FEELING SO GOOD

As I look at old pics from this blog, as well as Facebook, so glad that I decided to change my eating habits. Healthy living is both exciting and rewarding. Cannot wait to start reffing in September. Will be wearing size L shirt and shorts! (Put on a size L shirt and size 34 pants this morning - shut up!).

jc

GOING TO TAKE TIME

By the way, I have not updated any info or pictures... gimme time

GETTING STARTED AGAIN

Okay, so it is has been over 2 years since I have kept up with this. But I thought it might be a good time to begin again. Will try and post every day or so - just my thoughts on religion and other things. Here goes nothing!!!

jc

A prayer

Lord,

Help me to remember that it is not
about me tomorrow. It's always about
You, Your will, and Your working.

Help me to preach and minister as a
humble participant in Your Kingdom.

Thanks for everything!

JC

I have a great wife

Proverbs 18:22: "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains
favor from the Lord."

I have one of those! I love my wife so very much.
She is my inspiration and joy.
She is my support, my comfort, my best friend.
I love her more than all and she makes me happy!

Thanks God for giving me this wonderful woman
And I think I have found favor with God!

JC

I better call it a day

Amy and Alex are home again today because of weather.
I think I had better punch out and hang out for the rest of the day!!!!!

JC

Competing with God

My mind was wandering the past few weeks of a conversation I had last
summer with a preacher friend of mine named Dan. We were talking
about Abraham and Isaac, the story of God telling Abraham to kill
Isaac as a sacrifice. He was telling me of a movie he watched which
portrayed Abraham basically giving up all things once Isaac was born...
He spent every minute with Isaac, neglecting his duties. God became
jealous obviously and has no desire for anything to deter our relationship
with him - including our family that He has blessed us with.
Matthew 6:25 : "...do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink;
nor about your body, what you will wear." (NKJV)...Is that what is competing
with God - earthly treasures and pleasures?

God, help me today to make sure that all competition is defeated when it
matches up to you.

JC

NO SCHOOL

Ames and Al are out of school today.
I have come to appreciate these days more and more.
It is nice little change of pace - I get so set and firm
in my mundane routine. Yesterday, I took my nephew
back to school at NSU and spent some time in Tahlequah.
Another nice break from routine.

Pray for all those are the road today - BE SAFE

JC

I am tired

Today has been a long day. I feel very BLAH!
I was not a fan of my lesson this morning and I
did not get as long of a nap that I wanted.
I have been struggling with something in my mind also.
I just want to go to bed, sleep for hours and forget the day
ever occurred. I need to do something different with my
sermons, something better... I do not feel very good either.

Whats wrong with me?
I even got a raise tonight, we got a church van - all should be well!

Oh well - tomorrow is another day

JC

Early Morning Repentance

I woke up this morning with an unconfessed sin on
my mind. I stumbled into the living room and did what
I thought was necessary...I got the Word out and hit my knees!
I read through several Psalms - 38, 51, 102, 130 - All of them
David's prayers for mercy and forgiveness. And, it was amazing,
before long the guilt and torment washed away and the peace of
God swept through me like a river. I am so grateful for God; I cannot
imagine what life without Redemption would be like.

Thank You God - your mercy endures forever!

JC

Hello...again

Okay, so I turned 33 yesterday...I have decided to make
it my commitment to try and blog every day. I don't think
anyone even reads this, but for my own personal goal
I am going to blog about what I have studied that day and what
God has shown me. This is my "33"resolution...I am going to
do my best at this and for some reason MAYBE someone will
stumble onto the babbling and meanderings and MAYBE it
will help them...

JC

What to preach???

Our elders have invited a missionary to speak Nov. 30th.
This is a great thing and a much needed visitation for us
here at Kansas. The only minute problem is that I was in the
middle of a series and this has to be postponed until December.
UGH! (Charlie Brown again)...Now, I do not know what to preach this
Sunday. I know the Lord will show me, but still...oh well
Less of me and more of Him!

JC

Good Day

Today was a good day...
We had a good morning in worship, good men's meeting
and a great singing tonight. Devo went very well.
I am extremely worn out tonight. I am taking tomorrow off.
I have sweatpants on I am enjoying life.

JC

Fireproof - A+

My wife and I went and saw the movie, Fireproof, last night
in Grove. Some of the best $14.00 (21 with popcorn and a drink)
I have ever spent. The folks at Sherwood (Facing the Giants) are getting
better and better. I recommend it to every husband and wife, those
engaged, and teenagers who aspire to be married.

JC

I should be grateful

As I woke up this morning, a dark shadow was cast over my
bed... I HAVE TO REFEREE TODAY - Ugh! (Per Charlie Brown)
Every week I say that I am going to retire...and every week there
I am on a Saturday, running around, chasing children and blowing a
whistle.I know I should be thankful for this opportunity for extra
money & exercise, but I just cannot shake the fact that I just do not
want to do it. Then I remembered what Paul wrote in 1 Thes. 5:16-18.
"Be joyful always; Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS (My caps)."
So, as I play that verse in my mind all day - this (I Hope) will help me
become motivated.

Lord, I want to follow your will.

JC

Crown without a Cross

Last week and for the next two weeks, I am
preaching on the concept of gaining our crown
(eternal righteousness) by taking up our cross
(daily sacrifice). I have been reading the book
The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey and he
has some wonderful thinking points... When Jesus
was tempted 3 times by Satan, the devil was offering
Him a easy way out - the ability to achieve glory without
having to go through the pain - - - the crown without
the cross. As I have been studying this and Heb. 2:14-18,
4:15-16 and Heb. 5:8-9, I see that Jesus went through
EXACTLY what we do...Satan offers us the crown without
the cross everyday! Temporary satisfaction over eternal
glory...That is why Jesus said in Luke 9:23 - "Take up your
cross DAILY and follow me..." And...this temptation and
trial is necessary for growth and for learning God's perfect
will for our lives!

Thank God for the example of Jesus Christ for our lives - so we
can see how He handled these tests of temporary greatness.

JC

Its been a while

I have not wrote in a while...Been very busy
I have been to Branson, preached another funeral
and learned a lot about God. I am tired today
and trying to relax all day long...Not always easy,
though.

JC

VACATION

I am so excited...I will be taking a vacation to Branson this weekend. I am taking "off" Thursday thru Monday - - - No worries, studying for lessons, all the above - - - I am ready to get away for a little while. Not too far because 35 from the congregation here are going as well! It will be enjoyable and well deserved...

I'm loving it

JC

Fall - My favorite

I love this time of year. The change from summer to autumn is
one of my favorite times of year. The colors, the temperature,
football, and jackets - I love it. It reminds me of coaching soccer
for so many years, trying to get practice in before 7:00. It reminds
me of being a kid and pumpkins and candy and dressing up. It reminds
me of how God changes the world around us so quickly and easily...and
how it takes so long for us to change. But the other thing to ponder is
that God has to change these things every year - not once and done.
That is like us, isn't it? Continually changing...

JC

Back to normal (whatever that means)

The past few days have been so hectic... but there have
been parts that I have enjoyed. Namely, Amy being home.
It has been nice to get up and go somewhere, kind of like
in the summer. It does make it harder to study and what
not but I will take it. Also, I haven't been keeping up with the
chores either - back to normal! The place has got out of hand
these past few days...it will not ake long to get it back in shape.

Maybe, Amy can just retire and we live off my lucrative
ministry salary. . .

Maybe...

JC