"Wednesday" Labels

We are concluding a bible study this week in the High School Department on Wednesday nights. It is Out of the Box studies and this one is labeled Suprising encounters with Jesus. This is actually an adult ministry study. I love it!! I hope and pray that you can get a couple of people together and do this study at a home. You won't be sorry you did this.
Well this last study in this series is about Jesus encountering a sinner (on the cross). Then it slowly takes you to some scriptures in II Corinthians 5:16-18. It really makes one think. What if Jesus came on this earth with the attitude alot of us have. Here are some of the ways I think we look at people:

"That person is scum"
"That person is living one of the most sinful lives I have seen"
"That person is a rich snob"
"That person's family is trash"

The list could go on an on. I hope you get the point. We can't do this. This is not ministering accurately. This is ministring by choice. We choose who we minister to. We choose when and where. That is not how Jesus did it. If he did us Gentile (Not Jewish) people would be headed for hell. Christ came to us no caring our background and labels. He came to us out of love and geniune compassion. We need to follow that way.

After all labels don't matter in eternity. If you go up they blow off and if you go down they burn up.

"Tuesday" Electrical Outlets and Man vs. Woman rules.

Well I have to start this off saying I love you Buffy!! (LOL) Anyway this all started from a straightening Iron buff purchase. The old one fizzled out. So she comes home yesterday with this hot stick and plugs it into the bathroom outlet. For some reason unknown to us the circuit in the plug in pops. We that is easily fixed right. NO!!! Not in the Hughes house all must be complicated. She goes to reset the switch and the thing is stuck and wont work. She then asks her manly man (ME) to fix this.
I first do what every man would do. Yes that is right...I repeat the same steps she did. After that it didn't work. So I then proceed to the fuse panel in the house. I throw the fuses off and back on. Well that didn't work. That is the end of my electrical skills. So then I go back to the plug in in question. I proceed to get my screw driver and poke at the reset switch. Well you can imagine the wife was not to thrilled at my awesome display of brain power. Buffy is yelling...."Don't do that with out throwing the fuses" "You are going to shock yourself". I am doing to precise work like a sergeant and my wife is yelling. I figure I better stop because my precision is being affected by the worried wife. Plus in all reality she was right. Well you would think that would be the end of it.
NOOOoooooo! I had to leave last night to visit someone in the hospital. Well I get back and my wife explains to me that it is fixed. What??? My manhood has just been shattered. I have let a lady do a mans job. Then Buffy explains to me that SHE poked the reset button with the screw driver and it worked. I think to my self WHAT?? Then I call her into question. She just smiles as all wives do and blinks her little eyes. She has to say nothing....I know. Yep men we have a task set before us. I need to do something manly today. If anyone needs a boat whittled out of an oak tree let me know. LOL ....LOVE YA HUN....

"Monday" Nobody told me to build an ark. It is floodin' out there.

Many people have been praying for rain. Well we go it!! I think the floodgates have be officially opened. This it the kind of rain you do not like taking you daughter to the doctor in. We get out the car and are soaked. Then we dry off just in time to use umbrellas to fight our way through the flood. Much to my dismay puddles and rivers have formed on almost every part of the parking lot of the hospital. Nobody told me to build an ARK!! The way I figure it is that this house (a double wide trailer) can be fitted for pontoons. That way it can float.

Well I hope you all have those in the way of the most recent hurricane in your prayers. The last I heard many were staying to ride it out. This hurricane has done some terrible damage. I also say this to those who always say "how can I help out?" and never do anything. There is alot you can do. I know that there is a place in which you can help. Pray...enlist in a organization that is going down there to assist. Do something!! Don't just sit idle and wait for someone else to do it. God put us on this earth to serve. Now GO!!

"Sunday" Nisha and the gas and go

Well my niece Denisha "Nisha" has started college. Look out MSU you have another buffy.jr entering your gates. I sometimes think that these two were cut from the same mold. My wife Buffy did very well in College. That is why I married her she has the brians (lol). Anyway this past week our telephone lines have been lite up like a Christmas tree. Poor nisha.... :( LOL. She was put in the wrong class. She needs a different book. It seems that the madness wont end. A very important note here is that she has a boyfriend in college too. He tries to help her but you know how that is Guys. Back the subject at hand. I think finally with some patience and help from my bro she will be fine in the book area.

I preach today. Well that means I have to get out of the house earlier than usual. That didn't happen. Then I look down at the unfriendly gas guage and see our little friend. Yes that is right the all too familiar yellow light. This usually doesn't cause alarm because I can go a good way on the hydroplane defeating monster of a car I have. But since I left church Friday with the light on I figure this won't last me another 30 min trip to the church. I drive a a decent speed with little a/c (conserving gas). I pass stella market place and of course it is closed. The I begin to formulate in the ole noggin. If I go to Speed way that is the closest to a pit stop that you can get. Once again pulling out the nascar skills (Nascar agents I keep missing your calls). I whip in the pump area being sure not to hit any crew members...not wait that is not what they were....they were other people gasing their cars up. I then jump out with a quick fast draw of the ole ATM card I pay. I then pump 4 dollars...because this is a gas and go....no time for a fill up. Then I get my reciept and jump back in the car. This all took less than 5 mins. I figure that is good .....and I wasn't late for church.

"Saturday" Javalution

Yes that is right Murray is rumored to get another coffee shop. I have heard this from a source that I feel is reliable. The Life House in Murray is in the process of building a new spot. I don't know thier official move in date. But after they leave thier current location a coffee shop is suppose to move in there. All I have to say is all these posts about coffee have not been in vain. I fell as though the javalution is about to happen.
This will make 4 coffee shops in the little city of Murray. We have Thoroughbred Cafe (Starbucks) , Corner Stone, The new one at the bottom of New Life and this one. WOW!! This is one of the greatest things to happen to Murray since Cracker Barrel.
So after this I may have to map a routine so that I will stick to. That way you will know where to find me. I may be known to many as the crazy coffee shop man. Everybody will look and point yelling "Crazy Coffee Shop Man!!". I will be singing a song "You say you wanna Javalution....yeaaa ...you know...".

Have a great day and remember to have a cup of joe before you go!

"Friday" Professional College Student life has ended.

Well I have signed up for classes "AGAIN". I have already posted about this. I sometimes feel like a loser that can't seem to get things going. I like many could rattle off a bunch of excuses why I don't have my degree, but when you get down to it I just think I am lazy sometimes. I want to explain that I am not lazy when it comes to work. If you give me a job I will give you 100 percent of myself. Just ask my employers.

Walmart worked there 6 and 1/2 years and was a manager. MSU worked there 2 and 1/2 years and was a supervisor. I am not afraid of physical labor. It is something in the study area. Is it A.D.D. ?? I would like to blame it on that. But who knows.

I have this reoccuring dream that I have to go back to high school and start all over. I can actually feel the disgust and disappointment. I really attribute this to my Mt Everest of getting my degree.

Something is different this time. I don't know why I say that I just know. I have alot pushing me and I found a plan that will work with my schedule. I just hope and pray that the funds are sufficent to do this.

I am also one that does not like to put focus on me. People will often ask me. Jamie why didn't you tell us this? Jamie why didn't you let me know? The answer is I want to stay as humble as possible. I never want to have a head so big that it wont fit in the door. I want people to know that I am nothing without Christ. But to Christ I was worth everthing.

I often think of myself like Peter. He was easily distracted. But highly devoted. Sometimes let his mouth get out of hand. But Christ loved him. I think he might have had A.D.D. too....LOL.

Thursday ~ The Princess craze

This summer I made the travel to Disney. Man that place is huge. Disney must have geniuses in there marketing departments. My daughters have caught the princess fever. With Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Ariel and countless others there is room for every young girl to dream of being that princess. Abbi is in love with Cinderella and Hannah loves Ariel at this moment. Some of these films were made ages ago. Yet with this great scheme they have all been revitalized. Man the dough Disney is raking in on this.

We actually had lunch with the princesses. This meal which was interesting (Norwegin food) we accompanied by princesses walking around talking with the children. My girls ate it up (Not the food). Micah didn't really care either way (he is easily amused). But thanks to my parents my children got a chance to have a dream lunch with thier princesses.

What things can we learn from this? As a teacher of youth and children I think we can learn alot. Maybe you can schedule a dinner night at your church (families). Have people dress up like bible characters and travel around. As they come to your table they can guess who this bible character is. They can learn through this experience. We always need to be on the cutting edge of teaching our children the word. Use whatever you can. Jesus used many different ways to teach (writing in sand, nature, parables, boat trips and many other situations.

I recommend that you all read this book:
Roaring Lambs

Wednesday ~ Ode to my family.

I very rarely write about my family. This has come to my attention in the last few days. To me this is the way my life stacks up.

1) Christ
2) Buffy
3) Children
4) Family
5) Work and other...

If anyone wants to debate that then you need to read your bible more.

Well I have known my wife since middle school. We started "going out" then. We stayed a couple all the way through middle school and high school. I would like to say I always treated her right in those days, but I didn't. Some how by the grace of God she stuck with me through my immaturity. Around my junior year I really began looking at her in a different way. I realized she was the love of my life. I am sure that becoming a Christian at the age of 17 had nothing to do with it... (Praise God!!) . I couldn't stop thinking about her. It was a great feeling to love someone like that. I had seen my father love my mother with the same love. I praise God that he kept me in a family where I saw a father treat a mother how she should be.

Then after high school I began my plan. I was going to marry this wonderful woman. I worked and worked for this engagement ring. After a steady diet of Ramen noodles and Sam's colas the money was there. It wasn't much of a ring. But it symbolized my love for her. I remember giving her this ring like it was yesterday. I remember her answer. I remember it all.

We continued through our life. We have never had a lot. But I know that we have a love that conquers all. We have been through some difficulties just like everyone else. But I can't imagine going through one day without her.

We have 3 wonderful children now. People often joke that we have our hands full. No!!!!! WE HAVE OUR HOUSE FULL OF LOVE. I wouldn't change a single thing. My grandparents had 8 children and if they can have that many and survive I think our family can to.

Micah is our oldest . He is 5 years old and is in kindergarten. He is my clone I believe (poor him...lol). He is a perfect blend of energy, humor and intelligence. I know we will share many manly outings as the girls hit teenage life and the hormones increase.

Abigail "Abbi" is our middle child. For those with the middle child syndrome comments. That can't be further from the truth. You love for a child is never divided for each one. It multiplies! She is Buffy's clone. She is a perfect blend of emotions, drama, intelligence and she has an gymnist gene her or something. She flips and flops more than any child I know.

Hannah is our youngest. It is strange how each child is different. She is a mix in the clone department. She has me and my wife all in her. Sometime is has the energy and humor and other times she is emotional and drama filled. One thing about her she can cut eyes at you like none other.

I typed all this to say aside from Christ my family is my life. God entrusted these children to me. God gave me a wonderful wife. I feel blessed beyond any other man. I don't deserve this. But God's grace and mercy is truly great. Thank you Lord for giving me this!!

Tuesday ~ Downin' the Java and cold stuff.

Well I am sitting here at the desk. I don't know wither I have a cold or my allergies is kickin' in again. So last night before I went to bed I prepare for battle. This battle is unlike many others. This battle is for sleep. So I take my allergy sinus medicine. Then I strap on my Breathe Right strip. Finally a little Vicks Vapo Rub under the nostrils and I am set. It is truly amazing the things you will do for some sleep when you get a cold. I didn't have to pull out the secret weapons (Afrin and Vaporizer).

I love coffee if you didn't know. At home right now I have 4 different types of coffee. I have Folgers coffee beans (Grind your on beans it is WAY better), Maxwell house coffee (Already ground for saving time), Coffee from Germany and Coffee from Nicaragua. May favorite is still the Folgers simply because I can control its strength. If I want one that will keep me awake all hours of the night I can grind that stuff really fine. If I want some coffee that is just for a night sip and relax then I grind it really coarse (Which my parents usually always does).
I really enjoy going to coffee shops. When on vacations I usually try to find a unique coffee shop. One of the neatest ones was Savannah roasters in GA. But my favorite is still the Drowsy Poet in Lynchburg, VA.

Well I must retire from this writing and get on with my daily life. Remember allergies are bad and coffee is GOOD!

Monday ~ The Oval Office is empty.

Well today starts a week and a half vacation for our pastor. Bro. D and his wife are off on an Alaskan cruise. There goes some more of your inheritance Jeremy.
The oval office (pastor's office) will be vacant for this time. It will be up to me to keep the White House up and running (scary thought huh??). With hospital visits, visitation, preaching and many other duties this means this time will be busy. That is ok with me. My A.D.D. loves for one hundred things to be happening at once.
It is raining outside this morning and the temps are suppose to go down. That is a great and welcomed thing. I hope today that God's presence falls on you like the rain. Have a great day.

Sunday ~ Crystal rivers and some people have lost it.

I see people sometimes and often I think "What are you doing with your life!!". I don't claim to be a smart man. I know one thing to be true. The lifestyle in which you lead will soon one day catch up to you. Christlikeness should be our goal. The more and more we become like the world the less and less we become the Christ.

Romans 12:2
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is."

1 Corithians 1:20
"So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world's brilliant debaters? God has made them all look foolish and has shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense."

Hebrews 13:14
"For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come."

James 4:4
"You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can't be a friend of God. "

1 John 2:15-17
"Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.

With all that quoted and many many more that God instucts us to use. I think of it this way we are what we are. If you are a fruit tree you will produce fruit of the spirit. If there is no fruit ...then there is not fruit tree "By their fruit you shall know them".

Well off the soap box I go. Today we are reading in Revelation. We get a glempse of heaven. No pain, torment, aches, worries, wars and etc... There is a crystal river flowing through this New Heaven. It comes from the "Living Water". I see this a realize. I can't wait. This world is not my home. Maranatha!!!

Saturday ~ Rollerblading and Infections!!

I have come to the assumption that I will be rollerblading to work now. I figure that if I get up early enough that I can hold on to my dad's truck as he leaves for work. That will allow me to get to Murray. Now the tricky part is to find a ride to the lake. But with the blisterin' heat wave I should not have to hard a time. Alot of people are headed toward water (like a elephant in Africa needing a drink). The ride home will be ok I might be able to get some help there too. To bad there is not a stream behind my house that connects to the Lake. Because if there was I would be purchasing a canoe to ride to work in.

I went to the Dump today. There was a guy that just pulled up his trailer full of limbs and left it. I am figuring that he didn't want that anymore. That is a first for me. I am wondering if you could get rid of unwanted vehicles that way. That place has to be the nastiest place in Calloway county. You know that it has to have 80 different kinds of germs and biohazards in it. YUCK! Sometimes if you go when it is raining the floor is slick as snot. I have almost fell in it before. If I do I will instantly check myself in the hospital and notify the CDC.

I hope you all have a great day inside.

Friday ~ "Paradeisos" Resort travels...

Well last night we had visitation. Which means we get together and go visit church members and prospects. I was teamed up with Joyce Thorton (much prettier than Bro. Dennis). Well we had two visits to make. First one would be about 5 miles from church. As we drove up I could already tell this was a "no go". The house looked dead. So I went around back to be greeted by thier son (Kevin). He was on the phone and the family was not home. So I spoke with him a minute and then proceeded back to the vehicle.
Stop number two was quite a ways off. I am not from this side of the tracks so I have no clue where I was. All I know is that Joyce piloted us safely to the location. The roads twist and turn around the lake area. Then when you think we have traveled long enough there is still more roads to go on. We were looking for Paradise Resort? Hummm....I thought to myself. I have never heard or seen this place in my life. We finally make it there. It was a awesome place. I have never even been to. Needless to say that these people was not home. I still feel that God wanted me to be there for some reason.

On the way to work this early morning I started to think. What kind of thing can you teach me from this Lord? This is what he showed me:

Imagine your self relaxing here with no cares or worries.

View1 View2 View3 View4

Then realizing how relaxed and carefree you might be think of how much of a paradise that might be. Then read this verse:

Luke 23:43
"And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."

The word for paradise here is paradeisos. It is a greek (that came from a persian word) word which can mean the following:

1) among the Persians a grand enclosure or preserve, hunting ground, park, shady and well watered, in which wild animals, were kept for the hunt; it was enclosed by walls and furnished with towers for the hunters
2) a garden, pleasure ground
2a) grove, park

This referance to heaven sounds familiar huh?? Remember Eden? The way it was meant to be. Man when you begin to think of that then you truly long for your eternal home. It will be a paradise. But the one thing that makes great is that Jesus is there!

(For you who would like to visit paradise resorts homepage)

Thursday - Hydroplaning vehicles are not cool.

Yesterday on my way to evening services I ran into Noah's Flood. I was actually driving the speed limit. I flick on the wipers, lights and turn down the radio. This was time for some serious driving. As I am topping "Coldwater Bottom" I must have hit Lake Erie in the road. I immediately lost control of my small car and started to hydroplane . My Nascar Skills kicked in high gear here (for any Nascar talent scouts that are reading my blog...lol). I know that I need to keep the wheel turned in the direction I want to go. I let off the gas. All I could see is this mail box (with newpaper box on the side). I think well here goes the front end of my car. Right as I hit the grass off the road the car regains control. So I slowly directed my car back on the road. Much to my dismay another Lake had formed. This time I went over onto the other side (Praise the Lord there was no cars). I must have skidded out of the ponds in which I started this whole mess. This time I regained control for sure. I then slowed down to 35mph. Watching all that Nascar did pay off!!

I said that to say this. I was helpless. I really thought this was the end! But I can remember saying "Oh Lord!". I know it was probably instinct. Never the less I called out! He answered. Much like Peter did (Matt 14:30):

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

I really believe the Lord did save me from a accident. All we need to do is call out. LORD SAVE ME!!!

Praise Him!!

Wednesday - Sippin java

Well it is a typical Wednesday. Not much happening this morning. My parent's house (directly across the road) is being remodeled. It seems it is a church effort (lol). Jason Phillips, Kevin Kelly and Shawn Kelly have been doing the carpentry work. Then today Barry Rose (Traci's dad) arrives with the insulation. My children just had to say hello to Mr Barry. He feeds them sugar on Sunday (lol). As we were going inside my youngest (Hannnah-2) yells "Good Day".

Good Day??? We don't even say that. Was this a small child's attempt to say have a good day or was she watching too much Winnie the pooh? This grabbed my attention. Isn't it amazing how movies, TV and radio influence language? I mean we see a show or hear a song and before you know it this phrase becomes a part of our everyday speech.

So if you were to ask me.... So Jamie what are you going to do today?
I would answer "Whatever I feel like ...Gosh!!!" (Napoleon Dynamite)

Another think say some one is staring at you ...
You might say "Stop looking at me swaaaan!" (Billy Madison)

All this to say, wouldn't it be great if the bible had that kinda of influence on our daily life? I mean when in doubt about something you refer to the bible. When in trouble you REFER to the bible. During good times you REFER to the bible. Just a thought for today.

Tuesday - School and more...

Well I am officially appling for yet another school. I have on my transcripts now Murray State University and Liberty University. I search my transcripts and saw that I have over 80 college hours in. This is disgusting! I mean do I plan to be a professonal college student. NO!

I am to enroll and hopefully complete my education in 2 years. This I like. Lord I am gonna need your help on this one. I have A.D.D. and I am actually gonna complete something. This is gonna be a God sized task.

To continue my thought from last post I noticed yet another scripture that matches will with Jeremiah 29:13. This one is found in Deut. 4:29.

"From there you will search again for the LORD your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him."

Where is this "there"? This was a description of yet another captivity in another land. The Isrealites had yet again gone away from the Lord. Then and only then after being "caught" would they realize thier goof up and turn back to the Lord.

Why is it that we must do this to ourselves. The only way many will seek after the Lord wholeheartly is when they have no one else to turn to. But God in his grace and mercy always turns to His children. It is not that God moved it is that we ran away from him. Oh how that breaks Christ's heart. I can see him shaking his head almost in tears as his children go the wrong way. Praise Him that he is waiting to hug us even when we realize we are headed for destruction.

Monday - I really don't think most people want to seek God.

Well yesterday I had migraine II in the headache series. This one topped off the scales. Luckly I have back up med II for such an occasion. It does knock me out for some time but I didn't care at that time. This time I slept for 4 hours. Man I pray these things stop.

Anyway enough of the poor pitful me writing. I was reading a scripture verse. I have had it wrote down for quite some time. The verse is Jeremiah 29:13:

"If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me."

I honestly think the world today says "Where is your God now?" and to be honest I think us Christians thing the same things. Where is God? If you look and honestly seek him you will find him in all things. The problem is the world doesn't want to see him. It makes us accountable for our actions. That makes us realize that we are not perfect. We like the idea that we are not responsible for our actions.

"They made me do it!"
"It's all your fault"
"That stems from my childhood"
"I was born this way"

The list goes on and on. Sometimes we just need to grow up! Realize our imperfections. Give Christ our life and let him begin the work(Phillipians 1:6).

Really seek after him. Just as this man in these scriptures. I guarantee that Christ will show up!(Act 10:30-33)

Sunday-2nd floor and shopping sprees.

Well Sunday is here again. It seems that Sunday's come faster and faster these days. So I was sitting here in my office going over a few last minute things for Sunday School. Our offices are in the wierdest spot. If you come in the drive under part of our building you will enter our gym (Family Life Center). After arriving in the FLC you will notice a long hallway. You began walking past the bathrooms and then up stairs . The stair then end up on the 2nd floor. You will then turn immediately left and then make a right. If you somehow make this journey in one try you are the smartest person ever (LOL).

We are studing today about the coming of Christ (Matt. 24:23-28 and Rev 19:11-16). Everyone always wants to know when this will happen. But we very rarely focus on what we need to do before this happens. You must work as though this is the last minute you have to share with others. Thing of those shopping sprees where you are allowed 15 minutes to take all you can. That is the way we need to be working to make sure others (besides ourselves) are with us. Running down the isles of the world proclaiming he is coming jump in the cart before time runs out.

Saturday-Bushhoggin' the yard and killin' varmits.

Well the yard has gotten out of hand (my fault). So I was outside in the blistering heat mowing. Although at that height some might consider it bushhogging. After that there was some much grass I had to practically bail it to make sure my yard doesn't look trashy.

While in the midst of doin' some yard trimming with a push mower I hear "Jamie!!". I look over to see my wife in distress. The first thought was one of the kids is missing a limb. So I shut the mower off. She then proceeds to explain there is a spider in the sink. I then let go of the push mower (which rolls in the creek somehow). I proceed in the house thinking the whole time "I can't believe I have to come in to kill a spider.

There it was one of the largest brown recluse (spelling?) I have seen in a while. The first thought was spray. I hit him with hairs spray all the while buffy is telling me that her hairspray is expensive. Good point, but also it didn't seem to phase this monster of a beast. So then I take my shaving cream bottle and proceeded to pound his little body into pieces.

I have to admit I think this spider could have stood a chance against transcula (spelling?). So my manly duties is finished for the day. Think I will relax and watch some Nascar and grunt. ARrr ARrr.

Friday-The headache that ruined my Thursday.

I have had headaches since I was a itty bitty. Yesterday I had the BIG ONE. I took my emergency medicine and then proceeded home. My loving wife was kind enough to let me nap (3 and 1/2 hour nap). After waking I realized the headache had gone away. But my neck was still sore as if someone had beaten me with a pole.

You know this world is full of pains, aches, trials and troubles. But he still lives. I know that one day I will meet him and I won't care that I had headaches or the wierd brain problems. I will just be overjoyed to see my savior. What a day that will be....yeeeehaaw!

(Thursday) Worship was great last night.

Last night was great. Our new youth moved in. We had about 25-30 youth and it was great. I got off the bus to be welcomed by a lot of faces that had disappeared during the summer. Then we go over a few things and Jonathan our minister in training (youth) lead us in some praise and worship. Then we prayed and went to our bible studies. I teach High School. Our study used chess pieces to describe how we feel sometimes in the world.

Pawn..worthless and small
Rook..usefull but still lacking
King..Top of the world

Then we studied how the King of this world cared enought to die for us. That should show us our eternal worth. God cares and loves his children. We are never pawns in his eyes.

Wednesday ... The church couldn't handle a Paul today.

I began to think today. With all the churches out there and flavor and styles of worship you think that the church would be stronger than ever. Sometimes this is far from the truth. All these choices eventually turn into differences. Then the differences turn in to quarreling and fights. We as the chruch need to step up to the plate. Christ should be our focus not doctrine.

Paul explained "Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These kinds of things are useless and a waste of time. If anyone is causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with that person."

Titus 3:9-10

"Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights."
II Timothy 2:23

These denomenational differences sometimes cause fights and quarrels. This only divides Christ's Church. We must begin to work together to battle our enemy not each other. Paul wrote these things to the early church but it seems as though God knew we would need it now more than ever. Paul spoke boldly. He held no punches back. He went straight for the issue and didn't candy coat it. I really don't think the church would enjoy having him around because he would look straight at you and tell you the truth. He wanted to impress his father not man.

(Tuesday) Glasses Examination

You ever realized how many times a Eye Doctor says "One...or two, two or three, three or four". There is times that I have no Idea which one is better. They both look the same. Then you begin to wonder is on of those just pure glass.

Then they puff that air in your eyeball which scares you to death no matter how much you prepare for it.

Well I am now waiting for my new glasses. I am sure I will look all studious with them on my noggin. LOL

(Monday) Unwanted advice.

Have you ever received unwanted advice. If you are human and have lived longer than 10 years I am sure you have. As I was thinking over this topic a scripture came to mind.

James 1:19-20 (NLT)
" ¹⁹My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. ²⁰Your anger can never make things right in God's sight."

What does this say. We are to be quick to listen. But when it come to giving advice we are to be slow about it. Everyone has solutions to other peoples lives and problems. This comes always from people on the other end of the problem. They have no clue what you personally are going through or what God is leading you to do. They simply add thier 2 cents worth anyway. This is not a biblical approach. I do understand when someone is leading a SINFUL lifestyle as a christian that we are to intervene. But as for daily life and problems that is not the case.

But we on the receiving end of the unwanted advice must be slow to anger. This is a biblical approach. We have to understand that some people are trying to help. They may not understand but we can do our part and just listen and pray. God is our ultimate direction in life. He never directs us wrong and we will alway have friends that will give us unwanted advice. Just look at Job.

I really think this scripture applies to both parties.

(Sunday) I went to Paducah last night...

Well me and Buffy went out last night on a date. This has been a long time a coming. The last time we had a official date was in June. So you can see that we don't get much of a chance to get out. My parents were gracious enough to watch the little ones while we went.

Olive Garden....ahhhhh. This is our favorite resturant. You can have all the other snooty resturants like Cintha's and Di Fratelli's. I don't need a price tag to tell my mouth food is good. This place is the greatest. Anyway I enjoyed time away with my wife.

Sunday is here and I have a full day ahead of me. I just pray that I focus on worship and not on ministry as much. Sometimes us pastors focus more on how to minister to others and forget the one we are trying to lead them to. We forget that we must worship too.

Until we meet again.

(Saturday) What was up with Napolean Dynamite?

Well after the youth's rave reviews I finally coughed up the money to rent Napolean Dynamite. After watching this independant film I realize one thing. Youth's expectations in movies has really decreased. This film was on the borderline between dumb and boring. I admit one thing it is clean for a film but what in the world were you thinking youth??? I personally expect you to refund my 3 dollars for this rental. I figure at the average of 30 youth. You all owe me 10 cents a peice.

BTW for you all that went to X-fuge I do realize those actors did an excellent job of spoofing that movie (if it can be called that).

(Friday) Back to school..Back to work.

Well today was my son's first "official" day of school. He was in pre-k last year but this seems different. Maybe it's because he will be there all day. Kassa Kelso is his teacher. She is a relative through marriage. My cousin Derek (a youth pastor too) is married to her. My wife dropped him off today. I woke up this morning with butterflies in my stomache as if I was going to school my first day. This must start the endless cycle of worry for my children. I am sure as Abbi and Hannah enter it will only get worse. Don't worry about me I have ten types of medication I am on to deal with it. LOL

Back to work. I come in today to prepare for Sunday. 9:15AM and all is well at fort Poplar Spring. As I was driving to work today I realized that the Lord wants true worship from us. Untainted by the World, Unending in time, Unfailing in Love. I was listening to Tree 63 nd realized many things about thier music. They are a band about Biblical Truth and unafriad to actually say "JESUS" in thier lyrics. I began to ponder these groups that are so called Christian. But as you listen to thier lyrics there is only a hint of Christ. Is this a reflection of Christ?? I want to be a true reflection. I am proud of these groups actually taking a stand. They will never headline for big secular groups. But when their day on earth is through they will hear:

"Well done good and faithful servant"
"You ran the race ....and a crown awaits you"

Thursday ...free coffee stuff day.

Well I stopped by Newlife Christian Bookstore on the square today. As I was shopping the lady (Karen) notified me that there is a new coffee shop downstairs. She also explained that there were FREE Samples. Coffee is my fourth love (1 Christ, 2 Buffy, 3kids and 4 coffee). These words go so well together. Coffee shop and FREE. So I ventured downstairs to this place. There it was...a nice and quiet place to sip coffee and ponder life's most important decisions (such as what time will I get my haircut today). After chattin it up with the guys there and finishing off my sample I thanked them and left.

There is now 3 official coffee shops in Murray now. We must be moving up in the world. LOL

Wednesday a day off in question.

Wednesday is my "day off". This day should be in question simply because in all reality I work. Not that I mind but maybe I should start saying I have part of the day off.

My wife will arrive home just in time for me to leave around 5:15PM. I then proceed to drive 30 mins to the church. After that I drive a big honkin' bus for 1 hour and 15 mins. I will teach youth for about 1 hour and then drive the bus to drop the kids off that we picked up (another hour and 15 mins). I finally drive home another 30 mins. So all added up it is 4 hours and 30 mins.

Saturdays are the same. Although they are sometimes a day off they are not. I have youth activities usually planned on this date (especially when school is in). In average I am off about half of the Saturday's.

Monday is my true day off. In no way am I complaining. My job is awesome and the Lord has blessed. Just giving you an idea of my week. Bro Dennis' is the same way. We can never call our days off "a day off". Because it is never a sure thing. People get sick and things happen. Maybe we should call them:

"Days off if..."

Tuesday...gazing at a white posterboard.

Well Tuesday is here in full force. I am sitting here gazing at a white posterboard. I am about to glue pictures taken at our VBS on. Yeah that is part of my job. It's sounds easy but you must arrange the pictures so that they are pleasing to the eye. LOL

Tuesday is a prep day for me. We all know that tomorrow is another day of worship. I teach high school youth and also drive a bus. It is sometimes a job to juggle the two and do a good job of teaching. I happened to be reading a book that helped me to see my error in thinking. I can drive this bus as an act of worship. This allows me to prepare for my teaching. I know you have to really reach out there and grasp that idea. But there is truth in that.

Monday the countdown begins.

Well I know for many youth Friday is D-day for you. It is the dreaded back to school day. Filled with emotions about seeing friends that you parted with after school ended and the thoughts of homework pilled up in the corner of your room. Fear not I have the answer!!!

Take this year differently. Take each day as a mission. Take it back for Christ.

Don't get stuck in rutts. Don't get discouraged. Don't let Satan win.

Each day is a gift from God make it count. Then when we meet him face to face we will hear these words and it all will make sense. "Well done good and faithful servant"