Happy Birthday Emily!

Happy Birthday Emily!!! Today you are three and yet it feels like yesterday that your mom and I were driving you home from the hospital. You were God's divine yet unexpected blessing to us. After your brother's miracle adoption we thought maybe it would be awhile before another door like that would ever open again. Boy were we surprised that after only 15 months God would bless us again with you. Your birth parents made a courageous choice and for that they have our respect and gratitude and one day when you are older I am sure they will have yours as well. My prayer for you and Max is that you would always see your adoption as God's story, because it is and He has some amazing plans for your life.

Emily, I have nicked-named you the Queen Bee, because you command attention. You have so much personality and spunk in that little body of yours that it keeps my mind running on what God is going to ultimately do in and thru you. You are an absolute joy for your mom and I. You keep us laughing and smiling and every time we have the opportunity to hold you and be still our hearts and amazed by the goodness of God seen through your little life. I pray every day for your salvation, your future which God holds, your husband who better not be a chump and your kids who I hope I will still have energy to spoil, but as I do that I pray daily that God would cause my heart not to miss a moment!

I pray that as you grow you would understand the depth of God's love for you and the amazing salvation that He has provided for your soul. I pray that God alone would shape you and mold you and that He would give your mom and I wisdom to raise you rightly and grace to live out His character in front of you. We love you very much. You are an incredible blessing!

The Greatness of God

I have a friend who constantly challenges me to not miss the greatness of God around me. As followers of Christ we know that we serve a God who is most passionate about His glory and loves to display it to all humanity. It is as we gaze on the glory of God that we discover our depravity and begin to understand that nothing or noone can satisfy like God. So this morning I began to just reflect on the greatness of God and how in this recent season He has been positioning me to see and experience His glory. I was overwhelmed.

My wife, Pam, and I had the privilege to lead a team of 14 others on a mission trip to Iquitos, Peru. This is my 3rd trip in 9 months and every time I am there I see God's hand at work in amazing ways. This trip was no different. In the midst of deep poverty I saw the power, the beauty and joy of the Gospel. I talked with families that from a worldly perspective have absolutely nothing, but have found Christ and have joy that nothing in this world can compare to. I was so convicted by the evidence of the Gospel in these individuals who have discovered the true meaning in Psalm 73:25 "Whom have I in heaven, but you O God and I desire nothing on earth more than You!" That is the greatness of God.

This past weekend we ended all of our services early at both locations and we challenged our people to "be the church" and go to Publix and shop for groceries in an effort to help stock the local food pantries in our area. I was overwhelmed by the response. Our people invested over $35,000 and helped to stock four food pantries. That is the greatness of God...His activity in the lives of people, creating movement for His mission.

There was so much more that God brought to my heart and mind this morning and the challenge was clear, don't sleep walk! Be aware and attentive to my activity, to My greatness, to My glory! I pray that you will see the greatness of God today...don't sleep walk! Just a rambling. God Bless!