Interesting Quote

Just in terms of allocation of time resources, religion is not very efficient. There's a lot more I could be doing on a Sunday morning.
- Bill Gates


I thought this was a most interesting observation from a very successful well-known person. Hmmmm..... where do we go from here....?

Easter Easter Easter

I had a wonderful Easter! Family, Friends, and of course My Savior! It is such a privilege being able to set aside a day, weekend, week to focus in on the life, death, burial, and resurrection of a Prophet, Priest, and King. Life is so worth it knowing that there really was a Jesus, knowing that Jesus really did live here on Earth, knowing that he suffered and died, knowing that he was buried (a sealed tomb none the less), knowing that he was raised from the dead, knowing he didn't die again (still alive), and knowing he did it all for me.

I took a big gamble this year and decided not to hype all of the Easter hoo haa in my home with my children. Yes I did get them their candy and whatnot, but we didn't talk much about the Easter bunny and didn't focus much on the whole idea of the "Easter Festivities". I did however take more than one moment each day and talk to my kids (2,3, and 6 years old), to tell them what was gonna happen on Friday and then Sunday (Easter Sunday). I began to wonder if it really was sinking in, when Sunday afternoon on the way to 6pm service my two year old daughter Bekkah (did I mention she is only two) looked up in the sky and made a innocent comment, "hey dad look at the sun coming through the clouds, is that Jesus coming back?". I asked what she meant. She commented back with the agreement of the other two, "you said Jesus was coming back today."

HOLY HOLY HOLY HOLY HOLY! Are you kidding me, my two year old daughter muttered this, oh my GOD! (literally) How fantastic is that? Tell me Jesus still doesn't make a difference! Did I mention Bekkah is only two, tell me Jesus doesn't make a difference! He is ALIVE! He is Moving! He is still......

A Daughters Reminder

Last night my beautiful daughter, Halie, who I might add is only 6 years old gave me a glimse into a child's amazing source of wisdom. After we said prayers for bed, which we do every night, she grabbed me around my neck and said, "daddy, I just love Jesus so much!" There was no explaination for this comment, but a there was a gleam in her eye and a since of total satisfaction in her voice. I am so humbled at how a child can remind you of how simple living the Christian life can be.

I spent the day in deep thought of her comment before bed. A few interesting arguements ran through my head: first, a child mimicks those around them; second, a child says things to please their parents. I must say I don't believe either one of these "Well researched" arguements. I have noticed something as I have worked with children and youth over the years that I find very interesting, when they believe in something you can really see that conviction in the way they live life. Take my daughter for instance; Halie loves to pray, I don't have to ask she just takes any opportunity to do it and really enjoys talking to God. Halie is hungry to hear, learn, and tell the words of God any chance she gets. She has a sincre desire to serve others whenever she can. Halie loves to live out what she learns from Christians.

I think my thoughts can be summed up simply reminding you of what my daughter said, "I just love Jesus so much!" What if we "just loved Jesus so much!"

"Once"

I borrowed a movie from Will called "Once", and finally had the chance to watch it.

I really want to encourage you to check this show out, something just amazing about a love story that doesn't quite end as you are expecting it to. I was watching this movie and was completely blown away at the modern day aspect to a musical, but the way the love between two individuals unfolds between them and how it finally turns out. I think this movie gives a since of Hope for the future to certian life circumstances that I have experienced.

Good movie worth watching!

A Lousiana Prayer

Today I traveled to Baton Rouge, LA and the weather was amazing outside. I am not speaking of good weather, but the most amazing rain storm I have ever experienced. The moment I left San Antonio it started to pour and it rain all the way until the prayer. I was driving through the thickest rain I have ever seen, and seeing the rain created a non-seeing road. There most more times than I could count that visibilty was about 30 yards. I saw several cars slide into the ditches surounding the interstate. At one point I saw a SUV slide right into the byou below, it was scarey and unbelievable at the same time. As I was driving through some of the heaviest rain I saw a large tow truck pulling out an SUV from the swampy byou below. Not only was the two truck pulling out the SUV, but the search and rescue team was treading around in the water looking for something. I pray that the people were ok. At that point I felt it was a good time to call some prayer warriors (Trevor and Will). I called and talked to Trevor for a few minutes and asked him to pray for safe travel, and once I got ahold of Will I asked him not only for prayer for my travel but for the people driving through the storm too. Will prayed on the phone and when we hung up, no joke, the rain stopped. The RAIN STOPPED! I was like Yahooo for Jesus! The most rain I saw from that point forward was a drizzle. God is a that is to be praised and adored for His mercies endure forever!
God bless you Trevor and Will! Thanks for the prayers and even though the other travelers might not realize it, they thank you too!

Hmmmm.....

Tonight was one of those nights...

I had a swell time hanging out with friends, doing church, playing guitar during worship, and having an interesting time with some police officers. My brother and I were out in the church parking lot chatting and a cop pulled up (spotlighted us) and asked for our licenses and ran our names. He was almost condeming us with his questions like, "do I need to know anything before I run your names", and then after running our names asking again, "are you sure there isn't anything you need to tell me?" I appreciate the safety that was desplayed but did it really have to go down liek this. It was most uncomfortable when another cop came in and there was some quiet chatting going on between them and the way it seemed as if we were guilty of something we didn't even know about. I appreciate our police officers and have a deep respect for the work they do and how their lives are really on the line each day, but there has to be another way to gain that respect from innocent and avereage citizens just being innocent.

Where does your passion lie?

Over the past 9 months I have been acking for something and it has been eating me alive. After my wife left me I resigned from the church where I was serving. I did this against counsel from my accountability partners, leadership, and friends blessing. It was a difficult move, but I listened to some wise counsel from family and some friends. I needed time to heal and I needed to be restored to the man God wanted and wants me to be. I have been acking to get back into the ministry full-time and serve in that capacity once again. I know and understand that each and everyone of us has a ministry (full-time) even if you work outside of the church walls, but I remember when God first placed this idea in my mind. Since my sophmore year of high school I have been developing this idea of full-time ministry into a passion that is firey and it burns deep within me. I must say I am scared and I know it will be tough, but I am so ready again. I have learned so much about life and I am even more so passioniate about sharing the love of God and using the talents that God has granted me in a capacity of full-time ministry. I ask for your prayers that this time will come quick and that I will be ready.