act on the promise

I never blog enough to write 2 posts in one day, but today has been one of those days where God has been all over the place and in everything I do or see. When things like that happen, you can't help but share. I decided to google the song Jennifer had in her status that I mentioned in the last post, and came across the song and the lyrics. It's called "While I Wait" by John Waller. Apparently, it's in the movie Fireproof (which I haven't seen so I don't know the story behind it), and I read where it's about the guy waiting on his wife to forgive him and see the change in him so they can get back together. Anyway... that's beside the point of this blog.

Check out this article I came across during my search. I don't know much about the site, but so far I'm a fan. This guy discusses the question of how can we wait on God and still move ahead. Very much worth reading. He posts a verse where God calls Abraham to leave his home and settle in somewhere new. Here's the God thing coming in... I visited Harvest Church in Dothan this past Sunday for the first time (and loved it) and guess what the message was on? Yep, on the same thing. Same story of Abraham and taking steps of faith and trusting God along the way.

You see, when God called Abraham to move, he basically would be moving somewhere he knew nothing about. Didn't know anyone. Didn't have any land. Just picked up and left. On top of that, God didn't reveal to him the details of what was in store. Just told him the promise of what was to come. So, Abraham channeled his Nike future and Just Did it. He moved and just trusted God along the way, never knowing the ending, but knowing that God would fulfill His promise. The point of the message was that sometimes God calls us to take steps in obedience without knowing the outcome or the ending of the story. He calls us to trust him and have faith- regardless if we know what's going to happen or not. Taking steps of faith and obedience while holding on to the promise. Action first. Details later.

For me, it's so hard to do this. I want to know what's going to happen or if I am going to be able to deal the difficulties of the process. I know that God has good things in store, but what's going to happen in the meantime? Fact is, we should act on God's promise and trust that He'll take care of anything else. New goal for me-- act on faith and promise.

My mom told me something a long time ago and always remember it when situations arise that require you to wait. She said she always wished for writing on the wall, for God to just spell things out so that she could easily see them and make no mistakes. Then, a friend told her,

"Writing on the wall requires no faith."

Hmm...something to think about. Very true I think. It's easy to follow writing on a wall. Acting in obedience never knowing what's ahead, not so much.

Ok, I think I'm done for the day. Two blogs in one day... whew, I don't know if my brain can handle it. :)

Even God Uses Facebook

I don't know why I'm always a little surprised when God answers my prayers. It's not that I think He doesn't hear me, or doesn't care or isn't planning on answering them, but it always catches me a little off guard. I'm working on not being surprised because I know He promises me good things, but I love the sense of encouragement and peace everytime I find those suprises.

The past couple days have been extrememly difficult for me. Just some relationship issues that I want to work out, but trying to figure out how to do that amongst the hurt and anger. So, last night I prayed that God would take control, let me stop worrying about it and work out the situation. I told God that I really wanted this situation to work, but ultimately I knew that He knew what was best for me. I asked for help to WAIT on Him and His direction. After that, I prayed that I would finally be able to sleep and get some rest, and of course, slept wonderfully and woke up completely refreshed.

Now comes the fun part...

This morning before work, I was taking a look at Facebook in an effort to keep my mind busy, and came across a verse that Nicholas Butler had shared.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the
Lord." Psalm 27:14

It was exactly what I needed to hear to start my day. Then, in another slow moment I was peeking at Facebook again and found this status update from my friend Jennifer:

"Jennifer is waiting on the Lord and I am hopeful, though it is painful,
that I will wait. While I'm waiting I'll serve. I will worship. I won't loose
faith. I'll move ahead bold and confident."

Again, I was a little surprised but totally comforted and encouraged that God was using Facebook friends to tell me what I needed to hear. It puts a huge smile on my face and gives me the peace to continue to wait on Him.

So for now, I'm waiting. I'm worshiping. I'm serving. I'm being strong and taking courage. I'm not loosing faith and moving ahead confidently knowing that God has fabulous things in store for me. :)

Billfish Tournament

Matt and I recently went to PCB for the Billfish Tourney held at Baypoint. So much fun! I will definitely have to make a trip back next year. It rained out our fishing trip Saturday, but we still had a fun afternoon at Shell Island and riding on Matt's boat.

This is Matt shoveling water out of his boat after we got caught in the storm.















This is the famous "Lil Mystery," Matt's boat.

something to toot my marketing horn...

“Marketing is greatly misunderstood. It’s the most important discipline in business today. It’s the core essence of what a company is all about. The overriding concern of top management should be what a company stands for in the minds of customers and prospects.

But it’s not. Top management is focused on products and services and especially on expanding the line to increase sales and profits. What consumers care about is what a company or brand stands for. Perception is the key issue for consumers.

Yet to many management types, reality is the key issue. They think all you have to do is change the reality and you change the perception. But to marketing types, changing perception is the most difficult issue in business...

…Above all, the primary mission of top management is to build powerful brands, which is what marketing is all about.”

-Ken Wheaton (AdAge)

God is in the plans...even the ones we don't understand

Yesterday, a good friend was taken from us way too soon. I had grown up with Mark Meredith since my first day of kindergarten in Mrs. Peacock's class at Rehobeth High School. Since then, we've gone through years of school, years of fun and years of friendship. Mark held another special place in my heart because he was the best friend of someone very close to me. I knew how Mark and Ryan were so close and how they leaned on each other and relied on each other in the good times and bad. When you hear news like I heard early yesterday morning, you're in complete disbelief, shocked and are left feeling completely helpless.

After those feelings subside and you're searching for answers and comfort, you finally find your way back to God. In times like these, we have to remind ourselves that God is still present, even when we don't understand His plans or why He allows things to happen. We'll never know the answers this side of Heaven, but we have to cling to the promise that God promises good things to those that believe and trust in Him. I think God understands when we question Him, but I also think we have two choices in times like these-- we can either give the situation to God and see how He works good things through bad situations or we can let satan take control and destroy the good things Mark worked for and all the times he made us smile.

I've listened to the song, "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns more times than I can count. It seems to be the one song that lets me question, lets me cry and still produces a positive outcome and a small sense of peace and comfort.

Mark will always be remembered as our really tall friend who brought a smile everywhere he went. :) Please keep the Meredith family and all of Mark's friends in your prayers and pray that they experience a magnitude of peace, comfort and strength that only God can provide.

"I'll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands. Cause You are who You are, no matter where I am. And every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand. You never left my side, and though my heart is torn, I'll praise You in this storm." -Casting Crowns

fish aren't even awake this early!

My weekends lately have consisted of fishing and sunny days on the boat. Not a bad way to spend the summer, even if I do have to wake up at 4:00 a.m. to get on the boat. After all the fishing trips, I still don't understand how two boys can be so obsessed with fishing. :) haha... but hey, we love 'em in spite of the weird obsession!



I have to admit, despite the fact that it was 6:00 a.m. and I had been awake since 5:00 a.m., it was beautiful being out on the water that early in the morning.



This might be Matthew's favorite picture ever. :)



Snapper season is finally open! I've heard and read about this forever. Apparently the feds cut the season short b/c they think Snapper is over fished. It's a big deal... to some people anyway.

10 Thoughts on the Role of the Bible in America

... found this on Fox News...


10 Thoughts on the Role of the Bible in America
By Bill Shuler
Pastor, Capital Life Church, Arlington, Virginia

This past week a nation took notice when a San Diego couple was ordered to stop holding Bible studies in their home without a permit. (The order was rescinded after public outrage.) In an unrelated story, a U.S. Court in Pennsylvania ruled that the Bible could not be read during a show and tell time when a kindergartner brought what he described as his, “favorite book” to class. Is it possible that a nation that has such a rich history of going to the Scriptures for guidance now is in the process of turning its back on the same? The following are 10 thoughts on the role of the Bible in America:

1. In a review of nearly 15,000 items written by our founding fathers, the Bible was the most quoted of any source material.

2. George Washington and successive U.S. Presidents have been sworn into office placing their hands on the very book that is now unwelcome in many public schools.

3. “The Bible is worth more than all other books which have ever been printed” — Patrick Henry

4. “The Bible is the best book in the world” – John Adams

5. If the Bible is “just a book,” it should not be uniquely excluded.

6. If the Bible is more than “just a book,” it is to our folly to exclude it.

7. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” — The Bill of Rights

8. “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education” — Theodore Roosevelt

9. “We cannot read the history of our rise and development as a nation, without reckoning with the place the Bible has occupied in shaping the advances of the republic.” — Franklin Roosevelt

10. “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has given to man” – Abraham Lincoln

As Ronald Reagan is honored with a statue in the Capitol Rotunda, I think of the Congressional Proclamation he applauded, signed and implemented, declaring 1983 as a national “Year of the Bible.” Here’s the text:

Whereas the Bible, the Word of God, has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation and people;

Whereas deeply held religious convictions springing from the Holy Scriptures led to the early settlement of our Nation;

Whereas Biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the constitution of the United States;

Whereas many of our great national leaders—among them Presidents Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, and Wilson—paid tribute to the surpassing influence of the Bible in our country’s development, as the words of President Jackson that the Bible is “the rock on which our Republic rests”;

Whereas the history of our Nation clearly illustrates the value of voluntarily applying the teachings of the Scriptures in the lives of individuals, families, and societies;

Whereas this Nation now faces great challenges that will test this Nation as it has never been tested before; and

Whereas that renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through Holy Scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized and requested to designate 1983 as a national “Year of the Bible” in recognition of both the formative influence the Bible has been for our Nation, and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures.