In awe of the Light...

Welp, it is Spring time (well kinda... almost) in Texas and I am really getting excited about it. My bird feeders are out and are being visited every day. I actually just put up a new one...a finch feeder. It takes Thistle. It is an interesting seed, to say the least. I have yet to see any finches visiting the new feeder. However, I did buy a bird bath and the birds are already using it! At least they are drinking out of it. I think it is still a little cold to be taking a bath outdoors, if you ask me! I LOVE to watch wildlife. I DO! It is so relaxing.

I also bought a few plants this weekend for the house. I bought a Hybiscus, Bromeliad and an Exotic Angel. One thing that is common with each of them is that they all need light! Funny how that works, huh? I think of John 3:19-21 which says, 'This is the verdict: Light has come into the world but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil, hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.' Amen? Amen! For these beautiful plants to survive, they MUST have light! They have to. Some take a lot. Some take a little. But all must have it. Or else death is a in their future.

I think the same is true for us. The above mentioned Scripture is a picture of our world. Our world does not like the Light. We didn't like Him when He was amongst us and we don't like Him now. We don't want accountability. We want to look the other way. To do our own thing! But nature needs the Light! Isn't that funny? Yet, we have been given the choice of what we want and we choose to run or hide from it.

Psalm 63:3 says, 'Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you!'

Karl Barth, the great German theologian said, 'All my theology and teaching can be summed up with: Jesus loves me, this I know.'

Blaise Pascal said, 'The love of Jesus is not a mild benevolence but it is a consuming fire!'
Do you know this light? Are you in the light? Whether we have come to realize it or not, all of who we are longs and desires the light! The Light gives us Life. The Light helps us grow. Through the Light, we are able to feed other people.

Below are some pics for you to enjoy...

At YL Club on Monday


Will and Lucy as dating consultants!


Heather Fizer surfs the crowd against her will


Ellison High School Campaigners on Wednesdays. We are going through the book of Mark...

Life is moving very quick. Are you in? Are you being Intentional? If not, it will soon pass you by...

Because High Schoolers are worth it!

Some things to ponder...

I feel like I have so much to write and don't know where to start. I have pics to share from our visit to Corinth to see my Grandmother from New York...dad's mom. Stories from Young Life. And thoughts on the Word...

Hmmmmmm, where to begin. How's this for starters?
God loves Israel. He hates their disobedience. Moses is gonna be dying soon and he is recapping his years 'in office' as the leader of the Israelites. I love these words of the Lord as He talks about the Land of Canaan (that would be a really sweet kids name!) and how 10 of the 12 spies that went in to check it out did not want to take it over because the people were too big, the walls were too high and the nations were bigger than they were. In Deuteronomy 9, God says, 'Hear, O Israel. You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: "Who can stand up against the Anakites?" But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you.

I love that! We don't serve a God of Reason... We serve a God of Faith! It does not make sense to try to conquer the Anakites. It just doesn't. They are Bigger. They are Stronger. But it does make sense if God tells you to do it. Go. Take it by force! I have already given you the land. Absolutely...

And in Deuteronomy 11, God reminds us with these thoughts...'Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the LORD's anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you. Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. Cliff Notes version...Don't FORGET what I have done. Tell your children...

That's where we have fallen short. We have not told our children. Gone are the days when 'most' of our friends go to church. It's more like few of our friends go to church. No one knows what God has done. And no one seems to care. It truly saddens my heart. Lord help us...

Have we been enticed and turned away? That is exactly where we are at.

My Grandmother from New York came to Texas last week and Taylor and I got to go and see her and the family. It was such a sweet time. She is such a sweet, sweet lady. She is 88 years old. I am 32. She was married to my grandpa for 62 years before he died 4 years ago. We are not promised tomorrow...

Enjoy these pics. I will write more manana...

Taylor, Grandma Russell and me


Kris and Krystle Gutierrez (my best friend growing up in Lewisville) and their baby Katelyn Grace. We are claiming Katelyn as our own. You may have seen Kris or Krystle on Fox 4 News or Fox National News. They are movie stars! But SO Real and Genuine... Kris is a Dork!


Sadie, Kennedy, Katelyn, Taylor and Sydney. They belong to David, Wayne, Kris, Wayne and David, respectively...From Left to Right!


Group Russell Pic. Dad is taking a nap!


I thought this was a pretty sunset from David's front porch. God sure is an Artist!


Because High Schoolers are Worth It!

The Bible...

The Bible isn't just an instruction manual or a list of rules to follow. It lives and works its life into us. It has hidden and myserious power to change our life. This book has wrestled with me; this book has slapped me around. This book has comforted me; this book has overwhelmed my heart with the joy of heaven itself. This book has healed me; this book has wounded me. This book has smiled on me; this book has frowned on me. This book has wept with me, and it has sung joyfully to me; it shouts to me, whispers to me, and preaches to me. The idea that a preacher lends life to God's Word is wrong; the only thing a preacher has to give to the Word is a voice. Like a seed, the word of God has a hidden and mysterious power!

I found the above passage while I was preparing for my Campaigners lesson last week. I think it is a great quote. And I believe it to be true...

Coach Eugene Tackleberry and Coach Cletus Coltrain at Club on Monday


Spencer chillin' at Club


Group shot


Jenna and Taylor singing LOUD!

I am headed to the high school.

Why? you ask...

BECAUSE HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE WORTH IT!