Its hard to believe 2005 is gone...the older I get, the faster time flies. So much happened this year, around the world, close to home, in me- Its been a whirlwind.
Now as I look to 2006, I feel like there is a whole new world of possibilities & pitfalls in the new year. Many folks make resolutions, then never keep them. I don't know what 2006 holds for me, my family, my friends, and the ministry I'm called to, but I know God is already there. I just want to be true to Him, true to those I love, and true to whatever He calls me to. Life is an adventure to be lived, not a burden to be endured. So with some trepidation, but more hope, I choose to step into 2006 holding the hand of the One who holds me. A good place to be....
Happy New Year!
Rob

With all the holiday rush and clamor, I just want to stop and say-
Happy Birthday, Lord Jesus, we remember, celebrate & worship You.
Merry Christmas to all-
Rob

This morning I spent some time reading a Christmas story called, "The Other Wise Man." I've read it before, but it had been several years. Its an amazing fictional story about another Magi who was left behind by the main group of Matthew 2. He spends the rest of his days trying to find "the King", yet using up all his gifts for the Messiah to do good for the needy he meets along the way. After 33+ years, the other wise man arrives in Jerusalem, and....Well, find the story and read it for yourself this Christmas! It was written by Henry Van Dyke, and is a beautiful story of what true devotion to Christ is- love for Him that shows itself in love for those who need Him. Christmas- God gave us His Son, Jesus gave us His life, and we must give of ourselves for those we can help.
"...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for Me." Matthew 25: 34-40
Merry Christmas!
Rob

I really love Christmas, at least when all the insanity of shopping, traffic, eating, crowds, etc. dies down, and you can actually enjoy the time. I heard a story recently about a frazzled mom out trying to finish her Christmas list, in all the stores, fighting the crowds, with two demanding kids in tow. Upon pushing into a crowded elevator at a dept. store, she blurted out, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be arrested, hung, then shot!" From the back of the elevator a quiet voice replied, "Don't worry, we've already crucified Him." You could have heard a pin drop the rest of the ride.
Don't forget this year to keep the One who started "this whole Christmas thing" in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all would, just think how much better this world would be. I certainly want to make room for Him. Just a thought-
"But in your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord..." 1 Peter 3:15
Rob

Tonight I had the privilege of taking my family and some friends to see an early showing of the "Narnia" movie, and it was fantastic! Everything I hoped it would be. It closely follows not only the storyline of the C.S. Lewis classic, but his spirit of Christian allegory in it, as well. Disney and Walden should be commended for such a faithful movie version of the book. So much Biblical symbolism throughout, it vividly pictures the Jesus story of redemption- but I won't steal the thunder for anyone by giving details! All I can say is, GO SEE IT! No one who ever loved the book will be disappointed. I certainly wasn't, and plan to see it again.
"Aslan is on the move..."
Rob

It's hard to believe December is already here. Time seems to just fly by the older I get. I always love December, though- its like a celebration the whole month. Its also a time I struggle to keep the true meaning of Christmas at the forefront in my life, my family, even in my work. It seems every year there is more to take away from the truth- more stuff to buy, more commercializing, more crowds, and sadly, more who want to erase the season's real meaning. There are more and more efforts to be "culturally sensitive" and call the time, "Winter Holiday"; to say "Seasons Greetings" and "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas". Yet no one would consider renaming Hannakuh or Kwanza or Islamic holy days. It seems the only ones certain people don't mind offending are Christians and those who love Christmas, a Christian-based holiday.
Well, whatever the world does this time of year, whatever noise, lights and busyness tries to crowd out the real Christmas, as for me and my family, we'll remember and celebrate - The God who loved this world He created so much, that He took on human form and entered human history Himself in the form of helpless baby, born to a teenage mother, in an unsanitary barn, in a desert outpost of the Roman Empire. That baby was Jesus the Messiah, who radically changed the world forever. We'll keep Christmas, and worship "the new-born King."
"For to us a child has been born; to us a son has been given. The government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
Rob

As I think back over this Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for so many things.
We were in Peachtree City with Lisa's family on Thursday, spending the day eating, catching up with family we don't see enough, and watching the Falcons beat the turkey stuffing out of Detroit. The older I get, the more I love and appreciate my in-laws. They are a wonderful family, and have always loved me like a son. Funny sounding statement, I know- I really love my wife's family!
The girls and I went to my parent's lake house on Friday, although Lisa had to work. We had several firsts- Thanksgiving dinner at the lake, without Lisa, without my brother Rick and his family, and with my brother Mark, and his potential family (his serious girlfriend and her kids). Any time I spend with my mother & father really refreshes me, and (this is another "older I get" thing) Mark and I enjoy each other's company more as the years go by.
Saturday we went to the Ga Dome to watch Dacula play in the state semi-finals. Although the game was a let down at the end, spending the evening with Lisa & the girls like that was fun and rewarding. Life gets so busy, it seems we often see each other in passing, and can become strangers in our own home. Any time spent together is time well spent. My family is most precious to me.
Today in RockiTown (our kids church), we spent one more Sunday on Thanksgiving, asking kids, "What one thing happened over Thanksgiving that reminded you of the goodness of God?" We got all kinds of responses, all kinds of ways God quietly spoke to kids about Himself. Kids are so insightful- They inspire me to keep the faith and wonder of a child, and to keep seeing the hand of God in the great and small.
As we enter the Christmas season, may you keep a thankful heart, especially for God's greatest act of love, the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Blessings,
Rob

Today I got something in the mail that really troubled me. It wasn't anything dirty or mean, but it bothered me nonetheless. It was a Christian merchanise catalogue, with all kinds of Christian trinkets you could order. There were Christian wallets, Christian tools, Christian watches, Christian toys (a "Faith Works" play tool set for boys, a "Praise Ponies" play set for girls), and get this- a "Faith Chips" poker chips set! I'm serious- "Real 11.5 Gram Poker Chips", the brochure proudly proclaims, with sayings on them like, "Don't Gamble With Eternity", "Take the Sure Bet- Jesus", "Jesus Knows How To Hold'em", etc. Now, I have no problem with wearing your faith on t-shirts, wristbands, bumper stickers, etc., but I am beginning to feel like something is wrong in our American version of Christianity. Since when did faith in Jesus become big business? When did we become our own little sub-culture, with our own toys, tools, and trinkets? Are we trying to isolate and insulate ourselves so much from the world that we need to come up with our own version of worldly things? Do we think our clever slogans and cute merchandise will keep us unstained by the world, or will help us be a witness to the world? Sure, God says in the Bible that we are to be a "peculiar people," but He means in our clean living, our love for God and each other, and our compassion for those in the world around us. No wonder the world often looks at us as strange and out of touch. We say and do some weird things sometimes, that may not always represent Christ very well.
I just want to be a guy who loves my Father, lives to bring Him honor, and points others to Him with my life and my words. The merchandizers can keep their silly gimmicks. I'll keep a pure walk with Jesus as my focus.
"And my God will supply all of your needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
Rob

Amazing how we seem to keep falling back into the same old sins, over and over again- same old bad attitudes, actions, thoughts, patterns. My spirit longs to follow God, yet my sin nature wants to follow its own ways. But I know the sins that keep tripping me up are not my true self- not my real heart. Even with all of the evil in the world, and the evil within, screaming for my attention & affection, there is a deeper voice- whispering, drawing me to the One who created me and called me. Every day, that is the voice I must hear & heed, for that voice leads to Christ, leads to life.
"Those who look upon Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:5

I often jog at night, weather permitting, and last night was beautiful! Nearly full moon, slight breeze, pleasantly cool, perfect for a night run. My dogs ran with me, and it was a refreshing time. As I finished, and walked some, I was amazed how bright the moon was. And I thought about how our lives are like the moon- the more direct exposure we have to our Light, Jesus Christ, the brighter we reflect His life and love to the world. What if followers of Jesus really reflected Him daily in their lives? Maybe we wouldn't be so judgemental of those who need Him, and maybe they would want to know Him as we do. Just thinking...
"Let your light so shine before men (and women!), that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven"- Jesus, in Matthew 5:16

Hey, first time out on a blog! Been thinking about creating one that kids in my ministry, as well as friends, family and coworkers, could connect with me on, and finally did it. I guess an old dog CAN learn new tricks!
I'm sitting here waiting on my daughter to finish basketball practice, thinking about how small the web makes the world- you can connect with anyone in the world, and have conversation, connection. I'm looking forward to learning more about blogging- this new way of communicating.
God bless, and more to come!
Rob