destinychurch

Moments of Mental Impedance

Ever have one of those brilliant ideas that proved to be "not so brilliant"? Today I asked Renae to buy some mice traps. Not for mice mind you, but rather for our mutts. Mutts (aka Diesel and Penny) - the ones that keep swiping food from the counter tops. After snapping my own fingers multiple times to create kinder, gentler traps, I thought surely I had discovered the miracle cure to keep the beasts off the counter tops. Long story short – IT DIDN’T WORK! Grrr… My fingers are now throbbing, the kids have heard me scream like never before, and the dogs are excited about their new happy-snappy toys. Ahhh!!!

TGiF!

God makes it clear. When it's time to work, we should work hard. When it's time to play, we should play hard. But what about rest? Strangely the Bible gives more instruction on getting rest than it does on work. Getting enough rest is actually commanded in scripture. With a long weekend after a busy week we should all be saying "Thank God it's Friday!" For some it makes for a great opportunity to catch up on some much needed rest. 

Col. 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." 

Going 80mph in a 70mph - Is My Pastor Going to Jail?

Ok, no excuse... On our way to a pastor 's conference in Dallas, I blew it! 

I was going over the posted speed limit. And I had an audience... 

If I had pulled someone over for speeding and these "four guys snapping pics on their phones for posterity sake" were looking back at me, - I definitely would have written a ticket as well. "Welcome to beautiful Van Alystyne, Texas."

Now it's just a matter of whether or not we split it 5 ways... sounds fair to me. :-) Well they didn't get me any mercy points - but it was I who made the mistake of driving too fast. 

My theory of setting the cruise at 8 over has been shattered - proven to be flawed -especially down hills. I often talk about how pain can be among the greatest of teachers. This ticket hurts!  And there's a lesson to be learned from road-side, soul searching moment, but riding with these brilliant yahoo's has been another kind of lesson in and of itself! 

"Jesus forgive me for not being a better steward of what you've given me - thank you that I will pay this ticket with integrity and character and my head held high. But the first one of these Pastor buddies of mine who brings up the topic "again" will find my foot firmly and soundly placed on the crack of their character.  It's going to be a great pastors conference.... at least tonight we are all going to bed exhausted from laughing for 5 hours straight. 

Oh, about the ticket, they're doing something special for speeders this month. Apparently, I can make a an additional contribution of $40 made payable to the Van Alstyne Police Department and my ticket will be differed and not show up on my DMV record.  It was an wonderful and very expensive day..  

A Tribute to Moms

Moms really are what make the world go round! I'll never be able to thank my mom for all her sacrifices she made for my brother and me. When I was sent this video from a member at Destiny it was obvious that this lady and my mom are some how related. Enjoy...

(Note: it's hard for me to watch the whole video, it stresses me out- Thank God for moms!)

Prom Night - Are You Kidding Me?

I really thought Jesus was going to come back long before Jayme would go to her first prom. Wow, my little girl has grown up to be absolutely gorgeous! I'm amazed at how much she looks like her mom did at her age (except Renae had the 80's big hair thing going). And Josh (poor guy) the young man in the last picture really is a great kid (regardless of the look on my face). Maybe I can get some sleep tonight knowing that my daughter is home...

Jayme, Renae, and me...

Jayme and me...

Jayme, Josh, and me (and that's me trying to smile and make a happy face... :-)

Crazy in Love!

Tonight marks the beginning of our third annual marriage conference. This year's theme is, "Crazy in Love!" Married couples, you won't want to miss it! Steve Roll and I kick things off tonight with Joe McGee and Pastor Mark Colllier finishing out the conference on Saturday. It's not too late to sign up... but you need to hurry! This will be one of the best investments you could ever make in your marriage, and a fun one too!

Breaking and "Exiting"

We've been arguing as a family as to "who" has been letting the dogs out - now we know! Renae suspected it was our dog "Kitty", and we were surprised to find out that it was! Only after I set a camera out to catch her did I believe it. I owe my kids an apology for griping at them. I love how she (Kitty) opens the gate all the way, pauses, shakes, and then casually goes straight to our room and jumps in bed! You can hear the other two dogs whining in the background, "Hey, we want out too!"

When Life Gives You Lemons - Make Mud?

Finally after countless days of rain it looks like we might get to see the sun for the first time in a very long time! But not until after Jaymz's friends learned how to make the best of it. While getting things ready for their prom this weekend, apparently someone drew "first mud"... then it was on! I'm just having trouble figuring out which one of those mud pies is my seventeen year-old daughter. Oh there she is, the fourth one in from the left - I think she lost!

Before You go Diving into the DOW...

Because it known by many I actively trade, I frequently get great questions about the market and how to get started. I thought I'd post a website a friend told me about with some great tutorials. But, first things first!

Your job is to know God, His will for your life, and plan accordingly. "Part" of that plan for "my family's" life involves investing and managing some of my own funds. A good place to start investigating whether or not you want to start investing on your own is  http://www.investopedia.com/university/beginner/

I will pray about how much God wants me to share when it comes to my personal investing practices, but I want to make one thing clear - There is no greater investment then sowing into those things which are eternal!

Pastoral Note: God wants "you" to steward "your" finances - not do something because someone else does. And I would highly recommend you find a good RIA (Registered Investment Advisor) before you try anything on your own. 

Dog Pile - Renae Catching a Healing on a Monday

With Penny and Diesel (half Great Dane and half Great Pyrenees) at her side along with the big dog Kitty (Rott mix), Renae is finally feeling better! 

For the first time since I've been pastor, Renae missed Sunday services because she was not feeling well. 

God is at work in her body and she is feeling better - thank you so much for your prayers! She has more than two hundred pounds of dog (not counting me) to keep her company on the couch while she mends. How many dogs do you see in this picture. The answer; 3 - Penny, Diesel's foot, and my big toe.