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I have some things to get off my chest and want to do it in a loving way so here we go…
1. While driving to Lancaster for my wife’s birthday we were flipping through the stations and stopped to listen to a few conservative shows. Why are some hosts so argumentative and rude in interrupting their guests and callers? Is this how Jesus talked to people who disagreed with him? I had to turn it off. Now, I know that liberal hosts do the same thing, but if anyone actually listened to their shows they would be on more than one station.
2. Second, it occurred to me that 95% of TV is people giving their opinion. I miss the news where they just tell you what happened when, who was there, why and how it happened, etc. If you’re flipping through the channels and see more than two faces on the screen just keep going. I am so guilty of just wanted to hear people’s opinions on matters from filling out my NCAA bracket, the Democratic primary, the war in Iraq, gas prices, Britney Spears daily routine, and why people hate George W. Bush. Dude, for me, it’s got to stop. I’m tired of all the yelling and how do we know who’s telling the truth. By the way, there was no welcoming ceremony in Lancaster. We were told to run from our van to the stores because there may be sniper fire. We were in great danger and I remember it very clearly. Sinbad was there and will tell you the same thing.
3. If you listen to some people you will believe that it is impossible for Barack Obama to be a Christian. Why? Because his father was Muslim and his mother was an atheist. So, just stop witnessing to all your friends who weren’t raised in a Christian home because by the same logic, they can’t become Christians either. It’s this kind of thinking that could turn American churches into museums in a few generations: places where stuff used to happen, but not anymore.
4. Finally, I want to end on a happy note. Here’s a link to my friend Brady. He is counting down his top 50 movies which has inspired me to do the same. Brady is a great guy and is doing a great work as the youth pastor at Smith Chapel Wesleyan Church in Liberty, SC. His movie tastes are a little different than mine, but it’s entertaining stuff.
Now, come back tomorrow when I will try to be a little lighter in weight and tone.

Last week was simply amazing. The Lord blessed in many ways. Here are all the ones I can remember at the moment…
1. 5 people connected to our church gave their lives to Christ. That’s why we do what we do.
2. 42 people attended our new Saturday night service, REFUGE.
3. The Easter Egg hunt was amazing. My goal was to give away at least 150 prizes and God blessed us with close to 200! We had over 500 in attendance and God changed the weather forecast from a wintry mix to sunny and warm. At 8:00 Saturday morning, the weather radar showed that we would be getting hit with the storm just before the start of the event. We saw a few flakes(snow flakes not crazy people), but we could not have asked for better weather. The kid that won the Wii ran into the field and started jumping up and down. So many people gave time, money, energy, and cookies to make this event a success. We truly impacted our community for Christ. My biggest worry had been the parking, but God took care of that as well.
4. We got an unexpected refund check from our insurance company which was a few dollars more than an expense we had coming this week! Praise the Lord!
5. My children were on their best behavior even though they got less sleep and spent most of the weekend at church. We got some of the best pics ever yesterday. They’ll be posted tomorrow.
6. I have lost a total of 10 pounds and was not consistent or wise in my eating last week. 25 more to go.
7. We will be in SC in 7 days!
8. I have not written many songs since the release of my first(and only) album,”One for the ROADYS”, in 2003. Last night, I wrote what I feel is my finest song to date so maybe album number two, “Dos y Trece”, will finally become a reality. It’s funny that I don’t even have a copy of my own album, but I know there are a few floating around somewhere.
9. God spoke to me in a familiar way and answered a prayer in a way that only He can. Now, I just have to take action.
10. My wife’s humor continues to amaze and inspire me. Drake “walked across the room” the other night to which Karen responded, “That would make Bill proud” which was a reference to Bill Hybels who wrote the book “Just Walk Across the Room”.
Now, I’ve just got to walk away from this computer.

Hope this rain goes away before Saturday’s Easter Egg Hunt. We are expecting a HUGE crowd.
1. I want to give a shout out to my buddy Matt Smith who is getting ready to plant a church near Greensboro, NC. You can check out his current church here, his church plant here, and his blog here. Matt and his wife, Ashley, were in ministry with us in SC. They are expecting twins soon which makes me love them even more. He’s also a converted Clemson fan.
2. I am hoping to add a subscribe link to my blog which means it will make it easier for people to get updates. It also means I won’t have to update my blog on myspace and facebook.
3. I had lost 8 pounds as of Saturday, but my eating habits have been horrible this week. Gotta get back on the plan. Of course, Pastor Mike just handed me a Mountain Dew and I don’t want to waste it.
4. I remember a time in my life when I instinctively knew God’s will for my life. I can’t explain it, but that instinct is not working right now. I wonder if I’m as close to Him as I used to be, but I know that I’m closer than ever. It’s just a struggle to know what His perfect will is for me. I think some things have happened that rocked my confidence in knowing His will. I believe there are several aspects to His will. I’m sure there are more technical theological terms for these. His eternal will is the Bible. I know that no matter what I need to love my neighbor, obey the 10 commandments, etc. These are things that are constant, unchanging, and non-negotiable. Then there’s His personal will. This is what He has and wants for each of us to specifically do. It’s where He wants us to live, serve, and love. Then there is His daily will. I would call this the doors He opens any particular day for service, love, and kindness. They are often one-time chances that He gives us to share Christ with others through word and deed. Anyway, I’m not having a problem knowing all of them, but pray that my cloudy mind will become Sonny again.
5. I’ve spoken to two friends who are having rough weeks so send up some spoken prayers for these unspoken needs.
6. Karen’s birthday is next Wednesday. Send gift ideas please.
7. March Madness starts tomorrow. Check out my survey. I’m picking Kansas. No good reason. That’s just how my bracket worked out.
8. Didn’t see Obama’s speech yesterday, but I printed out the transcript. Going to read it tonight. Interested in your thoughts. I’ve already heard two different opinions on the matter.
Hope you’re having a great week. Our God is good. He has given everything we need for life and holiness. His son has given His life so that we may enjoy a full and abundant life. So, have you invited anyone to church for this weekend?

1. Saw a lady with a stubble goatee yesterday. She was very friendly. Hope I didn’t stare.
2. While at Sea World we saw a lady wearing pants that said “Brazil” on the rear. Karen said,”I didn’t realize Brazil was so big.”
3. Drake likes stealing my glasses. I’m surprised he can lift them.
4. How come Mr. Clean always shows up when the husband is not home? He better not be taking his bald head to my house when I ain’t there.
5. I saw Ric Flair jump through a table last night. Yes, I did jump out of my chair.
6. I found out “No country for Old Men” is not a comedy but the sequel “No Country for Grumpy Old Men” will be.
7. Is there a Christian holiday that is not being stolen by the world? I can believe people would think Santa is the reason for Christmas, but the Easter Bunny? Come on! Hey, we are going to start a new holiday called “Jesus Day.” I’m sure someone would find a way to hijack it as well.
8. Why won’t my friend’s wife let him name his son Thor?
9. If you’ve never attended a fantasy draft, you need to find one to watch. It is both funny and sad on so many levels. Won’t be long before these things are televised.
10. It just doesn’t feel like March Madness even though 3 Philly area schools are in. Here’s hoping I dominate the brackets like I usually do.

Well, what a morning! Holy Week is off and running….
1. Talked to Lynda Pusey today and discovered that while in California she went jogging one morning. She was joined by some brothers who had a band performing at a festival. It just happened to be the Bacon brothers, yes, Kevin Bacon and his brothers. So, I shook her hand and now I am only two degrees from Kevin Bacon in real life. I still remain three degrees from him in movie life because I am in Eddie with Whoopi Goldberg who was in Ghost with Demi Moore who is in a Few Good Men with Kevin Bacon. Ever wonder how I got so good at this game? Check this out. In other Bacon news, I watched my first John Wayne movie the other day, El dorado. He’s always a hard one to figure, but James Caan was in the movie with him so now I have an easy out.
2. This week is packed with Maundy Thursday service, Dim the Lights on Friday, Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, REFUGE on Saturday night, sunrise service at 6 am Sunday, and then regular services. Mike and I voted to take Monday off so I will find a place to go and sleep.
3. For those of you in the south, we will be visiting the first week of April and we would love to see you.
4. Clemson made it to the ACC Championship game for the first time in my lifetime and was defeated by UNC. They just got beat. The refs called a fair game, UNC was just a better team. That’s tough for me to say. Let me also say that my respect for Tyler Hansbrough grew a lot. He may play harder than anyone I’ve ever seen. Not the most talented player I’ve ever watched, but the hardest working. I was making fun of his celebration dance after his game winner against Virginia Tech…until I found myself doing the same dance when Clemson had an early lead yesterday. The Tigers have a favorable bracket and I think they’ll go to the Sweet 16 before crushing all of my hopes and dreams. I’ll be honest, I’m a UNC-hater. I don’t care who wins as long as it’s not them.
5. Got lots of work to do so have a great week people!

Okay, I am ready to come clean. Well, as clean as I can get. There some reasons that my posts have been few and far between lately. Go ahead, call them excuses if you like, but I know they are all legitimate. So hear we go…
1. My mom always said that if you can’t say something nice then don’t say anything at all. That’s how I’ve felt for a few days. I had a post all ready that was going to talk about the past, reveal some details, and let out a good vent. Then a funny thing happened…I got over it. Not completely, but the words of a few of my favorite songs really helped.
“No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand”-In Christ Alone
“I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on and there will be an end to these troubles but until that days comes…still I will praise you, still I will praise you, Lord”-You Never Let Go
“Take this sinking boat and point it home we’ve still got time. Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice, you made it now.”-Falling Slowly
I think what I realized that even if people “got” to me that I was still in God’s hands. That anything bad or unfair that happened to me happened under His care, protection, and provision. No matter how alone we felt, it was just a feeling and not a fact.
2. There are details in our lives right now that we can’t reveal because of the timing. Now, timing is everything. Had I not glanced right when I did back in 1995 then I wouldn’t have seen my hot(soon-to-be)wife walking by. If not for that split second who know if we would have ever met, gotten married, and had three wonderful kids. Speaking of…
3. The girls are doing great. Milena got up to pee last night and said,”Daddy, is mommy in the bed? It’s really late. I want you to go to bed too.” Charis has had bad dreams the last few nights and nothing jerks you out of sleep like your child yelling your name. A hug and grape medicine seem to do the trick for now. Drake took 5 steps the other day. This boy is getting big. His hair is sooooo curly. We will be watching the Clemson game tonight. He slept through March Madness last year.
4. Karen has been working 20-25 hours a week so we are adjusting our schedules. I think we are talking more than we ever have which may go against the trend.
5. One of the girls on our street has been taking the girls to play on her trampoline in the afternoons. One day Charis fell on the way back and scraped her left knee. Yesterday, Milena fell and scraped her right knee. Kinda freaky.
6. I mentioned earlier that my dad had been named South Carolina Angus Association Member of the Year. They’re having their banquet this weekend and here are the details. He’s the member that the Futurity is being dedicated to. Now, let me be honest. I have no idea what that means or what half the site is talking about, but how many people’s fathers reach the peak of their profession. I am one proud son and regret I won’t be able to be there especially since they’re having steak.
7. MLB 08 the Show is fun on the PS2. Come on, what did you think I was doing while my wife was at work?
8. We don’t have the net at home right now so I’m limited on my posting times which explains the lack of 2 am postings lately.
Finally, thanks to my friend Matt for highlighting my blog.