NORTHWEST ARKANSAS has been hit by a major ice storm. Power is missing from thousands of homes, in fact, yours truly was without power late night and all day until about 4:00 p.m. yesterday. Trees are down everywhere, power lines stretching across roads, and the region was just able to begin to move around on Wednesday afternoon.

As Jeana and I ventured out Wednesday morning to check on neighbors and then over to family and of course, then to both of our campuses we discovered much. Malls, businesses, and most restaurants were closed most of the day. Parts of the region look as if a major tornado came through, with trees and power lines everywhere. This is a major disaster in our region.

Our Summit Business Persons Luncheon has cancelled for Thursday. With it being the 1st full day back at work for most people in our region in a couple of days, plus so much uncertainty abounding regarding this moment, we determined to cancel the event. While we will miss hearing my friend, David Lee, prepare us for a great Super Bowl, we really had no other alternative. We will kick the Summit back next week.

COME TO CHURCH SUNDAY REGARDLESS IF YOU HAVE POWER IN YOUR HOME OR NOT. Just get dressed and come as you are. Others will be in the same condition. Our Springdale Campus lost power on Wednesday, but hopefully will be back up today. Pinnacle Hills still has power. In fact, as Jeana and I surveyed the region, it appears there was more snow in Benton County than ice and just the opposite in Washington Country. Both still had devastating effect on both counties. For those of you outside of our region, PLEASE PRAY FOR NORTHWEST ARKANSAS. We have many people in major need.

Oh yes, the Super Bowls, who will I choose? Rather than breaking it down for you, I just want to go with my heart, rather than my head. My head says, "Pittsburgh", while my heart says "Phoenix". Even though those Steeler fans are phenomenal, as we saw them win the last Super Bowl they were in, I love underdogs. I am a Curt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald fan, so I am going with the Cardinals. Yes, I must say it boldly, I am pulling for the Cardinals.

See you in church on Sunday, remember, REGARDLESS OF MATTERS, I will see you Sunday.

Trees are falling, branches cracking, and our yard looks like a war zone. The worst ice storm I remember coming into Northwest Arkansas in my 22 years here, has arrived with lingering effects. It is not over yet, hopefully will be by noon today. Ice and snow will once again neutralize our region.

A most incredible journey I had coming home today, having to take a third route I did not even know existed. One of our members saw me struggling, called me, and gave me this route. Thank God.

Our power was on and off all day yesterday, and it felt like a long day with not a lot happening. I am so glad my study time, which began at 3:15, was able to take place without interruption until the later morning.

Well, make Wednesday count in some way. The Lord wants to slow us down evidently. Let’s pray for one another. Many of our people, who are without power, have children or are elderly. These are different days that require a new anointing from God upon our lives.

As I sit here on Monday night writing this blog for Tuesday, the word FORECASTING
seems to resonate around me. The weather seems to be dominating the news this evening in our region.  The roads were icy when I came home from work earlier.  All are forecasting absolute ice, sleet, and a little snow over the next 36 hours.  If correct, the region will come almost to a standstill due to the icy situation.

Additionally, as I watch Tim Geithner being sworn in as the United States Treasury Secretary, economic forecasting is ratcheted up a notch. Already on Monday, several corporations cut many jobs, resulting in thousands of more people being laid off.  Therefore, it is a chilling forecast taking place in our economy.

Forecasting by men is not always right. There have been many times I have watched the weather knowing the next day would be disastrous and yet awakened to see a beautiful day unfold.  We can only hope that is what will take place on our country’s economic situation in the coming days.

I have a little advice for you right now with all the forecasting going on:  GET YOUR COUNSEL FROM GOD’S WORD. His Word is always dependable.  You can count on His Word. Whatever He speaks from His Word will be right and will be fulfilled.  Therefore, keep all in perspective.

Get your counsel today from PSALM 91.

The challenge for the week – have a positive attitude.  So much negativity, downcast news, doom and gloom forecasts result many times in a struggle for us to have a positive attitude.  This is what is happening in the lives of people all over America.

We cannot let the media or government determine our attitudes.  Listen friends, we have Someone living within us who has gone through the worst of circumstances, yet He gives us a never-ending hope.  Our Lord Jesus Christ has deposited so much life into us that we do not have to reflect the world’s disposition.  We do have much to be positive about this week.

We cannot let personal circumstances determine our attitudes.  The personal challenges can become intense in life. They can heat up to the point we do not want to continue on in life’s journey.  While matters can escalate into extreme discomfort, we still have much to be positive about in life.

We have the Lord living within us, the Holy Scripture to live by, and the Holy Spirit to guide us.  Yes, even during the worst of circumstances, we have so much spiritually.  Beyond that, even though it is temporal, we have a place to live, transportation to drive, and most of us have a job.  And yet even greater than that, we have a family to walk with us and a family of faith to inspire us.

Even though we walk in the valley of uncertainty in the American culture today, we do not walk alone.  We walk by faith in Christ alone, abounding in the hope living within us.

Therefore, this week, let’s try it:  Have a positive attitude.

We have an opportunity each Sunday to make a difference in the lives of others.  Especially right now, in the midst of this expositional series on the family, we can help families.  We are helping families.

More families can be helped if each of us give them an opportunity to join us in this growing experience.  With all that is happening in marriages, parent-child relationships, single parent challenges, family dysfunction, and singles trying to live holy before the Lord while they are waiting for that mate to come along, people need help.  In fact, great families need help.  I do not know of one family today anywhere that does not face struggles periodically.  They may not be struggles that threaten longevity in the family, but struggles that threaten the relational health of the family.

Therefore, the Lord is extending to each of us an invitation to help families.  While we may not be counselors and definitely not perfect as people, our heart to help others should ooze through us as we walk in these days of family emphasis.

Outstanding reports are being given from our Connection Groups as they spend their time weekly in digesting the message I have shared with more application as they deepen biblical understanding.  This format has been received well thus far and perhaps worth repeating.  Sharing with one another, whether we are working through a biblical passage or a theological truth together or we are working through how these Scriptural principles need to look in our lives and families, all of that interaction with one each other will make us wiser as we walk with the Lord.

Take the opportunity Sunday to grow personally, and extend that growth challenge by inviting and bringing a friend to be with you.

See you Sunday.

What a day we witnessed yesterday, watching the Inauguration of President Barack Obama.  It was a festive celebration as all of America rejoiced over this incredible moment in our nation’s history.  The greatness of America was seen and experienced by each American.  The transfer of power in a peaceful way, the variance of political ideology dying for at least a few hours, and the royalty of the entire experience sets this great nation apart from all others.  Thank God for America.

President Obama’s speech was a moment for this generation.  He informed us again of some of the challenges that each of us face.  His call for unity among all was in order and for at least a few hours occurred.   Prayerfully, our nation can unite on the right things under the leadership of our President.  We need to be together.

Witnessing his cute daughters who are only children reminded me of the great responsibility we have to pray for his safety and protection at all times.  Those precious little girls need their dad, and we need to take the call to intercession seriously.  His wife, Michelle, represented our nation well yesterday.  This entire family is our first family now, receiving our support and prayer.

As President Bush left the White House in a helicopter, there was an element of sadness.  The sadness comes only for the feelings I would have for any leader who has spilled eight years of his life, night and day, 365 days a year, for our nation.  Now this era is over.  He has served our nation through some of the most challenging moments in our history.  May God give he and Mrs. Bush a wonderful life in Dallas.

While I was not there, I join the millions across the world that watched on television the inauguration experience from the steps of the Capitol.  What do you say?  More words will not make it better or clearer.  So my words about yesterday are these words….

What a day!

For the first time in American History, an African-American man will be the President of the United States of America. This is a huge advancement for America and is a proud moment for every American.  I remember as a child, sitting on the floor of our den, watching with my parents news stories of the great Washington D.C. speech by Dr. Martin Luther King.  America is a great nation and today is another sign of its greatness.

Today, Barack Obama will become the President of the United States of America and Michelle, his wife, will become the First Lady of our nation. Their daughters, Malia and Sasha, will grow up under the watchful eyes of the world.  In this new and exciting era in American history, I am calling upon you today to pray a prayer of blessing upon this family.

Dear friends, let me challenge you today:

*Pray for President Obama and his family daily
*Their protection and safety
*Wisdom in their decision-making
*Support the President in all decisions you believe honor God’s Word
*Be optimistic about the future of America
*Believe in the American people
*Ultimately trust in the Lord that He is in control of all things

Today, we say thanks for the Presidency of George W. Bush for the years he has served our nation faithfully as our President and at the same time, we say welcome and God’s blessing to our new President Barak Obama.

May God be honored in our nation, “O Lord, let it be.”

On February 1 in Tampa Bay, the 2009 Super Bowl will occur. We now know that the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers will be playing.  I chose the Cardinals and I am really glad they are in it.

Some have wondered “Why does the world stop when the Super Bowl occurs?” One of my men sent me the following facts he has become aware of related to the Super Bowl.  When you read these facts, you will understand how big the Super Bowl really is.  It is fascinating.  Enjoy today.

Super Bowl Facts

• One billion world-wide audience
• 140 million – number of Americans that saw Super Bowl XLl
• 106 million – number of Americans that went out to celebrate New Year’s Eve
• 100,000+ visitors to the Tampa Bay area
• 150,000+ attendees to NFL Experience over two weekends
• 232 countries and territories broadcast the Super Bowl
• 34 languages in which the Super Bowl is broadcast

Super Impact

• $300-400 million projected economic benefit to the Tampa Bay Area

Super Media Blitz

• 3,400+ media credentials issued
• $2.6 million – cost of a 30-second advertising spot on Super Bowl XLl game coverage
• 100 radio stations on “Radio Row” in the Super Bowl Media Center
• 10 most watched television programs in history are all Super Bowls
• 2006 Super Bowl XL had more than twice the audience of the Academy Awards

Super Sized Event

• 7.5 million parties are held on Super Bowl Sunday with 43.9 million party-goers
• 1.5 million TV sets will be sold during the week leading up to Super Bowl
• Super Bowl is the top at-home party event of the year, ahead of New Year’s Eve
• Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest day of food consumption, second only to Thanksgiving
• February 1, 2008 · avocado consumption during the Super Bowl has become the stuff of urban legend. Most of the statistics are probably exaggerated, but one estimate is that Americans will consume about 50 million pounds this weekend. That’s a lot of guacamole.

Product Categories — Super Bowl Weeks*

Largest Overall Sales Increase:

• Tortilla Chips — $10.2 million
• Light Beer — $9.2 million
• Regular Beer — $8.7 million
• Potato Chips — $7.8 million
• Regular Cola — $7.7 million
• Frozen Pizza — $7.3 million
• All remaining carbonated beverages — $5.5 million
• Frozen Poultry – Food Entree’s — $5.4 million
• Mexican Sauce — $5.3 million
• Ice Cream — $4.7 million

Product Categories — Super Bowl Weeks*

Largest Overall Percentage Sales Increase:

• Cocktail Franks — 118.1%
• Beef Steak-Frozen — 58.4%
• Pork-Frozen — 48.8%
• Dip Mixes — 37.0%
• Processed Cheese Loaves — 36.3%
• Dairy Dip — 36.1%
• Bread Mushrooms-Frozen — 35.6%
• Tabasco/Pepper Sauce — 34.8%
• Canned Dip — 32.2%
• Barbecue Sauces — 31.7%

Is not this amazing?  It is big, not all good of course, but big.  Just thought you would be fascinated with this information as we countdown to the Super Bowl.

This Sunday will be the second week of our “How Your Family Can Have Success” series. It all began with great crowds on both campuses last week, so let’s continue the journey this weekend. Think about who you can invite and bring with you. Never underestimate the power of your invitation to someone. So many needs are real today, but none as great as the need to build biblical, Spirit-controlled families.

The entire worship experience will include prayer and great worship songs. Yes, these components are always existent here, but let’s not forget the blessing they can be to others. We are so used to the great worship here that we take it for granted at times. Thank God for two godly men who walk beside me to lead you to worship our Lord weekly.

This Sunday is a significant day to be in church when you realize that on Tuesday, our nation will inaugurate a new President. On the Sunday before this significant day, God’s people need to be in worship and prayer together for our nation, our new President Barack Obama and his family, along with the transition of power between he and President George W. Bush.

Sunday afternoon will be filled with the Championship Games of the National Football League. Who will win these games and play in the Super Bowl? Many of you are not NFL fans, but endure me for a moment as I close my blog today for the weekend. Who am I picking and rooting for on Sunday?

Arizona Cardinals over the Philadelphia Eagles: Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Edgerrin James and a defense filled with many great players will hand Arizona a 2009 gift by winning this game and going to the Super Bowl. Oh by the way, I just cannot pick the Eagles for anything. Sorry, too much Cowboys from Dallas still in me.

Baltimore Ravens over the Pittsburgh Steelers: I am believing in phenom Joe Flacco and of course Pro-bowler and future Hall of Famer, Ray Lewis. Plus, again, I don’t pick the Steelers due to my Cowboy roots again. Sorry.

Here is the truth about my picks: Remember, I said Dallas was going to the Super Bowl this year! What do I know? Incredible talent, but they do not know how to spell TEAM. The other truth about my picks: The Eagles will probably win as well as the Steelers and everything points that way. I just like going for the underdogs this year. Regardless of who goes, it will be a great match-up. The Ravens with Flacco and Lewis and the Cardinals with Warner and Fitzgerald just make a better two weeks of hype leading up to it. Oh well, soon this too will pass.

See you Sunday.

For the past two days, our Ministry Team has been together on one of our respective campuses, listening to one another and praying for our church.  These two days have been very beneficial days.  They are days where God has made Himself known to us in a special way.  It is amazing to see the diversity demonstrated through the unique, amazing ways God speaks to and works in the lives of these Christian leaders.

Find a time this day to have this “highly beneficial time with God.”