Orange Cravings

My wife came home yesterday with a big sack of small "cutie" oranges. They are about the size of a golf ball. They are good!! No, they are dynamite!! Small things come in good packages.

All this talk about these oranges is making me want them. Anyway, Erica during her pregnancy with Elijah had such strong cravings for oranges. She wanted anything that was even associated with oranges. She was working at the time, and so when she would get home from work at night she would ask me to either go buy oranges or orange juice. And this wasn't a one time deal. It was probably about once a week. So our house smelled nice and citrusy for about 5 to 6 months.

When the psalmist writes the words, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God," he is talking about a craving so strong that the next words are "when can I go and meet with God?" He is craving the presence of God, that he is looking for ways to meet with Him. His cravings aren't for oranges. He isn't thinking about the next time he can see his girlfriend. He is wanting so desperately to meet with God.

We, as God's children, should be desperately seeking to meet with our Dad. A deer pants to get a drink of water. When we go without a day of food, we are hungry. When we go a day without talking and meeting with God, we should crave Him. We should have hunger or thirst pains for God.

As you go about your daily stuff over the holidays (opening presents, eating good food, watching football, etc) ask yourself these words everyday: Where can I go and meet with God?

"Come near to God and He will come near to you." James 4:8

Power Tools

Feel the power beneath your hands!

I love to just go into Home Depot or Lowes and walk down the power tool aisle. For some reason it makes me feel more at ease when I am able to hold one of these power tools (see pic). I walk down the aisle and under my breath I let out a huge MAN ROAR!! (For those of you who do not know what I am talking about, go watch Home Improvement!)

These power tools can do a lot of good. If you need a 4 inch screw drilled through a two boards to join them together, this is your tool. Or if you need to cut through a piece of ply wood, you probably want to get a circular saw instead of just a handheld saw. It saves a lot of time and effort. There is power behind those tools. These tools usually make loud noise to let everyone know that you are using them. (And to make men feel more macho!!)

The Apostle Paul in writing to Corinth in his second letter states "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" in chapter 12 verse 9.

WHAT??? God's power is made perfect in weakness!! God showed His power in the Old Testament when He parted the Red Sea or caused the walls to fall in Jericho with Joshua. Those are powerful moments in the Old Testament. Those events definitely are not signs of weakness. So what else does God's power need to be made complete?

Paul was talking in 2 Corinthians about his "thorn in the flesh". His thorn made him humble. It made him rely on God. He said to keep him from being conceited or selfish. Paul was able to do miracles and evangelize to all parts of the Asia Minor because of the power he had? No!! Paul was able to do anything because of GOD'S power. Joshua was able to defeat Jericho because of God. Moses parted the Red Sea because of God. We are able to walk and live on this earth because of God. When you go to the weightroom to lift a certain amount of weight, it is because of God. And when we believe in that and live our life that way, there is POWER!! Power that no drill or saw or Tim the Toolman can match. Power we recieve from God, is when we have humble, servant hearts. If we want God's power in our lives, we must be willing to confess our weakness. "For when [we] are weak [we] are strong."

Live it,

BB

Who Am I

Does anyone know what a homonym is? I hope you have learned it in school, but if you do not know it is, it is a word that is spelled the same, but has different meanings or pronunciations. Words such as bow, bear, stalk, or left. Those are all words that they are spelled the same whenever you use them in a sentance, but depending on how you use them in the sentance will have a different meaning. For example, I will use the word stalk:

To prevent the caterpillar from eating the ear of corn, you have to spray the stalk with baking soda and water.
OR: Jerrod likes me so much that he stalks me when I go to Wal-Mart.

You see what I mean! Both statements are true........ok I will have a little mercy on Jerrod....he doesn't stalk me when I go to Wal-Mart, he only stalks me when I go to Kroger. (JK!!) Anyway the word is spelled the same, but just meanings in the sentance. Some of you who are more literary minded may know of a term for a sentance that uses the same idea. What I mean is a sentance that is pronunciated the same, but has different meaning according to the way you use it. For example, "Who am I". Depending of how I use it could mean it as question and ask "Who am I", asking the question and trying to define ourself. Or I could use it and say "Who AM I?" The later would be used as a way of questioning my priorities in life and my relationship with God. Who am I that I would even challenge God's purpose in my life? Jonah had this problem. When confronted by God to go into Ninevah and preach....he challenged God's decision and ran. In the last chapter of Jonah, do you remember what God's response is to Jonah when he gets angry with God for having compassion for the people of Ninevah? God basically says who are you for getting angry. I have made all things and created everything. I am the one who created Ninevah. I am much more concerned about that city than you.

Have you ever acted in the way that Jonah did? Where we think we know what is best for us in our life and we leave God out. We get angry with God for maybe not listening to our prayers (we think). We get angry with others for not acting a certain way. We get upset when things don't pan out the way we want. At that time in your life, I want you to ask yourself the question of "Who am I to even have the right to get angry?" If we act in the same way Jonah acted, God is clear on his response to us. Who are we for challenging God? In today's society we think we have rights to everything. We have the right for freedom of speech. We have the right to act the way we want or do what we want. But in all actuality, we don't deserve the right to anything. We have the freedom not because of our democratic society. We have freedom because of God's grace.

"God, who is rich in mercy, who made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved" Ephesians 2:4-5

Live it,

BB

Pressing On

This past Sunday we talked about goals that you can have within your family. As Christians, ultimately our goal is to get to heaven or to "please him". What about in your families......what are your spiritual goals within your family?

Many great comments were voiced on Sunday, but this week the challenge is to do one thing that will help you accomplish your family goals. In what ways have you seen your family members take steps toward your goal or maybe even you?

IMPORTANT QUESTION!!

Last Sunday at Devo, I asked the question what is your goal for your spiritual life? Ultimately our goal as Christians is to go to heaven. But 5 years from now if you have not died, what do you think you will you be doing? And what will your relationship with God look like? So write in and tell me in 5 years what you would like to accomplish spiritually? Or have you even thought about it? If you haven't.......maybe this is time to begin.

BB

Blueprint

Does anyone know what a blueprint is? I really was not acquainted with a blueprint until I bought my first house. I knew what it was, but I did not actually KNOW what it was until then. Since the storm put some damage to some ceilings in our house I had to pull it out and look at the footage of our house. That's what a blueprint is. It shows the actual footage (feet and inches) of our house. I shows each room as if I were looking down on my house without the roof. It dissects each room and says that our kitchen wall is this long and our hallway is that long.

A blueprint is made by a architect. The architect draws out each line with a lot of detail. It notices the crooks and curves in the wall perfectly. Most blueprints have even the outside of the house. How many feet it is from the edge of your house to your neighbors property. (If you ever get a chance, look at one).

God is our designer. He is our architect. He drew us out exactly how He wanted. Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus is the author of our faith. Psalm 139:13 says we were knit together in our mother's womb. If you ever feel at time that your are displeasing to the eye or unpleasant to look at then trust in this. God does not ever create something that is ugly! Let me repeat that......God does not create something that is ugly! You were designed with purpose. You were designed in the "image of God" (Gen. 1:26). So if we resemble the looks of God, we are beautiful.

No matter if you have brown hair or red hair, big or small ears, squinty or round eyes, freckles, long or stubby toes......your were made in the image of God. What a privilege for us!! So tonight when you look in the mirror, and I know you will, believe and trust in this......You are beautiful because you are God's creation. You are beautiful because you were created with purpose.

Live it,

BB

Ikey No Likey

Hurricane Ike is no more, but the aftermath is still around. This was my first hurricane that I experienced. Hurricane Rita was a couple of years ago, but it really did not do much damage to this area. Now that it is almost a week away, and looking at some of the pictures of it.....I just think of how temporary this life is. Also that all of the things that we possess are meaningless. Roofs are blown apart, floods come raging through neighborhoods, and people lose their life because of a single storm. This life is just a vapor for a little while then vanishes.

Beau, quit being a "Debbie Downer"!! Okay here is one word that should give you hope: JESUS. Name above all names. JESUS!! Where is your hope?

Some of you write in and tell me how you weathered the storm. We went to the hospital over the weekend, Erica had to work during the storm.

BB

Upcoming Events

Hey, here is a list of things that are coming up. Make sure you go and tell everyone who may not check this site out about these things:

September 5th (this Saturday) - Lock-In @ Lake Jackson C of C. Be @ church building at 8 pm.

September 12-13 - Giving God your Best Teen Retreat

September 26 - Bay Area Christian FB Game

October 10 - Pearland FB Game

October 17 - 5th Quarter after Alvin FB Game w/ Alvin Church of Christ YG at our building

October 23-26 - Bison Daze @ Harding University for 10-12 grade students. Please pick up registration slips.

December 6 - Faith in Action (more info to come)

Put these dates on your calendars! And let everyone else know about these.

BB

Back to School!

Most of you went back to school this week. Ah, I can remember the times of going back to school on the first day and remembering this is one more year closer to getting out. And one more first day of school. Can you believe that is was 10 years ago that I was a senior in high school? Makes me feel old!

But now that I look back upon the school days, I sort of wish that I were in school. Don't get me wrong I love how God is blessing me right now, but it was fun in high school. So I know that right now you are thinking that this is a hard time because you have a whole new year ahead of you, but everything will work out. You just have to believe that God will help and protect you. Just know this that there are people praying for you as you go back to school.

Today school is so much different that it was 10 years ago. You have so much courage and I truly believe that going to school makes you a stronger person for His kingdom. I have a lot of respect for you because of what you do for your friends and peers at school. Just remember that your school is a field waiting to have seeds planted. Love ya!

BB

Favorite Movie of all Time

Well, I have done some reflecting over the past days. And one of the things that I thought about was my favorite movies. Not my favorites that I have watched this month or year, but of ALL TIME!!!! Yes that is right, Ebert and Roper are going to be seeking this list out.



1. Sandlot.....does the phrase "You play ball like a girl" mean anything to you?



2. Remember the Titans......Ahhhh!! Such a good movie!



3. Lean on Me.......Morgan Freeman at his finest!



4. Lion King.......Have you seen Rafiki! He does such a good job! And those hienas, simply hilarious. And when are you going to get an all star cast such as Whoopi Goldberg, James Earl Jones, Jonathon Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, Robert Guilliume, and Cheech Marin.



5. Speaking of Matthew Broderick.......Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The scene where the principal is running around in the back yard of Ferris and that dog chasing him is just hysterical.



6. Field of Dreams......I am a baseball man. "If you build it, he will come." Again James Earl Jones stars in good movies.



7. It's a Wonderful Life.....you can only watch this movie around one time a year, but it is great!



8. Lord of the Rings Trilogy....... Good always prevails in the end! Such a good analogy of humans struggle against evil in this world.



9. Lonesome Dove......"You run with thieves, you die with thieves". This movie is filled with life lessons.



10. Hoosiers......Best basketball movie ever made.



Honorable Mention.......

Finding Nemo, E.T. Dances with Wolves, Dumb and Dumber, Goonies, U-571, Secondhand Lions, Sound of Music, Anne of Green Gables (Avonlea), Shawshank Redemption (H.M. b/c it is rated R), Bucket List (again Morgan Freeman), Blazing Saddles, The Last Samuarai, Les Miserables, and Hidalgo (movie about a man and his horse...fabulous)


Now, what are your favorites?

BB

Would You Rather.....

Would you rather is an intriguing game. For example, here is how the game is played. Would you rather do the preparatory work for mountain oysters or eat them? Would you rather lick the floor 5 times at Baybrook Mall or lick a frozen flagpole (i.e. Christmas Story)? We had some time to spend on Wilderness Trek one afternoon, so we burned a couple of hours with this game. You can really get to know someone by playing this game.

One of the would you rathers that was mentioned was would rather be tempted by Satan for 40 days in the desert (just like Jesus) or be tested by God for 40 days? This question really made me think. Because I would say that both of them cause us to struggle spiritually. Hopefully, both of them could cause us to be closer to God. 40 days being tempted by Satan probably consisted of no one else around.......no food......hot climate.......being in the presence of Satan........etc.

40 days being tested by God would be difficult as well because think of the people who were tested by God in the Bible......Abraham.......Joseph......Job.....the Exodus. The Israelites were tested several times during the Old Testament to see if they would follow God instead of other worthless gods. These people went through some trying times......almost having to sacrifice your own son, sold by your brothers into slavery, lost everything in your life, wandered in a desert for 40 years. If God were to test me, would it be in the same ways as these people?

This is a tough question. So I need your help. What do you think? Would you rather be tempted by Satan for 40 days or be tested by God for 40 days?

Trek

We had a great time at Trek. We spent 5 days hiking, walking, relaxing, and living on Mount Grizzly. God is so awesome!! I can't believe how people say they do not believe in God. They must not have seen the sights of Grizzly. No there wasn't any grizzly bears on Mt. Grizzly. It is just a name.

Thanks to all of our church members who made this trip possible. I also want to thank our adults who also accompanied us on the trip. David Flores did a great job! Who's Your Daddy with some tabasco on top. Julie Welch was the engine that could! She never gave up. I was encouraged by her tenacious spirit. The Morris' were such a help to have there. They made things much easier when we were packing, loading, unloading, and our first day. Richard, Cindy, Jessica, and Jennifer were such an encouragement to all of us. This was the first time any of us had gone, and they lessened the nervousness we all had about the trip. Our guides (Mark and Ashley) were wonderful! I was a little uneasy about our guides before the trip because I had heard that the spiritual motivation will come from them. Mark and Ashley were instruments of God this week.

Thanks to all!!

How can I forget the teens! As I am writing now, I get a little choked up about. Watching our teens go through the week and encourage one another, helping each other, acting craziy, surrendering their hearts, and seeking God was supercalafragalisticexpealadocious!! (I hope that is how you spell it.) They did an awesome job! Parents you should be proud of your teens!! I am!

Anyway, I will write more. There are many stories that need mentioning.

BB