A big thank you...

Cara Young Fish for Life Tournament & benefit

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Wanted to say a big thank you again to everyone who donated, participated and prayed for the fourth annual Cara Young Fish for Life benefit. It was an awesome event and being able to present the check for $20,000 to Cook Children’s Hospital was even greater! It’s not easy anytime I go back to Cook Children’s since we spent so much time there over approx. 20 years but it does not take me too long to see the reason why we do this.

I was asked to do a promotional for the hospital about 6 months after Cara passed and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that. I remember walking into the main entry at Cook and thinking, I’m pretty sure I’m NOT ready. About that time as my eyes started to water and the memories began to flood in a little boy being pulled in a wagon and all hooked up to IV’s, etc. looked up at me and did his best to smile and wave. Wow, thank you Lord, that was what I needed, a good dose of the reality of the situation. Cara was now gone but life with all its issues goes forward and the kids and their families are dealing with their illnesses in the NOW. That was the breakthrough that was provided for me, to see the picture in the present. As the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:13…this one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind…

Thank you and we look forward to our next annual benefit and tournament and would consider it a privilege and honor for you to be a part of it! I know the kids and families that have to be at Cook Children’s will too!

What Spirit is the contention coming from?

William Wilberforce is a model for speaking truth in love. He had strong opinions. He was an eloquent debater. But he was also gracious and civil. We need to adopt Wilberforce’s model of civility today, especially since so many in the political arena have become shrill and contentious.

“God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners (morality).”

- William Wilberforce

As I have listened over the years to the social and political arguments of the day, especially  the latest about Senator Ted Cruz and his stand against the health care system that is trying to be implemented, the above comments and statements really ring true. It's not the argument or disagreements that bother me, hey, I love a good debate. No, it is the mocking, finger pointing and literally trying to tear down the opponent through scoffing and ridicule. If you would like to see this in God's Word and what God's kids did about it read Nehemiah chapter 4, very powerful teaching! Don't get me wrong, republicans, democrats and everyone in between have been guilty of this but that does not make it right.

My Grandma would say, if you disagree with someone or something going on better to pray about it first and foremost and seek God's guidance and direction because taking matters into your own hands, thinking on your own thoughts and ideas will get you into trouble. 1 Corinthians 11:31 states: For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

Does this mean we shouldn't disagree or state our case and cause? Absolutely not, but do it in a gracious and civil manner with correct manners and human dignity that sadly so many are lacking. 

Honoring Pastor Owen Cain

Thought I'd share a picture of this man that I admired so very much. Owen was not only my Pastor but a close friend and confidant as well. One time while talking with my Mom probably when I was in my early 40's she mentioned she had asked the Lord to always send men across my path that would be good influences and teachers for me since I grew up without a Dad. Owen was not only one of those men but, I would say the most important as he taught and shared with me not just the natural side of things but most important God's Word. 

We had a lot in common. He was from a construction background and his wonderful wife Irene had brothers that traveled the rodeo circuit. I don't ever need someone to understand or be able to appreciate where I've been but it is really cool when that happens!

Owen was an Iwo Jima survivor and I never got tired of hearing his stories about that battle. He loved Cara with all his heart and believe me the feeling was mutual! I rejoice that they are together enjoying each others company as they gaze upon the Beauty of the Lord. As the song says, I can only imagine but now they are face to face with Jesus...WOW!

Owen Cain, one of the toughest yet the most gentle, kind, compassionate, caring and giving man I've ever known. He was my Pastor, my Dad and my friend and He ALWAYS directed me to Jesus and to keep my focus on Him first and foremost. Owen, I appreciate you and love you very much and look forward to seeing you again!

A wonderful opportunity to give back

I am very blessed to have been asked and now installed as the new District Chairman for the Cross Timbers District of the Boy Scouts of America. Scouting taught me foundational moral values, character building, leadership skills and fitness programs that have served me all my life. Besides that my years of scouting were some of the most fun times I had growing up! 

I am excited to be able to give back to such a great organization and look forward to another door of opportunity that God has opened for me!

What you decide to line up with does matter, not just for you but your family!

Deuteronomy 30, verses 15 & 19 talks about the choice set before us each and every day. So what does God say about this? Look at the last part of verse 19, He very clearly states to choose life! Jesus states in John 10:10 that the thief has come to kill, steal and destroy, but Jesus says I have come that you may have life, and that more abundantly!  Again in Jeremiah 21:8 the word states that the way of life and death are put before us. 

I started with these Scriptures because they go along with a statement I saw the other day, you will either line up with the Divine order or the new world order. I would also add that you will make the choice to be politically correct or be correct according to God's Word. On the one hand aligning ourselves with God's correctness leads to Life but aligning ourselves with the world and it's wrong way leads to death.

Galatians 6:7,8 states Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatever a man sows that is what he will reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. We will either follow the world as a lamb to the slaughter or we will be the lambs of God's pasture and follow the Lamb of God to LIFE, for He is the Way, the Truth and the LIFE.  The Word gives us good instruction regarding these things in 1st John Chapter 2 as well. Along the lines of sheep for the slaughter it's interesting that the Word says that is what the world and those that love the world think about us, that we are considered just sheep for the slaughter. See Psalm 44:22 and Romans 8:36.

Let's face it, the gravitational pull of the world and sin is very very strong and without Jesus we can not overcome this. But let us be of good cheer! Jesus stated in John 16:33 that He HAS overcome the world and in 1 John 4:4 the greater One is in us, far greater than the one in and of the world. And, since He is the author and pioneer of our faith and Salvation we have a Faithful and Victorious High Priest that we can and must follow! He HAS overcome! 

I heard John Tolson speaking at a men's Bible meeting sometime back regarding becoming a man of significance. Our happiness, joy, well being, etc is ALL based on our relationship with God. If this relationship is not right ALL the other relationships won’t be, including our relationship with ourselves. We are out of alignment, not directly on the mark made by God’s plumb line; see Amos7:7,8. Also Is 34:11 & Zech 4:10. Trust me, I've been there, out of that "perfect alignment" that he wants us in more than just a few times, not proud of it but thankful to the Merciful, patient and Faithful God that through Jesus forgives! And again I can boldly say it feels so much better to line up with God than the world!

I would invite you to search the Scriptures for more words of Life and share them with others. In the letters to the Churches Jesus ends each with "he who overcomes" and the promises that being an overcomer and making the "correct choices" will present to those that believe. He even tells how we overcome...by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony! Glory to the Lamb of God!