tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25128349032089151442024-03-19T17:50:37.186-04:00HeartPraying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-73787422221362241132009-07-17T17:22:00.002-04:002009-07-17T17:30:03.114-04:00ChutzpahAn Open Letter to <?><br /><div><br /></div><div>Be careful when you speak out against other ministries. When you choose to interject your opinion in something that God is in...oh boy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Quote all of the Scripture that you want. Reference all of the on-line "truth" articles and blogs that you choose to.</div><div><br /></div><div>But...</div><div><br /></div><div>Do not think that you hold the exclusive license on discernment and biblical comprehension.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, respect me. More importantly, respect what God is doing and whom He chooses to use to build His Kingdom. I don't get a vote. You don't get a vote. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-46338307291163672302009-06-16T15:41:00.002-04:002009-06-16T15:59:18.202-04:00Foolish Or Wise?Overwhelmed, yet relaxed.<div><br /></div><div>I'm operating in a different flow these days, and although it's new to me and kind of peculiar, I love it! I think. Yep, definitely love it. Well....</div><div><br /></div><div>There is so much swirling around in my noggin and in my heart, and I am excited about it all. Also, I'm a bit nauseous about it all. I know there are some exciting days coming up, and I know that the thought of those days will most likely make me want to crawl underneath the bed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Are you starting to see the conflict?</div><div><br /></div><div>When you know that you know that you know...there is that awesome peace that only God provides. Vision is red-hot, and I am ready to go with what God has next. It is absolutely terrifying and I hope to some degree that it always will be! God is my portion, and I rely on Him. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have been electrified by 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (Amplified):</div><div><br /></div><div>"For [simply] consider your own call, brethren; not many [of you were considered to be] wise according to human estimates and standards, not many influential and powerful, not many of high and noble birth.</div><div><br /></div><div>[No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame.</div><div><br /></div><div>And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is low-born and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are, </div><div><br /></div><div>So that no mortal man should [have pretense for glorifying and] boast in the presence of God."</div><div><br /></div><div>I take the calling very seriously...always. I don't always have to take myself so seriously, and these verses just kind of make me laugh. God knew what He was getting when He called me. If He's cool with it, well...here we go!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, look for some news soon (although it has been a poorly kept secret)! Off we go without any hesitation...and without a lot of know-how. But...this is God's thing. I rest in that covering.</div><div><br /></div>Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-2520302545522525342009-05-05T16:35:00.002-04:002009-05-05T16:56:08.492-04:00Well-IntentionedOne of the things that I really like about Facebook is the ability to connect with friends in real-time, especially when it comes to important news. I can celebrate births and I can pray with friends who are experiencing loss. It just brings things a little closer. I don't love technology for technology's sake. I like technology for what it can do for us...especially in the Kingdom.<div><br /></div><div>Today (just now) on Facebook, I read about a friend who has been diagnosed with a large tumor around her brain. Awful news, to be sure, and I immediately prayed for her and for her family. I was going to post a note of encouragement until I read what others had already posted.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, this friend loves Jesus Christ. Hallelujah for that. Every comment that was posted by others was "Christian" in nature, too, but I believe they may have done a disservice. (at least in my eyes).</div><div><br /></div><div>I should explain. I believe that God can heal her. I believe that 100%. I also know, from the experience of losing my wife, that Isaiah 55:8&9 are true, as well. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."</div><div><br /></div><div>There may be some other Kingdom-purpose in this diagnosis. Only God knows. His plan may not be to heal her in the way we would want her to be healed. Below are some excerpts from these comments, and I know that these friends are well-intentioned. </div><div><br /></div><div>There were a lot of well-intentioned people saying a lot of similar things to me when Beth was dying. I clung to the belief and the hope that God would heal her. I needed encouragement, but I needed reality to. I needed Isaiah 55.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, here are the comments:</div><div><br /></div><div>"In God's name that tumor is gone. You are a strong, godly woman and He WILL take care of you."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Praying for healing and YES, God can and I believe WILL heal you 100% completely again."</div><div><br /></div><div>"I believe it is satan trying to weasel his way into your life. The Bible says that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to give life. This tumor is an attempt by the thief to rob you of your life, rob your husband of a wife, your kids of a mother...and this would accomplish those three things (steal, kill, destroy) that the Bible says that satan is here to do. Jesus came to give life. He died on the cross for this centuries ago, so trust in Him to heal you of this. Put your faith in Him and He WILL get you through it. God brings life and health, but satan tries to rob us and steal it from us."</div><div><br /></div><div>OK. We don't know what God's plan is through all of this. We know that He will be Strength. He will be Comfort. He will be Healer.</div><div><br /></div><div>He just may heal in a way that we would never choose for Him to. I know. I've been there. I still have my questions. I am not saying that we need to be gloom and doom around folks who are meeting some huge struggles. Let's just guard our words. Good intentions are...well, good. However, sometimes it is great just to say "I am praying for you. May God be glorified."</div>Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-2766362214013135832009-04-01T14:32:00.004-04:002009-04-01T14:57:43.190-04:00WhewWhat a day.<div><br /></div><div>Whew, and again I say...WHEW!</div><div><br /></div><div>Up early this morning and excited to break the 3-day fast that I have been on with my "latex salesman" Jake. I have fasted before, but mostly Daniel's fasts. This one was water ONLY. Hubba. We made it, though. So we met for breakfast and talked about our experiences. Awesome and scary. God is truly stretching both of us in our lives and in our ministry. I keep reflecting on what we heard at the Catalyst One Day conference: "You must become comfortable with being uncomfortable."</div><div><br /></div><div>Whew! I am so thankful for Jake.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a great lunch with Ruby at Ruby Tuesday's. We should have gone yesterday so I could say that I had lunch with Ruby on Tuesday at Ruby Tuesday's. It is always good to connect with Ruby, and I vowed to get together with her more often. We understand each other, both of us having lost a spouse. Beth and I were only married a short time and Ruby was married for over 50 years, but we have been through it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whew! I am so thankful for Ruby.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am excited tonight about worshipping at C3 for the "First Wednesday" service. Each time I have been able to go to one of these services, the Holy Spirit just blows me away. I love Pastor Matt and Martha, Cory and Krystal, and all of my friends out there. So excited for the Kingdom as C3 launched their Raleigh campus this past week-end and had over 500 people attend! 6 prayed to receive Christ! That never gets old. Looking forward to heading out there tonight with my friend, David.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whew! I am so thankful for C3 and for my friend, David.</div><div><br /></div><div>A lot going on today with work sandwiched in between. It feels good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whew.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-20062125930795715662009-03-17T14:14:00.002-04:002009-03-17T14:21:36.954-04:00Facebook Is A Fickle MistressI heard her siren song. I followed. I abandoned my "heart". I have come home.<div><br /></div><div>I do love Facebook, but I abandoned my blog to "poke", "update", and "send flair". I miss putting my thoughts, challenges, and struggles out there. I still journal, but there is something different about public posting (even if nobody is reading it - I'm sure the ones who were reading have stopped checking back here)</div><div><br /></div><div>There is so much I want to share about what is going on in my life... what God is doing... what I am reading... what I am thinking... where I am going... conferences that I am attending... relationships that sustain me... relationships that drain me. </div><div><br /></div><div>So much.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been dreaming HUGE Kingdom dreams and I am ready to go!</div>Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-19353414588542533822008-09-30T17:06:00.002-04:002008-09-30T17:18:00.660-04:00FLAMINGOED!!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumpHM-mT6w44pkwZob9juULM0GeyuYDDkiifpKXKmCEZKhPad6ZXonC3XOeprZy1uTC6MwS1n3GXWM2QP-wW_hw-nhjtcdh0Azoeqc-HLuOWsssQ12Uuxwn2Y3T0oUuRJv7ol3TGhE1w/s1600-h/flamingoed.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251923938834097314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumpHM-mT6w44pkwZob9juULM0GeyuYDDkiifpKXKmCEZKhPad6ZXonC3XOeprZy1uTC6MwS1n3GXWM2QP-wW_hw-nhjtcdh0Azoeqc-HLuOWsssQ12Uuxwn2Y3T0oUuRJv7ol3TGhE1w/s320/flamingoed.JPG" border="0" /></a> Dogs barking...neighborhhod kids on their way to the school bus stoppoing to look...what is going on out there? <br /><br />I've been flamingoed!<br /><br />Awesome! There is one flamingo near my driveway wearing a lei and an envelope around its neck. Here's the 411:<br /><br /><strong>WHY: </strong>One of your friends decided that you needed some new lawn ornaments for a while. With a donation, you can send this same flock to another friend of your choice.<br /><br /><strong>A DONATION?: </strong>Yes, you have been flamingoed as part of a fundraiser sponsored by a small group at Hope Community Church of Cary. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the church's Mina Project, which supports local Triangle charities, with particular focus on the Cary-based Hope for Haiti Foundation. Using money from the Mina Project, the group plans to purchase and renovate two buildings in Bainet, Haiti that will be transformed into a much-needed hospital and dormitory. For more information about the Mina Project and the charities it supports, please visit <a href="http://www.gethope.net/">www.gethope.net</a>.<br /><br />I love this! Our church gave thousands and thousands of dollars back to the people who attend our church with the charge to transform that money into even more for the Kingdom. This group blows me away with their creativity, and I know they are going to receive radical and outrageous donations for the Mina Project. I've enjoyed having the flock in my yard, but I contacted "Animal Control" and the flamingos will be migrating to the house of one of my friends tonight!<br /><br />Love it! Can't wait to hear the reaction!Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-23503598339631365562008-09-22T09:19:00.003-04:002008-09-22T09:37:56.981-04:00Crazy and AudaciousI love to be challenged. As uncomfortable as it can be to have my thinking "adjusted", I think in the end it means I am willing to grow...to develop in all areas. I get juiced when I read or hear something that makes me take some time to "digest" it all.<br /><br />On a plane ride home, I was reading the Sept/Oct issue of Rev! magazine. I really like Rev! as it is a great resource for ministry today. There was an interview titled, "Crazy, Audacious Pastoring" featuring Francis Chan. Chan is the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California.<br /><br />Question posed to Chan: <strong>Why did you decide not to build a $20 million building, when that was the logical next step for a church of your size?</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Chan's response: "Our attendance is 3,000 to 4,000 people, but our sanctuary can only hold 1,000 people, so we're packed. The opportunity to build arose, so we went into escrow on some land. Then they showed me the plans for the building. Nothing felt right about it. I didn't feel that Jesus would go forward this way. I didn't have peace about it. I thought, "<em>Wouldn't Jesus have people meet him at the park or even make it harder for people to follow him?" </em>When the crowds were there, he didn't give the type of altar call that would get everyone forward. He almost gave an anti-altar call. "Are you sure you're supposed to be here? Maybe you should leave because you don't understand the commitment...<br /><br />You still want to be here? Pick up your cross and follow me."<br /><br />Jesus preached sacrifice. It's almost like he hid and the people had to find him. I thought, "<em>Man, would he really create the most comfortable atmosphere to draw people on, or would he make it a little bit more difficult for them?" </em>Isn't the heart of God to sacrifice your own pleasures for the sake of those who are in greater need? Isn't that what 1 John 3:16-18 was about? I thought, "<em>What if we did make it a little bit more difficult?" </em> Every week we're feeding people who live outside. In other parts of the world, this is how they live 24 hours a day. I'm simply sacrificing an hour of my week for their sake."<br /><br />In the end, Cornerstone scrapped plans for the $20 million auditorium, deciding instead to build an outdoor ampitheater and give half the budgeted money to aid others.<br /><br />Makes me think. God leads different churches/leaders in different ways. No cookie-cutter mentality allowed. I must expose myself to the multiple and varied ways of our omnipotent God.Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-71885523487131714312008-08-13T16:09:00.003-04:002008-08-13T16:30:24.280-04:00Excuses<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLzCVEocmad7Z1X9G6rYh3Qq1opOyCzZlrQ_-eWCG8b1FBGNIZAbWJIHxdQ1kTfVPGdCN-owd6GcEdAXU5Yg-kGhTqimAJx_VdHGa_Um27Tamv7OWjCtnIME9RO-NdARHCxD74l9Je1g/s1600-h/it.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234097297589676786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLzCVEocmad7Z1X9G6rYh3Qq1opOyCzZlrQ_-eWCG8b1FBGNIZAbWJIHxdQ1kTfVPGdCN-owd6GcEdAXU5Yg-kGhTqimAJx_VdHGa_Um27Tamv7OWjCtnIME9RO-NdARHCxD74l9Je1g/s320/it.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>DATELINE: JULY 26, 2008</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>CARY, NC - </strong>Russ Williams determines to be more consistent in posting to his blog. "Daily posts are my new goal", says Williams. "God is doing so much and showing me so much in my life, I have to get it out there!", Russ exclaims with determination. Russ Williams subsequently posts about "relevance".</div><div></div><div><strong>DATELINE: AUGUST 13, 2008</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>CARY, NC - </strong>Eighteen days after Russ Williams promises <em>daily </em>blog posts, he finally updates his flippin' blog! </div><div></div><div></div><div>Do you want the excuses or should I just get to it? </div><div></div><div>That's what I thought.</div><div></div><div>Thanks.</div><div></div><div>God has been blowing things up in a big way through a lot of revelation. It seems as if a lot is coming to light (in such a powerful, great way) in a very short period of time. That can be deceiving, though. It's a little like an "overnight success". We see the breakthrough and the "suddenly". What we don't see are the years of faith, dedication, perseverance, sweat, and work leading up to the "suddenly". </div><div></div><div>Same thing for me now. My time in prayer seeking God desperately...reading His Word and seeking truth...following the promptings of the Holy Spirit (sometimes gentle nudges and sometimes big brutish shoves!)...through all of these and more, God is bringing progressive revelation to me.</div><div></div><div>I really got juiced when I read Craig Groeschel's latest book, "It". You must read this! The official release date is not for another 2 weeks, I believe. So much of the book hit me hard, and I have highlighted, marked up, and sweated all over this book!</div><div></div><div>I will tell you the one thing that probably was the most revolutionary for me. I won't expand the thought anymore than what Groeschel wrote, but think about how it could apply to what God may be doing in your very own life. Then get the book, and find out more!</div><div></div><div>page 95: <strong><em>GOD OFTEN GUIDES BY WHAT HE DOESN'T PROVIDE."</em></strong></div><div><strong><em></em></strong></div><div>"Maybe God will guide you to see something that you couldn't have seen if he'd just removed the wall."</div><div></div><div>He then references Acts 3 and Peter, John, and the crippled beggar. Read this!</div><div></div><div>"The truth: you have what you need. Watch out for the excuses."</div><div></div><div></div>Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-58837739798260841222008-07-26T10:56:00.003-04:002008-12-13T00:31:24.607-05:00Relevance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOMmHNLJ2Qk6Ljb2QYaeEld_IIlUZVbe-6NE8Wze0FRIxcjMD18zhzo-umw2Z17qM3bInmIL9ZsH2mADl86OTk-6xO8y_kJ33ypCVDsyMGky3OV3W-JhXMSf7rrQbJo0D9DXnGuDe2KA/s1600-h/selah.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227337091408767714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOMmHNLJ2Qk6Ljb2QYaeEld_IIlUZVbe-6NE8Wze0FRIxcjMD18zhzo-umw2Z17qM3bInmIL9ZsH2mADl86OTk-6xO8y_kJ33ypCVDsyMGky3OV3W-JhXMSf7rrQbJo0D9DXnGuDe2KA/s320/selah.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p>rel-e-vant<em> adj.</em> related to matters at hand.</p><p>The word "relevant" gets tossed around a lot in today's churches, and it often gets assigned to things in a misleading manner. All things "new" are not necessarily relevant; and all "old" things/ways are not necessarily useless.</p><p>Bottom Line: The Word of the Living God is <strong>relevant.</strong></p><p>The Gospel message of Jesus providing true salvation is <strong>relevant.</strong></p><p>All of the rest is preferences and packaging. I believe very strongly that we have to reach people where they are. God desires (demands) our praise, and He is looking at our hearts. I really do not think for one second that God discounts our praise because there may be drums and guitars, for crying out loud! I love today's music. I love "loud"! Again, God looks at the heart of the worshipper.</p><p>While I love rock and metal, I also love old hymns. I bought Selah's "Greatest Hymns" album this week, and wept...wept as I listened to these beautiful songs. By the way, if you have the Family Perks punch card at Family Christian, you can purchase the cd at the Cary location for $5!</p><p>I think some churches are afraid of letting go of their pipe organs and hymnals because it's what they have "always done". Do we do what we do in church because it is what we like? Are we doing what we do for the Lord and to reach those who are far from Him? I also think some churches run away from singing hymns because they think that the hymns are no longer "relevant".</p><p>That is a mistake. </p><p>My favorite all-time hymn is "It Is Well With My Soul", written by Horatio Spafford. This dude experienced some tragedy in his life. Look it up. </p><p>Get these words:</p><p>"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; <strong>Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, </strong>It is well, it is well with my soul.</p><p>Though Satan should buffet, tho trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, <strong>And hath shed his own blood for my soul.</strong></p><p>My sin -oh, the bliss of this glorious thought: My sin <strong>not in part, but the whole</strong> Is nailed to the cross <strong>and I bear it no more, </strong>Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!</p><p>And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll, The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul."</p><p>Wanna talk about relevant words and relevant worship?</p><p> </p>Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-78722742649853882842008-07-14T22:58:00.003-04:002008-12-13T00:31:24.760-05:00Out Of The Park<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeK86PSmm2f1L0CWvmLngUDLugbqTslQUAzF-JYtFkiEL2w8I7yE923cbUdD4Pt3CbR_qM4gbHev_KHzcnhUDmMWjK3dKJeTZLkbrtthM1iMPiyV-7i3rNs-tPS0EzJohbP7e3qEtxjs/s1600-h/hamilton.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223070003498979938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeK86PSmm2f1L0CWvmLngUDLugbqTslQUAzF-JYtFkiEL2w8I7yE923cbUdD4Pt3CbR_qM4gbHev_KHzcnhUDmMWjK3dKJeTZLkbrtthM1iMPiyV-7i3rNs-tPS0EzJohbP7e3qEtxjs/s400/hamilton.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I am really not a big baseball fan at all. I enjoy going to a ballpark and experiencing a game live, but I really do not like watching it on tv. However, I did tune it to "The Home Run Derby" tonight to watch Josh Hamilton. What a story. Josh's in-laws attend Hope, and Josh and his wife were part of our services not too long ago.</div><div> </div><div>Josh was the #1 MLB draft pick out of high school, but quickly became heavily involved with drugs. He was away from baseball for three years, but is back stronger than ever now with The Texas Rangers. At the All-Star break, Josh leads MLB in RBI's. He credits everything to God. Everything!</div><div> </div><div>Josh didn't win the derby tonight, but he did break the record for the most HR's hit in one round. Hamilton hit 28 home runs in the first round alone! He hit so many that he automatically advanced to the final round. The announcers were talking about his story...how he "had the cocaine habit, found God, and had a dream. Now he's here in Yankee Stadium living that dream. It's a lousy night to be an atheist!" Wow! You won't here a commentator say that a lot, but it's hard to avoid that with Josh's life story.</div><div> </div><div>When Josh lost in the final round to Justin Morneau, ESPN interviewed him afterwards. Josh said, "I thank my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for this opportunity, and I want to glorify Him everywhere I go."</div><div> </div><div>That's a home run.</div>Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-33255610272531800822008-07-10T20:38:00.004-04:002008-12-13T00:31:25.154-05:00Oakwood<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221552126076636386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qF-VubraGND9-NbZ2lM1rJs3OgUuX1xKRv4UZgKLGAxHeVbArtIhOlZPu6mLXoEivS2mslFz6VNbV-IME7P_GSAgxBel0kFe1_hzg23j69_dkAcAHX87eoFy-qEtoXRuF7TYKrIgy_8/s200/williams.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221551879029813890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXUDWHBP3CgTOHbc9nbbAji0fv8s7ersVdSLukVskWJI58CGjfmf2ChyO0O0gVgev26V4mUNIf8BCDnls7kOy9V0NKpq5eZPvYgcQI9_1XOhmyGqTYrZjILyPxHDdoeiZW3SEbbRapfk/s200/helms.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><br /><br /><div>I went out to Historic Oakwood Cemetery today in Raleigh where Beth is buried. It really is a beautiful place, and I still take flowers out there for Beth's grave. It is some small way that I feel I can honor her and remember her...although I don't need flowers for that. I think of Beth literally EVERY day of my life, and I miss her so much. I do not believe that I could really ever express truly what a void her death has left in my life to this day. I am so thankful that God daily...daily provides His love, grace, patience, and peace for me in my life.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>A lot of well-known people are buried at Oakwood: Coach Jim Valvano from NC State's 1983 National Championship basketball team, numerous governors of North Carolina, business leaders, etc. Wade Edwards, the son of Senator John Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, is also buried near Beth.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>This past Tuesday, Senator Jesse Helms was buried there. I never was a fan of Helms. Surprise! There has been enough said and written about Helms and his legacy that I don't need to add to it. Before all of this "growth and maturity" happened in my life, I would have loved to have had a forum like this to be able to spout off.</div><div> </div><div>The point is that there are a lot of "notables" buried at Oakwood; but none more notable than Elizabeth Knight Williams. She may not have written laws, governed a state, or played basketball, but she lived a full life of love, honesty, integrity, faithfulness, compassion, fairness, and passion. She is one of the many life stories represented there, and oh how I would love to have known them all.</div></div>Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-72951963827037522372008-07-07T21:28:00.003-04:002008-07-07T21:40:54.065-04:00"Special"There's this routine that Colby, Cosmo, Marley, and I have. They have trained me so well, and I love to spoil them; so really...it works out for everybody. When I go to the grocery store, I always get them a little something for a treat. I call it a "special" and boy, have they learned that word!<br /><br />They always greet me at the front door when I come home, but they are also looking for the bag from the store to see if they are about to get "specials". That look of expectancy melts my heart every time. They don't get the "specials" every day, but they anticiapte that they may get something at any time. Plus, no matter how many "specials" they get in a week...well, it still is "special".<br /><br />I am striving for that expectancy in my walk with God. "What do you have for me today, Father?" He so wants to reveal so many SPECIAL things to us. Am I waiting "at the door" or am I "asleep" on the sofa missing the whole shebang?<br /><br />Colby always finishes his "special" first and then sets his sights on getting Marley's. Colby will finish and go to the door as if he was letting me know he needed to go use the "facilities". When I open the door, Marley runs outside and Colby ducks back in to grab Marley's "special" and take it upstairs. Marley falls for it every time. He will figure it out one day. <br /><br />Nothing God-related really in that detour! It's just kind of amusing to watch it play out the same way each time.Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-2656550127284902392008-07-02T08:33:00.003-04:002008-07-02T08:49:43.088-04:00"Moore" ConvictionPreferences can sure get in the way of hearing from God sometimes. Because we are all unique, we "prefer" certain things a certain way. We like the music we like for a reason. We like the preachers we like because...you fill in the blank. I'm the same way.<br /><br />However, when we limit our intake to the point of religious snobbery, we effectively limit God and His revelation in our lives. Now I don't think we need to run off in the other direction and just "consume" every single thing that's out there with a "spiritual" label on it. God wants us to be discerning, but we must be able to strip away our preferences.<br /><br />I have always considered myself to be exceptionally open-minded, but I have had my eyes opened lately in some areas. I listen to a lot of sermons (podcasts, cds,tv) every week. I have my favorite preachers, and I discovered (God pointed it out) that I flock to my favorites and dismiss anybody else. <br /><br />Limiting God.<br /><br />Each Wednesday on "Life Today" with James and Betty Robison, Beth Moore teaches. I know a lot of people LOVE Beth Moore, but I have never been a "fan". (Isn't it a shame that "fan" is the most appropriate word I could think of to describe it? Ouch!)<br /><br />I watch Joyce Meyer every day, and "Life Today" comes on right before Joyce. So, I have been listening to Beth Moore for the past several Wednesdays, and God has used her to smack me in the face lately. She spoke on forgiveness today:<br /><br />"We break the heart of Jesus when we do not belive what He did! We are forgiven! We mope around and dwell in the sins for which He has already forgiven us. We call it humility. Jesus does not call it humility. He calls it unbelief!"<br /><br />Come on somebody! (shout out to Pastor Matt!)<br /><br />I am venturing down a risky path when I limit God and limit the ones He wants to use to reach me and the people of this hurting world. We like what we like, but I don't want to miss out on anything that God has for me!<br /><br />Beth Moore rocks!Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-36373266771035923572008-06-30T21:22:00.003-04:002008-06-30T21:31:55.572-04:00This Is Only A TestDo you remember that feeling you would get just before a big test/exam in high school or college? Anxiety...pressure! Forget about the pop quizes! Those would just magnify everything!<br /><br />We just finished up a series in Huddle on "Integrity", and I talked this past week-end about the "test of integrity".<br /><br />Pop quizes will freak you out! "Hey! I didn't know I was going to have to know this today." "I thought you would let me know when I would need to be ready!" True? We want to be told when to expect the test. No surprises, thank you.<br /><br />However...<br /><br /><ul><li>pop quizes don't work like that</li><li>life rarely works like that</li><li>God doesn't work like that</li></ul><p>God has not come to me and said, "OK, Russ. Wednesday at 7:36AM you are going to be tested. I know you have not done anything up to this point to prepare...but!"</p><p>I was a good student in college and I made excellent grades. I didn't have to stay up all night before a big exam and drink pot after pot of coffee and try to cram every bit of information I could into my brain to try to slide through with a passing grade.</p><p>I studied each day. Every day. I would re-write my notes. I would re-read the text. I was ready when the test came because I prepared for it all along the way. It was a way of life for me.</p><p>That's how we have to handle our walks as followers of Christ. We have to spend time each day in God's Word and in prayer. It has to be a way of life.</p><p>Will we be ready for the test? It's coming.</p>Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-200486062896647472008-06-28T22:29:00.002-04:002008-06-28T22:38:01.733-04:00Bring It!Pastor Mike brought it tonight. At Hope, we're in a series called "Get Smart...Christianity For Dummies". This week-end, it's "Sorry About That Chief", and we are dealing with prejudices. Awesome text from the book of James.<br /><br />Pastor nailed it! He was spot on about illegal immigration as he referenced Leviticus 19. Man! We gotta love! When did we become known for being so flippin' "ANTI"? <br /><br />Plus, we are finishing up a series in First Impressions huddle on "Integrity". I know God has been all in this thing and has really given Mary Ann and me the freedom to put His truth out there. <br /><br />Listening to some Metallica now before bed...looking forward to sharing my heart in Huddle tomorrow morning...then heading off to C3 for the 11:15 service...then lunch with my bud, Jackson.<br /><br />Big heapin' dose of God's truth this week-end, for sure!Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-77382998669729470262008-06-19T20:46:00.003-04:002008-06-19T20:54:41.422-04:00Seven Jeans...True ReligionIs this thing on? Wow! It has been a mighty long time since I have last posted. Thank you for all of your prayers for me and my family as we celebrated the life of my grandmother.<br /><br />Not only have I missed posting here, but I have missed reading my "daily" blogs. Maybe I am back on track, but I was able to briefly talk today with one of the dudes whose blogs I check out every day. I was scoping out the half-yearly Men's sale at Nordstrom today and saw Pastor Matt Fry of C3. What a blessing he was to me today, and it was great connecting with him. God is moving in huge ways at C3. HUGE!<br /><br />He introduced me to his wife, Martha as well as Pastor Joe Champion of Celebration Church (Austin,TX) and his wife, Lori. Keep these pastors, their families, and their churches in your prayers.<br /><br />Pastor Matt (Master Patt) ...keep pressing on and thanks for your time today.Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-52087670000133010322008-06-03T18:43:00.002-04:002008-12-13T00:31:25.406-05:00A Life Well Lived<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDc2q-k3YehTZYTEu_nZ0z43Cvh49szgIlYw9pwqotmYp8Mj9ohjj5mS-wUJtZErhmGSpZO-85_mBI5fL9fuBVILoxQ66W4q6VOICcpj_5pV91s-ranW0tBMwhS2voCzX13f8_HD7fy8/s1600-h/Grandma+and+Beth.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207790053428311346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDc2q-k3YehTZYTEu_nZ0z43Cvh49szgIlYw9pwqotmYp8Mj9ohjj5mS-wUJtZErhmGSpZO-85_mBI5fL9fuBVILoxQ66W4q6VOICcpj_5pV91s-ranW0tBMwhS2voCzX13f8_HD7fy8/s320/Grandma+and+Beth.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><em>IRENE "TENNIE" WOOD WILLIAMS</em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em>APRIL 5, 1916 - JUNE 2, 2008</em></strong></div><p><strong><em></em></strong> </p><p align="left">Some woman, that grandmother of mine. I have been trying to narrow down what I would share about her at her funeral Thursday. So many stories and so many memories. 92 years! Wow! I believe we were all "prepared" that this day would come, but it is still very difficult.</p><p align="left">Grandma loved Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. My grandfather, Russell Jefferson Williams, loved Jesus Christ. What a reunion took place yesterday!</p><p align="left">My prayer for this week is that we honor God and honor my grandmother as we celebrate her life and her love. She was the last one of my living grandparents. I was so blessed to have four wonderful grandparents who loved me (and spoiled me) so much.</p><p align="left">She truly fought the good fight.</p><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong><em> </em></strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong><em> </em></strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div>Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-73463957158710886852008-05-31T22:18:00.002-04:002008-05-31T22:37:18.648-04:00Just A Swingin'One of the best wedding gifts Beth and I received was a Pawley's Island hammock...you know...one of those rope hammocks. We didn't actually receive the hammock from anybody. We "traded" a few gifts in to get the hammock. Nonetheless, I used to love being in that hammock. <br /><br />So today, I pulled it out of my garage...that warehouse of forgotten things. I hook it up between 2 trees (I guess I could assume you know it takes "2 trees"). I grab the book I'm reading ("Simple Church"), a pillow, a bottled water, and out I go. <br /><br />Colby and Marley come outside with me...for a while. Colby couldn't decide whether he wanted to be inside or outside. He really wanted us <strong>all</strong> to be<strong> inside</strong>, but he wasn't willing to be separated from me. Marley, having never seen the hammock, was extremely curious.<br /><br />Colby is the cautious, sensitive one. (me) Marley is the bold, adventurous one (Beth). It wasn't three minutes before Marley was climbing up , through the holes in the rope, to get in the hammock with me. He was unsure, but he wasn't scared at all. He was just focused on being where I was.<br /><br />Everything was fine, until Colby decided he didn't want Marley in the hammock. He barked. He whined. He came over and bit Marley on the butt. Now Marley is losing his confidence and his resolve to be with me, doing what I was doing. Why? Because of Colby and Colby's jealousy and desire that Marley stay on the ground where he was.<br /><br />I totally got the connection to my spiritual life. Are there times when I follow God boldly even though I am unsure what may happen? I so desperately want to be as close as possible to my Lord. I may step through some holes and my footing may seem unstable, but I'm doing it.<br /><br />Until...<br /><br />Until someone says that I can't do that. I shouldn't be doing that. "That's enough. Now come back down here with me. We don't belong there."<br /><br />Marley crawled down from the hammock, and took a spot on the patio. He kept looking at me as if he wished he had never let Colby "convince" him to get down.Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-19264789637456889622008-05-26T16:15:00.003-04:002008-05-26T16:41:12.774-04:00WiBo Part TwoOK. Here is what really stood out to me from the afternoon at The Whiteboard Sessions. Check my previous post to see Part One.<br /><br /><br /><strong>MARK DEVER</strong><br /><br />"Have we forgotten?...THE CHURCH WILL WIN. The Kingdom of God is victorious!"<br /><br />"Through the local church, God has put Himself on display for the world to see." (Ephesians 3)<br /><br />On the importance of church community: "There is something about our congregations that compounds our witness and confuses the world."<br /><br />"Your church will show the world what you are preaching."<br /><br />"God is God. Our methods are not god. What do you really think that God is thinking when <strong>we </strong>think <strong>we </strong>have found something that works?"<br /><br />***I just got a hold of Dever's book, "12 Challenges Churches Face"...looking forward to digging in.<br /><br /><br /><strong>JOHN BURKE</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />"We have made Christianity confusing and complex to people."<br /><br />"There must be a moment to moment dying to self."<br /><br />"There must be a moment to moment connection to God."<br /><br />"If we stay connected, fruit happens." (John 15:5)<br /><br /><br /><strong>PERRY NOBLE</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br />"Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him." (Mark 3:13)<br /><br />"We need to understand our calling."<br /><br />"We need to understand our priorities. We are called to be with Jesus. We are called to preach. We are called to have authority."<br /><br />"There is way too much imitation and not enough revelation in the church. We will get revelation when we spend time with Him."<br /><br />"I am crazy enough to really think that God has at least one more big move in Him."<br /><br />To pastors: "You and I will experience temptation and spiritual warfare on a level that others will never really understand."<br /><br /><br /><strong>ED STETZER</strong><br /><br /><br />"Going through doubt to faith"<br /><br />"Thomas...Doubting Thomas...went the farthest to proclaim the Gospel. Thomas had great faith."<br /><br />On comparing yourself/your ministry to others: "Let's quit submitting to <strong>ministry</strong> <strong>pornography </strong>... an unreliable picture of an experience you are never going to have"<br /><br />"God is not afraid of your questions."<br /><br />"The world is tired of trite. It wants something more."<br /><br />"God promises us only His presence...not our happiness."<br /><br />"Jesus doesn't always speak happiness, but he does speak peace." (John 20:19)<br /><br />"I've learned that Jesus has not always taken away my pain, but he is enough for me in the midst of it."<br /><br /><br />There you go. WiBo 2008. It is so important in my life to learn from those who are out there...with all their chips pushed in...100% sold out and committed...day in...day out...focused...passionate...broken-hearted...and lovin' Jesus. Thank you, God, for putting it on my heart to be there and making it possible.Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-30196625538358043052008-05-23T20:36:00.002-04:002008-05-23T20:55:35.988-04:00WiBo Part OneThe Whiteboard Sessions...1 day...8 speakers...30 minutes each to discuss 1 idea...over 600 miles driven. Whew!<br /><br />Still downloading the conference, but here are some things that hit me from the speakers:<br /><br /><strong>MARK BATTERSON:</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />"When we think we have God figured out, we lose our spiritual thirst/quest to seek Him, and we develop a theological pride. Our best theories will soon become obsolete."<br /><br />"When is the last time that you confessed to God that your dreams are too small?"<br /><br />"We get to a dangerous point when we do ministry out of memory instead of imagination. At some point, memory will overtake imagination."<br /><br /><br /><strong>VINCE ANTONUCCI</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />"How is it possible that I lived for 20 years right here in America and NOBODY ever told me about Jesus or invited me to church?"<br /><br />"The church is reaching people, but not lost people. We are reaching "saved" people. 2.2% of churches are experiencing conversion growth."<br /><br />"In Matthew 9:36...Jesus looked upon the crowds and saw they were like sheep without a shepeherd. It broke the heart of Jesus. What breaks your heart?"<br /><br />"If you are not close to people who are far from God, then you are not as close to God as you think you are."<br /><br /><br /><strong>TIM STEVENS</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />"Most churches are not impacting their communities. They are actually getting in the way of the Gospel."<br /><br />"Leverage the culture or risk losing your impact."<br /><br /><br /><strong>DARRIN PATRICK</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />"Sin = exchanging our object of worship. You are ruled by what you worship."<br /><br />"Worship is the natural response of being captivated."<br /><br />"An idol is the sin beneath the sin...anything in my life that occupies a place in my life that should be held by God alone."<br /><br />"Most of the time, we are clueless about our own idols (pretty good at knowing the idols of OTHERS). When our idols are threatened or disturbed, we become aware."<br /><br />"The more you mature as a Christian, the more you realize that you are a bigger sinner than you thought!"<br /><br /><br />Wow! Or as Perry Noble would say, "DANG!" Or as Matt Fry would say, (well, he said it once) "Boy Howdy!" Or as Mary Ann would say, "OH! OH! OH!"<br /><br />Anyway, just some things that I wrote down in my Moleskine journal at Wibo. Those are just the first 4 speakers, so my next post will have some of the "gotchas" from the second half of the day...Mark Dever, John Burke, Perry Noble, and Ed Stetzer.Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-71045862792361397552008-05-15T20:46:00.003-04:002008-05-15T21:13:15.701-04:00Not My Most Uplifting Post, But...What Can Ya Do?I really miss Beth. Tonight has been rough. It hit me that in just a few months, she will have been dead longer than we were actually married. I do not much care for that perspective.<br /><br />I get so fed up with cliches. "Oh, time heals everything." That's crap! Time does not heal anything. God heals...through time...but time in and of itself does not heal. In reality, I would not be able to put into words the anguish I often feel. I have wonderful friends who listen and care...but I just could not describe the void.<br /><br />I keep marching...forward, I hope. It seems that whenever God is doing something cool, new, and exciting in my life; well, that's when I miss Beth the most.<br /><br />Beth's very best friend, Tara, is getting married this fall. I hate it that Beth cannot be there. I hate it for Tara. She lost her dad and Beth in just a short time. <br /><br />I hurt for Beth's parents. I hurt for Beth's aunt.<br /><br />I look at Colby, Marley, and Cosmo...the three "babies" we rescued that became part of our family. I love them, and it makes me miss her all the more. <br /><br />God offers so many wonderful promises in His Word, and I cling to them, and I believe them. <br /><br />It just hurts, and I want this blog to be an outlet for my honest thoughts and feelings. I get jealous of a husband who still has his wife. I get ticked off when I hear couples argue or dis-respect each other. I don't like being odd-man out, so to speak. I don't like re-living those awful weeks in February 2005; and I think about it all far more than I would even admit to myself.<br /><br />God's mercies are new each morning. Thank you, Father! The most comforting thing is the assurance that Beth is in heaven today.<br /><br />Thanks for listening to my heart...through the good and the through the pain.Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-76041504901412652372008-05-13T08:40:00.002-04:002008-05-13T09:09:40.996-04:00The B-I-B-L-E. Yes, that's the Book for Me"The B-I-B-L-E. Yes, that's the Book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God. The B-I-B-L-E!" Remember that song?<br /><br />Anyway...you should be here at my computer hearing me SING it! Count your blessings.<br /><br />This week-end during our First Impressions "huddles" at Hope, I shared with the teams something that God really put on my heart. I was a bit anxious about it, but God assured me that I was to do it. I spoke with Mary Ann beforehand, and she agreed 100%. Well, if you have God AND Mary Ann saying to go forward, well....<br /><br />I have been burdened as of late because I just never saw many people actually bringing their Bibles with them to church. We see thousands each week-end at Hope, and I rarely see more than maybe 25-30 people with a Bible. Now, let me stop here before you start getting all worked up. I am not trying to enforce some legalistic standard of following empty rules. If you bring your Bible to church and never open it, then yes; it is the same as leaving it at home covered in dust on the shelf.<br /><br />During services, we do put the Scripture on large screens so everyone can see. We do offer sermon outlines in the worship guides so our attendees can take notes. We want to be an inviting, "non-threatening" place for people who are far from Christ to come and learn and to be loved.<br /><br />This is not about those folks. Why do the folks who have been at Hope for a while not bring a Bible with them(and a journal...and a pen)? <br /><br />My main point is that God's church is not just a place for us to go once a week to feel good about ourselves and get fed. Mark something off of our list. We are called to serve. SERVE! <br /><br />In First Impressions, what we do goes far beyond...FAR BEYOND passing out worship guides, making a great latte, or helping people find a parking space or a seat in the auditorium. This is ministry and it is what God has called us to do. God blessed me with the opportunity this past Sunday to minister to a family I had met while I was serving as an usher. They had a need and asked me to keep them in my prayers. I said, "Let's pray now." <br /><br />I prayed for healing. I prayed for God's glory to shine through. I prayed the Word of God. <br /><br />I also used my Bible to offer God's comfort and encouragement. <br /><br />I am not writing this to say, "Hey! Look at me! I got it figured out." God's Word is mighty. God's Word is vital to our lives as followers of the Living God. God's Word is vital as we minister to others. Why would we not be equipped with the tools God has given to us?<br /><br />I am reading "Praying Hyde" by Basil Miller. John Hyde was a visionary and dedicated missionary to India in the early 1900's. I read this in the book yesterday at lunch:<br /><br />"Praying Hyde during those days of retreat loved the Book, and but few times was he far away from it. His Bible was always in his hand, and even over the morning cup of tea, he fed the souls of his friends with the Bread of heaven. When he knelt to pray, the Bible was opened before him, and his hands rested on it, as though he gained strength therefrom to believe that he received the petition desired of the Lord. He lived thus face to face with Christ and daily rested on God's promises. He always had a spiritual morsel to give those who were with him, and by his own closeness to God he was able to lead others into the divine presence."<br /><br />Enough said.Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-57111621823641260182008-05-07T14:14:00.003-04:002008-05-07T14:27:11.266-04:00How's Your Vision?If you can overdose on sermons and biblical teachings...I may have done it. God has exposed me to some amazing, annointed preachers and teachers as of late; and it has blown me away. Live preaching, cd's, podcasts, printed texts, television...you name it.<br /><br />The great thing about God-annointed preaching is how if 1000 people listen to the same message, God may very well speak to those 1000 people in 1000 different ways. <br /><br />I heard a pastor say recently, "If your vision does not scare you and keep you up at night, then your vision AND your God are too small." <br /><br />Dang! That really spoke to me and continues to speak to me about things God is working in and through my life. God will really show us more and more as we continue to seek after Him more and more. (Matthew 6:33) But I have to do my part...I have to seek Him.Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-75027558061674957912008-05-03T11:41:00.002-04:002008-05-03T12:02:56.778-04:00Mrs. Little and Mrs. SnipesSo, yes, I did get to see President Carter yesterday in Clayton, NC...at Wal-Mart. The newspaper feature reported that President Carter and Sam Walton were good friends, so President Carter always tries to fit in a Wal-Mart or Sam's Club during a book signing tour. I'd have to say that is one of the few times in my life I have been in a Wal-Mart. More of a Target man myself, but President Carter wasn't at Target. He was at Wal-Mart. So...Russ was at Wal-Mart.<br /><br />I have to say that the experience was not as great as meeting President Clinton Wednesday. (I still cannot believe I have seen 2 former U.S. presidents in just three days!) There were a lot of people there, and I arrived fairly early to get a good place in line. I didn't mind waiting at all, but when President Carter started signing, we were just kind of moved through really fast. (kind of like "The Soup Nazi" on Seinfeld"...very methodical) You could not try to shake his hand. You could only take one picture off to the side after he had signed your book...and you had 10 seconds to do it. I understood why, but it was a disappointment after meeting President Clinton in Apex.<br /><br />The greatest part of the experience turned out to be hanging out in line with two awesome ladies from Buies Creek. Mrs. Little(who reminded me a lot of my Grandma McDonald) and Mrs. Snipes. We immediately started talking and sharing and laughing. Time zipped by. Turns out Mrs. Little attended Gardner-Webb when it was a 2-year college. Both ladies were Baptists and grew up loving Jesus. Politics, farming, plastic bottles, organic carrots, church...we talked about it all. Big hugs at the end of our time together.<br /><br />Big week. It was great meeting President Clinton and catching a glimpse of President Carter, but it was just as awesome for me to meet Mrs. Little and Mrs. Snipes.Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512834903208915144.post-73272859409381959092008-05-01T21:08:00.003-04:002008-05-01T21:22:28.718-04:00A Defining MomentHUGE! Yesterday was a big day in my life. I am a political junkie and I had the privilege of seeing one of my political heroes yesterday. In person. I am a Democrat through and through, and I know a lot of folks don't agree with me on that. OK. As I have mentioned before on this blog, my reasons for being a Democrat are just as biblically based as my Republican friends say theirs are for being a Republican. Enough said. That is not what this is about.<br /><br />President Bill Clinton spoke at the Apex Community Center early yesterday morning for one of 6 campaign stops of the day for his wife, Hillary. I debated whether or not to go, but I did roll out of bed very early....very early...to get there. I was able to get up close and shake his hand. WOW! That may not be your thing, and I would have to admit that I would probably not have been as thrilled to shake the hand of President George W. Bush.<br /><br />Nonetheless, I shook the hand of a president. Are you kidding me? (Plus, I have the opportunity to possibly meet President Carter tomorrow! It does not get any better for me!) How could I not go see President Clinton when he was just a few miles from my house?<br /><br />Here's the point. I almost missed out on the whole thing. Did I really want to have to get out of my comfortable bed that early? Did I want to stand outside in the cold morning air? <br /><br />I think that is something that can easily happen in our walk(s) with Christ. How many wonderful experiences does He have just around the corner for us, but we talk ourselves out of it? Is Christ saying, "Hey. Just take that step. You'll see." Something to think about for sure.<br /><br />I'm glad I rolled my lazy butt out of bed yesterday to meet a president. I'll never forget it. Never. Way beyond that...I don't want to miss out on what my Lord has just around the corner for me...if...Praying4Actionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08899907020563318893noreply@blogger.com3