I was blessed with good kids. Excellent students, athletes, funny and quick whitted, and even if they sometimes act like they have no home training at home, when they are away from me, I couldn't ask for more well trained kids. Everything I do, is for them. So you can imagine how proud I was when my 11 year old came to me a few months ago and said he wanted to be baptized. Now, as proud as I was, I was a little worried too. He's 11.. Does he really understand what that means? Does he know? He's just a child and I don't want him to be pushed by anyone or thing when it comes to making the most important decision he will ever make in his life. But the fact that he wanted to know more, that he asked me questions, that he knew that he wanted to live the way God wanted him too and be with HIm one day in heaven... brought tears to my eyes. So on March 20, 2011, my son, my baby (he'll always be my baby) was not only my son, but he became my brother in Christ. How awesome is that?!?!?!?!?!?!??!

I pray that I lead by example for him. That he sees me doing the things that are right and good and when I mess up, that I own up to it, make it right. That my number one goal is pleasing God.

Say a prayer for my little man, his name is Christian. His journey has begun, a good one and I couldn't be prouder!!!

So last Wednesday night at Bible Study, we watched a video and had a discussion about what keeps people from coming to church, what keeps us from asking people to church and when they DO come, what makes them maybe not want to come back. Been thinking alot about that.

Then I read somewhere this week that we often get distracted with disappointment in our church. That people who have the most to say about an issue in church, often are doing nothing about it, well except talk about it. And we are not to get distracted by people's smallness. And I find myself often times, falling into these traps. It's really easy to get mad about things that are not going our way, even if the reason we have are good and valid ones. But our relationship with God should not be tainted because of other people's ignorance. Our goal is a simple one, bring others to Christ. It matters not about what kind of house they live in, what side of town they live on, money or no money, black or white. If we are not about people, we miss the whole point. Period!

So what's keeping you from bringing people to Christ? What has us distracted from the task at hand? It's time to quit making it about us (REALLY) and look at the real reason God allows us to still be here... relationships.

Albany had it's annual Mardi Gras celebration. Weather was semi nice, we had a little rain but it didn't seem to stop people from having a good time. I pray you all had a good and safe weekend... productive.

Until next time, Lord willing, "be blessed and be a blessing!"

"Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins." - Mark 11:25-26 (The Message)

There have been many time in my life where someone has hurt me or wronged me. Too many to count actually. And I will be the first to tell you, I didn't forget OR forgive. And some of it was really "big" stuff. Some specific stuff. And I would imagine the people around me knew all about my hurts since I probably told the stories over and over and over. All the time saying "I forgive" and "I'm okay", but inside, I was still fuming and as far as I was concerned, I had every right.

But those things controlled me. My every thought and move. And honestly I still have flashbacks every now and again, but I have to quickly get myself in check cause I really didn't like the person I became when it took control. So one of the hardest things in the world for me to do was to forgive. I mean really forgive and it took a LONG time. I can't even tell you when exactly it happened, I just know now that I can be around these people and it's not an issue anymore. I don't bring it up in conversation everytime we speak or throw it up in their faces anymore. I guess you could say I am growing up some.

We expect alot from the people we love. We want them to always be honest and never ever do us wrong. But in reality, as people who are not perfect, we ALL will disappoint at some point in our lives. And even though we like to think so sometimes, there is no thing, or "sin" worse than the other. And I have had some major ones to hit me (well, major in my head)... but if we expect God to listen to us and forgive us when we mess up ( and for me, that is too many times to count) then how can we not forgive other people, when they do things to us. Not saying that it's easy or will happen over night, but if you don't even try...... then the verse is very clear " if you do not forgive, neither will God forgive you".

I pray you are all having a blessed week. Alot of things happening and going on that would test a person's faith seems to me, so we gotta stay strong and keep praying for each other. That's the only way to survive... love you all and be blessed.. until next time, Lord willing...