Well we picked mom up on Friday from the airport and brought her home to live with us until we can find her permanent residence of her own. 5 days into it and everything seems to still be OK. Heather and the kids have all been great. Everyone has been very helpful. I’m very thankful to have such a supportive family.

I remember inviting Jesus into my life in 4th or 5th grade at a summer VBS at the local Baptist church. Unfortunately, there was no followup to that. I wasn’t brought up in the church. Ever since that day however, though I ignored it most of my life , I have always felt God’s hand in my life.

Most of my adult life I had an arrangement with God. It seemed to work pretty good. He didn’t bother me and I didn’t bother him. I went through life with the attitude that if it doesn’t hurt anyone it must be O.K.. You live your life and I’ll live mine. To each his own.

I didn’t have any Earth shaking epiphany or life threatening experience. Nor did I witness a miracle or some inexplicable situation. I was, however ,weary of life. Of banging my head on the wall and never seeming to get anywhere. Doing the same things over and over and never getting a different result.

I remember the night God called me back. He brought me to my knees in repentance. I remember the freedom of that moment and the joy of hope that was given to me. I was saved from life’s emptiness and shackles of sin. I had been reborn into a new life.

I’m sure this story is common and the question that follows is even more common. How do I know I’m saved?

I would answer that question with a question or two. (These questions assume you have been born again and believe Jesus to be the son of God and the only way to the Father in Heaven.)
1. When you sin, do you feel compelled to bring it to your Father in Heaven and ask his forgiveness?
2. Can you intentionally sin without repentance?

A man who is born again, made new through repentance (the turning from the old ways and seeking not to repeat them) and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, will answer no to both of these questions. If you can answer no to these two questions than rest assured you have been saved.

Here are a few pictures of some of the things we did 2011.

I’m not sure what the deal is with the sound, but it’s  not bad. It makes a father proud to watch his child serving God with a beautiful talent he gave her. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. (Of course I’m Biased:)

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This is the first time in 25 years I have had a regular work schedule. Now working  banker hours and off on the weekends. It’s taking a little gettin used to, but I think I could like being off on the weekends. 

IT’S NOT FAIR!!!

In a recent Bible Study that I was in we explored the characteristics of SATAN and how he sells his lie to the masses. We found a common ploy used by Satan was to tell us we deserve better and that we have been dealt a raw deal.(Like Eve in the garden) He makes us believe that we are being duped by someone (God) and that we could do better.(eat the apple and be like God) “Life is not fair” is his battle cry. Why? Because while we are trying to get our “fair share” we loose focus on the one who created us (God) and provides for our every need. We make our needs our focus.

If you believe that you are being treated unfairly or that God has abandoned you than you have lost perspective of who you are and who God is. God sacrificed his only son so that we, his creation, could be equally and fairly loved. A “fair share” is not what you get out of life, but what you give to preserve it and make it better for others.