Crazy Christian Life by Kevin

Jesus, as the Common Denominator-Revival pt.II

2007-08-22T18:28:00.000-05:00

After days of praying, and searching for knowledge and wisdom from God on the topic of “speaking in tongues”, the Lord has revealed to me a glimpse into His master plan. My devotion this morning was in Romans 14. Basically, to sum up the chapter and the interpretation that I soaked in was something that I already have touched base on time and time again. As long as our common denominator is Jesus Christ, and we don’t stray from the basic doctrine of the bible, what we feel pleases God in our hearts is not for another brother in Christ to pass judgment on or condemn.

Romans 14:5 states this:

5) One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6) He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7) For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8) If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9) For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

We can argue all day about different interpretations from different denominations and not get anywhere except possibly one brother in Christ mad at another brother in Christ, or one brother in Christ offended by the other. The word makes it clear here in Romans to respect the different ways of worship that one would find pleasing to God.

Romans 14:10-12 boldly tells us not to judge our brother for their beliefs.

10) You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11) It is written:”‘As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' "12) So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Romans continues on through verse 13 to not be a stumbling block in your brother’s way.

13) Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

The subject of this chapter touches base on eating, but it covers everything that is pleasing to God.
In verse 14, Paul states that “if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.” Therefore, respect what your brother finds as unclean and what is worshipful and pleasing to God. In the same manner, he should respect what you also find as worshipful or pleasing to God. For if you judge your brother for something that he so whole-heartily finds worshipful to God, then you have possibly distressed him and you are no longer acting in love, and condemning someone who Christ died for.

Romans 14:14-18
14) As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15) If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16) Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18) because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

To sum up the chapter, Paul isn’t telling us to change our beliefs to suit another. He tells us in the final verses that whatever we believe about these things, to keep it between yourself and God.

Romans 14:19-23
19) Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20) Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21) It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. 22) So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23) But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

With that I say this,
Heavenly Father forgive me for condemning or questioning an act of worship that was pleasing to both You and to my brother in Christ. It’s not for me to judge an act that is not understandable or what I might not find as important to me as it is to my brother in Christ. Help me Lord to worship you with sincerity and love that is pleasing to you. Thank You Lord for giving me the wisdom and knowledge that I have requested from you. Sometimes, it’s not the answers that I am looking for, but it is always the answers that you want me to receive. Thank you for your patience in me of such a hard-headed simple minded creature that I am, but what a Man of God I could be if I followed your directions and blessings the way I should. Continue to correct me in situations such as this when I am wrong. Help me to be humble and the will to mentor in a way that is helpful to others when I am right. Allow me to correct, rebuke and accept correction all with love. Thank You Lord for your steadfastness.
In Jesus name, Amen.

REVIVAL

2007-08-04T08:14:00.000-05:00

OK, I know that I haven't blogged in over a month, but here I am with a confused spirit, looking for some answers. I went to a revival last night at Victory Church in Camden. It is an Assembly of God church. I have several friends of mine that belong to Assembly of God churches throughout the state of Arkansas. And, after I left the church last night I called one of my dearest friends in Monticello, who attends the Assembly of God church in Monticello, and who I consider my "accountability partner" to help me by giving me some insight on what I had just experienced in this particular church. Before I begin my experience with you, let me just say that I pride myself in my doctrine of "the Bible" and with that said, I do believe in others speaking in tongues, Paul instructs us, "do not forbid speaking in tongues" (1 Corinthians 14:39).
The revival started at 7:00 pm, with great worship songs, setting the mood for a wonderful sermon from renound evangelist and prophet, Bill Norton who resides in Cambodia and Romania, where he does missionary works. After the message had been delivered, it was pushing 9:00 pm by now. It seemed like in a split second, the whole assembly had made a 180 degree turn. Instead of going through the motion of people raising their hands if they aren't saved, he had people raising their hands if they had never been baptised in the Holy Spirit and who has never received the gift of speaking in tongues. I did not raise my hand, and the reason to be honest is, I didn't want to be trapped on the stage with people praying for me about something that I am skeptical about. Then he had the members of this church come down and pray for these individuals (about 8 to 10 people) to receive the gift of speaking in tongues and be baptised in the Holy Spirit. He instructed the assembly to pray in tongues for these individuals. After about 20 minutes of constant speaking in tongues, and only one person had fainted. I felt it was time for me to exit the church.
Now, here's where I have questions. Let me go over with you, the instructions I have read out of the Living Word and the knowledge and wisdom that God has given to me to interpret.

1 Corinthians 14
Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues
1)Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2)For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3)But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4)He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5)I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.
6)Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7)Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8)Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9)So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10)Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11)If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12)So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
13)For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14)For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15)So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16)If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17)You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
18)I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19)But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20)Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21)In the Law it is written:"Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,"says the Lord.
22)Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23)So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24)But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 25)and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"
Orderly Worship 26)What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27)If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28)If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
29)Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30)And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31)For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32)The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33)For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, 34)women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35)If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 36)Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37)If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. 38)If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. 39)Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40)But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Now, with that chapter thrown out there, let's review. Verse 1 "eagerly desire spiritual gifts". If you flip back to Chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians, Paul reveals these spiritual gifts and explains how we as a church are pieced together with our spiritual gifts like a puzzle to become one body, but many parts. He touches base on some of the spiritual gifts by naming these, the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, The gift of faith, the gift of healing, the gift of miraculous powers, the gift of prophecy, the gift of distinguishing between spirits, the gift of speaking in different kinds of tongues, the gift of interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. "1 Corinthians 12:8-11."
Maybe I wouldn't have been so skeptical if this evangelist had the assembly praying for each one of us to receive the gift that God has appointed us. Why was he just focused on "speaking in tongues?"
Paul goes on in verse 1 to especially desire the gift of prophecy, for not only is it greater than the gift of speaking in tongues, but also to be able to interpret speaking in tongues is greater than speaking in tongues, because prophecy and the interpretation of speaking in tongues edifies the church, where just speaking in tongues only edifies self (verses 4-5). He goes in verses 6-11 to explain how confusing it could be when everyone at once is speaking in tongues. He touches base in verses 7-8 on musical instruments. Have you ever heard a Jr High School band warming up before a concert? Each young body is playing different notes, of different songs, at different tempos and different ranges of volume all at once. The audience knows that this is not a harmonized piece that they are listening to. It is easy to figure out, that nobody is together, all are in their own world. It's not until the conductor begins the concert, to which the music is now in order. In my opinion, even when several hundred people are praying out loud in English, it is all over the place and confusing if you try to focus in on them as a whole. For each person is praying in their own knowledge and wisdom and only edifying themselves. It is not until one person by themselves (usually the person with the microphone) prays to edify the church. In verse 11 Paul says that if he can't grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, that he is a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker is a foreigner to him. In verse 12 he says, since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. Which takes me back to my first point where I touched base on all of the different Spiritual gifts and why were they just focused on speaking in tongues.
Paul goes on in verse 18 thanking God that he can speak in tongues more than anyone, but in the church, he would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
In verse 22 he says that tongues are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. So who were they speaking in tongues to or for? One of the individuals that was on the stage, being prayed for, is the wife of a friend and a co-worker of mine. From conversing with him on our own beliefs and Christianity, his wife is saved and a believer, yet they were all speaking in tongues. So that just completely contradicted verse 22, didn't it?
From verse 26-40 Paul speaks on "Orderly Worship" how everything must be done for the strengthening of the church (verse 26). Verses 27-28 says if anyone speaks in a tongue, two-or at the most three- should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. He finishes out the chapter by saying in verses 39-40, do not forbid speaking in tongues, but everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Now, if I am wrong about my own interpretation on this chapter, please someone reveal to me, through scripture, where I can find the practice of what I saw last night. My friend from Monticello is going to give me some scriptures, but in my mind right now, I can't see how he is going to justify the actions last night without going against this whole chapter that I know I am not taking out of context. But my mind and heart will be open to the scripture that he gives me to read, I will pray for knowledge and wisdom as I always do before I read the verses. I will, like always pray for God to give me the understanding to where I can interpret The Living Word of God.

My friends wife was still standing and being prayed for in tongues and several people laying hands on her, when I finally departed from the church. To be honest, my thoughts weren't pure, but I will share with you the evil thought that came to my mind as I left.
I was thinking that when she does finally faint, it won't be from her receiving what they want her to receive, it will be from exhaustion from standing for so long with her eyes closed.

Lord, forgive me for that evil thought. If in fact, she did receive a Spiritual gift from you, please forgive me for (in a round about way) condemning the gift that she received. Again forgive me for being so skeptical, for to receive Spiritual gifts is a blessing from you Lord, and my ignorance was clouding the Spirit of Truth that lives inside of me. Help me Lord understand the knowledge and truth, the correct way of your Living Word Lord. Continue to convict me when I stumble, as you always do. Lift me up to Your Worship, so I can have a love relationship with you and not a long distance relationship with you. For it is written in verse 1 of this chapter, "Follow the Way of Love". Lord, I want to be acknowledged from others who view me as, "A man who walks with God" and not as someone who is seen as being hypocritical. Allow me to disciple to others by bringing them the knowledge of the Living Word. I love you Lord. Use me, mold me. It's in Jesus Christ name I pray, AMEN.

Hello... Is there anybody out there?

2007-07-04T20:32:00.000-05:00

Kevin Stokes, not Pink Floyd is asking the ever so famous line, "Is there anybody out there?" Let's just try a little test please. Leave a comment, any comment. It can be just, "yes, I am out here." Just let me know that I am not just blogging to myself. I'd like to know that my words aren't falling on deaf eyes.............. blind eyes? Something to that direction.

Anyhow..... Later......................

CHECKMATE

2007-06-09T06:08:00.000-05:00

You reap what you sew.

I know that many of you that grew up in the same era that I grew up in, heard this phrase used frequently from one or both of your parents. I actually heard this phrase from my mother on several instances throughout my adolescence. I was raised in a Christian home, and was taught right from wrong. But this phrase seemed to go in one ear and out the other, not fully understanding the true meaning of it. Even when I became a Christian myself at the age of 16, it still didn’t hit a nerve in this thick head of mine. But over the years, with the guidance of the “Voice of Truth”, I began to respect a true appreciation of these words. Even though we who are Christians, receive Grace and Forgiveness from our Father in Heaven, back on earth we still have to face the consequences of the damage that we do wrong throughout our lives. Especially when we have wronged other people. It seems that when we sew an evil seed out on another individual, it will grow into a raging thicket, and we ourselves will reap a harvest of bad things to come. I have seen this Karma effect take place on several different people including myself throughout my lifetime.
One individual that has passed through my life at one time, and whom I still pray for often, is a prime example of “You reap what you sew.” I have watched this individual use people on a daily basis over and over again, and yes I am one that got used along with several others. I’m an avid Chess player and this individual reminds me a lot of how I play Chess. I am a very aggressive offensive player, who uses all pieces in any shape or form to win the game for the King, who is me. I will trade Queen for Queen in a heartbeat. No piece except the King is expendable. I will put my opponent in traps forcing them to kill a piece of mine in order for me to kill a more valuable piece of theirs. Luckily, my chess playing does not reflect the way I live my life. In fact it’s just the opposite. I value each member in my small kingdom and protect those who God has given to me to more or less govern and love in my world.
I have commented several times on this individual, “the Karma Effect”. “One day, it will all come back around and bite him in the butt.” “And then he will wonder why are all of these bad things happening to me?” I have watched him in his evil and wicked kingdom, use one person after another over and over again. Like pawns in the game of chess, he gives no value to anyone in his life. Here’s the kicker, “The Karma Effect” is beginning to take place in his life. He may not even realize it. He has seen raging storms pass through his kingdom lately that I could have warned him about, and probably should have. But I really believe even if I had warned him of the storms, I don't think he would have understood what I was saying to him because of the evilness dampening his life. Through prayer for him, I confess to God that I forgive him, but it’s so hard to forget. How God can forgive some of the most evil creatures that walk the earth is beyond my imagination, but He commands us to forgive our enemies. So, I pray for this individual frequently, and forgive him for the evilness that he has done against me.
However, at the rate he is going, by using every piece in this game of life, sooner or later, all of his pieces will be gone, and he will be the only one standing in his kingdom, all alone, and the enemy will have him in a trap with no escape.
The ultimate storm for him will surround him in “CHECKMATE”.
By then, it will be too late for him. His kingdom will crumble before his eyes.

The Phone Lines Are Open

2007-06-03T07:54:00.000-05:00

I know, I know, I haven't blogged in a while. I guess I have writers block. Actually, I've noticed the futher Tammie and I are out of church, the less I have to write about. Hello, Kevin, Wake up, the title of your web page blog is "Crazy Christian Life by Kevin", How can I write on this blog with the title "Christian" when I am not acting like a Christian by not going to church? So here I am, asking for your prayers. Please pray for our family to be obiedient in worship on Sunday's.
Finding a church home to fit in is a hard job. I am still doing my morning devotions, but Tammie and I have become lazy in going to church. We are actually visiting a church in Camden this morning, but we know this isn't a church that will be on our list as possible church homes for us because it is too far to drive. We want to find a church here in El Dorado. I would love to find a church identical to the one that we attended in Monticello. I miss my friends, my church and my Dad.
My Dad and Step mother actually came down to visit yesterday, and we had a wonderful time. We really didn't go and do anything, we just sat and talked. It was great. I wish a few of my friends would either come and visit or even just call. I would rather have them come for a visit, but a phone call would be uplifting. I guess I am a little depressed from missing everyone so much, and I feel like I have just become forgotten by all my buddies from Monticello. I do have to say though, my faithful bud "Adam", He has kept in touch. I can always count on him.

Anyhow.... Just a few thoughts jotted down for now. Things that are just rambling through my mind. The phone lines are open, we are accepting any visits, phone calls and Prayers.

TV Repair Man- #1 Darwin Award

2007-05-16T18:25:00.000-05:00

This next event is probably the dumbest thing I have ever done. Yes, in my opinion, this wins my personal Darwin Awards.
Back in the days when the big dish satellites were popping up in yards like weeds, we were too tight with our money to break down and purchase one. We lived beyond the cable TV line. So it was either a satellite dish or an antenna. With an antenna, I still only got one station, and if the wind was blowing very hard, that one was fuzzy. So I had to take drastic measures because I had to have more than one channel.
It seemed that I remember reading in my TV manual that there was button in the back of it that if you engaged it, your TV would bring in better reception for antenna channels vs. cable channels. We had like a 20” TV and if you remember, a 20” TV body looked like a 36” TV today. This one was no different. The back was so big and bulky; it was hard to get to the back of it. So instead of turning the TV around and doing this inside the house, it was easier for me to do this outside going through the window. I opened the window and took the screen off, and I was at the perfect height, (eye level), with the task at hand. I had a good friend over that day to help me figure this thing out. He has always been a good handy man. Yes… It was a meeting of the minds that day. My tool for the day was a paper clip. Standing in a mud puddle, and my faithful buddy behind me, I carefully put the paper clip in a little hole in the back of the TV. For some reason, my friend without warning hit me as hard as he could in the middle of my back. It felt like he had taken a sledge hammer and hit me with it. I didn’t know if I had a spider on me or what, so with the paper clip still in my hand and in the little hole of the TV, I turned and looked at him with a look of “why did you hit me?” He just stood there looking at me all innocent with a look of, “what the H… are you looking at me like that for?” Suddenly, while I’m looking at him, he hits me again even harder than the first time, and somehow, he never moved a muscle. So now my slow simple brain is trying to figure out this optical illusion of, “how in the world did he hit me without ever moving a muscle?” Reality finally sunk in when I felt a stinging sensation sizzling from my fingertips and up both of my arms until it landed in the middle of my chest with a crash. It felt like my heart was going to explode, and I finally pulled the paper clip out of the TV.
It wasn't too long after that day that we purchased a Satellite Antenna.

My Personal Darwin Awards

2007-05-10T06:15:00.000-05:00

For the next few blogs, I hope to share with you "My personal Darwin Awards" There are several stupid things I've done in my life that some would say that I had "A Blond moment".

Fire-Fighter Uniform:

Kristie was six years old and Nick was only just 4 months old. It was a cold mid-February evening around 9:00 pm and I was working graveyard shift and was getting ready for work that night. I was in the middle of a shower when I heard a loud scream coming from the kitchen followed by the electricity shutting off. I jumped out of the shower in a panic and headed down the dark hall. I could see flames coming from the kitchen. See my wife had supposedly put some baby bottle nipples on the stove to boil. Well, she turned on the wrong burner. Instead of the pot with the nipples, she accidentally turned on the burner to the pot that we use to cook French fries in. This pot of grease always has a lid on it when not in use. Needless to say, it didn’t take very long for this to go up in flames.
With our kitchen in flames, I instructed my wife to take the kids out to my truck and wait for me. I grabbed the first blanket I could find to smother the fire, (which was Tammie’s best and favorite blanket), but I was in a panic to get this fire out and wasn’t paying any attention to anything else except the fire. Without hesitation, I picked up the flaming pot and move it to the floor. I didn’t feel a thing at the time, but noticed I had severe burns on my hands later. It’s a wonder I didn’t pass out from smoke inhalation. God was definitely breathing for me that day. After I got the fire under control, I headed for the door to go outside. I opened the door, and suddenly felt a cold brisk wind hit my body. Once my brain nerves figured out what was wrong and shared the data with me, I realized that I was standing butt naked at my front door. I knew that it was just a matter of time before I passed out from the smoke inhalation, but there was no way I was going to be on the late night news in this form. So, coughing hysterically, I crawled to my bedroom and grabbed some warm ups from my chest of drawers and crawled outside to safety.
Now, here comes the time of stupidity. I bet we sat in my truck over an hour waiting for the fire department to show up, the whole time thinking, “This Fire Department sure is slow.” Then it suddenly occurred to me, “maybe, just maybe, if the fire department knew about the fire, then they might just show up.”

Special Prayer Request

2007-04-27T06:03:00.000-05:00

I have a special Prayer Request.

Cassandra Pittman, my niece is in the hospital for mental reasons. She is 16, and an only child watching her parents go through a bitter divorce. Please include my sister, “Lisa Pittman” in your prayers also. They live in Phoenix, Arizona. More or less, the Doctors at the hospital that Cassandra has been admitted into have diagnosed her as: “Bi-Polar”. Her father, “Stewart Pittman”, has fled the household, and is now shacking up with another girl. And, to add fuel to the fire, they have a baby on the way. When Cassandra talks with her father on the phone, he more or less lets her know that he has another life now, and makes her feel like that she can’t be a part of it. This is a lot of weight for a 16-year-old girl to face. I’m sure questions are racing through her mind, “Is this my fault?” These are type of things that could mess with anyone’s mind whether you are a teenager or any age.
More fuel to the fire; my sister’s car was stolen with her purse in it, along with the keys to her house, credit cards, check book, etc. I don’t know how my sister is dealing with all of this at one time. Between her possessions being stolen, a divorce, and her daughter’s illness, along with trying to work and make a living for her family, plus coming home and cooking, cleaning, etc. If it were me, I would probably be the one in the hospital for depression. My dad has gone to Phoenix to help out since my sister’s car was stolen.
Cassandra has been in and out of the hospital on several occasions since her mother and her father have split. Her most recent admittance was Sunday night. My father said that she was doing fine until she spoke with her dad. When she got off of the phone with him, she was in a state of extreme anxiety. She was clawing at her face and afflicting pain upon herself.
I probably shouldn't be going into detail about her case, but in my opinion, when praying for someone specific, knowing exactly what to ask for from God is important. I ask that whoever reads this blog, will put this prayer on their prayer list, not just personal, but also at the church that they attend. The more prayers the better. I have no doubt in my mind that these prayers will not fall on deaf ears of the Lord. He will respond, not our will be done, but His.

Thank you to everyone who prays for this situation, and God Bless each and every one of you.

Kevin Stokes

Prisoners of War Earth

2007-04-06T11:40:00.000-05:00

Easter is upon us. Some people see it as just another Holiday. Most children vision the Easter Bunny bringing candy and treats. For those of us who have actually grasped the purpose of Easter, you start wondering, is it a joyful Holiday, or a Sad and Remorse Holiday. To actually sit down and figure out the pain and suffering that Christ went through on this day is horrible. In today’s news, if one of our close friends went through the pain and suffering that Jesus went through, we would be sad and devastated from that. Our joy comes from that Jesus did this for our freedom of sin. Where Salvation is our rejoice, our remorse should be in His death, and the suffering that He went through for us.
How many of us, if someone were to hand us a million dollars, would have a life change immediately? Or if we won the lottery, how would that affect the rest of our life? Personally, I know that it would change mine and my family’s life immensely. We would be set for the rest of our life here on earth with no worries. Money problems would disappear and the stress of the work load would be relaxing instead of a hinder. I know this to be a fact, for our family has about $50.00 in our checking account to last us until the next pay period. We worry and fret thinking “How in the world are we going to make it until the next pay period” when in fact; Eternity has already been paid for us. Jesus has already given us more treasure than we could ever dream of. So why can’t we rejoice in that, and be worry free for the rest of our life?
So many Christians today have these same worries. Who is in control of this? The realization of all of this is that Satan is in charge of our affairs while we are alive on earth. We as Christians are in a constant world war through the lifetime of our existence here on earth. You know, soldiers go across seas in battle, and some of them are captured by the enemy. Satan has the Christians of this earth held as POW’s. The enemy is the ruler of the world. We are in a constant war with the enemy, falling into his traps over and over again. We get rescued and then we are blinded again and fall into a pit again. Satan is at constant work to trap us and capture us. As prisoners of War, we need to stay focused on the purpose that we are here for. Winning the war is the first task. Our personal battles that become victories, will affect more than just us as we witness to the lost. If our life reflects the joy of treasure that Jesus has given us, then others who struggle can be uplifted with that same joy. If we walk around in a depression, stating, “Oh, woe is us”, then we are focused more on the treasure on earth, which most will never obtain, and resulting in a lost battle for Christ.
Weigh your options and find out which is better.
Treasure on Earth or Treasure for Eternity.
I believe that I can struggle for a few short years to have an Eternity of joy.

March Madness

2007-04-03T20:42:00.000-05:00

Well....... March Madness has come and gone. The field of 65 ended with an SEC team standing alone victorious once more. Football, Basketball, Track, Baseball..... Is there another conference that can match the SEC? I know that I have been gone for a while from the blog world, but if you know me, you know that this is my time of year. The NCAA tournament is like the first day of deer season for hunters to me. It's like a woman with $1000 free shopping card to any store of her choice. It's like Christmas morning for children. You get the point.... I love it. Now it will be a long summer before football season cranks up. Baseball is not my cup of tea. I'll get into a few arena football games every now an then. Maybe watch some rodeo's. A race here or there. Gymnastics is always fun to watch, but I get in trouble too much with that. Reruns get boring. The heat is a killer. Let's face it, I'm not a summer person. Some of the outfits that women wear in the summer makes it interesting, but again, that gets me in trouble too much, and I don't like being in trouble. So if I had it my way, summer would be erased from the annual for me. It would be 3 months of Spring, 6 months of Fall, and 3 months of Winter. Baseball would be only a sport played by children, and network TV would not be aloud to play reruns. As a matter of fact, if I was King, there would be a series of stations that only played reruns. There would be an ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC with new TV hits all the time, and then an ABC Rerun, CBS rerun, Fox rerun, and NBC rerun. Those four would be the only stations that could play reruns. It's fun pretending to be King, oh the many things that you could accomplish. Anyhow, speaking of CBS shows, "Jericho" is still on the top of my list of favorites. Last week the Morse code message was, "A COSTLY DEAL" which makes perfect sense if you watched the show. "American Idol" is another great show that Tammie and I watch. Melinda Doolittle is our pick to win it this year. She's a true pro. "House" is good. "CSI Miami" is also good. "Criminal Minds" is Great ! And believe it or not, I like to watch, "Family Guy". It is funny.

This has been fun, but just like TV, this episode has to end.
Tune in next time when Kevin says, "My Lands!"

Public Humiliation: Please Forgive Me

2007-04-03T06:27:00.000-05:00

James 5:19-20
19) My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20) remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Through sleepless nights of conviction, God has finally made me realize my path to destruction. I’m probably writing my own resignation to the Praise Band that I so dearly love to play music with. Some of them may feel offended from the words that I am about to say, along with the passage above, but keep in mind, that passage also applies to me.
Friday night was a nightmare for the Praise Band from Journey Church. We had good intentions, but our actions showed nothing as far as how Christians should act. God made sure that He cut off the branches that night that did not produce the fruit that He has so carefully planted.
I’m not going to go into any detail of how we acted, but it was obvious where our heart was during the duration of the concert. You know, it’s OK to have fun, but not at others expense. And on top of that, we did not pray before we went on stage. An important step that leads to the Worship of God. Not only did God cut short our performance, but the four songs that we played were disastrous. He made sure that we got the “Spotlight” that we so deserved.
I don’t know about the rest of the Praise Band, but I want to publicly apologize to the other Worship teams who performed that night, “who in fact was dead on with solid performances”. I also want to apologize to the Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home for our conduct. If in fact, any member of the Journey Church Praise Band finds this letter offensive, I think that they should ask for wisdom and knowledge through a study of the book of James, then listen to the song by Casting Crowns, “If We Are The Body” and then look long and hard in the mirror. If you still find this offensive, then I will take the burden alone.

Heavenly Father,

Please forgive me for my actions. Thank You for reminding me of what Worship is all about. You have taught me this over and over again, and I should know better by now. My actions were childish. My heart was engrossed with sin. Please save me from my wicked ways, and direct me toward Your Glory. Where I can Worship You in Honor. I wandered from the truth Friday night, and You, through Your punishment and conviction, brought me back and saved me. Thank You Lord for always reminding me that All of the Glory belongs to You.
In Jesus Christ Name I Pray.
AMEN

Kevin Stokes

Witnessing Through the Eyes of The Holy Spirit

2007-03-10T07:01:00.000-06:00

Acts 1:7-8
7)He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8)But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Jesus tells his disciples not to worry what to say when they witness to the world, for the Holy Spirit will speak for them.

This hit me like a ton of bricks this week when I was witnessing to one of my employees at work. Not only was the Holy Spirit speaking through me, but the Holy Spirit was speaking to me as well as the individual I was witnessing to. This young man has hit a bumpy road in life that we all have gone through at one time or another and still most of us will continue to go through. With outstanding bills, and very few funds, he finds himself stressed and confused and not knowing where to turn next to handle his affairs. Of course I give him the ever so famous advice of , "Give your worries and your problems to the Lord, and He will take care of them for you". Advice that all of us have heard over and over again, but very seldom do we ever completely give all of our worries to the Lord. Is it a "faith" issue. Why do we struggle so much with this command? Those of you that have done this and are completely and worry free, I commend you. You have experienced the truth of what God has promised.
As I continued to witness to him, he shared with me a little about his family. He has two children, a boy and a girl. He explained his struggles of raising his children correctly, wondering if he was a good father. From his description, I could tell, he was not raising his children to know and follow God. Even though he believes, he doesn't live his life that way. He doesn't read the bible, or go to church. Instead, he claims he has no time for that at all.
As we conversed, there wasn't a sentence that passed by that a vulgar word would present itself through his dialect. Even though this was offending me, the Holy Spirit ignored this entirely and pressed on with His plans. Still, I confronted him about taming his tongue. He boasted about how he could tame his tongue around women and preachers. I told him, that if he could tame his tongue around women and preachers, he could tame it around anyone. I asked him if he would use vulgar language if Jesus was standing right in front of him, and of course he answered, no. I said, "well, Jesus is right here, watching your every move."
The Holy Spirit recognized that this man (Mark was his name) loved his children, unconditionally, as I do with my own children. That's how God wired us. You could tell that Mark would do anything for his children. If harm threatened them, he would go to whatever means it would take to protect them.
Through the Holy Spirit, I continued to tell Mark that not only does he need to give his worries to God, but his entire household. Everything that he possesses. Including his children. I explained to him, that everything belongs to God.
Then the Holy Spirit revealed an illustration, that was disturbing, not only to Mark, but to myself as well.
I said, "Can you imagine, your son, chained to a stake. And a man behind him with a whip watching everything that you do. When you make a mistake, the man strikes your son with the whip as hard as he can. Over and over this goes on. With each mistake or sin that you commit, another blow to your son." I asked him, "what would you do?" His answer was the same as mine, he would save his son a whatever cost. The man with the whip would have to die. I asked him, "How do you think God feels, about us?" "We sin, over and over again, and each time that we make a mistake, God's son suffers our transgressions." "God made us in His own image, and with that in mind, if we ourselves, couldn't stand to see our children beaten to the point of death, to the point of saving them at whatever cost, God has to feel the same way with His son."

Again, this hit me like a ton of bricks. From the time that I told Mark that Jesus was right in front of us watching our every move to the point of using our own children as the ones that taking our punishment for our mistakes. Thinking, if I would save my own son from the pain, how does God feel about us putting His son through all of the pain, over and over again? A verse pops into my mind relating to this subject.

Hebrews 10:26-31
26)If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27)but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28)Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29)How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30)For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31)It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

God wasn't just speaking to Mark that day, He was also speaking to me. Using the Holy Spirit, He put things in perspective that hits hard home.

Lord, Forgive me for all of my sins. I will try to keep in mind that Jesus is always right there with me, and each time temptation confronts me, that you provide a way out. I pray that I will chose that route of escape so that Your son doesn't suffer because of me. Thank you Lord for not forsaking me, instead, reminding me how much You love me. Even when I fail. I know that You are preparing me for Great things, and I thank You so much for selecting me to work for You. I Love You Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

JERICHO MORSE CODE UPDATE
LAST MESSAGE, "6 DOWN 4 TO GO"
Which makes perfect sense if you watched the last show.

I'm a TV Junkie

2007-03-07T05:47:00.000-06:00

Tivo: In my opinion, is the greatest invention in my lifetime. There's no more hurrying home from Wed. night church or if you and your family has gone out to eat somewhere, you're not constantly looking at your watch hoping that you can make it home in time to watch your favorite television programs for that particular night. With Tivo, if you have set you program for a season pass, you don't have to worry about a thing, you can watch your show whenever you want, Commercial Free. Some people, who have never experienced Tivo would say, "That was already invented, it's just an advanced VCR !" Well.... Let me tell you, you can go to a convenient store and purchase a capachino, or you can experience the real thing from Dad's place only to find out, that you've been cheating yourself all of these years settling for a third world taste. There's no comparison. A VCR is, riding in an army mail plane with the loudest engines known to man, a pilot who hasn't had any sleep for 48 hours, the smell of a chicken house right beside you, and you feel that the plane has some serious engine problems that have been ignored for years. It might get you to your destination, but the ride will be bumpy and unpleasant. Tivo, is riding in the finest of jets, first class. Inside is soundproof, and it feels like you are floating on a cloud. You feel safe, and all tingly inside.
Yes I am a TV junkie. I probably have at least one television program set to record for each night of the week. But I don't care. I love it.

JERICHO UPDATE FROM LAST WEEK : MORSE CODE MESSAGE: "BLEED INU KS"

Don't know exactly what that means. Bleed-that is self explanatory. KS-probably the abbreviation for Kansas. INU-I have no idea. If someone can give me some insight on this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Later Bloggers
Kevin Stokes

Prayers and Updates

2007-02-25T10:59:00.000-06:00

Prayers:
My prayers go out to Dumas, Arkansas. A tornado hit there yesterday and destroyed most of the city. From what I understand, from a friend of mine that lives there in Dumas; Sonic, Butch's, Mad Butcher, Fred's- are all gone along with several other places. The offices at Federal Mogul, which is where my office was when I worked there, they are all gone. Several homes have been destroyed. There were some people in Mad Butcher when the tornado hit, and from what I understand, there are some of them missing, and there is a search party looking for them. I got an e-mail from the church that I attended in Monticello when we lived there that they are going to Dumas after church today to help clean up and other helping aides. Kudos to Journey Church.

Updates: Stokes Family:
We have moved to El Dorado and seem to be adapting very well. Nick has enrolled into El Dorado High School and has girl's beating down his door. Two and Three at a time are coming over and picking him up and taking him places. He's got to be the luckiest teenage boy in America.
Kristie seems to be doing good in Kansas. She is back in college. I miss her terribly.

Tammie found a job as a medical transcriptionist at a couciling clinic. My job is going great, and they seem to like me there. My boss is great and is a great Christian man.
Our new address, phone # and email address is :

610 Mahony
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870)-881-8041
stoxe@sbcglobal.net

Of course both Tammie and I will always have our "hotmail" addresses.
stoxe@hotmail.com
tammiestokes@hotmail.com

Please, everyone keep in touch with us.

Jericho Updates:
I can't get CBS right now, so, I have a friend of mine that I have is recording it for me. I didn't get to watch the first show back, but from what I understand it was only a recap of all of the shows from last year. I have corresponded with my inside Morse code contact and the Morse code message for that week was, "BACK NEXT WEEK".
We did get to watch this last week's show on VHS this weekend recorded by another contact of mine. It was great ! My inside secret agent Morse code decoder has revealed to me that the Morse code message was, "BLOODSHED". Please only give this information to people you can trust. The FBI would be all over this if they knew I had my hands on this kind of information.
Troy, you have no worries there in Berryville, Virginia about me giving away your identity or location. My lips are sealed. BTW, tell your wife, "Briana", and your son, "Patrick" hello for me. Give your dog, "Goldilocks" AKA "Goldie" a big pat on the head from me. Also say hello to your Llama's and your rabbits for me. The Kelly family is grand in my book.

Salutations:
Well, that's it for me, I'm sorry that I haven't been blogging as much lately, this move was kaotic and stressful. I hope to be back on my old blog schedule soon.

Tudaloo.

Paradise By The Dashboard Light (Happy Valentines Day)

2007-02-14T05:59:00.000-06:00

You can’t go through a marriage without trials and tribulations. This is something that my wife and I have experienced for some 23 (almost 24 years) now. She is by far, my best friend. I love her more now than ever before. We met in college as freshmen. Our history kind of reminds me of a song by Meatloaf, “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” and my wife is probably going to get mad at me for writing this but I was the one singing, “will you love me forever, will you never leave me.” I don’t know about her, but with me, it was love at first sight. When the semester ended in May, we were united together in marriage. I was 18 and she was 19, and somehow we have survived the odds and percentages of divorce of teenage marriages. I would be lying though if I told you that we have had a perfect marriage. God has blessed us with money problems. I know that sounds crazy, but, at times, if we had had the money to get a divorce, we would not be together today. Instead, we went through separations while living under the same roof. Through the healing of nothing but time on our side, we fell in love all over again. It seems that everywhere you look, neighborhoods, the work place, even churches, there is a higher percent of people divorced than there is not divorced. You can get a group of people together and more than 75 percent of them are on their second marriage. My wife and I were united almost 24 years ago and still standing the test of times. We have been blessed with two children who are pretty much grown now. Our daughter (the result of our "Paradise By the Dashboard Light") is 23 and just recently married, and our son is 17 and is a junior in High School. Both great kids, and we love them dearly.
As a song writer, my wife has had the pleasure of many love songs dedicated to her. Of course, over the many years that we have been married we have also adopted many radio love ballads as “our song”. “Faithfully” by Journey, “You’re The Inspiration” by Chicago are treasured songs that we will always share together. The country group Ricochet has two songs that seems like they pull the words from the depths of my heart to describe my feelings and love for her. “We Are Connected at the Heart” and my personal favorite, “Do I Love You Enough”.
I can’t go through a day without saying the words, “I Love You” to her. If I had the money, everyday would be Valentines Day. I would shower her with flowers, jewelry, chocolates, cards, and whatever else I could buy to show my love and affection for her. With the many years that we have been married, I could probably write a 200 page essay on this and still leave out many events in our journey through life together.
The only thing I ask from God now is, “Lord, we have survived the storms, there is nothing that is going to come between us, and I believe that even death won’t do us part. I believe that we will be married in heaven. We are in this for the long haul. So God, please, would you please now bless us with money in the same way that you have blessed our marriage without money. ”

Tammie I love you till the end of time, and nobody will ever take that away from you and me. Happy Valentines Day honey.

Your Husband,
Kevin Stokes

Nancy Auburn Stokes

2007-01-31T19:15:00.000-06:00

This is my mother who I adored. Yes I was a mama's boy. It was her birthday yesterday. She would have been 69 on this birthday. She died in 1990, and I still miss her tremendously. There is a story that I want to share with everyone that I will cherish forever.

It was early November 1990, about 2 months after her death. I was working graveyard shift which I had been working for almost 2 years. I already had problems sleeping at night, and now, depressed out of my mind, because I was missing my mother, I was really having some sleep issues. Tammie and the kids were gone somewhere, and I was alone in our house. It was starting to get dark outside and moving rapidly to the hour that I needed to start getting ready for another night at work. I think that I had probably total of 1 hour sleep all day, all in small intervals at a time. Moving from our bed to the couch and then back to the bed over and over again, it seemed hopeless for me to find a comfortable place to lay my head for rest. During one of my transfers, I glanced into my daughters room and noticed something different about her sleeping quarters. She was six years old at the time and like any other young child, she loved to play "make believe". She had been pretending that she was camping out in the wilderness. She had built her room into a cross between a fort and a tent. Inside this tent was a full size mattress that she was sleeping on at night. It looked very comfortable and inviting, so I laid down to see if I test my luck at some sleep in this location. I was getting desperate, and the closer it got to the time for me to go to work, the worse my anxiety attacks were getting. I laid there looking out into the hall of my house thinking of my mom when all of a sudden my mom walked into the room. I wasn't startled or surprised at all, it was like I was expecting her. I didn't say a word. We hugged for several minutes and she told me that everything was going to be OK. That she was OK and for me not to worry about her. Tears were rolling down my face and it felt like something was stuck in my throat and I couldn't swallow it. She kissed me on the forehead and told me that she loved me and to quit worrying about her. She looked at me waiting for some conformation that I understood what she had said to me, so I smiled and nodded my head. Then she got up and on her way out of the room, she closed the door to the room. As she was closing it, the door made a very loud squeaking noise that I never had noticed before. I thought to myself, "man that door needs some WD40 bad". Then I closed my eyes and feel asleep for about 15 minutes. When I woke up, I felt like that I had been sleeping for 12 hours. I felt so rested and restored. I lied there just thinking to myself, "gosh, that dream felt so real". I looked at the door and noticed that it was closed. I remembered that I didn't close the door. The whole time the sound of the squeaking door was tattooed into my memory. I was thinking that surely Tammie came home and saw me in my daughters room sleeping so she closed the door so the kids wouldn't wake me. So I called out her name, and nobody was there. I got up to open and close the door just to see what it sounded like, and to my amazement, it sounded the same way as when my mother walked out and closed it.
I went to work that night and had a very good night at work. Not tired one bit.

What happened to me? Did an angel visit me? Was it my mom? Was it a dream? If it was a dream, why did I feel like I had 12 hours of great sleep in just a few minutes? How did the door get closed?
I heard a similar story like this one a few years later from a friend of mine. She lost her father and she had been going through the same depression and sleep apnea that I had gone through. Her father visited her in the same way my mother visited me.
I will hold on to this forever, and I hope to find out the truth of what I experienced when I die and go to heaven. I still miss my mother big time, but I feel that she is always with me where ever I go.

The Harp

2007-01-14T07:22:00.000-06:00

From the time she was born, Susie would visit her Grandparents house in the summer for several weeks at a time. There she would build unforgettable memories of joy that would always be with her. One of her favorite memories is the beautiful harp that is displayed above the fireplace. Her Grandfather would take it down for her and play for hours and hours beautiful music. This big man, who’s trade was a Lumberjack, would handle this instrument so carefully and delicately. Through the years, her Grandfather taught Susie how to play and handle this delicate harp.
Years past, and Susie grew into a young woman. She went to school to be a nurse, and loved her job. She always wanted to help people who was sick, and that was exactly what she was doing with her life. She worked at the hospital in rotating shifts. She made each patient a personal matter to her. She lived by herself in a small apartment. She had purchased herself her very own harp, where when she would retire for the day, she would play for an hour before bed to unwind and relax. While she would play, beautiful memories of childhood with her Grandfather would dance in her mind.
How disturbing it was when Susie heard the news that her Grandfather had terminal cancer and was given a very short time to live. Susie decided to take a leave of absence and go to take care of her Grandfather in his last days on this earth. Upon entering his house, it seemed that everything in his house was the same as it was the last time she visited him several years ago. Nothing had changed, except the beautiful harp that hung above the fireplace. It looked old and dusty; it hadn’t been played in years. One night, after she had tucked her Grandfather in his bed, she decided to take down the harp and play it. While dusting it off, she accidentally dropped it and it cracked the outer layer of wood. Susie was distressed that this instrument, that was cherished by her Grandfather, was now broke in half. She knew that she had to get it fixed, but every place that she went to could not mend the broken harp. She searched the internet for harp repairers. She made phone calls upon phone calls that lead to dead ends upon dead ends. Hope of mending her Grandfathers harp was fading quickly.
One evening, after returning from the market from getting household supplies and groceries, there was her Grandfather, sitting on the front porch, playing the beautiful harp. Full of amazement and joy, she told her Grandfather about the accident and how she couldn’t find anyone that could repair the harp. She asked him, “Who mended this harp back to perfection?” Her Grandfather answered, “Why dear, I made this harp from my own hands, I can surely repair anything that I make, with ease.

So many times we as simple humans don’t relate this to, God Almighty, The Maker of All Things. When people get sick, like Susie’s Grandfather, we never realize that God, if he chose to do so, could repair this person easily, for He made this person, and He can fix this person. I heard a similar story like this yesterday at Daymond Jackson’s funeral, and it touched my heart. God’s choice was to bring Daymond home with Him in heaven. God could have reached down and repaired Daymond, but Daymond’s time on earth was complete, he touched many souls on earth, made disciples in the “Great Commission”, and now, God has decided to bring him home.
Upon entering the Kingdom of Heaven, Daymond will receive a beautiful crown, a huge mansion, and hear the words, “Job well done.”

A TIME TO MOURN

2007-01-07T03:17:00.000-06:00

A good man died yesterday. A Great Friend and Brother In Christ. Daymond Jackson.

Throughout your lifetime, you make many friends. They come and go, some are forgotten, yet some you make a special bond with that you carry in your heart for the rest of your life. These relationships one would title as "BEST FRIEND." I only have a handful of this elite title. Daymond Jackson was one of them. I was a better man by knowing him.
I only met him just a few short years ago, when I started working at Federal Mogul, but our friendship excavated quickly into a great bond. My normal routine work day would have me crossing paths with Daymond several times throughout the day. It was always a pleasure crossing paths with Daymond. He was always happy to see me, no matter what kind of day he was having. Daymond was a very hard worker, one of the hardest workers on the floor there at Federal Mogul. Federal Mogul lost a valuable asset to the company.
I made a statement in one of my most resent blogs pertaining to how I cry more than the average man. Well...... Of course, when I heard of Daymond's death, it broke my heart. For some reason, a scripture came to my mind when I was crying for Daymond. "Matthew 14:13." Leading up to this verse, John the Baptist was beheaded by King Herod, and upon hearing this from John's disciples, Jesus withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.
Now the bible don't just come out and say that Jesus cried for John, (or at least in the NIV it doesn't), but I can't help but think, during His solitude, He was mourning for John.
You never know how much time on this earth you have. A little over a week ago, Daymond tried to get in touch with me. I was at my new job in Camden, so he left a message with Tammie for me to contact him when I get in on the weekend. He just wanted to see how things were going with me. I only tried once to return the call, and nobody was home, and I didn't ever try again. I hate it that I didn't follow through with that returned call and talk with him before he left this world. From what I understand, Friday he was admitted into the hospital with, I believe, heart complications, and he died sometime Saturday.

Daymond Jackson, what a great friend you were to me. You will be extremely missed.

It Was The Best Of Times, It Was The Worst Of Times

2006-12-31T16:18:00.000-06:00

Goodbye 2006, Hello 2007.

What a weird year for me. Alot of bad weather, some good, Very emotional, like a runaway roller coaster. Some great memories, some very stressful memories. 2006 will be one of those years for me that will be remembered in my family for a long time to come. We will be able to recall events easily throughout this year without looking in our history books. A year ago today, I didn't have a clue what the year held for me and my family. The events that took place in the Stokes family for 2006 is like reading the Arkansas Democrat daily. With each section fitting our life. Fun, Happiness, Tragedy, Hard Times, Events, Creative Ideas, Special Notices. Yes, each day had a new headline not knowing if you were going to read something happy or something sad. So we can stay on just one page in the newspaper, I will keep us in the weather section.
Walk with me through the Stokes History book in the year of 2006.

HEADLINE: Trapped in a Hail Storm and a Tornado:
Yes, the new year started with some bad news. A week before the new year began, I was diagnosed with diabetes. I can't even begin to tell you, how this disease makes me feel. Those of you that have this, can relate to the feelings that I get from this. If you don't take this seriously, you're a walking time bomb. And, yet, I still find myself, not taking it seriously on a daily basis. Why do I abuse myself so much? With the proper diet and exercise, I can beat this thing. But for some reason, I chose not to.
WRAP UP: There is a chance of rain (with a good chance of a hail storm) in my forecast daily with this defect in my life.

HEADLINE: Thunderstorm, (Not smart enough to get in out of the rain):
This next submission is in no way attacking anybody except myself. Most people didn't realize this even happened to me. I only have myself to blame.
At the beginning of the year, I was asked to step down from the Praise Band for a season. My Spiritual walk was in bad need of reorganization, and my pastor recognized this. At first I was angry, but several spiritual things took place in the next few weeks that let me know that this was the correct decision. Still, it was a long three months for me, watching and listening to the Praise Band while I sat in detention. I was so happy when my grounding was over, and I was able to step back up and jam with the incredible talented musicians we have in our church.
WRAP UP: I was fortunate enough for my sake, that someone saw me walking in this storm and gave me an umbrella.

HEADLINE: Thunderstorms (with a beautiful rainbow):
What was a "happy time" for my daughter, seemed to be tragedy for me. Her and her boyfriend of nearly three years, got married. I guess what hurt the most other than, just letting go, was , they eloped, and I never got the joy of giving away my little girl.
Her and her husband was just in for a couple of days, they left to go back to Kansas this afternoon. Yes, they had to go back on New Year's Eve, isn't that terrible? Tammie and I stood on the front porch waving goodbye, with tears streaming down our faces. Then I went in my bedroom, laid down on the bed, and bawled.
This seems to be the hardest thing I've had to let go of since my mother died in 1990. Why am I so sensitive? I bet I cry more than the average man. You know, the bible says that in heaven there will be no tears, but that is so hard for me to believe, because, if someone, that I care about, does not make it into the Kingdom of Heaven, I can't help but think that my water works will be flooding the heavenly floor that I stand on. I get choked up and a lump in my throat right now, just thinking about it.
WRAP UP: Have you ever sat on your front porch, and enjoyed a thunderstorm? I do it often. Sometimes, a good thunderstorm for me is very relaxing and refreshing. There could be danger outside of my location, but I sit safely away from the storm.

HEADLINE: Sunny and Clear:
Our Church sent several of us to Connecticut for a mission trip in July. What an incredible and memorable trip we had. We went to help a sister church with vacation bible school and we also experienced a train ministry.
One day, we took a train to New York City and then rode on the subway to some "points of interest" that we all agreed on. I'm torn between two places of being the highlight of the New York City day. One was "Ground Zero". There are thousands of people walking in this area and just beyond, from a crowded and very loud section of the city, to just a block away, complete silence and respect. The other was "Times Square". It was great!
WRAP UP: What a great day to go swimming!!! Not a cloud in the sky.

HEADLINE: Flood Warnings (Road slippery and Unsafe Ahead):
"Jesus, Take The Wheel".
I made a post in August with this title, just after Tammie and I took a trip to Kansas to help my daughter move there. On the way back, we almost got killed in an automobile accident. What seemed to be possible tragedy, turned into a happy blog that I will cherish for the rest of my life. If you haven't read this blog, please do so. God was at work throughout this day, and made sure we all knew He was in control. There is two parts, so be sure and read the first part first. You can find it in the archives under the month of "August".
WRAP UP: We went under water on the road at one time, and it was scarry.

HEADLINE: Hurricane hits land:
At the beginning of the year, I had no clue that I would be unemployed for over a 1/3 of it. This hit very hard on us. Leaving us "BUTT NAKED BROKE". I could write a book on this long drug out 5 months, but I will save you from that for now. Not knowing where God was leading me, I traveled as far as Virginia to search for possible jobs.
WRAP UP: This was a category 5 hurricane. One point for each month I was unemployed. It left a lot of damage to our property.

HEADLINE: Perfect day to go on a picnic:
God lead me to Camden, Arkansas, and gave me an incredible job there. I've worked three weeks now at "Hugg & Hall" and the people there have welcomed me with open arms. I am meeting and making some great new friends.

WRAP UP:
Many storms hit my house throughout 2006, and we have survived, now, The forecast ahead looks clear, so I think I will travel in that direction. If I can keep enough gas money in my pocket.
Hello 2007.

My Cup Overflows

2006-12-24T07:58:00.000-06:00

As I learn this new job that God so generously provided for me, heavy weight still lies on my shoulders. Christmas is upon us, and we barely have the funds to meet our finances. When Tammie took her final test week before last, the government funds expired. My unemployment check plus her government check was more together than what I am making right now. We were struggling then, so with the extra funds for me to actually either live there close to my job or drive back and forth, trying to make ends meet just got tougher. For the first Christmas in the 23 years of our marriage, we aren't able to buy each other gifts for Christmas. But that's not the heaviest weight that falls in my lap. No, my heaviest burden for me is "obedience to God". Time after time again God trys to teach to me the importance of "Giving all to Him". And, time after time again, I fail. Lately, when I seem to get a little money, I try to tuck it way back in my pocket, where I feel God won't see it, and spend it on resources for life. The thing that I always forget is, "He is the Breath of Life". But even still, when I fail Him in my obedience, it seems that my cup of life is either completely full or overflowing with all of resources that I need to survive in this life. I woke up this morning with God whispering to me about my tithe. The whole time I am arguing with Him thinking, "God, if I give a certain amount to you, then I won't have enough money to make it until my next paycheck", All the while, He is reminding me that He will take care of me. He asks me if He has ever let me down, and of course my answer is, "NO". And yet, still I am reluntant to give Him my tithe, knowing that if I were to just let everything go with the realization that it all belongs to Him, only He knows what kind of blessings, and overflow of my cup, He will provide for me. More than I can imagine. The ironic fact of it all, to sum up this whole struggle, and to finally realize that God is actually dealing with me personally, God hits me over the head because I am an idiot, and gives me something incredible this morning. Though an email, I get several devotions from various sites. One is called, "Crosswalk, Today God is first". I open this up this morning only to find this, and you will see why I state that God has hit me over the head.

December 24

Resolving the Ownership Issue
Psalms 24:1-2
The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

As Christian businesspeople, God calls us to view Him as the owner of everything. We are to be stewards of all that He entrusts to us. This is one of the hardest of all commandments to follow for the Christian businessperson because, if we work hard at business, we receive all the benefits of that work. It appears as though all that we have achieved was through our hand. Yet God says that it is by His hand that we are able to make wealth (see Deut. 8). He is the source of that ability. As soon as we become owners and not managers, we fall into trouble with God.

Joseph understood that he was a steward of all the resources of Egypt. God promoted him to affect an entire region of the world. Joseph had more power, prestige, and wealth than any 30-year-old who ever lived before him. The temptation for him in this newfound role in life must have been great. Many a man has not been able to handle material success. Many of God's choicest servants began well in their calling and service to God only to fail at the end. Consider Hezekiah, the great king who achieved many great things but failed to acknowledge God's blessing at the end of his reign. His reign was cut short due to pride. Gideon's fate was similar. Success can lead to pride if we are not careful.

"Not every man can carry a full cup. Sudden elevation frequently leads to pride and a fall. The most exacting test of all to survive is prosperity" [Oswald Chambers].

Ask the Lord today if you are living as a steward or an owner. Put whatever skills and resources you possess on His altar. Then you can expect God to do great things through you.

Thank you Lord, for all you have done for me. You always keep my cup full, even when I don't deserve it. I ask everyone to pray for me and my obedience to the Lord. AMEN

The Wonder Years

2006-12-17T12:30:00.000-06:00

Jeff has been posting a lot of LP's that bring back a lot of teenage memories for me. From "USA for Africa" to "Asia", I have most all of the LP's in my extended collection that he has posted. I tried to take pictures of some of my favorites, but a photographer, I am not. So I will just list some of my favorite Lp's from my teenage years. I would insert some old photos from High School, but with Tammie and I moving very soon, we have them all packed up in boxes.
So if you would, Walk with me down memory lane to "The Wonder Years".
"Charlies Angels", "The Love Boat", "Fantasy Island", "Happy Days" were just some of my favorite shows that I watched. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why a teenage boy was so infatuated with "Charlies Angels". I was in love with Farrah Fawcet Majors, and Jacqueline Smith. And when Tanya Roberts was introduced, I fell even more in love. In sports, I followed the Miami Dolphins from their perfect season and throughout all of my childhood. In those days, I was a bigger fan of the Miami Dolphins than I was of the Arkansas Razorbacks. However, Just as evident, in my life today, music was my favorite past time, and the poor Lp's that I loved the most, were abused over and over again, leaving me with very scratchy and disfigured Lp's. AC/DC's "Back in Black" / Def Leppard's "Pyromania" / and Foreigner "4" are just a few of the overplayed Lp's in my collection. But what was played the most? Journey had several with "Infinity" "Evolution" "Departure" and "Captured", but the most played by them was "Escape". Kansas boasted several with "Point of Know Return", "Leftoverture", and "Two For the Show", the most overplayed by them was "Audio Visions". For a few years during my teenage years, "Styx" was my favorite group until Journey took over the #1 spot for good. I would sit in class just like several other millions of students throughout the nation doodling on notebooks and notebook paper. My doodles consisted mostly of the "STYX" logo. It was very unique and intriguing. A friend of mine once told me that it would be cool if I spelt my name that way. Hence the user name, "STOXE" was born. I overplayed several Styx Lp's such as "Equinox" , "Crystal Ball", "The Grand illusion" , "Pieces of Eight" , "Cornerstone" , and "Paradise Theatre". I saw them in concert three times and couldn't begin to tell you which LP got the most play time. I give away my age when I tell you that I had most of these on "8 track" also. My Easter Egg 1974 yellow Ford Pinto had an 8 Track player in it. What a chick magnet. How else do you think I landed that hot pistol of a wife of mine ? But still, the most overplayed are not among any of these that I have named. What are they ? As I go through my collection and pull out "my favorites", many Lp's are stacked in front of me. Both of Boston's first two Lp's make the list along with, "Eagles Live", Ted Nugent's "Double Live Gonzo" "Cat Scratch Fever" and his Lp titled "Ted Nugent", Rush "Exit Stage Left" , Loverboy "Get Lucky", Aerosmith "Toys in the Attic", Cheap Trick "In Color, and in Black and White" , Elton John's "Greatest Hits Vol. 1 and 2" , Van Halen "1 and 2" , 38 Special "Special Forces" , REO Speedwagon "Hi Infidelity" , Little River Band "Time Exposure" , Eddie Money "No Control" , Toto "IV" , Alan Parson's Project "I Robot" , but still the most overplayed has not been listed. The most overplayed LP of "The Wonder Years" arrives at a tie. It comes down between Queen's "A Night at the Opera" , and Pink Floyd's "The Wall". I know every song on each of these Lp's by heart. If any of these songs were on a karoke machine, I could sing them with confidence without looking at the lyrics on the screen and would be able to put on a performance. I remember countless nights of lying in the middle of my shagged carpet bedroom floor, with all of the lights off listening through my huge headphones that looked like ear warmers. I had two of those "canned light bulb" lights that looked as if it was sending electricity through a fluorescent light bulb. I also had a strobe light and a miniature "disco ball light" and I would have at least one of these items on while I was enjoying my favorite long plays. I didn't need any drug to enjoy some of the demented songs from each of these groups, I was and still am, "naturally High" from the music. So naturally high that I actually became, as Pink Floyd would say, "Comfortably Numb".
So I hope that you have enjoyed my walk down memory lane, I know I have.....
Good Day and
ROCK ON

Quiz # 2: Know the Sensitive and Rugged Stoxe.

2006-12-10T12:10:00.000-06:00

Well folks, with me starting my job on Monday, and I will only be home on the weekends, I will have to blog only on the weekends for now. I really didn't have anything in mind at this time, so I figured with Dad's Place coming out with yet another quiz, I too, will bring this second and I feel difficult quiz to the table. Learn more about me. And, whoever can score 100 on this quiz (without cheating- let's all be honest), I will make them a batch of my "famous salsa". I am certain that Jim will not make 100 on this one. Good luck and have fun. Kevin

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Prayers Answered

2006-12-08T11:08:00.000-06:00

Glory be to God. Everything I have belongs to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Job search is over. I start work Monday morning at Hugg and Hall in Camden, Arkansas. I am pumped. I just hope that I live up to the expectations that they have for me. The pay is not as high as I first anticipated, but no matter what, God will take care of us. It's still more than I was making at Federal Mogul, plus commission. Right now the plans are for me to get an apartment there, and Nick will finish his Jr. Year at Monticello. For his senior year, it is unclear for the moment. Time will tell, where Nick will spend his Senior year. I would like it, (and he would too), if he could finish out his SR. Year at Monticello, but in all reality, we are pushing the JR year as it is. Most likely he will spend his Sr. Year at either Camden Fairview or Camden Harmony Grove, just depending where our residence falls. Tammie finishes up her internship with the Co-Op today, and will take finals next week, and she will be finished. Then it's her turn to find the job. Maybe she can land a $100,000 per year job, where I can just retire and enjoy life !!!!! I love to dream.... Anyhow... I just wanted to update everyone on our status, and to thank God for answering my prayers.

'TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY...WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SEASON ?

2006-12-06T21:50:00.000-06:00

What is my favorite season of the year ? Or shall I say sporting event ? Is it the Superbowl ? The World Series ? Is it the First day of Deer Hunting ? Maybe I should have put that question in my quiz. Jim might not have made 100 if I did. Can you guess ?
The Hogs are going bowling on New Year's Day. Is the bowl season my favorite time of the year ? From the first kickoff to the final games, I love the season of football. Wheather I'm enjoying the fellowship of a football cookout, tailgating, party.... Wheather it's Pro football or college, or even high school. Reading and studying the pre-season magazines. Buying the Arkansas Hootens Magazine is more of a rush to me than when I was a kid opening a present that I've been wanting for months. I love going to or watching on tv ..... FOOTBALL..... More than any sport.... However, if I had the question of, "What is my favorite season of the year?" on my quiz, by knowing that football is my favorite sport, you would miss the answer. My favorite season of the year is, "March Madness" yes, even though I like football better than basketball, still, what gives me the biggest rush the most is "MARCH MADNESS" I don't know what it is..... I can watch any football game on tv or on the field and love it. It doesn't matter who's playing. I will watch it. I go to the local High School football games. I watch the college, pros, and even arena football. But when it comes to basketball, I never go to a high school game. I hate watching the pros. The only college team I seem to watch is Arkansas, and if I happen to miss a game, I'm not very broken up about it like I would be if I miss a Razorback Football game, even if it's only just on the radio.
But when March Madness begins, I'm just in a fantasy land of the ultimite sports high. Oh what I would give to have a March Madness vacation to New York City in the ESPN Zone and watch all of the games on all of their Tv's.
This past Saturday, I made a sacrifice to miss the first half of the SEC Championship game to go to church. Jeff... If you do that in March, I'm sending a hit man after you. When the SEC tourny begins, I want to be in front of the tube watching it. Not missing a game.. I actually get mad that I have to work during the early games on Thursday and Friday of the tournament. All jobs should cancel work all Thursday through Sunday during the month of March. We can make up our time during Baseball season. I hate baseball.

I certainly don't want to take away the fact that Arkansas is going to a New Year's Day bowl. The bowl season runs a close second behind March Madness. and with The Razorbacks in the mix up this year, it just makes it even more exciting !!!! It would be an incredible Christmas Present if someone sent me three Capital One Bowl tickets in the mail, with round trip airfare to Orlando, Florida. Along with Room and board at a very nice 5 star Hotel. Who out there has the Christmas spirit of Giving ? Anyone ??????

The Heart Of Worship

2006-11-27T18:22:00.000-06:00

When a family, such as mine, is experiencing a possible relocation, several tasks must be accomplished long before the final move. One priority of mine is trying to find a church that best fits the personalities of my family. Each member of my family has certain needs that require different ministries. Some things are more important to me than they are to Tammie and Nick and vice-versa. But it's not just a numbers game where we tally up the points from each church and the highest score wins. It's a God thing. We should be asking God to lead us to where He wants us to be. Just like in my job search, God has a church home set aside just for us. But as always, God has confused me on my level of thinking. For instance, just when I feel that God has led me to a place of employment, it seems as if He retrieves all of the cards to the deck and begins to reshuffle them. God is also shuffling the deck of cards to all of the churches I visit. I don't know if God is just testing me on different levels and seeing how I will react to different situations or settings, or what He's doing, but He sure keeps me guessing.
Before I share with you some of my visits to churches in Virginia, I just want to say that when I vent about something, I always try to look towards God for guidance, and even after the post is final from my initial opinions, God has, in many occasions, lead someone to leave a comment for me to possibly rethink my ideas and change some thoughts for the better.

Northeast Virginia:
With an area phone book and the internet, I targeted a number of churches that met an indefinite criteria for me and my family. Mostly the criteria was very selfish and directed towards my wants and needs. So many times I find my wants getting in the way of what God wants, and of course, God always corrects me on that. Everyone who even remotely knows me, knows that I have a great love for music. That if given a choice between a Traditional Church and a Contemporary Church, the traditional church wouldn't stand a chance. I most certainly do not forbid hymns, it's just not my favorite kind of music. Some people prefer Country music to Rock, or Classical Music to folk. Contemporary Christian songs are just my personal preference. So naturally, most of the targeted churches were Contemporary Christian churches.
It seemed though, that every church I attended with the contemporary music, the message was dull, boring and monotone. It seemed that the pastor was just reading word for word from his notes that he just wrote five minutes ago, unrehearsed and not from the heart. It was obvious that these churches were relying on the music to be their main source of worship. They were very proud of their talents. The music and songs were well polished and sounded great. The word of God seemed to be just a filler, or a half-to-do chore that they rushed through real quick so they could get back to their music. They seemed to worship the music more than they worshipped God. Yes, they sounded good. Very good musicians..... But I found myself sick at my stomach when I departed from these churches.
Finally I changed gears and decided to visit a Traditional Baptist church. Reluctantly I sat through the hymns, and then I heard the message. Everything was perfect. The message was from the heart and in tune with God's directions in the bible. The hymns and the message were a perfect fit. The pastor spoke the word with love and passion, keeping me alert and wanting more. I was eager to listen and learn. What it all boiled down to was that the music didn't matter to me at all, it was all a "Heart" issue.

Am I getting Old ? Did I just say, the music didn't matter ?
Jeff, quit applauding.
Right now Jeff Noble is saying, "Kevin was listening to me!"
For those of you who are calling the secret service to investigate who has stolen my identity, or, those of you who are having a heart attack from the words that you have just read, just try to hang on, the ride isn't over yet.

I left the church refreshed and feeling good. This traditional church just became the front-runner over all of the other churches in Virginia. I wanted to investigate this church even more though, so I called the church office the following week to learn more about their doctrine and just how they function and tick. I didn't get a chance to converse with the pastor, because he was out that day, but from the sermon I heard on Sunday, I just knew that his heart was on fire for Jesus. It wasn't until I was connected with the youth pastor when my euphoria took a disappointing nose dive.
After several questions and answers about the youth, one answer to a question brought out the rolaids once again. The question pertained to "Praise and Worship."
Here was how and what I asked.
"I noticed that in the regular service there were nothing but hymns. I was wondering if the services ever mix it up a little and play some Contemporary Praise and Worship songs ?"
He answered very quickly and sounded disgusted with a "NO, NOTHING BUT HYMNS."
Amazingly, I was Okay with that answer. Then I asked the rolaid question of what the youth usually listens to and sings during their meetings of "just youth". The answer was very disturbing. He said that he was the music leader and the youth pastor all in one, and that the youth sings the same songs that the church sings on Sunday mornings. He went on to tell me that he didn't want his youth listening or singing that kind of music that was "of the world".
What ?! Hello !!!! Hymns were written by man the same way praise and worship songs were written, some may have been written 100 or even 200 years ago, but still they were written by a living human. What makes them more pure than today's songs to Christ? An atheist could write the most beautiful classical piece of music ever written, so does the sound make it pure ? Is that classical piece, written by an atheist, more acceptable than Praise and Worship songs that were written and sung for the Lord ? Be careful on what you condemn and what you accept. King David was ridiculed for the way he was praising and rejoicing God while he was bringing the ark of God to the city of David. Again, I urge you, and whoever fits this description, be careful of what you define as "UNDIGNIFIED". (2 Samuel 6:12-23).
You are a teacher and a mentor, and as James would warn, "those who teach will be judged more strictly" (James 3:1).
If Praise and Worship songs are not your preference for whatever reason, then that's okay in my book. But don't label it, "of the world" that's just a selfish idea and a personal vendetta against something that you're passing down to several young individuals. If you don't want to be "of the world" then you might want to get rid of your cell phone, computer, nice car, telephone, and other worldly things and join the amish. I'm not saying that to be mean or disrespectful to the amish, I'm trying to make a point of how self centered that statement was. It's a very selfish attitude that you are passing down to a younger generation. A selfish concept that you want your whole youth to share with you. Who are you to label a song written to God as "Of the world" ? Just because drums and guitars have been added to the song doesn't make it "of the world". It's what is in the heart that makes it either "Worship To God" or "Of The World"
Basically, how we worship shouldn't offend anyone if we are making the subject of worship totally to God and Jesus. If it means getting UNDIGNIFIED, then so be it.
In conclusion, I want to make sure that my "HEART OF WORSHIP" is directed towards God and Jesus. Matt Redman describes it best when he sings,
"I'm coming back to the Heart of Worship, and it's all about YOU, it's all about YOU, JESUS"

Happy Thanksgiving

2006-11-23T05:01:00.000-06:00

We made it to our destination in Virginia. Through the heavy traffic and then to add to the tough driving, rain. Almost through the whole trip in Virginia. But we made it. So what am I thankful for? As if you need a multiple choice.
Lord,
Thank you so much for delivering me and my family safely to our destination for this holiday set aside for you. I pray that when my wife and son depart Saturday morning to return home, that you steer their way, smooth and safe. This is a great worry of mine that I give to you. Take it now from me and comfort me in knowing that their trip is in your hands.
You've shown me a lot throughout my journey in the past year. Especially in the past 3 months. You have stood by my side, actually you have carried my wounded body through many storms. You never fail. You are my ultimate storm shelter. You stock it with all of the necessary supplies that I need just at the right time that I need them. I thank you for that.... As I read others stories of thankfulness, each individual has unique journeys of their thankfulness. I try to focus on people that are not as fortunate as me. Homeless, Parentless, or even family-less. What would they write in a blog about their thankfulness. How something as simple as eating a good meal today or having a warm bed to sleep in tonight would be an incredible post for their thankfulness. Even though these storms have raged for 3 months in my life, You've made sure that me and my family has not gone without a meal, or a warm bed to sleep comfortably in. I overlook that so many times, that You take care of me and my family over and over again. So many times I say a programed prayer, thanking you for things, and not feeling the thankfulness in my heart the way I should. Forgive me Lord for my ignorance.
I pray that You have a Happy Thanksgiving. That when many families share their time together, that they will say their thanks to you with sincerity.
Sincerely,
Thank You.................

FLASHLIGHT OF FAITH

2006-11-14T11:32:00.000-06:00

You know they say that when one door closes, two more opens. I don't know how true that is, but for me, God always keeps a door somewhere open for me. Let me tell you about the latest song that is playing on the radio of life for me.
I got a letter from the company in Virginia that I was so desperately holding onto to for possible employment, and there's no trying to decorate or color the final picture as they tried to do in their letter to let me down easy. The fact is, I didn't get the job. I do have a couple of other leads in Virginia, but this was the one that I was hoping for. Please don't be sad for me, because God already was opening several doors for me to go through as I was reading the letter. I made a visit to the bank to discuss the future of my home. I tell you, I'm not going to mention his name, but Commercial Bank has at least one good person working there. I'm sure there's more, but this individual has helped me and my family countless times. Let's just say, I bought some time on moving out of my home. I can't say that I will remain here in the end, but at least the stress of having to pay the house payment this month has been waived. Thank you Commercial Bank.
When I returned home, Tammie tells me that I received a call from a company in Camden. After returning the call, I find out that the company is very interested in me and the pay is very good. The gentleman that I talked to on the phone was very pleasant and we discussed not only the job but also Christian topics. It was just one of those conversations that makes you feel really good. It just felt right. So with that in mind, another lead has opened up, and right here in Arkansas. Which leads me now to the point of my blog.

I stopped by an visited with Rick Hales yesterday evening. Rick has always been a great friend of mine and a great mentor. We talked about how God only shows you just a peep hole into His plans for you. Rick shared with me something that a mentor of his once shared with him. That God could, at any time, turn on all the lights for you to see all that He has in store for your life. But He knows that we couldn't handle it all at once. So, He gives us a flashlight just to see what's right in front of us. It reminds us to walk in faith and to trust and rely on Him. He will guide us through our journey if we let Him. What a great description for us to look at.

However, I believe that God has a sense of humor. Rick has a flashlight ! That's great !! I wish I had a flashlight ! Instead, God has provided me with a pin-light that only works after several days of recharging. And, once I press it, my eyes better be open and alert because I only have a nano-second before the pin-light is dead. It's like I've woken up blind. Have you ever been in a strange place, maybe visiting somewhere, and you get up to go to the bathroom, and everything is dark. You don't know where any light switches are, you just stumble and stagger through the maze as if you were drunk. I believe it amuses God when He picks me up like a child, spins me around and around, puts me down and then watches me try to walk like a drunk kid.

I know God has plans for me. Where He leads me and my family is still in the dark. I just have to be awake and alert when my pin-light is working. God doesn't make mistakes. I have to be patient and wait for Him to deliver. I tend to panic when I try to look into the future and wonder how in the world I am going to support my family. But the fact remains, no matter how bad things have gotten, He has always taken care of me. He proves that to me daily.

Thank you Lord for your steadfastness. Thank you for all that you've done for me and my family. I will carry my pin-light with faith and walk through this journey to where you desire to lead me.

Stoxe Challenge

2006-11-10T07:41:00.000-06:00

Jeff and Mark inspired me to do my own quiz. Here it is.

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Updates: I am home for now until Thanksgiving.
The Jericho Morse code of the week was "ROB NOT FBI"

Sightings of the Unexplained. True Stories by Kevin Stokes.

2006-11-05T17:10:00.000-06:00

Sighting #1 & 2:
Many years ago, our family would go to Petit Jean Mountain State Park on a regular basis and stay a couple of nights in a cabin where we would enjoy relaxation, hiking, just the joy of getting away from Monticello as a family. Several times we would take another family with us. Sandra worked with Tammie and me at Burlington on 3rd shift, and we would have a great time with her and her two children everytime that they would go with us. Most of the time we would want to try to get there just as soon as possible to start our mini-vacation. So we would leave early on a Friday morning after all three of us had worked all night at Burlington. We all would be very tired, but we knew that we could rest once we got to the cabin and checked in. Some would attribute my sighting to the fact that I was tired from working all night.
On one trip to Petit Jean, I saw two unbelievable objects. One on the way up there and one on the way back. Sandra was driving, and I was just looking out the window of the van at the scenery. Somewhere between Star City and Pine Bluff, on the East side of Highway 425, I happened to see a two headed cow among many other cows. This cow had a head at each end of her body. One head was grazing and the other head was just looking forward. It reminded me of a "“push-me pull-me" from Dr. Doolittle. About a 1000 feet after I saw this two-headed cow, I asked everyone if they just saw what I saw. Of course, they just made fun of me, and told me that I was tired and needed some sleep. I was teased about this all weekend. On the way back, I was driving. Again, somewhere between Pine Bluff and Star City, On the west side of Highway 425, I looked over and saw an alien head sticking out of a flying saucer. I slammed on my brakes, and everyone was just startled and was wondering what the heck I was doing. I explained to them, that if we had of gotten a mile down the road and I asked them if they just saw what I saw, they might have been checking me into psychiatric ward. I pointed to the spaceship and told them to look and make sure that I just wasn'’t seeing things. That was several years ago, and most people in Southeast Arkansas has seen the alien in the spaceship by now.

Sighting #3:
A few years ago I was traveling to Louisiana with a friend of mine. We were going to pick up a vehicle from a dealership for Ryburn Ford. Right before the Louisiana border, again on Highway 425 South, on the west side of the highway, David and I saw a Pterodactyl in take off. This bird was huge, bigger than any that I'’ve ever seen. It was struggling to get off the ground. It seemed like an airplane with not enough runway to take off. I just knew that he was going to crash. Now I know that this bird is extinct, but evidently there is at least one living in extreme southeast Arkansas. I had plenty of sleep from the night before, so I wasn'’t tired at all.

Sighting #4:
Not too long after the Pterodactyl sighting, several of us from Second Baptist traveled to Dallas, Texas for a Promise Keepers conference. Me, Craig, Nick and another teenager were traveling in a car all together. We had a wonderful weekend. On the way back we were traveling on Interstate 20 East in Louisiana. Craig was driving, and I was looking out the window of the car. Not far from Shreveport, on the side of the interstate, was a dead kangaroo that had been hit. Kangaroos are only found in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. So what the heck was one doing on the side of the interstate in Louisiana?

Sighting #5:
My last sighting was about a year ago. I had just gotten off work from Federal Mogul and on my way home. Somewhere between Winchester and Selma in the ditch was an animal that looked to have been hit by an automobile. It had four legs and a long tail that looked like that of armadillo and his body had armor on it just like the armadillo. The tail had a pointed arrow end that reminded me of a dragons tail. The face looked like an eagles face, and also wings of an eagle. It had claws at the end of each four legs that was also of an eagle. It was wicked.

I know that all of these sound far-fetched to all of you, and I know that I will be teased about this. I don't care, My eyes have seen some incredible, unexplained things.
I have seen the cell phone commercials where someone sees "“Big Foot"” or "“The Boogyman"” and they take a picture of the creatures with their camera phones. Well, now I carry a camera phone with me, so from now on, when I see something out of the ordinary, I will have a picture of it. Wouldn't it be neat if I could have shown all of you pictures of a "two headed cow" or a "Pterodactyl?"

Resume For The Afterlife (A two part series). Chapter 2: Dear John Letter

2006-11-01T08:57:00.000-06:00

Dear John,
I received your application for the Kingdom of Heaven. Unfortunately you have been declined any position here in Heaven. I have watched you very closely from even before you were born, to every second of your life and beyond. Sadly, the one credential that you failed is the one and only reason why you cannot be accepted into my presence. Granted, you have lead a good life, you have always been a good and moral person. However, Your morals only reflect that of the world. I have given you a guide to read and study. If only you would of studied my living word, you would have read in James Chapter 4 verse 4, that anyone who chooses to be friends with the world becomes an enemy of God. I'm not saying that by being good is wrong. By all means, continue to do good things. But John, just by being good, and doing good things does not get you into the Kingdom of Heaven. I urge you, you still have time, take my living word, read it, study it, search it for the answer to everlasting life. The answers are there. I promise. However, if your time would end as of now, unfortunately I would have to tell you to depart from me, and that I never knew you. By saying this, it's not that I never knew you, in fact, I know each and every hair on your body, the bottom line is, you never knew me. I love you John, and I urge you to get to know me. Know who I am. Love me, worship me, trust me. Learn who my son Jesus Christ is. For He is the answer to Everlasting Life. He is the promise of Love, hope and faith. Turn this long distance relationship into a Holy and loving relationship. It is not my nature to see that you fail, I want to see you succeed and join me in my Kingdom. I could give you several scriptures to study, but I don't just want you to focus on those one and only scriptures, I want you to learn my word inside and out. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Follow me John, to my Kingdom.

Sincerely,

The Lord God Almighty

Resume For The Afterlife (A two part series). Chapter 1:Cover Letter

2006-10-31T18:04:00.000-06:00

Cover Letter

Heaven Inc.
7th Heaven Ave
Kingdom of, Heaven 01234

Dear God,

Recently, I completed a religious experience with a church in Northern California where I was given the responsibility of leading prayer for a large youth group. I am looking for the opportunity to perform in this capacity for Heaven Inc. I believe my background and experience will help me be an asset to the afterlife in a very short time.
I have also participated in hospital visitations as well as Nursing home visitations. I was given the responsibility of team prayer leader in these visits. I have served in the prayer ministry for some 23 years, and have written several opening prayers at funerals. My church skills are excellent and I am very in tune with the elders and their needs of the church. I have served in the choir and other church related programs.
I have gone on several mission trips. I have given several thousand dollars over my lifetime to many charities.
I am very interested in becoming a part of your Kingdom after I pass on. As you can see in my resume, I have attended several churches where I have worked for your Kingdom. I have even attended several Sunday night sessions as well as Wednesday nights. I tithe on a regular basis. I am honest, caring and an all around good person. I have several character witnesses that would stand on my behalf and acknowledge my credits and functions in the church. I can be reached at the address and phone number below. I'?ll be writing your office within ten days to inquire on the status of my application. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

John Doe
9999 Normal Life Street
Anywhere, USA 99444
(555) 555-5566

God's Country

2006-10-29T12:41:00.000-06:00

I wrote this the other day, and somehow, it got deleted. I don't know what happened.
Anyhow. I will attempt to write it again.

This area in Virginia is so beautiful. Let me tell you about one of my latest outings. It is so beautiful, it has given me an incentive to start walking and getting some much needed exercise again. The Shenandoah River is only 1.4 miles from the house that I am staying in. So I decided to put on some warm ups, put on my walking shoes, get some bottled water, and hike to the river. The trip there was not too bad, mostly downhill. Coming back was the problem, back up the mountain. On my journey, I soaked in the luster of autumn in the old country of Virginia. The colors of the fall leaves were magnificent. I paced myself through a rainstorm of them one time or another. I saw a huge buck deer with several doe not far behind him. I took a breath of the mountain air, and it seemed to filter and purify my lungs with freshness. I passed by an old historic water mill, one that reflected some of the many paintings I've seen over my lifetime. The Shenandoah River was breath-taking. Appearing from the mountains from the west, and disappearing back into mountains to the east. Several boulders lie throughout the river that had once stood tall in the mountains. Smaller rocks in a more shallow part of the river had been strategically placed by mother nature, to allow pedestrians to cross the river to the other side. Yes, this is God's Country. Each gust of wind is full of the smell of the gracious mountains, so fresh, so pure, so clean. Everywhere I look, is a glimpse of a post-card moment. I wish the world could see through my eyes. I wish my vision could take snapshots to show the miracle of God's Country that I am seeing here.

Job Update:
I had an interview this past Monday at an industry in the area. The Human Resources Manager told me that they would select a few individuals to come back for a second interview. Even if I didn't get selected to come back, they would let me know something by Friday. Friday afternoon, she called me and wants me in on Monday for a second interview.
Also, I have another interview at a local industry on November 8. Things are looking brighter and brighter.
Keep me in your prayers.

JERICHO

2006-10-24T15:22:00.000-05:00

My new favorite TV program.
I don't know how many of you are into the new drama TV hit series JERICHO, but I am addicted. I'm not usually a drama TV show watcher, I tend to lean towards the sitcoms, but this show is just GREAT! I anticipate the show coming on every Wednesday with passion. Interrupt me during the show, and there could be a fatality. It's a good thing the house that I'm staying at has TiVo, otherwise I might be trying to watch the show from prison.
Seriously though, what a great storyline. Yeah, there are probably some geniuses out there stating, "there's no way that could happen" and probably criticizing the show on all levels, but I don't care. I like it.... And the Morse codes just adds more to the show. Troy, (The owner of the house that I am living at), knows how to read Morse code, and he tells me what it is saying every week. Let me just update everyone on the Morse codes from the past weeks.

1st Episode - Morse code read - JERICHO
2nd Episode - Morse code read - JERICHO FALLO (The name of the episode was Fallout)
3rd Episode - Morse code read - JERICHO THREE
4th Episode - Morse code read - HE KNOWS ROB
5th Episode - Morse code read - THERE'S A FIRE

In the second episode, it was believed that Rob was able to read a Morse code over the radio that was telling him what cities had been nuked. He wrote something down on paper, and then later in the show, he was putting thumb tacks on a large map of the United States at different city locations Like Chicago, Atlanta and Denver.
The Morse code was in two parts that night, and here is what it actually said.

In the first scene: "DELTA CODE DELTA TWO MINUTE WARNING.."
In the second scene: "SCORE REMAINS SCORELESS..."

Now what that means, I really don't know. Anyhow, I can't wait for the 6th episode Wednesday. Just thought I would share this info with my fellow bloggers.

UPDATE: Last Sunday I went to a non-denominational church, that was (according to their website) a contemporary church.
and I wasn't too impressed with it.
This Sunday I went to a Traditional Baptist church, and surprisingly I was very pleased with the outcome.
I don't know where I will go this coming Sunday, but I will be checking out several churches in the area.
As far as job searching is going. Nothing yet. But I did have an interview on Monday that went rather well in my opinion. The will let me know if I qualify for a 2nd interview either by the end of the week or next Monday.

Keep me and my family in your prayers, and God Bless.
Kevin

How 'Bout Them Hogs !!!!!!!

2006-10-21T16:29:00.000-05:00

What happened???? Arkansas is playing like a power house team. If they keep this up, they will be in a BCS bowl. Wouldn't that be great? After the loss to USC at the beginning of the season, I thought it was going to be another long year for them. They caught a couple of lucky breaks against Vanderbilt and then against Alabama. Then when they played at #2 Auburn and beat them 27-10, they looked like they could've beat any team in the nation that day. Auburn by no means is a cupcake. They are truly a power house team, and Arkansas dominated them from start to finish. Then the next week Auburn beat #2 Florida. Since the Auburn victory, Arkansas has destroyed each of the next two opponents. 63-7 , and then 38-3 over Mississippi, who has been giving some teams a run for their money.
Arkansas is now bowl eligible with 6 wins. They are 6-1 and 4-0 in the SEC west. They still have the month of November though. @ South Carolina on the 4th, then home against Tennessee on the 11th, Then @ Mississippi St on the 18th, then finishing up in Little Rock against LSU on the Friday after Thanksgiving. So some tough games lie ahead. The good thing is that the two toughest games are at home.
Can we do it this year? Can we get to a BCS bowl game? I'm pulling for them from the state of Virginia. Go Hogs Go !!!!!!!

UPDATE: I have an interview on Monday that looks to be promising. Keep up the prayers.

Election Time. Who do you Vote For? Part 2

2006-10-19T20:26:00.000-05:00

I wanted to leave this email as a post that Rick Hales sent me. He wrote it after reading my post on "Election Time. Who do you vote for?" It is so inspiring that I asked him if he would mind me posting it, and he said go ahead. I hope it touches all of you as much as it did me. Thanks Rick.

Hi my friend.

Isn't Virginia beautiful? When I was a young Army Captain I was invited to work at
The Army Chief of Staffs office in the Pentagon. What a thrill for an ambitious
young officer from South Arkansas.

I left my very stable life in Monticello and headed for the city! Money was
everywhere. I regularly saw Colin Powell in the halls and I thought I had hit the
big time.

I sent for my family shortly afterward and they were happy to join me. We found an
apartment with a gate (that should have been a clue) and moved right in.

The first few months were great. National Zoo, Lincoln memorial, Smithsonian
Institute, picnicking on the Mall, man the weekends were unlimited. My salary was
three times what it was in Arkansas and I also got $115 a day per diem (that’s
extra).

Working in the Pentagon was intense. In and out of meetings with 1,2,3 Star
Generals and before long I was actually a key player. The team I was on had seven
people. Four were West Point Graduates, two from MIT and me. Me? I dropped out of
high school. How in the heck did I get here? What am I doing here? I began to
look at the bigger picture. My wife was still asleep when I went to work. She was
trying to keep supper warm for me when I got home. The apartment began to get
really small.

Cathy had taken her children from everything they knew and followed me to a place
where she had nothing. What a wife. Signs of wear began to show on my family. I
sought counseling to try to help us adjust to family life in the big city. It never
seemed to be the answer. We were growing apart from each other and God did not seem
to be a factor in any decision we made.

One Sunday we were out riding and sight seeing (actually we were just getting out of
the apartment) and we passed a small church. The sign out front said “We believe
God sent His only Son to die for our sins so we could have everlasting life”. I
remember thinking hey look, they believe like momma does. We went back the next
Sunday.

It felt like a family reunion. People were going in and out doing God’s work and
welcomed us right in. We found a touch of peace in a very insecure place. The
pastor and church family picked us up like lost puppies. Cathy and I made friends
and began to be part of something important, a Christian Fellowship. We actually
found a family in this church from Fordyce. The husband went to UAM when I was
there.

The remaining time went pretty fast. I could have still been there but my beautiful
wife longed for home (Praise God). At the end of my second tour I asked her if she
wanted to stay again and she said ‘Well baby, I think I’m gonna go home and get the
kids back in school. You can stay and come home when you want to’. I thought I
might oughta go with her because she is too valuable to let out of my reach again.
She was wonderful to follow me but the truth is that God has given her a wonderful
gift of discernment. I have learned she won’t battle me when she feels I am going
the wrong direction. I have to listen real hard to hear her heart but I know God is
speaking to her.
I went to work and told my boss (Col Taylor) I was going to decline another tour.
He asked what I was going to do and I said take my family home. He hugged me and
said he understood. They had a very nice going away party and made me feel like I
was the best officer in the Pentagon. It was truly a powerful experience that built
my self confidence. I found out I could function in the most demanding environment.
I was able to tell Col Taylor that I felt like God had placed me there to bring me
closer to Him. That was significant because Col Taylor was a Jehovah Witness. I
told him that when I was in Arkansas I was very secure. If I needed
anything, I could get it from friends and family. But in the big city I was on my
own. Only when I felt the full weight of life did I realize how important God
actually was to me. Peace was only felt when I sought and served Him.

We left Washington and moved to Pine Bluff. I had a friend who put me to work in a
pipe plant working graveyard. We lived in a small drafty house but it was ok. We
had to work toward a goal of getting back to Monticello. Finally I got my old job
back at Legal Services and moved back to Monticello. We went from $19,000 to
$65,000 to $19,500 per year during this little adventure. My net gain is
immeasurable.

I tell you this story for me and you. I needed to stop long enough to reflect on
God’s impact on my life. We get very busy in our day to day activities. Sometimes
we get so busy even in doing God’s work that we loose sight of Him. As you are
exploring this phase of your life I pray that you don’t take your eyes off God like
I did. But if you do, please realize that He is always near. You are saved by the
blood of Jesus and He will not forsake you. God allows us to explore this life and
seek improvements for ourselves. He is always there for you and I and forgives us
for our short comings instantly when we ask Him. His grace is limitless and His
love is unending.

Dear Lord, I thank you for Kevin, Tammie, Nick and Kristy. You have bless them with
many gifts and a precious family. I honor You for these blessings. I see that they
are going down a path of the unknown. I pray that You will pull them closer to You
and guide their every step. Please use this time to reveal yourself to every lost
person that you place in Kevin’s path. Give him the words and power through the
Holy Spirit to be bold and effective to proclaim Your majesty to everyone he meets.

I ask that you pour out your blessings on them during this journey and meet their
every need. Lord lift up Tammie and continue to give her the words of encouragement
her husband needs to hear. Help her be the vessel of love for Nick and let him
learn from watching he mother and father depend on You.

God I pray that you give this family safety and good health. Meet all their needs
Lord in Jesus name. Help me Lord to stand by my friends and be Your servant in
Monticello as Kevin is in Virginia.

Father I pray a special request for Your power in Kristy’s life. She has been
taught Your word and I pray that seed will bring fruit for Your kingdom throughout
her husbands family. I ask that You use the Holy Spirit to place a burden on her
husbands heart that he cannot bear. Lord I pray that you reveal Yourself to him and
draw him into Your family of believers. Keep his family safe Lord and add them to
Your kingdom.

God I thank You for all you have done in my life. I praise you for your word and
thank you for making it available to me. Thank you most of all for extending Grace
to us by sending Your Son how bore that burden that none of us could bear for
ourselves. I praise the name of Jesus and bring these request to you in His name.

Kevin, I love you, I admire you and respect you for the way you are striving to
provide for your family both spiritually and financially. I know that you are
seeking Gods guidance in these uncertain days. I also know we can come to God one
on one but I tell you my brother, find a church while you are there. God will guide
you to the right one. He will reveal Himself to you through the preaching of His
word and minister to you thru His believers.

Rick

Election Time. Who do you Vote For?

2006-10-12T13:14:00.000-05:00

I sit here ashamed. Ashamed of my actions for the past couple of weeks in Virginia. First of all, I haven't displayed myself as an ambassador of Christ the way I should. Second, I have totally gotten away from my morning devotions. I've let chances and opportunities to proclaim my faith in Christ pass by. I feel that I have hit rock bottom. This morning I got back into my bible studies. But am I ready for a debate?
Let me tell you a little about the family that I am living with. Troy and Briana Kelly. Two fine people with kindness in their hearts. They've opened their house up to me and my family for anywhere from short to a very long term stay. They have a 10 year old son named Patrick. Very smart, and full of life. Troy is super smart. Someone that you can't help but get a little more wiser by spending time with him. Briana used to work with Tammie and me at Burlington several years ago. She told me in advance that they were not church going folk. In fact, Troy was a non-believer. She went on to tell me that Troy likes to debate Christians and their beliefs. She also told me that when and if we move to Virginia and get settled in a church, that she would like it if we took Patrick with us, so he could see what church and Christians were all about. That sounded great to me. Which now sends me back to my story....
The other night, Troy took me out to eat. It was just the guys, me, Patrick and Troy. Somehow or another the conversation curved into The Islam religion. I remember a few years ago at Second Baptist when Bro Shawn taught a lesson on different religions, and one of them was the Islam religion.
As Troy was talking about the Islam beliefs, one thing stuck out like a sore thumb, and I had my chance to make a statement, and blew it. So, I will blog about it. Troy stated that the God they worship and the God that Christians worship is the same God.

There is no way that is accurate.....
1 John 2:23 and John 3:5-6 backs up my statement.

1 John 2:23
23) No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

John 3:5-6
5) Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6) Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

The Islams deny Jesus as the Christ, the Savior of the World, therefore they worship a different god. They worship a god who did not send a Savior to die for their sins. I've used this scripture before, but it's just right on the money. Romans 5 speaks of peace, joy, hope and love. The Islams hope is shredded to pieces by this scripture alone.

Romans 5:1-8

1) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2) through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3) Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4) perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5) And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
6) You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7) Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

If they worship the same God that I worship, then they would accept this scripture as truth. They don't recognize God's true love for them. God's love is the true meaning of life!! All Christians should have that branded in their hearts and minds!!

John 3:16-18

16) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18) Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

The sad thing about this is, so many times people use this scripture reading and proclaim that they are Christians when they totally misunderstood God's love for them. We had this discussion in our home group a few weeks ago. I stated that there will be so many people that stand before God, thinking that they are headed for heaven, and God will tell them to depart from Him, that He never knew them. So many times people make a choice that really doesn't include God. It only has to do with their own desires. If I told you that you had two choices, one was hell, or the other was proclaim the moon as a god and you'll have everlasting life. You definitely would not choose hell. So many so called Christians make this choice. They chose (Not Hell). Anything but hell. Then they think that they are OK. When they really don't have a clue of what they chose. They just know what they didn't choose. Their desire was not to go to hell. So they chose the opposite. With elections at hand, it's easy to say I don't know who to vote for, I just know who I'm not voting for, so through process of elimination I vote for someone I have no clue who they are or what they stand for. God desires us to know him. To love Him. To Worship Him. The one and only choice is God's love.
I have a request from the readers of this blog. Please pray for me, for the days and weeks to come, that I can display God's love through my walk of faith. That I can demonstrate what a true ambassador of Christ represents.

My vote is in............. I choose God's Love..........

TEST THE SPIRITS

2006-10-01T04:16:00.000-05:00

Here I am, In extreme Northeast Virginia, typing on a mac. (Jeff, I don't know how you do it) It will probably take me two hours to write this. Anyhow........I'm stepping out in faith that God will provide. My stomach is churning, I'm scared, and having anxiety attacks. Here's the only thing that is keeping me together. God is with me.
I walked out the front door of my house and got into my car to begin my journey, when I realized that I haven't done my devotional that morning yet. What an idiot, I thought to myself, how do I expect to succeed without talking to God about what is going on in my life for that day. Yes He knows already, but He desires me, He EXPECTS me to bring it all to Him everyday. Whatever it is. I get out of my car, and go back inside to do my devotion for that morning, and here is what He had in store for me that morning.

1 John 4:1-6
1) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2) This is how you can recongize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3) but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4) You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5) They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6) We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

I feel like Abraham going on his long journeys. Staying with other kings in their kingdoms. Not really having a kingdom of my own right now, but having faith that God will reward me with a kingdom. Even if I never achieve another kingdom here on earth, I know that I am promised to reside in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Here I am, right smack dab in the middle of the world. I keep holding on to these two facts from God. #1) verse 4 says that "the one who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world," As I face the world, I always need to remind myself of that. That when I face evil in the eye, The Spirit of God will not let me back down, because what is in me is greater than what I face. and #2) Matthew 7:7 - Ask, Seek, knock.......... I have got to have faith that God wants to see me happy, and therefore, when I ask Him for things, He will provide them. But patience is a thorn in my side. I want everything to be great right now. I'm just a young child, hyper and ready to open all of my Christmas presents all at once. But I must wait for the right time. God's plan is just, and fool-proof.

Guys, I promise there are some fun blogs coming from my direction in the future. But for now.... God Bless.

Miracle at Drew Memorial

2006-09-21T22:57:00.000-05:00

16 years ago today, My mother passed. With that sad moment in my life at hand, still God performed a miracle one day earlier that I will keep in my heart forever.
My mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. For about three days she was a patient at Drew Memorial Hospital. A miracle was all that we could hope for, because we knew her days were numbered. Bed-ridden and full of pleurisy, she finally slipped into a coma on the 20th of September. I called my sister in Phoenix, Arizona and told her that if she wanted to at least see mom while she was still alive, she might want to get on the earliest flight out. My sister's daughter was only 3 months old, and of course, she had never been in the presence of my mother. Nick was only 11 months old, but since he lived in Monticello, my mother spent plenty of days with him, and Kristie was able to spend almost six years of her life getting to know her. And what a wonderful woman to know. She definitely lived the life of a Saint. Those who knew her, were better people by knowing her. Goodness surrounded her everywhere she went. Her newest granddaughter was three months old, and my mother was wanting to meet her so bad. But her ailment for the past three months would not allow her to travel to Phoenix to see her. And now, here she was, in a coma, and all odds were against her ever holding her newest grandchild.

I told my sister that she was in a coma and that she needed to come to town ASAP. My sister's flight was scheduled to arrive in Little Rock in the evening of September 21st. My dad took over the duty of watching my mom while I went to Little Rock to pick up my sister, her daughter, and her husband. It was a long trip for them with a new born. We stopped and ate a late dinner, and then on to Monticello we went. We arrived in Monticello around 10 pm. I asked my sister if she wanted to go to the hospital tonight or wait until the morning. She said to go to the hospital.
We headed out to the hospital, and my dad had already gone home for the night.

When we all walked into her room, my sister just started bawling, and of course, that made me cry also. My sister put her daughter down right beside my mother, and then an incredible miracle happened.
My mother suddenly came out of her coma. She didn't say a word to anyone in the room, she didn't even acknowledge anyone else in the room. She had a huge smile on her face, only looking at her granddaughter. Her granddaughter also had a great big smile on her face, like if they were the only two in the whole state of Arkansas left. My mom pulled her little socks off and played with the baby. The room was just full of love between these two individuals. There was sighs and ohs, and other cheerful moans from the both of them. It seemed like they played together for several hours. Finally, it was time for us to leave. I'm not even sure that the hospital ever knew that my mom came out of her coma that evening. As far as they knew, she was in a coma the whole time.
My mom died early the next morning.... I believe that she was hanging on to life until she got to meet her other granddaughter before passing away.

I miss her so much, it just leaves a big gulp in my throat that I can't seem to swallow when I think about it. She was so smart, probably the smartest person that I ever knew. She had been rated a genius from a child. Valavictorian (probably spelled wrong) of her High School and Saluitorian (this one too) of her University. Even though you can't find her in any history book, to me she was famous. I dedicate this blog tonight to her in her memory. I pray that I can be just half the parent to my children that she was to me.
I Love You MOM. Your Son, Kevin......

I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke, and keep it company.

2006-09-16T06:28:00.000-05:00

I'd Like to to buy the World a Home, and furnish it with love.
Grow apple trees and honey bees, and snow white turtle doves.

I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony.
I'd like to buy the world a coke, and keep it company.

God is the Real Thing.

When Nick was 4 years old, I had the great pleasure of visiting the Grand Canyon. This place tests each and everyone of your senses all at once. Your eyes can't begin to grasp all of the beauty, it's just breath taking and overwhelming throughout your entire visit. To a 4 year old child, it's scary. I remember vividly that Nick wouldn't even trust me to hold him while we looked over the canyon. He was too scared that something might happen and I might let him go. That the canyon was too powerful for me to hold him into safety. But that didn't matter to me then, or in the years to come, even though he didn't trust me in that one situation, I still loved him the same no matter what.

God is the same way in my life. I am so scared that He is going to let me go. So afraid that I won't let Him pick me up to see the incredible breath taking life He has in store for me. You don't realize things like this until actual miracles happen in your life. The problem is that miracles are happening to me every second of my life, I just don't ever take the time to stop and appreciate this Grand Canyon of my life that God is trying to show me. I actually believe that this concept can be applied to anyone's life.

If I can, I want to share with you, the latest "Praise God" miracles in my life. As most people know, I lost my job exactly 2 months ago. During that time several individuals have stepped up and have really helped us out. I just want to thank each and every one of you who have blessed Tammie and me beyond the call of "just friends". One couple last month gave us $200 to help with bills! Two other couples either treated us out to eat or had us to their home and fed us! Another couple gave us $100 to help with bills! A local church gave us a box of food! A good friend was trying to keep me in "on the side, under the table, little jobs" to help with my financial situation! This was all in the first month of my unemployment! Just this week we received $100 from anonymous in the mail! My dad has furnished gasoline in my vehicle to go to Central Arkansas twice for interviews! And supplied gasoline in my vehicle to take Nick to Pine Bluff to get his braces removed! I can't even begin to describe how my dad has helped me throughout the course of my entire life!
After all of that, I'm still afraid to let God hold me in his arms over His Grand Canyon. I'm still afraid to look over the edge of His steadfast Love. Which leads me to another miracle that happened this past Thursday.
Tammie and I have been looking through the newspapers for job listings. We've decided that no matter where God provides a job for us, we think that we are ready to pack our things up and go there. So, I find myself in Conway on Thursday at an interview for a pretty promising job.
My interview was set at 10:00 am with a Tony Davis. I was 10 to 15 minutes early. So there I was sitting in a small voyeur entrance to the offices of Conway Machine Inc. 25 or 30 minutes passed when suddenly I felt an oh so familiar feeling come upon me... My sugar was dropping, rapidly. I'm thinking to myself, "OH NO!!!!!, what am I going to do?" I usually keep some peanut butter crackers with me in these ever so often emergencies, but they were in the van and I didn't want to walk out and send a wrong vibe to the Tony Davis, if he had come to the entrance to get me. So I just sat there. As the cold clammy sweat was pouring down my cheek, and my head was becoming dizzy, and I was becoming weaker and weaker by the nano-second, I said a little prayer.
"God, just take this from me please, so I can get through this interview."
No sooner than I finished that prayer, I heard a voice coming from behind the door talking to the receptionist at the window. "Please tell Kevin that I will be , a little while, we have run into some problems, and I will get with him just as soon as we get them taken care of."
Before she opened the window, I was thinking, "well....Do I have time to go and get those crackers?" She opened the window and told me what I already had heard, and the suddenly she said, "Can I offer you a coke?" I said, "That would be Great!!!!"
About half-way through the coke, the moment that I regained my senses to normal, that exact moment, the door opened and Tony Davis was ready for me to begin my interview.

Ask, Seek, Knock.....
Matthew 7:7-8
7) "Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8) For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

The interview went great, I may or may-not get the job, but the wonderful thing I learned was that God was holding me over His Grand Canyon that day. Allowing me to see the breath-taking beauty of His creation and His love. I shared a coke with God who knows every hair on my head, every detail about my body, who has planned my life beyond my wildest dreams. God is the real thing. God adds life.

All Wisdom Belongs to God !!!

2006-09-08T11:27:00.000-05:00

My lesson in the book of Job.
Elihu pretty much pounded the lesson into Job, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and myself. That all wisdom belongs to God. We will never understand the depths of knowledge, never grasp His power, no matter what. God measured and erected each and every inch of the earth to it's creation. The creator knows the limits of every single thing from a mite that is unseen by the human eye, to the largest mountain in the world or on any other planet in all the universes. We gain knowledge and wisdom by studying His word, but will never gain the knowledge or wisdom to direct lightning bolts through the sky, or create the beauty of the horizon in a canyon or mountain or anywhere. We can only capture a moment of the beauty in vision. Sometimes in a picture or painting we can savor the beauty for years and years. Sometimes even in a beautiful song. Praises still should all go to God, for who created our eyes to see the beauty, or the hands to paint the picture, or the ability to sing and write and play a song. The Creator God, makes, molds, and even at times destroys anything and everything. Who can even come close to the wisdom of God. Until now the definition of wisdom wasn't as powerful to me as it is now. Now it's undefinable. The song "Indescribable" by Chris Tomlin, more or less reflects this. Instead of Indescribable, it should be Undefinable. Only God knows the true definition of Wisdom. Webster can only attempt to define the word "Wisdom" through a human's understanding. The definition in all dictionaries should have a final definition beside it of: "God only knows".
As I finished up the book of Job this morning, my devotion in the New testament had me in the book of "1 Peter". I can in some way relate to Job in his sufferings. Not by far does the limits of my suffering come close to his, but in a couple of ways, I was able to understand through my personal affairs how he felt. Just by reading some of his blog in the bible, I felt that at times he was even contemplating suicide. Though it has not come to that for me, I have asked God to wake me up from this nightmare of my life that I am having at this time. If it ever gets as bad as it was for Job, God forbid, I am almost certain that I would probably die in my self-pity. I didn't know what suffering was until I read the book of Job. Most of it is pretty depressing. Especially for someone going through heavy storms of their own. Chapter 1 of 1 Peter, and the final chapter of Job, reminded me of the hope that God has for me.
1 Peter 1 : 3-9 (from NIV translation)
Praise to God for a Living Hope
3)Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4)and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you, 5)who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6)In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7)These have come so that your faith of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8)Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9)for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter goes on to remind me to be Holy, and to set my Hope on the grace to be given me when Jesus Christ is revealed. To be obedient....Pretty much to walk through these storms in complete faith, and praise God for it.
It is so easy for someone not going through heavy trials and tribulations to give advise to those who are. I know, I have been there. In both situations. Which for Now I am on the short end of the straw.
I know of families who have walked away from the church, and worse, away from God, because they thought that they were being treated unfair. I honestly believe that a Professed Christian, who doesn't study God's word, will do this over and over again. They blame everyone but themselves. Including God. Job proves that even in a good studier of the Word, one can fall into the self-pity of their storms. I pray to God that no matter how bad the storm gets, that I can hold on to this understanding of what God promises me. I pray that the eye of the storm has already passed me and my family by and that clear weather is in my forecast. I pray to God that my needs will be met, over and beyond my wildest dreams. I could list them now, but God knows my needs and will take care of them. Forgive me Lord for my impatiencence, help me understand more of the hope you have for me. Help me obedientent to your commands and expectations.
And, even if you do not lift me out of this storm, I will still profess Your name and Praise You in all. I am but just a lightning bolt, ready for you to tell me where to go. AMEN.

My life compared to Job's

2006-09-06T08:55:00.000-05:00

This morning's devotion, God lead me to the book of Job. Let me just say, I am not a reader. God knows my heart, and knows my wisdom, and knows that anything more than a chapter at a time to read for me, I lose interest quickly. However, He still placed this at my feet this morning. I have read 22 Chapters of this (so far) depressing book in the Old Testiment.
Old Testiment: Defined by me : Yet more reading that most of the time, I don't understand, and therefore, lose interest quickly.
I have read this book before, and as defined above, it didn't soak in. Go figure..... For the life of me, I can't remember how this book ended. So far, I find myself even more depressed than I was before I started this book. I had to take a break......I am worn out from depression, so much so, that the only way I can feel better is to write about it. I'm not sure that I want to finish this book today, in fear of how it might turn out. It just gets worse and worse.
Job, a blameless man before God, is going through torture beyond the unknown. Even though I have titled this blog "My life compared to Job's", there is no way my life even comes close to his. and I am not blameless. I am a sinner among the best of them. On top of that, I have blamed God for my misfortunes, so what are my chances compared to Job's?
Anyhow, I know there is a great leason in the midst of all of this...........Until later....Chow!!!!

Did Arkansas Fans get blindsided?

2006-09-04T15:15:00.000-05:00

50-14. Final Score.....For those of you out there that seem to think that us Arkansas fans are stupid to keep following such a loser of a team, let me chime in with some things.... Some of you guys, especially the ones who aren't from Arkansas are sitting back and laughing at us "Faithful Hog Fans" in pity, and then you don't understand why that doesn't bother us when we get right back on the band wagon of Calling the Hogs. You can't seem to figure out why do we take up for a team that just lost to USC on national TV embarrassingly 50-14. Or even a more embarrassing loss last year 70-17. Why you ask?????? Because I am not from USC. or Texas or Florida, or anywhere else. I was born and raised in Arkansas. The USA basketball this past weekend just lost to Greece and had to settle for the Bronze medal. This is a team that should be whipping everyone they play by 30 points or more, yet they didn't. Do I denounce my membership from the United States just because they can't win something? WOW!!!!! Where would we be today if we did that on every defeat?
The fact is, I am proud to be an American. I am proud to be an Arkansan. I am proud to be a Monticelloian. I will continue to back, America, Arkansas, Monticello High School and UAM. I back even Arkansas State even though I have only been to that city once in my lifetime. Just because they are a division 1 school representing the state of Arkansas.
Yes I agree that us "Hog Fans" get a little unrealistic at times. However, in our defense, there were several national media sports reporters that were claiming that the Razorbacks were going to upset USC on Saturday, including Lou Holtz himself. It's always safe to predict an upset. Because sometimes they happen. USC had more to lose from a defeat than Arkansas did. Did our loss prove you pessimist wrong? Absolutely not!!! USC was preseasoned ranked #3. Coming off an undefeated season only losing to Texas in the Rose Bowl. In fact, they haven't had a regular season loss in almost four years. They were suppose to win.
Ronny Williams will be going into work tomorrow to tell all of his employees "I told you so", and laughing at their ignorance on why they love the Hogs so much, just to find out, that no matter what he says, they will still love the Hogs. Sorry Ronny, you are out numbered. You would get the same result if you were the General Manager in any other state. For instance, A Cowboy fan will follow the Cowboys through 1-15 seasons.
What is our reward for our faithfulness to our beloved team? Really nothing.... It could go on for years and years of non-winning seasons. My reward is the fellowship of other football fans. Tailgating, parties, get togethers......Grilling, Barbecues.......Cheerleaders, whoops....sorry Tammie.......The crisp cool air on my face. It's football season, and I love it !!!!!!! Even you Arkansas fair weather fans ( who should be ashamed of yourselves) (Jeff) , love the whole concept of "FOOTBALL SEASON". The reason I say that you fair weather fans should be ashamed of yourselves is because, you claim you are done with Arkansas Football, but when Arkansas has a good season, you jump right back on the band-wagon. I need to get off of the "Fair Weather Fans" now, because I could get really nasty.
As far as Houston Nutt is concerned.....well....maybe he should go... I don't know.... I do know this though...... With leadership comes a hard job..... Ask anyone in a leadership position. Moms and Dads, Principiles, Pastors........ or.......George Bush..... A great example. There are some of us that would love to see George Bush resign. However, he is our leader....... Wheather we like him or not, we still live in the greatest country in the world. Bush is loved by some and hated by others......Ditto for Bill Clinton......... Yet they were leaders for the same goal......... Our beloved Country............... I guess what I am trying to say is that no matter who is in the leadership position, no matter what he does, he will not do everything right.. He will..... Step on some toes...... Insult some people...... Be unliked and liked all in the same.... Nolen Richardson gave Arkansas a National Championship, yet we couldn't wait to get rid of him..... Need I say more????? Moving on.....
Monticello goes to play Warren this Friday night. What are their chances of winning ? Slim and none. Does that make me a Lumberjack fan? Heck no!!!!!! I wish that Monticello would clobber them........ But the reality is that Warren is too good. However, there is always a chance... That's why they play the game. If games were decided by who should win, then they would never play. Should I pull for Warren knowing in advance that we shouldn't win? Of course not !!!! Go Billies, Beat Warren.....
If your children played on a little league football, baseball or any sports team, and they never won a game, you would not turn your back on them. Everyone wants to be on a winning team. I say you're a winner if you have something to believe in. You can't take that feeling away from the ones who love their team, and get pumped year after year about the upcoming season.
Again.... I am pumped about the upcoming Football Season...... I love it and will never give up on the Razorbacks...... I get excited about college and pro football. Florida State plays Miami, Florida tonight, and even though I don't care who wins, It will be like watching a great movie in my book.
To those fair weather fans.......Shame on You....
To those Razorback fans........Whooooo Pig Suie!!!!!!!!!!
To those Football fans.........."ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!?!?!?!?!?!?!?"

Did Paul's thorn hurt as bad as my tooth?

2006-08-29T10:38:00.000-05:00

Is the Marriage/Parenting weekend over? Can we do it again? I missed it !!!!
The whole weekend was a blur to me. I can't remember what I said or what I did.
What started out as a great weekend turned into a diaster. I was so pumped all week for this conference. I was feeling a little puny Friday night. That's when it all started. It just got worse and worse each ticking moment through the weekend. I've had this one tooth that has been bothering me for several months now. What started out as a small tropical storm in my mouth turned into Hurricane Katrina raging throughout my whole body. Turned out, it wasn't the tooth that has been bothering me, it was the one next to it.
Friday night I was just a little sick from it. It was just a little tender, but I've gone through that before. I always hate it, before a gig, if I'm not feeling 100 percent, it just sucks. I want to feel on top of the world, because I am doing something that I love to do so much, and, if I feel my best, I will strive harder to play my best.
By Saturday morning, the hurricane was devastating, and still growing. Somehow or another, I made it to First Assembly to play that morning. By the way, if I said or did anything to someone that day that offended them, please forgive me. Not only was I high as a kite from the painkillers I was taking, but I was disillusioned from the pain going through my mouth.
By this time, I was thinking that it might not be a tooth, maybe something else. Some kind of infection in my gum, maybe a tumor in my mouth, heck, anything. I didn't know what it was. Somehow or another, I made it through the morning worship, went to Fred's to get my antibiotics and then home to get some sleep, or something...RELIEF....Only it never came. I stopped at "Dad's Place", because I knew that it would take Fred's a little while to fill the order. By the way, Jim, was I dancing on the tables or anything? I was in never land. I do remember talking to you and Dean, but can't remember the conversations. Did I let out any national confidential secrets? If I did, I might have to kill you.......
Anyhow, this antibiotic that was called in for me was from my Doctor, not my dentist. I couldn't get a hold of him all weekend. So, needless to say, the antibiotic, wasn't strong enough. But I wouldn't know that until later.
I got home, took an antibiotic with another pain killer, and tried to get some rest. Of course, I couldn't, I was in too much pain. Before I went back to First Assembly for our final set, I took yet another pain killer. Folks when you take pain killers, and it still doesn't get rid of the pain, not only do you hurt, but you also feel numb throughout your whole body. I was in terrible pain, but I didn't care. My mouth was still hurting, but someone could have hit me in the stomach as hard as they could, and I probably would have never felt it.
I finally made it through all of the sets, and went back home. That's when the hurricane grew to it's largest and most powerful force. At one point, I thought that I saw a white light at the end of a tunnel. I think I was ready to go home. I really didn't think that I was going to make it. I was pondering on who would be my pallbearers. What would my Obit look like. Would it be another boring obituary, or would it be a great story of a man's life. Would anyone sing at my funeral, and who would it be. Will Tammie re-marry.............and then I snapped out of that quick...... Sorry Tammie, you have to still put up with me......
I was even telling Tammie to call the elders and deacons, and have them come over and anoint me. The emergency room came up in our conversation many times. But we knew from past experiences from dealing with the emergency room, it was useless.
Sunday, the storm didn't let up one bit. The day never happened in my book. I can't remember any event that happened at all. I know that Tammie finally got a hold of Dr. Denson around 8:00 pm. Just a little too late for that day for him to do anything. He said to be at his office first thing in the morning.
First thing I said when I walked into his office Monday morning was, "Pull it!!!!!"
He took an X-ray, and come to find out, it wasn't the tooth that I thought it was. It was the tooth right next to it. This tooth never had anything wrong with it before. Never a filling or anything.
He couldn't give me any anthesia because of the infection, so he drilled in it raw.
For those ladies out there that has had natural child birth before, I believe I just experienced it.
Once he finally drilled to the bottom of the tooth to where the infection was, it started draining immediately. I felt instant relief.
So here I am, still alive to tell the story.......When the infection completely is drained, then I go back to get it filled. He felt like it would be today....But my mouth is still a little puffy with infection. SO.... I guess it will be tomorrow. It still hurts a little, but not like it did.....I actually know what is going on around me.......
There's a lesson in this somewhere....... I don't know if Paul's thorn in his side hurt as bad as my tooth did this weekend, but I hope that my teeth are not my thorns in my side for the future. I don't think I can handle a hurricane Rita following this.

At What Point Do You Let Go?

2006-08-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

This is going to sound sissy probably being written by a man, but I don't care. My son will probably be embarrassed, but again, I don't care.
I just read a post by Mandy that has me thinking about my own children. Her daughter just started kindergarten, and she was torn up about it.
I remember when Nick started kindergarten as if were yesterday. The first mistake Tammie and I made that day, was to let me take him to school. Keep in mind that my kids had and will probably always have me wrapped around their fingers. I took him into the school building and found a teacher to leave him with. I still remember the teacher that took him from me that day, Alice Forrest. I don't know if she remembers it, but I sure do. As she desperately tried to take Nick from me, He was screaming in terror, like if we were sending him away forever. My heart was breaking, but I was holding on tight to a sense of control of my emotions. He had a death grip on my leg as if I was going to have it amputated that day, and he was never going to see it ever again. After what seemed to be hours of horror, Alice and I finally persuaded him to finally stay at the school and let me go.
I got all the way to my car with knots all in my stomach, and decided to turn around and look at the entrance where I took him in......Mistake...... there stood Alice and Nick at the door. I guess Alice told him that she was going to let him wave goodbye to me.
When we made eye contact.....I cried, he cried.....and it seemed like the whole world was in tears...Anyhow....Nick went back home with me and he missed his first day of school. Tammie had to take him to school the next day, otherwise he would have wound up being a drop out from day one. Throughout the course of the school years to follow, Tammie and I noticed a trend. It seemed that everytime that I was in charge of taking Nick to school, there were way too many instances where I would have him skip school just to spend the day with me.

Now, as I fast forward to the present time. The school year just started yesterday, and I find myself still, not wanting to let go. Here he is....16... A junior in High School.......He almost looks like a grown man........I watched him this morning as he was waiting on his bus...He had no idea that I was watching him from the kitchen window....and I felt like crying when he got on his bus....The whole while wondering if my little boy was going to be OK that day.....

Discipline Equals Blessings

2006-08-18T08:52:00.000-05:00

I don't know how many of you might know this, but I lost my job this week. The company that I was working for did some cut backs, and I was one of them.

How do I feel ?????

A question that I have probably lied to several people about upon my answers.
"I'll be OK".....

Will I ?????

Full of all kinds of emotions. Two of them stick out like sore thumbs.
1. Anger - not only with the company that I worked for, but with God... Wondering, Why Lord would you put my family in yet another stressful situation. Why would you allow this to happen?
All God has to do is blink and eye and I would have the easiest and funniest job in the world making more money than I could ever dream of. So why would you take this one job away from me and leave me with so many insecurities?
2. Worry - tops all emotions. I know, I know... Lay your worries on God, but I still can't help myself by thinking.....
Where am I going to get the money to feed my family, and pay my bills.
Where am I going to get the money to pay for health insurance, in case one of my family members gets sick or hurt.
Should my wife and son suffer with me?
This is effecting my teenage son. He has enough peer pressure in his own life to have this extra added weight on him. I feel so bad for him, and worry so much. He should be enjoying life like a kid should be.

Now, with all of this in mind, the answers lie in the bible. Upon already knowing this, I still wasn't seeking the answers the way I should've been doing. I guess I wanted to drown myself in my sorrows, and make things even worse. Worse on me, my wife, my son, and even whoever comes in contact with me.

Before I do my morning devotions, I always pray to God to give me wisdom and knowledge before reading His word. I've taken a vacation from His word since I've lost my job. The last time I read His word was on Tuesday morning, the day I lost my job. I am in the middle of the book "Hebrews". God knew that I was going to take a break from His word, and knew the exact moment when I would return to my studies. He had this lesson prepared for me upon returning. I left off just completing Hebrews 11, this morning I started in Hebrew 12.
To sum up Hebrews 11, is one word, "Faith" which is one thing that I have been lacking. To sum up Hebrews 12 in one word, "discipline". Discipline from God.
Now most of us think about discipline being a bad thing, and it is, to be punished, means that you haven't been doing things right, so you are being corrected for it, rebuked for your disobedience. Growing up as a child, it was never a good thing to get punished by my parents when I was in trouble. It always meant that I was going to suffer pain for my disobedience.
Now, as a parent myself, I have found myself on the punishing end when one of my children are disobedient. When I punish them, I hurt more than they do. I hate seeing one of my children hurting. I cry for them, because I love them so much.
Hebrews 12 taught me something that I already knew this morning. Verse 1-4 reminds me, that no matter what I go through, no matter what punishment I endure for my sins, it will never equal the pain that Jesus went through for my sins. Moving on to the second part of verse 5, I am reminded that I shouldn't lose heart when the Lord rebukes me because He disciplines those He loves. and Punishes everyone He accepts as a son.

Hebrew 12:4-13
4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."[a]
7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13"Make level paths for your feet,"[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Verse 11 is my encouragement. That when I endure this hardship, that it will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace for me. I feel so good inside right now, that I know God loves me as a son, enough to punish me for good.

My lesson is, follow chapter 11 on "faith"
God has a great plan for me and my family, greater than I could ever imagine if I can just let faith be my upmost priority. and remind myself that these hardships, if we endure them, will be a blessing in the end.
Thank you Lord for your discipline. Amen.

Read the first Part first

2006-08-10T16:40:00.000-05:00

Before you read "Jesus, Take The Wheel (Part 2)",
Please read the first part first.
Thanks

Jesus, Take The Wheel (Part 2)

2006-08-10T14:03:00.000-05:00

It was never determined what happened with the two ladies driving westbound who drove right in front of the semi-truck, inches away from two different head on collisions. And One of the head on collisions being us. The driver couldn't remember what had happen. We all feel like she fell asleep. Whatever the case was, we all know that God was active in all of ours lives that day. In fact, God was active the whole weekend. The weekend started out different for us than normal anyhow. Tammie and I had a new ministy that we attended for the first meeting on Friday night. It was a prayer ministry that our church just started. We almost didn't go knowing that we were going to be getting up early in the morning on Saturday to head to Kansas. But we went anyhow, and had a blessing. Only three people attended the first meeting. Tammie, myself and Diana Harton. Being kind of down about some issues in my life for the past couple of weeks, I found this fellowship this night was very encouraging and uplifting. I left there feeling pretty good about issues and felt genuinely uplifted. The ride up to Kansas was very pleasant. Tammie and I spent quality time together that we hadn't had for a while.
However, by the time I woke up on Sunday morning, I was already dreading the ride back, and the return back to work, knowing ahead of time, that I would be tired. You know worrying makes you even more tired than you already are. We really didn't have the money to be going on a trip like this, so that was another "worry" on my shoulders. "Will we have enough money to get back home?" was ours thoughts all weekend long.
Tammie and I are terrible financial planners. We live from paycheck to paycheck, never saving for a rainy day. In fact, According to what I bring home in a month, actually, we should be in the hole more and more each month. But somehow, God makes it work for us. God still blesses us even though, when we get some extra money for some reason, instead of saving for a rainy day, we splurge and squander it away, until it is gone. Elders have always told us that the happiest days of their lives were early in their marriage when they didn't have anything but love for each other. Well Tammie and I have been married for 23 years still relying on the love for each other to get us by. When will the early years be gone, because I feel like I've been married to her forever............Don't take that the wrong way, honey, I would never trade you for anything.........

Time to return home, When we left Sunday evening at 4:30 pm, we had a Walmart card with enough $ on it to fill up our van one more time, and $15 in our pocket. We had already written a check that day in hopes that it wouldn't clear the bank until after I get paid, because according to our records we had a negative amount in the bank. We had a few snacks and some drinks, and that was it for us. No credit card, no savings account, this was it. With a 10 hour trip ahead of us we knew that we better plan our return wisely. We never dreamed that "the wreck" was in the making.
The wreck took up about 2-3 hours of our precious time. After the wreck, we were on pins and needles, worn out and irritable. We were arguing with each other about every little thing. We made a wrong turn in one town, then got lost in another town after we ate and filled our van up with gasoline. It was going on 9:30 pm, and still in Kansas. I was thinking now that we might not get home until the sun starts rising the next morning. Thinking, how in the world are we going to be able to do this. I was too tired to drive and Tammie can't see very well at night, but was giving it a valid attempt. As I was thinking to myself, "God, I wish I had enough money to stay overnight in a hotel" another miracle happened.
My cell phone rang. I'm not going to name this individual on the account that it would probably embarrass him. For now I will call him John Doe.
John Doe has always been a great Christian friend of mine. He has been an accountability partner at times, an encourager when I've needed encouraging. A counselor when I've needed counseling. What a great friend John Doe is to me. So giving. So trustworthy. A true deacon in the presence of the Lord. A true ambassador for Christ himself.
My cell phone rang, and it was John Doe.
" Kevin......I felt the sudden urge to call you.....Is everything OK?"
Isn't that amazing ???????? God whispered in John Does ear to check on me!!!!!!!
After telling him about the situation that we've encountered all day, he asks, "Where are you right now?" I answered, "somewhere in Kansas". He asked, "You are spending the night somewhere aren't you?" To which my reply was, "nope, don't have any money". Of course, being in Kansas, if you're getting a signal on your cell phone, it's a blessing within it self, and we lost our connection.
Tammie and I finally figured out which way we needed to go, and we just passed a sign that said "Joplin, Missouri........9 miles". We finally left Kansas and entered Missouri, that was a milestone all by itself.
My cell phone rang again, and again, it was John Doe. First thing he asks me was, "How far are you away from Joplin, Missouri?" I answer with excitement, "9 Miles"!!!!!!!
He proceeds to tell me that there is a reservation at Super Eight Motel in Joplin for me. There is a free breakfast at the hotel in the morning. He told me to stop and get a good nights rest.

Wow !!!!!!!!! I still get chill bumps thinking about the miracles in my life all during this one weekend. God was active in my life the whole way. Watching my every move, tending to my every need. Knowing what I needed before I did. Whispering to a friend to help me. Planning my whole trip and then guiding me through it. With all of the crisis in the world today, the war in Israel, in Iraq, in Afghanistan and many other parts of the world. With all of the starving people in so many countries, including our own. With all of the hurting people crying out to Him all over the world. So many other people are so much more worthy of God's time than me. Still.....Still.... He had time to cater to my every need, in order to bring me back home safely to my home. Thank you God, for the chance to live another day and tell people about what you did for me. I shared this story with the men at the prison Tuesday night in Dermott. God chose me to deliver the message that night.

My thanks go out to John Doe, you know who you are, Thank you for being such a great Christian Soldier for God. With God's guidance that night, you played a huge part in saving mine and Tammie's life. So Thank you, and God bless you and your family.

From the Cruise control going out to the second we pulled safely in our driveway,
Jesus had the Wheel in His hands the whole way. AMEN.

Jesus, Take The Wheel

2006-08-09T16:19:00.000-05:00

I have had miracles happen to me before, but I want to tell you about the most recent one that has happened to Tammie and me. As everyone knows, we moved our newly-wed daughter to Kansas this past weekend. Everything went as planned until around the time we were heading back home. It was around 4:30 pm, Tammie and I were both worn out from the unrelenting heat of 109 that day. In this heat we unloaded a van, a UHaul trailer, a truck and a car. Up a flight of stairs. So with a 10 hour drive ahead of us, we weren't looking forward to it. Right off the bat, I pressed the cruise control button once I got on the highway. And it didn't work. Something was wrong with it, it was broken. I was so upset, because I knew that my legs were going to be even more worn out because now I have to actually put my foot on the gas pedal. What I didn't know was that God was whispering to me, "Kevin, you don't need the cruise control today, trust me".
For those of you that have never been to Kansas. The two lane highways all have speed limits of 65 MPH. For the simple reason that the highways are super straight and you can see for miles and miles. Its nothing but flat land full of fields. Hardly any trees at all. Or at least this was the picture we had in the area of Kansas we were in.
Two hours from my daughters apartment we found ourselves on one of these highways headed eastbound. With a vehicle in front of us, and a Semi in front of that vehicle, and a Semi directly behind us, all four of us were pretty tight together in a formation traveling at about a speed of 67-70 MPH. When all of a sudden, I see the Semi slam on his brakes and then immediately following the vehicle in front of us slammed on their brakes. In order to avoid hitting the car in front of me, and the Semi behind me crashing into me, I took the ditch. Not all the way in the ditch, just on the slant going down to the ditch. Instantly another car out of nowhere, headed westbound, met me. She was traveling at a very high speed and straddling the ditch that I was in. I still believe that she missed us by inches. It took all of us it seemed a lifetime to get stopped and try to turn around. The road was very narrow and it was hard to turn around. The semi in front of me blew a tire when he slammed on his brakes. I found out later that after he changed his tire he had to travel a certain distance before he could find a place to turn around. Tammie and I thought at the moment that he had left the scene of the accident.
The car in front of me turned around first, and then we followed them. We drove up to the car where it finally decided to stop. It was destroyed, and you could hear a faint horn whining. I just knew that the occupants were dead. Tammie and I both jumped out of our van, and the lady that was driving the car in front of us was already at the crashed vehicle. She asked if we could get a signal on our cell phones, and of course, we couldn't, we were out in the middle of NOWHERE KANSAS.
So without knowing if anyone was still alive, I left Tammie there and drove to the nearest house to ask them to call 911. Once I returned, I found that both ladies in the wrecked car were alive and talking. They were both hurting though, as they should have been. I noticed that they had hit a big concrete culvert and then took out a solid fence, where they finally stopped moving just beyond the fence. The driver looked to be in her late 40's or early 50's, a heavy set lady. She was complaining of chest pains. The passenger was her daughter, probably in her late 20's or early 30's. She was complaining that she couldn't move her neck.
I stood over the wreckage and touched the car, and said a prayer out loud. Then I asked the driver if she had a church that she attends, and her reply was yes. I asked the passenger the same question, and she said ,"no, but I am going to go from now on !" I asked the driver if she knew Jesus Christ, and she said yes, as well as the passenger. To which my reply was, "Thank God, because he was looking out for all of us today".
Tammie and I stood in the 109 degree temp. that day for over 2 hours. We had to give our description of the wreck to the police report.
To sum up the first part of this story right now, all I know is that if my cruise control was working that day, I probably would have slammed into the vehicle in front of me. What was aggravating to me at first, turned out to be a blessing. This all reminds me of the song by Carrie Underwood, "Jesus, Take the Wheel". Because he had a hold of every steering wheel around us that day including ours.
incredibly, there is a second part to this story, so I will leave this as "TO BE CONTINUED"

My personal "Onesimus" Plea

2006-07-25T15:56:00.000-05:00

As I ponder on life, I'm am full of questions about the past. I recently have just read the book of "Philemon" from the new testament. And a question stirs in my mind. What happened to "Onesimus" ? How does this story end ? According to the story, he was a slave of Philemon, and he must have stolen something from him. His sentence, according to the law, was death. Did Philemon answer Paul's plea, and spared Onesimus' life? Did Onesimus ever return to Paul to help him while Paul was in chains.
For some reason or another (probably because this was such a short book), I have never read this book before. This is a very short book and to the point from Paul to Philemon, a plea for Onesimus' life.
I myself have found myself in Onesimus' shoes. Not facing death, but relying on a good Christian friend, a brother in Christ, to possibly write a letter of recommendation or put in a good word for me. It might have been a job, or a loan, whatever the circumstance was, I have been in it. Sometimes the plea would work and sometimes it didn't. I'm curious to see if Paul's plea to Philemon was successful.
As a child growing up, I remember being trouble about something, and at times would use someone like a Grandparent to be my "Paul" for a plea to my parents. At times, I would be granted a full dismissal of my punishment, but at other times my punishment would be even worse than before for going behind my parents back.

Now as I fast forward to the reality of life at hand today, again, I can place myself in Onesimus' shoes as I answer to my one and only master, "God". Upon reading the Ten Commandments recently, I find that I have actually broke nine of the ten commandments.
#1 is the only one that I have kept. I have never worshipped another god.
#2- I have had other idols before him (IE: my time, my money, my spouse, my love for music, etc.....
#3 - I have used the Lord's name in vain.
#4 - I have gambled, worked or labored, and done all but worship on the Sabbath day before.
#5 - I have at many times, been disobedient to my parents.
#6 - I have, in my mind, not physically, murdered other people.
#7 - I have, again in my mind, not physically, committed adultery.
#8 - I have stolen, not just from others, but even from God himself.
#9 - I have at one time before, beared false witness against an acquaintance (Which in God's eyes is my neighbor)
#10- I have at one time before, coveted against other people (who again, according to God, is my neighbor)
Our sentence for our sins is death, but God's grace saves us through His mercy. He saved us by sending his only son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. Jesus is my Paul, who writes the letter of appeal on my heart to God, to ask Him for the dismissal of all my sins. Christ claims as Paul does to Philemon, that if I have done any wrong, or owe God anything, to charge it to Him (Christ), and he will pay back the debt that I have made.

WOW !!!!!!!!! WHAT A GREAT FRIEND TO HAVE IN JESUS !!!!!!!!!!!

Instructions to Titus

2006-07-22T10:39:00.000-05:00

Living as a Christian can be so difficult. I find myself so many times wandering away from the path of righteousness, and then almost too ashamed to return for the stupid things I've done.
Stupid !! Stupid !! Stupid !!
My morning devotions for the past six months have been all in the New Testament, and I just finished with the small book of "Titus" but for such a small book, one thing struck me like a bolt of lightning that is larger than life itself.
Titus 3: 1-8
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Verses 4-7 was my wake up call at this point in my life. A reminder of Who I am and Who I live for. I fall to you Lord and ask for forgiveness for all that I have done to slander you and your Kingdom. I pray that my Lifesong to you will echo that of verse 8. To devote myself to doing what is good in God's eyes and His presence.
To have the knowledge and wisdom for someone who has fallen away temporarily to help them come back into your Grace. To encourage someone who is down or depressed to remind them that they are not going through storms alone. For there have been so many times I find myself in this position, and you always ( never failing ) send an Ambassador of Christ to bring me back into your Grace.
What kills me the most is how you choose your ambassador for me. For instance, just recently, I was out of your presence, living the way I shouldn't, and then, out of the blue, someone comes to me with a question about you. Entrusting me in faith that I have encouraging words and wisdom to your Kingdom. Even with me far from your presence, I was able to encourage them with knowledge of what I have read from your atlas of Life. All the while reminding me of who I should be and where I should be, bringing me into repentance and turning away from my evil desires once again. Even though this person has no idea that he was helping me probably more than I was helping him, I thank him for his help to boost me over this mountain that was lying on my path of Christianity. I know I have several walls and mountains to climb in the future, but this one is behind me, and Christ again is victorious.
Amen!!!!!!!

The Golembeski's

2006-07-17T18:10:00.000-05:00

Thursday, July 13, 2006

The Golembeski's I can't even begin to describe how great this whole experience has been. From the accommodations of members of Northeast to just the whole experience of VBS and prayer booths at the train station. Me, Tammie, Nick and Brandy are all staying at Walt and Vikki's castle. What a magnificent home they have. They have two sons and two daughters. The oldest son (Ryan) I only have met a couple of times in passing. Evidently he has a job or something in probably New York that has consumed most of his time. He is the oldest of the four. Then there are two twin daughters ( Lauren and Kristen ) they are 20 and both home for the summer from college. Lauren goes to college in Michigan, I can't remember the name of the college. This girl has made a life long impression on me. What a wonderful instrument for the Lord. Her heart is made of Golden love for the Lord. When the Lord commands us to Love the Lord with all your heart and Love your neighbor as yourself, she is the perfect example for this commandment. Her devotion to the Lord speaks for itself. Kristen goes to Boston U. I really haven't gotten to know her as well as I have Lauren, but just from the short time that I have spent with her, I can tell that she is full of the Lord herself. She has been so nice and so sweet to us. Jonathan, what can I say about him..... He is 15, and him and Nick has formed a great bonding. I have probably spent most of the time with him and his friends, hanging out in the basement, which is actually Brandy's apartment for the week. In the basement it's like a huge teen center with a pool table, ping-pong table, fooz-ball, air hockey, a weight room/exercise room, a bar and a wine cellar ( of course the teens don't utilize this) What a great kid he is, and great friends !!!!!!! Him and I are the doubles pool champs as it stands. Vikki ( the mother ), has been so hospitable to us, from washing our clothes to making snacks and cleaning up after us, and still having plenty of time to fellowship and visit with us. Probably the perfect mother. So sweet and full of love and generosity. Walt, ( the father), a perfect example and leader for Christ. Anything that we have needed, both Walt and Vikki has been right there to make it happen. What patience both of them have had with us. Especially me. Somehow or another, on Wednesday, the bathroom in the bedroom that Tammie and I are sleeping in, kept running (all day!!!!) and of course, it overflowed and there was a leak in the garage. I felt so bad, but they acted like it was nothing. This all happened on Walt and Vikki's 31st wedding anniversary. What a great couple. To reach out to a family such as ours and love on us the way that they have. They are truly blessed and will continue to be blessed. God is smiling down on their family I am sure, thinking, this family is doing my will and I will continue to bless them for who they are and who they represent. If they ever read this blog, I just want to say.....Thank You!!!!!!!
posted by Kevin Stoxe at 12:13 PM

New York, New York

2006-07-17T18:02:00.000-05:00

Hello !!!! I know that it has been a few days after our New York visit that I decided to post this, but with all of the activities and different things we are all doing, this has been my first chance to get to a computer.New York City...... Wow !!!!! What an experience. We got to Long Island late on Saturday, Then after Sunday Worship, the mission trip all took a trip to New York City. We took a train from Norwalk to Grand Central Station. Then got on the Subway to Wall Street. From there we got on another Subway and traveled to Battery Park. We took pictures of the Statue of Liberty and then went to "Ground Zero". You would not believe how quiet and solemn everyone was in respect of this tragic area. Hundreds of people just showing thier respect for the people of 9-11. It was a chilling experience, yet just in awe of what had happened at this memorial.From there we went to Times Square where we were all overwhelmed with all of the skyscrapers and multitudes of people. We ate dinner there at "Virgils" on Times Square. It is a BBQ restaurant that Tammie and I really couldn't afford, but one of our host families got the tab. God bless Nancy and Mark.After dinner, we all split up into different groups and went where we wanted to at times square. Tammie, Nick and I visited "Hard Rock Cafe", "MTV store" ( and this was the location that they always do "TRL") ESPN ZONE, Nick and I could have spent forever here. Large screens were everywhere showing any and every game going on around the nation. Could you imagine how we would act during football season or March Madness!!!!!! We would never come home. Luckily it's only baseball season and neither of us like baseball very much.To top things off for the day. While we were riding the subway, I noticed some gentlemen riding on the subway that sounded like they were from the south. and they were carrying some bibles. So I just opened up a conversation with them by asking where they were from.Well they were from Alabama, and they were going to Cemenary School in New York. What the shocker was though, when I told them where I was from, one of the guys asked me if I knew a certain person's name. Well I didn't know the person he said, but I named his cousin, who, not only did I work with a short time, but his wife babysitted both of my children while they grew up. What a small world we live in...... Anyhow..... So many things I could write about New York that would fill up a book. What a wonderful experience, except Nick lossing his cell phone on the train. That was a bummer.
posted by Kevin Stoxe at 10:49 AM

Crazy Christian Life by Kevin

2006-07-07T17:44:00.000-05:00

Crazy Christian Life by Kevin
Wellll.....I hate for my first blog to be a downer, but it is......I just got a call from my daughter who informed me, that she just eloped...wow!!!! what a heartbreaker...I really wanted to give her away, but that dream is gone...... You know this just reminds me of my relationship with God. Our Children can be so self-absorbed by their own lives that they don't stop to think about anyone else's feelings. We are all God's children, as a father myself, I have to constantly remind myself to practice what I preach. I will always love my daughter, no mater what she does. She may hurt me, she may even disown me. But I will always welcome her into my arms (wide open). God is the same way with us. We trample him, forget about him, put other items before him, and still, his arms are always wide open. Yes he gets angry, and will not hesitate to punish. But when it's all said and done.... He gives us the forgiveness that we want when we fall to him and ask..... How great is that !!!???

Kristie, (my daughter), I will always love you. You will always be my daughter, and I will love you always.....