17 years ago today, Jeana was diagnosed with cancer. That windy, overcast, light rain on and off day will be etched into my life forever. We had two small boys and our world was rocked.

We remember on this January 15 day not only the moment, the season, and the challenge of future; we also remember the providential care and healing that God bestowed on Jeana. This is what we will always remember the most. You know, healing does not always come on this side of heaven. So many times, Jeana has wondered why the Lord chose to heal her while so many were not. Beyond mercy and grace, I am not sure there is an answer. It all fits into the plan of God.

So today, we remember the loving, merciful, and healing power of God. I am not sure what you may be going through today, if anything at all, but know these things:

• God is working in your life.
• God has a plan.
• God is with you.
• God is able to heal you.

Whatever the sickness, disease, hurt, or trouble you find yourself in today, always be at rest about these things. You are in good hands with God. You can trust Him. You may not understand everything, but you can trust Him.

Trust in the Lord.

Since my college bowl game picks were commendable, I will make some forecasts for this week’s playoff match-ups. These are very tough, so my percentage will probably not be 78% as in the major college bowl games, but I will give it a shot.

I am not going to the Super Bowl this year and the Cowboys are out anyway, so I will have no vested interest other than a fan. If this were the weak-rule oriented Fantasy Football League I was playing in this past season, where everyone would make the playoffs, even those with losing records, I would be talking about the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions who had the worst seasons in the NFL. However, this is the NFL, where you have to win to get the privilege to play at this level.

Here are my picks for the playoffs this week:

Indianapolis Colts will defeat the Baltimore Ravens, only because of Peyton Manning and his elite receiving corp and running game. I almost picked the Ravens on this one due to their brilliant coach who has had two weeks to prepare for this game. I just cannot pick against Peyton Manning nor Tony Dungy in this game. I will probably regret this one, but I have to go with my gut.

New Orleans Saints will defeat the Philadelphia Eagles because of Drew Brees and the spirit of New Orleans. The Eagles are on a roll, but this week they will roll away, away from the Super Bowl. The running game of New Orleans and the excellent quarterback that the Dallas Cowboys should have drafted will win.

Chicago Bears will defeat the Seattle Seahawks in a close game because they have to play at Chicago. This is usually a factor and if Rex Grossman can play average, they will win. The defense of the Bears will prevail, even though I like the Seahawks and enjoy watching them play.

San Diego Chargers will defeat the New England Patriots because of LT the man! The Texas magic from TCU, Ladamian Tomlinson will grind it strongly and successfully against the Patriots. This could be a very close game and I almost picked the Patriots, but this year Tom Brady can go and work on the millions he receives from endorsements.

There it is! For those of you who hate football or the NFL – thanks for tolerating me.

Enjoy the weekend!

I have found in life that people are really engaged in life, even more spiritually sensitive, until the middle of November hits on the calendar year. At that time, it appears there is a backing away or a pressure created by the holidays, including the emotions it brings. For some people, those emotions are joyous, others stressful, and others dreaded. All of that has a huge impact on the way people walk with God.

As a pastor, I have noticed this annually. As I watch, look into the eyes of people and really study them, even while they worship on Sunday (when they come), I notice an element of disengagement that occurs. Anything we do with our relationships to God and others is indicative of what we are doing with God daily. I have fought this threat in my own life annually. So trust me on this one, I know what we all face.

The new year has come, today is January 10th, have you re-engaged with God yet? Have you been sucking wind to recover from Christmas and from some down time? Have you been neglecting some moments with God, especially some meaningful moments? It is time to re-engage now.

Determine by this weekend – “I am going to re-engage fully before the Lord’s Day this Sunday.” Therefore, when I go to worship Jesus this week, it will not be because I am supposed to or dragged to do so or feel guilty if I don’t go; but when I go, I go because I love Him. I want to give Him my all. I want to re-engage with Jesus completely. It will change your Sunday. It may even change various elements of your life.

Disengagement drains. Re-engagement renews. Be sure that this day or this weekend before Sunday, you re-engage completely.

It is the best choice 24-7.

I predicted the outcome of nine of the major football bowl games and ended up 7-2. I need to take the place of the prognosticators on all of the sports outlets. I only lost on the Tennessee-Penn State pick and the Arkansas-Wisconsin pick. I really thought Arkansas might lose, but did not think Tennessee would since their quarterback was back. Of course, I should not be surprised they lost since they played against the Razorbacks in November without any passion.

I did pick Boise State upsetting Oklahoma and Florida upsetting Ohio State. I love it when teams like Boise State win the big ones and surprise the nation. Smaller programs are given such little credit or notice and then people act like they are so surprised when they win. Their innovative, balanced, and creative offense is what equalizes them with any team in the country. They know how to pass, run, and keep the defense always guessing. I knew Florida’s defense would dominate Ohio State. Big Ten proponents have no idea the speed of a team like Florida. Again, creativity, a balanced offense, and passion won that game for Florida. I rejoice!

Two spiritual principles emerge out of these two tremendous victories:

1. Do not let anyone intimidate you. Boise State was never intimidated by the Oklahoma Sooners.
   Florida was never intimidated by the Ohio State Buckeyes. They dotted the "i" in Florida for
   Buckeye fans to remember for decades. Never let anything or anyone put fear in your heart.
   God never gives the spirit of fear! Be fearless!
2. Balance with innovation always wins. This was personified in both Boise State and Florida.
   They were balanced everywhere and never became predictable due to their creativity
   and innovation. You know, this is the way God wants you to live your life. He wants you to
   be balanced theologically and in every other way in your life, but express everything through your own
   personality that God Himself gave you. Never fear to be creative or innovative.
   God gave you your creativity for you to win for Him.

Be a Boise State Bronco and a Florida Gator in your life today.

A new series will begin on Sunday, January 14 called “HD Family.” The goal of this series is to bring high definition, clarity to family living today. I want you to help us get the word out on this series immediately. We will deal with all kinds of issues, from partnership to success to margins to wellness to a number of other issues.

This is a fabulous time for you to begin to think of who you can bring with you. Remember, the series starts this Sunday at both of our campuses. We need to pray and work diligently to make these next several weeks very special in our church. This is a super way to engage people during this kind of biblical series on family living.

Florida will win tonight …

Or at least I think Florida will win the national championship tonight. It will be a great game and obviously the two teams are great football teams. I love to watch the GATORS play, so I am pulling for them to win. I know some think they do not belong in that game, but they do. Of course, Boise State may be able to beat them both with their Bronco Magic!

Ah, the Dallas Cowboys, a team without much magic this year … what a sad way to end a season. Things are not well in Dallas and it will be very interesting to see what happens in the next couple of weeks or so.

Try not to fumble the snaps that come your way today … if you do, at least try to make something happen, even if you fail.

Here are a few pictures of Peyton from Christmas. He’s now 15 months old, and as I stated yesterday, he dominated our Christmas season.

If you visit this blog from time to time, you have learned of Peyton, our first grandchild. He is the son of Josh and Kate and is 15 months old. He dominated the Christmas season when we had the privilege to be with him. He never stops until he sleeps, so times are changing.

Nick and Meredith are having a baby GIRL. I believe I recently informed you they are having a baby. Our entire family, including Peyton, went to the doctor with them and experienced the doctor informing all of us at one time, “It appears to be a girl” At this stage, he is 90% sure and believes that is exactly what God has in store. The projection at this time is that the baby will arrive sometime during the last couple of weeks of May.

On Christmas Day, Josh and Kate informed the family they are going to have another baby! Her projected delivery will be at the end of August or about Game #1 of the season. So we are all thrilled with the news.

So before Peyton is two years old, we will have three grandchildren. Oh my, next Christmas will be something else. What do I think about all this? My statement to the kids is, “Keep those babies coming … lots of them!”

Thank God for life … He is good.

I am convinced that 2007 will be a God moment for your life. I believe it will be that for my life. The Lord wants to use every day and every year in our lives to demonstrate Himself to us.

Even though I have no clue how that will shake out in my own life at this point, I am confident God will move profoundly. Why do I believe this? God is always faithful. It is my goal to always be available to God. I am available to God right now.

It is my prayer that you will initiate being available to God. When you do, the Lord will give you a God moment this year. I believe there will be many of those moments when God shows Himself strong in and through your life.

Available…

Real life returns to each of us today. Expectations, meetings, along with the good, bad, and ugly created in days while away from such a strenuous schedule. Yes, real life returns today.

Hey though, it is a new year: Happy New Year! Welcome to a new moment in our lives that God has for each of us in 2007. It is a great day and a great moment for each of us. I just pray for a little more normal year for me this year, whatever normal is in my life anymore.

I felt like I was a bull-rider in 2006! Nothing was easy (not that it ever is) in 2006. I was on an emotional roller coaster with building projects, schedule, life, family, and other matters. I knew God was with me through it all, but I am no bull-rider! However, 2006 was not my first rodeo either!

Okay, let’s get ready– Are you ready? One moment at a time, one meeting at a time, one day at a time. We cannot resolve everything today, so let’s not try. Frustration will be your destiny because many people will have to buy out Starbucks to get started by Friday!

Good luck making it through today.