Friday, May 30, 2008

Friday Night

1. I can't wait to speak on Sunday. The 4th message in our series "Bringing The Heat" has me really excited. Make plans to be there!

2. I'm still dealing with the aftermath of the malware on my computer. Tonight, I've spent the last couple of hours trying to get all my music back on the computer from my ipod. There's a great program called idump that is very useful.

3. Lakers vs. Celtics in the NBA Finals. Well, that's a far cry from the Mavericks vs. Heat match up I had at the beginning of the season. I will watch these games because it takes me back to the 80s when it seemed these two teams played every year in the Finals. I always cheered for Magic, Kareem, James Worthy, Kurt Rambis, Byron Scott, Pat Riley and Michael Cooper (who can forget his socks pulled up to his knee caps). Those were some great series. Magic vs. Bird revitalized the NBA in the 80s. I'll pull for LA to win it all.

4. Big day tomorrow. Crystal McCullough's wedding is at noon and then we have a birthday party to go to after that. It'll be fun.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Podcast and more

1. I updated the podcast (finally). The last few weeks have not yielded much time to do necessary things like updating our podcast. I put the first three sermons of our new series "Bringing the Heat" online today. If you would like to subscribe to our podcast, go to www.cornerstoneatlanta.tv and click on the sermons link. Then, click on the link that says subscribe to podcast. I use itunes, but there are a variety of other podcatchers out there.

2. Peyton got to come home today! That's great considering he was just life flighted to Little Rock on Saturday. Thanks for the prayers and keep praying. He's doing a lot better. He has gained 1 pound 6 ounces since going in the hospital on Saturday. :)

3. I was reading today in 2 Samuel 13. The story of Amnon raping Tamar in the Bible. I have spoken from this passage of scripture before, but something completely different jumped out at me today. It was never Amnon's idea to rape his sister. It was his cousin, Jonadab. Jonadab influenced Amnon in a negative way. Jonadab gave him the plan. It made me think about what or who influences us. Who are the people in your life that influence you? What influences you? Is it media? Do books influence you? As in Amnon' s case, is it a family member that influences you? How are they influencing you? Is it a positive influence or a negative influence? That's what I'm thinking about today.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Happy Memorial Day!

1. We had a great weekend at Cornerstone. Last night was awesome. I got in the car after the fellowship to head home and looked at the clock. I couldn't believe the time. I literally had thought we were there about an hour. I didn't leave til after 8:30 p.m. Time flew by and I had a great time visiting with everyone.

2. I finally had to break down and restore my home computer to the original factory settings. Luckily, I didn't lose any files. I still need to put a couple of programs back on and my music. However, it is working and it is a lot faster.

3. Pray for Peyton. Saturday, they had to lifeflight him back to Little Rock. They told the family that he had pneumonia in both lungs. After he got to Little Rock and was check out, they said he was sick, but no pneumonia. Jesseca, Peyton's mom, called today and said they were in a regular room and he was doing a lot better. They did find out that one of his arteries had a mild obstruction. They are going to watch him over the next few months. They anticipate that as he grows that he will grow out of it. Hopefully, they will get to come home soon. Jesseca's sister is getting married this weekend.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Week Update

1. Mady graduated from Pre-school on Wednesday Night. We have really enjoyed the daycare/pre-school that the girls attend.

2. Thanks to Bro. Hooten for filling in for me on Wednesday Night so that I could be at Mady's celebration.

3. Tuesday, I made a quick trip to Dallas for a meeting. While there, I was also able to check in on Michael and Tamara Norman. Cornerstone is supporting the Normans. They are planting a church in the lower Greenville area. We met at a Starbucks and then Michael showed me around the area. Check out their progress at www.gracehill.cc

4. Yesterday, I had the privilege of meeting a missionary for breakfast. He was in the area meeting with different pastors. Tim Ware is a great guy. You can check out his ministry at www.missionmetro.org Tim has a background in construction and enigineering. After breakfast, he came back to the church and we walked through the Family Life Center. He gave some great advice as we begin to look to complete the FLC in the next few months.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Giving Honor - Gary Willmon


Today's Giving Honor is different from previous ones. In the past, I have honored men that were pastors in my life. Today, I choose to honor a friend. Gary Willmon died yesterday after a long battle with Crohn's disease. I met Gary when I arrived in Nacogdoches as Youth Pastor. For the next 4 and a half years, he was faithfully at the piano for services. Gary and I both had a love for sports, but what I loved most about Gary was his heart of worship.

Gary loved to worship God. He was a talented piano player and easy to work with. Gary was always on time. He always followed me when I would switch songs in the middle of a set as the Holy Spirit would lead. He was awesome to work with.
Gary and I took a road trip to Pensacola for a worship conference. It was an awesome trip. We made other road trips together to go watch Baseball games.

Although, life's journey has taken me to different places and we've lost touch, I have often thought about Gary and his struggle with Crohn's. Crohn's is a disease that eats away at your digestive system. Gary had lost part of his intestines and there were many foods that he was unable to eat. If I were Gary, I would probably be trying to find my seat at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. However, knowing Gary, he's at the feet of Jesus worshipping. I can't wait to join him.
Please pray for his wife Pattie.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Middle-Aged, Wings and Good Times

1. We had a great weekend at Cornerstone. We honored our graduates with a reception following the P.M. service. I am so proud of these guys.

2. Yesterday was my 35th birthday. My wife referred to me as "middle-aged." She meant to say "mid-30s." :)

3. The girls took me out to eat at one of my favorite restaurants. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings. I ordered my customary 12 wings.....plenty to eat....not too much. Well, the waiter brought our food out and they were having to make some fresh wings. So, he only brought me 6 with a promise to bring the other half of my order later. He showed up with the other half of my order, but there was more than a dozen wings on that order. I honestly ate WAY TOO MUCH. They were excellent wings. BTW, I usually order 12 wings....six medium and six honey bbq. The extra wings were all honey bbq, which is my favorite.

4. I enjoyed watching the Spurs/Hornets 4th quarter. The rest of the game was boring. The hornets are usually a fun team to watch, but they got caught in the Spurs game. They became too much of a half-court team. That's why San Antonio won. Of the teams left, I hope the Spurs win.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Focus

One of the attacks of the enemy is to get our focus off of what is most important in our lives. This week has been one of those weeks. I have been distracted multiple times. I am reminded today as I am reflecting that I need to have focus on the most important things.

1. God

Matthew 6:6 in the Message states "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace."

More than ever, I need to find that quiet, secluded place to let my focus shift to God.

2. Family

Thursday Morning, I was on the couch and Mady came in and laid her head on my shoulder. Kenzie turned around and saw what her sister was doing. She ran to me, climbed into my lap and laid her head on my shoulder. I enjoyed spending time with my girls. This time of the year with school ending and many activities, I must stay razor sharp in my focus and carve out special times for Sasha and the girls.

What is distracting you from your proper focus? What can you do to get back on track?

Friday, May 16, 2008

Friday's Thoughts

1. Spurs and Hornets are in a great series. Really, with the exception of Dallas stinking it up in the first round, the NBA playoffs have been fun to watch. I'm looking forward to Game 7.

2. Tomorrow is our new neighbor's outreach. We are meeting at the church at 10:00 a.m.

3. I'm about to finish up this weekend's message. It is the second message in our new series "Bringing The Heat."

4. We are honoring our graduates this Sunday at Cornerstone. I always have mixed emotions about graduation. I'm proud of the student's accomplishments, but I really hate to see them move off to school. Congrats Class of '08!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Weekend Update and Random Thoughts

1. We had a great weekend at Cornerstone. This weekend, we started a brand new series called "Bringing The Heat!" This week's sermon was "The Bush Is On Fire." It was based off the story of Moses and the Burning Bush.

2. We celebrated Mother's Day on Saturday with my family in Texarkana. It was a fun day. Burgers, Hot Dogs and Banana Pudding....can't beat that. :)

3. A Belated Happy Mother's Day to all moms especially to two special ladies my Mom.....without her, I wouldn't be here. :) and my wife, the mother of my children.

4. So, I'm still having problems with my computer. I don't want to do this, but I'm about to take all my files off and completely start from the beginning. I may work on that tonight after our Advisory Board Meeting.

5. Got to run....I'm about to head over to the Wesley House for 30 minutes of singing hymns with the residents of the Wesley House. I look forward to this time. I've been going the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

What am I still doing up at 1:48 a.m.!?!

So, I thought I had gotten my home computer squared away. I got a new Internet Security Software today, PC-cillin, and installed it on my computer. After installing it and running a scan, I had over 100 viruses/spyware/malware/adware on my computer. The computer is running much better and is blocking any programs trying to get to the net without my authorization and is blocking anything "suspicious" from coming in.

So, that's what I'm doing up at 1:48 a.m. I am determined now more than ever to A) Keep my Internet Security Software up to date and B) next computer I purchase will be a Mac.

Now, it is 1:52 a.m. and I'm wasting sleep time. Good Night all!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Weekend Update

1. We had an awesome Missions Convention and Banquet. Pastor Rick and Rita Dubose were our special guests for the event. Pastor Rick is the North Texas District Superintendent. We had over $1,000.00 in monthly Missions Commitments. Thank you Church Family for your faithfulness in Missions Giving!

2. Tammy Caraway and the Hospitality Team did an awesome job for our Missions Banquet. The food was incredible.

3. Our student ministry, CSI:, did an exceptional job serving the meal and waiting on tables. They received tips to help them toward their Speed The Light goal.

4. I got a very bad virus/malware/spyware on our home computer. I have literally put in over 8 hours trying to fix it. I'm getting there, but it pretty much disabled our internet access. I can connect from my laptop, but have limited access from our desktop. Let this be a lesson to all of us that we should keep our internet security software up to date.

5. Sasha and the girls were out of school yesterday and today. They went to her Mom's house and should be on the way back soon. I can't wait to see them.

Friday, May 2, 2008

My Wife

First off, I'm not in trouble. :) Secondly, I'm not trying to earn brownie points for the future. :)

I'm just really thankful for my wife tonight. She's a great mother. She's a great teacher. She's does a lot at the church as well. She oversees the nursery. She leads the Women's Ministry (In fact, she's hard at work right now on tomorrow's Ladies Brunch.) She is also doing our Sunday Morning Kid's Church.

I'm really proud of her. We had an awesome time tonight with the girls. We went to Texarkana and ate at On The Border. Afterwards, we drove over to my Grandparent's house and spent time with them.

Sasha is a huge blessing to me. Is she perfect? Nah.....No one is perfect, but as the old Country song says "She's close enough to perfect for me." I love you, Sasha!

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Mady lost her second tooth

Sasha and I were in the kitchen when Mady came running in with a tooth in her hand. She was playing with Kenzie when it came out. An hour before, I tried diligently to get her to let me pull it. She didn't want any part of that. :)
Here's a pic with her new look...


I was just on the radio

If you listen to Air1, then you will have just heard me on with Eric and Coppelia. Air1 is a national radio station that has affiliates all over the nation. They are based out of California. They are running a contest right now to win a trip to New York City for the premeire of the new Chronicles of Narnia film. Well, I got through. The question that I had to answer was "Which prince had to go into exile when his wicked uncle took over the kingdom?" The only thing I could think of was Simba from the Lion King. Well, I called...got through....answered...was wrong...they put it on the radio.

Oh well, now it is back to work. :)

UPDATE: The answer was Prince Caspian.