Choices

Have you ever thought about how many choices you make in your lifetime? What about the number of choices you make in a day? In reading these words you have just exercised your ability to make a choice (I hope you feel it was a good choice). Day after day we are faced with a huge list of choices including a few of the following:

Paper or plastic
Window seat or aisle
Regular or decaf
Smoking or nonsmoking
Mild or spicy
Old fashioned glazed or apple fritter (oops, maybe that's just me)
Sweet or unsweet
Sunday School or snooze button

In the Old Testament, following the death of Moses, Joshua became the leader of God’s chosen people. In Joshua 24:14-15 we read about a choice God was giving His people. God’s Word says, “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” God’s desire is to help us make the right choices. He tells us to “choose life” (Deut. 30:19). In reading John 14:6 we see that Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” God not only wants us to make the right choice, He also lets us know what the right choice is!

So today, amidst all of the numerous choices you will make (some will be easy, and some will be difficult; some will be simple, and some significant) let me encourage you to choose wisely.

Jesus…yes or no

My Co-Pilot

We spent a few days in Claremore, Oklahoma with my parents and other family members. We surprised Mom and Dad on their 50th anniversary. The drive is about nine hours, one way, and you can see that on the way back home I had a lot of help.

Deer Drinking Water

Lately is has been a little dry outside so look who came to our house trying to find a drink of water. It took me a little while to find the camera, so she was probably there for about five minutes total. She didn't seem to mind the fact that five people and two dogs were looking out the windows watching her.

Parasailing at Miramar Beach

Last year, our children wanted to parasail while we were in Florida. We decided that would be something for them to look forward to this year. They did not forget, so Madison and Brayden went up together followed by Mallory, Kim, and me. They loved it. It's amazing all the sea creatures you can see from that vantage point.

Sandestin Vacation July 2008

On July 7, my family and I arrived in Florida and spent five nights at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The property is located on Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast between Pensacola and Panama City (eight miles east of Destin). As you can see in the photos we had wonderful weather, awesome activities, and a great time together!

Computer Trouble?

I can't respond to any emails today, something has crashed on my computer and the mouse is missing. . .

Good Times

Recently we were at Mom and Dad's home in Claremore, Oklahoma. Mallory and her cousin Marcus played for hours in their backyard. It's a great backyard with big trees, swings, a slide, a basketball goal, and of course...Mamaw and Papa.

Fire In Our Neighborhood

This afternoon a storm came through Ridge Lake Shores and blew down a pine tree near our home. The tree came to rest on a power line. The power line did not come down. Instead electrical arcs from the tree touching the power line fell to the ground below and started a fire.

10 Commandments of Purity

This is something I read at a marriage conference hosted by Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas. I thought it was very appropriate for pastors and couples in general.

1. I shall have no other human relationships before my spouse, including the kids.

2. I shall remember the date night and keep it holy.

3. I shall honor my spouse on anniversaries and special days so that I may live long in the land the Lord has given me.

4. I shall not take the covenant of marriage in vain by apathy.

5. I shall not ride in a car or eat in a restaurant alone with a member of the opposite sex.

6. I shall not travel alone.

7. I shall not counsel a member of the opposite sex with the doors closed.

8. I shall not share the details of our marriage with others.

9. I shall not watch, read, or expose myself to sexually explicit shows, books, DVDs, etc.

10. I shall remember the implications of breaking this covenant and commandment before God.

Madison At Her Awards Ceremony

In this photo Madison is standing with Peet Junior High School Principal, Curtis Null. At the end of year awards ceremony she received the 8th Grade Citizenship Award. We are so proud of Madison. She is a tremendous student and athlete. But more importantly, she is a follower of Christ and an awesome daughter! We are so proud of her.

Brayden's Cast

Here are some photos of Brayden with his cast. This was the result of a pitch, high and inside, during a baseball tournament. The cast has since been removed, and everything is somewhat back to normal (he's a boy so that means playing hard and swimming).

Lessons Learned from Noah

1. Don't miss the boat.


2. We are all in the same boat.


3. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.


4. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something big.


5. Don't listen to critics; just do the job that needs to be done.


6. Travel in pairs.


7. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.


8. When you're stressed, float a while.


9. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.


10. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.
    —Source Unknown

Flying With Greg

Recently my daughter Madison, son Brayden, and I had the opportunity to fly over Conroe with a very good friend of ours, Greg. You can see a few photos of the High School campus and sports complex as well as First Baptist Church of Conroe.

Xtreme Volleyball Team

Madison plays on the 14 Silver team for Xtreme Volleyball Club of Spring, Texas.

Get Plugged In

We just received a letter from Barrett. He provided us with an update on his mission work. If you want to laugh, check him out in this video I made a while back for a talk I was giving on serving.

Happy Mother's Day 2008

Happy Mother's Day to my wife, Kim. From left to right it is Mallory Grace (7), Brayden (11), and Madison (14).

Mallory's Piano Recital

Mallory is learning to play the piano through the School of Fine Arts at First Baptist Conroe. She is doing very well and having fun. These are a few of the photos from her recent recital.

You Might Be Drinking Too Much Coffee If…

• Juan Valdez named his donkey after you.
• You ski uphill.
• You get a speeding ticket even when you're parked.
• You haven't blinked since the last lunar eclipse.
• You just completed another sweater and you don't know how to knit.
• You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.
• You sleep with your eyes open.
• You can take a picture of yourself from ten feet away without using the timer.
• You lick your coffeepot clean.
• You're employee of the month at the coffee shop and you don't even work there.
• Your eyes stay open when you sneeze.
• Your T-shirt says, "Decaf is the devil's blend."
• You can jump-start your car without cables.
• All your kids are named "Joe."
• You don't sweat, you percolate.
• You go to AA meetings just for the free coffee.
• You walk twenty miles on your treadmill before you realize it's not plugged in.
• Starbucks owns the mortgage on your house.
• Your taste buds are so numb you could drink your lava lamp.
• You're so wired, you pick up AM radio.
• Your life's goal is to amount to a hill of beans.
• Instant coffee takes too long.
• You channel surf faster without a remote.
• Someone says, "How are you?" and you say, "Good to the last drop."
• Your birthday is a national holiday in Brazil.
• You go to sleep just so you can wake up and smell the coffee.
• You name your cats "Cream" and "Sugar."
• You speak perfect Arabic without ever taking a lesson.
• Your lips are permanently stuck in the sipping position.
• You have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug.
• You have a conniption over spilled milk.
• You think being called a "drip" is a compliment.
• You don't tan, you roast.
• You don't get mad, you get steamed.
• You can't even remember your second cup.
• You soak your dentures in coffee overnight.
• You introduce your spouse as your Coffeemate.
• You think CPR stands for "Coffee Provides Resuscitation."
• You answer the door before people knock.
• You help your dog chase its tail.

Mexico Mission Trip to Oaxaca

First Baptist Church of Conroe will be traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico, June 16-21, 2008. Our plan is to work with two local churches and their pastors to construct a greenhouse at one location in the mountains and two cinder block walls for a children's ministry at a mission church next to the city dump. For a trip brochure containing the itinerary, flight information, and cost click here.
The first two photos are from the children's ministry led by Pastor Victor and show where the new cinder block walls will be constructed. The next four photos are from La Cumbre in the mountains. We also visited this location during our pre-trip visit and plan to construct another greenhouse when we return. The photo of the man and woman with the plastic bags are showing you some of the toys Pastor Marcelino was able to buy with funds provided by First Baptist Conroe and Buckner. The final two photos were taken by our friend Jon from Buckner International. Justin and I were visiting the impressive ruins of Monte Albán, the ancient Zapotec capital.

Reconstructing Love

Our marriage enrichment evening was a great event with our special guests Michael and Amy Smalley. For more information and resources on "Reconstructing Love" and other marriage and family topics be sure to visit their website which is gosmalley.com.