Roll Tide!

I know we lost, but we had a great family day as always. Happy the Elf on the Shelf even made an appearance.

We will get the Tigers next time. RTR!

Southside Baptist Christmas Program

Will was in our church Christmas program. Nope, he wasn't exactly thrilled to be in the program, but did a good job. Looked at his mom the whole time. It was great!

As you can tell he was the youngest boy in the program.

He did good. Probably have to bribe him next year.

Good job buddy!

7 Years Old and Counting!

My big man turned 7. He had a party with his friends at the skating rink in Winfield. It was a blast.

Wow, I can't believe he is already 7.

Hawk

Will and I spotted this hawk the other day at the storage units. We were there getting the Christmas decorations out when we noticed this beautiful bird. It let us get within just 6-10 feet from it before finally flying. When it did fly there was no rush. He took his time and it was awesome! The units are beside a large field. I guess he was looking for a little lunch.

Misc Photos

Prior to UA vs Miss State 2010

UA vs Southern Miss 2004

Balloon Blast 2005

Home Sweet Home

Just a shot of the house. Thought it looked nice with all the leaves gone. No, I didn't get them up. Thanks to J&J Lawn Care!

I'm thankful for our home.

40th Birthday

Well, Wednesday was my 40th bday. Wow, 40. Sounds weird to say.

I had a great day! Donna and Will went all out to make sure it was a day to remember. This meant pink flamingos in my office lawn and a surprise party waiting when we arrived home from church that night.

Thanks to all that sent me a text, email or gave me a call. Also, thanks to those that sent the funeral spray to my office.

I look forward to many more.

Homecoming Parade - Fayette County HS

I'm sorry about the size of this pic. It is a pic of Will, Donna and a couple of Will's buddies getting ready to ride in the homecoming parade. Donna and Will dreamed this up. Borrowed a car from a friend (a conv vette) and off they went. They had a great time as the whole town turns out for this parade. They tossed candy the whole time. I think Donna had bought 5 big bags.

Great Friday afternoon. I love this small town we live in. Great way of life!

Fayette HC pep rally

Just a couple of pics from the FCHS bonfire and pep rally. Will and I have gone the last couple of years. He really enjoys it. Of course, Will enjoys anything where he can see people and talk.

Photos above include the fire (WB favorite), cheerleaders leading the pep rally and Will with Madi Freeman.

By the way, Tigers one a big one. Ranked in the top 10 in class 4a.

Roll Tide! Bama vs. Ole Miss 10/16/2010

My big man with Big Al. Will has let us know that he has now decided that Big Al may be his best chance of being on field during a football game. Seriously, I would love that. His personality fits that as well. Hey, it doesn't hurt to dream.

Roll Tide!

Bible School 2010

I forgot to post these photos from Chapel Hill's summer Bible School. Of course, Will had to go every day. This means Donna getting up early and driving him to Northport. Will loves going to VBS at CHBC with his cousins and of course, Grams is there.

This brings back great memories, because I certainly went to CHBC VBS all my childhood.

In the picture above you will see Chloe (sister's daughter) and Will up front. Anna Jane and Caleb (brothers kids) in the back. For the record, Caleb helped teaching a class. Yes, he is too big to be 1-6 grade.

Will Brown - 1st grade

This is Will Brown the 1st grader. Yep, my baby boy started 1st grade last Thursday. Tomorrow is our first Monday of the new year.

Thursday went great. We had a wonderful time at the open house on Tuesday and Will had no problems on Thursday morning. Donna walked him in to his class and all was well. A lot different than last year when he cried for about 2 weeks.

Yes, Will loved school and his teacher last year, but he loves his mama and leaving is tough. Hey, I understand. But, he did great and we are expecting another fabulous year in Ms. Grayson's class. She is a great teacher with a wonderful reputation.

Our prayer for Will is that he will be a leader in his class this year.

Hey, one side note: Do you think he looks like his daddy here? Also, please note that he has a couple teeth breaking through.

NYC - Summer 2010

Will looking off of the Empire State Building

Yankee Stadium

NBC Studios

Naked Cowgirl

We took another trip to NYC. This trip was me, Donna and Will along with my brother (his family) and my sister (her family). We had a great time taking the kids back to see the sites once again. The kids had not been in a few years and this time each was older and able to enjoy more than before.

The purpose of the trip was actually to go watch the Yankees vs. Mets baseball game. We had a blast. Yankees won! It was a great trip and a great time together.

Where are my teeth?

The top teeth are gone!

Will with 1 tooth gone on top and the other hanging on for life.

As you can see, Will has managed to pull both bottom teeth and now both of the top teeth. Wow, my baby boy is growing up.

Memorial Day 2010

Donna and Will enjoying the sun.

Here is a pic of Will and Forrest Deal at the Fun Golf course.

We spent Memorial Day at the beach in Orange Beach. We had a great time. We left on Friday night and stayed until Tuesday.

The Deals and the Cottons were at the beach, so we had a great time just hanging out with their families. Will especially enjoyed himself because it gave him friends to play with at all times. The only problem was how late we got into bed each night. I was worn out. I'm getting older. I need my rest. By the way, Will and Donna got the master bed and I was sent to the guest room to sleep on a single bed. Story of my life!

We did the usual things; eating good, playing on the beach and diving for shells. The beach was beautiful (may not be much longer with the oil) and the water was nice. Our family loves the beach and hope to be able to return this year. It makes us sad that it could be destroyed for some time due to the spill.

Dodgers - The Year That Was!

Well, here are my Dodgers. They had an awesome year! We finished the year at 9-2-1. 9 wins. That was great. We had a fun year. My group was a mixture of kids that had played before and some that had not. All of them made wonderful improvement and I was so proud of them.

Can you pick Will out from the photo above?

Will had a great year. He was selected to the All-Star Team and I was asked to coach the team. Problem is that we are going to be out of town the weekend of All-Stars, so we had to politely say thanks, but no thanks. It is killing me. I wanted to coach a lot more than Will cared about playing. Its just a goal that I had always thought about. Coaching my own son on an All-Star team. If you are a sports fan that is just a big deal. Especially if you really didn't know if you would ever have a kid.

Oh, well there will be other years. Hey, we are going to New York to watch the Yankees vs. Mets during that weekend. Not a bad trade.

Thought you might like to see my team. Again, a great group. We finished in 2/3 place out of 9 teams. The first place team finished 10-1-1. The loss and tie they had were compliments of my Dodgers. Oh it was sweet.

See you next year on the field. I have to get ready for basketball now.

Dodgers Still Hot!

Well, Will and the team are still hot. 7 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie. We are sitting alone at 2nd place in the league behind the Cardinals from Berry. Our kids have been playing great! I don't know if it will last, but right now from top to bottom they are really doing good.

It's fun to watch. Will is growing to enjoy the game more and more. He has even asked me already about pitching machine league next year. That's good for Will. He has such a diverse interest in things (he loves space and the ocean and nature. baseball or ball in general is just another area.) that who knows if he will grow to love the game like I do (and his mama).

We are taking him in June up to New York to watch the Yankees vs. Mets. I went last year to watch the Yanks vs. Red Soxs. It was awesome. Look back in the August 2009 archives and find the article. However, this year Will and Donna wanted to go, so we invited my brother and sister and their families. We have 10 of us going. I got us good seats at Yankee stadium and I really look forward to going.

Oh well, stay tuned and I will keep you posted on the Dodgers. 3 more games to go. All against tough teams. Man I love this game. The competition just gets me fired up.

God bless.

MB

Contributing to God

I want to challenge you to contribute this week. Contribute to the Lord’s work. Each of us is called to give an offering. An offering of our $, time and talent. Yes, you have a talent. Each of you has been equipped to serve (God doesn’t always call the equipped, but He will always equips the called.) Use your talent to serve as we saw with the Children of Israel building the tabernacle.
It will mean that you must give up some time. I know, where are we going to find another minute? Well, I dare say that most of us waste a minute or two during the day. Prioritizing helps. Look for ways to use your time for His work. It can be during the course of your busy day. What a refreshing feeling when you realize that YOU may a difference in the Kingdom.
Lastly, it’s our $. I know, we are in a recession. Times are tough. I got bills! Listen, owning my own business I know about this. However, I encourage you to give. Easier said sometimes than done, but I assure you that God is faithful. He will meet our needs. Maybe not exactly like we want all the time, but he supplies each of our needs.
I have included a few verses/thoughts below. I believe before we can really receive the $ blessing God has for us me must learn the following:
1. 1 Tim 6:10 – the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Where does the love of money get you? What matters is your love for God.
2. 1 Peter 5:2 – Greed causes trouble. Causes jealous feelings. Envy. Takes your mind off Christ and onto what everyone else has.
3. Malachi 3: 8-10 – You must learn to pass it on. Never grow so attached to $ that you can’t let a dollar go. Find someone this week to just bless. Give them $5 and buy lunch. Stop at Chevron and get them a $10 gas card. Learn to let it pass through your hands. It is when we have the proper perspective of $ that God can see we can handle a little more. Remember, he commands us to give a tithe (10%). I really believe the blessings start to flow when you go above the commanded level and give that offering.
Just a few thoughts to ponder. You may not be able to do it all at once, but start somewhere. Something is better than nothing. Start today (if you have not been giving your talent, time and $)!
MB

Do You Under-Estimate God?

Have we underestimated God?

* I mean we all know God is good and God great..........- each of us know that phrase along with our children, but do we know just how good and how great?

* I mean each of us knows that Jesus loves the little children of the world, but we do know how just much he loves them?

* We sing songs and pray prayers acknowledging our reverence and praise for him, but do we really believe what we say?

I ask you again, but in a more personal way: Have you underestimated God?

* Have we/do we allow ourselves to keep God confined only to those places that we desire him to exist. Maybe only in our NEEDS or WANTS. Maybe we confine him to the pages of a book or the chorus of a song.

Dare we underestimate God?


Genesis 1:1-2

- let yourself picture that at this time there was nothing. No skys. No earth. No sun. No moon. No birds of the air or fish of the sea. There was no morning and there was no evening.

-However, the Spirit of God was present.

- We know that for the remainder of chapter 1 and into chapter 2 God creates everything. Not with the help of others, but by simply speaking it into being.


**I want us remember just who it is we worship and why he deserves our worship.

1) God has always been God.

* Psalm 90:2 - Psalmist recognizes that before anything there was always God.
*Psalm 102:25 - "In the beginning/by your power"

- As I coach Will and watch other ballplayers I try to look for skill sets that may be used for the future. Teachers look for abilities that students have so they can develop them and grow them. NO need here folks. God has always been completely God. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. (John 1:1-10)

2) God doesn't have to have our input.

- I am terrible about trying to explain to God how a certian event or situation should proceed. I think it is obvious that at these times I forget who I am speaking with.

- You wonder if God doesn't just sit back at times and just marvel at the arrogance of each of us.

* Genesis 1:3 - Nowhere in that verse does it say that he needed to run it past Mark. Nowhere does he say that he had to wait on the Baptist to approve it. The verse simply says, God SPOKE and it was.

* Psalm 33:6, 9 - God is all powerful! Church, understand that if you are a Christian you serve THE SUPREME being. At his command is all power. What are we missing in our own lives when we underestimate God in this area.

- EX: I will do anything for my son. Anything that is in his best interest. All he has to do is ask and follow through with his end of the deal. Anything. If it is in my power I will do my bestto provide.

We serve a father that will meet not just our needs, but our desires when we are in his will. Oh, I am limited. I am limited by ability. I am limited by time. I am limited by resources. NOT God! There is nothing he can not do. He created time and he owns everything we see.


3) Everything God touched or spoke into being was Good (its you and I that messed it up)

* Genesis 1:4, 10, 12 and 31

- each item/area was good. Not on its own merit, but because God created.

- Oh folks, we live in a messed up world. We live among messed up and confused people (just look to your left and right). It was not a flaw in the creation ability of God. NO. It was a decision that you and I made (in the beings of Adam and Eve). We felt that WE could do things better than a HOLY and PERFECT God. Look at where it got us!

4)From the beginning of time WE were on God's mind

- In vs 26 God speaks man into being. At this point God knows then that we would have to have a way to him because of the decisions we would make.

* John 10:10 - the thief comes.....I have come (Jesus who is GOD) to give FULL life.
*John 14:6 - I am the way, the truth and the life........
*John 3:16 - Whosoever...... - God gives a piece of himself.



I get back to my original question: Have you under estimated God? Have you forgotten exactly who he is?

Today he wants you to remember:

* He is the God of a beautiful sunrise on a clear and cloudless morning.

* He is the God that made the lightning bugs that dot the warm summer evening.

*He is the God that formed the cry of a new born baby as he enters this earth or the laughter that comes from a child whose "giggle box" has been turned on.

*Folks he is the God that sends the summer rain and its sweet smell. He then follows it up with a rainbow that seems to have every color in the box.


*But most importantly, He is the God that WAS all. He is the God that IS all and He is the God that WILL BE all.

* And he loves you so much that he made a special way for you to spend eternity with him.

Slow Fade devotional

It's a slow fade when you give yourself awayIt's a slow fade when black and white have turned to grayThoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paidWhen you give yourself awayPeople never crumble in a dayDaddies never crumble in a dayFamilies never crumble in a day
These are the lyrics that Julie sang as part of her testimony. Isn’t it true? You know, normally one never just wakes up and decides to be a drug addict. One never wakes up and just decides to be a murderer. One never wakes up and decides they will commit adultery that particular day. One never wakes up and just decides to quit coming to church. (For the record, Julie didn’t confess to murder, drugs, adultery or quitting church. I just used those for my example. HaHa!)
No, in most cases it is a simple thought that satan plants. Maybe it is just an experiment. Maybe it is just “this once” and I will be done. How about, I’m tired and missing one day doesn’t hurt. However, what occurs is that we then become less aware of where we are with the Lord. Oh, we look around and pick our examples to compare to. The problem is the examples that we use to measure against. Men. Sinful man. We never want to compare to the Word. The example of Christ. No, that will reveal too much. That will reveal the “slow fade.”
I want you to think just a moment about these words. Where are you? Are you allowing satan to plant thoughts. Are you committing the “small sins” of this world. Do you think spiritual thoughts? Are you convicted by the Holy Spirit during the course of your day?
The “fade” is scary. I think we have all realized at some point that we have moved from where we should be to a point that we never wanted to go. I encourage you to be aware. Watch what you do. Watch what you say. Watch where you go. Watch what you allow into your life.
Julie, thanks on behalf of our entire class for reminding us that we must be aware.
John 10:10 – The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.
The thief (satan) is a cleaver devil. He knows your buttons. He knows your weaknesses. Be on guard. Trust in Christ and the strength that he provides. I don’t know about you, but I want the “full life.” Wow, can you imagine what the “full life” must be if Christ calls it that? I really believe it is beyond our imagination.
God bless you. Have a wonderful week.
MB

10 Commandments devotional

Ok, Sundays lesson was the 10 Commandments. How many have you broken this week? Be honest! I know, too many to count like me. Hey, and I am having a good week.
Just kidding. I do want you to think about the following:
1. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. – What Gods do you have? Why? How have these false Gods taken your eyes off the true God? God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Remember, Buddha can’t help you. John Smith can’t help you. Muhammad can’t help you. Dali Lama can’t help you. Oh, each may have some good sayings. Each may have some good things about them. However, only Creator God can save you. Only Creator God can heal you. Only Creator God is listening when no one else cares. Get my point.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. – Idols. We all struggle at some point with idols. What is it about an idol. I think Randall made the statement Sunday that you can touch it. See it. I think that is exactly our problem. We must have more faith. Faith that even though we can’t touch with our hand we can believe in his nail scared hand. Faith that even though we can’t rub a fat little belly like on Buddha we can read in the Word about the nail pierced side. Don’t let the cross become an idol, but if you need a picture, that is it. Christ on the cross. Dying for you and me. Now that is worthy of worship.
3. Thou shalt not take the Lords name in vain. – Ok, as I said Sunday, this is not just cursing. It is also making a mockery of our Gods name. Let’s not be a part of either.
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. – Each of you know that we celebrate Sunday as the Sabbath. Thus, we remember. Our focus must be to keep it holy. Use the day as a day of rest to refocus each week on the cross. Re-focus on the gift of salvation that God has given. Re-focus our lives towards worship.
5. Honor your father and mother so that you may have a long life. – God took this serious. A commandment with a promise!
6. Do not murder. – Hey, not just the actual killing of my physical body. Have you murdered someone in thought? Have you murdered someone’s reputation?
7. Do not commit adultery. – Yes, the actual act of adultery. I don’t have to go into much detail. However, it goes further. It’s a mental thing too. I told you Sunday that a lot of physical acts of sin (drugs, adultery, murder) begin in the mind. Adultery can be committed only in the mind. Yes, this is sin. This too will cause you problems. You can’t be the daddy/mother/husband/wife that you should be if you mentally you are somewhere else with someone else.
8. Do not steal. – Stealing a personal item. Stealing the joy. Taking something that is not yours from someone else without permission.
9. Do not give false testimony against your neighbor. – Stop gossiping!
10. Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbors wife, his male/female slave, his ox/donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. – We live in a generation that covets. Oh, we may not admit it, but we (you and me) do. “I wish my house…..” “ I wish my job paid……..” “my life is not as good as his/hers because…….” True satisfaction in life is found in a relationship with Christ.
Re-read Ex. 20: 1-17. Helps to remember and ponder.
Remember that God gave us these commandments not to confine us. He gave us these to provide freedom. Freedom in HIM! When we are completely focused on him and following these rules for our life it takes a lot of the problems/questions away. We will sometimes look at rules as binding. Taking away our freedom. Keeping us from having “fun.” However, the commandments open us up to a life that is truly FUN. Liberation in Christ!
Have a great week. Wedding seminar this weekend. You can still come. Donna is making………I mean Donna and I will be there. Hey, Will is going to my folks for the night. How long is the class going to last? (Sorry honey, I thought that was funny.)
Be salt and light.
God bless,
MB

3 Wins 1 Loss 1 Tie

The Dodgers are off to a fast start. Our little team is doing ok. We have won 3 of the first 5 we played and had a great game where we tied the best team in Berry.

Will is doing good. He has already hit a homerun and stopping most anything that comes close to him at 2nd. You should have seen him. It was awesome! I was certainly a proud dad. His mom went crazy. Yep, I always get blamed for enjoying this ball too much. However, Donna seems to enjoy just as much as I do.

Randy Doran and Dwight Burris are my assistants again this year. Their boys are all off to good starts.

5 games down and 7 to go. Who knows? With 5 and 6 year old boys/girls I have learned that you never know what you are going to get.

Go Dodgers!!

Holy Week 2010

Holy Week 2010. A week that we as Christians think about the last week of Christs life as he approaches the Crucifixion on that rugged cross.

I have encouraged the Sunday school class that I teach to begin reading at Matthew 21. This is the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and begins his last days. There are many fascinating things and conversations that are recorded from chapter 21 through the end of the book of Matthew. Jesus obviously riding into town on the donkey. Jesus overturning the tables in the temple. Even information on paying taxes and the greatest commandment are all found in the chapters following 21.

Folks, this is our week. Our week to realize that even though life can be hard. Even though life is stressful. Even though some things don't always go the way we want. We have won the war when Christ got up out of the grave and walked out.

Buddha didn't do that. Mohammad didn't do that. John Smith (Mormon) didn't do that. Dali Lama didn't do that. Only JESUS! There is only 1 true God. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God of David. Christ the God-Man. God the Father. God the Son. God the Holy Spirit.

I encourage you this week to Stop, Look and Listen:

Stop - Take time to pause for a moment. Its hard. I have a problem slowing down. However, just take a moment to stop.

Look - Take a moment once you have stopped to look around and see the wonderful things that God has spoken into being. See the trees bloom. See the grass begin to green. Rebirth! Isn't that what Christ did for us? An opportunity for rebirth in Christ.

Listen - Take a moment and just listen for God to speak to you. I have a hard time shutting my mouth, but when we do he will speak. When we earnestly desire to hear from him we will hear. Sometimes it is not what we desire, but we hear. This week as you study his Word, just listen.

I hope you have a great Holy Week and Easter. If you have never met my friend, Jesus, just ask. I would like to tell you about him.

God bless!

Baseball Practice

Well, practice has started for the mighty Dodgers. Ok, just the Dodgers. Mighty is yet to be determined.

It has fun to get to know our kids. Some I was familiar with, but others are brand new to me. Overall they seem to be a good bunch of kids. A few have really surprised me with their ability.

Will is hitting good so far in practice. He still needs a little work on his throwing. Of course, I am too hard on him, so we leave that work up to his mother. He would rather hang out with her anyway.

He is hitting good and so far has been my most consistent hitter. The season starts with a jamboree on April 9, 2010, with the first official games played on Monday the 12th. I can't wait. I do get excited. Probably too excited, but it's fun to watch those kids that have talent even at 5-6 years old begin to develop. You can see it in a few of them.

I will keep you up date with results and photos.

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!11

The Dodgers

Well, baseball season is underway here in Fayette. We had our 5-6 year old coach pitch draft last week. I am again assisted by Dwight Burris (better known as Khiry and Kory's dad) and Randy Doran (better known as Daniel "Big D" Doran's dad).

Dwight and I had a pretty good night at the draft. Alot of 5 year old kids and overall just alot of kids that we didn't know. Dwight knew a few via youth football, so we have a few of his players. He says they are a spirited bunch, but he can handle them.

We were able to get another buddy of Will's that is named Kaleb. Yep, Kaleb with a K. That's what we call him. Will was excited.

We are ready to play. The first practice is Friday, March 12. The jamboree is April 9 with the season officially underway on April 12.

Let's play ball!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucky the Dog, Not so Lucky

Many of you are aware of our dog situation. Let me recap for you in case you forgot:

1. August 2007 we get Buzz 1 from someone at church. We loved this little Weenie Dog. He was a neighborhood favorite with man and dog. However, I ran over him one evening when we were leaving for dinner. He ran right up under the vehicle. This happened somewhere around August 08.

2. Sept 2008 we get Buzz 2 (weenie dog 2) from a kennel in Tuscaloosa. He looks just like Buzz 2. Wonderful little puppy that everyone loved. However, after not coming home one Sunday afternoon Will and I go riding trying to find him. Well, we did. Dead on the side of the road. He apparently had either followed other dogs to the main road or chased deer and met the wheel of a car. Dead dog #2.

3. Fall 2009 we get Lucky (weenie dog 3). Will names her Lucky because he feels this is the lucky dog. Well, maybe not. Just as she is getting big enough to go outside she gets ran over today in the drive-way by a local utility worker coming to read the gas meter. Yep, dog 3 gone!

Today was a day of ups and downs for Will. I had Donna bring him by the office after school. He was excited to see me, because he had a surprise to share. While at school today he pulled his first tooth. Front tooth on the bottom. After sharing this excitement I had to break the bad news. He did great! Oh, he was sad, but he did better than his mom and dad. What a kid!

Tonight I was telling him how proud I was of him in regards to how he handled the news. He looked up at me and asked, "was I brave?" I was even prouder as I explained to him that he was brave. I'm telling you folks, this kid has a special quality about him.

Well, mom says we are waiting a little while to decide on another dog. Hopefully we will not have to wait too long before I share the next unfortunate animal to be named our pet. I'm afraid that dogs are going to start telling each other not to come to our home.

Hey, maybe we should just play with the neighbors dog?

Tiger Speaks

Well, Tiger Woods went on TV today to tell the world how sorry he was for his mistakes. Yes, I have a couple of thoughts. They are as follows:

First: Forgiveness is available to all men thanks to a loving God (not Buddha). If Tiger is truly sorry for his transgressions then God will forgive him. However, he must come to the Lord and ask.

Second: I thought his forgiveness speech was terrible. He came across to me as a student in a Speech 101 class in Jr College who was giving their first speech in front of a class. Hey, practice next time before getting on tv.

Third: Was he sorry for the sin or sorry he got caught? Hey, I don't know his heart. I just ask the questions.

Fourth: Don't complain about the media when the media is who made you.

Fifth: Place your Hope in the teachings of Christ and not a little fat dude named Buddha. Maybe this should be the 1st step in your rehab.

Look, many of you know that I have always questioned the allegiance to Tiger. All I saw was a guy that had the eyes of the world on him and he repeatedly used God's name in vain and other curse words. All of this while the cameras were on him. That is NO role model. Atleast not for my child.

However, I hope that he is sincere. I hope that he does change. I hope that he does save his marriage. I hope that he does come out on the other side of this thing a better person. Most of all, I hope he finds the Lord during this ordeal in his life. If that occurs then this situation would turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to him. Not that what has happened can ever be considered good, but the bad can be turned into a positive for him. Afterall, eternity is much more important than the popularity, money and power of this world.

Happpy Birthday to Khiry and Kory

Will's buds, Khiry and Kory turned 6 the other day. Will and I went over to their house last Saturday for a birthday party and had a great time. These are great kids with a fantastic family. I'm glad they are Will's buddies.

Happy birthday guys!

Feed the Hungry

The other Saturday, me, Donna and Will had the opportunity to go work with a ministry project that my brother-in-law and sister direct in Tuscaloosa. Let me give you a little background:

A month or so ago my sisters husband, John had the bright idea that he would make what I call a mobile kitchen. He would take this mobile kitchen to areas of need in/around Tuscaloosa and set up. There they would feed people plus offer clothing and simple conversation. Basically, just to show people that they are loved regardless of their color or social standing.

Well, this has been a big hit with their church friends. They have had an outpouring of support ranging from money to clothing to food to boots on the ground.

Donna, Will and I had heard our family describe what a blessing they were receiving by being a part, so we joined in the fun. I can say that it was truly a blessing. We set up in an area east of Tuscaloosa that by most people would be consider low income. Mostly Hispanic. The residents really appreciated the help.

While we were knocking on doors explaining what was going on there were other people helping people with clothing (rack after rack of clothes). Others were helping with food and letting the kids get toys. The greatest thing was seeing my son and the other volunteer kids playing with the kids from the homes. Just having a great time.

You know, I was reading scripture tonight and once again noted where Jesus called us as Christians out to help those in need. This not only means spiritual need, but also physical.

The one line that really stuck with me was what one Hispanic man said to me as he walked up looking at the clothing and food: "no money, no money" I was able to look at him and say, "no money." What a smile that caused him to have.

Help someone today. Watch for the blessing you will receive.

Monster Jam - Atlanta

The photo above is one of many we took this past weekend in Atlanta at Monster Jam. Yep, Will still enjoys MJ. This was a big event that he has been planning on for some time. It was a big deal with all the major drivers and the best trucks. He has looked forward to this past weekend for months.

The picture above was Will and his buddy, Daniel with George Belhan who drives Escalade. He always has "pretty girls" as Will describes them, so a picture was a must. Will asked him if he was going to do his signature move (holding his steering wheel through the sunroof during a doughnut spin) during the freestyle portion of the show. He told Will he would if he hadn't flipped before the end. Well, he flipped and didn't make it to that portion of his show. He did perform well during the racing segment and came in 3rd.

All the big names were there: Grave Digger, Superman, Batman, Maximum Destruction (the driver hugged Donna when we came through the line to get his autograph), Grinder, Taz, Monster Mutt, etc.....

We arrived at the event at 2p. For 3 hours we were able to go around and get autographs and pictures. We got several and a load of photos. We didn't get Dennis Andersons (Grave Digger) autograph, as his line was 3 hours long. Yep, folks waited 3 hours to meet the guy. Will just walked up beside the truck for a photo. We did get several photos where Will didn't wait in line he just got close to the driver and shouted his name. A couple responded with a wave for the photo and Lupe Sosa (Grinder) came over from his line and gave Will a high-five.

Back to the event at 7p for 3 hours of racing and freestyle. Tiring, but the boys loved the Georgia Dome event.

Folks, there were 60,000 people there from all walks of life. Really interesting. Probably 25% were like us in that the parents were there for the kids. Others were fanatics like you would find at any type of auto sports event.

Try it sometime. You may like it.

I leave you with Will's saying about Grave Digger: He is a mean green wrecking machine.