Camoflage Sunday

Pastor Mike Hoggard has 'Bib Overall Sundays' at Bethel Church in Festus Missouri where (just for fun), everyone wears bib overalls to church on a designated day.  My son Elijah decided that we needed to have a 'Texas Version' of bib overall Sunday and he decided we would have 'Camo Sunday' yesterday.

 Elijah was totally camouflaged, but I only own one pair of camo shorts and they are a little too big for me these days but I was happy to get in the proper uniform of the day.  Elijah loaned me one of his camo caps to round out my ensemble.

We enjoyed church at our house this past Sunday, streaming Pastor Mike's Sunday School and Morning service to our television.   I made a delicious breakfast of biscuits and gravy.   Connor was home and we had a complete family in attendance.

In church, Pastor Mike taught on the reign of King Hezekiah.   Here are some of my notes from his sermon:

Hezekiah: He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. 2 Kings 18:5-6

I wish America had a leader like Hezakiah.   At least I can lead my own family in that manner!  2 Kings 18:5-6 is an inspiring verse!  

The Lord provided an AMAZING day for us yesterday.     PRAISE GOD!

Coach Sam's Tip from the life of Hezekiah:  Cleave to the Lord today.  Depart not from following HIM.  Keep His Commandments!

Prayer Needed...!

Praise God for the cooler 58 degree temperatures this morning at Columbia Lakes...! Honestly, It has been so hot for so long I can't remember a hotter summer than this one. I can't remember a dryer summer than this one, either.

And while my family enjoyed a peaceful, relaxing Labor Day at home, other parts of Texas were being devastated by wildfire. We stopped and prayed together as a family several times throughout the day and evening for all those effected by the out of control fires. Map

There are so many situations that need prayer right now. I could sit and compose on this prayer site all morning if I had the time.

We must also lift up sweet little Barrett Langham who has been suffering severe migraine headaches the past few days.

There are many relationship issues that need healing and restoration as well. But God is Sovereign over all. Our responsibility is to be faithful and to not lose hope during these difficult, trying times.

Father God, Lord you are Lord of All. Father God while we sometimes have a difficult time understanding why bad things happen to good people. We rest in the fact that You are Always by our side.

Father, I lift up to You all those affected by the wildfires in Texas. Lord I pray blessings on those families who have suffered loss of life and property. Father I pray for Your People to be Your hands and feet in this situation and comfort those who have suffered loss. Lord I pray for a containment of these fires. Lord I pray for rain. Father please bless and protect all the volunteer rescue workers involved.

Lord I pray for healing for Barrett. Thank You for all the friends and family who have stood vigilant throughout the Langham family crises.

Father I stand in the gap for my stepson, Connor. Please restore him to his family. Draw him close to You, Lord. Send Godly influences into his life.

Father God there are many more requests. You know them all. Thank You for being a God that is bigger than our problems. Thank You for loving us and sending Your sweet, precious son, Jesus. I love You, Lord.

And pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Praise Report...

Last night I enjoyed a fun family evening with Connor, Elijah, and Monica. That's right, everyone was present. We enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by my precious wife, and then watched sky angel together for several hours after that.

I honestly can not remember the last time all four of us enjoyed a peaceful family evening together... PRAISE the LORD...!

It's no coincidence that this blessing came around Easter time...

Praise God from who ALL blessings flow...

Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You Lord Jesus: Giver of All Good Things...! Lord, I take credit for nothing good in my life. Every Good and Perfect Gift comes from You...!

I love You Lord. I am not worthy of anything good yet YOU have chosen to bless me and not only that, You have blessed me ubundantly. Father, I am so sorry for my sins that nailed You to the Cross. Thank You for Your Grace and Mercy.

Lord I pray continued blessings on my house. Please continue the good work You have begun in this family. Help me to be the husband, daddy, coach, and friend that You have called me to be.

Father God, You are truly an AWESOME GOD...! I lift Your name up on High...!

And in Jesus' Name I pray, Amen...!

Unforgiveness

It's interesting how the Holy Spirit works. I've really had a burden on my heart lately to go to the challenging relationships in my life and make them right. Today, Dr Charles Stanley's devotional topic was the subject of 'unforgiveness'. -How appropriate for me...

Dr Stanley summed it all up so eloquently. Here's a link to his post. But I'd also like to summarize his article for my own reinforcement.

Unforgiveness is Bad Because...

-It harms family interactions...

-It hinders prayer life...

-It damages one's personal witness...

-It thwarts spiritual growth....

Hmmm... -Harms, Hinders, Damages, Thwarts... Looks like nothing good can be said about unforgiveness...

I feel that the damage to one's personal witness is the most significant by-product of unforgiveness.

The highlight of your testimony is salvation, which centers around the truth that the Lord has forgiven all your sins. How can you stress the importance of this if your listener can’t see even a hint of forgiveness in your own life? -Dr Charles Stanley

I wish I had realized all this a long time ago. I've wasted YEARS of my life in unforgiveness...!

Well, realization of the problem doesn't mean I've overcome it completely. I'm still working through a lot of baggage. But I'm definitely headed in the right direction.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord thank You for the reinforcement of the importance of forgiving others. Father God I pray that all the bitterness of unforgiveness that has been built up in me over the years through challenging relationships just melt away.

Lord I am sad for all the negative energy I've spent over issues that I should have just let go of. I am so grateful that You are a God of Forgiveness. If You died for all of our sins how can I hold someone accountable for a perceived wrong to me...?

If I do not forgive others then You will not forgive me. Father God I pray this morning that You would bless my efforts to right the challenging relationships in my life.

Lord I confess that one of my biggest challenges ever is with my stepson, Connor. Father God, I truly want to impact Him for You. I know he has trouble seeing You in me. Help me do better with Connor. Help me to be exactly what he needs in the way of a step dad, mentor, and friend. I pray for a well spring of patience with Connor.

I pray that even in times of correction that my words are gentle and encouraging. Lord I believe that I can help Connor change by changing my own mode of operation. But I realize that nothing I do will be effective without giving it first to You.

Lord the good that has come out of this negative situation is my realization that You are in charge here, not me. Help me to forgive like You forgive, love like You love, and bless this family with peace.

That is the greatest gift I can give You, my family, and the world this Christmas.

Lord I'm lifting up Connor this morning. I'm lifting up this family unit, my King. Forgive us Lord and help us to forgive and love each other so the whole world can see what a life filled with the love of Christ looks like.

I love You, Lord. And I pray these things in Jesus' Name, Amen.