tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30045898013467228292024-02-07T03:26:32.280-05:00The Soss BlogThis is a Blog of what's happening in everyday life. With an attempt to open hearts and minds to the Truth.Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-7432861443994459082019-03-17T01:01:00.001-04:002019-03-17T01:01:34.756-04:00The Basics of Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The older I get the more I revert to my childhood. As I age, I want to follow in my Dad's footsteps more than ever. I get my kids out in the garden and teach them how to do some of it. I coach my son's baseball team. I'm not great at it but I feel like we need more men out there that care about their sons and the folks he is around. Who knows.... we might even make a difference in somebody's life. <script type="text/javascript">
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Today, we had an event with Trail Life at the Mecklenburg Wildlife Club. I was extremely excited to go because I spent numerous weekend nights down there in the clubhouse when my dad was calling Square Dances for the club. To be a member of the Square Dance club, you also had to be a member of the Wildlife Club. I got there with my son today for his archery event, and there were so many times I wanted to call my dad and ask him something as I was trying to make connections with some of the members. </div>
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After the archery event we went for a hike at Crowder's Mountain State Park. As my son and I walked, I just kept thinking about how Blessed we are. Yes we have struggles and we are going through some right now with our youngest and something between the State of NC and her Nursing Care, but we are so Blessed. I kept thinking about how I have 3 terrific children and a wife that is phenomenal. I enjoyed every step. Even the ones that were tough and made me slow down and pull back on the reigns to slow my son. I wished that my girls could be with us, but I enjoyed EVERY SINGLE STEP! God has Blessed me. He has given me a hard head and a mind to think "He's not done with me yet". I've told this story several times to several different people. Back in September I went to the doctor because I knew I needed a change and I just couldn't get a handle on it. I had lost some weight over the period of a year but not nearly the amount that I needed to feel better. I had been praying about my situation for a while, and God acted. First my wife made me an appointment. I even told her to cancel it and she politely said okay. She never did. I ended up with a sinus sore throat just a day or so before the appointment, so I asked her if she had cancelled the appointment and she said no. The day of the appointment the sore throat was pretty much gone. I met a wonderful nurse and doctor that were different. The doctor actually listened to me, and they both had this "spirit" about them. Well, my physical results came back not so good. A1C was 10.2, BP was high, and Cholesterol was through the roof. We talked plans of action, and the doctor prescribed me Diabetic meds, BP meds, and Cholesterol meds. I started reading about these different numbers and quickly knew I was on a very bad path. My doctor did me a solid. Because she had listened to me, she knew I didn't want to be on prescription meds and she gave me the best option she could. I almost walked out with a prescription for Insulin that day. Instead she prescribed metformin. Insulin, although you can come off of it, it's not as easy. After breaking the news to me that I was now on 3 meds when I had previously been on 0, I asked what are my chances of getting rid of these meds? My chances weren't good. She told me that out of all of her patients that had similar conditions, she could think of 2 that had come off the meds or drastically reduced them. That's when God's Blessing of me being a little bit hard headed kicked in. God then instilled in me a desire. I'm not concerned about where I'm going or Who I'm going to be with when I die. I just wasn't ready to be released from the responsibility of raising the children that He blessed me with. I have this prayer that I will live longer than my youngest child, because I simply don't want her thinking I deserted her. She is a special little girl and just wouldn't understand where daddy is and why he left her. I have to do everything I can in my power and the time God has allowed me, to take advantage of every second, minute, day or year that He has granted..... and be grateful. Today as we ate supper, I just watched my son. I thought what a fine young man he is growing into. Yes he is a 9 year old boy, but you can see him taking shape. I so wished that my dad could see him. And not just him, but his other grandchildren as well. How I wish my parents could sing happy birthday to my kids again. How I wish they could love on my youngest and see the love she has in her heart. As I thought about all of that I heard a man talking behind me about changing his eating habits. He was talking about doing KETO. I had to turn around and engage. He had been doing a KETO type eating plan for about a month now and was having some moments because he had a hard time keeping on it at work. That's when I told him where I'd been. That since September of 2018, I've lost from 275 to 240 pounds. That my A1C was 10.2 and I had brought it down to 5.1. I told him I try to keep my total carbs under 50-60 grams per day, but most days I really try to keep it under 20. We had a good conversation that I believe was God ordained. Hopefully something I may have said, stuck with him. Hopefully he found some encouragement. I've just kept thinking, "I am Blessed" today. As I continue this journey and try to use my love of Hiking and Backpacking to raise money for Cancer Research (Catawba Tribe of the Rhododendron), and continue to adapt to healthy eating choices, I know I'm blessed and want to make everyday count. If anyone has any questions about what I'm doing or shows an interest in the Hike, or wants to talk about building a personal relationship with Jesus..... PLEASE ask me.</div>
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God has been very good to me. Even though we are facing a giant right now, I know he has me and will get us through this. I know He loves me and has instilled this fight in me. To God be the Glory!!!</div>
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~Lee~</div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-14939803996050516462018-11-18T22:21:00.003-05:002018-11-18T22:22:38.007-05:00Realizing Thanksgiving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We have so much to be thankful for. The longer the time grows from my parents passing the more grateful I am for having them in my life. More recently as in a month or so, I've had more than just a couple of friends and relatives go home to be with Jesus. That has me thinking quite a bit about all my friends and family that have gone before. This Blog entry will possible be scattered a little and maybe even hard to follow at times but I promise I will do my best to at least tie it together at some point and actually make it as clear as I can.<script type="text/javascript">
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This weekend my son and I went on a day hike with his Trail Life troop. When we go on our hikes, whether with the Trail Life troop or just our little family, I try to have teachable moments. We got to the hiking location late and had to play catch up with the troop. I've always tried to teach the twins to be observant of our surroundings and even more so in the woods. We have been on hikes and tracked deer down a wildlife trail and watched tracks in the different trails along the way. Well this time we tracked the Troop. It was quite fun to track the troop and even more fun to watch my son process what he was observing. We tracked the troop to a "crossroads" of trails and lost the track. I texted the leader of the hike while we were there. We didn't hear back until we had decided to stay on the trail we were on, and walk back to the Nature Center at the park. We got back to the center and then saw the reply text, that we were literally right behind them. We did go back and catch up with the troop and hiked back to the Center again. I typed all of this to tell about how walking through these woods with my son and some of his friends and their parents, how it reminded me of my dad taking my mom and me walking through the woods behind my home church and blazing our own trails. It reminded me of when I got my first shotgun and my dad took me into the woods down from our house to practice shooting. I'm trying to bring some of the things my parents did for me to my children. I didn't always appreciate what my parents did as much as I do now. Yes I did appreciate it, but not like I do now and I definitely didn't show that appreciation the way I should have. Until I come to realize the sacrifices they made so that I didn't have to do without, I didn't have a proper level of appreciation. I'm not going to go through and type out everything my parents did for me simply because it would get very long. Some of the things they did may even seem insignificant to many of you but to me it is now a big deal. Many times they would sacrifice buying something they needed for themselves so I could have something that was a want. I wish my mom and dad could read this and know how much I miss them and appreciate everything they did for me. Better yet I wish I could talk to them for just another 15 minutes or so. One thing I'd never do is to wish I could bring them back. I know it sounds weird but follow me on this. As much as I would love to have them back, I can not bring myself to wish them missing one moment of Heaven because of my selfish desires. Now, I do wish they could see all these grand babies and great grand babies. My wife and I were talking tonight about upcoming Christmas celebrations and how my mom and dad would be so very proud of their babies. How mom and especially my dad would probably cry. Then we talked about how we would probably be crying this year for the same reasons my parents would have. </div>
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This year some things have changed. I have had to make some life changes so that I can be around a little longer. This isn't to say that I can buy any extra time if it is time for me to leave this earth, but I can make what time I have on this earth more enjoyable and at least make an effort to be here as long as I can. I'd love to meet my grand kids someday, if God grants me that opportunity. The Joy that I get from seeing my great nieces is indescribable and I can only imagine what grands will be like one day. I pray that I am doing what I can to teach my kids right so that they will pass it along to their children and their children for generations, regardless of what the World tries to teach them. </div>
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As I mentioned I have made some life changes that will have an affect on the holidays this year. I have changed my eating plan to become more healthy. I have cut my carbohydrates drastically and began focusing more on fats and proteins. My eating plan is not Full Blown Keto, but it is a combination of Paleo, modified Mediterranean, and Keto. I've adjusted my carb intake to allow 50g of carbs per day, but I am usually staying well under that. I am really trying to shoot for 20g per day but that isn't ultimate, it's a secondary objective. I want to be around 20 per day but I'm not upset if I hit 50, which is still in my healthy range. There are a couple of way that my eating plan ties in to the rest of the story. One, I am getting healthier and it is helping me be able to get out and spend more time in the wood with my family which I am grateful. Two, I have family and friends that are supporting me in my efforts to have a healthier life. I am grateful for this as well. If you have never been in this position then you can't exactly understand, but think of it this way. We have been taught to eat a balanced diet of Carbs, Protein and Fats. Then it went to Low Fat diets and sugars were added to the Low Fat foods. Until more recently Low fat was the way to go. Finally some studies are coming out about how fats aren't as bad as they first thought, it's the simple carbs that are killing us. Simple sugars/ simple carbs are feeding disease across our nation. The problem is we have been "Fed" this other way of eating for years now and it's hard to find options for me to eat as my eating plan provides, they way to good health for me. Here is how this second point ties in. My friends and family have been sending recipes and/or testing recipes so I can enjoy these holiday meals. I'm not asking them to sacrifice their enjoyment just so I can eat, but they are doing it all on their own. They are being proactive in these efforts to keep me on my healthy eating plan and still get to enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas meals with my family. I appreciate this more than I can ever effectively communicate it. </div>
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This year I am giving thanks for friends and family, and most of all God's provision for me and for all of them. There will be more things coming in regards to my health goals including at least one fundraising hike next year (more about that later). For now, Thank You God for Your divine providence. Providing me with what I never imagined needing and removing what I do not need. </div>
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I pray for each one that reads this blog and realizes the Blessings God has granted you. Enjoy this Holiday season and give thanks.</div>
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God Bless YOU!</div>
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(and I hope there is something in this mess of a blog to Bless you and provide you hope)</div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-74599397732586574102018-07-06T07:09:00.002-04:002018-07-06T07:09:44.676-04:00I Can Only Imagine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, we watched the movie "I Can Only Imagine" tonight..... and here I am, should be sleeping but instead I'm clinging to a keyboard and contemplating every word. The past couple of weeks have been a little tough. It started with no apparent reason and then flash banged when a couple of folks passed away. One of the folks that went to be with Jesus, I don't really know. I claim that his brother is a fishing buddy of mine that just hasn't made it on a fishing trip with me yet. I hold on to that because it's nice to pull for the small town guy that makes it. Eric Church lost his brother and even though I know I don't know either of them, I feel like I do simply because they are from my wife's hometown. I share in the pain that Eric must have in the loss of his brother. Then at the beginning of this week a brother and sister duo that I have known and been friends with for literally as long as I can remember lost their dad. With every loss I reflect on my mom and dad. Then I spiral to grandparents. Then eventually it always ends up back in second grade when I lost one of my sisters, and all the emotions become a whirlwind and I'm pretty much paralyzed and just pretty much a worthless mess. <script type="text/javascript">
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I've also been having some spiritual moments this week. I'm excited to see what growth comes from my home church that holds a special place in my heart. I'm excited for those that passed on to Glory, because of what they are encountering. There are so many things pounding around that I can hardly keep track of them. And just as I had gotten to a low point, God has put people, articles and media in my path to lift me back up again. </div>
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See, I Can Only Imagine was not just any song. The music of Mercy Me crossed lines on the Charts. It was revolutionary. Folks that had not wanted to hear the Gospel, heard it! Some for the first time and they looked deeper into it. God moved. People were affected. All by one song. One God inspired piece of music. I remember when I had my moment of coming back to God, I stood in my driveway and played several Christian songs, over and over and over..... I Can Only Imagine was one of them. I sang as loud as I could and I'm sure what neighbors we had at the time thought I had lost it all, when I was really right in the middle of re-finding it all. This was a time that I found myself constantly in the Bible and listening to preachers on the radio. One of the most influential preachings I heard was the story about the line of people that preached and influenced another preacher that eventually influenced Billy Graham. This was also the sermon where I first heard about where Billy Graham had to make a decision. He came to a point where he either had to believe the Bible to be TRUE or he had to walk away, he couldn't do both. So he Believed!</div>
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As we traverse this series of Earthly Deaths, we are reminded of Everlasting Life. " For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not parish but will have EVERLASTING LIFE". "God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him".</div>
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Some day we will not have to imagine the Glory. Some day we will be awe stricken at the appearance of Jesus. We will be amazed by all the glorious wonders of Heaven. We will see a Kingdom built not by human hands. One day we will bow before our mighty King and rejoice with the Saints that have joined Him before us. Until then we are called to celebrate the name of Jesus, spread His Gospel, and be in the world and not of it. Tonight, even though I have a sad heart.... I also have a joyous heart! I am Praising God for the influences in my life. I am Praising God for the celebration I know people are encountering. I'm Praising God for my Family, my Church Family, and the Grace that has granted me the gift of Eternal Life. A gift I am not worthy to receive, but God came as a man and gave Himself up as the ultimate sacrifice so that all my sins are covered and I appear flawless in His eyes. Only a loving God would do that for me. And not just for me, but for anyone. All we have to do is accept the most difficult yet easiest free gift ever.</div>
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"I can only imagine........will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall, will I sing Hallelujah will I be able to speak at all.......I can only Imagine...."</div>
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Thank You God for loving us so much that You have provided us with One clear path to You! Thank You that in the face of sadness You shine a much needed light to point us to peace and comfort. Thank You for Your promises that do not waver and give us something sound when nothing around us seems stable. You are our anchor. Thank You Father.</div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-38250055269882788352017-12-26T08:40:00.001-05:002017-12-26T08:41:33.314-05:00Merry Christmas to All and keep reaching for The Star<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dec 26 2017<script type="text/javascript">
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I am writing this in the morning hours on the day after Christmas. I'm sitting here reflecting while my wonderful little family is sleeping. Our Christmas this year was not spectacular in the common sense of the season, but for us it couldn't have been much better. We didn't give large expensive gifts or those hard to get popular gifts that most folks would attribute to a "spectacular" Christmas.</div>
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Our Christmas was most spectacular because of family. We tremendously missed those that have gone on to their heavenly homes, but we rejoiced because we were together. As we opened gifts from each other here in our humble little home, we were all here. For the first time that we can remember my youngest daughter and my wife were here at home on Christmas! It may not seem like a big deal to most but to me and my family it is huge. Alina, my youngest has a special genetic condition that is the only one on record, and has cause developmental issues that allows her to get sick easier and more completely than most children her age. </div>
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This year was the first time we've all been home together for Christmas! In years past I'd have the big kids at home and my wife would be with our littlest at the hospital. Anytime they have to be away from us and in the hospital isn't an idea time but Christmas is just a little harder. I've tried telling myself that it's just another day, Christmas is no different than any other day but I haven't convinced myself of that yet. So this year is special.</div>
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This year we went to the movies on Christmas day, just our little family. We saw "The Star". This was just one more way to celebrate our King coming to earth. We praise God for all He has done to save us and for all the many blessings he has given us. This year our greatest blessing is being together. We are living a Doxology moment. Praising God from whom all Blessings flow, Praising Him all creatures here below, Praising Him above ALL heavenly host, Praising Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. AMEN</div>
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We had a hospital stay over Thanksgiving and through the first of December. It was all looking pretty discouraging but she made it. She made it out and stayed out. We've had a few trips to the hospital during December but somehow she stayed out. Even though we know she isn't feeling 100%, we did get to celebrate her December 23 birthday at home this year and we celebrated Christmas all together. </div>
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This makes me focus on the manger. My little family's celebration is nothing compared to that one Starry night, but it is great to me and my family and it points us to the night of His birth. </div>
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I can only imagine what it was like that night in the lonely stable when a baby was born, shepherds suddenly appeared from their fields and Angels sang glorious songs. Not all saw or heard but those that believed I am sure were blessed beyond measure. I know my child is not the Messiah, but because of her I celebrate this wonderful event with a joy filled heart and a little more understanding. PRAISE GOD! All Praises to my Lord and King. </div>
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As many of you know we were also involved in starting a group called Alina's Angels. We, along with some friends gathered some small gifts and made them in to comfort packages. During this time of gathering and bringing together, we've all been sick with a cold or some sort of bug. I truly believe this happened to distract us from our mission. Fortunately while we were down, there were other brothers and sisters in The Faith that continued to work. I thank them whole heartedly for this! This isn't the first time I've experienced this. I've been part of several other missions where spiritual warfare has taken place. I have seen folks get sick and have to leave trips, I've seen others have bad dreams even to the point of two separate people having the same dream. All of this is a distraction from serving. It's an attempt of an entity that has already lost the war to gather as many souls as possible and keep the Good News from reaching the ears and hearts of those in need. We've nursed Alina to keep her out of the hospital and had many lifting her in prayer. We've fought off these different bugs that would be detrimental to the delivery of the packages. Thank You all for praying for my family. We know that Alina's Angels is something that needs to continue simply because of the push back the evil one has given us. This too is part of why I give Him praises this Christmas. To God be ALL the Glory. I am thankful that He allows my little family serve Him through serving His people. </div>
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I know all this seems to be a little scattered and messy but it's the stream of conscious writing. As things that have my heart over joyed come to the surface, I write. I have been talking to my wife about "Old Christmas" which is a celebration of Epiphany. It is more pure and sincere than what we are doing for the December 25 Christmas celebrations. We may not be able to get anything together this year but in upcoming years, look for it. It follows the 12 days of Christmas and the journey of the Wisemen. I have more research to do on this but many of the Orthodox churches still celebrate it. Some call it Little Christmas. </div>
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With everything I have shared in this Blog Post, I must say Thank You to everyone who has been instrumental in helping me and my little family. Thank You for the prayers you have prayed and the Love and support you have shown us. I praise God that you are in our lives. Please continue to Lift Up my family and the ministries that we are involved in. God has touched your hearts as well as ours. We are Grateful for this!</div>
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To God Be the Glory!</div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-9630497968901855032017-08-31T10:50:00.005-04:002017-08-31T10:50:54.547-04:00Memories of the Broken Hearted and then a kick in the teeth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My oldest kids started second grade just a few days ago. I have been thinking and praying that their year of second grade is much better than mine was. It all hit me just all of a sudden. I had wished them well on my way out the door that morning, telling them to have a great day at school. While at work later that morning my wife sent me a text with first day pictures and that's when it hit. I was suddenly thinking about being in second grade and trying to think of good memories and I came back blank. I had no good memories of second grade. The only thing I remembered was my sister getting killed in a car wreck and everything that went with that, and continually having to stay in during recess because I couldn't get my work done for some reason. It was just a very sad year as I remembered it. That was Monday. I got over it and I praised God for Blessing me with a fantastic wife and family, and the time we get to have together. Well, on Wednesday (yesterday) I noticed a friend of mine had posted a picture of another friend. I thought "I haven't talked with him in a few months, I need to give him a call". That's when the friend that posted the picture called me and let me know that our mutual friend, brother in Christ, and servant of Jesus Christ had passed away. For a minute I just couldn't move. Words escaped me. I found it hard to breathe and had a sick feeling in my gut. I was again extremely sad for the second time this week, but this wasn't the past it was the here and now. Jay McGee was a true servant of Jesus Christ. We went on several Appalachian Service Project Mission trips together over the years and Jay had a true heart for the people he served in the name of Jesus. Jay loved the people of the mountains. We had talked several times over the years and he had bought himself a house in the West Jefferson area. The Lord was leading him there. Jay told me at one point he wanted to be able to help folks in the hills, kind of like an ASP but all the time, not just one week out of the year. I remembered that last night when I heard my wife talking about it. Jay served locally as well. Jay McGee has touched lives in the Thousands upon Thousands in the name of Jesus. Many of the people that will read this knew Jay, and will recognize that I have not embellished one bit. If you think about the Thousands of people Jay was in contact with face to face, think about it in a compounded way. For every person Jay shared the love of Christ with, they have in turn have had opportunities to share about Jay, his passion, his kindness, his friendship, and his dream...... Which all point back to Jay's Lord, Jesus Christ. As sad as it is for all of us left behind, I can't really be sad. I don't think Jay would want us to be sad for him, especially after he has heard "well done My good and faithful servant". So here is to Jay McGee! Jesus follower and lover of life! <div>
From Jay's Facebook post:<br /><div>
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"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."</div>
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Albert Pike</div>
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~Dei Gratia~<div>
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That's so Jay!</div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-32925424202103100672017-06-20T00:23:00.001-04:002017-06-20T00:23:07.432-04:00Dreaming in Color and Flashes of Light<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My family dreams. I mean literally we have dreams that can stir your soul. My grandma had dreams, my parents had dreams, I know at least one of my nieces has dreams, I think my kids have the dreams too, lastly I have dreams. My kid's and I were talking about dreams on the way home from Bible school tonight. I told them that I used to have one particular dream every once in a while. I've changed dreams in the middle of dreams before. I have had dreams that have awakened me and caused me to pray for people. One of those instances was an old friend of mine that I had reconnected with on the FaceBook a few years ago. I had a dream about her and I can't really remember the details but I remember waking up and having to pray for her. I sent her a message to let her know I was praying for her and threw in a few pleasantries to keep from seeming like a big weirdo and hit send. Well, she was up and proceeded to tell me that she had decided to leave her husband. I immediately knew why I'd had that dream and it was so I'd pray for my friend and her soon to be ex-husband, who I'd know for many years. I eventually had to delete her from my friends list because I didn't want to watch the upcoming situation, even if it was from afar. I just knew to keep praying. I've had several dreams that I've not mentioned. I've had dreams that I've lived out. I know the whole deja vue deal and it's completely different. <script type="text/javascript">
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Well tonight as we discussed dreams and just had some daddy and kid time on the way home, one dream that has been on my mind for over a year now decided to slip into the forward space in my mind. </div>
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One night as I had a dream that we were on my mom and dad's porch, my grandma's house was still beside theirs. In this dream the kids and I were playing in the yard and street. Suddenly there were Bees everywhere. I sent the kids running for the house and I ran to distract the Bees. Everyone on the porch was yelling about the bees and I remember my dad getting stung as I was trying to run up and keep the bees away from the porch and the kids that were running to the back door. At this point all details of the dream disappear and I clearly hear, "End of Life Illness". I woke up and checked my phone. I had a couple of missed calls from about 30 minutes to an hour after I'd gone to bed. You know, just enough time that I'd be asleep good and not hear the vibration of the "VIP" callers that were two of a handful of folks that could still ring my phone after 9pm. The first missed call was from my dad. The second was from my sister. I woke my wife before ever listening to the voicemails and told her this was it. I listened to the voicemails and learned they were taking my dad to the hospital because he was having severe abdomen pain. I again told my wife that "this is it, he won't be coming home from this trip". I called my sister and was told they were transferring to Charlotte. I met them in Charlotte knowing that this was it. I called and talked with my boss about having the next few days off because I knew those were my dad's last. I started telling my dad when I'd leave "don't go anywhere until I get back". He'd always tell me okay, I'm not planning on going anywhere. Well that last night before I left I said it again but this time he didn't say it. I recognized it but didn't say anything. I cried a little on the ride home but I knew it was his time for His time. I can remember the call when my sister called me that night. My sister was staying the night. It was about 10pm when the call came. I looked at my wife and said "it's done" and then answered the phone. My sister gave me some of the details but I knew the end of the story. In the fashion of my dad being who he was, in the middle of him going home my sister called him "Daddy"...... He woke up and looked at the nurse and my sister and said "what's wrong" and he just laid back and crossed over to be with Jesus. I don't know why I have these dreams or how any of this spirituality stuff works but I do know that Jesus is The Way. There is a reason for it all even if we don't understand. It's not always about our understanding, It's about Truth whether we can decipher it or not. I don't know if it would be called a gift. I know other people that dream just like I do. It freaks me out sometimes. It goes hand in hand with the look people give me to let me know it's their time. My Grandma did it, my grandpa did it, my mom did it and my dad did it. The look is like they are looking as deeply into your soul as they possibly can. Almost like they are soaking up every last detail that they can get. Between the dreams and the looks it's haunting sometimes. I still see their eyes looking at me and I still remember the dreams. I know all this seems weird especially if you don't believe God talks to you. I know he does and I miss it when I can't hear it or sense it. With all of these ramblings and confessions, I encourage you to search for the voice of God. When God speaks and reveals things to you it is humbling and encouraging all at the same time. </div>
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Thank You God for leading me and talking to me in Your own ways. Let me use what ever way You see fit to embrace me. Please move in the lives of the people reading this and praying that You will use them. Father if anyone reading this does not know You, please reveal Yourself to them and let them accept the free gift of grace You have provided us.</div>
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I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.</div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-21661530964247932422016-12-27T22:48:00.000-05:002016-12-27T22:48:21.599-05:00Hard Times up and down the Road, His yoke is easy and His burden is light<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span ng-html-compile="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19px;">Psalms 121:2</span></div>
My help comes from the Lord , who made heaven and earth.</span><div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">As many of you know, my youngest is very sick. She has been in the hospital for one week today, and in the PICU since Thursday. She spent her birthday in the PICU and Christmas as well. She has been making small gains and we give all glory to God. God has Blessed us with people covering us with Prayer, and covering those helping our sweet Alina in Prayer as well. I can't begin to thank each and everyone of you enough for your faithful prayers. The numbers of people praying could possibly be in the thousands. The reason I would guess this is because of the hundreds that I'm sure off, that are sharing to other faithful praying people. I have to say thank you, thank you , thank you!!!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">At this time I have to point above. I've had several folks come up to me and tell me how we (Stephanie and I) are inspirational, or that we are the strongest people they know or something along those lines. I have to tell you all, you have been mislead. I am weak. I am so incredibly weak. I am glad that many folks have been inspired by our faith but it's not us. "Our Strength is from the Lord, maker of Heaven and Earth". If I relied on my strength, I would have fallen way short and given up by now. The strength you all see is a reflection of His strength, not mine. What others are seeing as strength is my desperate and humble grasping at Him. During times of my life where I have let myself down, Jesus has always been there holding me up....even when I could hold myself up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">I do appreciate everyone that has commented about my Faith or about my Strength but I have to point to the one true God that strengthens me. Do let this be inspiring to you. Do let this help you grab on to Jesus and not let go. Do let this help you in building that personal relationship with Him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">I really do hate that my baby girl is so sick and has so many challenges, but I also praise God for each sweet smile, each small step, each person we have met, and for each of you that have come to give us your prayerful support and encouraging words. Thank you for caring about us so much that you will take concerns to the King on our behalf. Please continue to pray even after this spell. We need all the prayers we can get and they are appreciated.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">Matthew 11:21-30</span></span></div>
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<span class="heading" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; display: inline-block; font-size: 1.03em; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px;">Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest</span></div>
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<span class="verse v25" data-usfm="MAT.11.25" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="label" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #777777; display: inherit; font-size: 0.85714rem; margin-right: 0.28571rem; padding: inherit;">25</span><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer;">At that time Jesus declared, </span><span class="wj" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #cc0000; cursor: pointer;">"I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;</span></span><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer;"> </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="MAT.11.26" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="label" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #777777; display: inherit; font-size: 0.85714rem; margin-right: 0.28571rem; padding: inherit;">26</span><span class="wj" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #cc0000; cursor: pointer;">yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.</span></span><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer;"> </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="MAT.11.27" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="label" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #777777; display: inherit; font-size: 0.85714rem; margin-right: 0.28571rem; padding: inherit;">27</span><span class="wj" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #cc0000; cursor: pointer;">All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.</span></span><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer;"></span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="MAT.11.28" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="label" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #777777; display: inherit; font-size: 0.85714rem; margin-right: 0.28571rem; padding: inherit;">28</span><span class="wj" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #cc0000; cursor: pointer;">Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.</span></span><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer;"></span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="MAT.11.29" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="label" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #777777; display: inherit; font-size: 0.85714rem; margin-right: 0.28571rem; padding: inherit;">29</span><span class="wj" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #cc0000; cursor: pointer;">Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.</span></span><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer;"> </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="MAT.11.30" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="label" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #777777; display: inherit; font-size: 0.85714rem; margin-right: 0.28571rem; padding: inherit;">30</span><span class="wj" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #cc0000; cursor: pointer;">For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."</span></span></span></div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-45238732979645754782016-08-26T23:15:00.002-04:002016-08-26T23:15:45.088-04:00August is a tough one<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I hope this writing finds you all well. I hope you have continued working to better your relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.<script type="text/javascript">
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August is a tough month in my family now. I haven't talked with my sister in a few weeks but I know August has been tough on her, because it has been tough on me too. Tomorrow we end the week of celebration for my dad's birthday. No we haven't partied all week but we have remembered. August holds both my mom and dad's birthdays and their wedding anniversary. My mom was on the 16th and so was their anniversary. My dad was sometime between the 22 and the 27...actually a pretty good story there! Ask me about it sometime. </div>
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Remembering my Mom and Dad on their Birthdays and Anniversary is just a hard fact of life. The memories are sweet but the waiting to see them again is what is so so bitter. So many times I've wanted to call either my mom or my dad to tell them about something the kids did or said. So many times I've wanted to call and run an idea passed one of them. So many times I've just wanted to cry because I miss them. More than once I've had to excuse myself when I've been reminded of them. I've just had to walk off and be out of sight to regain my composure. </div>
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I mostly wish my kids had more time with mamaw and papaw. I wish they had more time to know them. I don't want their memories to fade. I want my youngest to have memories too. I want to hear "peaches and strawberries, so sweet so sweet so sweet" from my dad as he holds my kids and my nieces new baby. </div>
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I'm going to keep it short and sweet tonight. Continue to pray for us and each other. Thank you all for supporting and loving on my family. </div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-82418905924944150722016-02-06T08:36:00.001-05:002016-02-06T08:36:58.099-05:00Unfailing Love taught by a Disciple of Jesus Christ pt 2 ( 2 days later)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I started writing my blog entry two days ago but I was completely overwhelmed with memories and different thoughts, so I wanted to start again but without changing the other one. I hope you read both of these and enjoy them. This is a tribute to the man that I strive to become.<script type="text/javascript">
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Thursday February 4 2016, My Daddy went home to be with Jesus. My dad wasn't an ordinary man, he was a man of God. I'm not claiming he could walk on water but he could point you to the one that did. My dad learned from his dad, and he passed those ways to my sister and I (I just hope I can become half the man he was). We will never know exactly how many people my dad impacted throughout his life but from the number of people who have contacted me in the last 24 hours it is significant. My dad wasn't a major contributor to any charity in particular. He did help fund numerous ministries at church but his donations had to team up with other folks donations, and they did. As I said, my dad wasn't perfect but he was a praying man. I've often heard that "God will not give you more than you can handle, with His help", and my dad would ask Him for His help. My dad didn't move mountains with great flare or leap tall buildings with a single bound ( although he was our Hero), he was just kind and friendly. He cared about people. He was burdened by the direction society is heading but he continued to care about people. My Dad loved our church. Not because of any preacher in particular, but because God is present there. He loved our church because those before him loved our church. He loved our church because of the history of ministry our church has and continues to have. And you know what? Our church has loved him back. <br />
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My dad was my coach in Baseball and Football ( or at least an assistant). I remember him hauling my butt all over the place either to ballgames, practice, karate, scouts, youth groups, and the list goes on and on. Some of the best memories were in the bed of the red Chevy truck. I know many a young man that rode in the back of that truck with me. Back then, it was a viable means of transporting a group of kids from Cornelius to just about anywhere we needed to go. I remember driving to the airport for Pop Warner Football weigh ins, from Cornelius school! I remember going to cut wood. I remember a few times we'd go out to Wallace's Dairy and spend the day cutting wood. We'd make a few trips on those days and get tons of wood for the winter. <br />
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I remember fishing on Lake Davidson in a fiberglass boat that we'd put in at General Time (in Davidson). I also remember him letting me drive the boat, and the "wiggle" I gave the tiller.....that was the last time I got to drive it! Who would have thought that a little "wiggle" at full throttle would scare both of us? I remember fishing from the bank down near General Time too. The men of the family would all go and do an all night fishing trip. Those were great memories. <br />
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I remember my dad worked the garden religiously. He often talked about planting in the right sign and all that, but I'm not sure if he actually did because the signs of the moon and the actual opportunity to plant don't always line up. There were a bunch of groceries raised by that man in our garden. I hope working the garden is something my nieces and I can continue doing. <br />
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My dad was in the Lions Club, he was on the Fire Dept., he was involved in church, and numerous other things. One thing he and my mom were involved in was Western Style Square Dancing.....and they hauled me all over the place for those dances. We would go to National Conventions with a group of folks that were like addition parents or grandparents to me. We really had some fun. My dad later got into Square Dance Calling. He LOVED it! He had regular clubs he called for, Cornelius Cut-ups, The Mecklenburg Wildlife Club, and the last one before he gave it up was the Boots and Slippers. (Just what I can remember and may not be a complete list)<br />
My dad loved all the people from Square Dancing, and they loved him and my mom back. My Dad and Mom were inducted into the NC Square Dance Callers Hall of Fame, and also the Metrolina Callers Hall of Fame. My dad was honored to call so many Square Dancers and Callers his friends.<br />
Daddy was even talking just a few days ago about how one Big Named caller just really made him feel good a while back. My dad dropped in on a dance this man was calling and he treated my dad like a close personal friend ( this was my mom's favorite Caller, other than my dad of course). My dad told him that the best song he had ever heard him do was a song called "Beautiful Noise". The Caller told my dad, "MAN! that's back there a ways" or something close to that. The Caller closed out his dance that night by singing that song and really making my dad feel appreciated and respected. Yes They loved him back!<br />
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Some of the toughest and possibly meanest men I know, Loved my Daddy. He shot them straight and respected them, and was kind to them, and yes he picked with them too. He loved on them, and they loved him back. I've had these folks ask about my dad for years. They may not have seen him in a while but they would see me and genuinely inquire about him. <br />
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My Dad almost won a write in campaign for mayor that he didn't even know he was involved in! My Grandma and Aunt almost got him elected! He found out about it and left work around lunch time to stop them.....He was still one of the top vote getters and didn't even let them finish the write in campaign! For some reason 902 votes sticks in my mind which was significant due to the size of our town back then. <br />
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My dad stood for what was right. He didn't back down from what was wrong. He Loved even when he stood against something. The thing is, it all boils back down to Jesus. Regardless of whether or not he agreed with you, he loved you. Sometimes it might be tough love, but it was still Love. <br />
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Thank you God for Blessing my family, and numerous others with my Dad. Thank you for the impact that he left behind that will lead others to you. A simple man, Salt of the Earth, a lover of Your Creation. Thank You! It is a Blessing to know this kind of man and be given the opportunity to follow him as he has followed You. If I cannot be like him Lord, please pass it to my children and their children for generations. Lord please help us to love as did he did. Help us, like this imperfect man, show Your perfect love.<br />
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I hope you've enjoyed reading this and the previous blogs. I hope you've cried your eyes out and have relived some old memories, that although you've cried, you've also laughed and smiled deep in your soul. My dad was and will be my Hero. I'm just one person that will miss him until we meet again in Heaven. <br />
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Please keep us in your prayers, and thank you all for loving us and loving my daddy<br />
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Lee<br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-88182966790012118992016-02-04T23:53:00.002-05:002016-02-04T23:53:36.056-05:00Unfailing Love Taught by a Disciple of Jesus Christ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
February 4 2016 almost a year (Feb.7 2015) since my mom went home to be with the Lord, my dad has made his path into Glory. <script type="text/javascript">
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One of my earliest memories was a fishing trip with my dad and my grandpa (mom's dad). I can remember the pin striped overalls I was wearing, but more importantly I remember bits and pieces of falling into the water and being pulled from the water by the straps on those overalls. I may have been all of 3 years old. From the start, my dad has been my hero. There were times I stepped in the exact same steps as my daddy just because I knew he was great....before I ever even knew how great he really was. </div>
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He was the youngest child of Harvey and Fannie Sossamon. They were never financially wealthy, but they were rich. I look at my dad the way I've heard others talk about my grandpa Harvey. I've heard "If anyone was to ever be with Jesus in Heaven, then it would be Harvey Sossamon", well my dad lived that same kind of life. I remember several nights, probably more than not, where my dad would have a truck load of people to take home from either the Football field or Baseball field because their parents just didn't show up. </div>
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I have so many thoughts in my mind right now that I want to share that they are all running together. My Dad is the example of how we should live in Christ. Was he perfect, No he was a man, but he did his best. He served in the Army and was the only time in his life he didn't live in Cornelius. He fought Cancer, Heart Failure, suffered a broken heart when he buried a teenage daughter, and suffered another broken heart last year when my mom left this earth. Well Daddy, you're not suffering anymore and you have your brothers, sisters, mom, dad, grandparents, daughter, wife, and your Lord all with in view. Your only hell in now over and you've stepped in to eternity with our Lord. I am Blessed to have had a daddy like you. You taught us so much and I just hope I can continue teaching my children as you taught us. </div>
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I have so many things to say but they are all jumbled right now. If you know my dad then you know a man that loved Jesus. If you don't know Jesus, I hope you'll think about the Hope that was in my dad and seek Him for yourself. The light you saw in my dad......was a direct reflection of Jesus.</div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-50533421103308707652015-02-09T11:23:00.000-05:002015-02-09T11:23:00.127-05:00She is Cancer Free and Dancing with Jesus.......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My Mom passed away Saturday February 7, 2015. My mom was absolutely one of the strongest women I've known and probably will ever know. My mom stood strong on her beliefs yet was a very private woman. Don't get me wrong she'd let you know where you stood with her, you just didn't have a chance in changing her mind. My mom didn't want her fight with Cancer broadcast on "that FaceBook", and didn't want the news to be spread real fast either. I remember when we first found out about it a dear friend of ours knew about the battle and her husband worked at our church. One day my wife called me after she picked up our children from this friend and informed me that we may want to run some damage control because someone had come into the church office telling them that my mom had stage 2 inoperable cancer! At that point the Cancer was just a small spot in a lung and was very operable. Even without the information being broadcast on "that Facebook", it got out and was running wild. <script type="text/javascript">
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My mom grew up on the Mill Hill in Mooresville NC, Baptized at South Side Baptist as a young girl, Graduated from Mooresville High School, married my dad on her 18th birthday and shortly moved to Killeen Texas as my dad began his stint of service to Uncle Sam. My mom worked in a Cotton Mill upon returning to Cornelius. She later became a Respiratory Therapist at Huntersville Hospital. She was owner/operator of a small office supply and paper products business for about 5 years (giving me my first job as a Sales/Delivery/Custodial Engineer.....I made cold calls, delivered, and cleaned the toilet....and worked the shop after school). When the business closed she moved on to become an employee of Eckerd Drugs. She worked in the small satellite Post Office for a while, got a job with the actual Post Office for a while, then moved back over to Eckerd again and became a Pharmacy Tech. My mom worked with Eckerd into the Rite-Aid Years and retired from the Rite-Aid in downtown Cornelius. If my mom were alive right now, she would still be able to call her customers by name. She served many big name folks during her time with Eckerd and some of those even sought her out because she treated them like a human and not a big time NASCAR star, even though they were. I guess even the rich and famous like to be treated like a human every once in a while. </div>
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At times I think I might be like that Johnny Paycheck song, "The Only Hell my Mama ever Raised". Whether it be true or not, I am certain that the only Hell my mama will ever experience was on this earth. Was my mom vocal about her Faith? No. Was she an Evangelist? No. My mom raised 3 children (with me being one of them) in a way to lead them to the Lord. As I got in trouble as a teen, church activities was the only thing that she would NOT take away from me as punishment. My mom was married to my dad for 56 years, a true testament to the Covenant between her, my dad, and God. My sister Sheri died in 1980 and was an unimaginable event. This was one of the experiences of Hell that my mom and dad both knew. The many deaths throughout the years, heart valve replacement, and the Cancer all showed small glimpses of Hell but they were all here on this earth. Nothing in my mom's eternal address will resemble the bad things of this earth, and even the good times she had here will not be able to match what she is experiencing now. No Pain, No Tears, No Wants, No Needs. I just hope Dean Smith had Faith in Jesus Christ as well, so my mom and give him a few pointers! </div>
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Im going to miss my mom but I know she'd never turn back even if she could, and I wouldn't want her to. As bad as I'd have liked for her to be able to hold my youngest daughter, holding the hand of Jesus is so much better and more important. Now is my turn to raise my children in a manner that will get them to Heaven so they can again see their Mamaw. </div>
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My challenge for you, no matter who you are or where you are in your Faith Walk (trust me, everyone is on a Faith Walk even if you don't believe in Jesus).....Find a way to grow closer to Jesus, Find a way to use your witnessing style whether You are open about your Faith or if you keep it closer to the vest but really like to do nice things for others.....Just find what you do and do it. Maybe you are a comforter, maybe you are a builder, maybe you have a way with words and can affectively lead others to Christ....Whatever you're gift and style of witness is, Do it. We are not promised tomorrow, but we are promised Eternal Life through Jesus Christ. </div>
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I want to Thank Everyone for their heart felt messages and well wishes. Thank you for the Prayers and for reminding me that you love us and that we really are still connected through so many common bonds. Please Keep praying for us, especially for my Dad who faces a whole new set of challenges that he hasn't had in 56 years. Thank you again and God Bless you all!</div>
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In Closing, I leave you with a Scripture that a great friend and brother in Christ sent me in a FaceBook message. </div>
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1 Thessolonians 4:13-18</div>
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<b><span data-reactid=".ft.$mid=11423437001273=29c596fc88924e7f974.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$10:0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Believers Who Have Died</span></b><span data-reactid=".ft.$mid=11423437001273=29c596fc88924e7f974.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$12:0" style="color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>13</b> Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. <b>14</b> For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. <b>15</b> According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. <b>16</b> For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. <b>17</b> After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. <b>18</b> Therefore encourage one another with these words.</span></div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-24028228096351811042014-12-26T22:17:00.002-05:002014-12-26T22:38:28.261-05:00It's good to be loved when you feel overwhelmed.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</script>Christmas time is here. In fact today is the day after Christmas and the hustle and bustle is over and we move toward a new year. The Holiday in the Sossamon house and those of our family have been exciting yet somewhat bitter sweet.<br />
First my mom has been sick for a while now but that's all I'll mention about that out of respect for her being a private woman. <br />
Second, we had our little girl on Dec 23 2014 at 10:38 pm......Baby Alina Rose came in with a push and a pull! That's where the other stress has come in. It's been an emotional roller coaster ride. When she was born she had to get deep suctioned to make sure lungs were good and clean. Then her sugar was low. After getting a bottle her sugar went up, but then back down. It's now getting fairly normal, but she hasn't started eating quite well enough yet. She has been tested for a heart murmur, nope, been tested for seizures, nope, and they even have some cultures right now that they are looking at with in the next 48 hours or so just to check for infections. She does have a couple of issues that will be checked out after the results from the cultures come back, and we may have to have some surgery to correct it. All in all she is still a pretty healthy baby, but just has a couple of tweaks before she can come home.<br />
Steph stayed an extra night at the Hospital to be close to Alina which basically cut her out of Christmas but she needed to be near the baby and the Doctors.<br />
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As rough and trying as the many circumstances are, and regardless of the amount of tears.....We are Blessed people. We have family near by that have absolutely been there for us. Some have kept the twins, some have been a firm support, and some have done both! Our circle of people that are around us have had a wonderful impact. God has place each one of them in the place where we have needed them so that they can be most effective. We are grateful for what all has been done by them, and for God's Providence in this. It is not easy having a brand new baby and having to leave her at the hospital. We know she is in good hands that God has led to her, but it's still hard not to have that bundle of joy with you.<br />
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All that is going on has made me question something. How do people without Hope, Cope? With the game of Good News, Bad News that we've been playing with both my Mom and my Daughter, how could anyone ever make it without the Great Hope that is given us in Jesus? If you want to hear some scripture, email me but I'm not going to quote any right this second. Think about this when the world is baring down on you and you can seem to handle it, where do you turn? As a former Olympic Track and Field star and WWII veteran put it, there are no Atheist' in fox holes or life rafts. When the rubber meets the road and all looks lost, do you have the relationship with Jesus Christ that will give you Hope? Jesus is called The Great Hope for a reason and I have experienced this reason several times in my life. I'm not a water walker, but I am a believer in Jesus as my Lord and Savior.<br />
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We appreciate all of your prayers and encourage you to continue praying for us, baby Alina Rose, and for my mom. We are extremely Blessed not by monetary things but in the fact that God put you in our lives. You are worth more than all the Gold in the world, therefore we are Blessed!<br />
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Thank You again for loving on us.<br />
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~Lee<br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-56921816439120416332014-08-20T21:41:00.001-04:002014-08-20T21:41:16.814-04:00Right Here, Right Now.......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Many times I have said that the time to accept Christ is upon us. This time is no different. You may not have tomorrow, you may only have today to make a decision concerning your eternal address. In this world we are faced with addiction, the kind of thing that creates a void so deep in your life that you are embarrassed and need to fill that hole.....you try to shake it but you can't. The void in your life will never be filled with fruits, deserts, beers, smokes, or porn. The void in your life can only be filled with Jesus. Satan will whisper in your ear that you are disgusting, that you're an embarrassment, you're weak, you're pathetic, you're a sinner, you can never make up for what you've become. You see, all that is BULL! We belong to a Lord that has paid for us. Bought and Paid. As Christians we are the only religion that has a God that requires us to be pure and sinless to be acceptable. The kicker is He provides us a Sinless Savior to cover all of our short comings. We have to accept the Grace that He and only He can offer. Fill your void with Jesus! <br />
What if tomorrow you find out that you are at the end of your life? What if you, a relatively healthy person but you go in for a Doctor appointment and come out with a whole new diagnosis? What if it's Cancer? What if it's something that there is no cure? Where do you turn? Any person reading this right now could be at the end of their life. Do you want to leave this life without hope? Without the Great Hope? Jesus has given a Hope like no other to ALL who accept Him. Do Not Go to bed tonight without knowing where you'd be if you did pass away tonight. Jesus talks about the road being wide, but the gate narrow. Although many folks may make it to the gate, only those that have accepted Him will enter the gate. <br />
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Lord, I know this to be true. You are the One True God. Jesus you are The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Please Lord come live with in my heart as I confirm You as my Lord and Savior, through the acceptance of a Grace that I am undeserving. Please forgive me of my wrongs with Grace that only You have offered a sinner like me. I do not deserve to be forgiven, but You forgive me anyway.<br />
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Praise God!<br />
Amen<br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-51567305139929682812014-07-10T06:38:00.000-04:002014-07-10T06:38:06.814-04:00A Man in Times of Trouble<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A MAN..... What is a Man? Jesus was a man. Jesus was meek at times and Jesus was Man's Man as well. Just think about those tables He turned over at the Temple. Real Wood not press board, Ornate Tables that were heavy. Jesus laid the smack down by over turning the tables and whooping folks with a whip made of ropes.... He may have been meek but Jesus was not a wimp.<br />
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Here is why I mention Jesus being a Real Man. We as Men need to step up and be MEN in a world that needs MEN more than ever. Fellas, are YOU the spiritual leader of your household? Are you taking it on your shoulders to make sure your family has a good relationship with Jesus? Fellas it's time to stand up. Men have taken a back seat and just let things flow for so long now, our nation is in a bad spot, our communities are being attacked, and our houses are in danger of corruption.<br />
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You see we have become a Springer Nation. Every facet of society has to be more extreme than the previous. Nothing is Sacred.........<br />
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I originally started this edition of the SossBlog to talk about the recent epidemic of children suffocating in hot cars. I still don't understand how the parents can murder their children in a hot car like that, but I'm changing gears. I'm not writing about that.<br />
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My thought's were changed by my son and daughter. My wife and I, along with my church family, our friends and our relatives have tried our best to teach our children about Jesus. We've worked on teaching the Christian songs for children, The Lord's Prayer, and even the Doxology. We've tried to be godly examples for our children because we know it's real. As proud as I am of both of my children, I have to tell about my son. <br />
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Saturday July 5th 2014, my children were given New Testaments by the Gideans at a street festival up in West Jefferson. From the time my son got this New Testament he has been spreading The Good News, The Gospel, the Basis of our Faith! It is the most simple and beautiful example of witnessing I have ever seen. My little boy has been taking his New Testament around to everyone exclaiming " Jesus is Not Here, He Is Risen!!!" <br />
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He started off by sharing it with his family, then this morning my wife let me know that he was so excited to see his friends today because he had something interesting to tell them that is very important. <br />
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There are so many things about this that we adults should be learning and making notes, but sometimes we just don't pay attention. Proverbs 22:6 says "<span class="verse v6 selected" data-usfm="PRO.22.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content"> Train up a child in the way he should go;</span></span><span class="verse v6 selected" data-usfm="PRO.22.6"><span class="content">even when he is old he will not depart from it." Yes we have been working at training our children to be Jesus followers but we have had support that has reinforced it. This "I want to share this Good News with everyone because it's important" is all on my son. He has taken what we have given him, has taken it and is doing exactly what God has told us to do with it. Mark 16:15 reads ( and is the FIRST statement of the Great Commission)</span></span><br /><span class="verse v15 selected" data-usfm="MRK.16.15"><span class="label">"15</span><span class="content"> And he said to them, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">“Go into all the world and </span></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">proclaim the gospel to </span></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">the whole creation."</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v15 selected" data-usfm="MRK.16.15"><span class="wj"><span class="content">Again, my daughter has her was of spreading the Gospel but today I'm really only talking about my son and his methods that are plain, simple and to the point. If a 4 year old boy can be given a New Testament and can immediately take it and start telling people the most important message they will ever hear, why can we not do the same?</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v15 selected" data-usfm="MRK.16.15"><span class="wj"><span class="content">What is it that is holding us back from spreading the Truth? Do we really not believe what we hear every Sunday? Do we really sit for an hour of Sunday School and an hour of Worship Service but yet are still unbelieving? If your children are attending, they are learning and need you to reinforce it! Men, YOU ARE THE SPIRITUAL LEADER in your household! Women you are the glue!!! Both men and women have jobs to do in this effort and neither are less important than the other. Hearing my wife singing Amazing Grace to my children warms my heart and soothes my soul. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="verse v15 selected" data-usfm="MRK.16.15"><span class="wj"><span class="content">This real life spreading of THE GOSPEL by my son has inspired me. This makes the wind fill my sails once again. </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v15 selected" data-usfm="MRK.16.15"><span class="wj"><span class="content">I've began to use a phrase something along the lines of "This world needs less Jerry Springer and more Andy Griffith". How do we make this happen you ask? We stand up and not be accepting of the load of Bovine Dung "The World" is trying to feed us! We have to train up our children! We have to believe it ourselves. We have to live in a manner that brings Glory to God! Our Children and our grandchildren are dependent upon our decisions and actions now. </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v15 selected" data-usfm="MRK.16.15"><span class="wj"><span class="content">The Great Commission is not just a call to action for "them", it's a call for us, it's a call for ME. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="verse v15 selected" data-usfm="MRK.16.15"><span class="wj"><span class="content">We have got to do this and change the course of this ship. We are the last line in this battle that has already been won. We are the ones that reduce the body count that Satan is trying to pile up. Satan knows it's over, he knows he lost! but he continues to attack and destroy any soul that will allow him a foothold. Our job is to prevent that by introducing folks to Christ. </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v15 selected" data-usfm="MRK.16.15"><span class="wj"><span class="content">In closing I'm leaving you with John 3:16-18, </span></span></span><br /><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="JHN.3.16"><span class="label">"16</span><span class="content"> </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">For </span></span><span class="content"> </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">God so loved </span></span><span class="content"> </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">the world,</span></span><span class="content"> </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not </span></span><span class="content"> </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">perish but have eternal life.</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="JHN.3.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="wj"><span class="content"> For </span></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">God did not send his Son into the world </span></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="JHN.3.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="wj"><span class="content"> Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not </span></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">believed in the name of the only Son of God."</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v18" data-usfm="JHN.3.18"><span class="wj"><span class="content">I hope God's blessings for you are obvious to you and that you will continue to be intentional in giving Him Glory.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v18" data-usfm="JHN.3.18"><span class="wj"><span class="content">Lee </span></span></span><br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-81715119330780688692014-05-03T23:12:00.001-04:002014-05-03T23:12:49.560-04:00I'm so Happy that, I can't stop crying......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</script>Most of my readers realize that my Blog is not meant to be offensive, it's to be something that places a stone in your shoe. Something that you will think about and the longer the stone is there the more you think about it until you decide to take action.<br />
Well this edition of the SossBlog is no different.<br />
This is unsolicited but is a combination of a few things that are wearing on my heart.<br />
The one most important thing I can do for my children is Not teach them how to make money, not Algebraic Expressions, not Chemistry, History, Psalm 119, or how to tie their shoes. The absolute most important thing I can teach my children about is a relationship with Jesus Christ. If I fail at everything else in my life, I want my children to know and love Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him as their Lord and Savior. I don't care if they have perfect attendance at Sunday School, Bible School, church Service or what ever, as long as I introduce them, and help them develop a relationship with the ONE who matters. <br />
With that said, I have a couple of things on my mind....<br />
One: PARENTS it is your job to make sure your kids are respectful and relatively well behaved. If your child needs a pop on the bottom to make them attentive, then do it. It is disrespectful to other people for your child to put their fingers in a birthday cake that belongs to someone else. <br />
It is disrespectful if your child ignores you, handle that business now while they are still a child and their minds can be changed rather easily. It is your job as a parent to make sure your child isn't watching things on TV, internet, magazines etc. that they don't need to know. According to Josh McDowell (look it up), Children 6-8 years old are already being introduced to Pornography. This should not happen! Teens are becoming "active" younger and younger, and if they have a smart phone there probably has been some type of Porn on it too! As Parents, it is our Job to monitor what our kids are looking at, talking about, and listening to. <br />
You're probably asking how all of what I just said goes back to helping my children build their relationship with Christ.....I'm getting there!<br />
Watch this..... If I'm attending church every week, but I live a life that teaches my child that making a sex object out of a woman is okay ,or it's okay to lust after this guy, or it's okay to read this "fantasy" or whatever it is and it goes against what God teaches us about in the Bible...... why are they going to even grace the steps of that building when they get old enough to make those choices for themselves?<br />
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In a conference a while back (2009ish?) the speaker threw some numbers out. 87% or so of kids that grew up in the church, left the church as they entered college. Of that 87% only 20-30% returned when they came into their mid to late 20's. My thoughts are the parents did not help these young people develop their relationship.... The importance of going every Sunday was more important than the development of that relationship with Christ. I've heard someone make the statement of "I don't drink, don't smoke, and don't cuss, so I must be a Christian". Not doing those things is good, but it won't get you into Heaven. You don't do these because it drives a wedge between you and God, not because you're labeled a "Christian". <br />
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The churches are to a point that it's almost a panic, trying to figure out where all the young folks have gone. I can't blame the church for looking for these young people. I can believe that the parents failed on that front. I can believe that the parents are to blame partly if not entirely on the absence of these young people. We have turned our churches into social clubs where the Biblical principles are merely a good suggestion, but if it feels good do it.... and we don't have to be respectful, we don't need to pray ( because we're strong like that), we don't need to read our Bibles (because it's mostly just old ways of thinking and isn't really pertinent to today), and you know I'm just not sure for myself about all this Jesus stuff so I'm going to let my child make up their own minds as to what they believe. <br />
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Look, there are folks out there that will reason until the day they die that God is not real, that a relationship with Jesus is just a was of time..... They are WRONG! We've just come out of the Easter celebrations in the Christian Church and we learned that He is not dead! He is Risen!!! Parents, this is a call to you.... You have to make the decision that Jesus is Real in your life. You have to decide that you are going to let your children see the light of Jesus Christ reflected in your life. You have to decide that YOU are going to teach them about Jesus and that He is the Lord and Savior of your life....They will follow you. Do not do them a disservice by not teaching them the things that will make them great citizens and more importantly Christ Followers. <br />
<br />
Think about it... if we give them something real to carry with them, they will bring something real back with them. We, as the Adults have to decide that WE DO Believe and that it is important.<br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-47446059468648987672013-10-24T22:06:00.001-04:002013-10-25T05:23:48.858-04:00Steve Furtick, Elevation...Snake in Pulpit? or Much given Much expected?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you have been paying attention to the Charlotte news lately, Steve Furtick and Elevation church has been in the headlines. If you haven't read about it, check out the Charlotte Observer then come back and what I say will make better sense.<br />
<br />
Basically questions are coming out due to the building of a new 1.7 million dollar house in Weddington NC. The house is that of Steve Furtick or Pastor Steve. Many of you know I'm a fan of John Wesley and appreciate his humility and his ability to give it all away. I wish pastor Steven had been a little more humble with his choices but it's kind of a mixed bag here..... I'm not really having a problem with his house or his church.<br />
<br />
Elevation is a start up church born from Southern Baptist Convention roots. Furtick's rate of pay was decided by a panel that studied other mega churches and developed a pay rate in accordance with what other mega church preachers make. Steve Furtick also claims that most of his income comes from his books sells and advances for future books.<br />
Let's do a little math here...<br />
If a senior pastor in a SBC church with lets say 1000 members has a salary of 80k per year ( according to the compensations survey I just saw, I'm a little light on my figures...buts let's go with this for argument sake). Let's figure Elevation church has 14000 plus in worship each week ($320k per week from attendees....16.6m a year), that's over 14x's the 1000 member church..... 80x14=1.120million a year....that's healthy! But wait, let's say he only accepts 750k yearly from the church..... What are the usual figures for a loan amount to purchase a new home? is it still 3x annual salary? what's 3x750? 2,250,000! so Furtick is with in his means according to the averages others have set for borrowed amounts for new homes.....hmm. Where is the main church located? Blakeny? Now what types of homes are built in Weddington? they are very similar to those in Blakeny. Many homes in the Weddington NC area are large, million dollar homes. The Bachlorette was filmed in a home down that way, so that puts some perspective on the neighborhood.<br />
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Another thing to look at, he is an admitted friend of some of the Carolina Panthers...... If he is ministering to High Profile types, what type of home do we think he should do that in? If he is entertaining a Steve Jobs type, trying to introduce him to Jesus why not put him in a mansion to do it? If Steve Furtick was trying to reach some of these folk and using my house to do it, he wouldn't get a second look or a chance to share the Gospel. I know wealth should not be an issue when sharing the Good News, but get real! If you are ministering to someone that lives the high flying lifestyle you've got to have some things in common.<br />
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Here are some other things to consider:<br />
1) If he is working for the Lord, this church will continue to grow....If it's all a hoax it will wither on the vine<br />
2) This church puts on a major production every week, but here is the difference.... it's real. The relationship building and introductions to Jesus are real.<br />
3) Over a 2 week period in 2013 Elevation church DID Baptize almost 4000 people in the name of Jesus..... 4000/14000= .2857 or .29 or 29% How many churches Baptized a number of folks that equal 29% of their congregation? Perspective time....a 1000 member church would have to Baptize 290 people to reach that number!<br />
4) I did find where Elevation has donated Millions locally and provided several hours of service....the source was on Wikipedia, so I'm not going to quote anything off that site....<br />
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I know some of you are saying "I can't believe this small town Methodist is even defending this mega-church and it's preacher"...... Well, I am to an extent. I have a couple of good personal reasons to do so.... One, I have a friend that I had been farming or witnessing to for a while..... Elevation got the harvest. My friend was Baptized and is now involved in Bible study. I see a new man!<br />
Second, I have heard folks try to break down and bad talk the Grahams for years over the amounts of money they take home from their work in the ministry. I can't help but remember that to those much is given, also much is expected....... I wanted to ask a man at the Will Graham Crusade a few years ago just how many show boxes has his church sent out, or how many disasters has his church responded to? But I kept calm and let him belly ache in jealousy.<br />
Third, Elevation is preaching a Gospel message that is helping folks find Christ. This is not a prosperity gospel, but a Blood of Christ Gospel. And the crowds they are serving are the exact ones that other churches are wondering why that age group is leaving the church.<br />
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These are completely and solely my thoughts and perspective on Elevation church. With this also comes the warnings I gave my friend:<br />
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Do Not Worship Elevation church. Many times when a church is growing so fast and its parishioners are so fresh from the world, it is easy to confuse what Jesus has done with the new feeling you received at that church. Remember this relationship is real and is more that just a feel good emotion.<br />
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If any of you reading are wondering about Elevation, Go! Visit the church. Don't sit back and be quick to judge it simply because it is different and fast growing. It can be cult like just because of the passion that the members have. Pray for these folks! Pray for Steve and Elevation, and all that are involved. <br />
It's just ironic how we expect our Pastors and our Teachers to live in poverty but intrust them with the most important things...... Do we tell Doctors or Lawyers what size house to build? What business is it of ours? If it's by legal means then I can't have a say in his house. Let's wait and see what work God does in this ministry before we condemn it.<br />
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Y'all thank you for reading this and keep in mind, if this church isn't bringing glory to God it will perish.<br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-59865783907209484422013-04-24T21:48:00.003-04:002013-04-24T21:48:54.779-04:00Aint No Half Steppin'....not Heatwave or Big Daddy Kane..... I'm talking about trying to be like my Jesus!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is probably one of the hardest Blogs I've thought about. I know it's something that someone needs to read because of the spiritual difficulties I have been having since I've started planning it out. Satan does not want me to get this one out, but my Lord has me covered! <br />
Please pray before reading any further........<br />
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<br />
Martin Richard.<br />
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Is that name familiar? It should be, it's been all over the media the past week or so. Martin was the 8 year old killed at the Boston Marathon. For many this is an awakening that we can't protect our kids all the time. As bad as we want to keep our kids safe, truth is we can only do so much and then it's up to free will. (no I'm not talking about that sect of Baptists either)<br />
<br />
This has me thinking and wrestling with the what ifs and what should I's. <br />
<br />
Matthew 19: 13-15<br />
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<span class="heading">Let the Children Come to Me</span></div>
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<span class="verse v13 selected" data-usfm="MAT.19.13"><span class="label">13 </span><span class="note x"></span><span class="content">Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples </span><span class="note x"></span><span class="content">rebuked the people, </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="MAT.19.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content"> <span style="color: red;">but Jesus said, </span></span><span style="color: red;"><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">"Let the little children </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."</span></span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.19.15"><span class="label">15 </span><span class="content">And he laid his hands on them and went away. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.19.15"><span class="content"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.19.15"><span class="content">Jesus said LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME!!!!! As a Christ follower that has made a decision that This is soooo very real, I have to introduce my children to my Savior! I may not be able to protect them from all the evil in the world, but I can introduce them to a Loving, Just, King that provides Salvation for the undeserving and world scarred. As a Dad my most important job is not providing everything my kids want. As a Dad my most important job is not to make sure they make travel ball teams or attend every Scout meeting or make sure they have the most fashionable clothes. My Job as a Dad is to teach my children as much as I can about Jesus Christ! I have to help build the foundation that (if they are like me) the will leave and return to later to build upon. The greatest thing I can do is teach my children Who to turn to for forgiveness of ALL of their sins. I have got to do my very best to pass along The Great Hope, Jesus Christ to my children. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.19.15"><span class="content">If you have read my blog before, you know I don't sugar coat it...... and I can't do that now. The greatest injustice we can do for our children is to NOT introduce them to Jesus and not teach them about His greatness and teach them about the Life that ONLY He offers. Jesus offers everlasting life to everyone that is willing to accept Him as the Lord and Savior of their life. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.19.15"><span class="content">My wife and I have been working with our children since day one...... the reason? because Christ is real and is The biggest deal in our lives and we want to pass that along to our kids. We have family and extended family that reiterate this same belief to our kids...... At some point the kiddos will grow up and have to make the same decision we all do, but if we are not teaching them the Truth, who will? The World? MTV? Public School? The Courts? Lawyers? You can not allow someone else to be the main influence on your childs faith journey. Start early and be true. Live your life the best you can to emulate Christ......That last part would fit into the "do not hinder them" part, because if you aren't accepting it as True neither will they!</span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.19.15"><span class="content"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.19.15"><span class="content"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.19.15"><span class="content">In closing please remember that with all the bells and whistles of this world distracting us from what we are really here for, None of the material things in life really matter. They are nice to have but they will all return to dirt! </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.19.15"><span class="content"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.19.15"><span class="content">Isaiah 40:8 reminds us</span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.19.15"><span class="content"> </span></span><div class="q1">
<span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.40.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="note x"></span><span class="content"> The grass withers, the flower fades,</span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.40.8"><span class="content">but the word of our God will stand forever.</span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.40.8"><span class="content"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.40.8"><span class="content"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.40.8"><span class="content">God Bless you all, Please pray for me and my family as we battle this world (with God's provision) and we will do the same for you.</span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.40.8"><span class="content"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ISA.40.8"><span class="content">Lee </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.19.15"><span class="content"> </span></span></div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-2015305037172827382013-04-01T21:41:00.000-04:002013-04-01T21:41:02.107-04:00April Fools!!!! Jokes on me!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well today I stopped by a Bible bookstore to check on a book. While I was there I simply mentioned a ministry that I'm involved with a couple times a year. I told the associate about this ministry and that I was just wondering if they had an inexpensive, pocket sized New Testament. After answering a few questions from the associate he walked over to talk to his manager. Considering the ministry's budget is what ever I can scrape up I wanted to see what he could offer......Well he came back and asked if a full Bible that was compact yet not pocket sized would be okay for free.......Did you pick up on that last word? FREE!!!! I considered the price tag and exactly the amount of cash I had in my pocket, and decided his (or His) offer was better than what I asked for. <br />
The gesture was clearly also a message of "Yes, this should be added to this ministry". I left there after a while with 46 very nice NKJV Bibles in tow. <br />
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I got to witness some other ways that God blesses us today but I can't really talk about those. The Bibles I can talk about freely. I've learned that when you get involved with a ministry, and God is pleased, you get much more than you ask for. Last time we went out on this "mission" God provided and abundance of Bojangles Biscuits and Coffee for the ministry. We had a very modest budget but God put it on a young mans heart to provide as much as he could for us. Now while just inquiring about some cheap New Testaments, He provided a way to give more.<br />
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God is Good y'all!!!!<br />
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I hope you had a God moment today too!<br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-4133938805311447442013-03-21T06:54:00.000-04:002013-03-21T06:55:33.785-04:00Power of Prayer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This will be short but sweet.<br />
Charles Spurgeon talked about a "Boiler Room". This Boiler Room is not the typical that provides heat for the church to keep our bodies warm, but to provide heat for the church to keep our Spirit on FIRE! The readers digest version of this story go like this.....During one of Spurgeons sermons it was claimed to be miraculous to have over 3000 people attend a particular church service. When told this, Spurgeon replied "the miracle was in the 200 people in the basement praying for this service".<br />
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What a blessing it is to be able to pray for each other. What a blessing it is to have someone else trust you so much that they ask you to pray for them. What a blessing it is to pray for your church and get to watch what happens as God responds. I have been greatly blessed to have gotten in on a prayer group through my church. It's all treated as confidential information but how awesome is it to pray for people that you know and love? Some people share their issues and request for prayer, some leave their concerns but do so anonymously, while others leave unspoken prayers to be lifted up. I am absolutely blessed to get to pray for these friends, neighbors, and often family. As I prayed through the email this morning I knew I had to share this. Someone of you that is reading this needs to be involved in this type of ministry. If your church has a prayer ministry, approach the pastor and volunteer. If they don't have one as why not and how have we made it this long without one! or better yet, start one..... You only need confidentiality and a loving heart. Remember if you're praying for the needs of others in your church, they may not want their needs to be common knowledge.<br />
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If you don't have a prayer list or know of anyone that needs prayer, pray for me. I am always willing to pray and more than willing to accept an offer of prayer from anyone that is willing to pray.<br />
<br />
Father God<br />
Thank You for allowing us to talk directly to You<br />
Thank You for allowing us to care enough for each other that we bring many concerns to You<br />
Thank You for allowing us to sometimes see the fruits of this labor of love<br />
Thank You for Loving us<br />
<br />
Amen<br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-52333028382343099082013-03-18T06:13:00.001-04:002013-03-18T06:13:45.770-04:00How can a Loving God send someone to Hell?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A question that has worked it's way through the ages..... Anyone that has been involved in a college ministry has probably heard this at some point. If you have ever tried to share just a tid bit of the Gospel to a non-believer, you may have heard this. " I just can't believe in a God that is supposed to be so Loving but yet condemns people to Hell....." and there are obviously other variations of the same phrase. How do we answer a statement like this? Carefully! If you get too "Apologetic" in your response, the conversation can get heated quickly. If you're too wishy washy, you look like you don't know why you believe. <br />
My response has been something along these lines. It's not God that wants to send people to Hell. He is responding to the desires of the Human heart. As a Loving God, He wants us to seek a relationship with Him and provides a means to do so. We as a free willed human can either pull God close or we can push Him away. In either action God will honor our desires. So it is not God sending a person to Hell, it's that person doing it to themselves......God is just honoring their desire to be away from Him. <br />
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<a href="https://www.youversion.com/bible/59/rev.3.20.esv">Revelation 3:20 (ESV)</a>
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Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If
anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat
with him, and he with me.</div>
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God is not pushy in trying to develop a relationship with us but He is consistent. God doesn't force anything on us. We can either enter into a relationship with Him or we can push Him away. Jesus will continue to knock on the door of our hearts......but it's up to us to invite Him in.</div>
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-45417877888304511512013-03-01T06:30:00.000-05:002013-03-01T06:30:17.893-05:00Sweating the Small Stuff.....Counting Blessings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We are often told "Don't sweat the small stuff"..... well so many blessings come With the small stuff. In fact there are just so many small blessings that we receive every day that we ( or at least I) find them easy to overlook, or just don't recognize them as a blessing. My shower time in the morning usually becomes morning prayer time as well. It usually starts off with a cold blast of water followed by a warming....then a nice hot, steamy shower.....That's usually when it starts, "Thank you Lord for this warm water..." I move from there and just remember so many of the "Small Stuff" that has or is blessing me. One of the biggest blessings that tends to be overlooked is our location. Here, we are in the United States of America, a place that we can still worship and serve our God freely. I know many things are getting closer to being persecution but that shouldn't stop us from doing what we know we need to do. Many times I thank God for the mug of Coffee when it's exceptionally good on the ride to work. When we flip the switch and lights come on, when the refrigerator is still working, when we can use indoor plumbing......would you believe that there are places in NC that still don't have those accommodations? Just like having a computer I can use to write this Blog.....BLESSING!!! The birds singing, the sun shining, a briskness in the air, friends, family, and a Loving God.....<br />
<br />
Thank You God for the many many Blessings You have found to provide us with<br />
Thank You for things we often overlook or just don't recognize as a blessing because it has become such a part of our everyday life that it's just "normal"<br />
Thank You for Your everlasting Love<br />
Amen<br />
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Go out today and count your blessings.....and yes, do sweat the small stuff! ;)<br />
<br />
<br />Lee<br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-1694837259350013082013-02-25T06:52:00.002-05:002013-02-25T06:52:52.351-05:00Wow... It's Monday.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Some Mondays are harder to navigate than others, and this one is seeming a little rough from the start.<br />
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I have decided to share two songs this morning. The first one is to gain focus, just to get my thoughts pointed in the right direction.<br />
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The second is to help me get ready to face the world, and all the junk it can throw at me.<br />
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I hope this day is a blessing to you and that you bless someone along this journey today!<br />
<br />
Lee<br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-2101214819705365582013-02-22T06:33:00.001-05:002013-02-22T06:33:49.647-05:00Yeah, it has been....Oh what a "Long Strange Trip it's Been". <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This morning I'm taking a moment to think about the past, present, future, and how it has all come together.<br />
In this journey we have so many encounters with God that it's hard to recognize sometimes. When bad things are happening in our lives, God is helping us through. When good things are happening, God is right there with us in the celebration. Is He always happy with us? Nope! but He always Loves us. <br />
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The following video will be heart touching and emotional. Many of you have seen it before, but it's worth replaying as we review our lives and celebrate what God has done with us, a mere piece of Clay......<br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-82805360591408563012013-02-21T06:07:00.002-05:002013-02-21T06:25:50.922-05:00Unashamed Love....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Children will make up imaginary friends and won't pretend that people that are there aren't. Adults have developed the ability to ignore people that do exist and pretend they aren't even there.<br />
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That is a very rough quote from <i>Under The Overpass</i> by Mike Yankowski. This book has several example of kids not ignoring the homeless. Simply put, kids take things at face value. Kids for some reason look at so much as right or wrong, they don't pick up on white lies or grey areas....It either is or it isn't. Imagine an executive sitting in a business meeting and boldly claiming something that is clearly pushing "the" envelope as being wrong. Just think of all the dealings you have everyday and how many times do the "grey" areas pop up during a negotiation? Does the phrase,..."let your yes be yes, and your no be no...." sound familiar? When the Disciples tried to send the children away, Jesus told them to bring the children to Him. Why? because they would take Him for who He is and would not flounder. Children would take Jesus at His word, with a pure heart. Adults, well.... would question and be skeptical. This actually brings me to a point of why it's so very important to read and study the Bible, and to pray often. This allows the relationship with our Jesus to grow, and allows Jesus to reveal Himself though others. It is important to have a working "BS meter" or have a "gut instinct", but you can not trust them IF you have not trained them....<br />
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I can't help but think about what it means to have " a childlike faith" and how that relates to a simple life. What difference would we make if we didn't respond to "blue" jokes? What if we just didn't get the adult humor? What if we called something wrong if it wasn't right? What if someone asked you to be on a committee and you simply answered no? We can do all of this with out being rude or mean. What if, like a child, we completely trusted Jesus? What if I trusted Jesus the way my children trust me.......um yeah.<br />
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Father,<br />
Renew our childlike faith<br />
help us to follow as You lead us<br />
and not falter in our intentions<br />
Father, grow our discernment<br />
that we can quickly distinguish what is from You and what is from the world<br />
and we allow our no to be no and our yes to be yes<br />
Use us God to bring You glory<br />
In Jesus name,<br />
Amen <br />
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Matthew 18:1-6 (concentration on 3&4)<br />
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<b><span class="heading">Who Is the Greatest?</span></b></div>
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<b><span class="heading"> </span></b></div>
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<span class="verse v1" data-usfm="MAT.18.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="note x"></span><span class="content"> At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="MAT.18.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content"> And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="MAT.18.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content"> and said, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">"Truly, I say to you, unless you </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">turn and </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">become like children, you </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">will never enter the kingdom of heaven.</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="MAT.18.4"><span class="label">4 </span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Whoever humbles himself like this child is the </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">greatest in the kingdom of heaven.</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span></div>
<span class="verse v5" data-usfm="MAT.18.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content"> "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="MAT.18.6"><span class="label">6 </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">but </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">whoever causes one of these </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">little ones who believe in me to sin,</span></span><span class="note f"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content"> it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.</span></span></span><script type="text/javascript">
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004589801346722829.post-28574933188000823542013-02-20T06:45:00.002-05:002013-02-20T06:45:50.923-05:00Lessons we learn through teaching our children<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Matthew 6:9-12</b><br />
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<span class="verse v9 selected" data-usfm="MAT.6.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content"> Pray then like this:</span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v9 selected" data-usfm="MAT.6.9"><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content"> "Our Father in heaven,</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v9 selected" data-usfm="MAT.6.9"><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content"> hallowed be </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">your name.</span></span><span class="note f"></span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v10" data-usfm="MAT.6.10"><span class="label">10 </span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Your kingdom come,</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v10" data-usfm="MAT.6.10"><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content"> your will be done,</span></span><span class="note f"></span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v10" data-usfm="MAT.6.10"><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content"> on earth as it is in heaven.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v11" data-usfm="MAT.6.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content"> Give us </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">this day our daily bread,</span></span><span class="note f"></span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v12" data-usfm="MAT.6.12"><span class="label">12 </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">and forgive us our debts,</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v12" data-usfm="MAT.6.12"><span class="wj"><span class="content"> as we also have forgiven our debtors.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v13" data-usfm="MAT.6.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="wj"><span class="content"> And </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">lead us not into temptation,</span></span></span></div>
<span class="verse v13" data-usfm="MAT.6.13"><span class="wj"><span class="content"> but </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">deliver us from </span></span><span class="note x"></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">evil.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v13" data-usfm="MAT.6.13"><span class="wj"><span class="content">We are currently teaching our children the "Lords Prayer". M&L are 3 years old but it's never too early to learn how to pray, and this prayer is the example that Jesus gave us. What better prayer to help them learn? We've been praying with them prior to now with several rhyming prayers and teaching them how to just talk with God in prayer while keeping the highest respect for God. Being respectful can sometimes be tough for 3 year olds, but I think God understands and smiles sometimes at their childlike giggles. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="verse v13" data-usfm="MAT.6.13"><span class="wj"><span class="content">So far we have gotten them to repeat the prayer a few words at a time. It's funny how you question your knowledge of the words when you break it down a few words at a time. Also we pray the version that we learned in church service and not what we read in scripture.... I guess the Lord's Prayer we say in services is arranged to flow off the tongue a little smoother. And it's also funny that it's the King James English we use....for Thine is the Kingdom.....just think I have a hard enough time just getting my "southern drawl" right! </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v13" data-usfm="MAT.6.13"><span class="wj"><span class="content">All this is written to say, Pray "The Lord's Prayer" and do so intentionally and slowly, thinking about each thing you say. I have been, I guess meditating would be closest to appropriate although not like that of eastern religions, on each line item in this prayer....most recently I got hung up on "Our Daily Bread". The request for daily provisions and not lifetime provisions or extravagant means really put it to me, and add to it the small group study of "Under The Overpass" it's moving!</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v13" data-usfm="MAT.6.13"><span class="wj"><span class="content">Have a great day today as you think about Him and His prayer.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="verse v13" data-usfm="MAT.6.13"><span class="wj"><span class="content">Lee </span></span></span><br />
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Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18042302826235749933noreply@blogger.com0