Footprints in the sand

This morning I was walking along the beach. I was thinking about our vacation and all the images of the fun we had were flashing through my mind.
With each memory I could see footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was only one.
This bothered me because I knew that I came with my family…so there would be no reason for me to see only one set of footprints.
I became angry with my family because we had promised each other that we would spend this week together. Why, when I needed them most, would they not be there with me?
Marinda said, “Stop whining you big baby, those are not your footprints.”

Shark Attack

Scavengers

Scavengers Cont.

Happy Birthday Marinda!

??? years ago Marinda was brought into this world. Today, we celebrated that day with a chocolate chip cookie cake, and dinner at Jake’s Grill. Oh yeah, we played on the beach and went to Tanger Outlet Mall…but I’m not sure that counts as part of the birthday celebration. Regardless, it was another great day on vacation, and even sweeter is the fact that she is getting closer to my age. Well, as long as I believe that it makes me feel good. Happy Birthday to the greatest woman in the world! Love ya Babe!

Some of our Beach Art

Tennis Stars

The Pool

Hangtime

In case the water hose doesn't completely do the job, a good place to rid yourself of any clinging sand is the indoor heated pool. We've spent our fair share of time in the pool. Kids love to jump in the pool and make a big splash...as you can see we have girls...graceful, elegant, perfect posture...bring back the cannonball!!!

Crab Hunt

Jellyfish

You can't see this in Arkansas

Tent repair, beach art & injury

If you use a stick to make a splint for your tent...you might be a redneck.

Had some free time this afternoon, so I got busy on a little sand sculpture...not really, but somebody here has talent.

Some idiot was skimming on his skim board and he lost control of his skimmer and it skimmed right into the leg of my beloved. She's decided to give it up for the team and play through the injury...so...we'll be back on the beach tomorrow.

How to put up a tent at the beach.

We put up the tent around 10:30 a.m. this morning...






it collapsed around 2:30 p.m.

Orange Beach

I got stung in the face by a jellyfish, Maddie got stung in the back and Micah is running fever...but it's all good...having a blast on vacation!

At the Beach

We made it, but the internet stinks. As soon as I get a good connection I'll post some stuff.

New Chairs!!!

Our new chairs arrived about 30 minutes ago. We weren't really prepared to receive them today and they do need assembled before Sunday. There are 50 chairs and it will take some time to assemble them, so, if you would like to help out...contact James Hewitt 870-219-7399.

Grilling, Chilling & Melting a House

The Hillis family came over last night to grill, chill & let the kids swim. I was cooking some potatoes, onions, peppers & zucchini on the grill. I usually just cut it up throw in some garlic and butter and wrap it in foil. I put it all on the top rack and let it slow cook. Unbeknownst to me, the butter had leaked out of the foil and started a small fire. My grill was close to the house, as it has been from day one. The picture says it all…I melted my house. I was pretty upset, but what can you do? What’s done is done…at least the food was good.

Why do we get so upset when we make mistakes in life? I melted part of my house, but 30 minutes later I was able to laugh it off. Why can’t we laugh off some of the mistakes we make in other areas of our life? I know many people that will make a mistake and let it ruin the rest of their life. Paul was a Christian persecutor and he didn’t let that stop him from being used by God to plant churches. Peter denied Christ 3 times, but he bounced back with a vengeance. James, the half brother of Jesus didn’t even believe in his brother in the beginning of His ministry, and he wrote the book of James…which stresses doing and not hearing only. Learning from these 3 guys and many other examples in the Bible will help us to get back up when me make mistakes and move on to where God wants us to go. So, the next time you melt your house…keep on grilling…at least the food will still be good.

The NBA Champions Boston Celtics Trophy Presentation

NBA Playoffs

I’ve been a basketball guru all my life. I could get drunk on basketball, so I really have to watch myself. My 1st favorite NBA player was this guy…after him I went with this guy (the greatest to ever lace up the shoes and my all-time favorite) and more recently I love to watch this guy. I’m not a huge Celtic fan, but since my 1st favorite player was the greatest Celtic ever…last night was a little sweet. It brought back a few memories of the Birdman…let me wipe a tear…sorry got a little emotional. Also, I like to root for this team since they are the closest to me…but I don’t have anything to say about them right now.

Trip to Branson

I took a trip to Branson, Missouri yesterday with James Hewitt & Jay Lewis. We are doing a series in August called, “God’s, Believe It Or Not” (playing off of Ripley’s) so, we went to Branson to visit the Ripley’s Museum and shoot some video. We got some pretty good footage, but you won’t see any of it in church until late July. The 4.5 hour drive zaps your energy a little, so, after getting a bite to eat, we headed to one of the many putt-putt places to release some energy and relax a little bit before driving home. However, with our competitive nature…it was game on. Jay was officially out of the race by hole 18, but James & I were pretty close. The video shows the winning putt. Enjoy!

Honorable Mention #2

Look here for the scripture:

The story of the two disciples on the Emmaus Road is a classic. They are walking down the road discussing the story of Christ, but they are not happy or excited…they’re sad. Christ has been crucified, put in the grave and now there are reports that His body is missing. Jesus shows up on the road and walks alongside them. He is in disguise, so they don’t recognize Him. He plays dumb for a little bit and then starts to share the scripture with them and why He had to suffer. As they arrived at their destination, Jesus acted like He was going to walk farther down the road, but they begged Him to stay. The funny part is, they still didn’t recognize Him, but they didn’t want Him to leave. Jesus later opens their eyes…meaning they were able to see it was Him. The great thing about this story is, even though they didn’t know He was the Christ, they still wanted Him to stay. He was filling a hole inside of them. They wanted Him to sit down with them and continue to fellowship. Those two disciples longed to just hang out with Jesus. That’s why they were sad…He wasn’t with them.
My Mom retired from work last Friday. Since she is retired and the girls are out of school, we decided they could spend the night with ‘Grandma & PaPa this week. They are leaving today to spend a couple nights with them. I promise you, by Friday…they will be ready to come home (they’d better be) and be with there Mom & Dad…as we will want to be with them. They love to spend the night with Grandparents, friends, etc…but, they can only do it for so long. They miss being with us, and we miss them.
If I was one of the two disciples in this story…what would I be feeling? To me, this story reveals a true relationship with Christ. When He is with them, they are happy…when He is not around…they are sad…it’s that simple.

Honorable Mention

Sunday, I spoke on my favorite passage of scripture…the story of Gideon (Judges 6-8). Since I could only pick one, I thought I would list a few honorable mentions on the blog. This is one of my favorite verses.
I love to play basketball. I quit playing league ball a few years ago (age and my children’s activities) for more important things. However, a few months ago I was invited to play some full court bball with some younger guys that get together on Sunday/Wednesday nights. After the 1st night, I was hooked again. I started playing every Sunday night & a few Wednesday nights after cell group. I was having fun, getting in good shape, getting the feel for the game back and it happened…reality kicked in. The guys I’ve been playing with are 18 to 25 years old and I’m…well…not in that range. I started having major pain in my right foot. I tried to stretch it out…tough it out…ice it out…nothing seemed to work. After an examination by Barb Weese (works for a podiatrist) a couple months ago, I found out I have this. Yeah, it’s weird but I’ve discovered several people battle with the same thing. I wear supports in my shoes and have quit playing ball. I’m hoping I can rehab it back to normal so I can play ball again and injure something else. It will happen…just wait. All that to say this…I need my physical strength renewed, but for a guy who’s not in the 18 to 25 category…it’s a stretch. My body can’t do or take what it could years ago. The good news, my spiritual body can recover quickly and get back to 100%. It’s a promise from God. No matter how hurt I may become spiritually, if I will just keep my hope in Him I will not only recover, but I will soar. It’s the promise of Isaiah 40:31 and one you can count on.

Bad Buggy!

This picture is not very good, but it's with my cell phone so deal with it. I was in Wal-Mart yesterday getting a few groceries and my streak continues. Somehow, I always get the buggy with the bad wheel...or do they all have bad wheels? I hate it...I start pushing the buggy down the aisle and it seems fine, but then it starts to wobble and make weird noises. A few times I've turned around and went back to exchange the bad buggy for a better one, but most of the time I just deal with it. You know the routine...the back left wheel is bad so as long as you put pressure on the back of the cart it's ok. Then you get tired of putting pressure on the cart so you go after the heavy items 1st...milk, canned goods...wishing you needed a 50lb. bag of dog food...you know the deal. You put everything on the side of the bad wheel to reduce the wobble, but it doesn't work. Every aisle you go down people are looking at you and then your buggy and then back at you. After you go check out and nearly faint at the amount of money you owe Wal-Mart, you take your filled up cart to the car...wobbling all the way. The frustrating is mounting because it's 98 degrees and 3 cars are waiting on your parking spot. It makes you want to take your time, but the stares from the people won't go away. After unloading the groceries in the vehicle, you have officially reached the boiling point. However, because you are a Christian and Christ Followers always return their buggy's...right?...you race to the nearest buggy return station and vent all your anger on the wobbily cart so you can somehow get revenge...your face is red...people are honking...you push the buggy into the return area with enough force to kill a small animal...it slams into the railing and you quickly realize how the wheels of a Wal-Mart cart get injured.