What Do You Take For Granted?

So it's Friday night and I've just made my way, very slowly, up the stairs on crutches. I've been on crutches now for about two weeks moving slow, carefully maneuvering, and rarely getting up...only when I have to. This immobility has really got me thinking about my legs and how up until two weeks ago I really took them for granted. I could walk, jog, and even run if I wanted to...now, I hobble along and can't wait until mid-November when I get clearance to ditch the crutches.

My legs, the ability to freely walk...I took that for granted. My question to you is: what have you taken for granted?! Your job? Your family? Friends? Your stuff - house, car(s), clothes, etc...? A pantry and refrigerator full of food? How about your relationship with God?

So many of us have either had a relationship with Christ for so long that it's just not "fresh" or new to us anymore...we're not excited like we once were OR we've recently crossed the line of faith and maybe we just don't know how to share Christ with our friends, family, co-workers or neighbors. Either way, I'd submit to you that all to often we take our relationship with Christ and what he's done in our lives for granted.

We need to...we must...be diligent to keep our relationship with God fresh and new. This will require work on our part. We need to spend time with God daily (prayer & bible reading), surrounding ourselves with other believers (for encouragement & support), and we need to keep our eyes open and see others as God sees them. Don't take for granted the greatest gift you've ever received...grace, mercy, and salvation. Value it, embrace it, and most importantly share it with those you come in contact with...we're living for Christ...let's wear His name well.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Lifepoint Blood Drive...

This coming Sunday, October 12th, we're hosting a blood drive at Lifepoint Church. If you are able to help donate blood...come by Lifepoint Church between 9am-1pm this Sunday. We meet at Paloma Creek Elementary // 1600 Navo Road - 76227. We've got several of our people donating and we've opened the doors and invited our friends from local churches to participate as well.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Signs, Signs, Everyone Signs...

Today at Lifepoint Church we continued our current series, "Love Wins," with a talk entitled "love is respectful." We dug deeper today into our study of love and what love is, using signs (stop, no u-turn, yield, and scenic route ahead) to highlight and emphasize the importance of showing respect to those we come in contact with. There was a ton of positive response to today's message...if you'd like to listen, go to our "podcast" page (http://www.lifepoint-church.net/index-6.html) and click on "love is respectful" from 10.5.08 - message will be available Monday morning.

Hope to see you Sunday.

I'm Alive...

For those of you who read my blog and noticed it's been over a week since my last post...let me just assure you that I'm alive. Alive and in more pain than I've ever been in!

My right knee (see picture above) feels like hamburger after going through a meat grinder. I've been in bed for 7 days now...just getting up to use the restroom and go to physical therapy...at this point I hate getting out of bed...it hurts. I'm debating on if I should get some adult diapers from Clint (his wife Jenna is our children's director and he sells medical supplies and diapers to hospitals)...if I had the diapers I'd only need to leave the bed for physical therapy. I'm joking of course...kinda.

So, since I'm a pastor...this blog should tend to have something spiritual in it, huh?!

During times of extreme frustrations, pain, depression, and uncertainty...regardless of how difficult it may seem...we must trust God. Just because my job is to "pastor" and teach...it doesn't mean that I'm immune to trials and hardships. During the last week I've been beat down emotionally and physically and my strength can't be my wife or kids...no. My strength and yours, in times of difficulty, MUST be God. Nobody else can provide the comfort, support, love, and understanding we need during our darkest times. Dark times like: job loss, divorce, financial instability, personal struggles, loss of loved ones, or even knee surgery. You are loved...never forget that.

Hope to see you Sunday.

XBOX 360...

I need an XBOX 360...since I'm going to be confined to my bed or the couch for the next several weeks. Anybody want to hook me up?!

Hope to see you Sunday.

Something To Think About...

"Pray like it all depends on God and work as if it all depends on you." - Pretty bold statement, huh?!?! Something to think about isn't it?!?!

That statement, made by a friend of mine & someone I consider a mentor, has really bothered me lately. Why? Well...because, in all honesty, I haven't. I haven't been praying like it all depends on God...mostly I've been working as if it all depends on me. And for that I'm sorry. It's something easy for us all to do...believe me, I know. I apologize to my spouse, staff, people in the community I haven't met yet, and those who call Lifepoint their church home. As of today...and from here on out...I commit to: "Pray like it all depends on God and work as if it all depends on me."

For my penance and punishment (for not doing the stated above in recent weeks)...I will undergo ACL (ligament inside my knee) reconstruction this Thursday. I'm joking of course - not about the surgery - but about that being my punishment. Keep me in your prayers. Pray for skillful hands doing the surgery and a QUICK & PAINLESS recovery.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Stinks...

My fantasy football team STINKS!

My "midget ninjas" (that's my team name - I hope no midgets or ninjas are offended) aren't living up to their potential. Here we are 3 weeks into the season and I'm looking at a possible 0-3 start...not cool...especially when I'm playing against guys from the church who like to talk trash.

Hope to see you Sunday.