Car Update

I got some estimates on the car today. That deer did over $3000.00 worth of damage! Thank God for insurance. All I have to pay is the deductible but with three kids in college this fall anything is a lot. My couple days away got real expensive.

I really enjoyed Connection group last night. Sometimes we get too caught up in bigness. Last night we only had four in attendance but we had a great time. It was nice and relaxing. We had group at the park by the river. It was great. I left refreshed and encouraged and that is what group is all about. We want our groups to grow but we must not forget it is all about relationships. It is about doing life together. For me last night was just what I needed!

Mustang

On Thursday night while we were at the lake Cathy and I went to Patti's Settlement for dinner. It is a great place to eat with fantastic desserts. On the way home I hit a deer, right in the middle of interstate 24. It did considerable damage to the Mustang. Tomorrow I am going to get estimates. It is kind of like watching a child have surgery!

Lake Barkley

Cathy and I just got back from a couple of days at Lake Barkley. We had a great time. The boys were on a youth trip and we thought it was a good time for Cathy and I to spend by ourselves but not miss time with the boys before they go to college. It was relaxing. I got to finish a book. I read a good mystery novel.

Charles and Tyler leave for college in less than two months. They were gone for just 11 days on the youth trip and Cathy cried for three. The emotions are starting to build up. She is working with Sarah on wedding plans as well.

I am looking forward to service in the morning. I am hungry for a touch of God on our lives. We will continue the message series, "A Life Well Lived."

Tragedy

I was on my way to Louisville this morning and Tyler called from Philadelphia and told us about the shootings in Henderson. A few minutes later I received a call from Pastor Joe in Crestwood. Isn't it a small world? They knew about it there before Cathy and I did. Of course, we do not watch television in the mornings.

Our prayers go out to the families. I cannot imagine what they are going through. We pray that God will comfort and strengthen them.

It reinforces the truth that you never know when it is your time. I want to be in a continual state of readiness.

Christian School

This afternoon I met with a representative of Evansville Christian School. There is interest of starting a Christian school in Henderson. I think that would be wonderful. Our children spent a few years at ECS and we thought it was a great school. They had a good balance between Christian education and quality education. I told them they had my support and First A/G would serve anyway we could. Be in prayer. I believe Henderson has been in need of quality Christian education for a long time. Hopefully it is coming.

Wisdom

This morning in my Bible reading it said that the sensible person will keep his eyes glued on wisdom. I love that. It makes sense to try to obtain wisdom. Wisdom is understanding, direction, the right use of knowledge. Wisdom will make your life better. Wisdom will make you a better spouse, parent, and friend. Wisdom will improve your health, finances, and career. A sensible person will keep his eyes glued on wisdom. For me this means to be on a personal growth plan. To be continually learning and growing in my spiritual, mental, physical, and relational life. Who I will be five years from will be determined by what I read, watch, listen to, and the people I spend time with. If you are not a personal growth plan, I encourage you to begin one. Develop a plan that fits you. Keep your eyes glued on wisdom.

Giving in a bad Economy

Last week I spoke with Pastor Joe Girdler, our District Superintendent. He said that giving among churches was down across the state and nation. Economic times have tightened up. Gas, food, and other necessities cost more than they did one year ago. This has made every one's budget tight. There is not as much disposable income available as there once was. I know our church budget is tight. We are in the red for the year. These economic times test your faith. Will I be faithful in my tithes and offerings or will I withhold them? That is a question everyone has to ask themselves. I encourage you to remain faithful in your giving. God's Word is true during good times and bad. God is faithful during plenty and during want. I believe that if we stay faithful, God will be faithful. If we pull back and decrease missionary support, we cut off God's blessings to our church. If you pull back and don't tithe or decrease your giving, you cut off God's blessings to your finances. Keep faithful. It is easy to give during an economic boom. It is a test of faith to give in these economic conditions. Stay true to God's Word. Live by faith and not the evening news. Don't go by your feelings but God's promises. God will be faithful to you and our church.

Sunday Services

Tomorrow we will continue the message series "A Life Well Lived." We will say goodbye to our intern Ben Gomez. We will give everyone an opportunity to bless Ben with a special love offering. And most importantly we will end the service by spending time around the altar.

Tomorrow night we will resume our Connection Groups. During the summer we have a looser schedule but it is important not to get out of the habit of going. Relationships need consistency to be maintained.

It is going to be a great day. Hope to see you there.

Morning Walk

I got up this morning and took a walk. It was nice and cool. It is a great way to start a day. I pray and worship while I walk. I am a big believer in taking a walk with God! Today is my day off. Going to spend some time with Cathy relaxing.

City Prayer Meeting

Today I am going to a community prayer meeting. A group meets every Thursday from noon till 12:30 p.m. in the county courthouse to pray for our city. The group represents several churches. We gather together just for prayer. I think it is a great thing. I enjoy it because it has a set period of time and I love looking out the window of the courthouse and praying over our city. I believe God has great things for Henderson, KY. If you are available at noon, meet us at the courthouse for prayer. We meet on the third floor.

Celtics Win

The Celtics did it. They won the NBA championship. They beat the Lakers by 39 points. It was great. The last time they won the championship was 22 years ago. That is a long time. It has been a long time since one of the teams I cheer for has won a championship. It was fun watching it.

On a sad note a friend of mine passed away yesterday. Dr. Walker was my dentist. He used to hunt with my grandfather. He died at the age of 57. He had a heart attack. I did not know his family but I plan on going to the funeral home tomorrow. He was a real nice guy.

This is twice in the last week that someone in their 50's died of a heart attack. Tim Russert was only 58. Life is short. You never know when your time is up. Reminds me to make the most of everyday.

The Power of Praise

There is power in praise. Many times we make the mistake of only praising God when we feel like it. I am learning that there is great power in praising God when you are down. Nothing can lift your spirits like praising your creator. When you speak words of praise to Him the Holy Spirit works in you. I encourage you to be a person of praise. I encourage you to praise God even when you don't feel like it, in fact especially when you don't feel like it. Praising God is for your benefit not God's. God is not an egomaniac desiring people's praise. He is a perfect God. God wants you to praise him so he can lift you up. Remember when you lift God up in praise, he lifts you up when you are down. So today spend some time praising your God.

Nice Day

I had a nice Father's day yesterday. Cathy let me do exactly what I wanted to do. After church we came home and grilled out some steaks. My father and mother came over to the house and we stayed home and spent the day as a family. It was wonderful. For all the going we do, I am basically a home body. Spending time with family at home is one of my favorite things to do. And best of all they let me watch what I wanted to on television. We watched a lot of golf. Can you believe Tiger Woods hit that last put and sent it into overtime? I guess we should expect it. It seems he does it every time. He may be one of the greatest athletes of our lifetime.

Father's Day

Tomorrow is Father's Day. We are going to honor all of our men at First. We are going to have:

1) Men's breakfast
2) Men's choir
3) Free gift for every man
4) Begin new sermon series "A Life Well Lived"
5) A couple of videos to honor and challenge men

I hope every dad will be there. After the service my Father and Mother are coming to the house and we are going to grill some steaks. Looking forward just being at home and relaxing with the family.

Later in the day our student intern, Ben Gomez, will be coming into town.

Great Comeback

The Celtics were awesome last night. They were down by over 20 points in the first half. To be honest I gave up and assumed that the Lakers were going to win. When I read the paper this morning it said that Boston came back and won. They now lead the series 3 games to 1. I think they might win this thing. Last year they only won 24 games and were one of the worst teams in the NBA. This year they are on track of winning the championship. What a great turn around.

Tonight Cathy and I are having dinner with Lewis and Phyllis Nall. They are good friends of ours. Lewis pastors Calvary Temple in Owensboro. We eat lunch together at least once a month but our wives don't get an opportunity to get together very often. It is good to have friends that understand what you are going through. No one can know what it is like to be a pastor except another pastor. We have a good time together. We are looking forward to it.

Visiting Intern

Next week we are hosting a student from Southeastern University. Ben Gomez is doing his internship in the Kentucky District. He will be spending time with our pastoral staff, helping with VBS, and attending our Sunday services and Connection groups. So if you see a face you do not recognize, it is probably Ben. Please welcome him and make him feel at home. We want this to be a positive experience for him. Hopefully we can teach him some things as well.

Homerun

Last night one of my favorite baseball players reached a milestone. Ken Griffey, Jr hit his 600 homerun. He is one of six players to reach this milestone. What I like about Griffey is that he has never been accused of using steroids. Many other players of his era have been tainted by the whole steroid scandal. Griffey has never been linked with the other players. One of the reasons I believe this is true is his injury history. If Griffey had stayed healthy, he would be the homerun king. This is the only good thing happening to my favorite baseball team. Cincinnati is in last place. Oh well.

Boston Celtics

My Celtics won again last night. I have always rooted for Boston. When I was a kid Jo Jo White and Dave Cowens were my favorite players. Those Celtic teams battled the LA Lakers and Kareem Adul Jabbar. In the 80's it was Larry Bird verses Magic Johnson. The Celtics are battling the the Lakers for the title again. They are up 2-0. I hope the win the championship. The sad part is I have been so busy that I have been unable to watch much of the games, but I am still following it.

Graduation Party

Today is the graduation party. We have invited about 60 people. Mostly family, out of town guest, and the boys friends. We are looking forward to it. This is the last hurray. I am done after this.

Tomorrow I will conclude the series "Victorious Living." This last key is huge in living a life of victory. I really believe that God is on our side. I believe Jesus came to provide for us an abundant life. I also believe there is a real devil and his purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. We must learn and live the keys to victorious living.

The Bible

God always knows what we are going to face ahead of time. This last week God gave me a verse during my regular Bible reading. It was "Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord." This week whenever I felt helpless and did not know what to do, I claimed that promise. It was a huge help and comfort to me. This process of God giving me a verse is called the Holy Spirit illuminating or quickening a verse to you. The Holy Spirit makes that verse personal and applicable to you. It is a wonderful thing. I encourage you to make the Bible a part of your every day. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you.

Graduation Party

This weekend we are having a graduation party for Charles & Tyler. Some family and guests are coming in out of town. We are going to grill out and hang out. I think they have had a good experience. This kind of tops it all off. Tomorrow is my day off and am going to spend the day getting ready for the party.

Prayer & Praise

This summer on Wednesday nights we are going to have a prayer and praise service. After our family meal we will go into the sanctuary and have time of worship, teaching on prayer, and then spend time in prayer. Prayer is the engine of the church. Paul said "First of all, I want you to pray." Prayer must be a priority of the church. I encourage you to attend the summer prayer & praise service.

Cars

Last night Charles and Tyler bought new cars (new to them.) They have been saving for a couple of years. Their trucks were getting old and the gas back and forth to college would have been expensive. So they each bought a Nissan Sentra. Tyler's is silver and Charles' is white. They got good deals and they should be good cars through college. They are safe and gas efficient. Charles and Tyler were really excited. We now own seven vehicles. When they are parked in front of the house it takes up half the block. I am going to make a sign that says "Cathy's Car Lot" and stick it in the yard!

Vacation

We got home last night. We had a great time. I forgot how much the children like to be active on vacation. In three days we went to a movie, the zoo, the arch, downtown Saint Louis, Six Flags, Union Station, and a Cardinal ballgame. Cathy and I do not do half that much when we are by ourselves. I slept good each night. I think the kids a good time and that was what was important.

I encourage all our families to get away for a few days this summer. I know gas prices are up but there is nothing better than a family vacation. It does not have to be expensive. It is not what you do that matters but that you do it together. Family vacations are huge memory builders.