the next hour playing “Transformers” and “Power Rangers” with the six year old boy. At one point between transforming the toy warrior and the flying Superman the little boy looked at me and said, “My mom is going to die.” The very next sentence, just as innocent, “I once had a dog to die.” At that moment I thought I would lose it. This little boy would be without his mom in a few weeks. He didn’t yet realize that his mom was about to go through a wonderful transformation. He knew she would be with Jesus, but as with every six year old, he didn’t fully comprehend what that means. Then I thought, as a adult I don’t fully understand this truth.

The fifteen year old daughter prayed to follow Christ last evening. The father thought it all interesting, but did not want to go any further. We all cried and prayed together. It was very emotional for me. The lady finished our time together by saying she would miss her family dearly, especially her children, but she was ready to go home. She said “I am so tired of fighting, I want to go home.” With that statement we prayed and we left. I went through multiple Kleenex’s and had a stopped up head from crying, but felt a real blessing from the Lord for being allowed to see one receive eternal life as one was about to depart into eternal life.

As I left I thought about the father/husband being alone in a few weeks with two kids and an empty house with no wife. I told Pat I was going home to a home with three kids and no wife. Amy is away, and I want her home today. God, I pray that you will seize this mans heart and life.

Amy has been gone for the past few days on a staff retreat with the school. She needs the time away to refresh and refocus with the team of people she works with each day. It is also a good time for her to be away from the kids and me. She needs to be able to have fun and laugh without having us around. With all that being said, I sure do miss her not being with us. I feel like I am really missing a part of me when she is not here.

I went last night with Pat to talk with a lady who is dying and her family. She has cancer and the doctors have given her around three to six weeks to live. Pat and I first met with her about six months ago at her home to talk about life, family and he relationship with Christ. She is a follower of Christ and confident in her walk. Her husband is Jewish and is really interested in Jesus and church. He is not ready to submit his life to Christ though. This lady has a six year old boy and a fifteen year old daughter. We received a call to come to her home and talk with the family since she is in the last weeks of her life. She wanted to make sure that Pat or I would handle her funeral and she wanted us to talk with her daughter. The young lady wanted to talk about submitting her life to Christ. Her mom’s faith and the impending death had caused her to want what her mom has, a secure peace. Pat spent an hour explaining how man had a broken relationship with God and how Jesus sacrificed his life to repair the breach and bring Glory to the God through His death.

While Pat talked with the young lady I spent the next hour playing “Transformers” and “Power Rangers” with the six year old boy. At one point between transforming the toy warrior and the flying Superman the little boy looked at me and said, “My mom is going to die.” The very next sentence, just as innocent, “I once had a dog to die.” At that moment I thought I would lose it. This little boy would be without his mom in a few weeks. He didn’t yet realize that his mom was about to go through a wonderful transformation. He knew she would be with Jesus, but as with every six year old, he didn’t fully comprehend what that means. Then I thought, as a adult I don’t fully understand this truth.

The fifteen year old daughter prayed to follow Christ last evening. The father thought it all interesting, but did not want to go any further. We all cried and prayed together. It was very emotional for me. The lady finished our time together by saying she would miss her family dearly, especially her children, but she was ready to go home. She said “I am so tired of fighting, I want to go home.” With that statement we prayed and we left. I went through multiple Kleenex’s and had a stopped up head from crying, but felt a real blessing from the Lord for being allowed to see one receive eternal life as one was about to depart into eternal life.
As I left I thought about the father/husband being alone in a few weeks with two kids and an empty house with no wife. I told Pat I was going home to a home with three kids and no wife. Amy is away, and I want her home today. God, I pray that you will seize this mans heart and life.

Well, I am sitting at Fido’s in Nashville having a great cup of coffee and trying ot catch up on a few things. Thought I would catch you up on a funny movie my family has been laughing at for the past few weeks. The movie stars Jack Black, it is called Nacho Libre. I have laughed my head off at the stupid humor. It is fron the creators of Napolean Dynamite. If you liked Napoleon, you should appreciate Nacho. There are some funny lines that we repeat around our house that are quickly becoming inside jokes for us. What have you been watching as far as movies go?

I have been reading a couple of different books lately. I am always interested in what people are reading, so let me know your book of choice. I am presently reading, The Starbucks Expereince by Jospeh Michelli.

You may be a magazine reader, tell me what magazine you enjoyI also am reading Relevant, a magazine about todays culture.

My daughter (12yrs.) is going to Sao Paulo, Brazil this summer on a mission trip. This will be here second trip to Brazil. She has fallen in love with the people, the country and missions in general. It has been fascinating to watch. I am so thankful that God has placed within her heart a desire to serve others.


We have explained that she must raise her support for this trip. The cost of the trip is around a $1000.00 (airfare, VISA, food, lodging, and supplies on the field). She accomplished this on her previous trip and we were so proud of her. This year she has chosen to design a T-Shirt to sell that will promote missions to Brazil. If you would like to support her endeavor and further the cause of missions in the Sao Paulo area you can purchase a shirt for $15.00, shipping is $5.00. Give me a call, email, or comment and we can get you one.

Whatever you do please pray for the favela people of Sao Paulo and for Jordan as she prepares for her trip this summer.

I have loaded some new photos. You can click on the link in the side bar and see them. I have a few from the staff Christmas Party and some of my sister’s girls. All the ones of the girls were taken by my daughter, she got a digital camera for Christmas. She has a great eye for shots. Hopefully I can add some more later.

Wow, it has been over a month. I read about a couple of folks who went on a “blog fast”, they quit posting for a month to relax and gather their thoughts. Well, I am going to claim that I have been on a “blog fast” also. I didn’t plan mine though, it just happened. The holidays were crazy and I was too tired or busy to post anything.
I am going to try and post something new a few times a week to keep up to date on life. Sorry for the long absence.

During this period of break I discovered a book that I have really enjoyed called, You On A Diet. The author is Dr. Oz, he is one of Oprah’s guru guys she has on her show quite often. It is very similar in info to The Maker’s Diet book and other healthy eating books. I have really enjoyed the biology and humor that is employed to keep my attention and teach me how my body works. I am doing pretty well at following the advice. Have you heard of this book? What do you think of the plan?