Overcoming

Today I sit at this computer stunned, encouraged, and overcome that God is speaking a fresh word to me in a new way. I have talked with many friends, many family members, and colleagues concerning life. Let me give you perspective. Christa's parents live in Baytown, Texas near Houston. Their house was damaged, and they have been living in the church that they pastor for over a week. Power is still out in many areas. I have friends that I have not heard from in that area as of yet.

Others that I speak with , not hurricane victims, but fighting the fight. The struggle, the reality of the harshness of life. Today news of a bailout by the government to avoid an even greater financial crisis than what we are in.

People in the church, hardships relationally, hardships financially. Yet despite all this, there is a Hope. Why am I stunned? In this barrage of activity, morning drive, talk, email check, facebook messages, I have been getting a message. Through scripture reading, through worship songs sent via FB and listening to them in the car, to even an email I received this morning I am invaded with encouragement. I didn't seek it but it found me.

Thanks to all of you that are praying this week. I am so blessed to know that Horizons is a praying church. Persistent prayer will prevail. Let's keep praying, be encouraged we will overcome - God is with us, He today is with me. Thanks Jesus for hanging out with me.

Jay

So far so good.

This week like so many others has moved along quite quickly. I find myself staring at the calendar and trying to recount the previous eight months. This was the first week of school. My son Landon is up and out the door with barely an exchange of words. Hopefully a grunt of acknowledgement that all is well, he needs nothing and "loves" school.

Kaitlyn has a French language class at the high school. So to avoid bus rides with an all high school crowd, I am driving her. I have to leave at precisely 7:25 to ensure that we are not to early and forced to stand around an intimidating high school, or to late and thus tardy. I have to say it is really weird to watch my petite eight grade girl marching into that building every morning.

Chloe has the system down. After that first day of thinking "oh no there goes my baby" has been replaced with "daddy you are supposed to drive here, and do this". She jumps out of the van likes she has done it all her life, waves her hand, and zoom gone. Is there anyway that we can keep her five forever? I would love to know any secrets that you may have out there.

I am 40 and loving every minute of it. Football is in full swing and yes I am crashing the diet this weekend. Bring on the brats the burgers, the chips and dip. We got wall to wall games everywhere.

J

Better days

Today is tough for me. Tougher than I thought it would be. As this is the first day of school, I find that I now have one at each level of pre college education. Lan - High School, Kate - Jr High, and Chloe - elementary. As we dropped off Chloe, Christa and I were cut off at the front door, and watched our baby go off with someone we didn't know (Stranger Danger) down an unfamiliar hallway to her new classroom. I know, I know, they are trying to cut the separation anxiety at the knees, but I still don't like it.

We first did this first day of school some 10 year ago with Landon. I will never forget the lump in my throat as I watched my then little boy (close to 6 ft now) march into his school. A part of me ached, and I fought back the tears to see that. I sure did not think that would happen today, I mean I am 40 now, mature, experienced. Ouch, same lump and same feelings. Things have changed, a part of growing up is a loss of childlike wonder and innocence.

So I love the fall, I love school starting, but today was harder than I remembered. Better days are ahead. Yes everyone it is time for football, seasons change, and football. Yes I said football twice. Great days ahead, for so many of us.

Treasure the moments you have with your children. Time passes so fast.

Jay