Scotty G's Place

You My Bitch Now!!!!!!!!

2010-11-23T12:02:00.000-08:00

One of the things I believe that cements a friendship is the ability to laugh through the rough times. I recall one such time with great fondness. Jamie (a dear friend) and I were at the hospital visiting with a couple we both loved dearly. Wanda was on her death bed (I miss Wanda so much!) and Bud stood by like an empty man not know what to do. All we could do was show our love for them both by being there with the family.
It was a very emotional night. A night that seems to drain all the physical energy from your body and soul. Many tears were shed as Bud and Wanda's sons, brothers, sisters and friends mourned over the situation. Needless to say there was lots of hugging and crying going on.
Jamie and I left the hospital about 2:30 am. The night was dark, the roads were quite and we shared very little as we headed toward home. Suddenly a thought came across my mind about something that had happened just earlier at the hospital and I began to laugh. When Jamie asked what I was laughing about I laughed more, so much more I couldn't get the words out. Soon I had to stop the car in the middle of the highway because I couldn't see where I was going. I was laughing so hard and now Jamie is laughing just because I'm laughing. After a few minutes of not being able to breathe I was able to catch my breath enough to put a few words together.
I said "I............kisssssssed........... Henrrrrry!" (Bud's brother)
"What???!!!" "We were hugging and crying and I think I kissed him on the neck or the cheek or something!!!!"
The breathing stopped again. My mind went black as we rolled around the front of the car each trying to find some pocket of oxygen that had not yet escaped the vehicle. After about 10 minutes of pain we both composed ourselves enough to speak. He asked, "What did he say?" I said "Nothing." Then Jamie looked right in my eyes and said "I bet he was thinking - YOU MY BITCH NOW!" Black again!
I don't remember how we made our way home. I'm only thankful there is no traffic on that road at 3am. That phrase lives in mind and is added to list of phrases that configures up great memories. I'm thankful I have such friends with whom I can share such times. Life just wouldn't be worth living with them!

Church Questionnaire

2009-05-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

I just took a questionnaire on face book about my views as a member of the Church of Christ. This was the result I got:

You have forsaken your first love and God has removed your candlestick. Your itching ears have turned you against sound doctrine and you have given up true worship. It would have been better for a millstone to be tied around your neck and cast into the sea then for you to lead others astray with your false teaching. You just can't figure out why the Church of Christ across town shuns your congregation and you often find your church talked about in brotherhood papers and websites. You read books by Max Lucado and your favorite preachers are Rubel Shelley, Mike Cope, and Jeff Walling. When people ask what church you attend you wince and say "Church of Christ - but it's not like what you are thinking". Yes, you have fun at church with your small groups, hand clapping, praise teams, and Christmas musicals but you won't be smiling and clapping in HELL.

I laughed out loud when I got this result because it was real! Someone from a neighboring church must have wrote this!!!! I hope they were laughing when they did!

Feeling worthless?

2009-05-11T14:36:00.000-07:00

I was feeling kind of down this morning so I googled "I feel worthless" and I found these responses under the heading I Feel Worthless:

stellie - I feel worthless.

shaboogane - Please remember everyone is here for a reason,nobody is worthless your worth more than gold.

123abc - Still feeling worthless? I notice that there weren't a whole lot of responses to this one. It's a difficult one to answer. Not that it was a question... Anyway, the point is that when someone is in the deepest darkest days of depression there isn't a g?dd??n thing anyone can say or do that will make you feel better. Jesus Christ could come down and do the Mexican hat dance in your living room and you wouldn't bat an eye. It is only when you start to come out (and you always do, I promise-the time period varies) that you respond to uplifting words and gestures. So, hang tight, and when you do start to feel something, grab it and go with it- when you do have the slightest motivation-do it.

alex - i searched google for "i feel worthless" and this was the first thing that came up. i feel worthless too. even though i'm not. and knowing that just makes me feel more worthless. and then the fact that i'mspending so much time thinking about myself and my worthlessness makes me feel even more worthless. and then i just give up and do nothing and everything and don't love anyone.

i suck - i'm worthless too.

mil - if your not sure about if there's a God, how can you consider believing that we have a purpose? i feel worthless too right now.

Liz - I kind of liked what '123abc' posted. Though I think if Jesus himself came down and did a mexican hat dance I WOULD feel better. And I'd laugh, and then he'd laugh and then he'd hug me and hold me and let me know everything would be okay and that I am perfect the way I am because he made me and he makes no mistakes. SO just remember that someone somewhere out there is thinking of you and loving you always no matter who you are or what you do, and has an endless supply of love and forgiveness for you. He understands all your worries and woes and tries to help you. You just have to learn to accept his help and love and help and love yourself also. So for those people who are reading this right now and feeling doubt about what I am saying, just know that you have to BELIEVE first. If you don't believe then nothing will happen because you doubt. Erase the doubt and you can see the truth. Just have faith and keep your chin up. I love you and I care. :) No one is worthless, but that you are priceless.

babyjaguar - I feel really worthless to. It seems like I'm being dumped by a whole lot of people right now and that hurts. I feel disgusting. People I really like don't like me any more. I don't have anything to offer in a relationship.

susan - its so hard to look at others and see deep relationships form and then look at my own life and wonder if i just don't have that ability. its scary and it makes me feel worthless, like i am less of a human being than others. even if i have other talents, so do others and they are still better and more exciting than me. can anybody give me some insight into this? i know you don't know me but i am looking for answers and hurting very deeply.

bronski - I feel so very worthless. I too, know I am not, so why do I feel this way? I feel so very alone, even though my family is near. Maybe if I cry enough, I will feel better, less worthless.

ScottyG - I don't know any of these people, where they are from or what their life has been like, however, with that being said, these people are all around me. They are hurting, confused about life and searching for truth and answers. I guess being able to give people God's answers puts real worth to a life.

So, look around- there are lots of people to share the love of Christ with! Open up and add some worth to your own life.

2009-04-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

The wife and I just returned from an annual business trip to northern Indiana and I have only one question. Will they EVER complete the highway construction in Dayton, Ohio??????????
We've been making this trip annually for 15 years and I75 has always been torn apart in Dayton. But it is not like sitting in a traffic jam, the people of Dayton have learned to keep the flow moving no matter what! At 70+ mph you jump back and forth into these temporary lanes while large humps in the road surface throw you into the neighboring lanes. All the while, locals squeeze in front of you just before they dive into a 10' opening for an exit lane and then disappear into the city below.

Haiti Pictures

2009-03-11T20:28:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from our recent trip to Haiti with Hope for Haiti's Children (HFHC)

Chicago Pictures

2008-09-08T18:42:00.000-07:00

2008-09-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

I've had a lot of people asking for pictures of Matthew's graduation. So, here you go:

Joy - Disappointment

2008-08-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, my wife, daughter and I will be traveling to Chicago. My son is graduation from Navy boot camp on Friday. We were planning on spending a nice weekend with our son after not seeing him for nine weeks, however, I received a phone call from him this afternoon. He said he received his orders today and he will be leaving Friday afternoon for Pensacola, Fl. We may have one hour to see him after the graduation and he will be gone again. Of course we are very proud of our son, but this was a great disappointment to us.

Life is full of disappointments. Sometimes we bring them on ourselves and sometimes they are dealt to us. Never the less, they are hard to endure. I hope this weekend will bring some joy in seeing the graduation because the last few weeks have been very tough. I'm sure I'll have some great pictures to post in a few days.

Sunday

2008-08-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Candi and I got up early yesterday, unusual for a Sunday, and drove to Cincinnati. We went to the Clifton Church of Christ and worshiped with the McCray family. We've known the McCrays for many years through Fort Hill Christian Youth Camp and are good friends with two of their sons that now live in our area with their families.

We then went to the Cincy Zoo and had a great time. I enjoy going out on little advertures with the wife and spending some good time together. Here are a few pics of our day.

Summer

2008-08-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful day in southern Ohio. With temperatures in the mid 70's and the humidity low, the sun is shining brightly and the sounds of motorcycles passing leisurely down the highway. It would be a nice day to golf, but I'm tied to the office today...however, I can get outside!

I wonder what my son must be doing this morning, he's at Navy bootcamp north of Chicago. Just two and half weeks left, Matthew! We've heard from him in several letters to relatives and friends. We did get one phone call a couple of weeks ago and it was wonderful to hear his voice. He sounded good! Talked as if he were getting along very good in the training and making lots of friends. This was a huge life decision for my son, signing up for five years of active service in the Navy. I pray he has wonderful life experiences in the coming years.

My daughter has been at home most of the summer but will be heading back to school in the fall. She's very tied to a guy in Tennessee right now and we see her very little on the weekends. But it is very good to have her around!

The big Scioto County Fair is over for the year. I made it out to the fair two evenings and it was very good to talk to many, many people I rarely get the opportunity to see except at the fair. Mom wiped up in the flower show this year as usual and took some ribbing from the grandkids about letting the other entries have a chance once in a while.

Church life seems kind of mediocre right now for some reason. I personally am confused by some of the teaching practices. We say we believe the Bible as the whole Holy inspired Word of God and yet I see we pass over things said in the Word, put our own spin on things... all the things we say we do not do and accuse others of doing. Our worship seems to be at a very low level spiritually. Attendance is down, collections are down, and community outreach is down. We're stuck in a rut. We're content with where we are and have little enthusiasm to further the gospel to the lost. I've seen these times come and go before and I really don't know what to do about them. Seems to me that one person can have an effect on the mood of the congregation. I will pray that I and others will spread some excitement about the Lord soon.

Good Weekend

2008-05-27T07:15:00.000-07:00

Our son graduated high school this weekend, so we had a cookout Sunday at the house. We had many friends and family in for the event and a great time! Thanks to all of you for coming by.

Graduation at the new high school was a good event this year. Air conditioning makes all the difference at such a ceremony! The speaker's comments were very short and the the crowd large and 116 students moved on to the next phase of their lives. God be with them!

Yesterday we attended a farewell party for Alena, foreign exchange student who was staying with some family (church and blood) for the year. Her parents joined her here Thursday and are leaving today for a trip through D.C., Philadelphia, and New York. Then they'll be heading home. We wish them well and safe travel.

My daughter had her latest romantic quest with her this weekend, a Polish track runner attending U of Tenn. He's visiting through Friday and is a very nice young man. We've put him to work around the house just like one of the kids so he's fitting right in!

I had a great time leading worship Sunday morning, the congregation was in one of those "singing modes" as they usually are when we a have a lot of guest on a holiday weekend. My wife had some cousins visiting from Pennsylvania and they went on and on about how good the worship was. I'm so glad when people can see the hearts of our congregation opened up to to praise the Lord. The sermon, by my very good friend Jamie Riley, was very good and uplifting and encouraging- as always- and the Lord was glorified, I believe.

Jamie and I met together Saturday night to work on the worship details. We pray for the service, for the congregation and for the Lord's help to work through us. I think it makes the biggest difference on Sunday morning. Of course we laugh together and stay too late, but we also encourage each other to move into a higher level of worship. In the last few months we've been meeting with some of the newer, younger worship leaders to encourage them too. I need that encouragement and I like to be an encourager also!

Over all it's been a great weekend. I think there will be many more like it to come!

2008-05-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

So I'm out in the blogger world this morning and I read about the tragedy for John Dobbs in the death of his son, John Robert Dobbs. He was to graduate high school this evening, but instead will be buried tomorrow after an accident on the interstate. It really struck me because I have an eighteen year old son graduating this weekend. He's a precious, fine young man and I'm so proud of him. I could not imagine losing him.
I guess Mrs. Dobbs became concerned when they could not get in touch with their son about midnight and she went out looking for him. She returned and John went out looking for him about 4am. Shortly after he left the police came with the news that their son had been killed.
I've made the phone calls, and went out looking a few times, but I cannot imagine getting that kind of news. My heart goes out to the Dobbs family and all their friends. I'm going to hold my son a little closer this weekend and thank God for both my children and my wife. And our health, and our home,...etc!

Rance Allen and Kirk Franklin

2008-05-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

How could you say no?

2008-05-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

I love this song by Julie Miller:

2008-05-22T06:35:00.000-07:00

I'm tired! The wife and I have been working on the house getting ready for my son's graduation this weekend. We decided several months ago to do something about the 15 year old carpet in the living room. I really didn't see a problem but she wanted hardwood floors. Well, hardwood floors in the living room meant they would have to go through the dining room directly open to the living room. OK, but if you put flooring in the dining room which is open to the kitchen which really needs some new floors because the vinyl floor has a few cuts and burn marks after 15 years of wear.
We always wanted to open the wall from the kitchen to the living room. We are open space people and our kitchen was kind of a galley kitchen that felt more like a hallway with appliances. If we have to put in new floors we better tear out the wall because it will be very difficult to do that later after new hardwood floors have been put down. Tearing out a wall means fixing the ceiling where the old wall was, rewiring recepticals and of course the old cabinets will not fit the new layout of the room. The old light fixtures are not where they need to be in the new kitchen and the new layout would be more open and user friendly if the dining room is made into a sitting room and the living room is made into a dining room all possible if the chandlier is moved and the ceiling fan moved and she always wanted an island bar in the kitchen and the refrigerator moved out of the corner and a pantry built into an old closet that we don't use any more -- but the door is going into the wrong room, but if we move that door and take out a bathroom door we will have more space for a wall unit in the family room....
I'm tired! The wife and I have been working on the house getting ready for my son's graduation this weekend.

2008-05-09T07:41:00.000-07:00

1 Kings 21:2-4
Ahab said to Naboth, "Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth."
But Naboth replied, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers."

So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.

Many are the times have I sulked over the stupidest things! The Lord has been so good to me, yet instead of thanksgiving I return grace with covetousness.
Satan could be blamed sometimes for his temptation power, but I don't think Ahab could really blame Satan for his petty vegetable garden. But that's where Satan gets a foothold. He takes our pettiness and makes it bigger than it is.
Lord, help me with patience and humility.

(The picture is a vegetable garden in Haiti.)

Put out the fire

2008-05-05T10:09:00.000-07:00

Without God, my life has no meaning.

Without God, home, family, friends are expendable and disposable.

Without God, compassion is futile.

Without God, my marriage bonds mean nothing to me.

Without God, I am nothing in a vast world of nothing.

It’s hard for me to imagine a world without God because I do not believe it to be true. God is life, love, compassion, caring, giving, concerned for me and those around me. God is an integral part of every aspect of my life. Along with the good comes the bad. Satan is an ever present force trying to destroy me. Therefore, I cannot imagine trying to overcome Satan’s destructiveness without relying on God’s greater power to enable me to overcome. Alone, without God, I am unable to overcome. Alone, I am unable to resist the forces of Satan. If I were alone, without God, I would have no reason to overcome.

I refrain from saying I ask God for “help.” “Help” is not a strong enough term. Asking God for “help” would be like the man in the picture throwing a little water onto a blazing inferno. I need more from God than just refill my water pail. He’s more than a smoke alarm, although my relationship with him will have sounded some alarms. No, I need God to put out the fire. Rescue me from the danger. Lift me out of the way. He will do this if I will surrender my life to Him and let Him lead me by His Spirit.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Romans 8:12-14

"How in the world did I get talked into this!"

2008-04-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

I've been in training! Somehow I've been talked into riding this big bicycle ride from Columbus to Portsmouth next month. For a while, when I would get on my bike to ride, the first few miles I would be thinking, "How in the world did I get talked into this!" Saturday morning I rode with some friends about 30 miles up and down some pretty good hills and I did better than I thought I would. I actually liked the ride! Then I got this great idea to train on this big hill that is close to where I work. I mean it's a big hill - actually it's two hills and my thought was I would get as far up it as I could the first few times then see how much farther I could go as my training progressed. Well, I just got back from riding to the top of the big hill on the first try! Then I rode another ten miles afterward! I guess I can do more than I think I can.

It's kinda like that with me and God. When I follow his lead and looking out over where he's taking me I think I'll never make it. But as you work your way along, downshifting when you need, keeping a steady pace, pretty soon you are looking over the valley on the other side. And that hill just didn't seem as big as I was making it. God created the hills! He knew what he was doing and I like relying on him to get me up to the top!

Death is NOT the end.

2008-04-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

Another one of the men who had a great influence on my life was laid to rest today. His passing was a bitter/sweet event. I spoke to his wife the other evening and she talked for forty five minutes telling how she read his favorite chapters in the Bible to him, held his hand, and he squeezed hers with warm compassion just as he took his last breath.
His last words were "I just want to go home to be with the Lord." He was sure of that! He had lived a good life, supported many missionaries, preached, raised two wonderful daughters, and was loved by many. He had a great love for his wife and you could see that everywhere they went.

I pray these things can be said of me when I go to be with the Lord.

Fred was a good example to look to.

2008-04-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

Luke 9:23-25
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

I'm learning more and more each day just how hard it is to deny myself. There are so many wants that the world puts out there, that in normal daily life seem so important... but they're not. I used to wonder what it meant to take up my cross... now I think that the very act of denying myself is taking up that cross. I want to follow Jesus, I believe him to be the son of God. I believe in what he teaches and I want to teach others his good news. That's a cross to take up, because the worldly man in me wants a more comfortable earthly life. More money, a new car, a nice vacation in the sun, these are the cravings that I must put aside daily. It's hard because there are so many "Christians" that are following the worldly things and are not following Christ. I will pray each day that God will lead me in the right paths that I need to follow.

Another video

2008-04-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

My son recently sang in the Scioto County Honors Chorus.
That's him waving!

I put a recording of one of their songs with some pictures we got while in Haiti in January this year. I think it went together very well. See what you think.

Home! Yeah!

2008-03-31T15:37:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm home from the Soul-Winning Workshop in Tulsa and it felt so good to sleep in my own bed once again. I love traveling and the guys I traveled with were great, we had a fantastic time and the Lord really poured on the blessing. Thanks also to A-Mac for the van!

This years workshop theme was "prayer" and here are some of my thoughts on one of the most famous prayers in the Bible:

" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
(lifting up the name of God as high, holy, and worthy of all our praise. He's the creator that made the ultimate sacrifice for our --- I want to say "transgressions" - Isn't that a sweet way to color over our STUPIDITY! REJECTION OF GOD! WILLFUL DISOBEDIENCE! DENIAL of who HE is and what HE has done for us to save our embarrassment of JESUS FREAK GEEK! )

your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
(these simple few words of Jesus draws from the very meat of the gospel. For the kingdom to come Jesus must give his life! It is the Father's will that he do this - FOR OUR SAKE!!! One of the most powerful thoughts that I heard this past weekend was: "You have been died for!!" That's personal, it's moving. it's REAL!)

Give us today our daily bread.
(When I plan ahead, look to the future for things I want to accomplish- my turn next month to lead worship, next year's mission trip, VBS this summer, camp in July, retirement, etc - I tend to loose sight of the things right in front of me TODAY! I think Jesus is saying here- take one day at a time. God is putting things right in front of you. He has a little something for you every day! LOOK!)

Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
(It's easy for me to carry a chip around on my shoulder. This is hard to admit, but deep inside I think I like the feeling that I have been wronged. It makes me kind of a martyr! What a putz I am! This does me no good and gets me into trouble quite often! Jesus says - GET RID OF IT!)

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
(Continuing on with the afore mentioned character flaw because Jesus continues on with the same line of thought about forgiveness I believe this statement must be related also. It's so very tempting to keep this thought going in my mind and attitude: "Look at all I've done and they treat me like this!" Puke! I've done nothing! Pride and arrogance are traits I've learned from dealing with the evil one! I NEED to ask God to deliver me from this daily! I say I need to but I fail at this also)

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
(An unchecked attitude is a KILLER in the body of Christ. I don't want to be a killer, I want to be a GIVER! A real giver of forgiveness not just saying the words "I forgive you" but meaning it and letting that shine in my attitude toward others!)

I've got a lot of growing yet to do! I can see that in this simple prayer! But there is so much hope packed into this prayer also. One day at a time God will answer this pray for me. I want to be an effective part of the kingdom! I pray He continues to change me into that person that can be more effective.

Tulsa Workshop

2008-03-28T22:21:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm writing this post from then International Soul Winning Workshop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I've really been fed these last few days and am thinking that when we get back home, we need to work on a workshop of our own for Sunshine. I'm brainstorming a little bit here and could use as many ideas as I can get. I would like to work on increasing the PASSION of reaching out to people in our community with the love of Christ. Ways to establish relationships with lost people who need to know the Lord. Feel free to post any ideas you might have in this area.
We seem to rely on inviting people into the church assembly as the main way of teaching the Word, when actually the Word says we are to GO into the world with the word. GO does not mean we have to go to the other side of the world to reach people, it could be GO down the street. The story of the good Samaritan is a good example of how to be a good neighbor. I always thought of this story as applying to me as an individual, but what could we accomplish if we took this view of our neighbor as a group and apply the lesson to areas where the need is in our community now!

The privilege of sharing

2008-02-05T13:24:00.000-08:00

2 Corinthians 8

And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

Since I've been home from Haiti, I've often ponder how the people could seem so happy and content while living in the terrible conditions that they live in. We visited an orphanage that had 44 children to care for in Port au Prince. Amidst the poverty that pledged the city, they cooked lunch for us (a group of about 40 ourselves!). They welcomed us into their home, sang to us with great joy, fed us and lifted our very spirits. God will make a way when there seems to be no way. I guess there is a peace that surpasses understanding!

2008-01-29T20:24:00.000-08:00

This little guy got a JD cap!

Well, I now can say that I've been to Haiti!!! What an experience it was! I just cannot get over the absolute poverty of the Haitian people and the saddest thing to me is, if solutions were found this evening for economic growth and prosperity in Haiti, it would take many years before the effects would reach the common people. My heart goes out to the many, many children and their parents that I met in Haiti. But the Haitian spirit is not broken. Somehow they survive and while we were there, we got to witness a celebration of that spirited people. Just outside our hotel the first evening in town - a carnival with what must have been close to a million people! They want to speak to you and laugh, sing and rejoice in the Lord when they worship! The children want to play and learn - education is a privilege to them! I made so many Haitian friends this past week, ones that I will never forget and I feel so blessed that God allowed me to reach out on his behalf to people in such dire need. I'm sold on helping those children and I will go back, hopefully again and again!

Hope for Haiti's Children is a wonderful organization. Having traveled with it's president, founder, several board members and VP of Haiti operations I must say I have no doubt that these people are sold on doing everything within their power (and they have the power of God behind them!) to help the children in Haiti.

PS: BTW, I lost that cap (one of my favorites!) to a Haitian with a mo-ped! but next time I'm there, I'll buy it back from him!

From the organization website www.hfhcministries.org

Become a Sponsor Today!
Sponsoring a child is a great way to provide essential help to some of Haiti's most vulnerable children. Your sponsorship will make an lasting difference in the life of a child in need. Your child will receive the following benefits from your generous support:
Paid Tuition School Uniform Food Supplements	Pencils, Books, School supplies Book Bag Periodic Basic Health Care
As a sponsor you will receive the HFHC Newsletters, your child’s annual health report, a current photograph and an annual letter from your child. The cost of sponsoring a child is $32.00 per month. Your sponsorship can be paid monthly, quarterly, or annually.

Haiti Pics I've found

2008-01-07T12:46:00.000-08:00

Here are a few Haiti pictures I have found from a guy that is in the peace corps there.

Interesting indeed.

Getting Ready for Haiti

2008-01-07T07:58:00.000-08:00

My son, Matt, and I went this morning to get some immunization shots. We are preparing for a mission trip to Haiti coming up January 19th. This is our first time on this kind of a mission trip and we are looking forward to it. I'm a little anxious about the trip mostly because I'm unfamiliar with the Haiti culture. I have heard a few stories about the dangers in this country, but also understand there is a very great need for the people there. I guess that is what stepping out on faith is all about.

For more information on the organization we are going with see: www.hfhcministries.org

2007-11-14T07:48:00.001-08:00

It's a week before THANKGIVING!! I passed this home yesterday morning and had to look twice, twice at the Christmas lights aglow on the front porch AND (you can't see in this picture) there is a CHRISTMAS TREE lit up in the living room also. I guess I won't be the first to get my Christmas lights up this year! (Actually I usually get them up about the eve of Christmas Eve and take them down around mid April!)
Thanks Jamie for snapping this pic for me!

I love Christmas time! I love Christmas music and the holiday feeling, warm wishes and good cheer to all. - I'm always warm and caring towards others, but at Christmas others seem to return that feeling back to me more easily! - Most of all I like to celebrate the wonderful event that happened 2000 years ago, when part of the Godhead left heaven to begin the journey of salvation for man. I'm 46 years old(!) and I'm still in awe of the glorious happenings surrounding the birth of the Christ.

Just a verse to read: John1:14

2007-10-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

grace –noun

1.	elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.

2.	a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.

3.	favor or good will.

4.	a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior: It was only through the dean's grace that I wasn't expelled from school.

5.	mercy; clemency; pardon: an act of grace.

6.	favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.

Theology.

a.	the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.

b.	the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.

2007-10-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

Friendship is acting out God's love for people in tangible ways. We were made to represent the love of God in each other's lives, so that each person we walk through life with has a more profound sense of God's love for them. Friendship is an opportunity to act on God's behalf in the lives of the people that we're close to, reminding each other who God is. When we do the hard, intimate work of friendship, we bring a little more of the divine into daily life. We get to remind one another about the bigger, more beautiful picture that we can't always see from where we are.
from everyday.
I get these inspirational messages everyday in my email and I really liked this one. I recently spent the weekend golfing with a bunch of good friends, guys who are brothers, guys through whom I can see the love of God.
Paul spoke often and very highly of many good friends he had made in his walk with Christ. Friends are an essential part of the Christian life, make good ones, cherish them and keep them!

2007-05-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

I thank God for so many of the little things in life that speak to me. Like the new tobyMac CD which is really great:

Father God, I am clay in your hands
Help me to stay that way through all life's demands
'Cause they chip and they nag and they pull at me
And every little thing I make up my mind to be
Like I'm gonna be a daddy whose in the mix
And I'm gonna be a husband who stays legit
And I pray that I'm an artist who rises above the road that is wide and filled with self love
Everything that I see draws me
Though its only in You that I can truly see that its a feast for the eyes - a low blow to purpose
And I'm a little kid at a three ring circus

I don't want to gain the whole world and lose my soul
Don't wanna walk away let me hear the people say
I don't want to gain the whole world and lose my soul
Don't wanna walk away let me hear the people say

I love that line, "I'm a little kid at a three ring circus." It says so clearly how great and wonderful are the things the Father has in store for us, his people. This song reminds me to watch what I'm aiming for in life, I just might miss out on the really great stuff!

Faith

2007-05-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

I was reading through the gospels last night, seeing Jesus wandering around healing people. This got me to thinking, how could he heal people and then just leave them? I mean, he did it over and over. I know he was always on his disciples for their lack of faith. Could it be that he had the faith to know that the healing in the name of God would be enough. Did he have the faith to believe that some time, some day, that healing would lead them to a relationship with God?
Now, I know some would say, "Well, Jesus only had a limited amount of time." No, he was God in the flesh. He could have spent another twenty or thirty years here with us if he thought it necessary. Obviously he did not think it necessary. Obviously he had the faith to know we would be alright with what he did.
So I guess I'm wondering about my faith. Do I have the faith to believe that if I do what little I can, will it be enough to make a difference in God's work? Or am I just spinning my wheels and wasting my time and money?
As we see in Nehemiah, Satan can try to distract God's people with doubt and ridicule. It takes a strong people with great commitment and lots of faith to think we can get the task done. If I were working on that wall, carring buckets of sand for the mortar mix, it would take a great deal of faith on my part to think we were ever going to get it done just relying on my efforts. I can't see everything going on around me if I stay focused on my task and get it done. It takes faith!

2007-02-19T12:30:00.000-08:00

Romans 8:38-39

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2007-02-01T14:15:00.000-08:00

2007-01-25T09:18:00.000-08:00