God is at work. A statement I am sure many who claim a belief in God would agree with most of the time. It is one I believe in whole-heartedly. Or do I?

It is easy to believe when I hear the story of a friend who returns from a mission trip or conference. The experience has been life changing and the results of the trip are amazing. This gives proof to God being at work, right?

Here are some examples for me this week. A friend shares about the things God has been teaching him over the last few weeks as he read and studied his Bible. Another friend calls and shares about the amazing mission trip she has been on and gave specific examples of what God did during her visit. Or how about this example: A person post on facebook how God spoke to him this week through the message of his pastor. Are these not proof to the reality that God is at work? I would have to say YES, it is!

But today I find myself asking, is God only at work in the villages we visit in Africa or in any location we take a mission trip? Is he only at work in the heart of the one who reads and studies the Bible? Is God only at work in the midst of those who hear His word being expounded from a pulpit or in a small group meeting? I would have to say, no. No, He is not?

If I really believe God is at work I have to believe He is possibly working in the hearts of people I randomly meet by “chance” or mere “circumstance?” Could God be at work in the heart of the girl who checked out my groceries at the store today? Could God be working in the heart of the guy who helped me find the auto part I needed? What about the person who served me my sweat tea today, is God working in Him? Or what about the people who worked with my kids this month in the summer program they participated in? Or how about the school teachers my children interacted with this past school year? Is God working in their life? How about my vet, my doctor, co-workers or even my own family? Could God be up to something in their hearts? I would say the odds are pretty good – He is.

I think the question needs to change. It’s not “is the hand of God working?” It should be “how and where is the hand of God working?” I don’t know of every place God is at work – only He knows. But I can trust He is at work drawing men and women to himself. I can trust I have been commissioned by God to go to the ends of the earth and all points in between making disciples in God’s name and under His authority. The reality of His hand moving and the commission of going given makes the odds pretty good God is at work in the hearts of those I will come into contact with each day I am given to live. Therefore, my actions need to scream, “GOD IS AT WORK!”

His first day home - 8 weeks

Spurgeon updates – here he is on his first day home with us. (8 weeks old)

10 weeks old

Here he is at 10 weeks.

He has been great fun for all of us. We all enjoy him.

Setting: Family sitting at the dinner table enjoying some Chicken Empanadas.

Mom: Micah, this is a type of food you can eat with your hands.

Micah: (in his best Simon/British accent) Mother, I am not a savage – I am a gentleman!

(This was just after he pulled his shirt up and starting rubbing his belly at the dinner table)

Setting: Mom, Dad & Megan browsing through JC Penny’s

Megan: Mom, I am going to get a shirt that says, “Some one needs to spend Daddy’s money!” (She throws a coy smile at mom, along with some attitude, and adds) And its not going to be you!

I wonder who she is implying will spend my money.

Spurgeon

Rhonda and I had been talking for a while about getting a puppy. We wanted a dog the kids could grow up with and enjoy from day one. Our research and preference took us to the boxer. After and endless search across the state of Tx (literally from El Paso to Houston & Amarillo to McAllen – online of course) we stumbled across some great people and hour down the road. Thus we met Spurgeon.

And now we are off on a new adventure. I am sure there will be many.

Here are a couple of recent family pics. Our friends, Laura and Slade Cozart took these for us. They are based out of San Angelo and would love to help you with your next photo adventure. I highly recommend them. You can find their website here. The sight showcases their work.

While sitting at the BSM one evening listening to Christmas music (waiting for the FBS Christmas party to begin) my mind begin to wander upon the many things I love about this time of year. It is hard to put my finger on the exact reason why I enjoy this time of year so much. So I thought I would write a post on some of my loves and memories of Christmas.

Things I love about Christmas
- Love Christmas music
- Christmas parties
- Christmas trees
- Christmas lights & decorations
- Thinking about Christmas memories
- Creating some Christmas memories
- Christmas movies (old classics and new soon to be classics)
- Christmas smells
- Work slows down and allows some reflection.
- FUDGE!!!!
- Cheese balls & crackers
- Cooler weather (I would love to see it snow)
- Extra time with family
- Getting to cook Christmas lunch or dinner
- Watching kids open their presents
- College Football – BOWL GAMES!!
- Christmas Eve Service

Most of the loves above are associated with childhood memories. If truth be told, my favorite memories of childhood are surrounded by Christmas. My favorite Christmas past times were watching Christmas movies like “Rudolph the Red Nose Rain Deer”, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, “Santa Clause” and “Frosty the Snow Man”. (Shhhh – I still like watching those shows.) Now I would have to add “Polar Express”, “Its A Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas.”

I remember decorating our Christmas tree, singing Christmas carols, and on many nights hoping in the car as a family and driving around town to look at Christmas lights. I remember Christmas dinners at my Grandparent’s house and playing with my aunts, uncles and cousins.

I can remember many a gift from Santa Clause. My first camera. It was a Kodak instant. (One of those you shoot and it develops the picture on paper in about 10 seconds.) My first pictures were of my mom and dad being abruptly awoken by the blinding flash of the camera. Sleepy eyed, frowned faces of your parents make great Kodak moments. Took me a while to get off the naughty list after that one.

Another year I received my first hand-held video game. It was a baseball game. It had about 4 buttons and was basically a series of small lights that lit up to signify the different aspects of the game. Old school stuff. My Buck Rogers action figure was another favorite. (Google it if you are clueless about Buck Rogers.)

As a young kid I would always be the first one up – sneak into the living room where all the Santa “goods” were and would just sit there. I would sit and stair at the tree and all the presents. Not touching a single thing, I would sit and just enjoy the silence, the beauty and the sense of security I would feel in that moment. (I know – weird for a small kid to do. But that is what I did.)

I have another memory. I think I was in the 8th grade. A friend of mine and myself some how ended up at the local Methodist church. We had a couple of friends (girls) who where playing in the church Christmas program. We went to hear them play. We were sitting close to the front and were talking to the two friends before the program began. The pastor soon came over and moved us from our priceless front row seats to another area of the sanctuary. I guess he saw our true motives for being there. I am sure having two teenage boys voluntarily sitting on the front row was a dead give a way. At least he said Merry Christmas.

We settled in to our newly assigned seats and the program began. I sat listening to the music and the Christmas story unfolded through dramatic reading. There was nothing very profound shared on this night. But I do remember sitting there and having a very warm, comforting feeling come over me. It was a real sense of peace and security and great joy. I think it was one of my first real spiritual experiences in my life.

I am not exactly sure – but everyone of those memories are tired to an experience of warmth, comfort, peace, security and joy. I think maybe that is why they have stayed with me all these years.

I’m in my 38th Christmas this year (it hurts to say that). I have received and given all kinds of gifts. I remember many of them – not because of the gift itself. But because of what it was associated with that year. Our Christmases are always associated with something. What will Christmas be associated with for you this year?

The greatest gift ever given was given to provide comfort, peace, and security in a climate that is in many ways the direct opposite. Most importantly the Gift provides salvation from the temporal to the eternal.

I remember in those small moments of peace, warmth and security never wanting the feeling to go a way. Every Christmas I find myself in small ways looking for them again. What great joy comes in knowing they are found in Christ Jesus. They can be found for eternity.

This season my family and I will strive to enjoy the lights, the movies, the hot chocolate, the Santa “goods” and the great music. But I pray we can rejoice in the gift that is Jesus. For he is Christ the Lord!

Well over the past 2 months Micah and Megan celebrated birthdays. Micah turned 10 and Megan turned 9. In honor of their B-Days I thought I would post: 10 things I love about …. So here it is.

Micah & Mom at Double Daves

10. He is into Super Heros. (This gives me automatic permission to be in to them as well. A father and son must bond.)

9. His Calm, relaxed nature

8. His Sense of Humor – he always makes us laugh.

7. He will listen to my goofy stories and laugh.

6. He has a soft spot for hurting people.

5. He uses “big words” correctly.

4. He is precise, clean and tidy. (Most of the time.)

3. He is honest.

2. He is in to Legos.

1. He loves his momma.

And now the other M – Megan

Megan - Downtown at the soda shop

10 Things I love about Megan: (Again – order is random)

10. She has a very sweet spirit.

9. She is as cute as a button.

8. She loves to help and serve people.

7. She loves to laugh.

6. She takes after her mom in so many ways.

5. She has a great smile.

4. She has no fear.

3. She is a social butterfly.

2. She loves peanuts like her dad.

1. She is a Daddy’s girl!

These are the best M&Ms!!!

Here are a few more insights from Micah and Megan. I was able to laugh at these after the shock wore off.

Megan and Dad sitting at the table a few weeks before her 9th Birthday.

Dad: Well, Megan you are soon to be nine years old. What do you think about that?

Megan: Yes, Dad, I am becoming a mature woman.

9 years and mature woman are not equal to me. HELP!

Dad & the M & Ms returning home from swimming at the local high school

Micah: Dad, I say this in love – Your getting old. You will be dead soon!

Pray son gets to see Christmas!

This election was going to be historic – no matter the outcome. We would either see our first black president or our first female vice-president.

America responded with record numbers in turn out and they spoke clearly – Barack Obama will be our president.

If Barack Obama was not your choice of canidate for the office, what should your response be? I found Dr. Mohler’s post very helpful. I hope you will check it out.

What are your thoughts?

Micah at Work

Mom is browsing through Micah’s school work sent home for our review.
Rhonda (commenting on the work): Micah you are doing so well. You are making great grades and your attitude is so much better.

Micah: Yes, mom.

Rhonda: You really seem to be enjoying school this year.

Micah: (with his smirking smile) Well, mom – I wouldn’t go that far!

Rhonda: (a bit deflated – but almost expecting that response) Micah!

Micah: (With a deep laugh knowing he has zapped his mom once again.)