Who Do You Miss?

I’ve missed my bride this weekend. Janice left on Thursday to be with her mom for her surgery. I don’t like it when she’s gone. Even though the weekend has been full of activity, it has not been the same without Janice. Anyone who has a significant other knows what I’m feeling. I miss spending time with her.
If this is the way I feel about being away my wife, my feelings should be stronger about being away from my God. It is very easy to allow life to be filled with activities that take away from my time with God. But do I always miss Him the way I miss her? I miss my wife because we are intimate. God wants an even greater intimacy. The good news is that my wife will be home tomorrow!! The greater news is that my God is here now!!!

Yeah B.O.I.!!!!

Here is the first installment of YEAH B.O.I.!!! for 2009

Raising Your Kids In A Fishbowl: Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.TV. gives insight into how Ministers can help their Kids survive minstry life

Forever and Ever: Watch an interview with David Crowder on how the song was made.

Teenage Boys in Tight Girls Pants...NOT COOL!: Tim Stevens shares Granger Community Church's shares opener from their first mid-week service of the year. This is VERY COOL!

Live Free: Good thoughts from Scripture and Lacrae on the subject shared by Daniel Dulaney at Better Than I Deserve!

Be The Church: Hear Pete Wilson's thougths on why we need to stop playing church and be the church.

Kickin It Old School

At Southside Baptist, we kick it old school on Sunday nights and sing from the hymnals. I typically pick Hymns that I am familiar with that will match Jim's sermons. Every once and awhile, I'll let the congregation pick some of their favorites. Most people will pick what I would call the "Old Stand-By's". These are songs that everyone is familiar with. Every once and awhile I'll get thrown a curve ball and someone will call out one that I am unfamiliar with. Well I found myself stretched more than usual this past Sunday. I am glad I was stretched, otherwise, I may never have sung these words:

"And Can It Be"

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior's blood?

Dies for me, who caused His pain?

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be that

Thou, my God should die for me?

"All That Thrills My Soul Is Jesus"

Who can cheer the heart like Jesus

By His presence all divine?

True and tender, pure and precious,

O how blest to call Him Mine!

All that thrills my soul is Jesus, He is more than life to me;

And the fairest of ten thousand in my blessed Lord I see.

Aren't you thankful for Amazing Love? How does Jesus thrill your soul?

Anne Jackson is giving away $6100!!!

Anne Jackson is giving away bible software valued at $6100!!! Want to see how you can get in on the action? Check it out at flowerdust,net!

My Dogs Are Barkin!!!

I started working out again last week (No, it was not a New Year's Resolution, I just took the holidays off). When I first start back after taking off an extended period of time, my feet are really sore. (Maybe it is a sign that I am getting old.) When I get up to walk, it takes me a few steps for the pain to stop. I'm sure I am a vision of grace as I hobble along. It's the price I pay for getting out of my routine. It got me thinking about the price we pay when we get out of a routine of prayer.

My Pastor, Jim Crooks, has been preaching about spiritual warfare on Sunday evenings. The material is good stuff. This past week he was speaking on the Armor of God. He shared that the place of our spiritual armor is prayer. He said the reason so many people have trouble praying is because they don't do it on a regular basis. Some people don't even do it at all. He gave some good tips to help with one's prayer life.


1. Pray Accurately: Pray in the spirit; let the spirit direct.

2. Pray Always: In all occasions.

3. Pray in All Ways: Petition, Intercession, Confession, Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving

4. Pray Alertly: Not lazy praying; be disciplined and alert.

5. Pray for All People: Pray for the Saints

Prayer is vital to a healthy Christian walk. Maybe you struggle with having a quality prayer time. It is something that this ADD Worship Minister struggles with every day. It may be painful for you to do. Here is the deal, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. It takes discipline. I went and worked out this morning and you know what? My feet don't hurt as bad.

Yeah B.O.I. !!!

I am going to be starting a periodic blog post using a spin on the phrase made popular by Flavor Flav "Yeah Boy!" I will be sharing Blogposts Of Interest. These will be posts to people's blog that I have found interesting enough to share. Here is the first installment:

Chris Reeder posted Out of the Mouth of an Atheist. Great video!

Here is some great advice from Anne Jackson at flowerdust.net

Bob Kauflin is giving away 10 copies of the ESV Study Bible. Register to win here.

Shane Duffey's post "When the Going Gets Tough" at What Leadership Demands gives great insight into endurance.

What do you Pandora?

I am sitting in my office listening to Classical Christmas Music via Pandora. If you have not discovered the bliss that is Pandora, you can check it out here. It allows you to set up online radio stations based on favorite artists and the genre of music they fall in. It is absolutely free which makes it all the better. Besides Christmas, here are some of my favorite stations:

1. Hillsong
2. Passion
3. Michael Buble
4. James Taylor
5. Def Lepoard

If you Pandora, what are some of yours?