Spring Time In Middle Georgia

I love spring time here in Middle Georgia. It makes everyone feel alive again. These pics were taken on a recent picture taking outing. Elizabeth took to the kids to our favorite spots for cherry blossom pictures. They ended up at our Lake Wildwood park for a picnic lunch. Did you know that picnic tables are there to see if you can jump them? Just ask Paul Jr. Was I ever that young & energetic? A very large & vicious animal would have to be chasing me to get me to do that! Our annual Cherry Blossom festival kicked off today. The older kids are downtown for a free showing of "Star wars". I love that my children love being with each other. Thank God for Spring! The pollen has dusted everything & my allergies are raging. It still isn't as bad as it was in Florida.
I must say that I do love it here in Macon. Ya'll come for a visit & see what I mean!

Mother's are Indispensable

This is Elizabeth in the 4th grade. I'll bet she was a great kid to raise as she is a great help-meet to raise kids with. She's been working tirelessly with little Ben. Babies wouldn't make it if it were just us Dads - of that I am convinced. I appreciate my wife more than she knows. Just thought you all should know.

Frodo Feet

One of the first things the nurse told me about Ben was that he had huge feet. She pulled out the foot print card and it filled the whole thing! I'm already thinking,"This kids going to cost me a fortune in shoes!" I call him "Frodo", the hobbit from the Lord of the Rings movies. Hobbits are little people with inordinately big feet. It is amazing the little differences with Ben. So many of his features are 'new' to our family & none of his other sibs have exhibited them. His sparse & spiked hair is a hoot. They kind of match his pointed ears. He has no eye lashes to speak of & he constantly 'grunts' and makes noises. We are relieved that he is eating well now and gaining lots of weight. Beth is almost back to her old self for which we all Praise our Lord. Ben is 'fearfully & wonderfully made'.

Buzz Cut

I promised Sam that I would give him a buzz cut after Easter. After seeing the results, I decided to join him! It has been 15 years since my last one. Beth says I look like Ben now. I think I like it. It is real easy to deal with if not a little cool (temperature that is)

Easter Pics

I'm Back!

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!
HE IS RISEN!
JESUS CHRIST is back, back from the grave, victorious over death, retaining the keys to death & the grave!
We had a truly blessed day today. I had prepared a sermon entitled "The Empty Promises of Easter". It was a good exposition of scripture with some engaging illustrations. Then around 9pm Saturday, I got that uneasy feeling in my spirit. I know that feeling now - it means that God is "Calling an Audible". I've had a thought of a sermon bumping around my heart this week. I call it "Easter People". It is an exposition of John chapter 20. It focuses on 4 kinds of people: 1: The Down Trodden- exemplified by the grieving women in their pre-dawn tomb trek, 2: The Hope Laden - John is filled with hope & runs to the tomb and He is the first to believe, 3: The BackSlidden - Peter. We all know what he did yet He is requested BY NAME in Mark 16, 4: The Slow Hearted - Thomas was a skeptic who became a fully convinced Christ follower.
I stayed up until 1:30 AM putting the finishing touches on my Sermon. My older sons & I then were up at 4:30 am to prepare for the "Son Rise Service" at the Lake Wildwood Clubhouse.
There were great lessons in that. How do you serve when you are exhausted? You have to lean on Christ & walk in obedience. My voice is hoarse as well as the tree pollen is covering our world with a thin layer of yellow/green pollen. This happens every year.
Yet at the end of the day, none of that matters as God is our focus and Jesus is alive! What better way to invest our life than in HIS Resurrection life!
HE IS RISEN!
HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Time Marches On

This is a great shot of my children minus Benjamin who is still cooking in the womb. This was taken at Christmas for our card but it wasn't "perfect" due to the weird lighting. I would have loved to have used it this year but alas, it was not possible.
I post this for two reasons. First, Paul Jr. turns 18 this Saturday. I can't believe it. It seems that it has been just a few years since he was Sam's age! I cannot believe that He will shortly be launching out to embrace his life's work. I am not ready to launch him but I will be by the grace of Almighty God. Paul has been a joy to raise. Truth be told, he raised himself & anything that he becomes or accomplishes will be by God's grace & in spite of me.
The other reason I post this is because it will be the last time our family looks like this as Benjamin will be here soon & our family will forever be changed by this blessing of a boy. Time really does march on & it waits for no man. I've often said that if it weren't for my children's physical growth, I'd think I was a whole lot younger than I am. I am so thankful that as I am getting ready let one son go that my gracious God has given me another son to raise for His glory.
I know I don't post a lot but you won't see any activity for the next 40 days. Lent begins at sundown. We are not Catholic but it is a great time for our family to learn to 'fast' for 40 days each year. This year, I am fasting the Internet with the exception of checking my mail & for study purposes. Nothing else. I'll 'see' you all on Resurrection Sunday!