Next week we will celebrate Thanksgiving.  Our church will work together to give over 400 hot meals that day, I can't wait to see that happen again.  We have such great people who put all that together.  Im just glad to be a small part of that process.  Praise the Lord for generous, sacrificial people. 

At our home we will eat together, maybe watch some football and definitely relax a little with people we love.  We come again this year with a deep thankfulness for our families and our blessings of life.

A question that has come to me is what is our response to God?  What does thankfulness make us do.  Is it just a feeling or does true thanksgiving move us to action.  How can I put enought words together to tell and infinite, almighty God thanks?  I guess I could just look up to the heavens and tip my hat and say thank you.  I am not sure that is enough.

Psalm 95 offers an invitation.  An invitation to come and worship, to sing and bow and give God our time, energy, attention and ourselves.  We come with thanksgiving for who God is and what he has done and what he will do.  This Sunday, I will preach from this great Psalm and we will be challenged with our Response to God and reminded about who He is.  So come with thankgiving but also come ready to bow to the KING!

Overcoming the challenges is a difficult subject.  As I look back at the obtacles and troubles that God has allowed me to go through I ask myself a question.....How did I get through those things? 

In the midst of trouble it often seems like we cannot make it out.  The pressure, the worry the hurt and the disallusionment of life seems to push us down and make us doubt. That is reality.  In that reality often our faith is shaken.  When our faith is shaken it seems as if everything is off.  It is hard to find joy and peace.  We become inpatient and angry.  We try to make sense of things that will never make sense. 

So how did I make it through?  I dont know if I can totally describe the exact things I did but one thing I know; I made it through.  God sent people, God sent teaching, God sent correction, God sent vision, God showed his grace. God showed his mercy.  God called me to himself. God asked that I trust him, God asked that I believe, He asked that I love him and others, God asked that in the midst of the worst circumstances in my life, I have faith.  Because faith is the victory, that overcomes the world. 

I am no hero, there is nothing about me that anyone should aspire to other than I am an example of overcoming.  Just like you.  So let  us be a people that believe, love and trust.  Let us be more than conquerors.  The world will bring trouble..........But WE WILL OVERCOME!

THE FLU!

Well I am now in my second week of recovering from the flu.  I don't think I have ever felt that sick before.  I have been out of commission for way too long.  I am for the most part feeling better.  I now have to recover from not only the flu but cabin fever.  I am not one to just sit around and do nothing but I guess God allowed that for me the last couple of weeks.  One good thing that came out of this ordeal is a reminder of how much people care and love my family.  At one point we were all sick at the same time and so many of you took time to care for us and call and send food etc..... So here is a great big thanks! 

May the rest of 2009 be filled with health!

Today is my anniversary.  Natalie and I have been married for 14 years.  It has been quite a ride.  We both are thankful for what God has done in our lives over the 14 years.  I am blessed to be married to a loving, godly, caring, woman.  Natalie has integrity and cares for others.  She is a great mom and friend.  So I must answer the obvious question....How did I get her?  Well the only thing I can figure out is grace.  Grace from our awesome God. 

Natalie and I have had our ups and downs and I wish I could say everyday was gleeful and bliss, but I can't.  However, that is what makes our marriage strong.  We have persevered through some really tough things.  I wouldn't have ever signed up for some of the troubles but God has used them for his glory.  God is awesome that way.  He can take really tough things and turn them. 

I could never communicate how much I appreciate my wife but I will just simply say this: God is good.  As we plan the next fourteen, it is my sincere prayer that we will be stronger than ever.  Taking each day as a gift and opportunity to do the right thing.  Cherishing each other as gifts from God and using the blessing of marriage to be a blessing to others.  I want my boys to know how to be a husband when they grow up.  I want to be an example to them and a guide. 

We did not get to this place of marriage without god sending some wonderful "grace agents" to help us.  I thank God for everyone who has lended a kind word, an encouraging word, help and guidance. 

October 14, 1995 is a day that will always mark a wonderful journey.