Here is Sunday’s message:

I was out of town all day to conduct a funeral.  Because Sonya loves me, I come home to find out that she went to happy hour for me and I had 2 Route 44 Teas waiting for me.  That is what I call love!

It is as if a piece of me is dying.  For several months my faithful companion has been on the blink.  For no reason, at important moments, my blackberry just shuts down.  No warning…it just leaves me stranded.  It is on its last leg and pretty soon, I will have to let it go. 

I try to imagine life without it.  I am dependent on it because it hosts my schedule, address book, to-do list and sermon ideas.  It is my second-hand man, my associate pastor so to say.  AT&T now requires users to pay for internet service in order to buy a new blackberry.  They have us Crackberry addicts over the barrel.  I am a last hold out.  It is principle!  They have taken away my rights and I will not give in.  Months ago, I switched back to an ordinary phone.  Within three days, I put my old, beat-up blackberry back in action.

I know there are many other things to be sad about but…this little device has saved me from the embarrassment of missing appointments and even church (just kidding).  It is not the end of the world but perhaps I will take the franklin covey planner out of my desk.  That sounds pretty old school. 

Just wanted to share my heart  here.  I know there are many other world events that are more important.  Just needed to communicate this sad detail of my life. 

Well at least there is some good news to cheer me up.   Hannah turns four tomorrow!  What a great blessing to our lives she has been.

A soul lost in Hell…or a scratch on your new car?

Your missing the worship service…or missing a day’s work?

A sermon 10 minutes too long…or lunch half hour late?

A church not growing…or your garden not growing?

Your Bible unopened…or your newspaper unread?

The church work being neglected…or housework neglected?

Missing a good Bible study…or your favorite TV program?

The millions who do not know Christ…or your inability to keep up with the neighbors?

The cry of the multitude for bread…or your desire for another piece of German chocolate cake?

Your tithes decreasing…or your income decreasing?

Your children late for Sunday school and Church…or late for public school?

Which really disturbs you most?

—The Bible Friend-

I thought this was an interesting story:

Malachi 3:3 says: ‘He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.’

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. 

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says:  ‘ He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.’

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. 

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, ‘How do you know  when the silver is fully refined?’

He smiled at her and answered, ‘ Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.’ 

Sunday was an exciting day as we celebrated the conclusion of phase one of our remodeling project.  It was a welcomed end of several months of labor for many in our church body.

As I prepared for the celebration service I was overwhelmed by the goodness of God.  Without a doubt, God’s favor has been on RFA.  Not because of any one person but because God is a good God!  Only He could accomplish what has been done these last 18 months.

We never dreamed it would be possible to pay off the church’s debt early, but God provided and it was done last year.  We would have never dreamed that we could raise money to remodel our building debt free, but God provided and it was done.

There are many times I lacked faith to present the project to the church body, but God helped me get the courage.  There were many times when I got nervous that we would run over the budget as we added new things to our remodel list, but God provided for every need.  In fact, He provided above and beyond. 

I would like to say that I am a man of great courage and faith, but I struggle at times trusting God for the big things.  But big things to me are small things to God.  I have never been let down when I have trusted God. You would think I would learn!

I am looking forward to the future as we move onto Phase 1-1/2 (we added this before we hit phase 2).  I know that God will continue to provide as we step out in faith and work on the exterior of our building.

All Glory to God for His goodness to us!

You can check out the video that we showed Sunday in our celebration service.  Click here.  It shows some great photos of the project as well as the before an after pictures.

This last week was a milestone in mine and Sonya’s relationship.  August 20th was the 20 year anninversary of our first date.  We went to Kip’s Big Boy for a Coke and then straight to the Dollar movie to see Back to the Future 2.  I knew this was the woman for me.  #1 she said yes to a date with me and #2 she went, even though I only had 5 bucks for the date.   I guess I should throw in number 3, she had to drive on our first date because my vette was broke down.  (Chevette, in case you were wondering).  We both thought the first date was a flop.  We had been friends for quite some time but when it became a date, somehow we both changed.  We didn’t know what to talk about anymore.

Three days later we went on our second date and the rest is history.  Just for Nostalgia’s sake: August 23rd was the 20 year anniversary of our first kiss (I threw that in just to spark your comments).  You should never kiss on the first date by the way.  Chilvary is always the best way.

20 years later we are happily married.  Neither one of us thought we would have made it this far.  On that first date 20 years ago, neither one of us dreamed we would ever be married to one another.  When we got hitched, most people didn’t think we would make it.  The statistics are against married couples.  But marriage is work!  It has never been easy.  There have been lots of arguments or heated discussions.  Many trying times, but never has divorce been an option.  It takes work to stay married.  20 years later, we look back and have seen many more good times than bad.  God has been good to us! After all, He let me marry the woman of my dreams!

It has been hot lately, but I always remember it is hotter in Texas.  Received this picture by email.  It has been so hot, even the ice cream trucks are melting.