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
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
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
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The up and down.
I was recently taking some time in my meditation and prayers to remember that life is a true roller coaster filled with ups and downs. I am hearing of many of my friends and family going through a discouraging time. I wish that our lives with Christ were just fun, fun, fun. The truth of real life is that it is filled with problems, disappointments, victories, fulfillment, work, play, tears, and laughter. I am constantly telling myself that problems are opportunities, but sometimes my own encouragement seems to fall on deaf ears. I find myself in the struggle and not overcoming with the zeal and ease that I should.
In the midst of all this I remember a passage in 1 Sam 30. It is a story of King David, and how he had a series of unfortunate things. He has just returned from a battle to find the Amalekites have raided Ziklag, where the Israelites had encamped. The Amalekites had carried off all the women and children. All of them. They even took David's wives. His army got so mad at him that they talked about stoning David. The men were very distraught over this incredible loss. It felt like the crunching body blow in a fifteen round fight. This was tough stuff.
In verse 6 the scripture tell us that he found strength or that he encouraged himself in the Lord. Wow, I am so moved by that statement. What true tenacity and optimism to have everything falling around you, be in the midst of the garbage and make a decision to encourage yourself. Folks that is spiritual. That is encouragement is not by a man's words, a favorite song, weather, book, coffee, or TV show. That is not fueld by how I feel, that is fueld by who I am. That is the intimate relationship the Lord wants to have with all of us.
Okay for the rest of the story. David then asks a friend "Should I pursue? Should I rescue? (v.8) When he gets the acknowledgement and the time is right, off he goes with his army in tow. Some of the men couldn't make it. David finds the raiding Amalekites and raids them. He recovers everything. (v. 18) He then plundered the Amalekites and takes their livestock.
Did you get that, he got everything back and even more. I know that sometimes we see this huge mountain, this huge Goliath, this huge obstacle. We feel down.
So encourage yourself, find strength in the Lord. Pursue your enemies and see what God would do. I am sorry to be so preachy, but I feel this is important to remind all of us to find strength in the Lord.
Shalom (Peace)
J
In the midst of all this I remember a passage in 1 Sam 30. It is a story of King David, and how he had a series of unfortunate things. He has just returned from a battle to find the Amalekites have raided Ziklag, where the Israelites had encamped. The Amalekites had carried off all the women and children. All of them. They even took David's wives. His army got so mad at him that they talked about stoning David. The men were very distraught over this incredible loss. It felt like the crunching body blow in a fifteen round fight. This was tough stuff.
In verse 6 the scripture tell us that he found strength or that he encouraged himself in the Lord. Wow, I am so moved by that statement. What true tenacity and optimism to have everything falling around you, be in the midst of the garbage and make a decision to encourage yourself. Folks that is spiritual. That is encouragement is not by a man's words, a favorite song, weather, book, coffee, or TV show. That is not fueld by how I feel, that is fueld by who I am. That is the intimate relationship the Lord wants to have with all of us.
Okay for the rest of the story. David then asks a friend "Should I pursue? Should I rescue? (v.8) When he gets the acknowledgement and the time is right, off he goes with his army in tow. Some of the men couldn't make it. David finds the raiding Amalekites and raids them. He recovers everything. (v. 18) He then plundered the Amalekites and takes their livestock.
Did you get that, he got everything back and even more. I know that sometimes we see this huge mountain, this huge Goliath, this huge obstacle. We feel down.
So encourage yourself, find strength in the Lord. Pursue your enemies and see what God would do. I am sorry to be so preachy, but I feel this is important to remind all of us to find strength in the Lord.
Shalom (Peace)
J
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Addicted to Coffee
So here I am a few weeks past my 39th birthday. It was pretty uneventful as I was driving the family from Memphis,TN to Roanoke, VA for 10 hours. While on this trip and since returning I have noticed something about myself - I must have coffee in the morning. I know that many of you are saying, "Join the club" or "I have done that for years."
I have enjoyed coffee, had a regular cup, no big deal. Now I crave it, my body responds to it. I get up thinking about it. We get the pot ready the night before. I yearn to hear the gurgle of the brew and have my extra large cup sitting right there waiting for some life from brown water affected by the magic bean.
I guess that I am getting older. So thanks for letting me in the coffee crowd. I am no coffee snob like some of you - but I did take some steps toward that over the past year.
Hey everyone - Heroes series for the church is off and running. We just made the name change and removed community from it. This simplified it, and made it more like the website name. Hope that everyone likes the logo.
I guess you could say it is a new day. Let's embrace change and go forward for all that God had for us.
Yes, it is fall, time for football.
Blessings to all.
J
I have enjoyed coffee, had a regular cup, no big deal. Now I crave it, my body responds to it. I get up thinking about it. We get the pot ready the night before. I yearn to hear the gurgle of the brew and have my extra large cup sitting right there waiting for some life from brown water affected by the magic bean.
I guess that I am getting older. So thanks for letting me in the coffee crowd. I am no coffee snob like some of you - but I did take some steps toward that over the past year.
Hey everyone - Heroes series for the church is off and running. We just made the name change and removed community from it. This simplified it, and made it more like the website name. Hope that everyone likes the logo.
I guess you could say it is a new day. Let's embrace change and go forward for all that God had for us.
Yes, it is fall, time for football.
Blessings to all.
J
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
What If We .... Wrap Up
I just finished the "What If" series a few days ago. I have to tell you (whomever may be reading) that it was a challenging series. We talked about some very real issues or character qualities that we need to possess - if we hope to make a difference. I know that I am personally challenged to be more friendly, forgiving, trusting, and patient. Hey it's not easy.
Friendship is work, it takes intentionality, planning, and effort. Forgiveness is not natural -but one of the most liberating things we will ever do. Trust is the single most important in any relationship (for it to work). Lastly patience - a true challenge in our 21st century American culture. Yet patience - as we studied is truly a catalyst for champions, heroes, winners, and over comers.
What if the friendship, the forgiveness, the trust, and the patience we see in the bible and are encouraged to live in, was seen by our world. What if what was happening in the Bible happened in our lives, in our community, in our families.
A final thought as we wrap up this July series - of What If. What if you and I really determined to change our world by changing who we are? Change starts with me. Change starts with you. Praying for you and looking forward to a fantastic fall.
Pastor Rich returns from Sabbatical and will be speaking on "Heavyweights" Sundays in August. Come learn how to handle that weight on your shoulders.
Blessings to all,
J
Friendship is work, it takes intentionality, planning, and effort. Forgiveness is not natural -but one of the most liberating things we will ever do. Trust is the single most important in any relationship (for it to work). Lastly patience - a true challenge in our 21st century American culture. Yet patience - as we studied is truly a catalyst for champions, heroes, winners, and over comers.
What if the friendship, the forgiveness, the trust, and the patience we see in the bible and are encouraged to live in, was seen by our world. What if what was happening in the Bible happened in our lives, in our community, in our families.
A final thought as we wrap up this July series - of What If. What if you and I really determined to change our world by changing who we are? Change starts with me. Change starts with you. Praying for you and looking forward to a fantastic fall.
Pastor Rich returns from Sabbatical and will be speaking on "Heavyweights" Sundays in August. Come learn how to handle that weight on your shoulders.
Blessings to all,
J
Friday, July 20, 2007
Storms
Wow
Today is the day after a pretty fierce storm. As I looked out the window I could see the clouds forming and sky getting dark. The next thing you know, I could see the wind whipping and rain just pouring. Then it rained sideways, you know where the wind is so fierce that the rain is falling diagonally.
A tree broke in front of the office and a portion of it fell onto the sidewalk. This is was a fast moving blow in, blow up, blow out kind of storm. I hadn't seen one of these that looked so dark in a long time.
Yes, life is like that. In fact many of us are in storms right now. I recently read an article from Rick Warren that said life is a series of problems. You are either in one, just out of one, or about to be in one. Yet it seems we are always surprised to be in one. Surprised and in disbelief that we could be enduring this, or going through this. I want to encourage all of you. I want to encourage myself. Storms blow, Christ is constant. Me - I guess I am sometimes the leaf, blown about, and sometimes the rock.
We all will encounter storms. Remember our life is the warm up act for eternity. We go through problems to grow character. I know what you are thinking, when is our character going to be grown. I wish my was fully there, but I guess it isn't. So from time to time, the rains come, the winds blow, it gets dark. Then after all the nastiness the sun shines, and a new day begins.
Shalom (Peace) to you all
J
"In the end the pessimist may be right, but the optimist has a better time on the journey along the way."
Today is the day after a pretty fierce storm. As I looked out the window I could see the clouds forming and sky getting dark. The next thing you know, I could see the wind whipping and rain just pouring. Then it rained sideways, you know where the wind is so fierce that the rain is falling diagonally.
A tree broke in front of the office and a portion of it fell onto the sidewalk. This is was a fast moving blow in, blow up, blow out kind of storm. I hadn't seen one of these that looked so dark in a long time.
Yes, life is like that. In fact many of us are in storms right now. I recently read an article from Rick Warren that said life is a series of problems. You are either in one, just out of one, or about to be in one. Yet it seems we are always surprised to be in one. Surprised and in disbelief that we could be enduring this, or going through this. I want to encourage all of you. I want to encourage myself. Storms blow, Christ is constant. Me - I guess I am sometimes the leaf, blown about, and sometimes the rock.
We all will encounter storms. Remember our life is the warm up act for eternity. We go through problems to grow character. I know what you are thinking, when is our character going to be grown. I wish my was fully there, but I guess it isn't. So from time to time, the rains come, the winds blow, it gets dark. Then after all the nastiness the sun shines, and a new day begins.
Shalom (Peace) to you all
J
"In the end the pessimist may be right, but the optimist has a better time on the journey along the way."
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
An interesting trip
Well hello there,
The past week or so has been quite interesting for me and the family. We had the awesome privilege of going to Owego, NY to conduct a wedding for the Shantz family. The ride was supposed to take about 6 hours. Several road construction projects and That beltway caused the trip to last about 10 hours. My kids are traveling champs and only asked "Are we there yet?" a couple of times.
The wedding was beautiful and all went well in Owego. From there it was off to the Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. I have always been enthralled with this place due to its number of roller coasters and how awesome they are. Well I was not disappointed in the park. However, I do have to tell you about my Griswold moment.
I love getting to the park early. I love being in front of the crowd. I love making the most of my day in the park. I drive my family, I don't let them take breaks, I study park maps, I plot the day, I know when the show times are going to be. I am very ambitious about rides and knowing when the best time to be there is.
So we got up on Monday morning last week, ready to go. Breakfast eaten, backpack ready, everyone into the van, and a quick turn of the key. Nada. No power, battery dead. The park opens at 10am and its 9:30.
I run into the hotel to see if anyone has jumper cables. The only guy that does is a little upset with hotel management over his room. He volunteers his cables as soon as he is donewith his discussion. The cables wouldn't stretch across the median of where my van was parked. Back to the hotel to find the guy that drives the blue Chevette. Guy found, moves his car, and jumper cable guy maneuvers his vehicle into a position that allows us to make a connection.
Fire the van up and off to Wal Mart for a battery check. I suspect it is the battery since it is the original and it has gone over 60,000 miles. New battery installed and off to the park, about 2 hours behind schedule and in the midst of the crowd. We got in a few big rides, but the crowd was huge. Guess I am not the only one that likes big roller coasters.
We did manage over the course of two days to ride some awesome stuff. The Maverick is a new smooth as silk coaster that is awesome. The Millenium Force a 300 foot drop broke a world record back in 2000, and yes very fun. I missed out on the 120mph 90 degree up and down coaster known as "Dragster". Next time I guess.
Anyways a good trip, very glad to be back to home. Glad to be back to the normal traffic. Really enjoyed Sunday, and I do hope that we all take friendships a little more seriously.
Blessings to all
Jay
The past week or so has been quite interesting for me and the family. We had the awesome privilege of going to Owego, NY to conduct a wedding for the Shantz family. The ride was supposed to take about 6 hours. Several road construction projects and That beltway caused the trip to last about 10 hours. My kids are traveling champs and only asked "Are we there yet?" a couple of times.
The wedding was beautiful and all went well in Owego. From there it was off to the Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. I have always been enthralled with this place due to its number of roller coasters and how awesome they are. Well I was not disappointed in the park. However, I do have to tell you about my Griswold moment.
I love getting to the park early. I love being in front of the crowd. I love making the most of my day in the park. I drive my family, I don't let them take breaks, I study park maps, I plot the day, I know when the show times are going to be. I am very ambitious about rides and knowing when the best time to be there is.
So we got up on Monday morning last week, ready to go. Breakfast eaten, backpack ready, everyone into the van, and a quick turn of the key. Nada. No power, battery dead. The park opens at 10am and its 9:30.
I run into the hotel to see if anyone has jumper cables. The only guy that does is a little upset with hotel management over his room. He volunteers his cables as soon as he is donewith his discussion. The cables wouldn't stretch across the median of where my van was parked. Back to the hotel to find the guy that drives the blue Chevette. Guy found, moves his car, and jumper cable guy maneuvers his vehicle into a position that allows us to make a connection.
Fire the van up and off to Wal Mart for a battery check. I suspect it is the battery since it is the original and it has gone over 60,000 miles. New battery installed and off to the park, about 2 hours behind schedule and in the midst of the crowd. We got in a few big rides, but the crowd was huge. Guess I am not the only one that likes big roller coasters.
We did manage over the course of two days to ride some awesome stuff. The Maverick is a new smooth as silk coaster that is awesome. The Millenium Force a 300 foot drop broke a world record back in 2000, and yes very fun. I missed out on the 120mph 90 degree up and down coaster known as "Dragster". Next time I guess.
Anyways a good trip, very glad to be back to home. Glad to be back to the normal traffic. Really enjoyed Sunday, and I do hope that we all take friendships a little more seriously.
Blessings to all
Jay
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