In every way...every day...beautiful

In today's world I believe many women don't realize how beautiful they are. Most are so condemning of themselves. They find all of their perceived flaws and then proceed to trash their self esteem. That is so far from the truth. That is where we as men need to step in and show them their beauty.

To me there is nothing more exciting to see when your feels beautiful. For example during my brothers wedding Buffy looked gorgeous (note : she always does) and her eyes glimmered. You could tell she felt good about herself. I loved seeing that and as we danced I couldn't help but almost cry.

What is the issue? I think there are many but a lot of it has to do with us.

1) Many men will slobber all over the television when their favorite actress, model or whatever is on. This tends to appear that there are qualities in that person that they like better in that lady.

2) We only tell women they are beautiful during special occasions. So that looks like they only look beautiful when they are dressed up.

3) We simply don't treat them like the wonderful gifts they are.

I know there is way more things but you get the idea. I know we as men often do things without even knowing. It is time though that we step up and encourage, love, respect and cherish our beautiful help mates.

"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way." Song of Solomon 4:7

"You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes," Song of Solomon 4:9

"Your love delights me, my treasure, my bride. Your love is better than wine, your perfume more fragrant than spices." Song of Solomon 4:10

I have had this scripture in my heart for days now. This post is to cause us men to appreciate and complement our wives. They are truly beautiful blessings from above.

Hannah and Chloe's B-Day

I know I haven't posted about the girls B-Days that have already come and gone. Sorry for that but the weeks have been crazy and the minutes have been few. I have about 2 more posts I have needed to make so I am gonna get everything caught up.

Hannah turned 5 years old the 18th of this month. She is really growing up next school year she will be headed to Kindergarten. Each day that goes by with her I see more and more a little lady and less and less a little girl. That is scary.

Chloe turned 2years old the 24th of this month as well. Not to say she hasn't been acting 2 already. Chloe is really trying to talk and becoming more independent as the minutes go by. She wants to walk to the car instead of being carried and things like that.

We had each of them a individual B-Day party and then a combined one where we took them all to Chuck e Cheese. They all ate, played and had a great time. I really enjoy taking my kids out places. That may sound crazy to most because we have 4 but it is true.

World Vision

Thursday night I had the privilege to work with World Vision during a Casting Crowns Concert. I really didn't know what to expect at first or how things were going to work but I went willing. We had to get there early to be instructed on what to do. Then we were all assigned spots to work. Our group was placed on the bottom floor (best view...lol) and we waited.

When our time came people flooded the table wanting to sponsor children. I had the great opportunity to help 6 people sponsor children in South America as well as show others how it could be done.

I believe working the booth ministered to me more than the concert (Sorry Casting Crowns..lol). The understanding that I got to take part in helping 6 children receive help made me feel blessed.

On a side note : We are headed to Paducah today to celebrate the girls B-Day. I will post later about Hannah's 5th.

Ok this is a new thing...

Early this morning I was awakened by the earth shaking and a low deep rumble. At first I though thunderstorm or a large military plane. Then I realized we were having an earthquake (5.2). I was a strange feeling that I had never experienced. I wouldn't have been worried as much if I didn't have kids. Today we are scattered. I am at work 30mins from home. Two of my children are in school and my wife and the other two are at home. We have had 5 aftershocks today since the quake. This last one today was 4.5 and I am beginning to wonder if we are slowly decreasing (hopefully) or gradually building (not so good).

So happy Birthday Hannah. You turn 5 and shook the earth. LOL! No I plan on posting about Hannah later after pictures and all.

More reports as they happen...lol!

Will man ever truly read...

After numerous thoughts about saying nothing I just had to state my point. I have found lately that to many people are looking to prove their points biblically and have failed to actually see what God has to say. Honestly people....Sit down each time you read and let the Holy Spirit show you the answers. Stop sitting down in a search to prove that you are correct theologically. Read The Word and put away bias. Read it from cover to cover and stop picking out things that make you appear right. When you put it all together you see it more clearly.

God's word is simple ...God created man. God loved man. Man CHOSE to sin. God and man were separated because of sin. Man tried to work his way to God. Man failed. God came in the form of Christ. Christ showed us the way. Christ died in our place. God through Christ provided salvation for those who would CHOOSE to follow him. God then encouraged us to spread the Good News. Through God's direction the Church Spreads the Good News. Man will still struggle. Man will die. Man will either go to heaven or hell. That is by man's CHOICE. Christ will come back. Oh yeah....God Wins!

You take any of those forms of Choice out that are in capital here is what you are saying:

1) Man was created to sin. Which makes God an author of sin. My God isn't an author of sin.

2) God provided salvation for some. That makes God a God that creates some men with no choice but to go to hell. My God doesn't do that.

I have many others...but I will spare you from them. See I am a simple man with simple faith. I don't allow people to influence what God's word says. I don't look at the past church leaders to tell me that. I don't Google my points to make sure I am right. I read God's word for him to speak to me.

My question still stands. Will man ever truly read?

There's a casket out there.

Last Thursday night I was informed there was a casket setting out in the grave yard right beside our house. So that night after taking a youth home I swung by the grave yard to take a peak. As I drove down the small gravel road in the thunderstorm I saw a glistening object as the lightening flashed. I started to give me the hibbie jibbies. Then all of a sudden there it was in all it's glory. It appeared to be a wooden casket sitting right on the side of the road. I got out and took a picture and rushed back to the car. It was definitely eerie with the site and the thunderstorm.

Night Picture

I went home and called the police department because I thought someone may have either stole a casket or vandalized something. I was kind of freaked out to tell you the truth. That night I wondered if someone would come and get it. I soooo wanted a daylight picture of the item in question.

The next morning it was still there. After further research I found it was a vault. Apparently the funeral home that would be doing a burial the next day found it necessary to dump the vault off the side of the road. I guess I should really thank them though. This is something that was blog worthy. Here are the actual pictures:

Screwtape aka Oprah

I have sit back for a long time and said nothing. But the time has come for me to post my thoughts on one person that is leading many people toward a path of destructiveness. I think CS Lewis may have found Oprah in 1942. So that is why I will now refer to Oprah as Screw tape. Read just a quick excerpt from this book:

"If this fails, you must fall back on a subtler misdirection of his intention. Whenever they are attending to the Enemy Himself we are defeated, but there are ways of preventing them from doing so. The simplest is to turn their gaze away from Him towards themselves. Keep them watching their own minds and trying to produce feelings there by the action of their own wills. When they meant to ask Him for charity, let them, instead, start trying to manufacture charitable feelings for themselves and not notice that this is what they are doing. When they meant to pray for courage, let them really be trying to feel brave. When they say they are praying for forgiveness, let them be trying to feel forgiven. Teach them to estimate the value of each prayer by their success in producing the desired feeling; and never let them suspect how much success or failure of that kind depends on whether they are well or ill, fresh or tired, at the moment."

(Note the screw tape letters is a book by CS Lewis about conversations between two demons about how to deceive God's people "The enemy".)

Christianity is not just a thought process Oprah. It is not just a good idea. Jesus wasn't just a good teacher. There is more to it than that. Of course you would rather read and understand your "Book Club" books rather than diving into that which you once called truth.

"6 Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm." (2 Tim 1:6-7)

False teachers are specifically talked about in the scriptures yet those not grounded in God's word will never know the difference. Satan is sticking his head up from out of Hell and few know it. Why is that? Because the time is nearing.

So Screw tape (Oprah) you may be working with Wormwood on this but the battle was won at "The old rugged cross" you denied.

What 33 Means To Me.

Well since I blogged last we have turned 33. It is just another day with just another year added to the total of years I have made it through so far. So I decided to write a small poem about turning 33.

What 33 Means to Me
(By Jamie Hughes...must have this to make it look important)

One more year of joy and glee
That is what 33 means to me

No new car with no new key
That is what 33 means to me

Continuing to be as busy as a bee
That is what 33 means to me

Wondering about my constant popping knee
That is what 33 means to me

Understanding there is no "free"
That is what 33 means to me

Drinking too much water makes you pee
That is what 33 means to me

Arizona doesn't understand sweet tea
That is what 33 means to me

There is a great beach called Tybee
That is what 33 means to me.

No more adding to the family tree
That is what 33 means to me

Almost 14 great years with MY Buffy
That is what 33 means to me.

I know... I know... I should become a poet. LOL!