Be a Life Giver!

This week on the creek texts (click here and here if you don't know what I'm talking about) --- we've been focusing on the power of the stuff that comes out of our mouths (and a big thanks to Nathan L. who brought the message last week!) . . . . .

'Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.' Prov 16:24

'The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.' Prov 18:21

'An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.' Prov 12:25


And then yesterday, someone who I respect sat down with me and just for a couple of minutes (just a couple of stinkin' minutes) told me how much he appreciated me and how well he felt like I was leading Oso Creek.

You know what, IT WORKS! I'm still living off the power of those words today!

Now, I'm not talking about insincere chatter, but if we will only choose to see God in the lives of those around us and then pull what we see to the surface -- then we speak LIFE and HEALING into people's lives!

I challenge you to see how many more times you can do it this weekend!

Post Holiday Fog

Does anyone else struggle with Post-Holiday fog? Today my sleeping was off a little, my eating off some, my hours still a little messed up -- just the whole rhythm of life tilted a little.
And being a creature of habit in a very tight way just adds to the tilt a little?

Anybody else still a little foggy?

Homecoming Refelections

We made it to Hardin Simmons and Emily is doing great! 10 weeks since we had seen her . . . it was awesome to hold her again. She took us on the grand tour and we also met about 50 girls named Ashley or Lauren (and a couple of guys but I'm gonna ignore that!) . . . was lots of fun . . . I'm just already not looking forward to leaving her again tomorrow. . . .

This is Homecoming weekend and also is Cindy and I's 20th graduation celebration. We went to a gathering last night of folks we graduated with and I tell you what I had no idea that some of those people we graduated with were so old! They must of been about 30 when we were in college cause their stinkin' old now. I'm just glad that Cindy and I aren't that old :)

Being back in these places of life history send me into life reflection. Is my life really counting? Am I pursuing Jesus with everything or just happy to get down the river? How can I make the next 20 count?

Busy Saturday!

We've got 2 Cross Country meets, mow a yard, a basketball game, baseball practice, a birthday party, then another basketball game (and maybe 2 more). And everywhere in between polishing up the sermon for tomorrow.
Ahhh. . . And I try to remember the words of one of my mentors (Bo K.) 'Enjoy these days, they are some of the best of your life.' Amen.

AND . . . Yesterday Emily went on her first road trip without us or 'adult supervision' (her words). She and a friend went to Cindy's Dads in Lubbock (Hi Clif!). We're here and she's in Lubbock . . . this is all still so strange . . .

In the wee hours of this (Friday) morning a woman who was a very dear member of one of our Life Groups passed from this life to the next.

Paul said that 'nothing will be able to separate us from the love of Christ . . . For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'

Life and life abundantly! For the follower of Jesus, even in 'death' there is just more LIFE . . . IN Christ Jesus!

Check out this great blog by one of our Creekers - Kim Galloway - as she reflects on Helen's old life, her new life, and what it means to LIVE in Christian community.