Snow, Snow, Snow

Wondering if we will get some snow tonight and if so, how much. Those who know me well know that I love snow. It is probably because I have lived most of my life in the south and have never had an abundance in any given year. It seems that we usually get just enough to keep me wanting a little more. Maybe it is the kid in me. I love how it looks when those big flakes come floating the ground. I love the silence of walking at night when there are several inches of snow on the ground. I love seeing a snow covered field on a moonlit night. I love watching kids build snow men, make snow angels and just frolic in a frosty wonderland. I just love it. So, with that in mind, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are as scarlet they will be as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18

Great Day

Yesterday was a great day at HDBC. We had great crowds in each service and were excited to have nine new members representing three families. We are thrilled to have each one as a part of the HDBC family.

We did have an extra visitor with us yesterday morning. A bird found its way into the worship center and seemed to enjoy exploring the facility during both services. It was a distraction but our people handled it well and did a great job of staying focused. Thanks to Stacy Murry for escorting the flying pest back out into the wild blue where he belongs.

Looking forward to a great day today. Some of our staff are going to join me as we travel to Sherwood to attend the afternoon session of the state Evangelism Conference. For me it is a change to here some good preaching and to get my spiritual batteries recharged. The fellowship will be fun as well.

As for sports . . . Saints won, Colts won, Bulldogs lost. Ouch on that last one. We lost to a pretty good Alabama team, but it was a game that we were expected to win. This week they travel to Fayetteville to take on the Hogs. We beat them by two in Starkville but it will be much more difficult in Fayetteville.

Music

I love music. Listening to Pandora on my laptop this morning. I've created a custom mix with songs from groups and singers like the Isley Brothers, Jim Croce, Four Tops, Spinners, Third Day, Hillsong Singers, Sonny and Cher, and John Denver. Yep, it's an interesting variety, but I love it. Some days I'm in a mood for 50's, some days 60's and 70's, some days it's all about Hillsong, Third Day, Jeremy Camp and Steven Curtis Chapman. On occasion I will even choose some Country, Jazz or Blue Grass.

Music . . . what a great gift from God. I am almost never without a tune in my mind or heart. I am usually humming, whistling or singing to myself. Most of all I love to use it as a tool to worship the Lord.

Thank you God, for the gift of music. It brightens my day.

Bulldogs Win Two Games

This past week was a great week to be a Bulldog fan. Not only did we win two games, but one of those was against the Arkansas Razorbacks. This is most significant since I live in Arkansas and since many of my friends are Razorback fans. And did I mention that my wife and two of my daughters are Hog fans? Yep, we are divided family. At least for now I have bragging rights. Not sure how long that will last but I will enjoy it as long as I can. Thank you, Jana, for being on my side when it comes to the Bulldog - Razorback divide in our family.

Had a busy weekend. Friday night Jan and I attended the RCS basketball games. Saturday night we joined several other couples for a progressive supper. The food was great and the fellowship was warm. Then Sunday was a full day. I preached three times and attended three meetings. Did not get to watch any football, but I did manage to get in a short nap in the afternoon. I'm sure that is what got me through the evening.

Only God knows all that this week will hold. But that's OK. As long as He knows, I can relax and simply enjoy each day.

The Big Switch

The Big Switch happened at HDBC this past Sunday and everything went great. Shay reported 33 children in Velocity (kids church) on Sunday morning and 35 children attended the first session of the brand new children's ministry, Impact, which happens each Sunday night at 6 p.m. In addition to that our youth were divided into two areas. Some participated in a Bible Study at Jason's house while others worked with Shay as volunteers for Impact. Youth Lifechange will move back to Wednesdays this week.

Next Sunday I will begin a new sermon series called Dollars and Sense. We will exam the safest place in all the world to make financial investments. Join us for this three-message series.

Finally, the MSU bulldogs beat Ole Miss in Oxford last Saturday afternoon in basketball. Life is sweet. Now if we can take care of those Razorbacks this Thursday!

Go Dawgs.

HDBC Essentials

I'm excited about sharing some vital information with the HDBC family this Sunday morning. I'll be talking about the things that are most important for us to know and to embrace if we are to continue to accomplish our mission as a local church. The Bible makes it clear that the local church is the hope of the world. Therefore, we must not fail. It is imperative that we continue to grow in grace, knowledge and spiritual maturity. it is imperative that we continue to reach out to our neighbors, relatives, friends and co-workers through investing and inviting. It is imperative that we continue to work through Bridge 365 to touch a specific geographic region of our city. It is imperative that we continue seeking ways to share Jesus with unreached people groups like the Koyaka. So, join us Sunday morning to here the HDBC Essentials.

See you then.

2010 Begins

Now that the holidays are over it is time to get back into some kind of weekly routine. At least that is what I hoped for. Those hopes were interrupted by a serious stomach bug that decided to manifest itself around 4:30 Monday morning. I spent the day in the bed and the bathroom. Well, that is enough detail for that day. Tuesday morning I woke up feeling much better and ready to head to work. It was 10 degrees when I stepped into my truck to head for work. I turn the key only to hear silence. It would not start. I assumed I had a weak battery so I decided to jump it off using Joy's car. I pulled her car into the carport next to my truck and popped the hood to connect the two batteries. Only the hood on her car would not pop open. After several attempts and trips to two mechanics we were able to get it open. I then returned home to try to boost my truck from her battery. No go. It still would not crank. At that point I assumed it was a weak battery and decided to purchase a new one. I went to the closest Wal-mart only to find out that they were out of that particular battery. I traveled to the other Wal-mart and picked up a battery, took it home and installed it. With a little luck, I would make it to the office in time for our Tuesday morning staff meeting. It was not to be. The truck still would not crank. I tried all the tricks that I knew, including putting the gear shift into neutral. Still no luck. By this time Joy was up and preparing to return to Fayetteville. She was kind enough to take me to work in time for my staff meeting. After lunch I tried again but it still would not crank. Finally, I shifted the gear shift up and down several times and it finally cranked. Praise the Lord. It was a simple fix. Not sure what happened, but I'll take it.

So, stomach bug on Monday and car trouble on Tuesday. Can't wait for Wednesday! One thing is sure . . . God knows about Wednesday and is prepared to see me through it. He is my rock and my fortress.