Archive for October, 2008
The Osteens: Spiritual Midgets?
October 14th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in » In the News...
Yeah, provocative title, huh?
While it’s not mine, it describes some of my thoughts based on what I’ve seen of Joel’s preaching on TV… very weak theologically.
Anyway, I just found it interesting that Newsweek wrote a brief piece outlining one of the problems so many Christians have with Joel Osteen and his “ministry”. Check it out here.
Commission Stories…
October 14th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in » God at Work, Worth Reading
Here’s a very powerful site for those of you interested in missions (that would be all of you believers, hopefully): commissionstories.com.
Today’s post is particularly powerful, recounting the story of Gabriel Mugmal, an Ecuadorian believer who faced death at the hands of his friends and neighbors for his faith in Christ.
Check it out when you get a chance. Trust me, it’s worth the time. God is at work amongst the Quicha people of Ecuador!
What Happened?
October 14th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in » Christian Living, Devotions / Bible Studies
As I was reading the Bible on Sunday, I came across a passage that I thought I should share. It’s just a brief snip of Scripture:
Galatians 4:15
15What has happened to all your joy?
I know this is not the entire passage, so it’s out of context a bit. The question is still a good one, though. Ever looked at your walk with Christ and been struck by that question, as if God Himself asked it to you? What has happened to your joy?
Convicting, isn’t it?
So often, we get caught up in “doing” Christianity. We end up running from ministry to ministry, serving away… and find ourselves stressed out by all of our activity. Or worse… we get so caught up in disciplining ourselves to live a holy life (not bad in and of itself, of course), that we lose sight of the sheer peace and pleasure that comes from just knowing we’ve got a Savior that loves us so much he’s rescued us from the consequences of our sin… by grace… not because of anything we’ve said or done.
Remember Romans 5:8?
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
How about Ephesians 1:4-5?
4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. 5In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
How can we not have joy in light of these? While we were still sinners… now, while we’re still imperfect. He chose us, loves us, and saves us. He even adopts us as His own kids, and treats us as such.
So what has happened to all your joy?
If you’ve lost it, think about the above… think about where you stand today in light of your relationship with Christ.
That joy will come back.
Field Trip Photos…
October 13th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in » My Life / Family, Pictures
Today, Jeffrey’s kindergarten class visited the Red Barn Farm in Weston, Missouri, for a field trip. I went with him, serving as a chaperone and driver for the class.
It was a great time… the kids LOVED it.
Here’s a few photos of Jeffrey from the trip:
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Chiefs Youth Movement… (Episode 5)
October 5th, 2008 | Comments Off | Posted in » KC Chiefs
Chiefs lose… 34-0. Huard had four turnovers. A total of 127 yards.
Pretty obvious this was yet another step in the wrong direction for the Chiefs.
At least we’ve got the Mizzou Tigers!!!
A Good Walk Spoiled…
October 4th, 2008 | 2 Comments | Posted in » My Life / Family
I believe it was Mark Twain that said,
Golf is a good walk spoiled.
My dad and I enjoyed an outing at the Mozingo Lake golf course today. It’s safe to say that both of us experienced moments that embody the essense of Mark Twain’s quote!
I won’t go into his round, but I will share about mine.
On the front nine, I shot a 42… 6 over par (with no mulligans, even!)! Birdied my third hole… AMAZING for my first round in three years!
As for the back nine? Well, that’s where I experienced a good walk spoiled (even though we rode). I came out behind… way behind… in the balls found / balls lost category. I even lost a ball I hit straight at the green on a hole (now you figure that one out!). Score? I quit keeping track about the 13th hole, and instead went with a checkmark for complete. 
So yeah… I remember once again both why I used to love golf so much, and why I gave it up.
When You Visit the Doctor…
October 1st, 2008 | 2 Comments | Posted in » My Life / Family, Prayer Requests
When you visit the doctor, there are some things you just don’t want to hear them say. I had one of those moments today.
You see, I knew I had an ear infection… if I didn’t know it before by the fact that I could barely hear with one ear, it was certainly made clear by the searing pain brought about in that same ear by the ascents and descents of the past two days of air travel!
So I went to the doctor this afternoon to get official diagnosis and treatment, and heard one of those phrases during my exam that can only mean bad news:
EWWW! That is NASTY!
So much for just having an ear infection. Turns out that the curl up into the fetal position, cry for momma type of pain emanating from my ear was the result of ruptured eardrum.
Ugh. Pray for me, would you?