Hello

Well I have been bad. I have gotten out of my routine but am trying to get back in it. I finished reading the book of Joshua today. It was great to see how they settled on the other side. Joshua was an obdient man and loved the Lord in a great way. I pray I can be this devoted.

Tonight I want to ask you to pray for the students in schools throughout the world. They go through things that I didn't think about when I was their age. I look at my students at school and in youth group and hurt for them. They share with me me some of their struggles at home and in the world and how school or church is their only refuge. I want to take them all home!!!(Lyndi would kill me) But if we would take the time to listen and not push them off we would get a better understanding of who they are.

Yesterday, Bro. Ronnie shared with us about the love of a child and how we can learn from them. I do agree!! While we are encouraging them, they are doing the same for us. We have to continue to pray for them and love on them. I know we may not understand them but they are God's children and we are to love them.

I also want to ask you to pray for my friend Kaylan. He is scheduled to speak to our youth group this Wednesday and I look forward to him doing so. Please pray that God will use him and that his nerves and angst will disappear. Give God the glory!!!

Have a great Tuesday!!!!

day 14 - 15

Ok... I just finished the book of deuteronomy. I found all of the different laws interesting. I look at the Lords commands and realize that He is a great God. I know I got off but will try to read 2 sections a day to get back on spot.

Today has been a weird day. Made it to the gym, normal day at school and then ball practice. Came home and played with the kids. I was the bad pony today. The rode on my back for 30 minutes. I thought I had a hard workout this morning!!! lol...

I do have to share this... Over the past few weeks I have come to realize how blessed I am and my family is. One of the great blessings of my jobs is to interact with young people. Sometimes I forget that not everyone has the same things. I visited a kid a few weeks ago and in their living room was only couch cushions and another one told me about how they struggle to have food on the table. MY heart just broke and I became mad at myself because I complain about not going to taco bell or McD's. How sad is that!? I desire to bring my kids up to realize that having everything you want is not that important. When we take for granted that everyone is on the same level we lose out on loving people. I challenge you and myself to see people where they are not where you are. God put us here to serve each other and I pray that I will be aware to the times that I get to help others. God bless and I hope you have a wonderful week!!!

Sorry

I have gotten away from writing this week. I will post my thoughts on my reading tomorrow night. We have had a wonderful week. This past Monday we took part in Jerusalem project and it was a blast. Even getting the church bus stuck under an awning. The rest of the week has been great as well.
THis weekend has been great as we have spent it together as a family. Both kids have been a little under the weather but still moving around!!!

I had the wonderful opportunity of sharing God's word with Mary's Chapel this morning. It was a blast!! We looked in Romans 12 and talked about Love in Action.

 ⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[a] Do not be conceited.

It challenged me to be a better representative of Jesus. I pray that we will love others just as Christ has loved us. God Bless!!!

Day 12 &13 - Missed writing

Hola!!!

I hope all of you are well and stayed on the ground in this wonderful wind we have had today.

My reading yesterday and today consisted of Numbers 21-Deuteronomy 7. It was some great reading. I am enjoying reading this wonderful book. I actually am amazed at how specific everything is. The procedures are specific and people did as they were commanded/ Instructed. I pray that I can reach that level to be obedient to God's call in my life. I sometimes like to be in control... well all the time... and this is hard. MY prayer is I will be broken each day to trust in Him!!!

For the first time in our lives... Lyndi and I will be on the same schedule. I look forward to having family dinners and being able to spend time together. I do believe it will be a blessing for us.

I pray you have a wonderful Sunday!!!

Day 11 - Lyndi's back home

I hope you all have had a great day!!! My day has been fantastic. I got home and there was my beautiful wife. I am blessed!!!

Today I spent time reading Numbers 8-21. Really great information. I have to be honest, I get excited to read about the leaders of the Israelites going into Canaan and looking around. I laugh how they were scared by the  the report and their lack of faith in God. IN chapter 14 the people rebel again... When things aren't easy we still do the same thing. Our trust in God is conditional. As long as it does not push us out of our box or comfort zone then we are ok. I think of Noah and his faithfulness and 
Abraham's obedience!!! I long for that in my life.

This weekend we have Jerusalem project with our association. It will be an awesome time to spend with the youth group and having the time to chill out and relax with them. On Monday, we will do some work projects around the area!!!It will be fun!!!

I pray that you have a wonderful Friday!! God Bless!!!

Day 10 - God is Good!!!

I took the day off to spend with the kids and it has been exhausting. We have played, traveled to dyersburg and covington and went to church. We also picked up 14 kids along the way. Sweet!!!

Today I read the last chapter of Leviticus and started Numbers. I realize the more I read the more I am seeing who God is. I have enjoyed reading about the history and the things that Moses and Aaron had to do. I am just amazed at how obedient people were to God. It breaks my heart that people now are obedient more to society and what it says than God. I am the same as well. I struggle daily with being who Christ wants me to be. I want to be obedient to Him in every aspect of my life. Not easy but worth it.

Tonight was awesome at church. We talked about attitude and how when things happen in life it clouds our decisions. At the end of the night we had one young man make a decision to accept Christ as His Lord. I am proud of Bradford and beg you to pray for this young man as he begins this wonderful journey with Christ.

I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!!! God Bless and I want to challenge you to spend some time in the word and prayer!!!

Day 9 - Yep... I'm tired

Today has been a long day. Left home at 5:40 and returned this evening at 8:45. Everyonce in a while I have  those days. Got home and played with the kids for a bit and then settled in. Lyndi is in Martin to begin her Student Teaching seminar so I should get a good nights sleep. She will not be here to interrupt my snoring. LOL I have taken the day off to play with the kids. That will be awesome!!!!!!!

I spent some time reading in the wonderful word this morning. I love waking up and talking with Him. Helps me have a better day. Leviticus is a tough book. It has a lot of information that I have had to chew on to make sense. I have written down some questions that I am going to get the answer to and will post later in the week.

We had our first practice of the LMS baseball team today. It was fun. I haven't coached in 4 years but am looking forward to it. Good group of kids and they seem to have a descent foundation. I look forward to working with them and the other coaches.

I am looking forward to youth group tomorrow night. We are going to look at how God wants us to check our attitudes. SHould be interesting!!!

Well, I know it is past my bedtime. I pray you have a wonderful Wednesday and if you want to check out a youth group that sticks to the Word of God and has fun... come visit Fusion at Mary's Chapel. Starts at 6:30.

Day 8 - Not the normal day!!

Last night my buddy Fred - that would also be my son - decided he wanted to wake up at 1 and cry for an hour. I sadly slept in until 5:40 and went to the gym. I came home this afternoon and read through part of Leviticus. I am not a good afternoon reader. I will fix that in the morning.

It was pretty cool to read about the different types of offerings that were needed. But, I am so glad that we have a Savior so that these offerings are not needed in today's time. It is awesome that our God sent His Son to earth to be that offering for us. I rest assured of that and am thankful that God knew I was going to need that and took the steps to help me.

The day at school was great!!! So often we just focus in on the negative that we hear bout our schools but I want you to know that there are some great things happening at Lauderdale Middle School. We have some great teachers and students. Tonight we had a basketball game and both teams played well. Our girls team came up a little short but they are improving each time they play. Our boys team played an excellent game. When they play as a team and not just for themselves, they can be unstoppable!!

Well it is time for bed, I am trying to watch the game but I believe sleep will get me since I don't care which team wins. I like both of them!! God Bless and I hope you have a great Tuesday!!!

Day 7 - What a good day!!!

I had a great day at church. We had a wonderful service this morning and then our children's ministry had Team Kids tonight and it was awesome. They talked about friendship and looked at the friendships of Samson. We have some devoted people who work with our children and puppet ministry.

I finished reading Exodus today. I have to be honest, I enjoy learning about the tabernacle and all fo the items that made it up, but I would catch myself drifting and would have to go back and reread. I then decided to try and draw out in my mind what it would look like. That helped!! The thing that stood out to me was how God had everything down to the detail and it worked out. The people trusted and followed the Lord!!!

As I finish my first week of B90X, I can see that I am going to enjoy this. It is a challenge but so is a physical workout at the gym. While the one I go to every morning at 6 is a benefit to my body, the workout at 5 in the morning, while sitting in my recliner, has greater benefits for myself and my family.

I pray that you have a great and blessed week. 

Day 6

Hello again - A very unique read today. I did not get up at 5 to read today. Fred Baby let me sleep in until 7:15. Today I was reading in Exodus 15-28. I look in 16 and see where the people grumbled against God and how he came through time and time again. He made sure they got what was needed. They had food and water. As I read over this section, I think about how our society is never satisfied. We all want more than we need. I am the same way. I am trying my best to change that this year. My goal is to be a better steward of not only money but time, family, house.... anything that God has blessed me with.

I got a chance today to go and visit a few people for a couple of hours. One is a lady from our church who was admitted into the hospital because she was low on blood. She and I both laughed because back in June it was the same thing. It seems she has to get a "fill-up" every 6-7 months. I told her I wished oil in cars worked that way. But, as I left she was finishing her 4th unit and was feeling a lot better. She said she felt "FULL" - her words not mine!!! She will be allowed to come home tomorrow. I pray she gets a great nights rest.

I also went to visit one of our new families at church. They have just moved into a new house and I wanted to stop and say hi. I actually got an idea for the deck I would like to build here. A great family and I am blessed to get to know them.

My last visit was a sit down with my brother in Christ at the Kissell Cafe!! I love getting a chance to talk to him. I am proud of what he is doing and pray that God will bless his business and his family!!!

I hope you have had a great Saturday!!! I have enjoyed hanging with my family. As I get older, almost 39... I don't want to say 40 yet, I realize how much fun I have wrestling and playing in the floor with Lyndi, Tayler and Cayden. Or sitting in the PHAT chair watching Phineas and Ferb. It just doesn't get old. God Bless and I hope you make it to the church of your choice. If you don't have one, I would love for you to come and check out Mary's Chapel. If you don't know the way... look for one of the many signs in the county!!! LOL

God Bless!!!!

Day 5 - Moses

I have to be honest... I did NOT want to get up this morning. Fred Baby woke up at 4:20 and I tied to go back to sleep. It took me a bit and right as I feel asleep the alarm went off. I had to make myself get out of bed. I got to the fat chair and opened up to the wonderful book of Exodus. As I started I began to get excited. I started reading about a guy that reminds me of me. A guy who did not want to trust God. A guy who came up with some many excuses of why he couldn't do something. His name was Moses. Here you have a guy who should have been killed at birth, was raised by his mother for others, killed a man and then lead his people out of slavery. Now I didn't cover everything Moses did... you need to dive into the word and see for yourself... but he is an interesting guy.

As I am reading, I thought about my life and how I would come up with a reason of why I couldn't do this and this when I knew God was sending me there. I still do it now. I do believe that I will be a lead pastor one day but I hope it is way in the future. I don't think God is through using me at LMS, in Ripley and at Mary's Chapel. I just have to be patient and pay attention and not make excuses when the time comes.

As I close today I have to say I am really enjoying reading the bible again. I feel like I am getting closer to God and getting to know Him in a deeper way. I want to encourage you to spend just a few moments with Him. HE is an awesome God. I would also like to invite you to church on Sunday. We have a great time worshiping our God through wonderful songs that focus on Him (not going to say contemporary or traditional, we sing to and about God through our song, a fantastic sermon from Bro. Jim Richards and great fellowship!!! Starts at 9:30 for Sunday School and Worship service begins at 10:30.

Have a great weekend!!! God Bless

Day 4 - Joseph

Howdy!!! I hope you have had a great day. God has really blessed me in a great way today. Fantastic day at school and then to top it off I got to come home to my wonderful family and play. After dinner, The kids and I watched Toy Story 2 and they are now in bed. Lyndi is at the gym so I get a few minutes to just chill and watch some SPORTS!!!


Today I found myself finishing up Genesis. I started in chapter 40. I have read this a few times and it always keeps my attention and I find new things each time. I was sharing with a friend about the broadway play call "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." I remember watching it on video and loved the music. Check it out sometime!!!

But in today's reading I just loved the example of Joseph and his ability to forgive. When his brothers came to town to buy grain and Joseph stuck the silver back in their bags. He was still taking care of his family.  He still asked about his father. What a great example of forgiveness!!! That just rings over and over to me.

One last thing that I loved was Joseph was faithful!!! He stayed the course even when times were difficult. He loved God and trusted Him. I know my blog may repeat but these are huge examples for all of us. Joseph was a man of faith and is an example for me. He knew God had a purpose, while not always easy, for him and he followed God.

I have really enjoyed reading Genesis and look forward to Exodus. I hope you are spending some time in the word and praying to our Father in heaven. Seek Him in all the things you do!!!

Striving to be the man God wants me to be!!! God Bless

Day 3 - They did what?

I really enjoyed this mornings reading. This morning I dove into Gen. 28 and finished up in Chapter 40. It was so neat to look at how things were unfolding. My favorite part in this reading was the story of Joseph and his brothers. It reminds me of our world. I tell students in our ministry that they can find an example of anything that they are going through in the bible and look at ways that they were overcome. It just seemed that Joseph had a string of bad luck but he stayed faithful to God and was blessed by that. He stayed the course!!!

Another section I enjoyed reading was when Jacob went to meet Esau. What an example of forgiveness!!! Tonight in youth group we discussed forgiveness and this is a great example for us to look at. Esau didn't blow up, didn't retaliate - he just forgave.

I think that is what we need to remember - God calls us to forgive as Christ forgave us!!! My prayer is as we continue in our voyage through the scriptures that we strive to learn from the examples and lessons from the Word of God.

BTW - Also had a great first day back to school!!! I truly believe God is going to do great things through the youth of out community!!! God Bless!!!

Day 2

This morning I had to get back into going to school. I have decided to try getting up at 5, making a cup of coffee, reading the days scripture and then go to the gym before reporting to school by 6:50. So as I started this morning, I realized that my reading was not going to allow me to make it to the gym by 6. So I finished my reading and then went for a great 30 minute cardio workout.


This morning i read through Gen. 17- 28. Some wonderful text and information. I look at the deceit and sin in Sodom and Gomorrah and begin to wonder what our Lord thinks about our town/country. It breaks my heart to read and then think about how it is here as well. I then go on to look at the birth of Issac and how Abraham showed such faith in the Lord that he would take his own son to sacrifice. I have to be honest, I would struggle with that. I look at my son and think there is no way but Abraham showed such obedience to God. I am striving to be that way!!! The verse that stood out the most to me during this reading was from Chapter 22:5 - "He said to his servants, " Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you." What struck me the most was that Abraham knew that he and his son would return. Look back at the verse and highlight the word WE... he says it twice. How Awesome!!! He knew he served a Great God!!!!

I am back to work this week and I look forward to seeing the students of LMS tomorrow morning. One of my greatest pleasures is greeting each on as they get off the bus. Even those cold and rainy days are great knowing that God is using me here!!

I want to leave you with my favorite verse--- Col. 3:23 - "Whatever you do do it with all your heart as working for the Lord and not for man." God Bless and have a wonderful day!!!

Day 1

I talked with a few people from my church yesterday about joining me on this voyage and some were like how can I get something out of it. Are you just reading it just to read it? It made me think a little. I can see why they would think that. I just finished reading day on that covers Gen. 1:1-Gen16:16. It is a lot!! I am taking what I read and seeking out answers through commentaries and other believers in Christ to help understand the things that I don't. I am also putting down some of the interesting facts that stood out to me. The key is for you to seek answers for the scripture that you do not understand. I love reading about Noah and how strong his faith was in God. How he stayed so faithful to God in what had to be a scary time. My desire is to increase my knowledge of my God and share it with those I come in contact with. For my brothers and sisters that are doing this as well, I encourage you to keep on. I look forward to hearing from you and what God is showing you through His wonderful word.

I also realize that this much reading is not for everyone. If you are interested in another reading schedule, my brother and friend Eric Smith, pastor at Curve Baptist,  is using one from George H. Guthrie called "Read the Bible for Life" with his congregation. You can find it online or look at Bro. Eric's facebook. (Eric, I hope you don't mind me using your name)

May God bless you in this new year!!!