I like this Song.......

Church and Modesty

Here's a post by a friend of mine that addresses the issue of modesty of dress especially in relationship to church attendance. Check it out.........it's something as Christians we can't afford to ignore the importance of especially in that we do not want to cause someone to "stumble".
He included some good links for reference in evaluating this touchy issue. Go to http://rodcarroll.wordpress.com/

Christians, Culture and the World

I listen to Alistair Begg on the radio coming to work at times and today his message delt with issues that hit prettly close to home. We Christians at times tend to lose our focus on what it means to live the Christian life and interact with the world around us and wind up trying to "Christianize" activities on one hand, and protest some people's lives in a way that comes across as self-righteous and unkind on the other.
Pastor Begg's message is entitled "the Kingdom of God pt. B" and is well worth the listen if you get the chance. Check out http://www.truthforlife.org for July 30, 2008.

Starbucks Fun Facts

You probably heard about all the Starbucks Coffee house cutbacks.
Here are some interesting tidbits I came accross in the Baton Rouge Advocate (newspaper) recently:

Anticipated store closures for the following states:

Louisiana = closing 21% of existing 57 stores.
Mississippi = closing some 40% of existing 17 stores.
Alabama = closing 24% of existing 51 stores.

I know this post has no significance unless you are an employee of Starbuck's........but it just seems strange that a company of this size would be making such racial changes so quick. Let me explain: In Baton Rouge for example over the past year or so Starbuck's has built and opened brand new stand alone locations........that they are now turning right around and closing. I mean, the paint must be drying on some of these locations that are now marked for closure..........
......strange!!

Maybe there's a job opening in the Starbuck's organization coming soon in demographic and marketing research..!!

Hang on to your white chocolate mocha.........

STRESS BREAKERS!!!

My friend Rod blogged about stress yesterday......and boy do I understand. I finished the day doing a root canal ......and well...for me as a dentist that can be one of the most stressful procedures I do. It was good for me to be able to go to church afterwords and be encouraged in the word and prayer. God really knows what He's talking about when He says "forsake not the assembling of yourselves together"(Heb. ch. 10)................He uses time with the brothers and sisters to encourage us to press on........
When I got home last night after Wednesday service,..showered etc......I was reminded of a couple of little "stress breakers" God has living in my home with me...........how can I hold on to "stress" after remembering Jesus Christ with His people and starring at these faces......?
Thank you Lord for you gifts!

Saturday Outside

Neighborhood Crew

Good (popsicle) to the last drop!!

My Favorite Hymn

Was listening to a song by Delirious? last night and at some point was reminded of my favorite hymn. It is by Isaac Watts. To those of you who know about church hymns you'll probably agree that brother Watts was one of the most brilliant and prolific hymwriters to date. Just grab your favorite hymnal and notice how many "well known" hymns he is responsible for. My favorite is probably a little less well known in comtempory Baptist life. Anyways, here it is......great food for the soul.

"How Sweet and Awful"

how sweet and awful is the place,
with Christ within the doors,
while everlasting love displays,
the choicest of her stores.

while all our hearts and all our songs,
join to admire the feast,
each of us cry whith thankful tongues,
"Lord, why was I a guest?"

why was I made to hear Thy voice,
and enter while there's room?
when thousands make a wretched choice,
and rather starve than come.

twas the same love that spread the feast,
that sweetly drew us in,
else we had still refused to taste,
and perished in our sin.

pity the nations oh our God,
constrain the earth to come,
send Thy victorious word abroad
and bring the stranger home.

we long to see Thy churches full,
that all the chosen race,
may with one voice and heart and soul,
sing Thy redeeming grace.

Amen

Saturday Fun......

Saturday was one of those days when I have the priviledge to spend it going and doing with Julie and Will. Julie had her last swim meet of the summer today called the "City Meet", which is held annually on the LSU campus. Cathy, who is working on getting her Masters in Library Science from LSU, was heavy laden with one of her research projects. Unfortunately, she had to stay behind to do school work while I took Julie and Will to her meet. The city swim meet is participated in by the various swim teams of the greater Baton Rouge area. Boy, was it hot today and a great day to be one of the swimmers!!! Here are a few pics from our day.
Will walking......to class?? not so fast......!!!

Julie wanted to visit the Indian mounds or "hills" on campus

Gooooooooooooooo...!

On top.....

Will demonstrating the "roll" technique.........

Julie gets in on the fun.....

Like I said, it was hot. Me and Will went to see Mike the Tiger, but he was nowhere to be found......must have been soaking up some AC inside his pad.....

Julie and her swim buddy Bailey

Truly, God has been good to us......His mercies are new everyday.

Amen.

Eternity in View

the King of Kings and Lord of Lords
is coming with a two edged sword,
to punish all in unbelief
and gather to Himself His sheep,
those for whom He bled and died
so justice would be satisfied,
and God Himself might be the just
and pardon sinners with Christ blood...........

Living my life for You...
pressing up and onward
with eternity in view.....
pilgrims, just passing through,
all the world is vanity,
when the savior has your view....

so comtemplate and count the cost,
what was your gain must now be loss,
if you are to have peace with God,
which comes by faith in Christ His Son,
Who is Himself the Surety,
of all who by God's grace believe,
those redeemed from future wrath,
delivered out of satan's grasp........

Living my life for You......

Swim Team Queen

Julie loves to swim and is very good at it. She has been on the community swim team for the past 3 years. Here's a couple of pics from her last swim meet.