Rested & Relaxed

This is the view off our balcony at the condo we stayed in last week at Seacrest Beach, FL. (A very special thanks to our friends who provided the wonderful accommodations!) That is a very cool fountain in the center of the yard. At night it was lighted and music played as 10-15 kiddos frolicked in the water spouts. Fun stuff. Note the view of the Gulf on the horizon. Great place to have morning coffee!

Here's the pool we spent lots of time in. The best was a 9PM swim. Most of the palm trees have lights on them so after dark it is very fun and much less crowded. The girls had a ball. They are both little 'water dogs.'

Here's a picture of our girls (the 2 on the left) and the Bridges' girls. They took a short break from church planting duties to spend the weekend with us. Great time of fellowship with our friends.

On Sunday we decided to skip 'traditional' church and have our own time of worship. We sang a few hymns/praise songs, prayed and read a couple passages of Scripture. Because we had spent several days playing on the beach and observing the glorious views, we focused our discussion on the grace of God in creation and in providing for us in Christ. God is pleased when we enjoy His creation, especially when we attach the proper focus. In the end, a vacation at the beach can be R & R as well as worship. God is so good!

Out'a Town

I'm out for a few days. Our family will be chill'n in the sunny south. This is where we will be staying. Not sure if we'll have computer access. But nonetheless, I'll be much too busy playing, having fun with the kids and relaxing to do much blogging. We'll have pics and commentary next week.

Pointing Kids to Christ

A group from our church spent last week at the Baptist Fellowship Center, an inner city ministry here in Louisville. This is the second year that we have helped out with their summer day camp. As expected, it was a busy week and quite rewarding. Many of the same kids were with us last year. You can see from the pictures that they love to sit on your lap and vie for your attention (that's my wife by the way in the first picture, she'll love the fact that she made the blog - NOT).

We used the VBS material that we had done just a few weeks prior at FBC. These kids loved the songs (that are still stuck in my head, check them out online) and game time. They listened, mostly, as we shared foundational truths from God's Word.

This experience is a vivid reminder of several things for me. Kids need to hear about Christ. They are bombarded by so much junk. While they may attend church, the more they hear the truth the better. Also, it really doesn't matter where you go, kids are kids. Don't get me wrong, there are some differences. But overall, there are many more similarities. Finally, you don't have to travel to the Pacific Rim or Northern Africa to do real, live mission work. If your church hasn't gotten actively involved in missions, drive across town. I'm sure there is a ministry center or nursing home that would love to host your group.

There is just something very special about reaching out with the gospel and being Christ to others. The truth is, that is what followers of Christ are supposed to do. Wow! It just make sense doesn't it.

Map Has A Birthday

You may have noticed that on the bottom left side of my page there is a nifty little world map. I was just informed by the guys that host this little gadget that it has been one year since I uploaded my Clustermap. Whohoo!! It's really pretty cool because each time someone visits my blog a little red dot is added to the map. It gets updated every few days.

They are preparing to clear off the old red dots and start over with a clean map. As you can tell I am brimming with excitement. It will be intriguing to see where the visitors hail from.

The map that I have inset into this post is taken off the IMB web page. It shows all the strategic areas around the world where Southern Baptist missionaries are working to share the gospel. In the grand scheme of things my blog map is cool, but not nearly as important as this one. Join me in praying for missionaries around the world. To God be the glory!

Prayer Quote

"Our confidence in prayer is not in our understanding of it, or our methods of discipline in it, but in God's character and revelation of himself in our Lord Jesus Christ."

This quotation is taken from Practical Prayer by Derek Prime. I have just started reading this little book. Thus far it is full of great insights on this most important of all spiritual disciplines. I foresee more quotes from Prime coming soon.

League Champions and Tournament Champions!

Huge game last night for the Lyndon Astros. They were clutch, playing their best game of the season. They finished the season as league champions and last night they played for the tournament championship. They got the W in stellar fashion. I see a Golden Glove in Lydia's future. Actually, she didn't have any opportunities during the game to display her fielding prowess. The final score was 31-5!

Lydia got 4 hits and scored 4 runs in the big win for the Astros. Notice the poise and concentration. Yep, I taught her all of that! The team played great. Everyone stepped up. Great game!

VBS 2008

Here's the group photo from our recent trip to "Outrigger Island." Photo compliments of Paula Bennett (bottom left corner). Thanks so much!

A bit hectic from time to time, but overall it was a blessing. We had a great group of workers that made it happen. We will continue to pray for these children. Our prayer is that the gospel they heard will take root in their hearts and produce genuine fruit of repentance and faith in Christ.

Independence Day

Teasing with our church secretary, a native of South Africa, I asked her: "Do they have the Fourth of July in South Africa?" She smiled and was not willing to bite on my silly, little joke.

Today is the day Americans celebrate the independence of our 'young' nation. The picture to the left, entitled The Spirit of '76, was painted in 1876 by Archibald M. Willard in recognition of the centennial anniversary.

We live in a great country with many freedoms and opportunities. Additionally, we are a very spoiled people, taking much for granted.

As we reflect on our country and our freedoms today, I suggest we reflect on the providence of a gracious God. We have been blessed certainly to live in America. More importantly, we have been blessed to have free access to the life-giving message of the gospel. The message of Jesus' atoning work for sinful men is the truth that sets us free. We ought to praise and thank God that we live in such a place where we can hear and proclaim this message of hope and freedom. I'm not sure we realize that there are many thousands in spiritual darkness around the world who have no Bible and no preachers. We should pray for and support the missionaries who are seeking to proclaim truth around the globe.

Still yet, there are many in the United States who are in spiritual darkness. Today would be a great day to proclaim the message of independence and freedom found in Christ Jesus. Genuine freedom that liberates from the chains of sin.

Wave the flag today, and also wave the banner of the cross. To the glory of God, in the celebration of our liberty and freedom found in Christ.

A Bit Like a Dry Well

As you can see my blog has been pretty quiet for several days. We were busy last week at our church with Vacation Bible School. It was a great week. We had a wonderful group of workers which made the activities go so smoothly.

Most of us experience these times of dryness when our mind is not firing on all cylinders. I've got no fresh insights that I feel like I could share. I have been reading some good stuff. Just nothing bubbling up to the surface and making it to the blog.

I did watch a great little video today that featured Newt Gingrich. He's such a sharp guy on economics and public policy. This particular video focused on lowering oil prices. Good common sense stuff. Something most of the US Congressmen know nothing about.

So much for having nothing to post.