Peace

I have to sleep with a fan on at night. I can't handle the silence when I am trying to sleep. My ears pick up on everything in the room from the clock ticking to Ginger breathing. The white noise of the fan drowns out the sounds and helps me to fall asleep without distraction. But Ginger still breathes and the clock still ticks. I just can't hear them.

What if hearing from God wasn't some sort of miracle for those few spiritual people atuned to His voice? Might He be heard clearly by everyone at all times like the clock ticks and Ginger breathes, but at some point we chose to turn on some noise to drowned Him out?

To those who don't believe, God is speaking to them, asking them only to follow. Unfortunately, most don't hear the calling for whatever noisy reason.

To those who believe, God is speaking to them, explaining to them His purpose. Unfortunately, most don't hear His plan for whatever noisy reason.

To those who are quiet, God is speaking to them and He is being heard. How could He not be heard? He is.

Shhhh ---Scott

SURPRISE!!!

We planned and successfully accomplished a surprise 50th birthday party for my parents this weekend. Thanks to lots of help from my family and a few friends, we pulled it off. Mom and Dad were so shocked!

Oprah

A friend of Scott and I had recently found the blog below on one of her friends blogs. I am not, nor have I ever been an Oprah fan, but I know a lot of people are. When I read this, I was alarmed. As Christians we know the prophesies of "end times" and how they are most likely not far from us. But as I read this and watched the video I couldn't help but think about those who aren't Christians. They are so easily being led astray by powerful, influential people just like Oprah. Please, know that Oprah is wrong in some of her beliefs and that the only way to get to Heaven is believing in Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his life for yours. You don't have to do anything. It's not about how good you are in life, or the great things you do here on earth. It's about believing that Jesus died for your sins on the cross, that we as humans are imperfect and that we needed Him to die to be our Savior. If you admit that you fall short of perfection, and need Jesus to help you through life, then you pray to Jesus and ask Him to save you. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and be the Lord of your life. Read this blog and watch the video at the end.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

No, I'm not saying goodbye to blogging, nor am I dying of an incurable disease (not that I know about!). I'm saying goodbye to Oprah. Sound weird? Well, her recent political ties only hurt my opinion of her, but recently she's been focusing tons of her time on the new book "A New Earth". Not only is she pushing the book, but she's doing e-classes on it with the books author, Eckhart Tolle.
I see this as one of the biggest dangers in our society today, especially with women who think of Oprah as someone who can do no wrong.I think it's about time for Christians to stop turning a deaf ear to what Oprah says. I think it's time to turn off the TV. I'm not saying ALL TV (although I'm sure that's a good idea). I'm mainly talking about the Oprah show itself, but even Oprah's Big Give. I have a feeling that Christian stay at home moms make up over 50% of her viewing audience. If we would stand up for what we believe in we would have a HUGE impact on her market. We ARE her market

It could happen . . .

Finally, yesterday afternoon arrived not a minute to soon. We bounded out of the house, literally screaming on the inside from excitement. Reaching downtown Houston, we frantically tried to find a parking lot. Nervous and jumpy, we couldn't wait to get to the front doors of the stadium. With Scott dragging behind me, I practically ran to the doors. Tickets in hand, quickly I flashed them to the attendant at the door and with a deep breath stepped inside the beloved Minute Maid Park. At last, the moment I waited for for over 24 hours. Home Opener. The 43,000 plus buzzed in wonderment of a new season, and a new, fresh chance to make it to the play-offs. The atmosphere was amazing. Much better than any regular season game. I have been to my share of Astros games, but this my friend was 10x better. Maybe even more than 10! I was like a child in a candy store, or better yet, Christmas morning. Yes, like Christmas morning. Having to wait paitently for a time that you know will provide fabulous amounts of emotion. The closer and closer you get to the moment, the more antsy you get on the inside. It's almost like your insides are jumping. When reaching the much awaited moment, your emotions just go crazy. Then the home team plays their hearts out. Not a lot of drama until the top of the ninth inning when you think they just might lose the game. Then in the bottom of the ninth, a 2 run walk-off homer to send the crowd into an uproar. It doesn't get much better than that. A win for the home opener is great, but a walk-off home run . . . wow, sweet action! So continue the good work 'stros, and we will see you in October!

Go ASTROS!

I am so excited! Never in my life have i been to a season opener, or home opener. This afternoon, Scott and I are going to the Astros home opener at Minute Maid Park. Woohoo!

Thank you to some people from our church,(who i would like to think love me) who offered me their two extra tickets yesterday. I was so excited, i said "heck yes" without even thinking. Good thing Scott and I both have great bosses that let us off. I was giddy most of the day sunday, and I am stoked today. I can't wait to don my shorts and bright orange astros shirt(old school colors), grab my glove and head to the ballpark. This day can't go fast enough. I doesn't get much better than the beginning of baseball season. Grant it, we are 2-5 at this point, but I am a die-hard. I love my 'stros whether they are winning or losing. And right now it doesn't matter so much as long as we are in it come October.

duh duh duh duh, duh duh duh duh, duh duh duh duh, dunna dun na na na . . . . . Charge!

Camping

Well, I'll tell ya! There is nothing more relaxing in this world than going camping by the rivers in the hill country of Texas. This past weekend, Ginger and I enjoyed a quiet getaway with our friends Chris and Susan to a camp site near New Braunfels, TX. The water was really cold, so we didn't do any tubing like we had planned, however just being outside in the nice weather was good enough for me. On Thursday night we went to the River Walk in San Antonio to eat some Mexican. We walked out of one of the restaraunts because it was horrible, unfortunately the next restaraunt wasn't much better to say the least. But we made the best of the night. Friday we went to Gruene, TX and shopped some. There is a bar there that is in some movies like "Michael." I thought that was cool. Chris and I shared a Ruban Sandwich... it was tasty.
That night some drunk college kids kept us up all night cussing and partying. I was going to run them over in my Ford Explorer the next morning, but Ginger advised me that that was not a Christian thing to do.
Saturday, Chris and Susan left. Ginger and I traveled to Luekenback, TX and then to Fredericksberg, TX. Luekenback, home to Willie and Waylon and the boys, was a small, small town. We passed it twice before actually realizing we were there. The only thing good about the town is that I can say I've been there.
After that we went over to Fredericksburg to visit the craft stores. That was fun for about 10 minutes, but, like a good husband, I acted like I enjoyed looking at southern crafts.
On Sunday we headed back to Houston, back to our jobs, back to normal life. But I will never forget those good ole' days camping in Texas. --Scott

Ahhh . . .teenagers!

This is just a little peek into the craziness of our life, that is teenagers!


We had a high school girls retreat a few weekends ago, call ed SET APART! I was blessed to hang out with these senoritas and partake in some of their wisdom. These girls really are amazing! And a whole lot better than any girls you have in your youth group.