Category: Uncategorized

Restart

I was finished, game over
Couldn’t carry the weight on my shoulders
At my end, in trouble
Knocked down on the ground seein’ double

June 2000 this was me

Some friends, my wife – grace entered and through them Jesus…

…But then Your love, love opened my eyes
Lifted me up, up, now I’m alive
I raise my hands, hands to the sky

October 2000. The 13 was the restart to a 20 year journey to becoming the man i was intended to be.

Oh Lord, I’m a different man
You gave me a second chance
I was lost, I was fallin’ apart
But You came along, and You hit the restart

You, You, You hit the restart
You, You, You hit the restart
You, You, You hit the restart
You came along, and You hit the restart

Clean Heart

Devotional: “Creating a Clean Heart”

Scripture:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
— Psalm 51:10 (ESV)

Reflection:
King David’s life was marked by both extraordinary faith and profound failures. In Psalm 51, we find David at one of his lowest points, confronted with the reality of his sin. He doesn’t hide from it or excuse it. Instead, he turns to God with a broken and contrite heart, acknowledging his need for divine cleansing.

David’s plea, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” goes beyond the surface. He doesn’t ask for a mere external cleansing or a temporary fix. He understands that the root of his sin lies within his heart—his innermost being. He realizes that only God can create something new within him, something pure and undefiled.

This request for a clean heart is coupled with a desire for a “right spirit”—a spirit steadfast and aligned with God’s will. David longs for restoration, not just in his actions but in his innermost thoughts and desires. He recognizes that true transformation begins from within.

Application:
Like David, we all have moments when we realize our hearts are not as they should be. Whether it’s through conscious sin, like David’s, or the gradual accumulation of wrong attitudes and desires, our hearts can become cluttered and impure. Psalm 51 offers a model for how to respond when we find ourselves in this state.

  1. Confession and Acknowledgment:
    Begin by acknowledging your need for God’s mercy. Confession is the first step in the process of spiritual cleansing. It involves recognizing our sins and being honest with God about them. When we confess, we open the door for God’s transformative work in our lives.
  2. A Plea for Cleansing:
    Ask God to create in you a clean heart. This is not something we can achieve on our own. It requires the work of the Holy Spirit, who purifies and renews our inner being. Trust in God’s power to cleanse and renew, no matter how deep the stain of sin may seem.
  3. Desire for Renewal:
    Seek a steadfast spirit. Ask God to renew your spirit so that it remains aligned with His will. This involves a willingness to be changed, to let go of old patterns and embrace the new life that God offers.
  4. Dependence on God’s Grace:
    Remember that the creation of a clean heart is a work of grace. We cannot earn it or make it happen by sheer willpower. It is a gift from God, given to those who humbly seek it.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before You with a humble heart, acknowledging my need for Your mercy and grace. I confess the sin that has stained my heart and separated me from Your presence. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Purify my thoughts, desires, and actions so that they may align with Your will. Help me to live in the freedom of Your forgiveness and to walk in the newness of life that You offer. Thank You for Your boundless love and the promise of renewal. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Thought:
The journey toward a clean heart is not a one-time event but a daily process of surrender and renewal. As we continue to seek God’s presence, confess our sins, and rely on His grace, He faithfully works within us, shaping us into vessels of His love and righteousness. Let Psalm 51 be a continual reminder that no matter where we are, God’s mercy is always within reach, and He is ready to create in us a clean heart when we turn to Him in faith.

For me

The year 2000 was the year of make it or break it for me. I broke and God picked up the pieces and restarted my life with a cleaned heart and spirit

That started a 20 year journey of renewal.

Dad remembered

Sept 2013, Dad left this world.

He came home with hospice (Melissa and Dee – gave him such loving and excellent care) – he hung on till his youngest granddaughter drove in from Austin and passed 20 minutes after she arrived and said goodbye.

Korean War US Army Sargent, 120th Combat Engineers, 45th Infantry Division. He was a technician at Dupont SRW from the mid-1950s to his retirement in 1986.

The bottom of the Neches River, white Perch, and catfish were his passions, and getting stuck in gulleys in his jeep.

He loved us by sharing his life and interests with his sons and grandchildren. We seemed to live on the Neches River each summer growing up.

The spook trail entertained his grandchildren at Halloween and throughout the year.

He taught his sons to garden, peel pine saplings for fence posts, build fences, change oil and spark plugs, and work on an Evinrude 5 hp motor at Mud Lake while his brother fished and we prowled the woods and shot BB guns.

He served his church FMC Buna his entire life. He served on the school board and was president for a long time. He got to sign each of his son’s diplomas.

He gave me and my brothers a golden life – I love you, Dad, and miss you.

Today is a Good Day to Have a Good Day

“Embrace the Positivity: Today is a Good Day to Have a Good Day! ☀️

Let’s start the day with a positive mindset and a heart full of gratitude. No matter what challenges come our way, we have the power to make today a good day. Let’s choose kindness, spread joy, and focus on the blessings that surround us. Remember, positivity is contagious – so let’s make today a day to inspire and uplift others. Here’s to embracing the goodness in each moment and creating a day filled with happiness and positivity! 🌟 #GoodDay #PositiveVibes #Gratitude”

On Father’s Day

while many celebrate the loving and nurturing relationships they have with their earthly fathers, it’s important to acknowledge and embrace the reality that not everyone shares this experience. For those whose relationships with their fathers have been marked by absence, disappointment, or pain, the concept of fatherhood can evoke mixed emotions. However, within the Christian faith, there is a profound and comforting portrayal of God as the ultimate embodiment of fatherhood—offering unconditional love, boundless grace, and unfailing support to all His children.

The biblical depiction of God as a loving Father is a cornerstone that can provide immense comfort and strength. Scriptures like Psalm 68:5, which describes God as “a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,” and Matthew 6:26, where Jesus reassures that God cares deeply for His creation, asserting that not even a sparrow falls to the ground outside the Father’s care, offer powerful reminders of His encompassing and protective nature.

In reflecting upon this divine fatherhood, we see a Father who is ever-present—not distant or disinterested. This is a Father who listens to prayers, who sees every tear, and who walks alongside His children through both the valleys and mountaintops of life. Unlike human relationships that may fail or falter, God’s love remains steadfast and unchanging.

For those who feel the absence of a paternal figure, God offers Himself as a sanctuary and guide. The reassurance found in Deuteronomy 31:8, where God promises never to leave nor forsake His people, can be incredibly comforting. It’s an assurance that you are not walking this journey alone, but are accompanied and loved by a Father whose commitment to His children is eternal and all-encompassing.

On this day, if the traditional celebrations of fatherhood don’t resonate with your experiences, you might find solace and hope in the relationship offered by God. In Him, you can find the qualities of the ideal father—compassion, protection, guidance, and an everlasting love that does not disappoint.

In the spirit of Avicii’s “Hey Brother,” the message that “there’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do” reflects not only the depths of human sibling bonds but can also be seen as a mirror of the divine love God extends. He is a Father who, in the person of Jesus, demonstrated that there truly is nothing He wouldn’t do for His children—even to the point of giving His own life.

Today, whether you are celebrating, reflecting, or finding a new understanding of fatherhood, may you feel the deep, unending love of the Father who calls each of us His own, who knows us by name, and who offers us a place in His eternal family.

4

Life remembered

Once upon a time, in the year 1976, there was a high school student named John. He was a part of the Class of 1976, a group of vibrant and ambitious individuals ready to take on the world. As he reminisced about his high school days, he reflected on various aspects of his teenage years.

Firstly, John was asked if he had married his high school sweetheart, and he proudly replied with a resounding “yes.” He had indeed tied the knot with his high school love, a relationship that blossomed during their time together.

Next, he was asked about his wheels back in the day. John’s eyes sparkled with nostalgia as he mentioned his 1967 Chevrolet stepside green truck. It was his pride and joy, a faithful companion that he cherished dearly.

During his high school days, John worked at Food City, a local supermarket. He spent his time stocking shelves and bagging groceries, learning the value of hard work and responsibility.

John’s hometown was Buna, a small and close-knit community where he grew up. It was a place filled with fond memories and cherished friendships.

When it came to extracurricular activities, John was a part of the choir and band. He had a passion for music and enjoyed expressing himself through melodious tunes.

Reflecting on his high school experience, John was asked if he would go back if given the chance. Surprisingly, he answered with a firm “no.” He believed that life is meant to be lived forward and that his high school days were simply a chapter in his journey.

Prom night held a special place in John’s heart as he not only attended with a date but also married her later in life. Their love story had stood the test of time, and they continued to cherish each other’s company.

When it came to academics, John’s favorite subjects were science and math. He enjoyed the logical thinking and problem-solving aspects of these disciplines.

Freedom

Gal 4

Sons and Heirs

1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.

3So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principlesa of the world. 4But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.

I watched sound of freedom

2 million plus slaves worldwide. Most are children