It's Been A While

I know it has be a while since I last gave an update and I apologize to those who actually come this way wondering if I will ever put a recent picture of Hannah on here. I hope you like the picture and I hope it is an updated one. They are beginning to run together.

Things are well with Laura and myself, we are just extremely busy trying to sell our house, raising Hannah, staying happily married, me finishing school, Laura trying to find a job, and attempting to launch a full blown youth ministry at Word Alive. We had our first Wednesday night last night and it went pretty good. We had 70 students and things went really smooth considering it was our first night. We are totally dependent upon God doing something great here and know that He will make it happen according to His purpose and sovereign will.

Blake

How You Can Pray For Us

1. His Kigdom come, His will be done in our lives as it is in heaven.

Thanks!

Blake and Laura

Holiness Takes On A Whole New Meaning

Since becoming a Christian in 1996 there are a few Christianeze terms or phrases that I have had to learn for myself then try to figure out what they meant to other people. Many times people have asked if I was a 'religious person' and I would adamantly say, "No, I am a Christian." Over the last year if you would have asked me the same question my response would have been much more dignified with, "No, I am a follower of Jesus and His teachings." Now there is nothing wrong with either of these answers. In fact I will probably still use the latter in certain instances. But, I want to get back to the question. Am I a religious person? Are you?

First we need to look at the word 'religion' and it's meaning. Religion is defined as, Man's (humans) response to God. So the answer to the question for anyone, Christian, Muslim, Jehova's Witness, Mormon, Atheist or Agnostic, is Yes! We (being the human race) are all religious. The good news for the Christian is their response to God is the only right response because of Jesus Christ.

I want to continue looking at this subject and get down to the nitty-gritty (southern term) and discover why so many Christians use the religious card as an excuse to sin. You see, many do not like to be taught on the subject of holiness because it kicks out from under a lot of Christians the "Religious Crutch." Holding other followers of Jesus to a high standard of holiness by means of a loving spirit is not passing judgment (which some term being religious). I ask the Lord often to discipline me and to put people in my life that will bring correction. The religious card is no excuse for sin. Sin is sin and every individual is responsible for their own sin.

It's time we as believers take a long look at what Jesus told many sinners. After ministering to them with a compassion never seen by such a prophet or teacher ever, He told them to go and sin no more. With this we must keep in mind the totality of the Scriptures and remember that all have fallen short of the Glory of God (Jesus) and no one is good no not one. It's not that we do not sin, it's that we should not want to sin. We need to take heed less we fall and seek to worship God with our entire lives!

Next up: Drinking alchohol. A look at the religious card on this one and what the Scriptures say.

Be blessed!

Tragedy in Enterprise

My prayers go out to the students of Enterprise High School and the families who lost a child as a result of a an EF3 tornado. May the peace of Jesus Christ rest upon this city.

"Father, I ask that Your Spirit will bring hope and restoration to everyone who has been effected by this tragic event. In Jesus Name, Amen."

Jeremiah 29:11

A Cool Picture of Hannah

This is one of my favorites!