Will your boat be empty?

If you are focusing and talking more about Joe Biden and Donald Trump, or Republicans and Democrats, or Georgia and recounts or “religion” and “politics” more than you are focusing and talking about Jesus Christ, His Grace, Sacrifice and Love, I’m afraid that in the midst of your storms, your boat is going to be empty and the words, “Peace, be still!” will be absent.

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The Great Conjunction

I’ve seen the debates about what is or isn’t the “real” Christmas star etc, honestly, I simply marvel at God’s creation. I love the cosmos, just mind blowing, one photo below paints the #GreatConjunction as the background of a volcano emitting lava. This caused me to think about seeing beauty and God’s craftsmanship in the middle of disasters and storms. This is something

Tiffany 

and I have been forced to do as she battles cancer, finding beauty, joy and peace in the middle of the storm. So, I guess it boils down to what you see, today, I’m choosing to see God’s beauty in creation, amongst all that is going on in our lives and in the world. Perhaps this verse says it best, “to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” - Isaiah‬ ‭61:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In the ESV, the subheading for these verses is, “The Year of the Lord’s Favor” ...I’ll take it!

* I snagged these photos from the National Weather Service and photographer F. Delargy that really put Saturn and Jupiter on display!

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How to handle the wind?

The pessimist complains about the wind.

The optimist expects it to change.

The leader adjusts the sails.

...what are you doing with the wind in your life right now... 

"And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting." - Acts 2:2 ESV 

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Cancer - guest post from my wife Tiffany

This is very personal for me and difficult to share, but Ryan and I feel like this is a journey that we shouldn’t keep to ourselves because we desperately need the prayers of those around us to make it through the coming months. 

On Thursday, November 5, I was completely shocked and caught off guard to hear the 3 dreaded words no one ever wants to hear...You have cancer.

Thankfully though it was caught early enough that doctor’s have been very encouraging and positive. We know it’s at least stage 2 breast cancer, and I will be going tomorrow to have a port installed to begin 8 rounds of chemotherapy, and eventually surgery.

In the last week and a half, I can honestly say that I have cried more, prayed more, and with the help of family and friends, even laughed more than any other week in my life. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t had moments where I’ve struggled and wondered, “why in the world did this happen to me?” But it’s also been in those moments of weakness that God has been the strength I needed to keep going so far, and He has proved over and over how great His love is.

I don’t believe for a second that God causes pain and sickness, but sometimes he allows us to go through battles that grow our faith and bring us closer to Him in the end. And that is my prayer...”If I have to do this, then let me come out on the other side of it a better person.”

As our pastor said in service a couple weeks ago, “The tougher then battle, the sweeter the triumph!

I’m thankful I don’t have to fight this battle alone. The lyrics of this song stand out to me:

“The weapon may be formed but it won't prosper

When the darkness falls it won't prevail

Cause the God I serve knows only how to triumph

My God will never fail

My God will never fail

I'm gonna see a victory

I'm gonna see a victory

For the battle belongs to You Lord

I'm gonna see a victory

I'm gonna see a victory

For the battle belongs to You Lord”

As Ryan and I walk through this journey together, we appreciate all of your prayers and support. We have the most amazing family, friends, church, and doctors, so I know God will carry us through this winter season of life.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:37-39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

451You, Carol Trigg Hutchings, Gene Riggins and 448 others

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9-11-20 We Can Still Unite

September 11th is a sobering reminder of a great many things, one that stands out to me in particular this year, when tragedy, confusion and heartache struck our country at the core, it didn't matter what color our skin was or what side of a political divide we stood on.

We stood united as Americans. September 11th, 2001 didn't break us or divide us, this is a great reminder that we can overcome all that 2020 has to throw at us as well!

This photo shows a group of bystanders At Park Row and Beekman St. looking up as the south tower begins to collapse.

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Receiving My Ordination

 

Ordained with the Assemblies of God

August 25, 2020 with Tiffany Rose

Very powerful evening for Tiffany and I as we became ordained ministers at this year’s Arkansas Assemblies of God USA District Council. Thanks to our family and friends who were able to attend with us 

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