If a tree falls on your car, and no one is around, does it crush a car?

Yesterday was not a good day. At around 3 in the afternoon, our doorbell rang. I was holding Josie, trying to calm her down, and Kristen had gotten up to put some laundry away. Kristen came in to open up the front door. Living next to the church building, we get a lot of "can we borrow your keys" moments. That is what I was expecting on a Sunday afternoon.

What I heard was a "Is this your white Honda Accord out here?", and then a "OH MY GOODNESS!!!" from Kristen. I got up, and discovered this:

So, anyone know a good body shop guy in Guntersville?

I was going to say that this is the worst time for this to happen, but the more I think about, is there ever a good time for a tree to fall on your car?

Now I'm on the phone with AT&T, trying to get someone to come out to fix the phone line that came down with the tree. We're also waiting for the Insurance people to call. I don't mind things happening like this, its just all the seeming bureaucracy that one must go through to get things fixed.

This too shall pass.

And to top it all off, the letter "p" key on my keyboard just popped off.

Sigh.

Time for a change

No, I'm not quoting Barack Obama. This is not a political post, but very much so a personal post.

I'm getting out of youth ministry.

Let me say that again: I'm getting out of youth ministry. I know some of you are in complete shock. Others of you are shaking your head in agreement. Those of you who know me understand this is the best thing for me.

Kristen and I have been very prayerful over this. Since I left a complicated situation in Memphis, TN, I have been working in a career that I was not fully comfortable doing. Youth Ministry is a wonderful calling, and it takes a very special person to do it. I, however, have been feeling a pull to go towards a different area of ministry for a while now.

We had talked to a few different churches, looking at a few different roles, when one jumped to the head of the pack. It was an Associate Minister position, in a little town called Houston, TX.

We went to visit, and fell in love with the church family, but most importantly, it seemed like the position was the perfect fit for us. We got back on a Monday, and by the time I had woken up on Tuesday, they had offered us a job. We prayed over it for a week or so, and saw other doors closing, and this one opening wider.

I will be serving as their full time Associate Minister, working with pulpit minister to fill in for him when he is gone. I will also be working with Evangelism, helping do Bible studies. I'll be teaching adult classes, particularly to young families. In addition, I'll be helping grow their small groups, be responsible for all the media and presentation for Sunday morning worship, and help out with a budding teen group.

I have enjoyed my time here in Guntersville, and there are many individuals and families here who have helped me and Kristen grow. I'll always remember it here, because this was Josie's first home. Speaking of Josie, she'll be 9 months old tomorrow. Here are a few pictures:

Josie loves these "stacking rings", but doesn't use them to stack. She loves to take them with her everywhere she goes. Usually she has the orange and yellow ones, but sometimes she goes for blue.

This one just looks like a mug shot.

But she has a gorgeous smile. It'll just melt your heart!

And of course...Josie is now mobile. Look out world!!

God's Family Part 2

Deuteronomy 6:4-5
4 "Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

Notice that Moses doesn’t say we’re to fear God or study Him or even serve Him. In this passage, the command is simply to love. As parents, that should be a very natural thing. It also should be the most important thing.

However, training up children begins with moms and dads learning how to love God with their whole person – heart, mind, will, strength. If parents can't do that, it makes it impossible for us to teach our children about the love of God.

Even though Paul was not married, he possessed that kind of strong character, and he passed it on to his followers as a father would do to his children.

PHILIPPIANS 4:9
9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

The basic truth demonstrated by Paul, for all parents to remember, is that nothing can happen through us until it has happened to us. We cannot give what we do not have. We cannot train up our children to love God with all their heart, soul, and might if we don’t love God with all of ours. Its not enough to just send them to Sunday School, and hope that they "get it" while they are in "church". In fact, that’s not even close. Real parenting, the kind God wants accomplished in the home, relies completely on the reality of the parents’ own love for the Lord. If its not there, whatever instruction we give our children will likely come off as a noisy gong or clanging cymbal (I COR. 13:1) And the longer and louder we bang out our sermons, the more our children will probably just cover their ears.

Come on, our children are smart, and they see right through us when we aren't living how we expect them to live. Let's give the children of this generation a bit more credit. As we learned at Winterfest this past weekend, Love God, Love others. Our children have to see us love God and love others for them to believe it.

Cardboard Testimony

There are many churches that are doing "Cardboard Testimonies" now. If you haven't heard about them, it is where a person rights where their lives were before Christ/before present relationship with Christ/etc., and then they flip it over to reveal where their lives are now.

One of the more moving ones I've seen was done by Richland Hills Church of Christ, and its worth going to watch. Please visit their site by clicking HERE and watch the video, and then come back and tell me what you think.

The problem for me is, I don't know if I'm quite ready to flip the cardboard over.

God's Family? Hardly.

For the last few months, I've been fascinated with the idea of taking our youth ministry into a new direction. I feel like too often times, our ministries become too closely associated with who is in charge, who is involved, or what is going on, instead of focusing on God.

This is not a slam on any parents here in Guntersville. I have some of the best parents to work with that a minister could ask for. The problem is, just like with the rest of America, that time is a precious commodity that not too many families possess.

When I was a child, my father, my mother, my brother, and my sister and I always ate breakfast together during the school year, and on Sundays. We ate dinner together probably 99% of the time. It was important. Even if nothing was said, we were there together.

A recent Cornell University study revealed that fathers in America, on average, only spend 37 seconds a day with their children. I know part of that takes into consideration the deadbeat dads that want nothing to do with a family, but a lot of that is because of how much we work in our society.

A typical family of four now a days all wake up at a different time. They may or may not even eat breakfast. Dad goes to work, mom usually goes to work, kids may catch two different school buses or two different car pools to school, or they may drive separately. The family is separated for at least 7 hours during the school day.

After that, kids may come home, or have extra curricular activities at school to practice for, and may not make it home till 5 or so. Regardless, parents may not make it home till 5, so that's another 2 hours they are apart. Son goes to his room, daughter goes to her room to work on homework or play on the internet. Dinner may be together, but most often it is grab what you can before an evening activity, such as a ball game or practice for something. Parents are home just enough to sit down and get right back up.

They come home from an event, practice, etc, and separate at the door to go to their rooms to get ready for bed, or finish (or start) on their homework. Mom and dad are exhausted from work and other things during the day, and one may go to bed while the other goes to watch some tv and relax for a bit. They all may go to bed, before the whole process starts again. In this model, the families are together for about one, maybe 2 hours a day.

So enter Wednesday nights, what can we do to make our families more involved together on Wednesday nights? I fully believe if we offer a family based ministry instead of the typical youth group model, that it will fundamentally change our families and how they interact with each other. The sad thing is that most families don't have family devotionals, pray together, open up the Bible and read together, or other spiritual activities.

Maybe its time when we come to church as God's family, to have an opportunity for our families to get together every now and then. Maybe have a class where families can meet together, and gain strength and support from each other.

More thoughts on this to follow.

Super Favorites

I've been gone for the last week, so I'm just now getting around to this. I thought I would post my favorite Super Bowl Commercials. This year, the commercials were not nearly as funny/good as in past years, but here are my 2 favorites:

Pedigree Pets


Cash 4 Gold

25 Random Things

Okay, so I have been tagged on Facebook and numerous other blogs to do this "25 Random Things About Myself" post, so I thought I would go ahead and do it. Here's for all you who think you know me, or who don't me at all.

1. I have been going bald since I was 17 years old.
2. In high school, I was the star of many plays. I played Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie, Captain Von Trapp in the Sound of Music, Tommy Albright in Brigadoon, George Bailey in Its A Wonderful Life, and Wilson in the play Harvey.
3. I dated my wife for about 5 months, broke up with her, didn't talk to her for about a year, and then we started dating again, while we were 900 miles apart!
4. I have an unnatural addiction to diet soft drinks. Preferably Diet Dr. Pepper, but if that's not available, Diet Coke will do.
5. I was the Assistant Coach on a Girl's State Championship Basketball Team in Houston, TX -- The Westbury Christian Lady Wildcats.
6. One of my all time favorite movies is the movie "Grease"
7. I have preached from the same pulpit that Alexander Campbell once spoke from.
8. I was one semester away from having an Elementary Education degree before I changed my Major to Bible.
9. I directed two Makin Music shows, one got second, the other got first.
10. I never finished behind Sigma Rho in a Makin Music show while I was at Freed Hardeman.
11. I proposed to my wife on Christmas Day. She said yes.
12. I have met Lute Olsen, Bill Self, Rick Pitino, and Mike Krzyzewski. The funny thing is, I'm not really that big a fan of college basketball.
13. I was once mistaken for Bill Goldberg. That was back in the day when I worked out everyday, shaved my head and had a goatee.
14. I preached my first sermon when I was 14 years old.
15. When I was a kid, my goal in life was to be a movie director/movie writer/or a novelist.
16. I absolutely love playing strategy games, especially Risk. However, I have recently taken to a game called The Settlers of Catan.
17. I worked as a camp counselor for 4 years while I was in college. I spent every night outside on a porch all through the summer, in west TN, in 98 degree heat and 99% humidity.
18. I have never taken a sip of coffee. I never will.
19. I have never had one drink of alcohol. I never will. (Not that I'm judging anyone who does drink, but I never will!)
20. I love God, I love His Church, but I can't stand the Politics of the church. Somehow, I just don't think God intended for it to be this way.
21. I love volleyball. I coached a high school team which produced two Division 1 college players, I coached a travel team here in Guntersville, and I married a wonderful woman who played at Freed Hardeman.
22. I have never seen Bambi, Cinderella, Snow White, or many other Disney movies.
23. I know absolutely nothing about fixing cars. I can change a tire, that's about it.
24. I can't fall asleep unless I am watching something on tv. 99% of the time, I have old Friends episodes on DVD playing.
25. My first job was working and cooking for a catering business in Lebanon, TN.

There you go! I won't tag anyone, because no one I ever tag ever does these things. However, if you're a reader, consider yourself tagged!

You've Just Got To Read This!!!

Okay, well it may not be all that exciting to you, but it is to me and several million other people tonight.

The most amazing television show ever produced comes back on tonight. LOST returns on ABC. Be sure to watch it. I'm sure they'll be some dialogue on it tomorrow on Jason's blog over at Already and Not Yet.

Which brings me to another thought: What are your favorite television shows of all time? Some of my favorites include --

1. The Office
2. Friends
3. The A-Team
4. Survivor
5. The Cosby Show
6. Everybody Loves Raymond
7. American Idol
8. The Simpsons
9. Sportscenter (not sure if that counts or not)

History? Indeed it is.

Today, in just a few minutes from now, the United States of America will watch the changing of power in the one of the greatest offices held by a single person in the world.

Many years ago, when the Federalist party representative John Adams was voted out of the office of the presidency after one term, he was so bitter and angry that he left Washington in the dark of the night. Thomas Jefferson, one of his beloved friends yet arch enemy, was the first president sworn in on location in Washington. He walked over to the partially finished Capital Building to deliver his inauguration speech.

Since then, while the transfer of power may not always have been so easy on the inside, publicly, the transition has been celebrated. Parades, speeches, hundreds of thousands of people witnessing the power shift live, and millions more on television, have made inauguration day a special day.

While some President-elects have been more popular to the media than others, none since John F. Kennedy have commanded such a celebration as the one that will be held today for Barack Obama, Senator from Illinois. Oh, and by the way, its not only because he's the first African American to be elected to that position.

Sure, its historic for that reason. Americans, for the most part, have gotten over the idea that it has to be run by one race of people. The guy won the popular vote and the Electoral college, so he won fair and square. Did he tell some lies on his way to the White House, sure. But you tell me one President who didn't tell lies on his way to office.

I think the history in the making far surpasses just the racial aspect. This is a shift in power from the Baby Boomer generation to Generation "X", or the Baby Bust Generation. While the Baby Boomer's still make up a strong part of our country, they no longer hold the power of the office of Presidency. With the beginning of Generation X'ers starting with those born in 1961 going through 1981, President-Elect Obama fits the bill, and also, so do I.

This means people my age have a new voice in the Presidency. While I may not agree with everything Obama has promised to do, there are a lot of people who find hope in what he offers. I would, indeed, love cheaper health insurance, lower taxes, and to be able to help the poor. But, can he make these things happen? Only time will tell.

I do know this -- Barack Obama will fail if we don't get behind him and support him. There were a lot of things George Bush did for which we the American people seemingly gave up on him. As Christians, we have an obligation to submit to the rulers of the land, and also to pray for them.

You can complain all you want, but he's here to stay for at least 4 years. Get used to it. Pray for him and our country that we take things in the right direction. When have you ever known complaining for four years to make anything better? No, Obama is not our Savior or Messiah as the media may proclaim, but he hasn't had one day in office, and so many are already ready to dismiss him as a horrible president.

And for the record, any of you who are reading this who hang out with me on a daily, semi daily, weekly, semi-weekly, monthly, semi-monthly, yearly or semi-yearly basis...can the racist jokes and talk. I don't want to hear it, there is no place for it on my ears or my in my heart. They are not funny. Besides, I don't see any of you in the White House.

May God bless Obama and the next 4 years. May we get behind him and support him and encourage him when he takes in the right direction, and pray for him when he takes our country in the wrong direction that God will lead him. May his wife and children be blessed through this time, that they will be examples to those who are so diligently looking toward them for hope.

Things I'm enjoying/looking forward to and other random things

Its been a while since I've posted anything. With the holidays, a 7 month old, and a week long trip to a conference in Colorado Springs, time has been a premium for me. So now that the holidays and trips are over, I'm going to sit down and fill you in on a few things.

1. Utah was a much better football team than anyone thought. I'm a huge Alabama fan, always have been, but come on, let's give credit to Utah. They destroyed Alabama, and I do think they have a legitimate gripe about not being National Champs. Could they beat Florida? You may say no, but no one thought they would be Alabama either. Plus, the beat Alabama a lot worse than Florida did.

2. The Titans blew it. Forget the fact that Flacco stepped out of the endzone, and that the play clock was dead for two seconds before the Ravens snapped the ball. The Titans simply blew it. It also showed how important Chris Johnson was to the offense by having to sit out in the second half.

3. I debated on whether or not to watch 24 this year, and the curiosity won over. I watched the "Redemption" episode, which set up the season, and then over the past two nights I've watched the first four hours. So far, 200 times better than the previous season.

4. American Idol starts back tonight. Last year was the first time I watched it all the way through, and I loved it. Tuesday night will become "TV" night at our house, with the Biggest Loser and with American Idol.

5. Of course, next Wednesday will become TV DVR night with Lost returning. Check out Jason's blog a few days ago with his numerous questions on Lost.

6. Our little girl is growing like a weed. I went away for a week, and when I come home she's got another tooth and is saying "Ma Ma" like crazy. I can't believe she's over 7 months old now.

7. Winterfest is rapidly approaching. While the trip is Nightmarish for group leaders at time, its always a very rewarding trip. So many always talk about how Winterfest is radical and liberal, but if people would go instead of judge based upon what they hear, they'd realize its really not.

8. Jeff Fisher is up for NFL Coach of the year. He deserves it, but so do the coaches of Atlanta, Miami, Arizona and a few other teams.

9. A few weeks ago, I told everyone about how I crushed a tooth eating some nachos. Well, now Kristen has a crack in one of her teeth, and is going to need a crown. Say goodbye to another $800 bucks.

10. I'm reading an excellent book right now called "QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: What to Really Ask Yourself to Eliminate Blame, Complaining, and Procrastination". Its by John G Miller.

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

The Widick Family Tooth Story

Once upon a time, there was a family called the Widicks. They were a good family, with a daddy Widick, a mama Widick, and a little baby Widick.

One day, daddy Widick was eating a chip at a football game. He chewed it in a bad spot, and crushed his tooth. He had to go the dentist, and gave the dentist lots of dollars to fix it. Finally, after two weeks of having a metal tooth in his mouth, daddy got his new permanent tooth. It sure is shiny.

While daddy Widick was sitting in the dentist's chair, mama Widick gave daddy Widick a phone call. Mama Widick was letting daddy Widick know that little baby Widick was growing her very own, very first tooth. Much joy ensued.

For four nights in a row, little baby Widick decided she would cry and be restless during the night instead of sleep, since her very own very first tooth was about to pierce through the skin. Daddy Widick slept in the recliner rocking her, getting her to sleep for a few minutes at a time. Daddy Widick got about 5 hours for those four nights.

Daddy Widick went to his office, sitting there like a zombie. His mind would tell his fingers what to type, but his fingers just wouldn't move. He sat there hoping that tonight, little baby Widick, with her very own very first tooth would sleep through the night...

...to be continued.

Being Transformed

Romans 12:2 has an interesting perspective that I like to remind myself of from time to time. The NLT version reads like this:

"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 learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

In essence, its impossible to transform your life until you transform your mind. There was a song that came out a few years ago called "Change Your Mind" by Sister Hazel. The words simply went

"If you want to be somebody else,
If you're tired of fighting battles with yourself
If you want to be somebody else
Change your mind..."

Do you ever look in the mirror and see someone you don't recognize. Maybe you look at yourself and realize the hope you used to have is gone. Maybe the happiness is no longer there. Maybe, just maybe, you want to be somebody else.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says "If you are in Christ you were made new." Obviously, after you give your life to Christ, you are a new creature. People see you emerge from your watery tomb and see a soaking wet, clean and pure creature.

You now have the name of Christian. You now have the hope you did not have before.

Your identity is new, yes. But what about your mind? When you think like you used to think before you gave your life over to Christ, chances are you will begin to act like that once again.

So be transformed, from the inside out. If the inside of your home is dirty, you don't fix that by raking the leaves and cleaning out the gutters outside. You clean the inside. My favorite Max Lucado illustration was always the one where he talked about how he went on vacation and the chest freezer in his garage blew a fuse, and all of the meat and food inside spoiled. He asked "How do I clean the freezer?", and obviously, if you just cleaned the outside of it, it would do no good.

Romans 12:2 does say: "let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think," and that's how we truly become new. But the part at the end of the verse is even more exciting:

"Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

When we achieve that threshold of renewing our mind, wanting to live like Christ, THEN He's going to let us in on what He has planned for us. He realizes that until we can change our minds into the mind of a Christian, we won't be able to comprehend His plans for us. And His will is always good, pleasing, and perfect.

A Mansion, A Robe, and a Crown

I figured out the other day, that in order to get a crown, you better have a Mansion, and probably a robe.

The mansion- well, to afford a crown without dental insurance, you need to live in a mansion.

The Robe- I had to lay on the "chair" for over an hour while the dentist drilled and cut and sliced around in my mouth.

The Crown- it will arrive in two weeks, matched to the shade of the teeth around it.

Friday night, at the last Guntersville High School Football game, I broke a tooth eating nachos. Sounds pathetic, to say the least, but do you ever bite into a chip that maybe is a bit harder than the others? Sometimes cooked a bit longer, folded over, or burned? That's what happened to me. I bit into it, and then I felt my tooth break, and pieces of it fall into my mouth.

Fortunately I had a filling that stayed intact, or otherwise it may have been extremely painful.

Also, they did not have to do a root canal, the tooth was still alive and well. They just filed it down, fit me for a crown, and told me to come back in two weeks.

All for a measly $700.

But I'd rather pay that than lose the tooth completely.

On another note, Josie continues to grow up on us. Her latest thing now is that not only can she roll over, but she can continue to roll over and over and over. Its amazing watching them develop these skills.

Now if we can only get her potty-trained so we won't have to buy these diapers...

Corn Nuts

Have you ever eaten a corn nut? Its basically a corn chip condensed into a smaller piece, being ultra crunchy and leaves a horrible taste in your mouth.

Yeah, that's how a lot of people are going to feel after the election. This won't be like when Reagan won 49 states, all but Minnesota, in 1984. I have a feeling its not going to be pretty, and the nation will still continue to be divided.

So I thought I'd put some lighter news up today.

Fulmer is out as Head Coach of the UT Vols. Even though I'm a Bama fan, I hate to see Fulmer go. He was a great coach.

The Guntersville Wildcats host a playoff game this week. Will the streak continue? Every time Guntersville plays and wins, the Crimson Tide and the Titans win.

Speaking of which...had you told me my beloved Titans would be 8-0, I would have said "Well, it would be nice, but it won't happen." I suppose after this season, anything is possible. They still have to play the Bears, the Jets, and then the Colts again, so its not going to be a cake-walk. The most brutal team left would the rivaled Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 21.

The Crimson Tide is Number One. I can't believe that either. Whether or not they stay there is a different story. Texas Tech is all the rage, and if they win out, I feel like they'll be hoisted to number 1. Sorry Joe Pa, Penn State just isn't going to make it.

I may not like everything Barack Obama says, but I did like his interview last night with Chris Mortensen calling for a college football playoff. If he wins, I hope that's the first thing he signs into law.

Don't forget, regardless of what happens tonight, Fulmer is still leaving, with a hefty $6 million buy out. Not too shabby.

A Nation Divided, A Media Divided

On my last post, I placed an emphasis on the fact that there needs to be more to our vote than just voting on the economy, on taxes, and whether or not Bill Ayers is indeed a friend or not of Barack Obama. I'm not just looking at Abortion and Homosexual rights based upon the last video I posted, but I just wanted to remind everyone there's more to this election.

I'm drawn to I Timothy 2:1-4. It says:

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

Regardless of whether your man gets in or not, we must continue to pray that God will watch over this nation.

On a different note:

I just want everyone to know that I've never wanted something to end more than this year's election. The Media and lots of Americans, on both the conservative and liberal side, have shown their true colors. Fox News has done its share of belittling the Democrats, and CNN has done its fair share of shredding the Republicans.

However, I think the following video shows a complete and total bias. If this had been reversed, the outrage would overwhelming:

Regardless of you are for or against, there is no humor in this, and no place for this. Sarah Palin has a family, is a good person, and is the victim of radical leftwing liberals and their attack on good wholesome family values.

Who will decide?

This video, put out by the Value Voters of the USA, touches on many of the issues at hand this election year.

We can't just let foreign policy and taxes be the only issue.

New Shoes, Free Gift Certificates

If you've never bought shoes online you don't know what you're missing. Okay, cheesy line, but its true.

I've bought one pair of shoes online at Shoebuy.com, and they are great.

If you will go and buy some shoes there, you could help me win a $100 gift certificate to buy shoes there. Being young and having a new child has left us with little money, and could use the help.

Go to that link now, and you will save $10. Its free shipping, and free returns, and the prices are the same or better as going to a department store.

Please help me out. Thanks a bundle! After you buy your shoes, if you can get three people to buy shoes there, you will get a $100 gift certificate too!

SNL gains some momentum

I haven't been a big fan of SNL in recent years, but Thursday night's special weekend update was spot on:

Josie's Does Something Amazing!!

Take two minutes, and watch this

Maybe they should watch more cartoons

Here is a lesson about spending from the classic cartoon, Ducktales.

The Common Sense Fix

I'm a long time Dave Ramsey fan, and once again, he's trying to help America with their debt problems, but this time, with the bailout plan. Here is his proposal he is emailing around to all his listeners. If you agree you can send it to your SENATORS and your REPRESENTATIVES by clicking on the words and it will send you to their contact info. If one of the links doesn't work, its because of the overwhelming amount of traffic they are getting at this time on their servers.

The Common Sense Fix
Years of bad decisions and stupid mistakes have created an economic nightmare in this country,but $700 billion in new debt is not the answer. As a tax-paying American citizen, I will not support any congressperson who votes to implement such a policy. Instead, I submit the following threestep Common Sense Plan.

I. INSURANCE
a. Insure the subprime bonds/mortgages with an underlying FHA-type insurance.
Government-insured and backed loans would have an instant market all over the
world, creating immediate and needed liquidity.

b. In order for a company to accept the government-backed insurance, they must do two
things:

1. Rewrite any mortgage that is more than three months delinquent to a 6% fixed-rate mortgage.

a. Roll all back payments with no late fees or legal costs into the balance. This brings homeowners current and allows them a chance to keep their homes.

b. Cancel all prepayment penalties to encourage refinancing or the sale of the property to pay off the bad loan. In the event of foreclosure or short sale, the borrower will not be held liable for any deficit balance. FHA does this now, and that
encourages mortgage companies to go the extra mile while working with the borrower—again limiting foreclosures and ruined lives.

2. Cancel ALL golden parachutes of EXISTING and FUTURE CEOs and executive team members as long as the company holds these government-insured bonds/mortgages. This keeps underperforming executives from being paid when they don’t do their jobs.

c. This backstop will cost less than $50 billion—a small fraction of the current proposal.

II. MARK TO MARKET
a. Remove mark to market accounting rules for two years on only subprime Tier III
bonds/mortgages. This keeps companies from being forced to artificially mark down
bonds/mortgages below the value of the underlying mortgages and real estate.

b. This move creates patience in the market and has an immediate stabilizing effect on failing and ailing banks—and it costs the taxpayer nothing.

III. CAPITAL GAINS TAX
a. Remove the capital gains tax completely. Investors will flood the real estate and stock market in search of tax-free profits, creating tremendous—and immediate—liquidity in the markets. Again, this costs the taxpayer nothing.

b. This move will be seen as a lightning rod politically because many will say it is helping the rich. The truth is the rich will benefit, but it will be their money that stimulates the economy. This will enable all Americans to have more stable jobs and retirement investments that go up instead of down.

This is not a time for envy, and it’s not a time for politics. It’s time for all of us, as Americans, to stand up, speak out, and fix this mess.