Cletus, Take the Reel

This is too funny not to share!



(HT: Justin Taylor)

"He put a new song in my mouth..."

The following was originally posted on my youth groups's blog.
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In response to our discussion last night at FaithStation, we crafted songs to God that are expressions of our "God moments" - those times in our lives when we know deep in our souls that God is present. As promised, here is mine. If you'd like to share yours, please add it in the comments section.

Your love, O LORD, is beyond words.
When I find myself at the end of my rope;
When I find myself without hope;
When I feel that I am all alone;
You are there.

You are there, in the shadows.
You are there, in the silence.
You are there, in the middle of all the chaos that is life.

In unseen and unexpected ways, O LORD, you make your presence known.
And that makes all the difference.
Thank you LORD.

If only there were words to adequately express your love and your presence.
Thank you LORD.
You are enough.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Today is my 38th birthday! I was born on January 21, 1970, in Huntsville, Alabama. I checked into the world at 3:42 AM at 6 pounds, 13 ounces, and 20 inches long! Seems so long ago (especially when I consider that one of my youth group members shares the same birthday as me, and she is celebrating her Sweet Sixteenth)! Here's a picture of me at 4 days old. Handsome devil, wasn't I!?!

Anyway, I love birthdays! I especially have enjoyed the last few because the girls get excited about my birthday almost as much as I do! I always look forward to getting drawings and cards from the girls, getting birthday cards in the mail, opening my presents, eating some delicious ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins, and spending a nice evening out with Randa. And in keeping with today's technology, it's also been nice to get birthday greetings on Facebook and MySpace.

Awhile back, I came across a link to a site that will show you the number 1 song on the Billboard chart for any given day. The number 1 song the day I was born was "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" by B.J. Thomas - a classic! Check the song out here. (HT: Marko)

Here's me at 38! And here's my great cake (chocolate cake with cookies 'n cream ice cream)!

I don't really make New Year's resolutions, but I usually decide to work on a few goals for the coming year when I celebrate my birthday. This year I thought I'd put some goals down in writing (so to speak). So, here are my goals for my 39th year:

• Spend more time with God (especially in scripture, prayer, and silence)
• Be a better husband to Randa (be less selfish and more loving)
• Be a better father to Annie, Allison, and Ainsley (spend quality one-on-one time with each one on a regular basis: 'dad-and-daughter dates')
• Grow as a youth and children's pastor (minister to and with volunteers, parents, and children; help others discover and use their gifts; grow our groups spiritually and numerically)
• Lose weight, exercise more, and eat a healthy diet
• Deepen and grow my friendships
• Read more books
• Blog more regularly
• Develop a new hobby
• Go somewhere new on vacation this year
• See more of DC this year

Here's to a great ride on this adventure we call life!

In addition to today being my birthday, it is also the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Below is the famous speech he gave at the Lincoln Memorial. It's always good on this day to stop and reflect on what this day is really supposed to be about.