Archive for May, 2009
County Tries to Shut Down Home Bible Study…
May 28th, 2009 | Comments Off | Posted in » In the News...
This is a scary article: “County Trying to Stop Home Bible Study”.
And I thought we lived in the land of the free…
Tenth Anniversary!
May 22nd, 2009 | 3 Comments | Posted in » My Life / Family, Pictures
Ten years ago, on May 22, 1999, I woke up with a serious knot in my stomach. I was getting married that day to a beautiful young woman named Nancy Reedy. We’d met under such strange circumstances clear back in 1995… two very different people, living 300+ miles apart, living somewhat different lives… who would have thought not only that we’d meet, but that we would grow to become best friends, fall deeply in love with each other, and decide we were meant to spend our lives together?
It was a great wedding (I can tell you that even though I’d have to see the video again to remember all the details… nervousness does that to you!). We walked down the aisle that afternoon after saying “I do” with no idea what God had in front of us. But we knew we had each other, and knew that we’d be alright no matter what curves were thrown our way.
And we have been… for ten years now. Through difficult times with friends and family… through the joys of three children being given to us… through moves from Springfield to Sikeston and back, on to Osborn and finally St. Joseph. Through countless hours of laughter… more than a few arguments over silly things… and yes, countless hours of tears.
Life has had its ups and downs for sure.
Through these ten years, we’ve become more than just friends… more than just husband and wife… more than just a mom and a dad… we’ve become one, just as Scripture says. Inseparable. Incomplete without each other. Co-dependent. A team by every meaning of the word.
Are we perfect? Of course not. The works that God has begun in our lives are not yet complete. But we know He will see them through to the end.
And that means we’ve got MANY more years to laugh, love, work, play, hurt, cry, and… well… live and enjoy. Together.
Happy tenth anniversary, Nancy.
And, God? Thank you this life you’ve given us!
Jeffrey… Kindergarten Graduate!
May 21st, 2009 | 1 Comment | Posted in » My Life / Family, Pictures
It’s hard to believe, but Jeffrey is already done with school for the year… he’s now a Kindergarten graduate!
This morning, we attended his graduation program. Talk about awesome… the kids did a GREAT job putting on a version of “The Hungry Caterpillar”, they sang a few songs, shared about their year, shared what they hope to be when they grow up and what they’ve learned… it was just an all-around great program. And Mrs. Richardson’s prayer closing the program? Wow… so heart-felt and heart-warming!
Anyway, I can’t write more without stating what should be obvious… St. Joseph Christian has been SUCH a blessing to our family! We’re so thankful for the school, and for how God is working in the lives of the students, teachers, and families there. Mrs. Richardson has been absolutely incredible as Jeffrey’s teacher, and we’re so thankful for everything she’s done this year to help Jeffrey grow… not just in his education, but also spiritually. It’s just an incredible place with wonderful people. Can’t recommend it higher!
On to the pictures….
“Fair-Minded” Abortion Debate?
May 18th, 2009 | Comments Off | Posted in » In the News...
So our president spoke at Notre Dame this weekend, addressing 2009 graduates and speaking on a number of issues.
Abortion, of course, was the hot-button topic. Notre Dame, a Catholic institution, invited and honored an individual who is pro-abortion… a slap in the face to the staunchly pro-life positions of the Catholic church. Protests were staged. People were arrested. Things played out about as expected.
The catch word of the day from our president? “Fair-minded”.
As in, “fair-minded” debate about abortion.
Can someone tell me what that’s supposed to mean? And just what’s to debate?
Mr. President, last I checked, abortion still results in the taking of a human life, and that’s still a right or wrong proposition. You clearly recognize the horrific nature of this issue… after all, if it’s acceptable to kill a developing human being, why would it be a “heart-wrenching” decision for women seeking just that? And why would you want to try to reduce the frequency with which women make that decision if it’s an acceptable alternative?
You see, I believe you know the right answer here Mr. President… abortion is wrong, one of the great sins of modern society. It’s not to be celebrated… it’s not to be encouraged… it’s to be condemned.
The question is, do you have the backbone to stand for what’s right? Will you, as president, protect not only the liberty and pursuit of happiness of tomorrow’s children, but their lives as well?
In Training…
May 12th, 2009 | Comments Off | Posted in » Christian Living, Devotions / Bible Studies, My Life / Family
This morning, for the first time in what seems like forever, I rolled out of bed early to get some exercise. I rode a whopping 2 miles this morning… but feel like I rode 200. Yes, I’m that out of shape.
It’s amazing how difficult getting in shape can be!
Ever notice how similar our spiritual lives can be to physical training? When we’re undisciplined and lazy about our relationship with God, doing that which we know we ought… prayer, Bible study, Christian fellowship, worship, service, evangelism… even the smallest of these seems incredibly difficult. In those times, we like to claim that God seems distant or that we’re in a spiritual rut, but in reality? It’s generally just that we’ve become spiritual couch potatoes… gluttons of sort, more interested in gorging ourselves with own fleshly needs for whatever.
So far from our calling to be top-notch spiritual athletes!
Remember what Paul says to us in 1 Corinthians 9?
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
If you find yourself looking in your spiritual mirror this morning, not liking what you see… do something about it. Start practicing some spiritual discipline today, that you might get yourself back in shape to make yourself useful to God once again!
One Tough Chick!
May 11th, 2009 | Comments Off | Posted in » My Life / Family, Pictures
I’ll let the pictures do most of the talking today… Jenna is one tough chick!
You should have seen the other kid! 
In all seriousness, her shiner is the result of a cartoon-like, full speed, head-to-head collision between sisters yesterday afternoon. Alli’s forehead was just at the right height, and Jenna came out looking a bit worse for wear.
She sure looks tough now, though!
Friday Photos — T-Ball!
May 1st, 2009 | Comments Off | Posted in » My Life / Family, Pictures
Jeffrey is now officially a member of the “Purple Snakes” t-ball team… his first game was last night, and he had a blast. I’m VERY proud of my son… he wasn’t real sure about playing, but tried it anyway and had a great time.
Here’s some photos…
