Cooter part 1

Jacob and i being goofy!

LOOK OUT FOR COOTER!!!!!

So, I have found out a major gift that Jacob (My 11 year old) has. He is a comedian! I am not kidding, he is really funny! he and i have an act that we do that he, Luke (my 17 year old) and myself made up a couple of years ago. Well, through time Jacob and i have perfected it. The "show" is called "Hey Cooter!!" Basically, its about a backwoods countery boy named cooter who has a "cousin" that he is alwways talking to. The cousin? Well, he doesent have a name, but her sure does get on Cooters nerves! Cooter also talks about other memories of his family.
So, jacob and i will be posting videos from time to time here from my phone. The videos are simply called... "Hey Cooter!!"
I love having fun and being goofy with my kids! Look for the first video coming soon!

An Icon Dies

I remember when I was a kid I was watching "batman" and the news broke in an reported that Elvis Presley had died. The king of Rock n Roll, died.

This afternoon I was coming home listening to our local sports radio talk show. The news flash broke in that Michael Jackson died. The King of Pop, died.

I know that there was a ton of controversey that surrounded his life, but we agree that he was the first singer to break out of the box since the Beatles.

I know most of his songs. I have a ton of great memories with most of them. I will miss him and how he contributed to our culture.

Im curious, what is your favorite Michael Jackson or Jackson 5 song?

TIRED

A decade. Ten years. Blood, sweat, tears.
In case you haven't guessed it several of my previous posts I indicate that I battle a bunch. No, I'm not feeling sorry or self pity. I am THE most blessed man on earth. I have a loving strong willed wife. And we have two awesome boys.
However, I'm in a major crossroads and almost a catch 22.
I have some very important decisions to make, and to be honest I am terrified.
For those that love me and read this blog, thanks for your prayers. For those who read this blog and grin inside about the struggle in life that I'm facing, well.... I'm praying for you.
I know of some pastors that read these posts. I have a question for you. Why is it that I am staring at some of the biggest debt ever in my life (home and church) and read all the books on finance, listen to the podcasts, follow the advice of Dave Ramsey, read the Bible, Tithe, give, work two jobs, cut down on spending, wife is an RN, my oldest son works, I pastor (and have given back 95% of my salary, still paying on Bible college loans, getting ready to send my oldest son to college in a year, I give, love, invest in people, try to be a learner and leader, cry, weep, pray, fast, ..... and still feel like I'm spinning my wheels?

Why?

Ten years, I'm tired.

Tired of hurting people (even though I don't mean to)

Tired of giving it all to "the ministry" and my left overs to my family.

Tired. Ha! I was told to take a sabbatical. "Sabbath" means rest. Well, when you can't really retreat because you have to continue to work a secular job, that is not a sabbaticle. What's up with that?

I don't know. I know I used to say "to get to it, you gotta get through it". Well, this last three years of my life has been a LONG "through".

Yes, I have learned a lot. But I'm ready for this class to be over. I'm ready to use some of these lessons that God has taught me.

Its been a decade to earn this degree :)

Know what I mean?


Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

UNPLUG

So, here I set in my office. (Kinda weird, because I am usually never here). I am getting ready to leave for a while. I am getting ready to unplug.

For the last 10 years I have been trying to build a Church, when Jesus said get out of the way, and let ME build it! I have helped others while neglecting what is MOST important, my wife of 20 years, my two 17 and 11.

Don't get me wrong, I love people. Heck, i make it a daily challenge to get to know at least 5 things about a person I don't know in less than 2 minutes.

I was told by an electrician that when the power is off of something, its still using power to run it. So I am not turning off, I am unplugging. I am going to allow HIM to speak to me and my family.

Therefore, its time to unplug from a few things. The Church, the people, my two jobs (with out pay - ugh) and head to a place up North where i believe that God is going to help me (and my family) turn over a new leaf.

Nope, we ARE NOT LEAVING CROSSPOINT CHURCH. What we are doing, especially me, is unplugging from a few outlets. We, especially me, are going to plug into God and allow Him to break, mold, heal, pour and restore His power back into us.

If you happen to read this, please pray for my Wife and I as we get ready to leave Tuesday. With the help of the Holy Spirit we will get what we need. Pray for my boys that they wont kill each other while we are gone ;). for my Dad (who lives with us) that he will have peace. Pray for CrossPoint Church in Little Rock as I unplug from them for a couple of weeks. Pray for the leaders and special speakers that for the next couple of weeks that they will not even know that I am gone.

Most of all, pray that Jesus will be lifted up and that HE is the one who receives all of the glory.

Have a great day and please learn to unplug.