These Are A Few of My Favorite Things…

Julie Andrews’ song about her love affair with thunderstorms and flowers and the facial hair of a baby cat continues to live in infamy among the hopeless romantics that religiously revisit The Sound of Music. I must admit that I still get a little choked up when Captain van Trapp sings that song about Austria’s national flower, but Maria’s favorite things leave me in serious want … what in the world is strudel? I guess when you are a nun, your Christmas list is pretty limited!

So I decided to share with you a few of my favorite things that I am so thankful for …

The open of my front door … the sound of ecstatic frenzy from my four favorite people … the hugs … the talks and laughter at the dinner table … the tumbling and dancing shows in the living room … always knowing that Ashley, Chandler, Shelby and Anna Grace will be at home to greet me when I get there …

Fall in Northwest Arkansas … a summer sunset at the beach … Krispy Kreme doughnuts … Ruth Ann cookies … hot chocolate with marshmallows … a Route 44 cherry coke … famous fajitas at Pappasitos …

Hearing my kids pray at night … Chandler’s leadership and that he talks to me about everything … Shelby’s compassion and beautiful eyes that melt my heart … Anna Grace’s spunk and the joy she brings to our family … the smile that my Ashley gleams and the love that she has for my Savior …

Watching Chandler, Shelby and Anna Grace play sports … Friday night high school football … Shiloh Christian School … watching college football all-day on Saturdays … the Crimson Tide … listening to my kids sing songs from KLRC … Anna Grace echoing “101.1 KLRC” …

Father of the Bride Part 1 and 2 … watching TV with my beautiful and wonderful wife …

The Stars and Stripes flapping in the breeze … Lady Liberty standing tall … Lee Greenwood singing “I’m Proud to be an American” …

Early morning Truth that is the same yesterday, today, and forever … Love so wide and long and high and deep that I can’t understand it … the promise found in the manager … grace and mercy found at the Cross … hope found in an empty grave …

People that love you unconditionally … friends that believe so strongly in you … family in Mobile, Houston, and Arkansas that is always “cheering” for me …

An exciting and Spirit-filled church … a Pastor that preaches Truth week after week … the group of folks that I work with and that I love to be around …

A Savior that is always there …

These are just a few of my favorite things … So when the unexpected strikes … When the hurt stings … When I’m feeling sad … I simply remember my favorite things … and I don’t feel so bad. This Thanksgiving make a list of your favorite things.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:1 (NLT)

As Thanksgiving approaches, I reflect on the many things I am thankful for:

I am very thankful for my heritage and my godly mother. She prayed countless hours for her family before going to be with the Lord. Before coming to know the Lord, I distinctly remember each time I spoke to her she closed our conversations with, “I’m praying for you.” Then, as God answered her prayer in drawing me to the saving knowledge of Christ, she was the first one I called. Therefore, I am grateful my mother never gave up on interceding for me, proof that all parents should never give up praying for their kids.

I’m thankful for my family. I must acknowledge and express thankfulness for the greatest family God has put together. Gloria, my wife, is loving and supportive and is always there to help me in ministry. For the best two daughters and sons-in-law you could ever ask for, I’m also thankful. My four grandchildren bring hours of joy to my life. Lord, I am forever grateful.

I’m thankful for my church family. I am glad to be a part of a church that believes and takes God at His Word. I have the opportunity to serve the greatest people in the world. The Lord has blessed me beyond measure in allowing me to minister to the joys and sorrows that take place in the body. The Lord has always been faithful in every situation. Thank you, Lord!

Paul says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I’m so amazed at what God has allowed me to be a part of here at First Baptist Church. Beyond all comprehension, looking back, I’m so thankful for the plan God has for my life.

Thank you Lord!

This week Pastor Floyd has asked three guest bloggers to blog on thankfulness.

I am thankful for the grace of God. Unfortunately, in the Christian culture it is far too easy to grow dull or numb to the depth and reality of biblical terms. We throw them out casually, but somehow our minds and hearts disconnect to the powerful, very real daily implications. Old words can take on new meaning. Grace has for me. My late husband, in a sermon series some years ago, crafted this definition of grace: “The disposition, pursuit and provision of God toward fallen men, whereby He freely offers Himself as a sufficient resource for their every need.” Yes, a mouthful, yet a full, rich picture of the grace of God. He is a sufficient resource for every need. God, by His grace, empowers us to do things we would not otherwise have the strength to do on our own.

My first understanding of grace came with my own childhood salvation. Jesus Christ was a sufficient Savior to provide for my need to be made right with God. I did not have in my strength the ability to be right with the God who created me. “Saved by grace” is the entry point of relationship with God. Yet, God’s grace does not end there. His grace to BE the resource for every need is His perpetual disposition to us.

Six years ago on Thanksgiving, my “every need” was recent widowhood. At our Thanksgiving table was an empty plate and empty chair that left us devastated, brokenhearted and grieving. It was a meal that was nearly unbearable to my heart. I remember it well. Does God offer Himself as a sufficient resource for the common human experience of death that seems to come far too soon? He does. His tender care, His mercy, the hope of Heaven and His strength in the midst of our weaknesses was more real to that 45-year-old widow that I can communicate. Even with tears in our eyes, He was enabling us to walk even if feebly so.

On this Thanksgiving, I look back at the six years that have swiftly passed. His grace, His sufficient resource for my every need has not failed, even in dark days of grief, financial uncertainty, single parenting, critical decisions, disappointment and loneliness. He has truly empowered me to do things I did not have the strength to do on my own by Grace.

I am thankful for Grace.

It truly is amazing.

Blessings are favors or acts of kindness God demonstrates to each of us.  These blessings can come in all kinds of ways.  We have blessings of people, specific relationships with people, family, a job, a place to live, a vehicle, and the list can be endless.  These expressions of God’s favor upon our lives are priceless.  It is difficult to put a price tag on these blessings.

I am so grateful for the blessings God has given to me.  Several times a week we iChat with Nick, Meredith, and Reese Caroline since they live in Dallas.  This is a blessing.  We can see them and talk with them and watch our grand-daughter respond to us. I mean, it is cool.  I am grateful for the blessing of having them home from Sunday night through Saturday the week of Thanksgiving, which is next week.  Since they are going to Meredith’s immediate family’s home for Christmas, we have the blessing of having them home on Thanksgiving week.  We are thankful.

On Tuesday night, Josh, Kate, Peyton, and Parker stopped by on their way home from Walmart.  What a blessing it was to have this surprise.  They stayed an hour or so.  Jeana shared a new recipe with them.  Peyton and Parker interacting with us is such a blessing.  In fact, last night coming home from a meeting, I called the boys, just to hear them and talk with them.  Again, such a blessing.

Last night, I called my Mom as well to check on her, as yesterday was three years since we buried my Dad.  She was good and walking by faith in the journey.  What a blessing to have a Mom and a Dad that took me to church.  What a blessing to have their lives invested into mine.  What a blessing to have Mom still alive, well, and working 40 hours a week at 80 years of age.  She would not even think of quitting that job.  The blessings continue.

32 years this December 31, Jeana and I will have been married.  It was a very cold night in West Texas with the wind blowing and the temperature in the low 20′s when we got married.  In this 32-year journey, we have learned so much together.  Again, what a blessing to have my life-partner for 32 years.  Many do not have the joy, but I do.  Yes, I am blessed to have “my love” for these years.

Finally, I have the blessing of our church.  For these 22 years, we have journeyed together, learning more about ourselves, each other, and ultimately the Lord and His Kingdom work.  I am so blessed to have the privilege of pastoring this great people.  Ah, the blessing you are to my life.

1000 Thank Yous Lord for Blessings!

This is a great time of the year, a time of the year when the fun and intensity begins. What time is it?  It is the time for High School Playoffs for the game of football.  It is one great time of the year.  Our church is a regional church, so we have had many students involved on the teams, bands, and spirit teams of our area schools.

I think the main teams connected to our church that are still in the playoffs are Bentonville, Springdale Har-Ber, and our own, Shiloh Christian School. I saw Springdale and Har-Ber play last Friday night and it was a great game.  Bentonville and Shiloh were on a bye week.  All three of these head coaches are members of our church: Barry Lunney of Bentonville, Chris Wood of Har-Ber, and Josh Floyd of Shiloh. Some of their staff members also come to our church.  We congratulate these coaches, student athletes, and spirit teams for their achievements this year.

This week, the intensity goes up to a new level. If teams lose, it is over until next year. If you lose, it is time to get out the basketballs.  Those are dreaded words for the football faithful.  The future continues for these teams at least until Friday night.

While the intensity goes up in high school football, it is also going up in college. What great games await.

If you are not a football fan, sorry, but this is what I love. Blessings, and tomorrow I will try to spread out to some other issues.

Blessings.

One of the most humbling experiences of life occurred yesterday when I walked into the Vines Center at Liberty University to speak to thousands of students, however many it holds, and know God had entrusted me with this privilege and responsibility.  I was blessed and honored, but overwhelmed with a deep sense of responsibility.  Liberty has 11,300 on-campus students this year, and all are required to be at Convocation.  I believe the Vines Center holds 9,000 -10,000 people.  Therefore, this moment was like other moments I have had in that setting.  Humbling, but exhilarating.  Overwhelming, but encouraging.

How exciting it was to speak to that crowd of young adults who are charging forward to change the world.  They are passionate and visionary, a legacy left by the founder of that university, Dr. Jerry Falwell.

There is not a time I leave Liberty that I do not come away with that incredible word:  VISION. What a leader and what a visionary was Dr. Jerry Falwell.  Everywhere you go in that city and on that campus, his legacy lives.  Champions for Christ who will change the world.

Pray for me to be a Christ-honoring visionary leader. There is so much we could be doing for God.  There are so many more things to do.  May God give us the leadership and opportunity to do it.  Yes, Jerry Falwell’s vision still lives.

Thank God for visionary leaders.

Today I am Liberty University. I will be preaching at Convocation at 10:00 a.m. EST.  Last night, I preached at the Thomas Road Baptist Church here in Lynchburg.

Jeana and I always enjoy coming to Liberty University . . . it gives us great hope for the future. May God fulfill the dreams of thousands of these students who passionately want to change the world.  This year, Liberty has 11,300 students on campus.  The school has grown exponentially.  God’s power and presence has so endowed it with favor.

Upon Dr. Falwell’s death, Jonathan became the Senior Pastor of the church and Jerry Jr. became the Chancellor of the University. The future of both entities is fabulous.  The favor of God continues.

Jeana and I return this afternoon late following a quick trip, which followed a busy Sunday morning in Northwest Arkansas. The week is filled with challenges and with numerous opportunities.

By the way, three years ago today, my Dad went home to be with the Lord. It has been quite a journey for our family.  I am really proud of Mom. She has gone forward in her life even though “one-half of her is gone.”  Dad indented our lives greatly.  We love him and miss him on this day.  Yet, we are grateful for the Lord using him in our lives. We are blessed.

Pray for us this week.

I have been trying to make sense of all that is going on in the world. It seems we are in a time of unprecedented chaos in our generation. Perhaps my assessment is wrong, but it sure seems that way. I have been struggling to make sense of everything

It seems that what was once evaluated annually, quarterly or even monthly, is now being evaluated daily. I have talked with several business leaders in all kinds of occupations and the common denominator seems to be: “Everything seems to be changing daily.” This is really interesting when we know prophetically that in the last days, things will seem to take place in a sequence of “rapid succession.” It is obvious we are in the days of “rapid succession,” at least more than we have seen in our generation.

I am trying to make sense of how last night, I filled my wife’s car up for $25.00 plus some change, when just weeks ago, it took $50 plus dollars to do the same thing. This does not make sense. A stock market that goes up and then goes down like an out-of-control seesaw just does not make sense. The entire set of financial challenges just do not make sense, when just months ago all seemed so well. This drastic change has consumers living in fear and holding on to money, yet stadiums for games are filled with people paying money for their tickets, deer hunters still leasing land and hunting, and golf courses seem to be operating at their continual growth trends. Wow, none of this makes sense to me.

I could go on and on, but here is my question: How should we respond to all of this? My suggestions are simple and to a few of you may seem like “my same song, but here goes:

• Live in and by the Word of God.
• Make prayer a new priority.
• Wisdom is your greatest need; it is the new hot commodity.
• Relationships matter more than ever before.
• Worshiping weekly can be the wind that fans the fire within you.
• Be faithful to God continually.
• Run to God, honoring Him with at least one-tenth of all you have.

My friends, these are just a few things you can do NOW to help you be all God wants you to be and be covered by Him. One more time …

Run To God!

On this November 11, we pause to say thanks to all of the great veterans of our armed forces.  In thinking about this day, these things come to mind.

We look back into history, recounting the great veterans of our armed forces.  I think of men and women who have served our nation in past wars who are still alive, as well as the many who have gone on into eternity.  Some have died for our nation, and others have died after serving our nation.  I thank God for each man and woman who has served our nation in the past.

We look into these moments of living history, thanking all the men and women who are right now in the armed forces of the United States.  Many thousands are overseas in harm’s way, while thousands serve right here in America, still in harm’s way.  Put on a United States uniform, and all of a sudden you are serving in harm’s way.  Thank God for all of our people serving in our nation’s armed forces today.

While I am not a veteran of the armed forces, every time I see them recognized in any situation, it makes me wish that I would have served our nation.  These heroes have my complete affirmation and overflowing thanksgiving.

Today, as a part of this great nation, we say to each veteran . . .

1000 Thank Yous for Serving Our Nation.

Oh yes, it is Monday, but I want to talk about my Saturday.  Just two days ago, I had a very good day, my kind of Saturday.  What does that look like?

On Saturdays, I do not get up at my normal 3:30 a.m. time, but sleep in until 7:00-7:15 a.m. After getting up, I have my personal hour with God, then enter into an additional hour of study to master the sermon for Sunday.  Then, at 9:00 a.m. my favorite television show comes on called ESPN College Gameday.    It is the real deal, as that two-hour journey throughout the world of college football is experienced by yours truly.  Of course, while this is going on, I am reading newspapers and going over email.

The rest of the day was followed by watching college football. I watched the Arkansas-South Carolina game, followed by the Alabama-LSU game, then ended up the day watching the Texas Tech-Oklahoma State game.  What a day!  I realize this may sound like a boring day to you, but for me, it was a chill-out day.

Early evening, Josh, Kate, and the boys came over, which also made the day great. We watched the first quarter of the Texas Tech game together, then they left (after Peyton tackled me three times), and I retired to conclude my “game watching” while relaxing in bed.

Hey, I am so glad Alabama is winning, as well as Texas Tech.  They are a real thrill to watch.  I am not sure who will end up in the national championship game, but I will enjoy watching it.  You know, some guys hunt.  Others golf.  I love football.

My Saturday was enjoyed thoroughly, along with my wife’s homemade chicken noodle soup.  My life is blessed.

Yes, I am blessed even in the small things of life.  Thank you Lord.