Family

Over the last six weeks, I've begun playing racquetball again.  The last time I played racquetball was in 1988 in Decatur, AL., and all I remember is drinking a Fresca afterwards. I've been playing with a few friends from Mountainview, including our newest pastor -- Mark Scott.  He only seems like a nice guy when he preaches; get him on the racquetball court and he shows no mercy. To help improve and get in better shape, I've been playing what they call "lunch time shuttles."  The idea is simple: you play to fifteen points or fifteen minutes, whichever comes first.  Win and you move up a court.  Lose and you move down a court.  It's been a great way to get playing time while also meeting people from the community.  On a typical shuttle day, at least twenty to twenty-five people show up. Not all my movement has been to…

Finished week two of my E4U class "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters" last night ... and even more guys showed up!  I'm a bit slow at times but I'm beginning to think we've tapped a nerve.  Not only do we have almost 40 guys in the class, but they're tuned in as well. Now I'm starting to think we need something after this, a next step of sorts.  It's not easy being a dad - whether you have a son or daughter or both.  And our culture is making it increasingly difficult as well.  It encourages immodesty where we prefer modesty ... and on and on the battle goes. One thing this class has reminded me of is this: most men want to be good dads.  The motivation is there but the know-how might be lacking.  God can work with the person who lacks the skills but has the heart.  Unfortunately,…

Romans 14:7 ... For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. You've heard it said, "No man is an island."  It's true.  How we live impacts those around us -- either intentionally and directly, or unintentionally and indirectly.  Regardless of intent, our lives will leave a residue on those we come into contact with. How we live impacts those around us, and so will our deaths.  Not just in the sense of grieving a physical loss but also the loss of potential or hopes or dreams. Give thought to how you're living and the influence it is having on those around you.  And give yourself a few moments to reflect on how your death will leave the world around you.