MikesChair - Someone Worth Dying For

If it were to snow

If it were to snow,
Would you go outside
And roll in the white flakes?
Would you sit by the window
Watching it drift down?
Would you make a snowman
Or maybe an angel?
Would you make a fire
And sleep all afternoon?
What if it were to snow.

An original composition by Jeremy Hellums

Sept. 11, 2001

Birthday & Central Texas Fires

As the Labor Day week comes to a close, I find myself thinking about a few things (please excuse the fragmented thoughts):

Dinner at Hula Hut and desert at Mozart's with some close friends was amazing. It was a wonderful celebration and a great way to start my birthday celebration.

Celebrating my 30th birthday will not be easily forgotten for several reasons: I blew out 2 candles on strawberry muffins with "15" (with Landon's help). Kari said, "who wants to celebrate 30 when you can celebrate half that" (noteworthy: we didn't have a 3 or 0 candle).

We made a trip to Bastrop to drop of some clothing and baby items to those effected by the Central Texas Wildfires. We spent time with the Adare's who lost everything, my mother who evacuated, but was spared, and my grandmother, who was worried about all that was going on.

Bastrop State Park will never be the same. My Papa took and taught my brothers, cousins and myself how to play golf at Lost Pines Golf Club. We helped and drove Papa's golf cart and I can admit to getting it into at least on minor wreck while driving up to hole number 7 (back when it was only a 9 hole course). He taught us to take care of our equipment, respect those around you, repair your divits and no matter how bad we hit the ball (I still do) he had something encouraging to say. We spent a lot of time at Bastrop State Park.

Taking an opportunity to serve our neighbors in Spicewood who lost everything makes me speechless. As we arrived at the property where homes once stood, my heart ached for those who didn't have a home to return to. This ache only seems to drive more outpouring of compassion to those who are at a loss and do everything in my power to help.

Labor Day Weekend 2011 will not quickly be forgotten for some many of my family, friends and neighbors, but I am reminded of the promise, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" Psalm 46:1; He is still in control.

We are continuing to pray for everyone that is still fighting the fires, effected by the fires and serving those who are in need.  I pray that the fires stop and the Lord restores the land. God Bless.

Highly Recommend a Penny for your thoughts

"Even when we get home late and should go straight to bed we still make time for our cousin Penny's blog! She's so funny and crafty with her words." Kari Hellums

a Penny for your thoughts written by Penny is a riot.  It is a must read blog.  She is an expecting mother and with each post it just gets funnier.  My cousin, Randy, usually gets quoted and say's some great stuff (classic husband statements).  If you get a chance, start reading, subscribe to a Penny for your thoughts you won't regret it.

God Bless.

Have You Been Cursing God?

In the book of Job we find a man who loses everything, but his life (some may contend that he did lose his life). Either way Job had it pretty bad. He had the worst Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc. He questions God and is encouraged to cruse God and die until the Lord gives Him some thought provoking words starting in chapter 38. The section I have chosen is Job 38:4-7: "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

God is in charge of everything; He is creator over all. What have a created today or what have I screwed up today, might be a better question? God didn't mess up, He designed it all according to His plan and I don't have an ounce of that kind of power.

What is Job's response after being reminded of who's in charge and what should our response be, "...Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know...therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:3b & 6

Repent. Repent and return to Him. Sometimes we just need to be reminded to repent and return to the Lord. Job's example is one of many you will find in scripture concerning repentance. God wants you and I to be in communion with Him; allowing Him to be in control, not us.

What happens after Job repents?

"And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before." Job 42:10

God restores Job. When we see the error of our attitudes, issues, control problems or maybe we realize you've been putting God in a box; in other words you're living in the flesh instead of with Him, you and I repent. Restoration comes after repentance. How exciting. God restores you and I and blesses us.

Blessings might sound like fancy cars and diamond rings, but I disagree. Blessings can be a number of things including: sharing your story with someone who is seeking, cleaning a toilet (or 313), being let into busy traffic by someone, receiving an encouraging note...the list goes on and on. Are fancy cars and diamond rings not blessings? They could be, but really it's a heart matter. Christ tells us, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Back to Job. Realize. Repent. Restoration. God is so amazing, mysterious and loving. Stop cursing Him and return to Him.

God bless.