Weighty Issues

Weight has been an issue for me my entire adult life. A few years ago I found myself at 225 pounds - entirely overweight and unhappy with it. I made a commitment to diet and exercise and took off 40 pounds. Since then my good eating habits have deteriorated, I'm no longer exercising and (predictably) I've put 15 of those 40 pounds back on. At 200 pounds, It's not as bad as it was but it's not where I want to be and the truth is, I never lost as much as I should have. So today, 11/30/09 I'm starting over! Here's my goal - I want to lose 30 pounds. I know I can do it. All it takes is a little discipline in my eating habits and a commitment to get up and go to the gym every morning for an hour. I need the discipline. I can do this! I have a spiritual conviction about it. 3 John 2 says, "Beloved I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. If it is God's wish that I be in health, I should wish the same! I should work toward that objective. I regret that I haven't been. Today that changes!

A Christmas Carol

The Crossroads Church Christmas production this year will be called "A Christmas Carol." We decided to share our version of the classic tale in conjunction with the release of the blockbuster movie starring Jim Carrey. Ours is a modern retelling of the story. It features Carol Ebenezer - a middle-age 'Devil Wears Prada' type successful business woman who hates Christmas.

In Christmas past, little Carol was named for her mother's favorite holiday hymns that personify the spirit of the season, but a childhood tragedy leaves Carol bitter and mean in Christmas present, closed to any hint of celebrating the holiday and despised by her employees. A persistent witness from her assistant, Ms. Cratchit and an insightful look into Christmas future gives Christmas Carol an opportunity to reclaim her song!

We've written an all-original score and the production will be as close to a Broadway musical as anything we've ever attempted. I think it's going to be incredible!

The New (Used) Car

This week Robin and I drove over to Lake Charles and picked up her new (used) car. It's a 2005 Ford Escape. She loves it! She test drove this vehicle and a Mustang and preferred the Escape. She said she felt 'safer' in it. (What a smart girl!) God really blessed us with a great deal.

Since the kids were born, one of our goals was to bless them with a good car in their Senior year of High School that they can drive while in college. I am so thankful that God helped us to meet this goal with Robin. She's such a good girl and has been such a good student and I'm so glad we can bless her this way.

I know those who are reading will remember your first car. It's a really cool experience and Robin responded in typical fashion. She was giddy. Giggling the entire time. The truth is, I was too. Driving home from Lake Charles, I kept looking back in the rearview mirror and it seemed like Robin's smile took up the entire windshield of that car. My heart was so full I asked God, "Is this what you feel when you get to bless your children?" I think it is.

The Place They Tried To Kill The Dream

This past weekend I spoke for a pastor friend of mine in Memphis, TN. Pastor Matt Anzivino and his family were such gracious hosts and I had a wonderful visit with them. One of the things we did was drive by the Lorraine Motel - The place where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. The motel was converted to the National Civil Rights Museum in 1991. I didn't get a chance to go through the museum, but I will next time I visit Memphis. We stopped at the motel on Saturday night and just stood outside for a few minutes. I can't explain it, but a great sadness came over me as I looked up at the balcony where this great American hero was killed. Growing up in the deep south during that period of extreme civil unrest, I have a great appreciation for the accomplishments of Dr. King. As I gazed up at the wreath that marks the spot where Dr. King paid the ultimate price for the cause he believed in, I had a keen awareness of the fact that the election of our first African American President a year ago is directly linked to that sacrifice. They tried to kill the dream - but they failed!

Pies

I love a good piece of pie! Pie is such a great social food. We get together with our friends over a piece of pie and a cup of coffee and have a wonderful visit. Pie is such an everyday part of our lives, we have adopted a number of pie metaphors within our conversations. We call each other sweetie pie and cu-tie pie, we teach using pie charts and when we come into some money, we refer to it as a piece of the pie.

In the early 20th Century, Americans were struggling. There were pockets of extreme poverty across the country. God responded by raising up organizations like the Salvation Army, whose members would wade into that human suffering providing food and assistance while preaching the gospel. They reminded the poor and the downtrodden of the promises of God. Around the same time, labor unions were forming and they didn't appreciate the work of the Salvation Army. They felt they were offering false hope to people and they even coined the phrase "Pie in the sky" about the Salvation Army's theology. The term stuck and today, when we think of something that seems too good to be true, we call it "Pie in the sky."

This past weekend we kicked off a new message series at Crossroads called "Pies" by reminding everyone that God's promises are not 'pie in the sky.' God is trustworthy and His promises are reliable!

One of our families favorite restaurants is Marie Calendar's. We love it because their Pie menu is as large as their regular menu! As it relates to His promises, God has a menu. It's called the Bible. On that menu you'll find salvation, healing, provision, protection, peace, direction and comfort - just to name a few. Those promises can be relied on! 2 Corinthians 1:20 says they are in Him, 'Yes' and 'Amen' to those that believe! God is ready to serve us up a big piece of what we need right now!