Two days ago we received a catalog in the mail from Samaritan’s Purse called their “Christmas Gift Catalog: 40 Gifts of Hope for a Hurting World.”  Brilliant!

To say I was impressed is an understatement.  When I think of Samaritan’s Purse, next to Franklin Graham, the first thing that pops into my mind is Operation Christmas Child.  The 2008 catalog did an excellent job of communicating that SP does so much more than OCC.  I am compelled to give more this year.  We always do the Christmas shoe boxes, but as a result of their catalog, I am compelled to give to some other needs as well.

This catalog really challenged me in many ways. I got to thinking about my kids, their friends, and the emerging generations of Christians.  What will their involvement in world evangelism look like?  Will they be involved?  Will they love God passionately, 110%, sold out? Read the rest of this entry »

We had the best weekend.  Mostly because it’s just that time of the year.  I think if we took a family vote, fall would be our favorite season.

On Friday I suprised Katie with her 30th birthday present.  It was the biggest suprise I have ever given her and it was truly one of the funnest things I have ever done for her.  Saturday was filled with flag football, a fall festival at Warren’s school and then a trip to the pumpkin patch.  We bought a few too many, but knowing my wife she had plans to give a few away, which she did.  

Saturday night, as Hudson and I were finishing up supper, it was rather quiet.  He broke the silence by saying, “Sometimes my peas get in my noodles.  Sometimes my noodles get in my peas.”  It was the most remarkable source of wisdom I had heard all week!  I laughed so hard.  He looked at me with that beam of sunshine called his smile and just grinned as if to say “I said something funny and didn’t even try to.”

God is real, true & good.  I am bursting with thankfulness right now because he first loved us, then he took the time to tell us, show us, and live with us.  Amazing.

For several years Randall House has published a magazine called CLEAR Living.  Living is a devotional/Bible study mag for adults with articles, columns, bible studies, and waaaaaayyyyyyyy to much journaling space.  

Being a guy, I am not a “natural” fan of journaling.  And, if I am going to journal, which I do from time to time, I am going to do it in an actual journal or on my blog.  

Well, as of March of 09, Living will be replaced by a new magazine called FUSION.  I have seen some samples of it and it rocks!  It’s smaller, so it is easier to carry or to fit in your bag, back pack or Bible.  Plus it is going to have a standing column by one of my favorite people in the whole world, Fred Stoeker (Every Man’s Battle and the Every Man’s Series…what a hero!), Dr. Jim Burns, Dave Ramsey and others.

I can’t wait to be able to use it.  It will be an encouragement to many and will help scores of people connect with God each week.  

One more thought, check out Jonathan Yandell’s recent post where he wants you to be involved.  If you don’t know Jonathan, he is the Sr. editor over this product (and many others), he is a champion, and he is looking for your help.  Check it out!

Hudson has figured out that my neck line is ticklish.  Last week Katie pinned me down (I let them win ) and Hud tickled my neck and thought that was pretty funny.  

So last night as I was going through the post-bath-time routine with him, as soon as I put his t-shirt on him, Katie said he dove on me like a linebacker and took me down.  The intensity in his eyes in order to get me good was impressive.  We both laughed so hard.  

For me, the most important part of my day with my boys is that last hour of the evening.  I get solid one on one time with both Warren & Hud, and I can’t get enough of it.  Sometimes I even let it drag out too long just because I don’t want to cut it short.  I love that time.  We typically will read, play a little, tell stories, do the bath-time thing, and pray together.  I shoot for fun time mixed in with a little character/spiritual impression each night.  They seem to really crave it, too.

I pray often that those times will build a foundation that lasts into eternity.