A Wonderful Heartbeat

Kristy and I went to the doctor on Thursday and were able to see and hear the baby’s heartbeat.  It was amazing, words can’t describe it.  Yes, I teared up a bit.  What a beautiful sight.

Please keep praying for good health and smooth sailing.

Cardiff Baptist on the News

Here is the link to the story about a prayerwalk that our Church took part in at Harriman High School:  http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/10058891.html.  It was initiated by Rachel Stafford, a Harriman High School Junior who is a member of our church.  This was really an uplifting time for me and was a blessing to so many others.  Many thanks to Theda and the rest of the members of our church for supporting this time of prayer.

Overcoming Our Flaws

Here is a link to my latest Knoxville News-Sentinel Article.  It incorporates one of my past writings on this blog.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/sep/09/overcoming-our-flaws/

So Far, So Good

Kristy and I went for her ultrasound today and everything looks good so far.  She is 4 weeks, 6 days along, so the baby hasn’t really formed much yet.  We have some pictures of the gestational sac and the yolk sac.  The due date is May 20, 2008.

The kids are more excited than they were before.  When we first told them, Noelle (5) the only girl of the bunch, said that she was going to pack her bags and move out.  We convinced her to change her mind.

Later, the kids were suggesting names for the baby.  Some of the names were pretty good.  Finally, Matthew (3) spoke up and said with a stutter “W-w-w-w-we can call him Biscuit.”  Biscuit Cannon; that has a pretty good ring to it.

Doubting God

I spoke with a young lady recently who said that she is doubting God and that she is angry with Him.  She experienced a tragedy a few months ago and doesn’t understand why it happened. 

To be honest, I don’t understand why certain things happen either.  Sure, I could give the normal “preacher” answers that make sense to the head but not always the heart.  Instead, I told her that I can understand why she feels the way she does.  I told her to hang in there with God; to not give up on Him. 

The problem of evil in the world seems to be the main reason why some reject God.  I can understand that to an extent. 

I guess what helps me is knowing that God did do something about all the bad that exists in the world.  He entered into the world to redeem it.  I can see that happening as people of faith who follow the lead of Jesus step up to the plate to help alleviate the sufferings of others. 

No one will completely understand all of the mysteries of God on this side of the “curtain,” but one day we will.  And what a great day that will be!

Funny Question

Yesterday I preached a sermon using the parable of the prodigal son.  In that story, the father of the returned son tells his servant to prepare a “fatted calf” to eat. 

After the sermon and invitation, I usually ask if anyone has anything to say before we dismiss.  This is a common occurrence in smaller churches, but not so much in bigger ones.  Normally one or two adults will say something, but this time a little hand shot up from the back of the church.

It was a ten year old boy.  “I have a question.”  I acknowledged him and told him to go ahead. 

He asked, “Why did they eat a fatted calf?  Why didn’t they have a ham or something?”

Of course this generated a lot of laughter.  I told him that I would probably rather have ham, too.  Then I thought for a moment.  Jesus was speaking to Jews, so the characters in the story would have been understood as being Jews as well.  So, it could not have been a ham since their dietary laws prohibited them from eating pig. 

 What I thought was the best thing about his question is that he was listening.  I praise God for that.

A Bun in the Oven

Well, we’re going to have another baby.  After 8 years and 2 months of trying, my wife is pregnant.  We just found out today and we are extremely excited.

 Our other 4 kids are adopted and we never thought that we would have a “birth baby.”  It is a complete surprise, but one that is fantastic.  Please pray that baby and mom will stay healthy. 

 God is Good.

My Mom’s Way With Words

First, a disclaimer:  My Mom is great, loving, kind, generous, and caring.

 That being said, she is also a person who, when she opens her mouth, you never know what will come out.

 One time, there was a young man that we both know that was going to have a colonoscopy.  My mom, thinking that I may not know what that is, tried to explain it to me.  “You know, that is when they put a kaleidescope up there and look around.”  I am not sure, but I think my drink came out of my nose.

 There was another time that she was telling me, my brother, and my dad about a bad hail storm that was taking place in
Texas.  She said that “they are having hail the size of baseball bats.” 

A few years ago, she bought a raffle ticket for various prizes at the company where we both work.  One of the prizes was an All-Terrain-Vehicles (an ATV).  When she told me about buying the ticket, I asked her what she would do if she won the ATV.  She said, “I guess in the living room where the other TV is.”

To these three, I’ll add a new one.  We saw my parents tonight and as they were leaving my mom has some parting words for my 4 year old son who is in Pre-K this year.  She said, “Have fun at school tomorrow.  Try not to kill anybody.”  She sure did expect more out of me when I was in school.