Happy Texas Independence Day

175 Years of Texas.

I am proud to be from Texas! Born in San Marcos and can say I have never lived in any other state.

May you have a Happy Texas Independence Day.

God Bless.

He said! She said! They said!

How many times do we use these phrases? Are these phrases really necessary? Or are they just excuses for someone who is not ready to grasp hold of personal responsibility?

We all make mistakes; some of us just have a harder time admitting it.

For example, me telling my wife she should change her diet as she clung to a toilet bowl throwing up while pregnant. Bad idea.

Maybe a better example is owning up to something I clearly told a co-worker I could do, but honestly I couldn't do it. I confessed my wrong-doing to the other person and asked for forgiveness.

Sometimes we just make mistakes and in the long run we can do everyone a favor by owning up to these mistakes.

Jesus confronts a woman about her sin in John 4:16-18, " "Go and get your husband," Jesus told her.

"I don't have a husband," the woman replied.

Jesus said, "You're right! You don't have a husband-for you have had five husbands, and you aren't even married to the man you're living with now."

Wow, thanks, Lord. He just brings it up and takes care of it on the spot.

Imagine what it would look like in our journey, communities and families if we took the, "He said. She said. They said," out of our lives and inserted truth. Truth in love, "Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord's royal command found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself," " James 2:8.  I believe we would see a community reflective of Christ's love abounding in truth.

God bless.

The Fairy Tale Life

What is the fairy tale life? I am talking about someone who is no longer living in reality, but living a dream. It consists of someone being fake, not accepting reality or completely unaware of what is happening.

Have you been living the fairy tale life?  I think we all walk around at some point living the fairy tale life.  I think sometimes we can get caught in a fairy tale life moment and not even know it.  Again, have you been living the fairy tale life?

Maybe a better word is oblivious.

Church, it's time to stop being oblivious to the dying, broken, and hurting world around you and spread the good new of the gospel.

If you have Christ:

• tell someone about what He has done for you.
• show someone  how He loves you.
• help someone who needs to see Christ.
• remember, as a Christian, you are a little Christ, your peers are watching.

"Man's greatest need is not social or physical.  Man's greatest need is knowing Jesus Christ."  K. P. Yohannen Missionary to India

As believes are cannot live the fairy tale life or be oblivious to the world around us.

May this be an encouragement to you and to those around you.  God Bless.

Blog Neglect Plus Some

My poor blog is suffering from a case of Blog Neglect. As most of you can tell, I post about once every two weeks. How sad!

In order to fight Blog Neglect, I plan to post at least once week from this day forward.

As a father of two, I have plenty of stories, so material is not a problem, but time is. Storytime:

Landon brought me a bottle of Miracle Whip. He had taken the lid off and gave it a lick. His body shook from head to toe. After laughing at his response I asked him, "Landon, can you please take that back to the refrigerator?" He looked at me and respond, "Yes sir," and took it back to the fridge. What an awesome moment.

Logan is growing so fast. He is now getting attitude with anyone who takes anything from his hands. It is pretty dramatic, but too funny! Logan is now moving forward on his hands ands knees. It is so exciting to see him lift himself up off the floor and move.

Raising children is so much fun.

God bless.

Texas Rangers or Houston Astros?

I have been an avid Houston Astros fans even before the 2005 World Series run.  I have stuck with them through the rebuilding years and support there triple A club, the Round Rock Express.

The Rangers have shaken things up a little bit in my baseball world.  Nolan Ryan bought the Rangers and the Round Rock Express are now the triple A club of the Rangers.  I did get a Rangers hat before the 2010 season, so I did watch a fair number of the games this past season.

I am not dumping the Astros, but in supporting the local Express, I find myself torn between the two clubs.  I am ok with wearing multiple MLB hats, but when it boils down to the one team I am rooting for throughout the season, who will it be?

The Missing Truck Key

As we sat in the truck visiting with the retired volunteers, Landon played with Dada's truck key. When it was time to go, we learned Landon had misplaced the key.

After at least 15 minutes of searching, I found where Landon hid the key. It was below the cigarette lighter. Upon attempting to retrieve it, I forced it inside the floor panels. Bill and I took one panel off and found it wedged inside. We both attempted to contort our hands with no success. We decided tools were necessary.

Kari said, "I can do it, I have smaller hands!"

And she did!

The missing key has been found and the truck was started!

I hope you enjoyed our little story. God bless.

For a picture, check out www.twitter.com/jeremyhellums

Screw holder or Screw driver?

"My dad said I am a great screw holder." Bobby W.

Bobby told me this when I asked him to do something recently and it got my wheels turning.  I replied, "What do you mean?"  His answer was one that connected many dots for me.  Bobby replied, "You know, when he is doing something, I help by holding the screws."

About a month ago I was attempting to back a trailer.  I am not sure how I didn't learn to back a trailer, but somehow there was always some else who could do it for me, so I didn't have to learn.  I was practically jackknifing the van and trailer when Don, who is 70, came out and said, "Can I do that for you?"  I replied, "No thanks, I need to learn sometime."  He hung around to make sure I didn't damage anything, for which I am grateful, and eventually I got the trailer where I needed it.

Here the deal.  Do I want to raise Landon and Logan to be screw holders or screw drivers?  I believe the answer is obvious, screw drivers!

I think about my grandfather and father and there skill level in so many things.  That is someone I aspire to be.  If I don't grasp hold now and become the screw driver, I believe I will become obsolete.

I am uncertain where I missed the boat and became the screw holder, but maybe being the screw holder is easier and a form of laziness at times.  I don't want this for myself or the boys.  I am sure there is a balance between teaching and allowing them to do it on there own; I just want to be able to find the balance and prevent my boys from becoming screw holders.

I never want to be a screw holder again!  Pass the be screw driver and let me put it together...unless it comes to my boys; I will find a balance and show them how and we can do it together.

Any thoughts?

God Bless.

For daily updates: follow me on twitter @jeremyhellums

What is Solid Food?

"Word. Worship. Prayer. Fellowship." Rod C.

My buddy Rod, sums it up with the above statement.  Word, worship, prayer, and fellowship bombard my ears, mind and thoughts often.  What does solid food look like?  I think these four concepts equal solid food.

Word.  There is a noticeable difference in those who are in the word versus not in the word.  Jesus responds to the devil by quoting Deutronomy 8:3, "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."  Where do we find the words of the Lord?  The bible.  "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness," 2 Timothy 3:16.

Worship.  Psalm 96:9 says, "Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth."  And why wouldn't we, humans, want to bow before the creator of the universe for all the things He has done.  John tells us in Revelation 22:8 that, "I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel...," but was quickly told by the angel in verse nine, "Don’t do that!...Worship God!”  Worship is critical to our spiritual walk.

Prayer.  Jesus teaches us how to pray; in fact in Luke 11:1-4 the disciples ask Jesus how to do it,

"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father, hallowed be your name, 

your kingdom come. 

Give us each day our daily bread. 

Forgive us our sins, 

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. 

And lead us not into temptation.’” "

Not only does Jesus teach us how to pray he teaches us to, "...believe, [and] you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."  Pray.  Pray.  Pray.

Fellowship.  Jesus teaches in Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”  Jesus established the church or fellowship with a two person minimum.  People desire community, without it you are alone.  We need one another to review God's word, pray for one another, help each others physical needs and to love each other.  Fellowship is very important.  Find a body of believers today, in or out of a standardized church and start studying God's word. Fellowship is part of the recharge time; you need it.

I hope you find some of these thoughts useful.  Just remember, above all else, solid food is:  Word. Worship. Prayer. Fellowship.

God Bless.

Happy Valentines Day, Kari

In May, it will be six years since Kari and I met at Highland Lakes Camp. I'll never forgot seeing her come into the old Miles Auditorium with a huge smile on her face. If it wasn't love at first sight, than eleven days later the deal was sealed. We were both smitten with one another.

We made our vows on March 10, 2007 and are looking forward to celebrating four years of marriage in Galveston together.

Marriage is a journey; gravel roads, dusty trails, paved highways and interstates; sometimes all in the same day. No matter what road or path it is, Kari is my soulmate and will be by my side, until death do us part. What an amazing partner to be facing these roads with.

I love you, Kari. Happy Valentines Day.

Milk or The Good Stuff: Solid Food

Have you ever stood in line at the supermarket and been blown away by what someone said because they were talking loud enough for everyone to hear?

Lady One*: "Tina, it's so great to see you and Grant!" (Grant is the toddler in the shopping basket)

Lady Two: "Same here! (shocked to see Tina) how's little Roland?"

Lady One: "Oh girl, let me tell you, Roland is excelling in every area. Do you know the Wilson's? God bless those boys, they are so far behind!"

What? This is about where I was in shock. Did Lady One just bring out of no where someone's kid and there development? I found this inappropriate and immature.

This quickly brought to my mind spiritual application concerning immaturity. What is God trying to teach me, even when I am standing in line at the supermarket? What does God's word say about maturity of believers?

"Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil" Hebrews 5:13-14

We can't keep drinking the milk! Most studies show milk isn't even necessary for humans after a child is weened or over a year old. Milk is specifically designed for babies; it's got everything they need, but not what you and I need.

We need solid food. Solid food give us nourishment to satisfy our physical needs. We cannot maintain a milk diet and expect to get everything we need.

This can be applied spiritually. Spiritually immaturity hinders your growth with the Lord. Without solid food, you are outside God's plan for you as a believer and according to this passage you cannot "distinguish good from evil." God desires us to grow in our faith, not sit idol in mediocrity. If we got the milk, than we are missing out. I mean, solid food tastes much better anyways!

It is imparitive, that believers move past immaturity or the milk and move on to striving for righteousness in solid food. My prayer is I am diving into all the solid food I can get daily and seeking Him for guidance.

Thanks, loud talking ladies.

God bless.

*All names were changed to protect the identity of those who talk loudly in the supermarket lines.

Hellums Recent Milestones

The boys are growing way to fast.  Each day brings somethings new!

Just the other day I asked Landon, "Can I nibble on your ear?"  He actually put his ear next to my mouth and I gave it a nibble.  I am blown away everyday how smart kids are.

Landon ate chips and salsa for the first time on Sunday evening.  He always has enjoyed dipping stuff, but never ate it; instead fed Dada.  Now he is eating it after he dips it.

Logan is now an avid scooter.  He love scooting in reverse and also rolling over to get to where he wants to go.  He is ready to move!

Logan is loud.  When he starts talking he doesn't use the inside voice.  It makes me laugh when Logan starts talking with Landon is napping Kari typically says, "Brother! You're going to wake up Landon!"  He smiles and keeps making loud noises.

Both boys are now sleeping threw the night; also, they put themselves to sleep.  This has allowed Kari and I to get some much needed husband and wife time that we had been missing...oh and some extra sleep.

Both boys laugh at just about anything.  Kari is definitely the funny one, as in comedian funny, but Dada gets a few laughs out of the boys; mostly when I make loud noises, like scream randomly for something they did or growl and bite on their bellies.

The joys of parenthood continue and I am such a proud Dada.

God Bless.

For daily updates check out my twitter @jeremyhellums

Forgiveness for Being Sold into Slavery

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."

I posted Colossians 3:12-15 yesterday after talking about the subject in chapel yesterday.  It was a good discussion actually based on the life and story of Joseph in Genesis.

Imagine reading the newspaper (or reading it online) or watching the news:  Breaking News: Young man thought to be mauled by wild animal, click here for more information.  When you follow the article you find out that maybe it was a crime of passion where the young man's brothers threw him into a dried cistern and than they decided to sell him into slavery, but this is all speculation because the coat was covered in blood and the brothers told there father he was killed by an animal.

It might be spun so well, CNN and Foxnews might give it 24 hour coverage and surely accusations would fly that all the brothers should be throw into jail.  It would be a very sad story for the boy who was sold into slavery and yet the story would resurface many years later.

Years later we learn that the brothers have found Joseph and he is in a position to help them and he does.

What an amazing picture of forgiveness.  Put yourself in Joseph shoes, now do you want to help your siblings out?  Instead he provides for the very same people who sold him into slavery.  I believe this begs the question; this was God's plan?  Of course it was!

We quickly, daily, minute by minute get uncomfortable with life, our situation, even the to the point of a particular smells irritate us, but what if all these things are part of God's plan.  I believe we get to comfortable and think any slight irritation is not meant for good, but many times we are blind to it.  God's plan is perfect and in Joseph's situation there was some serious irritation.

Now, was this post about forgiveness or God's plan even in the bad times.  It's about both.  We have to make allowances for one another because we are going to irritate one another, but following God's example of forgiveness is a major part of this.  Joseph forgave his brothers for rejecting him, faking his death, and selling him into slavery.

I want Christ to rule in my life and be clothed in tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  How about you?

God Bless.

Colossians 3:12-15

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."

Drum Roll, Please

I know many of you have been waiting on the edge of your seat (Mom) for the first post of 2011 at Insert Title Here, well here it is!

Happy New Year to everyone.  I hope that each of you had a blessed time celebrating.  My family and I celebrated with our camp family and former Summer Mission's Team (SMT) at the annual SMT Reunion.  We were blessed to be led in worship by Jonathan Davis and Mike Satterfield.  It was a great time.

My family keeps getting older.  Kari and I are amazed every day by our 1 1/2 year old, Landon and 5 month old, Logan.  It has been such a journey figuring out how to manage married life, two little boys and camp ministry (and the journey continues).  Each day brings different challenges, but by the grace of God, we make it through each and and are so thankful for His guidance, protection and love.  I am certain no one showed me where the instruction manuals were on these boys!

We are continuing to press on with our ministry at Highland Lakes Camp.  We firmly believe God has called us to this ministry and we are very excited about what 2011 holds for the camp.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we serve those who step on campus, provide opportunities to share the love of Jesus and strength and energy daily.

Many of our camp family members are participating in HLC Biggest Loser, I keep saying I am doing Biggest Gainer!  Although I am joking because Kari reminded me that I want to someday meet my great grandchildren.  What a thought!  That is motivation enough to try to get into shape, eat healthy, etc.  We are doing Zumba and trying to follow a strict diet; we'll see.  I have hope that I can whip this old body into some shape.

Stay tuned to Insert Title Here in 2011 for more nail biting Hellums Family Stories, Random Posts, Theological Thoughts and much much more.

God Bless.

Our Redeemer is Here

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Written in about 700 BC., Isaiah 9:6 is one of several passages that points the reader to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  I enjoy reading this passage and applying these titles to my Lord, because He is all of them.  Do you ever consider that many people are still looking for the Messiah?

Messiah can be defined as the redeemer or the expected king.  What does that mean to us?  Each of us are in need of a redeemer to reconcile our relationship with God.  Many people say, "But I am a good person."  Jesus tells us that “No one is good—except God alone" Mark 10:18.  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," states Romans 3:23.  You and I are living in a fallen state (seperated by sin from God) and everyone needs a redeemer.

Jesus tells us His reign is not exclusive to the Jewish nation, but everyone.  Examine these words spoken to a Samaritan woman:

"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” John 4:23-26

Jesus tells Samaritan woman He is the Messiah and when you follow Him you will be called a true worshiper; not a Jew, Samaritan, Greek or Gentile, but anyone is welcome to follow Christ.

Our redeemer is here, "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” Luke 2:11,13-14.

You can call Him: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace if you choose to.  Do you know Him?

Merry Christmas and may each of you chase after Christ.

A Hellums Christmas Story

A few days ago we spent some time with Cordsen Photography and I said, "I really want to get a shot of Landon playing with the tree."  I would have my opportunity.  Rod looked up and Landon was playing with the tree.  He handed me the camera and I snapped this lame before shot, but what makes it worth while is the after shot.

After I snapped the camera, Landon looked at me and raised the ornament above his head.  Not considering the ornament might be breakable, I did not stop him.  Normally when he put objects above his head, especially spherical (balls), he throws them.

You guessed it, he threw the ornament to the ground and pop!, the ornament was smashed into several pieces.

I hope that everyone is have a great Christmas holiday.  Don't miss out on all the fun that there is to be had.

And for sure don't miss out on what Christmas is about: Christ!  God Bless.

Jesus, Our Friend

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:12-15

The passage in John 15 tells us that Jesus is our friend.  Do you consider Him as a friend?  It is sometimes not what we consider our Lord, but scripture is clear He wants to be our friend.  Many times we view God as our guide, leader or sometimes view Him as a mean parent.  These views of God aren't bad, but we should add friend to our list of thoughts about God.

What does your friendship look like with Jesus?  It should be similar to our friendships on earth.  We talk to our friends, share secrets with our friends, cry with our friends, be open and honest with our friends and love our friends.  We have the option to talk to God in prayer all day long.  Spend time in His word and be honest with our Lord.

Remember, He is your Lord and also wants to be your friend.

God Bless.

The Christmas Season Part Two

"From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another." John 1:16

As I was sitting down to write Part Two, I received and email from a wonderful friend who said the following, "From experience please don't make it all just about the kids.  I did that in just about a way that it become a bad habit that it was just about my kids.  Stay focused on JESUS this Christmas."

I am happy to publish my friends words and say thank you for sharing from your experience.  It is all about Jesus Christ.

Christmas is the celebration of Christ's birth, resurrection and second coming.

I love it, Christmas or Christ is not exclusive to anyone.  The passage says, "all received."  If we receive Christ we become benefactors of God' blessings; who abundantly gives them.  Who doesn't want to be blessed?

John 14:6 tells us that, "Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."  Through a relationship with Jesus we "receive blessings [one] after another."  Jesus showers so many blessings on us, so many I can't believe we see all the blessings He provides.

Kari and I desire to instill into our boys that Christmas is about giving and blessing one another with the love of Christ and not just about presents (and surely not candy apples).  Bless someone today, flash a smile, say a prayer or even stop someone and tell them "God loves you" or "I am praying for you."

Truly, tis' the season.  God Bless.

The Christmas Season

Several years ago I was very hum-bug about Christmas, but I credit the Georgetown Christmas stroll for changing that attitude in my life.  Not that I had anything against the celebration from a spiritual aspect, but just the decoration, singing and stuff...I don't know, maybe I was just having a bad year.  All to say, Christmas is one of my all time favorite seasons of the year.

In addition to the colder temperatures, there is good winter time eats: stew, chili, tamales and stuffing.  I have already been enjoying many of these meals and am thankful to have such a wonderful wife that prepares them.

Christmas is changing for Kari and I.  Although we both agree we are still kids at heart, it is becoming less about us and more about our boys.  We want to find a good balance for our boys and hope they grasp and understand that Christmas is more than toys and candy apples.

More to come on this topic...stay tuned to Insert Title Here.  God Bless.

A Christmas Giving Option

Many will give to great cause this Christmas season. If you haven't given to a cause, please consider Highland Lakes Camp. We saw 610 students come to know the Lord this past summer; wouldn't be amazing to see more students than that next summer. You can help make that happen.

Log on to www.highlandlakescamp.org/donate to give $25 today.

God Bless and may each of you have a Merry Christmas!