2008 End of the Year Review

Here are a few thoughts and happenings from the year of 2008:

If you had told me this time last year that the Giants would win the Super Bowl, I would have said you were nuts. But, the other Manning brother carried them through, and beat the giant New England Patriot team.

We saw a resurgence of the Lakers/Celtics Rivalry in the NBA. The Memphis Tigers almost won the NCAA March Madness Title. They lost to Kansas in OT.

David Cook won American Idol. This was the first season I had ever watched it from beginning to end. I really enjoyed it, and the winner as well. His new album is pretty top notch as well.

I realized in May-July of the summer of 08 that Youth Ministry and having a new baby don't really mix in the best of ways. Its hard to totally devote yourself to two really big things in your life. It was a challenge, and I don't know if I'll ever truly master it. I do know that I have great admiration and respect for those youth ministers with multiple children who still do their jobs so well.

We had our first child in May. Josie Layne was born on May 27th weighing in at 7 pounds 11 ounces. She was 19 1/2 inches long. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life. She is a joy and a blessing from God.

Kristen and I celebrated five years of marriage on September 13. There is not a better woman on the face of the earth. She is patient, loving, kind, and the best mother in the entire world. God knew that I needed someone who could constantly lift me up, and she is the one that does so.

In October, we took our first family vacation in about 4 years by ourselves. We've been on to a few places with the in laws, and those were wonderful, but we hadn't been anywhere by ourselves in such a long time. We spent a week in Gulf Shores, doing absolutely nothing, watching the Hurricane pass by, and enjoying doing whatever else came into our heads. We ate a whole lot of seafood.

My beloved Yankees didn't even make it to the playoffs, even though they had a payroll of about $900 Trillion. They finished behind the Red Sox and TAMPA BAY!!! However in the offseason, they finally signed some pitchers, and even added arguably the best 1st baseman in the game today.

The start of college football brought a new found Alabama Crimson Tide. They finished with one loss on the season, coming in the SEC Championship game to Florida. Congrats to Saban and the Tide.

The Tennessee Titans, amidst what is thought to be the toughest conference in the AFC, went undefeated until the Jets rolled into town about 10 weeks in to the season. They finished first in the AFC, with a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. What a difference a year makes! Go Titans!

Several things happened to friends this year. Jason McKnight and his wife Jenny had a little boy, Jonathan McKnight and his wife Rebecca had a little girl, Richard Willis got married, Kevin Westmoreland returned from China, and now he his roommate Kyle are planning on going back, after Kyle gets married to Rebecca Harp (coming June of 09).

We elected our first African American president in 08 by voting for Barack Obama. While I personally did not vote for Obama, I am confident that God will bless him. The sad part about it is that so many people I know, including many Christians and family members, have let their racism slip and let it be known that they will not support him. Sadly, I've heard the beginning to more racist jokes (I leave or step aside if I know they're coming) since Obama has been elected than I have in my entire life. Do me a favor, and please don't tell the racist jokes around me. Have a little class, and instead of telling a racist joke, why not pray that God will use Barack Obama to unite our nation and bring peace, reduce poverty and hunger in the world, and make things the best they can be??

Not all things are the most positive of happenings:

We lost several people at our church this year. Our beloved Jennie Finley and Mack Whitaker were two of many who passed on this year.

About a week ago, my wife and I made a hard decision to adopt out our beloved little pug Chloe. Since Josie has born, she had spent more time in her crate, in the hallway, or in the Kennel than she had with us. We love her dearly, and for that reason we decided to put her up for adoption through a local agency that is absolutely wonderful.

2008 saw declining health for several family members. My grandparents on my father's side or rapidly declining in health. He had a stroke a few years ago, and my grandmother is getting weaker and weaker. Kristen's Granny and Pa in Tallasee, AL are also experiencing some health problems.

2008 will be a wonderful year to remember for years to come, but now its time to bring on 2009. God bless 09 and thank God for the wonderful 08.

Prayers for 2009

God,

I recognize You alone are the true Father of my life. You live in heaven above, which is where I want to be. Your Name is Holy God. Sometimes I don't use Your name in the best of ways. I often use it in vain, along with unholy thoughts and words. God, forgive me for this. Your Name is set apart from all words ever spoken.

God, sometimes I'm not so sure I'm ready for you to come back. I know you have already established your reign on earth when you sent your Son, and now You are preparing Your heavenly Kingdom for us. Help me to be prepared so that when your Kingdom does come, I will be ready.

I know Heaven is a perfect place. God I know that since this earth is covered with humans, we don't always do what You want us to do. I pray that your will be done here as it is heaven -- without thought or hesitation. I pray we do only what you want us to do. Help us to live your will.

Thank you for all you do for us daily. You provide for us every day. There is a hunger, deep inside of me, for the power of your Spirit, the passion and the flame. Fill me with your fire and satisfy my soul. My spirit longs for you. Help me to accept not only the daily bread you give us as a physical need, but give me a desire to accept your spirit and goodness you offer daily as well.

There is no way I can repay the debt you paid for me. I owe you everything for the fact that you gave me your son's death to pay for the sins I've committed. I know that I also need to forgive others as you have forgiven me. God help me to forgive all of those who have hurt me, because there is no way the hurt they have caused me is worse than the hurt i caused you when you gave up your Son.

Satan goes around like a roaring lion, seeking those he may devour. But he has been defeated, so I'm testifying by the blood of Jesus. You have defeated Satan. Help me to defeat Satan. Help me to solely belong to Jesus. The blood he paid to buy me shows that he owns me. Help me to remember who my master is, and that is Jesus, not Satan.

Thank you for blessing my life the way you did this past year in 2008, and may the blessings continue upon my family and friends in 2009. Help me to live for you, and only you. Guide me where you want me to go. Live through me, so others can see you in me.

Amen.

Prayers for the family of Mack Whitaker/ Arrangements

Two and a half years ago, I interviewed to become the youth minister here at the Guntersville Church of Christ. During the interview process, as all ministers do, I went through some time with the Elders here. You know how before you ever really know someone, you can tell there's something special about them? That's what I felt for a certain man named Mack Whitaker.

As we met, and as he prayed for my wife and I and the decision we had in front of us, I could tell this man was very spiritual. He had a connection with God that was enviable. Come to find out, this man has basically influenced just about everyone in this town of Guntersville, if not all of Marshall County.

Mack Whitaker, a man known for his generosity and kindness, and for his deep spirituality and leadership, sadly passed away yesterday afternoon, December 16, 2008. He leaves behind many many family members who loved him so dearly. His wife Diane, needs extra prayers, as she lost her mother this time last year, and her father just a few short weeks ago.

Mack's influence spreads far outside of Marshall County, as he had much influence at Lipscomb University and at Auburn University. Calls have been flooding our phone lines at the office with kind words and concerns for the families.

The visitation will be here at the Guntersville Church of Christ tomorrow, Thursday December 18, 2008 from 5pm to 8pm. The funeral will be here at the building as well on Friday at 2pm. The burial will be at the Crestview Cemetary.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to one or all of these causes, all of which were near and dear to Mack:

The Guntersville Church of Christ Building Fund
The Auburn Christian Student Center
Madison Academy
Lipscomb University North Alabama Eastern Region Scholarship Fund

Please pray for the entire family, our church, our city, and our county in the loss of one its great leaders.

Christmas Goodies