4 weeks and counting....

Only 4 weeks left (or that's what the experts guess anyways)... ready or not the baby will arrive before we know it. What an incredible experience this will be. Candace and I will be moving from a Married couple to a Family, the next step in our life journey.

We are both excited as the days get closer and we check items off of our lists. We will soon know whether we will have a little boy or a little girl, whether it will resemble mom or dad.

The next 4 weeks or so will flyby as I hear the next 18 years will, what a joy and blessing that God has granted us the opportunity to become parents. We are entrusted with the responsibility of this little life to nurture, mold, educate into the person they will become. What an honor.

I have an amazing wife that I know will be an awesome mother. Through everything that she has been doing, researching, preparing, and so on she will be a great mother.

What's this Good Friday & Easter Bit?

this week has been called Holy Week, the week before we recognize Eater. What is Easter? What does this week mean to you, to me, to mankind? Now I realize that the Easter day is a day that we (whoever "we" is) picked on our calender in correlation to the moon and other things so I do not believe there is any significance in the "date" of Easter Sunday. I do, however, feel that it is a good time to look at what Christ actually did for us. We as Christians should be cognizant of this at all times but during this time it almost forces us to look at the events and recount the cost. I fear in this day and age the "status-quo", quasi-christian goes through every day and rarely steps back to count the blessing and remember the sacrifice of Love that was poured out for mankind.
1st thing 1st -what's the deal with the whole Jesus dieing thing.
God made the earth perfect...it had to been a glorious sight. No Sin, no curse, no decay, no problems. It was not the government bailout, global warming, credit crunch, market crash, inflation, de-flation, foreclosure, crime-rising, doom & gloom world that we seem to be facing according to the Brian Williams of the world. It was a spectacular place. Man and God walked together, everything flowed as God intended it. But as we all know the story Adam and Eve couldn't keep up the sinless life for long. God designed them to have a choice and they choose a death sentence. The devil was actively working to deceive them back then and it worked. This simple disobedience cause all sorts of havic. God- Perfect, Holy, Awesome, Magnificent, Almighty, Creator- God cannot be tied to anything that is not pure. This sin of Adam and Eve did more than just disappoint God it separated man from God. This sin would never be able to be undone, sin enter the world and God cursed the World (hence why it is no longer a perfect world, we screwed it up) The pack your bags, grab your coat the party is over....
Rom 5:12 Therefore, Just as through on man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God
It got so bad that God wiped out everything on the earth with the exception of Noah and the animals aboard the Ark. Noah was it, the land was full of wickedness....no one other than Noah was fit to be saved.
Genesis 6:13 God said to Noah "The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence b/c of them; and behold I am about to destroy them with the earth"
God then commanded Noah and his family to multiply and fill the earth...we fast forward through the old testament and we see God giving people the law....we see through the books how people could not uphold the law. People fell short and had to seek atonement for their sins. Burnt offerings and priest were used to be mediator to God.
Man was unable to restore fellowship to God on their own. No one could keep the commandments and laws, everyone failed. God then sent his son Jesus to become the 1 perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins. Man was helpless we needed the blood of the sinless to restore the fellowship to God. Christ came to earth -lived a perfect life- then was sacrificed on a cross.
2nd - how did that help me?
Jesus was perfect, Holy, blameless, and clean. His innocence is what we needed to connect the gap between us and eternal fellowship with God, the separation that was caused by sin. It was on the Cross that Christ took on the entire sins of the World. He died for you, for me, for everyone in everyplace. Once he took on our sin he lost fellowship with God. It was this act that paid the price of our sin, that allowed the bridge to be restored. No need for burnt offerings, high priest, inter mediators, ect. We now have a way to have fellowship with God through Jesus Christ.
John 3:15-17 that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall note perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
3 What do you have do about it?
It is actually super easy, you see we do not have to "do" anything. Jesus and God did all of the work we must simply believe in him, trust in him, and obey him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not as a result of works so that no one may boast.
Titus 3:5-7 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit whom he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour so that being justified by His Grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Step 1: Acknowledge that you are a Sinner- this sometimes is the hardest step. You have to realize that without the saving grace of God you are destined for a life of eternal separation for God. A literal Hell, a place of agony, and torment. The Bible is clear- we are sinners.
1 John 1:8&10 if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sings and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
if you find yourself struggling with this point start taking a deep look at your life. Compare it to the 10 Commandments for starters.
- ever take the Lord's name in vain?
- ever lie
- what about stealing?
- commit adultery? - even thought about it?
OK hopefully by now you are at least convinced of the point that you sin...trust me we all sin
Step 2: Believe that Christ died for your sins, and rose again
Romans 10:9 For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Step 3: Turn from Sin (repent)
Luke 13:3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish"
Acts 2:38 Then Peter Said unto them "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 17:30 Therefore having overlooked the time of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because he has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. In this verse Paul is talking about the where God judge the world by the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the Cross and then Resurrection (what we celebrate on Easter Sunday)
Step 4: Ask God to rule your life. Through prayer talk to God, ask him to take control of your life and give him the reigns. Allow yourself to be changed by the grace of God. Confess God as the ruler of your life.
Romans 10:10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved
Romans 10;13 Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
That is it that is the good news- it is simple, realizing the condition you are in and turning to God to "fix" it and make you pure. I realize that some of you have tuned out long ago and that is ok, if you are still reading and have questions email me..I'm no expert on the bible, I'm not the student I should be. I am still on my path to being more Christlike, i still sin, i still fall short, I still make major mistakes but I am forgiven, I know my destination, I know I am loved by the God of the universe and I give my life to him to control.

...ok back to the Easter week deal.
So Easter time is the time that we recognize the last week of Christ life on earth. It is after he spent 30 some years on the planet- all Sin free---amazing. Christ is condemned to Die by way of Crucifixion simply because they believed that he was blaspheming against God. They failed to accept him for who he was and failed to look at him as the God of the universe. The people called for him to be killed. Jesus was arrested, sentenced by Pilot to die. Upon the cross he took on the sins of the world, was forsaken by God, and died. At the time of his death an eary darkness fell over the land. (this is recognized as "Good Friday" Good becuase it gave us a way to Heaven and fellowship with God) Christ's body was removed from the cross, prepped for burial and placed in a tomb. A massive bolder was used to cover the tomb's entrance. 3 days after his death God rose Jesus from the dead. The stone was rolled back and he had risen. Jesus met up with Mary and the disciples, He conquered death, he still bore the scars on his hands and feet but he conquered death. He rose from the dead. He's alive. The power of this world could not hold him. He laid down his life to bare the penalty of sin for us, I do not do near justice in describing it, i am not the wordsmith I wish I was, I am not eloquent nor am I fluent in the bible but I know what my savior did for me, I know what it cost him and what that means for me, it changed my life, it changed my eternity, and I hope you give him that same chance to change your life. This is a good time of the year to reflect on what your life is missing, are you looking for an answer? Trying to find your importance in the world? Trying to make sense of it all?
I encourage you sometime this week or weekend to check out the story of the cruxification and resurections the accounts can be found in each of the "gospels" Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. If you don't have a bible handy you can always read it at http://www.crosswalk.com/

Mathew 27 & 28
Mark 15&16
Luke 23&24
John 19&20

Happy Friday

another week goes by and another week closer to the life changing status of father becomes all to real. This weekend Candace has her first shower then next week another one, and before we know it we move into April then May (less than 10 weeks now..)

Things became more real this week as we had to go for a special ultrasound as the baby has a little extra fluid on it's kidneys. This sounds relatively common but the docs just want to monitor the baby a little closer. The part that made it real was the 45 minute ultrasound. This was not just a quick peek here and there... it wasn't this dark black and medium gray image something that looks like it belongs on the sci-fi channel this was a real 3-D image. The tech showed us the full head of hair on the baby...(already passed dad up on that)

Candace and I have also been going through Bradley Classes...similar to Lamaze but Bradley focuses on all natural non-medicated births something Candace is crazy enough, and tough enough, to want to do. The classes are very interesting to see everything that is happening during pregnancy and birth. How the baby begins to breathe on it's own after the cord is cut and how little levers close off for good or how the baby turns in preparation for delivery.

The entire process certainly should leave one to think that this is all intelligent creation and not just some random act of luck.

Hope you all have a pleasant and safe weekend. God Bless

Wake-Up America

America is facing a very interesting time. We have companies closing their doors left and right, Goodbye Circuit City, Farewell World Market. I'll miss your burgers Steak & Ale. Steve & Barry's - the $6.99 store was too good to be true. Foreclosures are on the rise devaluing my property daily. The Dow keeps falling lower and lower. Is it time? Can we wake up? To we even get the point yet? We Spend More than we make!!!

Alright folks it is time to break out the wood chipper, chainsaw, hedge trimmer or plan ol' scissors. It is time to stop living on credit.

Here are some alarming facts about credit cards (according to an article that I read, I did not do the research on this)

• The Average American has 4 credit cards
• 1 in 7 American have more than 10 Credit Cards
• Charge-off rate is up 40% from 1/2008 to 1/2009
• In 1990 Average American Credit Card debt was $2,966 in 2007 up to $9,840
• 40% of card holders do not pay of their bills monthly and of these 40% they paid the credit card companies a total of $18.1 Billion in Fees
• 72% of Americans believe debt is just a part of live in America
• 43% of College freshmen have at least 1 credit card, 74% of forth and fifth year students
• US Visa Cardholders conduct over $1 Trillion in annual volume
• Total Credit Card debt is roughly $880 Billion
• 40% of Americans spend more than they earn

If that isn't an indication of why America is seeing financial trouble now I don't know what is. Americans got caught up in this materialistic, egotistic, self-centered ideology where they expected to get whatever the media told them they had to have. Americans finance homes, cars, clothes, education, furniture, meals, electronics, toys, movies, and the list goes on.

The art of saving for something that you want has all but vanished in this "I gotta have it now" world. As radio host Dave Ramsey says "We buy things we can't afford, with money we don't have, to impress people we don't like"

About a year ago my wife and I got on this no-debt kick. We realized the "life" we could have without debt is much better than the one we could have with debt. Sure my car isn't as nice as yours and my watch doesn't say Tag Heuer on it but I enjoy my simple life. Living below your means frees up a lot of stress and anxiety that are simply not needed. I read a story yesterday of a father that killed himself and family due to financial problems - How sad that our world view is wrapped up in the monetary substance that we place a value on. I am now convinced that Americans need a "wake-up" call. They need something to rattle their cages and make them realized that tomorrow's income is not guaranteed. Having a savings plan is smart, not being consumed with debt is smart, not allowing yourself to live paycheck to paycheck to accumulate junk is smart.

The bible is pretty clear on it's view of debt.

• Proverbs 22:7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave
• 1 Corinthians 7:23 - You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men
• Psalm 37:21 - The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives
• Proverbs 17:18 A man lacking in sense pledges, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbors

The bible points to debt as a point of slavery, it calls debtors foolish and even cursed. It is time America especially Christians to start acting your Wage! begin the road to becoming financially free,don't you think it is time?

Crazy Busy Life is just begining!

7 Months along- wow less than 3 to go. The nursery is done, the excitement is growing, and the "time" is fading. I don't' know what it is but our schedules just magically fill up.

Sunday: Church, Church is so important to Candace and I and we love the fact that we found a great Bible preaching Church - just wish it was not 45 minutes away. After Church we typically run errands, take care of things around the house, try to nap, but Sunday Nights Candace and I co-lead a Crown Financial Bible Study. It is an awesome study on how to manage your finances in a way that pleases the one who gives it to you.

Monday nights: are now consumed with Bradley Classes, this is some new aged, hippy, child-birth class that focuses on being all natural - My wife totally wants everything natural no drugs for her. Actually I admire her for that and am glad it will not be me. The class is a 12 week program that will tell us "everything" we need to know about child birth.

Tuesday Nights: Tuesday nights are our Small group bible study night. We have some pretty awesome people that come and Candace and I have been able to make friends with people that Love Jesus and want to learn more about what it is like to follow Christ.

Wednesday Nights: Hump day, half way to the breaking point but on Wednesday nights I host a trivia show at TGI Friday's in Southaven, MS. This show starts at 8 ends around 10. It is actually pretty fun, easy to host, and brings in a little extra cash.

Thursday is a repeat of Wednesday night but instead of TGIF it is at the Southaven Buffalo Wild Wings and starts at 7:30

Friday: We are making up our first few Baby Classes that we missed.

Saturday: finally the day to ourselves. Actually this day is spent running errands, taking care of the house, and finishing construction on our 4th bedroom and office

All this to say that our lives fill up rather quickly, too quickly most of the time. It is important to not let life pass us by in the hustle. This pregnancy is an awesome time for Candace and I and as much as we anticipate meeting the new lil one growing in her belly we also want to enjoy this time. There is something to Simplicity, I have been learning contentment and simplicity over the last few months. I have to say that there is something to that. We in America tend to spend our lives striving for the next thing, the better life, the bigger house, that we too often loose focus of the here and now. We need to enjoy our lives for what we have and where we are in life. Find beauty in the ups and downs and imperfections along the way.

...did you miss me? it's been awhile.

I don't know if it is a lack of excitement or the busy-ness of the Holiday seasons that has left me neglecting to post to you my very few readers. This is often a crazy time a year from the strategic shopping efforts that often ends up feeling like a combat mission to the increasingly filling calendar that reminds you that 31 days in December is barely enough.

When we step back and look at what this time of year is meant for it gives things a different perspective.

We first start with Thanksgiving. Umm Food and Football right! Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful, thankful for all the many blessings that God has given us. A time to relax with friends and/or family. Thanksgiving was originally a time to be thankful for the fruit of the Harvest and a time to honor the original pilgrims that left England. To many people it becomes a time of juggling different dinners and if we are not careful we can become so busy that we forget to stop and give Thanks.

Before the left overs are finished the next holiday is here. Shoppers head out early the day after Thanksgiving to save a buck or two. (side note: after working retail for several "Black Fridays" I do think any money is worth facing that mob) Before we know it the meaning of Christmas is swept away and filled with a consumer, materialistic, and secular focus.

This year for my wife's family we did a "stocking exchange" we each drew names and are responsible to fill the stocking of the name that we drew. Now this is going to be challenging, I cannot revel my name as no one is to know until Christmas, but I am excited about this. IT adds to what Christmas is about....I have to go out on my own and shop for something that I think will make this person feel really special.

CHRIST-mas is a time to remember the awesome gift that God gave to us, we were not deserving but because of God's love for us he gave us the gift of eternal life in Heaven with him by means of his son Jesus.

This love, this free gift was not what we deserved, however God offers it freely. I hope I can show a little of God's love this Christmas season.

20 Pounds and Falling!!!

well six weeks in and I hit the big 20 lbs mark, now I did shave my beard which was getting quit bushy but I do not think that added much to the scale. The diet plan that I embarked on was 400 calories 4x a day every 4 hours. Now this is no scientific diet it is simply about the calories. I have found that this works well for me and makes me exhibit some self control. Eating now goes from being a time to gorge out to a careful selection of what will be the most filling 400 calories that I can consume. Eating this way over the last 6 weeks have put things into perspective also. We eat to live not live to eat. Now I am not a health nut but it is amazing how much better a person feels by only loosing 20 lbs. I have another 10 lbs that I would like to shed by the end of the year, that will get me below the 200 mark something I haven't seen in a long time. As I get closer to that mark I will ease up a little, take more cheat meals but I like the smaller, lighter me!