Challenges!

During our home bible study last night we were discussing some things we could do as a group to help our church continue to grow. We had discussed numerous things when someone asked me as the group "leader" to challenge us. I didn't quite have an answer for her at that moment and said I'd get back to her. It was only a short time later that it hit me that I couldn't challenge us beyond what Christ has already challenged us with. Let's take a look at what he's commanded us with:

1. Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
2. Matthew 22:37 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
3. Matthew 22:39 Love your neighbor as yourself.
4. Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

So, Jesus made it pretty easy for us didn't he. Seek his kingdom first. Got it. Love God with all you heart and soul and mind. Ok, got that. Love your neighbor as yourself. Check. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them. Alright, got it. He's laid it all out for us nice and easy right in Matthew. Now all we have to do is follow it. If only it was so easy.

Comments?

We're Expecting.....

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that in December we will be a family of 6. Wow I can't believe it. I have always wanted 4 kids, and can't believe I am pregnant with the 4th. Life is definitely going to be pretty crazy. As if it isn't already. But I am so thrilled and feel so blessed to be a mother. Ally is so excited and is already patting my belly. Even thought the baby is the size of a sesame seed. Trajan is praying for a baby brother, and I hope for his sake it is. His sisters give him a hard time. Caroline wants another baby sister. But most importantly we are all praying for a healthy baby. I would appreciate lots of prayers from you all.

Painful Living

The events of the past week at my home church have made me reflect on the past several years of my life. My work career has caused me much pain and heartache. 3 times in the last 5 years I have lost my job. Each time was without specific reason and left me to doubt myself and my abilities. I've been thankful to have a loving supportive wife whose confidence in me kept me afloat when I was down and out on the inside. My family has worshipped at Greenwood Park now for 5 plus years. During this time I barely got to know Bill Brumit the person but quickly was in awe of his knowledge of the Bible. I don't know where God is directing our church or Bill at this time but I'm confident he has a plan. A close friend of mine frequently makes the statement that God's timing is perfect. That sometimes is hard for us to grasp as humans but I have faith in my Lord and Savior. I hope that we can all pull together during this difficult time that will test the bonds of friends and family. Let us remember that we are here to glorify God first and foremost. I heard a quote once that said "Life wouldn't be so hard if we didnt's expect it to be so easy." There is a lot of truth in that statement. Continue in prayer and God Bless.

Making Lemonade

Teresa Kimbel commented on her blog a few days ago that I had taught her that when life serves you lemons to make lemonade. I can't say for sure how correct this is about me. I do have a very optimistic outlook on life. Some would call me foolish. Others might say I'm naive. I've always assumed things would work out. I'm sure I've frustrated my wife and family before because I just refuse to get worked up over worldly matters that I can't control. My mother always showed great faith in her life. We didn't attend church very often, but she lived her life in a way that as I look back showed she let God be in control.

In Romans (one of my favorite books) chapter 5 verses 3-5 Paul says: Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Hope. What a wonderful thing. I'm sure I have a lot of suffering yet to come on this earth but reading this gives me great hope. My suffering will produce perseverance? My perseverance character? My character hope? When my life is over I hope that I'll be remembered as a man of great character who loved the Lord. What more could you ask for? What better trait to pass on to your family? God never promised us it would be easy. He did promise us however in Hebrews 13:5 that he would never leave us or forsake us.

His promises are the magic ingredient in every batch of my lemonade. Drink up. Fear Not!

Before and After

I can't believe I'm gonna post this here but I am. Back in March of 07 I decided I was gonna try and shed a few pounds. I had been doing the gym routine 3 days a week at Total Fitness with David Kimbel but kept getting bigger it seemed. I weighed in at 268 pounds at my highest. A friend at work who had lost a lot of weight after having gastric bypass and kept it off suggested I try a low carb diet. He loaned me the Atkins book and I gave it a go. When I started my initial goal was to lose 30 pounds. That happened fairly quick. I then set my goal to get my weight to 199 pounds. I stumbled over Thanksgiving and Christmas and I'm trying to get back on track. I'm currently at 218 pounds. I'm happy with the 50 pound drop but have promised myself I'm gonna get to 199 if only for 1 day to say I achieved it. These pictures will be my reminder and hopefully my motivation to make it happen.

You are invited:

Hey fellow bloggers I am having a Body Shop party Monday night at 6:00 and I would love for all you girls to come. For those of you who never heard of The Body Shop before. There stuff is wonderful. They have a store I think in Nashville somewhere. But the one I went to last was in the Vegas airport. Then I was invited to a party and have been hooked ever since. They are alot of fun, and their products are great! You can host different types of parties, I am having a spa party. My address is 120 Tahoe Ct. Let me know if you need directions. Also let me know if you think you might get to come.

Dancing with the, uhm, Stars

I got this big idea to buy Stephanie ballroom dancing lessons for the two of us. Knowing I couldn't get by doing it by myself I convinced my buddies David, Travis and Josh to do the same for their wives for Christmas. Susan Leachman is our teacher and we've had 2 lessons so far. Going in I had no idea what to expect. I have never been a dancer by any means. I have no rhythm. So far it has been the most fun I can remember having with my wife. Our classes are Friday night's at 7:30. Friday has become our date night. I can't wait till Friday rolls around again.