TAR
April 28 2008
Last night I returned from my Texas Adventure Ride out of Junction TX. It was a blast. Several of us guys loaded up our dual sport motorcycles on trailers and headed to Junction. Then we spent three days riding twisty hardtop roads, dusty dirt roads, rocky creek beds, and tricky river crossings. No big tumbles, and we saw a lot of beautiful scenery (I have to admit, that it has taken me a while to consider the hill country ranch land beautiful - but there are hills, trees, and curves in the roads. So it is very different than around here in Harlingen.) We also saw our share of wild animals from snakes to turkeys and much more in between. I know there are plans in the works to do this again soon. You can count me in.
Here in Aggieland
April 13 2008Darla and I have had a great trip to College Station to see Ashley. It was no fun leaving Parker at home to spend the weekend with friends. He had his own schedule of events this weekend too. It is Parent's Weekend at A&M so we drove up to Cuero on Thursday night and spent some time with the Lassigs. Beautiful area. We rode 4-wheelers around Friday morning to see the place and the wild animals. Well I guess some are sorta wild. Then after lunch we continued on our journey and arrived in College Station when Ashley was out of class. Our events have been going to a baseball game that the Aggies won 8-7, walking around the campus (alot), learning about some options for Ashley's education, buying some A&M shirts (you gotta have those) seeing her apartment complex for next year, buying groceries, eating lunch on campus and going to an Impact banquet for dinner. Impact is a Christian organization to help incoming freshment. Ashley is an impact counselor for next year. And last night we also went to a College Bible Study/Worship time called Breakaway. Today, we will go to Church with Ashley, eat lunch and head home. I am glad she enjoys it up here. I am also glad that Ashley is continuing to grow in her faith in the Lord, serving him. It has been a good trip for us. I am glad we came.
How about "Great Confession Thomas"
April 07 2008
As I said yesterday, poor Thomas. How would you like to be known as the Doubter - Doubting Thomas? He will always be stuck with that name, but I would like to also remember him as the Great Confessing Thomas. He did say to Jesus - "My Lord and my God." He did give me a visual example of how you turn your doubt to belief. And remember, he wasn't the only one who doubted the resurrection. He was just slower than some of the others to believe. But God didn't reject him. God didn't banish him. God didn't yell at him or ignore him. We know that Jesus appeared to him and showed him his wounds and challenged him to believe. That is what Jesus does for you and me. He will lovingly, firmly and persistently challenge us to believe. That was a great event after Easter.
Olympic Boycott?
April 01 2008
I read in the paper today - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says President Bush should consider boycotting the opening ceremony of the Olympics Games in Beijing this summer to protest China's human rights record. - I for one will boycott the opening ceremony. I always do, because they are so boring!!! Seriously - The free world and the Olympic Committee must have short term memory problems concerning China's human rights record. Now they have a problem with them?? Let's get consistent folks!! That is my political tirade for the year (well, maybe for the month) Remember, people are important. God loves all of us. John 3:16 tells us that.
Spiritual Gifts
March 31 2008
We have finished the sermons on Spiritual Gifts, but really the work begins now. Do you have an idea how you can serve the Lord? Do you know how you are gifted? Do you want to take that gift and open it and combine it with your talents and interests to do something that will last for eternity?
Here is what you do -
- Take the Spiritual Gifts Inventory - http://www.churchgrowth.org/analysis/index.html
- Talk to your friends and get their feedback on what you discover.
- Pray about how you can serve the Lord.
- Come talk to me to see how we can get you plugged into a ministry opportunity.
These messages have not just been for information. They are for action. What action will you take?
Rode the Bike
March 25 2008
Rode the Bike more today and yesterday. Needed a jacket and gloves yesterday but not today. It was nice to just get out and ride - more than from my house to the Church building. Oh, it was productive - Church visitation, and a Church meeting. I am not out just wasting gas. Speaking of gas - Filled up with Gas too. I can handle a $10 fill up. You know, that is my justification for riding the motorcycle - better gas mileage. I have to be careful because my 350 dual sport gets even better mileage but I keep ending up on the Harley. Oh well, the Yamaha is a kick start - too much work. Yeah - right. The only thing that I don't like about riding is when I hear people talk about their broken bones and bad crashes on their bike. That doesn't sound pleasant at all. If you see me out there - wave, don't swerve towards me.
Moonlight Easter Egg Hunt
March 22 2008
Thank you Darla, Denise, The Cavazos family, Ryan, our Youth and Parents and all the many volunteers that helped put on the Moonlight Easter Egg Hunt. For the first time ever I didn't get hit on the head with a confetti egg. Thanks to all who didn't get me!!!
It was a great family time. If you missed it, make sure you bring your family next year.
To the Cross
March 21 2008Last night we had our Communion Candlelight Service to reflect on the last night Jesus had with his Disciples before he went to the cross. Do you realize that as you went to bed and had a good night's sleep and woke up refreshed this morning, that about 2000 years ago Jesus didn't get a chance to go to bed? He was arrested after his meal with his disciples and then went through various trials during the night only to greet the morning with the condemnation of death even though there was not a legitimate charge against him. That is what Jesus did all night for you and me many years ago. Then as morning wore on, he was crucified for our sin. I hope you have a chance to reflect on that today.
A Prayer of Faith
March 19 2008
I read a prayer at the close of two of our services last Sunday. It is a prayer that I received by email during the week. Thank you Prime Time with God, Ephesian 4 ministries for this prayer. It seemed to touch many hearts. Here it is:
Dear God, You have instructed me to not be anxious, worrisome, overly concerned for anything ... but instead to bring everything to you in prayer and thanksgiving. If I do this, you have promised me that your peace, which passes all understanding, shall keep my heart and mind through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). I come to you now for myself and on behalf of my brothers and sisters in Christ, and for those who suffer so much due to anxiety and depression. I pray that you will fill us with your peace; that you will touch our minds and remind us that we do not need to worry. You are our God and maker. You will handle it for us. Worrying does no good. May we lean into you, talk with you, spend time in your Word and before the throne of grace. May we fellowship with other Christians, those who will encourage us, even more so as the day approaches. Right now, this day, we give you our concerns and ask that you will work out all to our good and your glory. Thank you, Father, for loving us and carrying our burdens. Thank you, Father, for providing our needs. Thank you, Father, for Jesus Christ our Savior and the hope He has given. For it is in His name I pray, Amen.
This Wind
March 18 2008
This wind is crazy! I was out running with my running buddies this morning and at times it felt like we were jogging in place. But, we can be thankful that we haven't had the storms like other places have had. I am trying to cycle some too so that maybe one day I can keep up with Darla. Remember, she is much younger than I am. And that wind can really make cycling tough. Oh yeah, how am I supposed to ride my motorcycle around town with all this wind blowing too!! Have I whined enough yet??? And there is golf... Oh well. Did I say that we can be thankful that we haven't had some of the storms affecting other people??? I think I did.
You know what Jesus said about wind? "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon a rock. The rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25
When the wind blows, let it remind you that we should hear God's Word and put it into practice. Then we can withstand any problems of life. We should have plenty of reminders over these next few weeks.
The trip home
March 16 2008
Softball and Skating Parties
March 14 2008
Persistence
March 13 2008
I traveled up to Houston last Thursday for a Leaders Conference and noticed some events that caught my attention. It took me two trips to the airport and a couple of hours of watching the computer screen here and there at home to fly out of Harlingen. That snow and ice in Dallas affected the planes coming to Harlingen. I was looking forward to the Leaders Conference – sorta. I always have something to do and to just go away for a couple of days can be hard on me.
But when the plane was delayed and then canceled with a chance to get on another flight my comment was – If I can’t make this flight tonight I will just skip the conference. But I did make it on the plane to Houston and to the car rental place and to the motel. And you know what? The conference was good. Some good ideas, and some things to think about for our Church. I am glad I went. Really glad that my flight went through so I could go. What is the point? Persistence - It is crucial for our Christian life. Not that I was extremely persistent. Remember I was about ready to let my circumstances cancel the trip. Paul talks about the Spiritual Realm and the Spiritual battles. There are unseen forces that want to mess with our minds and faith in the middle of our circumstances. God wants us to have some persistence. Then you see a victory and experience a blessing - which I did. Thank you, Lord. Next time I will tell you about my trip home.
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