Stress Relief

Three funerals in one week. Two in one day. Someone asked me how I deal with the stress, so I thought I would share my secrets. By going to a great high school band concert -- great job Drew, Whitney, Emily, and the rest of the Hartselle band students. By watching a Little League baseball game -- good games Cole and Matthew. By the prayers of God's people -- thanks Southside family. By listening to a man who tragically lost his father comfort his sisters -- "blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted," Mitch. By spending time with my staff laughing and eating sandwiches -- you are the best. By talking to my daughters or their husbands on the telephone -- thanks for being there, guys. By walking with my lovely wife around our yard looking at the beautiful flowers God has given us -- thank you, my love. By walking with the God of all comfort who "supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory." My brother constantly reminds me not to neglect that most important aspect of my spiritual life -- and he calls me his mentor. Thanks, Rick, for listening and for understanding. You're the best big brother I ever had.

Pet Peaves and Powerful Pleas

Have you ever listened to how the media words things? Sunday, I was listening to Fox News as they were talking about the tragic death of the man attacked by a shark in California. I know the family is grieving, and I would never make light of that fact. But immediately after the reporter finished his story, they began to talk about the number of “unprovoked shark attacks.” Why do you need to say “unprovoked”? How many shark attacks happen because somebody jumps in the ocean, swims up to a shark and punches him in the nose? Do you go down there and yell underwater, “Your momma wears combat boots?” I mean really. Who provokes a shark attack? Oh, I know there are those idiots who love the adventure of chumming the water and swimming among the sharks. Perhaps the experts call that provoking the sharks; I call it serving up an appetizer.

I had the privilege yesterday of speaking to the Muscle Shoals Association Pastor’s Conference. They are a great bunch of guys over there. Thanks, Mark, for the invitation. I met an active duty chaplain who served a tour of duty on the ground in Iraq and now is on his second tour stateside. He seemed like a great man whose heart was broken over the horrible tragedies he has witnessed since the war begun: broken bodies, broken families, broken lives. On top of it all, his son has just completed his tour in Afghanistan as a Green Beret. Not too long ago, this young man was in a humvee that hit a roadside bomb that obliterated the front end of the vehicle and sent him and his team flying through the air. By the grace of God, none of them were injured seriously. But this father’s heart was evident as he asked for prayer for his son and all the others involved in this war – not only that they would come home safely but that they could make the adjustment back to civilian life. “Dear God, may it be just as he prayed.”

What a Week

Have you ever had someone pray the Prayer of Jabez for you? Thanks, Charlie. For some people, the prayer of Jabez is supposed to be some magic formula for success, wealth, riches, fame, etc. But when you pray that prayer for me, you are asking God to give me more ministry opportunities than before. Thanks again, Charlie. Now I know I sound like I'm being sarcastic, but I don't mean to be. Ministry is my calling. It is my passion. Now Sonya will tell you, there are times when I get frustrated, but usually that's when it all comes at one time. This week has been one of those weeks. That's why I haven't been able to blog lately. But that's okay because I've been doing what God has called me to do. I hope people understand that I am only human, so sometimes I make mistakes and I can only do so much. The great thing about this is that you get to be a part of people's lives. You get to know them in ways that you never would otherwise. The hard part is that sometimes people fall through the cracks. So any time you want to pray for me, go ahead and pray Jabez' prayer, but add to it -- "Lord, give him the strength, time, ability, and wisdom to handle it." He always does, doesn't He?