Saturday, May 28, 2011

A time to slow down

After small groups on Wednesday night, we packed the Explorer and headed to Myrtle Beach for a mini vacation.  Thursday morning we woke up early and grabbed breakfast and then headed for the beach.  It was a great time of just sitting, watching the waves, enjoying the sun, and listening to Pandora radio.  After several hours we moved to the resort pool area.  We played around in the lazy river and then took Mallory to the kids play area that was in a Pirate ship.  

We had a couple text and phone calls wishing us Happy Anniversary but neither of us paid attention to our phones mostly because they weren't charged.  But for once we didn't care.  We just enjoyed the silence.

It was great just to take a small break and have family time.  It was also great to be at the beach and just look out and enjoy God's beauty.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Missing posts...

Tuesday and Wednesday I was very busy so I was unable to really check my blog. Lately I take a few hours and write multiple blogs and then schedule them for the near future. Wednesday night after small groups I took my wife and daughter to the beach for a small get away and to celebrate our 4 year anniversary. And for the first time in a while I didn't use my MacBook or iPad. I just enjoyed our time away. Surprisingly when I just logged on I noticed that all my scheduled blogs were gone and also not published!

So I just to apologize to my daily readers for an empty blog over the past couple days. I hope in the future that does not happen. But it also just seals the deal on me changing from blogger to another blog host.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Third Day - I've Always Loved You (w/ Lyrics)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q199fzDefLw

"I've always Loved You" by Third Day is probably my favorite song of all time.  I still remember the first time I heard it.  I purchased it the week that it came out in 1999, but being busy I didn't put it in my CD player until I took a road trip that weekend.   A few weeks prior, my grandmother had a stroke and I went by myself to Atlanta to visit her.  
My grandmother was the first person in my life that saw God's calling.  She told me and my mother before she passed away that she saw that I was going to go into ministry.  My grandmother was the church organist and pianist for years.  She was a very Godly woman and did more for others than I can even write.  She was always there for me.  She always sent cards on every holiday, where she would put a couple dollars in, and if she didn't have the money she would put a few sticks of gum in there.  When I lived in Atlanta in the Summer and Fall of 1998, every time I had an opportunity I went over and visited with her.  I still can see her smile every time I met her for lunch and for church.  I know that I made her really proud.  But after she passed away and I heard the number of stories of how she showed God's love to others, she made me proud.
In 2005 when we started a contemporary service at Lithia Spring UMC, we wanted to play this song, but I had a tough time with it.  The weekend before, I went home and my brother Michael showed me how to play it.  I had several opportunities later at River of Life and other retreats to play it with my brother.
Every time I hear that song, it brightens my day.  Anytime I'm down, I pull out my guitar and play it.  It reminds me that God is always there and no matter what I do or whatever happens...He loves us!


"I've Always Loved You"

I don't know how to explain it
But I know that words will hardly do
Miracles with signs and wonders
Aren't enough for me to prove to you

Don't you know I've always loved you
Even before there was time
Though you turn away
I'll tell you still
Don't you know I've always loved you
And I always will

Greater love has not a man
Than the one who gives his life to prove
That he would do anything
And that's what I'm going to do for you 

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Last Monday...I had a chance to guest blog



Last Monday I had the privilege of guest blogging on Carl Jones blog http://youthguy07.blogspot.com/


I've shared this part of my life with only a couple people until I wrote this.   I invite you to take a couple minutes and read it.

Thanks