I hope you all have read Pastor Rich's latest blog. Life is complicated and full of hardships but as he has stated don't quit. God is with you, get back in the fight. Now all that being said, keep your pride in check. Keep your attitude in check.
Have you noticed our world can get angry? For that matter we can to. No it is not a sin to be angry. Jesus was angry. We need some passionate people in this world to stand up for the injustice that we see and know. We need some righteous anger that will stir those that call themselves Christians to really be the examples of Christ.
So get angry, but don't blow it. Don't go postal. Don't respond to harsh emails with harsher emails. Don't think of how you can do bigger, badder damage to that person that is offending you. Every time you choose patience, you choose forgiveness, you choose love, no matter how hard it is, you are choosing Jesus. You are choosing His response. A reminder for myself, I am going to be offended, it is how I respond that matters.
Choose to respond with Life folks. I can tell you as a student that has failed many times, and still struggles to get it right, that choosing a godly, forgiving, patient response is life, life, life. Keep on keeping on my friends. If we faint not, we will reap a harvest.
J
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Thanks for praying
Hello everyone
Well it is raining today with a forecast for more - so anyone who read my last entry and prayed, thanks for praying, it worked. I love it. It finally is a little chillier with the rain and the wind. Hopefully this will continue and lead us into the winter.
Don't forget everyone that this is NOT the weekend to set your clocks back. We do have to wait one more week. Of course it can't come fast enough as we all love that extra hour of sleep. I love how dark it is in the morning, makes it hard to get up, but it is awesome to watch the sunrise.
I am going to be speaking on Pride this Sunday at Horizons. I have been brainstorming on if there was ever any prideful moments. I didn't think I had that many until I asked my wife. She reminded me that I have made just a few arrogant mistakes in life. Hey you have to. It is a difficult balance between humility and pride. I mean we are made by God, that is good. However life is not about us. Balance really is tough because we all have a self centered nature. We talk about mine, I want, I need. We focus on self. This is a huge character assassin - Pride.
I have to keep mine in check, I have to keep recognizing that it is God's amazing grace. I am smart enough, I am sharp enough, I am wise enough, to know that I am not smart enough, sharp enough, or wise enough. I just want to get better today, and then the next. I think when you and I concentrate on our character, we can change the world around us. That is the kind of stuff that makes God smile.
Now praying is very important, because we make the move to spend time with the Lord. The more we pray, the more we rely on Christ to meet our needs. It is a wonderful act to humble ourselves before the Lord, to repent of our misdeeds and seek Him for our lives. So thanks for praying - we really needed the rain here - and we got it. Thanks God, we couldn't have done it without you.
Keep praying, watch the pride, and pursue His purposes.
J
Well it is raining today with a forecast for more - so anyone who read my last entry and prayed, thanks for praying, it worked. I love it. It finally is a little chillier with the rain and the wind. Hopefully this will continue and lead us into the winter.
Don't forget everyone that this is NOT the weekend to set your clocks back. We do have to wait one more week. Of course it can't come fast enough as we all love that extra hour of sleep. I love how dark it is in the morning, makes it hard to get up, but it is awesome to watch the sunrise.
I am going to be speaking on Pride this Sunday at Horizons. I have been brainstorming on if there was ever any prideful moments. I didn't think I had that many until I asked my wife. She reminded me that I have made just a few arrogant mistakes in life. Hey you have to. It is a difficult balance between humility and pride. I mean we are made by God, that is good. However life is not about us. Balance really is tough because we all have a self centered nature. We talk about mine, I want, I need. We focus on self. This is a huge character assassin - Pride.
I have to keep mine in check, I have to keep recognizing that it is God's amazing grace. I am smart enough, I am sharp enough, I am wise enough, to know that I am not smart enough, sharp enough, or wise enough. I just want to get better today, and then the next. I think when you and I concentrate on our character, we can change the world around us. That is the kind of stuff that makes God smile.
Now praying is very important, because we make the move to spend time with the Lord. The more we pray, the more we rely on Christ to meet our needs. It is a wonderful act to humble ourselves before the Lord, to repent of our misdeeds and seek Him for our lives. So thanks for praying - we really needed the rain here - and we got it. Thanks God, we couldn't have done it without you.
Keep praying, watch the pride, and pursue His purposes.
J
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Monopoly madness
Confession time. As I sit here eating some fries, I realized the marketing experts got me. I love the game Monopoly - I went years without ever losing and bragging about it. I now lose regularly so I no longer brag, but I still like to compete. Anyhow, McD's has this promotion around Monopoly. This is quite a coincidence because this past week I was playing the brand new - Credit Card edition.
I was at my brother in laws house and he had just obtained the newest version of Monopoly. All money is in millions and thousands. The card machine keeps up your account with it gains and losses. Pretty inventive and really enticing especially to the gadget freaks. My wife I am proud to say managed to win that game, she is pretty tough with her dealings.
Anyhow, I find myself driving by McDonald's and looking at the monopoly promo, 2 game pieces if you get a soda, two more on a large fry, two more on Big Mac. Collect game pieces, make the set and win cash and prizes. There is no way that I really think I am going to win, but you know what, I drove thru. Yes - the enticement to get my hands on those fries with game pieces - Wow. So it really works this marketing ploy. Nice job for them. Bad for my diet, but joy for that part of me that will always play Monopoly.
See you soon
Jay
I was at my brother in laws house and he had just obtained the newest version of Monopoly. All money is in millions and thousands. The card machine keeps up your account with it gains and losses. Pretty inventive and really enticing especially to the gadget freaks. My wife I am proud to say managed to win that game, she is pretty tough with her dealings.
Anyhow, I find myself driving by McDonald's and looking at the monopoly promo, 2 game pieces if you get a soda, two more on a large fry, two more on Big Mac. Collect game pieces, make the set and win cash and prizes. There is no way that I really think I am going to win, but you know what, I drove thru. Yes - the enticement to get my hands on those fries with game pieces - Wow. So it really works this marketing ploy. Nice job for them. Bad for my diet, but joy for that part of me that will always play Monopoly.
See you soon
Jay
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Is it fall yet? Pray for Rain
What is going on with the weather? I guess we should all be praying for rain. Rain by the way is often considered a bad thing. We refer to the rain as "Oh its raining outside!"It ruins our hair, not mine, but other's. We also say in reference to bad things happening to people "It rains on the righteous and the unrighteous."
Yet here we are being told to ration water, and that we have gone some 30 plus days without any real measurable rain. So when it does come, my perspective will change. I will thank God for the rain. I will rejoice, with many others to know that our water levels will increase. Our grass will get a soak, the trees will get a drink and show their appreciation with brighter colors.
It is just a perspective thing about rain. It is good, it is necessary, and sometimes its bad. Many of our issues or problems in life are like that. Sometimes they are necessary. God can use anything to get us from point A to point B. Right now we need it - the rain. So remember when we pass through this season and into the next - appreciate the rain when it's not as desired as today.
Speaking of a season, I am a little disappointed that the fall hasn't been spectacular with a weather change, and leaves turning color. Football is half over, that is scary. We are making plans for all of our Christmas ideas and programs. We are in the last quarter of 2007. I can't believe it. I guess we should all just count our blessings, and pray for rain.
Seriously we should pray for rain.
Starting a new series this Sunday called the Enemy Within. I am looking forward to sharing the redemptive power of Christ over our lives. So pray for Sunday and for Horizons to be a life giving church.
Be blessed
J
Yet here we are being told to ration water, and that we have gone some 30 plus days without any real measurable rain. So when it does come, my perspective will change. I will thank God for the rain. I will rejoice, with many others to know that our water levels will increase. Our grass will get a soak, the trees will get a drink and show their appreciation with brighter colors.
It is just a perspective thing about rain. It is good, it is necessary, and sometimes its bad. Many of our issues or problems in life are like that. Sometimes they are necessary. God can use anything to get us from point A to point B. Right now we need it - the rain. So remember when we pass through this season and into the next - appreciate the rain when it's not as desired as today.
Speaking of a season, I am a little disappointed that the fall hasn't been spectacular with a weather change, and leaves turning color. Football is half over, that is scary. We are making plans for all of our Christmas ideas and programs. We are in the last quarter of 2007. I can't believe it. I guess we should all just count our blessings, and pray for rain.
Seriously we should pray for rain.
Starting a new series this Sunday called the Enemy Within. I am looking forward to sharing the redemptive power of Christ over our lives. So pray for Sunday and for Horizons to be a life giving church.
Be blessed
J
Monday, October 8, 2007
Family udpate
Hello all
Wow, I am blessed to know that many of you are reading through my blog. It looks like this is a great tool to catch up with those of you who like to keep track with what's happening in the world of the Hawpe 5.
As I am writing this on October 8, there is joy in my heart as my beloved football team, the Oklahoma Sooners beat our arch rival the Texas Longhorns. It was a close game, and always gut wrenching to watch this great border state rivalry.
Landon my son is in high school now and doing great. I am so proud of how he has tackled the responsibilities of being a freshman. There is a lot to high school these days. They are already talking to him about college and what he plans to major in. This will shape what courses he takes in high school. Get this; he can pursue one of three different type of degrees. Each one carrying a litle more clout than the next to pursue the finer universities. Geeez - can he just figure out how to survive the high school jungle first.
Landon is still pursuing his acting talents and gets a number of compliments and opportunities. We will see what the winter and spring hold for him. He is also singing and has a wide variety of opportunities before him.
Kaitlyn is in 7th grade and enjoying her Jr High experience. The thing is she is not wanting to be a Jr Higher very long. You know, growing way to fast, and wanting more and more freedom. She is very responsible and showing some a strong desire to earn that freedom. Yes she has a cell phone, and has learned to text quite quickly. We only had 2000 text messages on our first month bill.
Kate is singing in her school choir, and in the church worship team. She has some really big opportunities that I will reveal later, once they are confirmed. She is also in dance and it makes monday nights rather busy. We are all busy chasing our kids extra curricular activities.
Chloe is in pre-school (she's 4). What can I say, it's like having Kate all over again. Strong, but very sweet. She is just constantly bringing a smile to mine and Christa's face. She loves to make her crafts at school and church, so that means a fridge full of coloring pages, cutouts, crafts, name things, etc. Wow you should see how angry she gets when I attempt to throw them away. The disposal of the massive amount of these crafts now happens in the dark of night. It is the only way to get away with it. Chloe is finding her way in the social world, as her calendar is beginning to fill with a few parties and things.
Christa my beautiful and wonderful wife, is now the business manager at Zales in the local mall. This is working to be a great part time job that she is really taking one. I am so proud of her in how the company really asked her into this position and they are taking it very serious with her training and all.
I know this is getting long for anyone to read. The Hawpe family is doing well. We appreciate all your prayers and love. God bless you - I will have more in the blog in the coming days.
Jay
Wow, I am blessed to know that many of you are reading through my blog. It looks like this is a great tool to catch up with those of you who like to keep track with what's happening in the world of the Hawpe 5.
As I am writing this on October 8, there is joy in my heart as my beloved football team, the Oklahoma Sooners beat our arch rival the Texas Longhorns. It was a close game, and always gut wrenching to watch this great border state rivalry.
Landon my son is in high school now and doing great. I am so proud of how he has tackled the responsibilities of being a freshman. There is a lot to high school these days. They are already talking to him about college and what he plans to major in. This will shape what courses he takes in high school. Get this; he can pursue one of three different type of degrees. Each one carrying a litle more clout than the next to pursue the finer universities. Geeez - can he just figure out how to survive the high school jungle first.
Landon is still pursuing his acting talents and gets a number of compliments and opportunities. We will see what the winter and spring hold for him. He is also singing and has a wide variety of opportunities before him.
Kaitlyn is in 7th grade and enjoying her Jr High experience. The thing is she is not wanting to be a Jr Higher very long. You know, growing way to fast, and wanting more and more freedom. She is very responsible and showing some a strong desire to earn that freedom. Yes she has a cell phone, and has learned to text quite quickly. We only had 2000 text messages on our first month bill.
Kate is singing in her school choir, and in the church worship team. She has some really big opportunities that I will reveal later, once they are confirmed. She is also in dance and it makes monday nights rather busy. We are all busy chasing our kids extra curricular activities.
Chloe is in pre-school (she's 4). What can I say, it's like having Kate all over again. Strong, but very sweet. She is just constantly bringing a smile to mine and Christa's face. She loves to make her crafts at school and church, so that means a fridge full of coloring pages, cutouts, crafts, name things, etc. Wow you should see how angry she gets when I attempt to throw them away. The disposal of the massive amount of these crafts now happens in the dark of night. It is the only way to get away with it. Chloe is finding her way in the social world, as her calendar is beginning to fill with a few parties and things.
Christa my beautiful and wonderful wife, is now the business manager at Zales in the local mall. This is working to be a great part time job that she is really taking one. I am so proud of her in how the company really asked her into this position and they are taking it very serious with her training and all.
I know this is getting long for anyone to read. The Hawpe family is doing well. We appreciate all your prayers and love. God bless you - I will have more in the blog in the coming days.
Jay
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