Balance

Well...our 3-year old niece is back with her grandparents for the time being. Not sure how long that is going to last, but for now that's where she is at. Her mom is in a 90-day rehab program in Kaufman. If she finishes....she has a chance at getting her kid back. If she quits before the 90 days are up....she has virtually no chance at getting the baby back. Dad is in the process of trying to custody transferred over to him. It's a mess.

I just don't understand. God entrusts us with the training and raising of children. I can't comprehend the amount of selfishness it takes to put yourself in front of your kid's well-being. Kelly and I usually walk away so angry after we talk to her sister. We're praying for God to heal her, both physically and mentally. And we're praying real hard for Josie. God has a plan for her life, and at the age of 3 she's got people in her life that are trying real hard to derail that plan. I know God will protect her and draw her to him.

We're leaving on our high school mission trip today. We're taking 20 high school kids down to Houston to do some work. It's going to be a good trip. I just love the way our kids look for ways to help others. It is so encouraging to see a group of teenagers focused on how they can show someone else the love of Christ, and not be focused on themselves. That's truly a rarity in this culture and I thank God everyday for the kids that he has placed at Springcreek.

Missions? Whether it's your 3-year old niece or someone you've never met. Our mission is to love. The love of Christ is a healer, encourager, teacher, and guide. God uses us in peoples lives to deliver his gifts of mercy and grace just as He uses people in our lives to do the same. I probably spend too much time looking for what God wants to do in my life, and not enough time on how He wants to use my life.

I'll send some pics and updates of the trip.....

Cowboys vs. Colts.......11 days.....that's what I'm talkin' about. I'm out...

Change of Plans

Well....I was going to write about waking up yesterday and finding that my garage door had been left open all night. When I found it....the fact that we had slept all night with the garage open, and the vulnerability of my family at that time scared me. I had this really deep thought that compared it to leaving our hearts and minds open, but not knowing we're doing it, and our own vulnerability in those times......it was gonna be awesome! But then we got a call....


CPS took my niece away from her mom (Kelly's sister) and the options were stay with us or foster care. So.....we now have a 3-year old living with us for a time yet to be determined. It's been a long time since we've had one that young, and I didn't think I would be doing it again. She is a precious little thing, but has not been given much of a chance in her 3 years.


I'm not sure where to go from here.....my brain is still processing all of this. We had a long talk with my sister-in-law yesterday before we brought the baby home. It was a real challenge trying to be honest with her without letting my down right anger over her selfishness show through.......


You know.....nothing was taken, no one was hurt, nothing was destroyed, or anything when my garage door was left open all night. Maybe it was symbolic..... opening up the door to our family for this little baby will allow God to begin His work in her and her mom. Does it leave us vulnerable? Yes. Inconvenienced? Yes! A little nervous? More than a little.


But we are protected by a loving God who is the defender and protector of the fatherless, and who rescues the weak and needy.............so my family gets the chance to be Jesus to someone. I get it....it's not all about our life and comfort zone.


I'm out....

fright night fun....

Wednesday night was incredible. One of the largest Wednesday night crowds that we've had turned out for our student led service. we celebrated by baptizing 14 students and sharing stories from camp, and taking communion.

we have some awesome kids! they are just incredible, and amaze me more and more every week.

so Kelly and I were at a wedding tonight and got home around 10:00pm. when we walked into the garage we could hear the kids singing, dancing, and having a big time. so i decided to take full advantage of the fact that they never heard us pull up and open the garage.

sneaking up to the window on the side of our house my oldest daughter was wearing a napoleon dynamite wig and doing a very spastic version of the running man while my other daughter had her shirt pulled through halter-top style while she was pop, lock, and droppin' it. Meanwhile, the manchild was handcuffed to one of the tv trays.

i am still laughing at the screams and sheer panic that insued when i beat on the window. when Kelly and I finally opened the door and went into the house the kids were huddled in our room still trying to figure out what just happened.

I love scaring people.........funny.

I'm out....

back home...

well.....we're back home from camp. got home thursday night after a great week at Lake Tomahawk in Livingston, TX. Not enough room to tell you how awesome the week was...but we're baptizing 9 teenagers Wednesday night, and God did some incredible things while we were there. First Baptist Church of Baytown, TX and Second Baptist of Highlands, TX were with us for the week.

Our kids are awesome! This Wednesday we're going to have a camp share service and get to hear from some of them.....don't miss it.

Kelly and I went to the Keith Urban concert last night. It was great. What a great entertainer. And an incredible picker. My wife thinks he's kind of cute too.....I just don't see it.

Gotta go now.....checking out "Transformers" tonight with the manchild. I'm out....