I'm sitting here reflecting on this wonderful, memorable Christmas we just enjoyed. Its been a holiday I'll not soon forget. I enjoy the whole Christmas season, which for me begins on December 1, and runs until New Years day. And its been quite a month- unseasonably cold for the deep South, lots of sickness going around, and I've been sick about half the month myself! In fact, I was pretty miserable in the two weeks leading up to Christmas Eve, with flu, sinus infection, and bronchitis symptoms all rolled together. Yuck. Then after a fever-filled night, I began to mend by the Eve, finally. It all left me pretty exhausted, in an already hectic, exhausting season.
Driving to the church early to help get ready for the Christmas Eve service, I was about to ask God, "I really need something to get me back in the Christmas spirit, Father," when He stopped my thoughts mid-sentence, speaking into my heart, "Its not about you, and working up some feeling. Its about My Son, and your worship of Him. Just choose to worship." I smiled, and I did, all the way there. I sang Christmas carols while driving, specifically "Come & worship, come & worship, worship Christ the newborn King" among others. And I worshipped all through the service, focusing on Christ, not looking for a feeling for me. But the feelings came anyway, in the form of a deep, satisfying joy.
This joy has sustained me all through the wonderful weekend! We joined up with some old friends out in Athens for a midnight candlelight service at their church, then home for Christmas with just the four of us. Christmas morning brought gift-unwrapping, Christmas music, smiles, laughter, and packing up for the trip to Christmas with Lisa's side of the family.
While down in Fayette with the Brown family, something happened that has not occurred in Georgia in about 119 years- snow on Christmas Day! It snowed all afternoon, on into the night, leaving 1-2 inches of white on everything. It was the most amazing sight for Christmas we had ever seen. Finally, all the "Winter Wonderland", "White Christmas" and other songs, we could sing down here in the heart of Georgia! Even today, there is still snow everywhere, 2 days after Christmas.
There's been a fair amount of adversity this Christmas, with my illness, then Ansley was sick, then we had issues with some gifts that didn't work right, a ticket while driving to Athens, to name a few. But really, these didn't affect the joy of Christmas, for me or my family members. We had plenty to laugh about, to enjoy, to worship and be thankful for. In the midst of the chaos and rush of the season, the heart of Christmas remains-
"God, who knows no before or after, entered time and space. God, who knows no boundaries, took on the shocking confines of a baby's skin, the ominous restraints of mortality... Little wonder a choir of angels broke out in spontaneous song, disturbing not only a few shepherds but the entire universe." -Philip Yancey, "The God I Never Knew", p.45.
God bless Christmas.

I recently found an old Dr. James Dobson book on our shelves that I had never read, so I decided to open it. It is a collection of stories from Dobson's life, or folks he has known over the years. I found one in particular that gripped my heart, and have been sharing it since at every opportunity.
Dr. Dobson recounts how much his father was always a dog-lover, and enjoyed a special friendship with a toy terrier named Penny for 17 years. When Penny's health failed and they had to put him down, Dobson Sr. grieved for nine years, refusing to replace his little companion. Finally, he opened his heart to the possibility of another little toy terrier, but for months had no luck in finding one. Finally, answering an ad in the paper, Dobson Sr. and his wife drove across town to see the pup at a pet store. With a strict set of parameters in mind (pedigree papers, good temperament, six weeks old, all shots, etc.), they instead found the pup to be nine months old, no papers, in poor health, malnourished, and traumatized in a filthy, over-crowded kennel. Astonished that anyone would offer an animal in this condition, Dobson Sr. tells of the encounter with the pitiful little pup-
"He followed me about the room, meekly, his tiny tail clamped tightly down, a picture of dejection...He seemed to be saying, 'You look like a nice man, but I know you will be like all the rest.'..he put out his warm pink tongue and licked my hand, as if to say, 'Thanks anyway, for coming to see me.' They drove off, but suddenly turned around, not able to leave that little pup in there. Bringing the pitiful animal home, the Dobsons bathed him, got him all the proper medical attention, and put him on a healthy diet coupled with heaping helpings of TLC. Benji, has they named him, became a wonderful little addition to the family. As Dobson Sr. writes- 'He thinks I am God Almighty when he comes to meet me in the morning, twisting and wiggling like he will tear himself in two. It is as though he will never allow himself to forget his private hell in the pet shop!'
I found this story to be a beautiful picture of why God Himself came into this world over 2000 years ago. I found this Bible verse, that really relates well to the above story-
"When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that He might redeem those under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." Galatians 4:4
The word "redeem" meant to "buy out of the market", specifically a slave market or an animal market. And everyone knows what "adoption" means. Together, these words tell us that God came for us, "entered the door" of this world, bought us with the precious blood of His Son Jesus, and adopted us as His very own. Dobson Sr. is a picture of God in the above story, except of course God came for us, fully knowing our condition, and in compassion reached out to us. We are "Benji" in the story, except of course that we have a choice- we can gladly receive our adoption as Benji did his, or we can say, "No thanks, I like it here in the 'pet shop.'"
This Christmas, every time I see a Nativity, I want to remember Benji's adoption, and rejoice in my own. And may my response to my Master be the same as Benji's response to his master- brash, unhindered, whole-hearted worship.

A couple of years ago, I wrote about an old high school friend who serves as a missionary/church planter/orphanage director in the North Mexico city of Matamoros. We reconnected on Facebook, and have been corresponding ever since. Tony and his family have been there for a number of years, laboring under difficult circumstances to reach people for Christ and improve the lives of the people in that city. They have sacrificed so much in the name of the Gospel, and they count it all joy.
Back in high school, Tony's nickname was "Mumbley" by his friends. He was shy and quiet, didn't talk much, but when he did, he had this deep, low voice and southern drawl. And he always has a smile on his face. Hard not to like him. I never would have pictured Tony as a preacher/teacher, and a missionary in a foreign land.
But Tony is my hero.
Over the past 4 years, around 30,000 people have died in Mexico in the drug wars between the cartels, the Mexican police & military, and innocent civilians. It truly is a war zone down there, along the border between the U.S. and Mexico. Whether you are for or against amnesty for illegal immigrants here in the U.S., it hard for us to imagine the hellish nightmare and fear people live under down there every day. Little wonder so many want to flee across the border.
Tony lives and serves right in the middle of all this in Matamoros. He sees not only poverty, disease, and despair daily, but he also witnesses the crime, the death, the destruction of the drug war. Mexico is a country suffering a slow, painful death, and Tony is right there, reaching out to those in need, touching one heart at a time with the love of Christ. He sometimes sends out messages to us back here in the States, simply asking, "pray for peace in Mexico" and "pray hearts will turn to Christ, the only hope for Mexico."
Sometimes when I reflect on the fears we face back home here, I think of the uncertain economy, rising prices, rising taxes, job loss, healthcare issues, and so on. All very real concerns, no doubt. Then I'll get a message from Tony, and I'm reminded of how he, his family, and those they minister among fear for their lives, daily. Sobering thought.
And so I pray for my friend, serving Christ by serving "the least of these", in a war-torn border town called Matamoros. May God protect him, provide for him, multiply his work, and richly reward him one day.

I don’t watch it very often, and the few times I do, I really have to be in the right mood. I hate what it does to me. I’m talking about the TV show, “Extreme Home Makeover” with Ty Pennington. If I sit through an entire episode, I know what will happen at the end- in the show, and to me. After watching their heart-gripping story, the featured family is bused back from an all-expense paid vacation, during which their house was being remodeled or completely rebuilt. With Ty and his crew present, and surrounded by the entire local community, Ty shouts to the bus driver, “Move that bus!!” The family gasps, screams, cries, falls to their knees in utter amazement, joy, and thankfulness.
And I am undone.
I always choke up, my chin quivers, and I get teary-eyed. That moment grips my heart, every time, especially when I see the children’s reactions. Their wonder is priceless. I love that show, I hate to admit…
I think the reason each episode grips me so much is because each family has a unique story, told at the beginning of the show. Some are single parents, some out of work, some living at or below the poverty line, most barely getting by. Yet they always are doing the best they can, where they are, with what they have. And they often are very giving and selfless, from what little they do have! Then suddenly, their homes are transformed, and so are their lives, beyond their wildest dreams. It’s beautiful.
I am reminded of Jesus’ poignant promise in John 14:2-3, when He states, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you…” As Ty and his team work hard to prepare a new home for each family, our Lord is hard at work preparing a beautiful new home for each of us who have believed in and loved Him. As we live out our own stories in this at times difficult life, He gives the hope and promise of a much better life to come, filled with wonder, splendor, beauty, discovery, adventure, intimacy, joy- beyond all of our wildest dreams. And I’m sure our reactions will exceed even those on “Extreme Home Makeover”.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has in store for those who love Him.” -1 Corinthians 2:9
I think we often have misconceptions of what Heaven will be like. We often think of it as a place of clouds, white robes, harps, choirs singing, etc. And when you read Scripture, there certainly will be all of those- especially at the beginning, like a universal Olympic opening and closing ceremony before the Throne of God. It will be colossal, magnificent. But that’s only the beginning. Everything we have ever been amazed by, awe-struck over, and dearly loved in this life, will be magnified and multiplied a million times over in eternity.
Life however is full of hardships as well as these joys. I know friends who have lost their jobs, families who lost their homes, had children who ran astray from the faith, had to hospitalize or bury loved ones. Marriages have fallen apart, lives have crumbled. We all have experienced these, will sometime in the future, or know some who has. And yet as Christ-followers, we have promises like this from our Heavenly Father- “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” -Romans 8:18
Those who have gone before us can’t wait to see our faces, watch our reactions, when we get there ourselves. Talk about the ultimate “Extreme Home Makeover”! It makes me want to bring along as many as I can, share this Good News with as many as God brings across my path.

I was captivated by the dramatic rescue of the 33 Chilean miners, who had been trapped 1/2 mile below the surface in a collapsed mine. History unfolded before our eyes, moment by moment, on the TV screen. Amazing- these men had been trapped for 69 days, and every one of them survived. For the first 2 weeks, no one was even sure if they were alive, having no contact with the outside world. When communication was established, they were found alive, organized to survive, and in good cheer. Companies, governments, and individuals from around the globe rallied to aid Chile in reaching and recovering their men.
With the 1/2 mile shaft drilled, and the specially designed capsule in place to bring them up one by one, I was enthralled with the anticipation, the excitement, and the unbridled joy as cameras below and above captured each man's return to the surface. Upon stepping out, each man was greeted with cheers, chants, song, clapping, hugs, and kisses. It was glorious. Many dropped to their knees and prayed, holding Bibles, giving thanks to God before anything or anyone else. It never got old, watching each man's rescue and the joyous response from everyone.
What struck me as I watched was how similar the whole scene was to what is found in Scripture. First of all, the joy people expressed is a picture of the joy in Heaven when "one sinner repents" and comes to Christ (Luke 15:7). All of Heaven cheers and celebrates when a soul is saved, and brought into family of God. Amazing. Second, in the same way that those above could watch the men below via cameras that had been sent down, the Bible teaches that we are "surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses" in Heaven (Hebrews 12:1). They are cheering us on, from the halls of Heaven! That can either bring an "Amen!" or "Oh me...", depending on how one is living. Third, The rescue images speak to me of what awaits Christ followers when we leave the confines of this earth, "ascend the shaft" to our real home, Heaven, and breathe the free air of eternity. The sheer joy and exhilaration of the miner's rescue is a little hint, a picture of the grand celebration that awaits us when we each arrive home ourselves. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has in store for His children (1 Corinthians 2:9). The hugs, the kisses, the cheers and chants, the singing and celebrating, will be unlike anything we've ever known or seen. And we will party for all eternity, with the Creator, Lover, and Rescuer of our souls.
I am filled with anticipation. May my life cause celebration in Heaven- for others I point to Christ, and when I arrive home myself one day. Amen.

Saturday morning, Sept. 18, my friend Mike Hinton & I rode out on what we called, "Rob & Mike's Excellent Adventure"- a motorcycle road trip out west and back. We planned to get as far as Arizona, possibly see Sedona, Grand Canyon, and Winslow, as well as visit the Big Texan Steak Ranch and the famed Cadillac Ranch, both in Amarillo, Texas. Other than those places, we would travel and see what we could find. The journey was what would be important to us, not just the destinations.
So we set out first north out of Georgia into Tennessee, travelling up through Chattanooga and Nashville, over to Memphis, then out to Arkansas by day 1. We then crossed Arkansas through Little Rock, and rode on into Oklahoma, getting past Oklahoma City by the end of day 2. We awoke on day 3 to discover we were in the rolling prairies of what had once been buffalo and Indian nation country, and were following the original Route 66! Crossing Oklahoma into north Texas was both a thrill and terrifying- the country on both sides was breathtaking as far as the eye could see, but the driving winds made riding a white-knuckles experience. We found old Route 66 towns all along the way, such as Weatherford, where we saw our first "Route 66" sign, Elk City, home to the National Route 66 Museum, and McLean, a town all but dead, but with a Phillips 66 original gas station and a 10 Commandments monument. Each town along the route had its own flavor and tales to add to the Route 66 legacy. We arrived in Amarillo, and spent a day discovering other gems- Palo Duro Canyon, 2nd largest canyon in America, and rode through it on our bikes; a steak dinner at the famed Big Texan (not the 72oz challenge!); the quirky Cadillac Ranch, where we painted our names along with the countless others; and the Route 66 Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Tx, which had closed but reopened for us and 4 other travelers. That place was special. We met the owner and manager/cook, who served up their famous "Ugly Crust Pie", and met Rick from Toronto and Alan from England, both travelling across America by motorcycle and had just met each other in Amarillo, and a couple from Massachusetts, travelling by small camper van, heading to San Fransisco so their son could ride the dad across the San Fran Bridge by motorcycle! We stayed there for over an hour, enjoying rich conversation with all these wonderful people.
We traveled on into the canyonlands and mesa lands of New Mexico, tent camping in Tucumcari at a KOA. Beautiful place. Then disaster struck. My wallet was stolen, and we didn't discover it until we were past Tucumcari. We searched town, the KOA, the frontage road, finally finding it on the side of the KOA frontage road with my ID's intact, but all money and cards gone. After filling out a police report in town, we doubled back to Amarillo, fighting wind and rain all the way. Lisa wired some money to us, and we set out the next day southeast for Ft. Worth to my brother's house, passing through Wichita Falls and many quaint little Texas towns. We spent 2 nights with Rick, Robyn and the kids, due to heavy rains, enjoying their hospitality, then rode on to Gary, Tx, to Mike's sister's place. Their home is a remodelled train depot, and was really cool. After doing a live audio broadcast back to our children's church hours about our trip so far, we set out for Louisiana and Mississippi, riding all the way to Meridian.
Waking up to reports of heavy storms all along our planned route home, we decided to ride south for Mobile, Alabama, and on to Perdido Key, Florida. Lisa's sister had arranged for us to stay at her condo on the beach for a night, and we had a great time sitting in the sand and walking down the beaches. Who would have thought we would end up in Florida?? As Mike said, "We may have lost Arizona, but we gained Florida." From New Mexico to the Gulf of Mexico- not a bad diversion!
We rode for home the next day, riding up through Montgomery and over into Georgia, arriving home at nightfall. It had been a grand journey- 10 days, 10 states, 3300 miles, one "Excellent Adventure"! We missed some places we would like to have seen, but gained many more in their place. We were never "Standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona", but we definitely could say we "Get your kicks on Route 66" and so many other places.
I think even more memorable than the places we visited and the things we saw, were the people we met. There was the lady travelling from Florida to Utah, whom we had met at a gas station in Arkansas; the girl at Palo Duro Canyon, driving from Rhode Island to California by herself; Rick, Alan, and the Massachusetts couple at Midpoint Cafe, who I will never forget; Fred from Phoenix, travelling to Vermont in his SUV with 5 large dogs; the mom outside Clarendon, Tx, who offered to top off our gas tanks; the little old man at a gas station in Vernon, Tx, who said he would pray for us; our family members, who loved and cared for us on the journey; Julie on the beach in Perdido Key, her life broken in so many ways, but with a hope in Christ that shined in her eyes. Everywhere we went, we met people with unique stories, and who were interested in ours. We enriched each other's lives. From the hills of Tennessee and Arkansas, the rolling prairies of Oklahoma, the "fruited plains" of Panhandle Texas, to the mesa lands of New Mexico, and the Gulf coast of Alabama and Florida, we rode in wonder and worship. So it was an "Excellent Adventure" indeed, shared with a great friend, following the leading of our great Lord. To Him be all the thanksgiving and glory.

British physicist Stephen Hawking is getting all kinds of press the past couple of days for statements in his forthcoming book, "The Grand Design", asserting that no God created the world, its systems, or the universe. One article uses phrases such as "God did not create the universe, and the "Big Bang" was an inevitable consequence of the laws of physics" and "God no longer has any place in theories on the creation of the universe due to a series of developments." What developments, one might ask. The book apparently recounts "a series of theories that made a creator of the universe redundant." Hawking is quoted from the book as stating, "Because there is such a law as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist."

Think about his statements for a moment- even the wording and language he uses are contradictory. Let's start with a definition of the word, "theory." Simply put, a theory is someone's ideas and assumptions on something, based on their interpretation of existing evidence. The theory of evolution is a way to attempt to explain the universe apart from God. So, those are the "series of developments- "a series of theories", i.e. ideas, assumptions??

Next, Hawking calls upon the law of gravity to prove "spontaneous creation." Any law, to even come into being, has to be created by an outside source/force. Adding that the universe can and will create itself out of nothing- how ridiculous is that?? How could the universe create itself, if it didn't exist? Crazy reasoning here. Bottom line: nothing + nothing= nothing. Always has, always will. There is no way for nothing to create something, to create itself. That's lunatic science at its best...or should I say, worst.

Hawking again is quoted as saying, "that makes the coincidences of our planetary conditions- the single sun, the lucky combination of Earth-sun distance and solar mass, far less remarkable, and far less compelling that the Earth was carefully designed just to please us human beings." Note his use of "coincidences" and "lucky." Is that what he thinks created the infinite complexity of everything in the universe? Coincidence and luck?? Wow- how scientific of him. To me, it takes far more faith to believe that "gazillions" of accidents, "lucky breaks" and chance occurrences over billions and billions of years created all we see and know, than to simply accept, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth." (Genesis 1:1)

Like all evolutionary theory, that's all Hawking's not-so-humble and inaccurate opinion. He's saying nothing new, nothing any different than every other atheist-evolutionist has been trying to assert for years. Creationist Ken Ham has often said that we all look at the world and universe around us through the filter of our belief system. So true. If one believes, as Hawking does, that God does not exist, then they will interpret all the evidence they see through that lens. If however, one begins with God, or at least is open to the existence of and creation by God, then the evidence will clearly point to Him. Hawking sees all the infinite complexity of the universe and says, "random chance." I look at the same evidence and conclude, "Divine Design."

My old friend Billy Britt once said, "You'll find what you're looking for", meaning, if you don't want to find God, you won't, plain and simple. You'll come to whatever conclusions you want to come to. But if you do want to find Him, you indeed will. Even God has said, "If you seek Me you will find Me, if you seek Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)

Hawking and many others in science, education, news media, politics, and entertainment, all assert it is foolish to believe in God. But God says of them, "Only a fool says in his heart, 'there is no God.'" (Psalm 14:1)

Let God's Word be true, and every man a liar...

Yesterday I spent some time both at a NICU ward in a hospital, and a funeral home. A day of hellos and goodbyes. I first visited the neo-natal unit at Eastside Hospital to celebrate the birth of a friend's new son, born somewhat premature but doing well. The parents had stepped out, so I missed them, but was allowed to scrub up, robe up, and visit little Caden, barely 2 pounds. He was so tiny! His head fit in the palm of my hand, and his fingers were too small to wrap around one of my fingers. Yet he was getting larger and stronger by the day, hopefully going home in a couple of weeks, once he puts a little more size on. I gently covered him with my hands and prayed over him, for his health and growth, for his family, and for his salvation one day. It was a wonderful few moments with this tiny, new life.
By the end of the day, I rode over to a funeral home to pay my respects to another family friend, who lost her father over the weekend. Vicki and her husband Daryl told me her father, who had recently hit 79, had been a life-long follower of Christ, and had always been a godly example to his kids, his grand kids, his church, and everyone he had influence with over the years. What a rich legacy to leave behind! The place was packed- and had been all day, I understand. Daryl told me that he had woke up about 3am Sunday morning, checked his blood pressure, read a little in his rocker, then apparently slumped over and went home to Heaven. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15
So, one man's sunset is another man's dawn. I reflected on the day later that evening, swinging on the front porch as the sun fell beyond the treeline. Here I am in the middle- miles & years away from birth and youth, and hopefully miles and years away from my end here as well. And I was reminded of another Bible passage, for the road ahead- "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12
God bless the road, from cradle to grave.

As I sit here preparing for tomorrow's morning of children's Bible study classes and our children's worship services, I'm amazed at how quickly the summer flew by. Here we are, school starting back on Monday (began last week for Barrow County), and its barely August! I remember summers as a child/teen myself, when school would let out the first week of June, and wouldn't resume until after Labor Day in Sept. The summers feel so short, because they are so short!
Its been quite a summer too- VBC was huge in June, followed by day trips, "MythBusters" series in RockiTown, an unforgettable family vacation in the Bahamas, our annual 2-day 5th Grade Adventure Trip, then most recent, InFocus Middle School Camp up in North Carolina, where I brought about 30 of those graduated 5th, soon-to-be 6th graders in preparation for promoting them up & out of my ministry. Summer break is exciting, but its no "break" for us in children's ministry! And tomorrow, we say a final "goodbye" to the new 6th graders, and welcome the new kinders into our ministry. A bittersweet day, every year.
This summer is marking changes for our family as well. Kelsey graduated high school back the end of May, enrolled in Georgia Gwinnett College, and has been working her first job all summer. Her classes begin in a week or two. I no longer have a child in county schools. Both girls are college students. And Ansley has been accepted in transfer to UGA, moving out this week into an apartment with 3 other Hebron girls already living in Athens. The slow, steady march toward the "empty nest" is taking place.
Is it me, or do the days, weeks, months, and years seem to fly by faster, the older I get? It seems only yesterday the above events were still in the planning, anticipatory stages. In fact, it seems the past decade just flew by! The 2000's were a blur. A busy, productive decade, but a blur, nonetheless. The '90's now seem like another lifetime, when you realize Y2K was almost 11 years ago. Wow.
There are so many memories over the years of family, friends, ministry, that I wouldn't trade for anything. Even more, there are those I wish I could have stopped time in, lingered over, maybe even had the chance to have done a little better. But "time marches on", "time waits for no man", and so on. So I can either live in the past, relishing the victories and regretting the losses and shortfalls, or chalk them all up to experience, place my family, friends, and ministry in the capable hands of my Lord, Savior, and Father, and take hold of His hand myself, continuing to journey on with Him. I choose the road with my Heavenly Father.
A poem by Tolkien comes to mind-

The road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

Last week my family & I enjoyed a once-in-lifetime week in the Bahamas, at the amazing Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. This place is unlike anywhere I've ever been- all the buildings are designed to resemble what the "Lost Kingdom of Atlantis" might have looked like, at least in folklore. The place also boasts one of the largest array of aquariums in North America, definitely in the Caribbean. As you walk through the resort, you can pass through several aquariums, with overlooks, tunnels, tubes, etc. all passing through the giant tanks. There are over 50,000 fish between them all, with sharks, sting & manta rays, sawfish, barracuda, and countless others to be seen.

The resort also has a massive water park, AquaVentures, with the large Mayan Temple often seen on TV, which has slides passing through tubes in a giant shark tank. So many slides, tube rides, and "lazy rivers", one could spend every day just enjoying the water park.

What I enjoyed most were the times we actually spent in the ocean. The place is so vast, to get to one of their beaches, you need to be willing to walk for what seems like miles, or take a shuttle to one of the beachfront hotels then walk through to a beach. Can a resort be too big, when its difficult to find the beach??

We snorkeled several days offshore, and around some nearby shallow water reefs, and the abundance of underwater life was astounding! I never got tired of swimming around and just taking in all the amazing signs of life under the waves. I took a friend's underwater camera along, and took some great pictures above and below sea-level.

One of the highlights of the trip was a day we spent on Salt Cay, at a place called Blue Lagoon, where we spent several hours swimming with trained dolphins, observing sea lions, sea turtles, and snorkeling around in the bay chasing fish and catching crabs. I must say, swimming & playing with dolphins was an experience none of us will ever forget! These wonderful creatures are truly a tribute to the incredibly loving & creative God who designed & made them.

Another day, we took a bus ride to the southwest end of the island, and went out with Stuart Coves Excursions on a snorkeling trip. We dove on a coral reef, then a sunken airplane, and swam with sharks! The sharks were down about 30 ft below, but it was both thrilling and unnerving to be in the water with them. When some of them began to come to the surface, we all got out, and took lots of pics as the crew held a bait box near the surface to let us all get a good look at them. Large reef sharks, about 15 or so, all between 5-8 ft long. Unforgettable.

The trip was an experience my family (& my niece) will never forget. More than the incredible resort though, the beautiful islands, the incredible underwater life, and the wonderful people all made it most memorable for me. Our girls are getting older now, with Ansley 20 and moving out to UGA in August, and Kelsey beginning college herself next month as well. The memories we made together Lisa & I will cherish, and I hope the girls will too.

We just finished our annual Vacation Bible Camp yesterday, our version of the traditional VBS. We had a fantastic week in "Rescue 91:1", averaging 1820 in attendance, and saw over 70 kids make decisions to follow Christ. The event far exceeded our expectations. At the very least, the week can be summed up as nothing short of FUN!

Its crazy, I've been doing VBS events since 1991, when I first entered children's ministry, and even used to assist with them for years when I was a youth pastor. Over the years, I've become so used to pulling these off that I almost dread them, both because I've done so many, and also in the weeks leading up to them, because I get stressed over all the details to pull them together.

And yet, the morning we begin, and the campus is filled with the smiles and laughter of children and leaders, I remember why I love VBS/C. The enthusiasm, the joy, the activity, the many kids who come to know Christ. By Thursday, a parent asked me, "So, how are you doing so far?" to which I replied, "I'm tired, but man, I'm having fun!"

By the time we finished yesterday, and the clean-up was done, I just walked the campus, reflecting on the week. I was sad it was over. So much planning over so many months, so much preparation, so many people recruited, trained, and supplied- and suddenly in a few short days, it was over. But hopefully, in many kids' lives, this would spell the beginning- the beginning of a lifetime of loving and following Christ. That's why I keep doing it year after year. That's what motivates me.

Its been said of bikers, "the urge to ride can override reason." Well, that was true of me today.

My bike had been in the shop for almost 10 days, so when I got it back Saturday, I took the long way home. Sunday, after church, I had to meet Lisa & the girls down at the lake for Kelsey's and my niece Tori's family graduation party. They had left earlier in the morning, but I didn't get on the road until almost 1:30pm. I love the ride through the countryside to Lake Oconee, and despite the threat of thunderstorms, I went against sound judgement and took off on my bike.

I was in and out of rain within the first 10 miles. Stopping to get my rain gear on at a gas station, I rode on, storms all around me. The sky was dark, there were thunderheads that looked miles high, and sheets of rain split by lightning, on all sides it seemed. I was honestly a little unnerved, wishing I had taken 4 wheels instead of 2. As I rode, hoping to dodge as many bursts as possible, I was grumbling, complaining, bad words floating around in my head. As I got south of Bostwick, my bike began to sputter & skip, like water was affecting the ignition. I thought, "Oh great, I'll stall out in the middle of nowhere, with no cell service, and no shelter from the driving rain." But the bike kept chugging on, albeit in protest. South of Madison, I finally prayed, "God, why don't you stop the storms from hitting me for awhile??" To which I felt Him reply, "Why don't you learn to praise Me in the storms??" That struck like a lightning bolt to my soul. I rode on, contemplating what He spoke. As I thought about the situation I was in, with all this awesome, fearful wonder on display all around me, I felt very ungrateful, untrusting, and self-centered. The God who had given me life, given me new life, given me all I've ever needed for life, was telling me to enjoy Him, trust Him, praise Him in the storms. Its easy for me to ride and worship when the weather is beautiful- Why can't I ride and worship when the weather is not so beautiful?

Then I thought back on all the times in my life when things have went well for me. Its easy to love, to worship, to trust in God then. But all too often, when adversity hits, when difficulties and trials surround me, I find myself grumbling, complaining, inwardly letting the bad words float around in my head, forgetting the God who gives the good days is also the Lord of the bad days. Like the song by Casting Crowns, I need to learn to "praise You in the storm."

I had to ride back this evening the same way, dodging storms and occasionally getting pelted with heavy rain. But my perspective was different. As I rode toward thunderheads filled with darkness, driving rain, and lightning, I chose this time to follow the example of Paul & Silas in prison in Acts 16:25, and began to sing praises to God. As a storm would loom in front of me, I lifted up a song on the road, and pressed forward.

By the time I arrived home, I had only been in one heavy shower on the return trip, and God had caused me to literally dodge every other one. Amazing. But whether I had been in storms or not, God had gripped me with the need to trust and not fear, to praise and not complain, to focus on Him and not on my plight.

A Heavenly perspective changes everything. He doesn't promise to clear the storms out in front of us, but He does promise to get us through them, and be with us in the midst of them. Ours is to trust and praise.

I was reading this morning in 1 Kings 11, about King Solomon's final years. It was a sobering read, to be truthful. When people typically think of Solomon, they usually recall the following facts about him- his father was King David, the greatest king in Israel's history; he succeeded his father to the throne; Solomon was offered anything his heart would desire by God, and he (wisely) chose wisdom to lead; as a result, God gave him unsurpassed wisdom, but also blessed him with vast wealth, power, and influence across the world. What fantastic potential and promise!
Solomon penned most of the Proverbs, some of the Psalms are attributed to him, and scholars believe he wrote Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs as well. Solomon was given the privilege of constructing the first great Temple, built up Jerusalem up as well as other great projects across the country, built up a vast navy to sail the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and beyond. His wisdom, fame, and wealth were beyond any of his time. All because he started well- he dedicated himself to follow God, to walk humbly before Him, and to lead God's people with wisdom and compassion.
But something happened along the way. By chapter 11, Solomon began to waver and weaken.
His wealth, power and fame began to go to his head, as he accumulated more and more for himself, and began to treat his people as servants rather than God's people, taxing them heavily and pressing them into slave labor. He gathered for himself literally hundreds of wives and concubines, to feed his lusts. And he allowed for the worship of false gods among all his wives, and ultimately among the people, eventually participating himself. He short, rather growing into wise old man, he became an old fool.
The sad final years of his life can be summed up in these verses- "Now the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord,... he did not observe what the Lord had commanded." (v.9-10) In fact, his final recorded act as king was a plot to kill the man God was going to give part of his kingdom to upon his death. He fought against God while near his own death!
His story startled and shook me. I had not looked at Solomon this way before. He did not finish well, but in shame.
I hopped on my bike and rode to work, enjoying the cool, clear morning, but praying that God would protect and preserve my heart, wholly for Him. I never want to make choices that would bring shame upon myself, my family, my people, my church, and ultimately, my God. I want to finish well, finish strong, and leave a legacy of love for God, love for people, and love for life. I want to hear God say, "Well done, welcome home!", not "What were you thinking?!" I know I'll not be perfect, I'll make mistakes sometimes, but may I never destroy God's work in and through me. May my life, overall, bring Him glory and honor.
May my epitaph one day read- "He walked with God, and brought others along."

I'm reflecting on Mother's Day yesterday, and all that the mothers in my life have come to mean to me. In our children's church hours, I spoke on Mothers from Proverbs 31:10-31, and since we had invited moms to join us in children's church for what we called "SuperMom Sunday", we had a packed house both hours, both places. It was a wonderful morning, and I hope all the moms who attended had a great time and left encouraged.
I spoke about my own mother, who was the first one in our family to come to Christ. When we moved to Georgia in 1972, my mother attended a women's conference at the invitation of a new friend, and she gave her life to Christ. A year later, my father came to Christ himself, in no small part due to the changed life and verbal witness of my mom. Within a few years, as they grew in their new-found faith, I came to Christ, as did my younger brothers. Truly, salvation came to the Brooks household largely because of my mother. And she has always been the prayer warrior and encourager in the faith that a godly mom is meant to be.
Over the years, I've come to love and appreciate my mother-in-law, Brenda, for her godly character and influence as well. Lisa is the youngest of 3, with an older brother and sister. As the "baby" of her family, Lisa was sheltered and cherished by her mother, and grew up in a loving, godly, secure home. I can truly say, after nearly 23 years of marriage to Lisa, her mother Brenda is like a second mom to me.
I spoke about Lisa, and the tremendous influence she has had in the lives of our 2 girls, Ansley & Kelsey. She has always given of herself, sacrificed without complaint, and loved unconditionally, as we have tried to raise our girls to know, love, and follow Christ. Children will always have to grow up and make their own life choices. But in our home, Lisa's influence with them, in her words of wisdom, how she pushed them to excel, and lived herself what she taught, has hopefully given our girls plenty of ammo to make wise, godly choices in life. I am forever grateful for the godly woman I am privileged to call my wife.
"A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." Proverbs 31:10
I know three- my mom, my mom-in-law, and my own precious wife. All three are priceless.

Today was an exhausting but exhilarating day. I arrived at the church at about 7:45, and began to get everything ready for a morning of RockiTown children's church hours. By 9:20 I hustled over to the main worship center to prepare to baptize a mom and her son who had recently come to Christ. It was an exciting moment, baptizing them together. I got back in time for the rest of our RockiTown worship times, and spoke both hours on "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
By 12:15pm, I was jumping in the car and racing around 285 to arrive at First Baptist Atlanta for the afternoon baptism celebration for an old high school friend of mine. I have known Aaron since the 9th grade, and though the miles, the years, and the circumstances of life have caused us to pass in and out of each other's lives over the years, over the past couple of years we've begun talking more, and of course riding motorcycles together. Then, back in the fall, Aaron called me one Sunday afternoon, telling me he had trusted Christ at FBC Atlanta! I was thrilled, to say the least. So when he asked me if I'd baptize him, I was honored. His mom was there, as well as Pat & Karen Davis, who have been friends with Aaron since high school as well, and several other family friends. It was a real privilege to help Aaron take this step in his new walk with Christ. I told Him, "We've been friends for many years, and now I'm thrilled to call you my brother as well."
After returning for a brief rest, I prepared for the evening worship service, that I was to preach in. I was excited for the opportunity, as in the 10+ years I've been at Hebron, I've only been given the chance to preach, outside of the children's ministry, on 2 occasions. I spoke on Courage- in our personal lives, our homes, in the world, for our children. My opening text was from 2 Timothy 1:7- "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." Several told me afterward that it was a message they needed to hear, and were encouraged by it.
In all, it was an exhausting, exhilarating day. I can't think of a better way to spend myself.

I took a ride Friday morning down to my parent's lake house on Oconee, for a home-cooked lunch from my mom, and a little moto-maintenance help from my dad. The ride down was, well, as close to heaven as I've felt in some time. Perfect riding conditions- cool temps, warm sun, gentle breeze, the world in full bloom, wide-open roads. The kind of morning that you want to freeze in time, and linger therein. In all, almost 2 hours of biker bliss!

Often as I ride, I worship and pray. I'm totally focused- on the road ahead, the bike beneath me, the world around me, and my Lord over me. I prayed for family & friends, I worshiped & praised for all the beauty in His world surrounding me, and I asked that He speak into my heart whatever He wanted to say to me. At one point, between Bostwick and Madison, I prayed, "Father, do I bring You pleasure? I want You to be proud of me." I felt His voice speak into my heart, "I am greatly pleased with you. I take great delight in you." It thrilled my heart, and I quickly replied, "Show me how I can bring You greater pleasure!" No sooner had those words crossed my mind, when He pretty much cut off my thought process with this truth- "You can't bring me anymore pleasure than you already do. I am fully pleased with you. I delight in you, not because of anything you do, but because you are Mine." I let the weight of that truth sink in, but still I responded, "Even with my faults and shortcomings? I struggle with my thought life, my tongue, my distractedness, my feelings of failure at home...I sometimes don't feel like I bring You much pleasure." To which He stated, "It doesn't matter. My pleasure in you is not based on what you do. Its based on My love for you. I delight in you."

I rode on the rest of the way, just letting that simple but profound truth settle into my heart. I knew it I think, I just needed Him to remind of me of it again. We let so many of the world's cares, fears, and sins burden us down, that we forget the great love of God for us, which we cannot earn, nor can we lose. Sometimes, we just need to unplug from the world and pull aside for a time, and let Him begin to speak again. I'll live for Him, not because I need to bring Him pleasure, but because He already is pleased with me.

Its Monday morning after Easter Sunday, and I'm reflecting on the weekend. On Good Friday, I spent some time sitting at our dining room table reading God's Word, the sun beaming in on my back through our bay windows. I was reading over the accounts in the Gospels about the day of Jesus' torture and execution, letting His incredible sacrifice for our sins really sink into my heart again. Jesus had endured a mock trial the night before, the treacherous Pharisees shuttling Jesus back and forth between Herod, Caiaphas and Pilate, trying any way they could to get a conviction on their trumped up charges against Him. I read again how Pilate finally granted their wishes, and turned Jesus over to be brutally tortured and crucified. Jesus hung on the cross for about 3 hours, between 12- 3pm most believe. I took a motorcycle ride with my daughter Ansley, and we reflected on awful events of that day. The incredible love of the Father and the Son, all for us, overwhelmed me with humble gratitude and praise.

Sunday morning was beautiful. I got up around 6:30am, and enjoyed my prayer time thanking God for that beautiful morning over 2000 years ago, when Jesus conquered sin and death and walked out of the tomb. That was the subject of our Bible story time in RockiTown. Imagine the broken hearts and shattered dreams of Jesus' followers, after watching their Savior brutalized, executed, then buried on Friday. "What do we do now?" I imagine them saying. Like Peter once told Jesus, "Who else could we could turn to? Only You have the words of eternal life." And now that all seemed lost. Since we know how the story goes, we forget that Jesus' followers didn't have that luxury. As the women arrived that morning at dawn, they only hoped to be able to get inside the tomb, to finish the job of preparing Jesus' body for permanent burial. As far as they knew, it was all over. But in fact, it had only just begun...

I imagine the shock, fear, confusion, then clarity and exhilaration at the news that Jesus was not in the grave, He was alive! And like John said at the beginning of his first letter, "What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our own eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life." This is no fairy tale, no myth or legend, no figment of someones overactive imagination. He was alive, and is today. That truth gives me hope, meaning, purpose, and the assurance that one day, I will rise again as well, to spend eternity with Him forever. That is the living hope for all who follow Jesus.

"I have overcome the world..." -Jesus

As I'm sitting here, its cold and rainy outside, but I don't mind. We're in the month of March. I'm always glad when it arrives. No matter how dreary and dismal the winter has been, March brings several things that encourage me. First, March brings Daylight Savings Time. That means longer days are coming. The skies are brighter when I rise in the morning, and there is now daylight for my drive home from work. Second, March brings the first blooms of Spring. Our daffodils are sprouting all over the yard, and I can see the buds beginning to stretch open on our dogwoods. Third, warmer days are becoming more common. Temperatures can still be quite cool in the mornings, but often rise into the 60's and even low 70's during the day. For me, that is perfect motorcycle weather!

Spring is coming. After what seems like the longest, coldest, wettest, most depressing winter I can ever remember here in Georgia, winter's grasp is beginning to loosen. Slowly, day by day, the world is coming alive again. And with it, so are my spirits. Even if we have another cold snap (which is very likely here!), and even another freak snow storm (that's happened before as well), I can take it in stride knowing the warmth and beauty of spring is drawing ever closer.

I believe March speaks to us of another change our hearts long for. For those of us who know Jesus Christ, we also know a day is coming where all of our cold, dismal days of this life will give way to eternal light, eternal warmth, eternal joy. A spring without end. Every bloom that pops up, every bud that sprouts on every tree, speaks to me of the day when this temporary world will pass away, and we will be ushered in to a new heaven and new earth, awash in endless beauty, light, and love.

Sure, there is beauty to behold in winter- fresh snow like a white blanket on the ground, ice crystals frozen on tree limbs, frost patterns on my windows, and the brilliance of a winter sun & moon. But nothing compares with the feeling of spring. And yes, there is great beauty in this world, this life- a sunset over the mountains, the warm embrace of my wife, the yellow & white blossom of a daffodil. But we can't even imagine the sights, sounds, and smells of the "spring" that awates us. I know its coming one day, as sure as the earthly spring is just around the corner now.

A butterfly landed on my chest yesterday. It was a pleasant surprise- I was walking down the stone path beside my house, when suddenly it flitted up and landed right on my shirt. The butterfly was small, with red and black wing patterns. The first one I'd seen since last fall. I paused, watching as it flexed its wings. Then off it flew. I stood there a moment, watching flit away. And I was reminded, spring is coming. Our earthly season of spring, and one day, the "season without end", eternal spring. I long for both.

I love the Winter Olympics. Every four years, I can't wait to watch them. I actually enjoy the Winter Games way more than the Summer Games when they come around. I don't know why that is- I don't participate in any winter sports myself. I don't ice skate, never played hockey, I'm a lousy skier, and a nominal snowboarder at best. But there is something about the winter Olympics every four years that just capture my attention & imagination. They are almost magical, mythic, to me. The snow-covered, mountainous locations, the exotic places like Lillehammer, Nagano, Torino, and Vancouver, the other-worldly beauty of each country's opening & closing ceremonies...they all just enchant me.

And of course, there are the heroes of each Games. I remember the Austrian, Franz Klammer, rocketing down the mountain in the 1976 Olympics. I became a fan of downhill skiing watching him. And the unlikely champions of the 1980 Games, the US hockey team, and their staggering win over the undefeated Soviets. What a moment. I remember watching Olaf "The Boss" Koss defeat the "Flying Dutchmen" to win gold in speedskating at Lillehammer, I think. I've never been a fan of men's figure skating, but watching Scott Hamilton do backflips on the ice, and win several golds in 1984, was amazing. And of course, the first time I ever saw this little American guy with long hair and a bandanna, Apolo Ohno, win gold in Torino, I became a fan of short track speed skating. I could go on- so many heroes, so many many memories.

These Olympics have not disappointed either! Bode Miller medaling 3x, Lindsey Vonn & Julia Mancuso medaling several times each, all three in downhill, etc., has been spell-binding. Every time Apolo races, I'm on the edge of my seat, cheering him on now with 8 medals! And in the ski jump, witnessing Simon Amman jump 145 meters, he looked like he was going to land in the parking lot! Amazing. Then Steve Holcomb and his team win the first USA gold in bobsled in 62 years. But nothing can top watching Shaun White win the gold with super-human stunts and height in the snowboard half pipe, then with the gold already his, doing one last run that included a trick no one had ever attempted before, much less landed, was nothing short of fantastic. Even watching the couples' ice dancing (again, not one of my faves), and to see the young Canadians win all-around gold- their pure joy, the crowd's hysteria, was a proud moment not only for Canada, but we were cheering them, as well. Although I had hoped for a USA win in men's hockey, esp. on the 30-year anniversary of the "Miracle on Ice", I'm proud for Canada to have won on home ice, in the sport they invented. Even the closing ceremonies were moving and thrilling. Greatest Olympics I've ever watched.

Ah, I love the Winter Olympics. There's something about them that touch me deeply- the thrills, the chills, the splendor, the unity, the beauty. Maybe they remind me of an adventure we were created for, a unity and beauty that awaits us, and a triumph & celebration we will share one day ourselves, with our Creator, Savior, and Lover, our Lord.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it even entered the mind of man, what God has prepared for those who love Him..." 1 Corinthians 2:9

I'm in the middle of a book that is forcing me to think in some new ways. The book, "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan, addresses the amazing, unfathomable, furious love of our eternal God, and what our real response should be- total and complete surrender and abandon to Him. The first three chapters describe the wonder and majesty of God as found in His Word the Bible, and the infinitely complex, breath-taking universe He has made to display His glory. Amazing chapters. I found myself stopping often to search the Scriptures Chan would reference, and just let them sink in.

The chapters I'm in right now, 4 & 5, address the all-too-often inadequate response we humans make to this indescribable God. Using the parable Jesus told of the sower, the seed, and the soils, Chan makes a case for the hard truth that much of the American Church is the "thorny soil"-the Gospel is sown among us, but for far too many, it gets choked out by life's worries and the pursuit of prosperity and pleasure. Chan writes, "A relationship with God simply cannot grow when money, sins, activities, favorite sports teams, addictions, or commitments are piled on top." Then using the Revelation 3 description of lukewarm, half-hearted, nominally-committed people, Chan systematically contrasts it with passages that describe Jesus' call to whole-hearted followship. Chan's assertion- a lukewarm Christian is an oxymoron. Jesus calls us to "deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me." All or nothing. Chan states, "The thought of a person calling himself a Christian without being a devoted follower of Christ is absurd." This is found throughout the Bible, everywhere you look.

He's not saying that if you go through periods of stagnation or struggle you are not a Christian, as we all fall and fail in our attempts to follow Christ. But he is saying that if a person claims to have "prayed a prayer" inviting Christ in their life at some point, yet Jesus only gets fitted in when & where its convenient, getting the "leftovers", then its likely that person never really gave their life to Christ. Chan asserts, "Following Christ isn't something that can be done half-heartedly or on the side. It is not a label we can display when it is useful. It must be central to everything we do and are." All or nothing.

Yet how many of us live like this? How many of us are willing to say to God that He can have whatever He wants from us? That whole-hearted abandon to Him is more important than any other person or thing in this life? That nothing in this life really matters, unless it is about loving God and demonstrating His love to a world that desperately needs Him? After reading to them Jesus' final parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46, I told the kids in both hours of RockiTown Sunday that, "How much I love other people is good evidence of how much I really love God."

Love- from God, for God, for others. Nothing else really matters.

I attended the funeral of an old friend today. Skip Cooper was 61 when he passed away Sunday, after a long, painful battle with cancer. Hearing of his death, then being with his family before the funeral, brought back many memories from over 20 years ago.
I first met Skip when I was hired by Clarkston Baptist Church as their Youth & Recreation Pastor in 1989. Skip was a deacon, a bus driver for the youth group, and a coach & director in our basketball leagues. In the 3 short years I was there, Skip became my closest friend, and closest ally, in the church. We were creative, trying new things and taking big chances, in an effort to reach people not only for our youth group and rec. leagues, but mostly for Jesus Christ. I caught heat from people in the church, as well as other staff members, over the changes we would try to implement, but Skip once told me, "You just do what you believe God is telling you to do, and don't worry about the complainers. If you do that, I'm with you. I got your back." Skip went with us on summer retreats, on winter ski trips, you name it. Even though he was 15 years older than me, and had a son and daughter in the youth group (Brian & Allison), Skip and I became close friends. Even after I left to go on staff with First Baptist Snellville, we kept in touch with Skip & Sherri, who like Lisa & I by then, had another child, Jason, the same year Ansley was born.
Over the miles and years since, we gradually lost contact with the Coopers. We left FBC Snellville in late 1999 for Hebron Baptist, and the Coopers moved to Snellville as their two older children went off to college, got married, started families of their own. I reconnected with Brian & Allison on Facebook last year, as well as many of the old "Clarkston kids," nearly all of which have children of their own now as well. And it was through FB that I heard of Skip's losing battle with cancer, and his passing this past Sunday.
As I sat in that chapel during his funeral, I couldn't help but think that, while we down here were mourning his passing, Skip was enjoying a reunion in Heaven. An amazing thought- he said goodbye to his friends & loved ones here, but was met by an enthusiastic group of friends & loved ones at the gates of Heaven, those who had gone on before him. I find myself at times longing for the healing, wholeness, and joyful reunion that awaits me one day, but acknowledging that there is still much to do here, more people to reach for Christ. The preacher who spoke quoted the late Jim Elliot, missionary who gave his life to further the Gospel-
"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose."
Skip's life certainly modeled that. I hope mine always does as well, until its my time to go home too.
I'll see you again someday, old friend. But not yet. Not yet.

I'm reflecting on the previous year, and the previous decade. 2009 was a good year, capping off an eventful decade. So much happened in the world over the past 10 years- "9-11", the war in terror, Hurricane Katrina, tsunamis, our first African/American president, economic boom followed by economic scandals & collapse, amazing technological advances, etc. The 2000's were an eventful time, to be sure.

In my own life, I joined the staff at Hebron Baptist, and been there ever since. I had two firsts, at the same time- had my first major traffic accident and broke major bones, in my motorcycle accident. Lisa & I celebrated our 20th anniversary, we both entered our 40s, our girls came of age and started driving, finishing school, beginning college. We both had parents entering their 70s, and celebrated major milestones in their own marriages.

What will this coming year hold? The coming decade? I can't say with any certainty. Who knows what will happen in the world, what will happen in America, what will happen in my life? A few things are certain- Lisa & I will both enter our 50s, our parents will enter their 80s, our girls will enter careers and likely get married and start families. I may even become a grandfather! Now that's a weird thought...

Each decade seems to have its own identity, its own collection of images that define it for those who lived in it. However the next year and the next decade will be defined, in the world and in my life, I know only this- I want my life to be defined by a growing, deepening walk with God, with my wife, with all those I love. I want to still be useful in service to Him, and I want my life to point others to Him.

My God carried me and my family over the past year and decade. I entrust myself, and all I hold dear, to God in the coming year, the coming decade. He is truly the only sure thing.