Our God

I had heard this song several times on the radio but never really paid attention to the words until I heard my daughter singing it in the car the other day. She sang “into the darkness, we shine” and it hit me like a ton of bricks. We are called as Christians to shine into the darkness of this world and be Jesus light to a world of strangers walking around in sin. I have to be honest when I say that I have not been that light that Jesus has called me to be lately. This simple song helped me to get my head and heart back to serving Jesus under any circumstance. I hope that it blesses you.

Prayer Requests

I wanted to take a second and ask that you pray for a few people that are in the hospital now or will be in the hospital in the next few weeks. These people mean an awful lot to me and I would appreciate your prayers for them. Drop them a note and tell them that you are praying for them as well.

My Father – Having prostate cancer surgery on July 31. You can follow me on Twitter to get up-to-the-minute updates on my dad’s progress. Just click here.

Tami Clabo – At Duke Hospital with heart issues. You can read about her updates here.

Anne Jackson – Heart surgery in the upcoming weeks. You can read about her adventure here or you can follow her progress on Twitter by clicking here.

The “C” Word!

 My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer a few months ago and since it was caught early and the cancer mass was small, he decided to try an all natural diet to see if his body would fight the cancer. The family has all waited patiently for the results from his PSA tests and the results were not favorable. Please pray for my dad as he decides what his next step should be.

 I still think I am numb from finding out that dad has cancer and I don’t think that I have accepted it yet.  As you can imagine, this is a very hard time for the family so please be in prayer for us.

Have you had to deal with cancer before? How did you accept it?

Good News and Not So Good News…

So after our very quick trip to my cardiologist in Alabama, I received a good report. I still need to have the aortic valve replaced but it is not something that has to be taken care of this very minute. I am going back for another check-up in January. I would ask that you pray for wisdom and discernment about when to have the surgery, where to have it at, and what to do between now and then.

As far as the not so good news, my father called me on Saturday and told me that he had prostate cancer.  It appears to be small and operable but please keep him in your prayers as well…

Visit to Cardiologist

On Thursday, March 12, Lori, Drew and I will travel to the Universtiy of Alabama-Birmingham to see my cardiologist, Dr. Edward Colvin. I happen to find his picture online so I added it below.

I was born with a faulty valve in my heart and had it repaired in 1994. The surgery was supposed to last for about 5-10 years before I had to have it replaced. Praise God that it has lasted for almost 20 years!!! I go for annual check-ups with the good doctor and I know that currently we are looking at surgery in the next few years barring a miracle from God which HE CAN DO!!

Obviously, this is a very nerve-racking thing for me so I ask that you pray for me and my family during this weekend. To be specific, you can pray for the following:

1) Travel Safety    2) God’s peace that passes all understanding  3) Grace Anne as she is staying here in Florence   4) Drew as he is traveling with us (hehehe)   5) God’s mercy  6) Wisdom and discernment for Dr. Colvin

I will hope to be able to update you by Saturday sometime. I am also wanting to take pictures for the blog so the next time you see Dr. Colvin, I will most likely be standing beside him.

Christmas Memories 2008

I thought I would take today and let everyone in on some of the highlights of my Christmas 2008.

*My six year old daughter putting candles on the birthday cake for Jesus and asking me “Daddy, How old is Jesus?”

*My two year old riding his new Power Wheels truck down the street while his nana and pop pop chase him yelling “STOP!”

*Spending my tenth Christmas with my lovely wife!

*Having my 90 year old grandmother calling to wish me a Merry Christmas.

*Going to Midevial Times with my in-laws and havign the yellow knight pick Grace Anne out to be his “Queen of Beauty and Love”

*Christmas breakfast and supper

*A dog named Tigger and his dogsitter (actually happened before Christmas but still priceless)

*Reading Christmas story out of Bible on Christmas morning

Happy Thanksgiving!

From my family to yours, may you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Sweet Home Alabama…

By the time that you read this, I hope to be in SWEET HOME ALABAMA for the Thanksgiving holidays. I hope everyone will enjoy the Thanksgiving holidays wherever you are and take this time to celebrate all the blessings God has given us.

God is Good!

This weekend was such a “mountain top” experience for me spiritually. Here are some of the day’s highlights:

*I was able to preach morning and evening services at a church in Lake City.

*My parents were in town. This was the first time that my parents got to hear me preach in person.

*I celebrated nine years of marriage with a trip to Charleston with my wife.

*My grandmother celebrated her 90th birthday.

*God confirmed some things in my life that I have been praying about for about three years.

*I was able to go to the early service at my church and they performed this skit. Please take the time to watch it. It shows visually how Jesus draws us back to Himself and how Jesus protects us. (NOTE: This is NOT my church performing it but our church performed this exactly the same way.

*On top of everything else, Green Bay is 2-0 and Auburn is 3-0. HA!

God is Good!

Happy Anniversary to Me!

Today is my wife and I’s ninth wedding anniversary. I just want to stop a minute and thank Jesus for allowing me to marry such a wonderful, Godly woman. Thank you baby for making my life complete!

Look! I used to have hair! Our wedding day 1999!