Last Saturday of August

As summer appears to be heading to an end, I look back to think of the fun things I have enjoyed.

The summer started off with both kids playing baseball/softball. I love watching them play. I remember my parents telling me "these are the best years of life" and I am starting to believe it. They bring Al'Lora and I so much joy.

We then headed south for my brother's wedding and my 20 year high school reunion. The wedding was beautiful and the reunion was more fun than I anticipated. I shocked a lot of old friends when they discovered my life as a minister and that I live near Cleveland, OH. Not what they expected. Not really what I expected if the truth is known. But just another proof that God has other plans that are often different from ours.

And then a couple of days in Alabama with Al'Lora's family. It was great. We spent a few days with her aging (but graceful) grandparents and landed on the shores of Lake Guntersville with her brother and the rest of the gang. A little fishing, a little swimming, and a little of doing nothing. It was just what I needed.

Finally, Al'Lora and I went to San Antonio, TX for our bi-annual church (COG International) assembly. We were able to catch up with some old friends and enjoy a couple of days to ourselves. If you have never been to San Antonio, it is truly a city you will want to visit.

It has been a great summer!

With fall staring us in the face, I stare back with optimism and confidence in what God has done so far this year and what He plans on doing next. Life is good. God is good.

I am sure challenges await me. Tough decisions are inevitable. And possibly a storm or two. But I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Phil 3:14).

So it is time to move forward!

College Football

If you know me at all, you know where I am right now. I am in front of the plasma TV watching the University of South Carolina play football. It is that time of the year and I am loving it.

I am not sure how they will do in the toughest conference in America (that ought to get some comments) but I am predicting 9-3. I have to be realistic.

They aren't off to a good start in this opening quarter but I have faith. It is going to be a great season. Go Gamecocks!

Trying to Connect

Connect. It is the word of the new millennium. Think about it. There are more cell phones than ever (even in the hands of even the youngest of kids). There is Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. Then of course you have blogspots.

Everyone is working hard to connect with others. We will spend hours of our time tracking one another down just to say hello. We even close our letters with "stay in touch." Verizon has the world's largest network to help you stay "connected." We simply want to connect.

Our annual forty days of prayer and fasting is coming up and I want to CONNECT with God. It has been a great summer and so much is going on @ Sheffield. I genuinely believe God is sending us the harvest and giving us the option as to what we will do with those He sends.

It is imperative that we connect with Him during this time. But even beyond that, we must stay connected. He is our only hope. I want to hear what He has to say. I am ready to move forward!