The Comfort of Scripture

Do you remember the Superman movie when Superman (Christopher Reeve) put aside his super-humanness so he could fall in love with Lois Lane? It was a bad time to be human, since several world events needed his attention.

I wonder what caused Cliff Lee to take off his cape last night?

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Verses that I am choosing to camp on right now:

Isaiah 41: 10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

2 Corinthians 10: 3-5: "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have DIVINE POWER to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive ever thought to make it obedient to Christ."

It is Officially a Bust

Just when a defeat of the Cowboys might have sent General Manager Jones a clear message that he is in WAY over his head, he is handed a lame excuse for the failure of the "best 1-4 team in the league" (his words). Tony Romo went down last night with a broken collarbone, so now the Cowboys' season is in peril. Yes, the quarterback that had led this preseason favorite for the Super Bowl (Jerry's prediction, as well as others) to a 1-4 record is now out for 6-8 weeks. Their future looked bright if he hadn't gotten hurt -- but now? Now things are going to be really tough.

Right.

How long will Cowboy fans keep buying this snake oil? The only way to change the future of the Cowboys is for true Cowboy fans to let Jerry know they are onto him by withholding their padding of his wallet. That is the only language he understands. I still say if not for what he was handed when he bought the team back in 1989 (the Hershel Walker trade), this man would have delivered 21 years of drought. Instead, it has only been 15 years.

Heal quickly, Tony. I hope that bone heals stronger than ever, because you have a lot to carry on your back.

Rangers in the World Series!

I really never expected to be writing a blog on this subject: The Texas Rangers are going to the World Series! They pretty much annihilated the 2nd-best AL team that money couldn't secure a championship for. That is a huge victory in and of itself -- beating the Yankees. From here on is icing on the cake.

Just think: The Rangers are only two victories away from being World Champions. I say that assuming that Cliff Lee will deliver two victories -- so it's really a 2 out of 5 series after that (I'm saying that with a smile, OK).

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I challenged our congregation yesterday to "A Conspiracy of Kindness." I am hoping that our Lifegroups spent time last night brainstorming ways in which we can practice kindness throughout Wise County. I know our Lifegroup came up with some good ideas as the holidays approach.

Followers of Kindness

As I preach through the fruit of the Spirit, this week I come to "kindness." I have been reminded how important this trait is for those who claim to be Christlike. I also wonder if the world would identify Christians as bearing this trait.

I came across a book entitled Conspiracy of Kindness. I think I am going to encourage our church to live by this theme -- and intentionally practice the kindness of Jesus.

I realize I am giving away some of my sermon for this Sunday, but I found this very interesting: The Greek word for "kindness" is "chresto." The Greek word for "Christ" is "christo." Because the words sound somewhat the same, early Christian writers tell us that some people referred to Christians not as "followers of Christ" (Christo), but "followers of kindness" (chresto).

I still obviously want to be identified as a follower of Christ. But I think it would be really cool if I (we) could be known as followers of kindness as well.

This Guy Can Pitch

I am trying to keep my expectations tempered right now about the Rangers making the World Series. Surely Cliff Lee could tough it up and pitch today and tomorrow.

That was some of the most awesome pitching I have ever seen. The only more dominant pitching I can remember was back in 1986 when Mike Scott was in his stride for the Astros -- throwing the nastiest split-finger fastballs ever. Of course he was probably doctoring the ball, too. The only doctoring Lee is doing is throwing laser-precision pitches within centimeters of where he wants them.

I keep saying "If only" right now -- thinking back to game 1. One game at a time, boys.

And I'm also hoping that Lee really likes Texas. I like him and want him to remain a Ranger. It would be sad to see him join the traitors ARod and Teixeira in Yankee pinstripes next year.

A Great Week

Beverly and I have returned from a wonderful trip to the Port Aransas area. This included two nights in San Antonio as well. We managed to eat three meals in San Antonio: One at Mi Tierra and two at La Margarita. We sat outside on a beautiful Friday night and found ourselves wishing we could stay for hours.

Our time on the coast was just what the doctor ordered. Beverly finds the surf to be extremely therapeutic, and she got to spend three days sitting on the beach. I find the golf course to be equally therapeautic. So, she would drop me and my college roommate off at the golf course, and she and his wife would drive over the dunes to the beach 2 minutes away. It was perfect.

We ate as some good restaurants that overlooked the yacht basin. Wonderful times!

We are SO indebted to the couple who allowed us to use their house in Aransas Pass. Each morning we would get up and go sit on the patio with a cup of coffee, our bibles and devotional books. About lunch time, we would head in to eat and prepare for the afternoon. I think I could get used to such a schedule:)

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Go Rangers! Beat the Evil Empire!

Unbelievably, Dale Hanson still leads each sportscast with 5 minutes of the Cowboys -- followed by passing mention of the Rangers. Jerry grins all the way to the bank.

We didn't have cable or satellite on the coast, so we followed game 5 of the Rangers-Rays series on my blackberry. We thought we would catch the highlights on the Corpus news that night. So we tuned in. The 1st story was about 3 minutes on the local high school girls' cross-country team. This was followed by a play-by-play of the girls' volleyball game. At the end of the broadcast, the sportscaster said, "And congratulations to the Rangers."

One of My Greatest Treasures

I will be out of the office for a few days. Probably won't blog until I get back.

1st of all, congratulations to the Rangers for a well-played win yesterday. Here's hoping that they can go up 2-0 as they head back to Arlington.

Saturday is my birthday. Below is a treasure I want to share with you. It is words my daughter blessed me with on her blog for my birthday in 2005. Saturday is going to seem incomplete without hearing her voice.

My Hero!

Yesterday was my dad's birthday! My dad is my hero!! I celebrate him!
I can remember my dad rocking me to sleep everynight until I was about 12 (just kidding, really about 6). After my mom washed my hair I used to sit with my dad and he would blow dry and brush my hair. He did it way more gentle than Mom. And now Malaya's favorite person to blowdry and brush her hair is Grampy!! I remember watching in awe as a little girl as we watched "Jesus of Nazareth" and looking back at my dad as tears fell down his face when Christ was crucified. I remember going to and watching numerous Astros games. I remember Dad recording us as kids talking, singing, singing the books of the Bible on audio cassettes. I remember when Dad bought me a wrist corsage to wear to my piano recital. I still to this day have that corsage. I remember Dad's spankings always followed with an "I love you". I remember working in the garden with Dad pulling vegetables and helping him "dig". I remember helping Dad clean the church building. I remember as Dad would lead Bible studies at church and as people would accept Jesus as their Lord b/c of Dad's example and teaching.
I remember when Dad decided to answer the Lord's calling to become a minister/teacher/mentor and we moved to Crockett. I remember being so proud of him as he would get up to preach each Sunday. I remember our Thursday night Bible Studies and again as more people came to know Jesus through his teaching. I remember him picking me up from school in a pick up truck with a huge rust hole in the middle of it. And I could here Dad coming as I was sitting in my last class:) I remember Dad's teasing about my first "boyfriend", Chad Reminakjsdhfakjsdhlf (I never could spell his last name:) I remember going to visit elderly people from church with Dad and love getting to watch as he handed Jesus' compassion and love and respect to them. I remember when I walked down the aisle to be baptized and my dad reached his hand out to me. I remember looking into his eyes as he was about to baptize me and feeling his love and fatherly pride. I remember when a boy hugged me a little too long in front of my dad and I thought my dad was going to have a heart attack and his eyes pop out of his head:)
I remember getting my first real boyfriends. One became known as "The Dude". It didn't take boyfriends long to respect my dad and to become familiar with "Dad's chair". I remember picking out my first car with Dad. I remember when Dad spoke at my 5A high school's Baccalaureate and I remember being so proud of him.
I remember when Dad took me to college day. I was so nervous but felt so "taken care of" by my dad. I remember when Dad and Mom took me to ACU to stay. I loved hearing Dad pray over me as they were leaving me.
I remember when David asked Dad if he could marry me. Dad said yes and asked one thing of David. He said, "Her mom and I have protected her heart from the minute she was born and now I ask that you do the same." I remember Dad walking me down the aisle and performing the most beautiful marriage ceremony I have ever seen. I felt so blessed to have him play that part in my day. I remember the night before Malaya was born and him calling the family around me and he led our family in prayer as we welcomed in the next generation. I remember the joy he radiated as he became "Grampy". And again, a few hours after Malaya was born he had everyone circle around in our hospital room as we rejoiced and lifted up a prayer of joy and gratitude for Malaya's safe arrival. I remember that Dad could put Malaya to sleep like no one else.
I remember as our familiy went through an extremely rough year. And as that year evolved Dad still remained strong, confident, and Godly. He never lowered himself or gave up his convictions to suit others. He held his integrity. He held his boldness. He held his devotion to a committed situation even though it stunk. He held our family together and encouraged us even though he was the one being attacked and treated in ungodly ways. I watched on Jan. 9th in utmost admiration and respect as he held his honor and composure in a situation that seemed hopeless, pitiful and sick. He was my mom's rock and our family's rock during that storm in our lives. And Christ still redeemed our family through grace.
I remember as people from Decatur started calling Dad. I was thrilled when Dad accepted the job there. I love watching the people there love on my parents, listen in respect to his teaching, accept him as a man of God, and encourage him.

Thanks Dad for being you! Thanks for your guidance, your discipline, your countless prayers over us three kids, your love for our mom, your devotion, your loyalty, your encouragement, your leadership, your forgiveness, your wisdom, your example of Jesus, you being a student of God's word, your committment to ministry, your example of friendship, your untradable "Grampy-ness", and your testimony of a life of faith. The people that you have blessed, encouraged, brought to know the Lord, and led into deeper relationship with the Lord are countless!!

I love you, Dad and we celebrate your life!!

I love you, too, my precious girl! I cannot WAIT to see you again!

Ryder Cup Recap

I enjoyed watching the Ryder Cup over the weekend. Incredibly it came down to the last match. The US team actually lost the match on Sunday afternoon when they won only 1/2 point in 6 matches. It was not because Hunter Mahan miss-hit a chip shot in the last singles' match yesterday.

I like a lot of the European players: Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Luke Donald, Darren Clarke, etc. I even kind of like Colin Montgomery in a kind of sympathetic way. He may be the greatest golfer to have never won a major title.

But Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter absolutely drive me crazy. And so I ask myself: Would I like them if they were on the American team? Honest answer? I don't know.

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The weather here in Decatur for the last week has been absolutely gorgeous! Low 50s in the mornings and 70s during the day. I would like to bottle a few of these and break them out occasionally in July and August.

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Saturday Beverly and I will travel to San Antonio to meet up with my college roommate and his wife. He preaches for the Northwest Church of Christ there. One of his members had kept up with our Carepages during Jenny's illness. This individual has a house in Rockport, Texas and wants to open it to us for a few days. So the four of us will be spending a few days on the coast next week. Beverly and I are desperately looking forward to it. God has blessed us with so many kind people!

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GO RANGERS!