Nice Flick

Today I had a man date with a group of guys from church. We tried to go to the driving range, but it was monsooning. Instead we went to my cousin Lucas Howard's (not really my cousin...we just share the same surname) for some grilling and movie watching. The movie of choice was "Shooter" featuring Marky Mark Wahlberg. It was a bit violent, thus the name "Shooter." But it was action packed and very suspenseful. The afternoon was full of good food, fellowship, movie, and mountain dew. I give the day a solid 9.1.

And the story continues

I already told you about the gun fight that took place last night in our church's neighborhood. While at work today, Mandie (the wife) found out that one of her employees lives in that exact spot where it went down. Not only that, while walking in his yard, one of the gunmen, held him at gunpoint with a M-14. The man wasn't hurt, but was a bit unnerved by the whole thing.

I will keep you posted if I find out anything else.

A what fight?

On our way to Converge (Church) last night. We pass an 8 block stretch that has a cop car, with their lights on at every intersection. We're thinking...they're looking for somebody!!! We get to church and move into the theatre. After worship, Brett makes an announcement that the exits from the building have been dead bolted due to the gun fight that is going on in the neighborhood. So if you need to leave, let the on site policeman know and he will escort you out to your car.

I have to say that this was a first for me. I can't say that I have ever had to be warned of the gunfight taking place around me. Needless to say, this is a great reminder to pray for Lakeland. We have a lot going on here. And a lot of it is not good.

John B. Handy

My Bible study group met downtown at Palace Pizza last night. We were sitting in the outdoor seating, enjoying the cool temps. Halfway through out time, we had an unexpected visitor. His name is John B. Handy and his occupation is being homeless. Absolutely filthy and stinking with an overwhelming stench of alcohol, we invited John to join us.

He grabbed his bible and took the open seat next to me. For the next twenty minutes he told us how we were wrong, had little faith and how he couldn't believe that God loved him no matter what he did, because he did so many horrible things.

Meanwhile, the table next to us seated a woman who professed to be a christian, with her boyfriend, who is an ordained agnostic minister. When the girlfriend said he wasn't a minister. He said, "Yes I am. I received the certification in Chicago that lets me marry people." She rolled her eyes and tried to buy John some pizza. As if that would appease him and would leave us alone.

I found myself being uncomfortable in the midst of the scene. A strange homeless guy to my right. A God rejecting minister to my left. I felt very stuck, unsure of what to say or do. Both sides wanted to argue and all I could think of was love. I was sitting there trying trying to figure out how to love both these people.

By the time we left Palace Pizza. We had prayed over John and explained why we study the Bible to the Minister, who didn't want to argue our stance. He was just curious.

God is faithful! We didn't preach at either one. We didn't cast judgment on either one. We listened and loved on both of them. I learned that I am way too comfortable. The moment I found myself between the homelss and Agnostic, I was ready to pack up and leave. But that is excatly where I need to be. Jesus came for the Sick and hurting. Not to be served, but to serve.

I challenge you to find places you know you will be uncomfortable. I can almost promise you it will be outside of your church pew.

92

It's true. I shot a 92 Tuesday. We played at the fabulous USF golf course. I will make no excuses. I had too many loose shots. We did, however, accomplish a huge goal of mine. We saw two gators out of the water at the course. I have been trying to spot a gator landside since August.

The entire day hanging with my uncle and cousin was a blast. I give all the credit to Uncle Stephen who shot an 88.

God comes near!

It seams like a few people I know are really going through some stuff lately. Throughout the past couple of weeks, I have listened to them explain tough and trying circumstanes they are trying to navigate through. Everything from surgery to death, both approaching and concluded. My heart yearns to give them the fix all formula. I know what I would prescribe if I were God, but unfortunately it doesn't work that way.

But I did read James 4:8a today. It say's "Come near to God and He will come near to you."

That is all I have for you. That is all I can say. It is all I need to say. Fortunately God is all sufficiant and all powerful. Whatever it is you're lacking in your time of strife, God has an abundance. Draw near to Him. Allow Him to rain down His provision upon you.

Fore!

I am excited to announce that i will golfing tomorrow. My Uncle is in town, so me and Uncle Stevo will be hitting the links. We are playing the Claw at University of South Florida. I hope I have not bitten off more than I can chew by playing a University course. I have hit since Thanksgiving and Stephen played today. I have only lost to him once. Should be interesting. Maybe I should wear Tiger's Sunday red just for good measure.

Slamma Jamma

This weekend is the NBA All-Star weekend. Be sure to tune in for the DUNK contest tonight!

Love Love

Happy Valentine's Day! Not only is today V-Day, but it is the seven month anny of Mandie and I being married. It is hard to believe that we have been married and in Florida for seven months already. God is so good to me. I don't deserve any of it! My wife is way too hot for me!

I hope your Thursday is incredible! Remember to tell your Mom you love her.

Friends

What a blessing it is to have friends! I have been so fortunate to meet so many amazing people in my short life. And some of these I actually keep in touch with an a pretty consistent basis.

I love how the Lord uses friends to encourage one another. I have a couple of folks that I converse with every three or four months. It never fails that when one of us call, that it is perfect timing for the other person. We both get off the phone having had a word from the Lord confirmed or were given a brand new truth. God is so good to orchestrate all the people in our lives. To help us hear what he has for us at the right time. He is so gracious to me!!!

My encouragement to you is to tell God thanks for friends and call someone who you haven't spoken to in a while.

Profound

My wife is extremely brilliant and I love her for her brains! Sometimes she say's things that are too good to be true. Sunday afternoon was one of those times. She and I were discussing the Super Bowl and who would win.
I said that I was picking the Patriots. She respond with "Oh yeah, they won't lose. You can't go 18-0 by losing games.

There you have it Ladies and Gentlemen. Are you seeking sage, timeless wisdom. Talk to my wife long enough and you will strike gold.

Truth be known, this ability is one of the things I really like about her. I wish I had said it!!!

Free Rice!!

I want to let you know about a great website called freerice.com. It is website dedicated to helping feed the world while helping you with your vocabulary at the same time. Free to play, this word association game wants you to match a word with the correct meaning or definition. Each time you get an answer correct, 20 grains of rice are donated to the United Nations world food program. I know what you're thinking. 20 grains of rice is not much. But it adds up quickly! Since it's inception on October 7, 2007, over 17 billion grains of rice have been donated.

This website is great for people of all ages. The level of difficulty rises and falls based on how many/often you give correct answers. Teachers are utilizing this website as a tool for teaching vocab to their students. I encourage you to get on this website every now and then. It will be good for you to work on your vocab, but even better for you to help the hungry.

Matthew 25:35 Jesus say's "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in."

Who's that?....The GGGGGG Men!!!

Congrats to the New York football Giants. I wanted the Pats for selfish reasons, but I am ecstatic for Eli Manning and Strahan. The game was incredibly entertaining. My wings were good. Mountain Dew was sweet.

Super Bowl Sunday was great! I guess I will have to get the cotton balls out when Mercury Morris starts talking.

Prediction....Pain!

It is 5 hours til kickoff in the Super Bowl. I want to go on record and say that I am predicting and rooting for a Patriots win. I have two reasons for my cheering for New England. First, I want to see history with a perfect season.

Second, I want to see Mercury Morris (Dolphins rb in 1972) have to move over and shut his mouth. I am tired of o'l Mercury relentlessly bragging about their season 36 years ago.

Go Pats!!