Rob and Theresa Blakney: Peeling back the branches!

Today Brad Bullock - Lead Pastor of The Crossing Place Church in Franklin, LA and myself were interviewed by Rob and Theresa Blakney for an assignment they were given as seminary students working on their Masters of Divinity. (Rob is the Secretary Treasurer for the Louisiana Assemblies of God.) Their assignment was to interview pastors of churches with racially diverse congregations. Brad and I were very honored to be chosen for the interview. One of the questions we were asked was, "Do you target diversity intentionally?" I was very pleased to answer yes. I loved the way Brad answered the question: "If God has called us to reach our community, then our congregations should resemble the crowd you'd find at the Walmart in your community!" I added, "Our congregation should also resemble the one we see described in the book of Revelation that includes every tribe, every tongue and every nation. Heaven is a very diverse place."

In the book of Genesis, Jacob's father-in-law promised him every calf that came out speckled or streaked as Jacob's pay for working for him. The solid calves he would keep for himself. Jacob responded by taking branches and peeling them in such a way that it presented a streaked vision before the eyes of the healthy cows while they were breeding. Consequently, when the calves were born, all the healthy and desirable calves were streaked and speckled. If we are ever going to have healthy race relations in America, we need to put a speckled church before the eyes of our country. At Crossroads Church, we are very intentional about that. Thanks to Rob and Theresa for peeling back a few branches with the project they're working on.

Say "Hello" to Sophie!

Last night we went to the Lafayette airport and picked up someone we've been waiting on for a long time! I have been researching Welsh Springer Spaniels for over five years! After our Golden Retriever died of heart complications four years ago, I set out to find a new dog that has the personality and disposition of a Golden that is smaller and doesn't shed so bad. What I found through my research is a wonderful breed that's somewhat rare in the States. Welchies are European bird dogs that are charming and family friendly. There are a limited number of breeders in America and we were fortunate to find one in Kansas who sold us a beautiful little 16 week-old puppy that flew in last night and is already firmly established herself as a member of the family!

5K Small Group

   Today I met with my 5K Small Group for the first time.  There was 26 of us today and we ran 1 mile together. My thanks to Lisa Wagnon who taught us how to stretch out our muscles and inspired us by sharing about her experience running in five different marathons! 

   If you're interested in joining the small group, we meet at Crossroads on Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m. We will train for 3 months and participate in a 5K later this year to benefit a charity. 

   1 Corinthians 9:24 says, Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

American Idol

Danny Gokey

Winner: American Idol - Season 8

That's all I'm sayin'... 

The Blessing of the Sawzall

Luke 6:38 says, "Give and it shall be given unto you..." I was putting an aluminum fence around my pool yesterday and I was making my cuts with a battery operated Sawzall. I kept going though batteries every ten minutes so I called my brother-in-law Danny and asked him about a corded saw. He informed me that they're available, but that I might get a good deal on one at a pawn shop. Danny said if the people didn't know what a Sawzall was, just ask for a Reciprocal saw.

I called Acadian Pawn on Moss Street and they confirmed that they had several. When I went in, the guy recognized me and when I told him I was interested in a Sawzall, he told me to pick out whichever one I wanted and he would give me a great deal on it because his church recently sent a family off as missionaries and we gave them some sound equipment.

I picked out a nice 15 amp Sawzaw, like new with variable speeds and a 360 degree feature that allows you to saw side to side or up and down. (Online they run about $250.00) I brought it to the owner and asked him what he'd take for it and he said, "It's yours." A free saw!

The neat thing about this story is the term 'reciprocal' means to give back. Give, and it shall be given to you! That doesn't mean that when we give we should expect to get free stuff the next day. It simply means that God is faithful. When we're in a place where we need to be equipped to get through something, He'll provide the means!

New driver in the family!

Big Chase turned 15 on Wednesday the 11th! That means driving lessons will begin soon. Before long Donna and I won't have to drive ourselves anywhere!

So far, he's just navigating the driveway and the former Breaux Bridge Walmart parking lot. But it's a long driveway and he's doing great! If you drive by the Walmart and see a gold Pacifica going around and around that's me and the new family driver. Just pass on by, we don't have that extra instructor brake on the passenger side like the professionals have. It's a good thing too or Donna would have slammed that thing a million times by now!

Valentine's Day

This Saturday is Valentine's Day. I have much to celebrate because I truly have someone in my life that loves me and that I love with ALL my heart. She has been my wife and constant companion for over twenty-seven years! She is my best friend and I could not ask for a better wife and mother for my children. I thank God for her.

Donna and I have another reason to celebrate Valentine's Day because it was on that day in 1982 that we accepted Christ into our hearts and our spiritual journey began. We truly met the love of our lives that day. Jesus has been so faithful to us and has brought us through so much.

Ephesians 5:21-31 teaches us how to love one another. I know we would never have had the marriage we have enjoyed without the example Christ has given us of unconditional love.

Beautiful Steamboat Springs

I've just spent the last six days in one of my favorite places on the face of the earth: Steamboat Springs, CO. The view we're standing in front of here is at a turn on the mountain called Spur Run. When my daughter Robin first took it in this week, she began to cry as she looked at the beauty of it and thought, "...and God says WE'RE His most beautiful creation!"

Everywhere you look in Steamboat, you're reminded how beautiful we are to God and how beautiful He is to us! I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Him for a wonderful week in Steamboat with my friends and family.