temptation...

My wife and I are at a restaraunt...there is a sign with a piece of cake on it that says, "GO AHEAD, SPLURGE!" I am soooo tempted to buy one. There is much temptation around us...after Christmas specials are everywhere. Jesus was tempted at his weakest point...He used scripture to correct the devil. If we want to resist temptation we must have scripture in our lives. We must live, breathe and exercise our faith. Wha are you being tempted with? It might be more than just a piece of cake!

Rainbow

Rainbow in California!

Rainbow...

Rainbow in California!

Gingerbread house

the final product.

ready to make ginger bread house!

Waiting...

Wife is singing and waiting for the grandkids to make ginger bread house!

Where am I going this Sunday?

Yup! I am going back to Bethlehem! Well..not really. That is the title of the play that I will have a part in it. We have combined it with a musical called Hope Has Hands! We have worked very hard to make this a special time! Will you join us and encourage us this Sunday, December 21st at 11 am? Go to www.csbcfamily.net for directions.

One of my favorite songs...

Here is one of my favorite videos: "Home" by Daughtry.

Artist Site

More Videos

Hurry

Nearly every weekday, I hurry to get my son up to drive me to the train station. It seems we always run a little bit late and i feel rushed. Today was no different, yet traffic was lighter than usual, there seemd to be less people here today, amd we arrived two minutes earlier.
It is amazing that a routine can change so quickly from one day to the next. Life can change in a twinkling of an eye. Are you in a hurry or are you watching the tracks of life pass you by? Be ready. The train is coming.

A great video...

This video really touched me. It sparked in me a reality about who I am and what I am doing here. I hope you watch, see and understand the message. What does this video say to you?

What is in your way?

This morning, I woke up to see something unusual in the Inland Empire....FOG! Fog gets in the way. It makes it difficult for us to see, drive and enjoy the sunrise.

What is in your way this morning? What is blocking your view? Problems, struggles, hurts? A friend, a struggling relationship, trust, a marriage? Fog disappears when the sun rises. The sun clears our view and we can see better again. Deal with the fog, but persevere through it"...how will you deal with your fog this morning?

80th bday party

My grandma is celebrating her 80th bday! She is celebrating it with her friends, family, and it is at her church! I was honored to give the blessing for the dinner.

Look at all the people...

...at the Gaither concert.

Gaither country

Last Saturday we went to the Gaither Homecoming concert. We sat in the last row on top (row J). We were so far, yet we felt the heart and mind of God's people singing together in harmony. The last 45 minutes, we were able to sit on the floor seating. It didn't matter where we were, we could still sing and still enjoy the concert! God is everywhere...he will always be there for me. What about you?

Turkey....

Eating turkey a week early. COME AND GET IT.

Thought of the week...

What if there were no such thing as joy? What if it was gone? What if that emotion no longer existed? Could we ever truly be joyful?

I see many people who are sad and depressed over the economy, struggle and just life in general. The Bible says:

24 So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? 26 God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him.... Ecclesasties 2:24-26

Everything comes from God. God will give us the "joy" when we do His purpose.

Sometimes....

...we need a good laugh.

24 hours...

Have you ever wondered why some days seem longer? Yet there are only 24 hours in everyday. We can't change that. Ecclesiasties 3:1 says, "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." So make wise use of your time on this earth, because you only have 24 hours today!

Art-Part 2

This morning in Art Part 2, I want to explain about the picture you sawin Part 1 (see previous post). Was it really art? Yes. It is the upholestry of the seat I sit on when I take the train to go to work. While you may not appreciate the design, its purpose is to look beautiful, provide comfort and I am sure to hide some dirt.

Did you know that God created you as art? Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) says, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

The Greek word for "masterpiece" is the word "poema" from which we get our English word poem. In a sense, we are God's art because we express who is. That makes us each valuable and priceless pieces of art. So I am thankful for the art I see everyday at work, on the train, in the mall and in my family...it tells me who God is. I hope that you too realize the art you are, because you were created by the greatest Artist! Look at my granddaughter, she is a work of His art!

Art-Part 1

Art is beautiful! It spurs our imagination and creative abilities. It transcends over time and its beauty is sometimes not realized for centuries. What is art to you? Is this art to you?

Vote...

Today is the day to get out on vote! Don't forget it is your responsibilty to vote. Hopefully, I won't have to wait in a long line.

Time to get going...

Well, it is early in the morning and I still haven't adjusted to the time change. Time is important to me and to you also. How we spend it shows us what is important in our lives. Use your time wisely this morning!

Halo

come play Halo at cornerstone!

Here I am!

Now you found me!

My view

How is your view this morning?

My view

This is my view of the train station at 5:30 am. How is your "view" this morning?

Looking foward...

Sometimes I look back and see how my life used to be. The poor decisions I made, the wasted time I spent. But as I look forward, I see many great things ahead. A time for family reunions, a time for sharing stories, a time to show love to others.

One thing I am looking forward to is a break from school. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the classes I have taken but with all the busyness of being a husband, father, pastor and other jobs the break is definitely needed. So, my thought for the day is for you to "Take a Break!"

my two grandsons

Multimedia message

A bundle of joy!

This year, I have many friends who have or are expecting their first or second child. When they talk about this it seems to bring great joy to the conversation. Their eyes have a glow, their lips have the biggest smile and there is an anticipation of looking forward to a new life.

Over 2,000 years ago, God miraculously brought His Son into the world. Jesus didn't just appear, he came in human flesh. He was born in less than ideal circumstances, yet He is the greatest joy we ever had! During Chirstmas time, we sing "Joy to the world!" But in our hearts are we truly singing with the joy that Jesus brought. The joys of forgiveness, love, pain, hurts, and relationships that He came for. It is not too early to celebrate the joy of Jesus. For the retail stores, Christmas does not come early enough. Why wait for Christmas to be joyful? Enjoy your bundle of joy!

Who turned on the blow dryer?

Yesterday morning (5 a.m. to be exact), it was warm but comfortable (about 76 degrees). I took the train into work to Orange County which is about 35 miles inland and it was in the 60s! A few hours later, around 10 a.m., it was windy and HOT! Who turned on the blow dryer?

It reminded me, that we need to adapt to change. We need to be ready for any kind of weather change that will come our way.

When Jesus had been crucified on the cross, the disciples scattered. They were nowhere to be found. In fact, they were frightened because change had entered their life. They hadn't expected His death and it seemed that all hope was lost. They were on the mountain top with Jesus, but were now in the valley of fear. The heat was on. Yet Jesus came to calm their fears and their doubt. They were not prepared for this change.

38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet." Luke 24:38-40 (NLT)

Are your prepared for change? Are you fearful and doubtful that change will work? Do what Jesus said, Look at Him!

The CornerStone Bunch

At CornerStone we started a new Message Series called The CornerStone Bunch.

The purpose of the series is to help us focus on how we as a family have problems, hurts, and struggles just like everyday families. Last week, we talked about how we can LISTEN AND LEARN from others throug a message entitled "Lessons from Dad". One of the things we need to appreciate in our Bunch is our young people. They are not the leaders of the future, but leaders of today. Look at what the young people of CornerStone do.

What Lesson can you learn?

It's a new beginning....

It is a new beginning here! As I begin to "blog" from time to time. I hope what I share and write is meaningful to some of you out there. More information will be coming soon! In the meantime, here is a video that I truly enjoy. Have you hugged someone today?