2-1

We've had two basketball games (Luke 1-1), a soccer game (girls beat San Antonio Highlands) - and a baseball practice in the last 24 hours.

I love coaching (baseball) and watching my kids use the gifts God has given them . . . Cindy and I aren't sure what we'll do when their sports are over one day :) . . .

Also had a couple of great spiritual conversations today with folks at the ballgames/practice . . .

Hang Around or Hang Ten?

I read this quote this morning by Jim Cymbala:

"How we live is more important than how long we live. What is the sense of living a long life just to hang around and take up space? I would rather live a few meaningful years for Christ than hang on to age eighty-nine and accomplish little."

What do you think?

We've been seeking this week in our 60/60 experiment to stay connected to the Spirit. We are told to "be strong in the Lord and His mighty power" (Eph 6:10) . . . and it is in this willingness to allow God's Spirit to have more and more of us (see Eph 5:18) that crazy, supernatural, meaningful things begin to flow out of our life.

D.L. Moody said this: "A great many of us think because they have been filled once, they are going to be full for all time after; but my friends, we are leaky vessels, and have to be kept right under the fountain all the time in order to keep full . . ."

It keeps coming back to my mind this week, how many of us would be free of anger or envy or apathy that control us if we were continually filled with the Spirit. How many of us wouldn't have the distractions in our lives that keep us living for the Kingdom if we were continually filled with Spirit. How many of us wouldn't battle the porn and food and drug/alcohol addictions we do if we would allow the Spirit to take over. How many of us would quit playing church and become dangerous for the Kingdom of God if we lived in the power of God's Spirit. How many people we would see coming to Christ if we were filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit!

Why Not You Too?

I know that there are many of you who read Forward Motion who are former Creekers (I was gonna say 'ex-Creekers' but you're never an ex-Creeker - once a Creeker always a Creeker!) -- or friends/relatives of Creekers . . . . . I just wanted to encourage you today - Why not do the 60/60 Experiment with us??

It's not too late to get a watch that beeps every hour and to use that beep to remind you to quit ignoring God. I've been encouraging us just to stop and ask God: What He's doing? Where He's working? How we can join Him?

You can also listen to the messages every week where I am talking about different aspects of the journey (click here for messages) --- sign up for the daily text messages that is a short passage to encourage you that day (sign up for texts by clicking here) . . . . AND we would be OSo encouraged to hear your story of what God is doing on the ocjourney blog (click here for blog).

So, Why not you too? Come and journey deeper with us!

And Creekers, be bold in forwarding this blog to someone who might want/need to be on the journey with us!

Great Audie News!

Audie is back home and resting! All went great and now she just needs a little time to regain all that energizer bunny energy that we love seeing!

If you click here you can send her an email to bless her!

Soul Journey Art

In case you missed it last Sunday -- three of our artists are creating an artistic journal each week as we go through Soul Journey.

The are creating a painting that captures the heart of what we are talking about and how it collides with their own personal journey. These pictures capture the first week of our 60/60 Experiment after I talked about God's Here- Ness and how God desires to do this journey with us.

The top picture is Erin Richmonds (click on them to see them better)

The middle is Lisa Richersons

And the bottom one is Trevor Spoffords (I apologize for my bad photography - especially on Trevors - for now on I'm getting a real photographer to take them!)

It's awesome to see their individual personalities and hearts come out on canvas!

Here's my question for you . . . What's your journey saying and how are you recording it?

Would you share some of it with us (it's meant to be lived in community!) on ocjourney.org? Click here and check it out and see what God is doing in other's lives!

Remember it's not about perfection, but progress!

Spirit and Word

How's it going this week Plugging In and staying connected to the Spirit?

I've had my ups and downs like you . . . but I do find myself much more aware of God's presence and that's awesome! And I do find myself reading the Bible more purposefully and intensely, that's really awesome!

As I said on Sunday it's the Spirit of God using the Word of God that changes our lives. I can remember when I first began to understand that the Holy Spirit uses God's Words to guide me in decisions and give me peace when I'm feeling frustrated . . .

I remember when I first started memorizing Scripture and then the Holy Spirit would call that scripture back to my mind . . . and now daily as I'm staying connected to God's Spirit and dwelling in God's Word my ears are so much more responsive to God's voice.

As I've said before the Holy Spirit is not magic -- He takes the Living Truth and reminds us of it and applies it to our lives in ways that change us . . .

Keep beeping . . . and listening!!!

6 - nil

We just got back late late from the twins first district soccer game in San Antionio.
Yes, this is Cindy & I and we froze our tails off at the game! O' man was it cold and then the second half it decided to start raining/sleeting!

The girls did great and we beat Converse Wagner 6-0!

Update on Audie

Awesome News! Our friend Audie came through surgery in great shape! Well, she may not feel to good right now - and though the surgery went longer then they expected - it went well.
They were also able to do it laproscopically (sp?) . . . so that we greatly reduce her recovery time.

So praise God with me and keep praying for Audie and Tim in the days ahead!

Psalm 145:1-3
A psalm of praise. Of David.

I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

#14

One of my blog mentors - Bob Roberts - was writing recently about his reflections from the last 20 years of journaling (yes, 20 years!).

And #14 on his list was this: "Big things come from small obediences"

Man, how true. As we've been seeking to learn together, it's about moment by moment following Jesus in the 'trivial' details of life. If we stay connected in the 'small moments' we'll be prepared for the next moment and the next . . . and the next . . . and the next . . .

And the truth is, there are no 'trivial' moments or details -- every breath we take on earth is counted in eternity.

And you could just ask 'Sully' how 'trivial' all those small moments of studying and practice were . . . the ones that allowed him to park flight 1549 in the Hudson River.

Praying for Audie . . .

Please join with me in asking God to protect and heal our friend - and Children's Pastor - Audie, as she has surgery tomorrow.

She's been struggling with her health for several months (in and out of the hospital once) and tomorrow at 10am she is going to have a hysterectomy.

Pray for God's peace and power to flow through her . . . also pray for Tim that God would give him strength to be the husband by her side.

Whose Are You?

"O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.

I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself;
how I praise you!
I will honor you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer." (Psalm 63:1-4)

This whole 60/60 experiment is about stopping the habit of ignoring God and re-centering ourselves - as the psalmist is seeking to do - on God's glory and power! We don't have it! We desperately need Him!

Some need to be graciously guided into that place . . . and some of us need to be ripped from our apathy towards God.

I read yesterday part of a speech by John Wesley - it was a speech given at a college (Oxford University - and written and delivered in the 1800's). Listen to what Wesley is saying and the heart of his question at the end . . .

How few of you spend, from one week to another, a single hour in private prayer! How few have any thought of God in the general tenor of your conversation! Who of you is, in any degree, acquainted with the work of His Spirit, his supernatural work in the souls of men? Can you bear, unless now and then, in a church, any talk of the Holy Ghost? Would you not take it for granted, if one began such a conversation, that it was either hypocrisy or enthusiasm? In the name of the Almighty, I ask, What religion are you of?

Praying for Obama

It's been a historic week. And regardless of your party affiliation, or like/dislike for political horse racing, or interest/disinterest in government process . . . if you are a follower of Jesus, you are called to pray for the people in civil authority over you.

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Why? Because they are God's tool for His purposes:

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1

Among other things, we need to pray that our President's eyes will be opened to God's wisdom and understanding. We must pray that His heart will be willing to follow God's purposes for our country. We need to pray that God will protect His chosen leader and that through His leadership God's Kingdom will be blessed and expanded.

I thought it would be cool to include Rick Warren's inaugural prayer for our President on here. It's below. Read through it.

How are you praying for our President?

Let us pray.

Almighty God, our father, everything we see and everything we can't see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you, it all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory. History is your story.

The Scripture tells us Hear, oh Israel, the Lord is our God; the Lord is one. And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now today we rejoice not only in America's peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hinge-point of history with the inauguration of our first African-American president of the United States.

We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership.

And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in Heaven.

Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, oh God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all.

When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the Earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us.

And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all.

May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand accountable before you.

We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus, Jesus (hay-SOOS), who taught us to pray, Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Help Us Journey . . .

"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Eccl 4:12

There's no need for us to stand alone as we 60/60 together . . . .

I want to encourage you to go to ocjourney.org and share your journey - and be encouraged as you see how God has been working in others.

Specifically:

1) What's been the biggest struggle . . . Or,
2) Where have you seen God work in a new or exciting way . . . Or,
3) How have you seen other lives impacted when you've listened to God

Journey On!!!

On the Road Again . . .

Heading back home from Abilene in a few minutes . . . drove up last night to bring my sweet Emily some furniture . . .

Long trip, but worth it to see her . . . also got to meet a young man I was very impressed with . . . Ahhh the joys and heart challenges of parenting . . . watching them grow up and letting go a little more every day . . . I praise God that He is in control -- and for the hope we have in Him . . . its good to see now so that we remember even at the points where there is pain or disapointment . . .

God graciously reminds me that it's not just trite, but true: "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it."

Fresh Power

I'm rereading a book by Jim Cymbala that I read several years ago -- Fresh Power . . .

He had this prayer at the end of a chapter that really spoke to the heart of what I talked about Sunday and what we are seeking to experience in 60/60 . . . I encourage you to own it in your soul this morning . . .

"Dear Father, please stir our hearts to reach out for all that you have promised us. Forgive our carnality, our indifference to the spiritual realities around us, and our dependence on human resources rather than your power. Teach us to pray and wait upon you in humility and faith; send the wind and fire of Your Spirit upon us. Transform us into men and women who bear powerful witness in word and deed to the reality of Jesus Christ our Savior. We ask all of this in His precious Name. Amen."

Advent Conspiracy Results!

I can't believe that I got all caught up in the new year, etc and didn't blog about how much Creekers gave to Advent Conspiracy!

You gave $7,045! And I know from hearing your stories that many more of you gifted to Living Water as well for Christmas gifts! Way to go Creekers!

Half of this will go to Living Waters International . . . and half to Mission 911 here in Corpus!

I Don't Get It

OK, I'm all for inaugurations. I know that it's an important time. And I'm excited about some of the things that Obama has already done. And call me a fuddy duddy or a tight wad or whatever - but $150+ million for inauguration events? Yep, that's the estimate that will be spent for all the inauguration events! (Google it . . . in comparison $42.3 million was spent on the 2005 inauguration - which is still a lot of stinkin' money!)

I'm hearing a lot of talk out of the inauguration circuit about change, and about serving others, and giving ourselves away . . . . . $150 stinkin' million?!?! Couldn't that feed a lot of hungry people? Couldn't that help some folks without health insurance or a job?

Again, don't get me wrong, this IS historic and I'm all for celebrating it, so hey let's take a mil and have a really nice party (you can pay for a LOT of folks at Gattitown with a mil!) and then give $149 mil to folks who need it.

Am I off base here?? What do you think??

Go!

It's awesome that the first day of our 60/60 Experiment is on MLK day!
King gave his life (and gave up his life) for freedom.
As we seek Jesus moment by moment - giving up our will for His - we will begin to live out real freedom!

Don't forget that you can sign up for a daily text message that will give you Scripture to dwell on during day. Click here to sign up.

Also, don't be selfish! Share what God is doing on your journey. Jason has set up an awesome place for us to blog about our journey to help encourage others. Check it out at ocjourney.org.

Don't try it half way or you'll end up with a frustrated soul and skint face . . . go Full Open!

Sports Beeper!

Well we've had better weekends in the win/loss column -- we didn't win the soccer tournament or the baseball tournament this weekend -- but all in all it was a great weekend to be outside!

And a couple of times my beeper went off and helped me keep sports (and yelling at the refs!) in perspective!

Laura did get a these pics taken of her by the Caller Times -- if you're a grandparent or someone else really interested :) you can see them better on the Caller Times website by clicking here and here.

Discovery Dessert!

Hey, if you haven't done Discovery Online and been to Discovery Dessert, then you don't know what you're missing.

We have another Discovery Dessert tomorrow (Sunday, 18th) night at our home, but you've got to first go through Discovery Online (click here) and then come hang out with us!

Bring on the Soul . . .

Yesterday I had a terrible day. I said some things to people that I shouldn't have said. I completely missed some needs in other people's lives because I was concerned about myself. I got angry at some things I shouldn't have. All because I wasn't connected.

Last night as I stood at home plate with the umpires and opposing coach getting ready for a game, my beeper went off. 'What are you doing?' is what I heard. Why are these folks standing in front of you . . . just to flip a coin?

Yesterday morning I had an early meeting (6:30 am) and didn't get up in time before that to connect with God. I made some fragile attempts during the day, but really kept going my own direction.

But when I finally stopped and reconnected . . . my soul began to reorient itself towards God.

I'm desperately need my soul to be on a journey TOWARDS Jesus! Tomorrow we begin the 60/60 Experiment at Oso Creek. I urge you not to miss. This is going to change all of our lives if we are willing!

Remember also that you can sign up for the daily texts (or emails) with Scripture to meditate on -- click here to sign up.

Let's Play 4!

The twins have the CCISD soccer tournament going on today and Luke has a baseball tournament at TM - in all 4 games today!

My normal day off is Thursday, but I spent the day working on my sermon so that I can spend most of today freezing my tail off watching (soccer) and coaching (baseball) games!!

But I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!

Beep, Beep . . .

If you still don't have a watch or some other mechanism with an hourly audible reminder for the 60/60 Experiment - I was told me that Target has Aqualite watches in some different colors for $9.99. My wife has one, and it works!

They also have an array of watches with hourly chimes at Walmart for $12 . . .

Let's get beepin!!

The Main Things . . .

On Sunday we had 7 folks come to the Life Group Leader Training! That's awesome!

And just as awesome for me, is that every time I teach the class I'm brought back to why we're here. It's so easy for our purpose to get all foggy as we stumble through day after day life. . .

But when we back off, it's really all about evangelism, discipleship and multiplication.

First, God's purpose is that we would carry His life preservers around everywhere we go. He's in the business of rescuing people . . . for all eternity! And we have the privilege - in the power of His Holy Spirit - to share Good News with people all the time.
And yet, it's so easy to grow selfish and tired. BUT, this IS the most important things as followers of Jesus that we do with our lives!

Secondly, we get to disciple people in their journey! Wow, we get to help people grow . . . and to bear fruit.

And as we are faithful, the fruit of multiplication pours out of our life. Our lives are multiplied and our groups are multiplied and our church is multiplied.

So, every time I teach this class I'm confronted with this picture of a tree that represents my life. Am I growing and bearing fruit that is blessing others? Am I planting seeds that are resulting in new trees? Is my life being multiplied?

How about you?

Are You Willing?

On Sunday I introduced Soul Journey 60/60 and challenged us to have an attitude of willingness.

"If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." Isaiah 1:19-20

If you didn't hear the message on Sunday, I encourage you to click here and listen to it.

Are you asking God to make you willing over the next 60 days to see what more He has for you?

Have you found something to audibly remind you of His presence every 60 minutes?

On Mission: Saratoga Cove

It's awesome - Heather Zdansky is On Mission! Over a year ago she heard the promptings of the Holy Spirit and began gathering children on Saturday mornings at the Saratoga Cove apartments to teach them the same lesson that she teaches the kids on Sunday mornings in Son Harbor at Oso Creek. Mostly kids who otherwise have no spiritual inputs in their lives. Wow.

Now, as she continues to faithfully teach those children, God has her on mission to bring the Kingdom of God to the entire complex! (you might recognize this artsy statue in front of the apts on Wooldridge) She already has a 'Block Party' planned for March and is seeking to build relationships any way she can.

This Wednesday she is delivering cookies to a third of the apartments just to let them know that she (we :) are there and ready to love them! That's awesome! There are a few others onboard with Heather, but I believe that God is calling more Creekers to be On Mission at Saratoga Cove.

Would you be willing to check it out this Wednesday and deliver some cookies? If so, click here and send Heather an email . . . never know what God might do!

Way to go Heather!

A New Week!

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:1,2,10)

I praise You God for THIS day - for your mercies and goodness. I praise you for a new day to start my life over again - to start fresh, to start new. Help me to pursue you in new ways this week.

On The Pitch . . .

We're in Brenham (yes, the home of Blue Bell, but none for us so far) today at Sarah and Laura's soccer tourney.

We tied the first game today 1-1, then lost in pk's (that's penalty kicks for you non-soccer folks). The second game we won 5-1! Laura had a goal and 3 assists and Sarah played great 'D'!

The Carrol Tiger w/Sarah is Cecy Gonzalez who also goes to Oso Creek - if we win in the morning and they win, we would play in the afternoon . . . Go Mustangs!

09' Goals

Last Summer Luke, Sarah & Laura went to a camp called T Bar M. This week the staff who was their leaders mailed them a L.252 Card (see Luke 2:52) - encouraging them to set a 2.52 goal in 4 areas this year: Wisdom, Physical Fitness, Spiritual Growth, Family & Friends. And even gave them a little card to write them on. That's cool.

"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." Proverbs 21:5

"Plans succeed through good counsel; don't go to war without the advice of others." Proverbs 20:18

Last Sunday (click here if you missed the message) I challenged you in much the same way. To reflect back on 08' and see what God desires you to learn . . . and to think in different areas of your life (I suggested: Family life; Career/Work/Primary Responsibility life; Physical life; Spiritual life) . . . and ask God to give you a goal in each area of your life for this year. A way for you to reflect more of His glory at the end of 09' than you do now.

So how's your goal setting going? What is God telling you to charge after in 09'? Would you share some to encourage others?

Scorched . . .

"Can a man scoop fire into his lap
without his clothes being burned?
Can a man walk on hot coals
without his feet being scorched?
So is he who sleeps with another man's wife;
no one who touches her will go unpunished." Proverbs 6:27-29

No, I'm not confessing anything. This was in my reading in Proverbs this morning and it made me reflect on how lightly we many times approach sin . . . and yet how it kills.

Yeah, this is talking about adultery, but ALL sin shackles us and will destroy us if we aren't set free. 'No one who touches her will go unpunished.' There are consequences every time we choose against God's grace.

And the enemy stands ready to use it against us in every way possible - his only mission is to steal, kill and destroy.

Our hope is to stand honest before God and seek to follow His Spirit. Why live in the shackles of sin, when we can sleep well at night in the freedom of Christ?

What do you think?

The Journey Begins . . .

If you're like me you wonder what it might be like to trust God moment by moment with your life. Every day.

You have a desire to know what it might be like to remove the barriers that keep you from God - I mean really knowing Him - and to have His power continually unleashed in your life?

We want more than glimpses!

This Sunday I begin Soul Journey 60/60 . . . and we're going to seek to go on that journey with Jesus together.

I am so pumped about this series and the 'experiment' we're going to do that I'll tell you about this weekend!

'Creek Texts' are also back for this series! You can click here and sign up for a verse/passage that will be texted (or emailed) to you every day of this series to encourage us in the Journey together!

3-0

Sarah & Laura won 2 soccer games yesterday in the cold & wet weather . . . 1-0 and 1-0 . . . Laura scored the goal in the 2nd game and Sarah played awesome 'D'!

They also won last Friday 4-1 . . . and that's now the end of our 'scrimmages' . . . real season begins this weekend with a tournament in Brenham . . .

Awesome Worship

It was awesome to be a part of how God showed up in Celebration this morning! We ended up with two totally different messages as the Holy Spirit took over at 9am and led us in a different direction.

After this morning, I was reminded all afternoon of how we discover God's power when we are willing to follow the Holy Spirit in simple, small ways.

I've also had a passage that I shared this morning on my mind all day . . . I wanted to remind you how true the psalmist's words are:

"I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:1-3)

For Everything!

It's good to 'remember' and give God praise . . . for ALL things.

"always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephes. 5:20)

As I went back through my blog for 2008, here are some personal dreams fulfilled, family victories, Oso Creek victories, and life journey points that I praise God for . . . . . .

- Beatrice Lopez (from Spain) became our fourth daughter as she lived with us through May (How we love her and her parents!)
- For ALL the babies born to Creekers this year! (Wow, you guys are prolific!)
- We graduated 45 folks from our first Financial Peace class at Oso Creek!
- A Lion Fell -- I ran my first Half-Marathon in Austin!
- The Oso Creek Easter Festival made a comeback and you loved a thousand folks from our community!
- That both Laura and Sarah made All-District Soccer Teams! (They also got 2 of the 5 awards that the team voted on)
- For those of you who made trips to Mexico and loved the children and staff at the Pan de vida orphanage
- Our family ran Beach to Bay as a team
- Starbucks opened up one mile from my house :)
- Luke & I ran a 5k together
- Steve Garcia joined the Oso Creek Team as our Worship Pastor! Yes!
- I discoverd the world of cornhole!
- I got to go to DC and hang out with Mark Batterson and some other great leaders at Unplugged
- Twice we 'left the building' on Sunday morning to serve our community
- Many of you gave us a gift for our 9th Anniversary at Oso by sending us on a weekend to an Astros game!
- We took over 30 Creekers to Leadership Summit and it was awesome!
- The opportunity that many of us got to go to Surfside and love folks who were devastated by Hurricane Ike
- For Matt Beveridge's life and the way he entered eternity with courage and grace (and opened the door for so many people to be impacted) . . . and for the way that all of you loved him and his family
- I got to continue to coach Luke's baseball team including our new team the CC Surge
- Jenny McDermott became part of our awesome Oso Creek staff
- That we were able to join with the City and begin being Corpus' Southside Recycling Center
- I got to go with Luke to a college football game in Austin
- The many of you who generously gave yourself way to Operation Christmas Child and Advent Conspiracy
- That Emily is rocking through her sophomore year at Oso Creek!
- Cindy & I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary!
- And I praise God for the vision that He has given us to be 'On Mission' in 2009 like never before!

1/1/09 Audie Update

Audie is at home now and resting . . . although she is still suffering from some of her symptoms . . .

Thanks for all your prayers . . . Please keep asking God for for rest, healing and peace - for Audie & Tim.

Faithful

I praise God for Kim Galloway who faithfully posts Scripture every day on Creek Living Water !

This morning, as she began her second full year of providing a way for us to dwell in the Word, she posted this passage:

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." Romans 8: 28-30

What an awesome reminder of God's promises as we go into the New Year!

How are you going to get your spiritual nourishment this year?

It's easy to say, 'Yeah, this is the year!' But studies have shown that people who have a plan - a How, a When and a Where - get more things accomplished.

Don't have a plan? Click here and check out Creek Living Water . . . Maybe it's part of God's 2009 plan for you . . .

New Beginnings!

It's only 11 hours into 2009 and I've already:

- Had my first cup of coffee (OK, Folgers @ home)
- Let our new dog out to go potty for the first time (She was happy to see me)
- Dwelled in the Word for the first time (Proverbs 1 & 2 Timothy 2)
- Ate my first breakfast bar (no comment)
- Went on my first run (Awesome weather!)
- Kissed my wife for the first time (VERY good!)
- Had my first shower (nice . . . I like showers)
- Woke my kids up for the first time (VERY late! :)

A lot happens fast! As I woke up this morning this came into my head: "If anyone is in Christ He is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!"

Sometimes I don't understand all the 'hurrah' around New Years when so much of it is empty -- i.e. Party-go to bed-wake up late with hangover-have a day off-continue life as it was before.

But I like it in the sense that it reminds us that our lives can be FULL of Him and FULL of Life! There is a 'newness' to every moment that we walk with God. There are new adventures and great hope and joy around every 2009 corner as we seek Jesus!