Not Enough Hours In The Night

     The Hand of the Diligent Will Rule. But the Lazy Man Will Be Put to Forced Labor. Proverbs 12:24

And Whatever You Do, Do It Heartily, As For The Lord and Not to Men, Knowing That From the Lord You Will Receive the Reward of the Inheritance; For You Serve the Lord Christ. Col. 3:23-24 

        Sometimes when I'm at work and I have a long distance to drive. Sometimes it takes a couple hours or more one way. Chasing white lines doesn't seem like it's all that hard but it can be physically and mentally taxing at times. That's the life a truck driver. I personally haven't tried to drive over the road but from what I have gathered I would probably hate it. I spent nearly 16 years welding and I eventually got burned out building the same things everyday. Even though I admit the burnout happened years before God opened the door for me to move on to my current profession I still gave it my best.

        I've always been one to not miss work for anything. Seven out of 16 years at my first job I had perfect attendance. At my current job I've missed a few days due to sick kids and a hospitalization. What brought this to the forefront of my mind was on a long drive back from West Virginia today and old country song that is a blast from the past and a favorite of mine can across my Youtube Music App. It's by a country artist named Doug Supernaw. The song is called not "Not Enough Hours In The Night." My wife probably wouldn't like it because it's "too old" for  her liking but she chose to marry this country bumpkin. 

        What hit me about this song is the husband's desire is to spend more time with wife in contrast to what his job requires of him. As a husband and a dad the hardest job a man can have is balancing work and home. My wife probably thinks I like being at work more than being at home with her and the kids but that's never been the case. I was raised with blue collar parents who worked sick or well and I knew that one day I would have to figure out how much I could physically endure when being under the weather or there was other things I would rather do such as stay home with my Mama Bear. It's hard as a blue collar man who does try to serve the Lord and be the breadwinner. I feel like as the man it's my job to provide and it's the wife's job to help. It's not an issue of who makes the most money but the role of the husband to be the provider and protector and it's the wife's job to help. They aren't meant to do it separately but together as a team. A team of horses can't get very far working against each other. They have to pull that plow together and sometimes you have to lean on the other because one of you gets tired or wore down. Sometimes I'm fortunate that my boss says hey we don't need you in the early morning right away because we need to save you for something else and I get a couple extra hours in the night snuggle with my wonderful bride before work and maybe we can sit on the front porch and I can do my morning devotions while she has her coffee. I love starting my day that way but I know that if the Lord doesn't come before the my retirement day comes my plan is to that everyday together until the Lord calls us home. 

        I love going to work because it's how God makes it possible for me to provide for my family and the Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." Sometimes I want to stay home with my family and it's hard especially when you've had a great time off on vacation or stay-cation. What should drive us all is out of the love The Lord Jesus showed us is to love our families so much that we can and do rush off to work and give it our very best as if we're working for the Lord Himself and hurry home to pour out the love Jesus put in our hearts for our family with our remaining time we have. The same enthusiasm we have for our favorite sports team should be nothing in comparison to our love for our Lord and Savior and our families. All too often it's the other way around. I get it because I love football and wife loves it too because she gets more time with me because I make homemade popcorn and she gets over three hours of uninterrupted snuggles. 

        So what I'm really trying to say is that get up and go to work and take pride in what you do as if Jesus Himself was standing there watching you and then go home to our families and love on them with them every remaining minute because we don't know how many minutes we have left. If you're reading this God isn't finished with you yet so get to work and then get busy loving on your families because life is too short not to. May God richly bless you.

https://youtu.be/us4D1H5EiZ4?si=VtUCmapbLaShbJ2M   

That's the link to the song that inspired this post.

When God Laughs

 "For I know the thoughts and plans I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

     It's my ninth Father's Day and I must say if I thought the life I'm currently living was God's plan I would have laughed about it 20 years ago. My plans were nothing like this but if you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans. Most pastors and evangelist go to college and seminary somewhere. Well being a husband and a dad isn't for the weak of heart. We all live through the seminary of life. It has its ups and downs. My wife and I have been reminiscing about what I was dressed like when she first saw me. Looking back I think you actually thought I was cute even though I dressed like a goober doing improv skits at church during VBS. Come to find out my old Sunday School assistant told the associate pastor at the church of my ability to tell Bible stories to kids and make it entertaining and full of truth at the same time. If my old assistant hadn't told the pastor about me my now wife would have never met.

Why do I tell this story? God has a plan for all of us. We don't know what it is or understand what it is until God reveals it to us daily. This life is a daily walk (Luke 9:23). Pastors may go to seminary but life is often the best seminary. Moses spent 40 years in Sinai Seminary, The Apostles walked with Jesus for 3 1/2 years and one of them betrayed Him, David was a boy when he was anointed king but was chased and persecuted by King Saul until he died in battle, and Abraham was a idol worshipper that God chose and was willing to sacrifice his son upon the altar and because Abraham trusted God it was accounted to him as righteousness. Enoch walked with God for 300 years and he never saw death because God called him up to Heaven. God uses life to teach and transform us for the life He has purposed us for. I don't fully understand everything about God showing us His plans. I do know that the hardest job is being a husband and a dad. The only thing that's harder is being a step-dad.

When I met my wife she had a seven year old son. I told her on our first date that if things were to work out I would be willing to step in and be his dad and love him as my own son. She nearly cried when I said that because no one else had ever been willing to step up to plate to take on the role. It's not an easy role and the relationship between my son and I has had its share of struggles but deep down we love each other and I'm glad that I get to call him my son. Crazy thing I was actually married one other time and my ex-wife claimed that she was pregnant and had a miscarriage after she left me but she had a D and C done without telling me. The child she was carrying would be around the same age as my eldest son now. So God gave me a son to raise and I didn't know it yet. Through all my trials, failures, triumphs, and victories God has worked out everything in His perfect timing and will. 

God uses us to accomplish His will. He has a purpose and a plan for all of us and at the end of the day His will get done. The longer my wonderful bride and I are married the sweeter our love has become. Henceforth my in-laws now live with us and we help look after them and they babysit for us a lot. We have become a tight knit family. Being a husband and father is the highest of callings because the first institution God created was and is the family. 

We don't set out to be mediocre husbands and father's so this Father's day remember what God has called us to be. So love your wives and kids like Jesus loves us like we're commanded. To my wonderful bride I love you and thank you for loving me. To my kids I hope you realize how much your daddy loves you. May this remind us all of what we are called to be in Him.

Remembering Your Life's Purpose

And Jesus came and spoke saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28: 18-20

Sometimes in life you get busy and easily distracted. It's hard to believe 15 years ago, I never missed a Sunday morning service, a Wednesday night, and my life revolved around serving God in church. I never would have started work day without communing with God. It was the same as breathing to me. Well when you make the devil angry doing the Lord's work he doesn't like it. He's going to be pulling overtime to get out of the fight. The devil wants to get you to start sinning but if he can't he's gonna find another way.  The number one I think the devil likes to get us is make us busy. The late Dr. Charles Stanley once said, "If you are too busy for God, you're asking for trouble." Martin Luther said on a normal day he said he would pray for two hours. On his really busy days he would pray for three hours because without God's help he would never get anything done. 

The struggle in this world is it's always changing faster and faster. The fear of being left behind is a real concern because it's flashy advertising and the human desire to be liked and fit in. Mankind used to work only during daylight hours and now we start before the sun. Now with the way the world is it wants mankind to run itself into an early grave due to the lack of proper rest. We're so distracted by cell phones and social media platforms that we miss out. My wife always fusses about me being distracted by movies and TV shows playing in my ears while doing stuff around the house missing what the kids are saying to me or even worse when she says something. It's not bad things that often distract us but good things. A lot of good things keep us from the best things. I got into a habit of sleeping as much as possible because I have to be up early for work so showering went from mornings to evenings and breakfast was reheat and eat but the past few weeks God's like hey dummy remember Me? Whom you used to spend an hour with every morning? Remember your first love? If truly love God or someone you never lose that love, you only leave it. God reminded me that hey there is more important things than breakfast. Jesus told the devil in the wilderness when he went there to fast and pray, that man doesn't  live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4) As important as breakfast is and physical nourishment spiritual nourishment is even more because the devil is like a roaring lion roaming about the earth seeking those he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) Without seeking God in the morning and getting your mind and heart fixed upon God our day is more likely to go south in a hurry because our perspective isn't focused on what it should be. I know that if consistently you choose good things over the best things the devil can lead you astray and you become vulnerable to a multitude of sins. Then one day you wake and realize how far you have drifted away from God's call upon your life. God has called all of children who love loved Him and His appearing to walk with Him and share the love He has for us with others and why we have the hope we do. 

What did Jesus command us to do? Go and make disciples of all nations but what does that mean? My life verse comes from the "old man psalm" Psalm 71: 14-15 which says, "But for me I will always have hope, I will praise you more and more. My life will tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation though I know not it's measure." Our hope isn't in jobs, people, or things but in Jesus Christ. The author and finisher of our faith. I understand that when times get hard and nothing seems to go right and it's constantly one issue after the other we might get angry with God or sometimes anything and everyone and bitterness and hurt settles in. That's when the devil finds a way in. In Isaiah 50: 10-11 scripture says, "Who among fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His servant. That walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon His God. Look all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and the sparks you have kindled- This you shall have My hand: You shall lie down in sorrow(torment)." When life is hard and nothing seems to make sense and you're frustrated and in darkness that God has allowed just remember what Dr. Adrian Roger's said, " Those of greatest devotion may know the deepest darkness." Remember if you have been living in His will and according to His word cling to Him and trust the Master's touch. The late Dr. Jerry Falwell said we will never get out of trouble because it is the basic need for spiritual growth. God comes in and takes over when we finally say Lord I can't handle this anymore. If we try to find our way out of the darkness when it's God ordained the Lord said we will lie down in sorrow. When we look to ourselves and not wait upon God to fix everything and make a way to endure the time of darkness. God doesn't give us strength for tomorrow. He gives us strength for each moment. That's why we need our daily bread. That's what God was talking about in Luke 9:23 , "If anyone desires to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me." It's a daily walk. It's like a parent with a child. He wants to lead us through this life hand in hand. After a near brush with death God showed me how vulnerable I am. I have had all kinds of tests done to determine what caused me to have a random blood clot go to my right kidney and cause me to lose it. Literally die inside me. A hematologist at the local Cancer center ran every test available and she said that she has no idea and the chances of it happening again are less than 0.01 percent. I pretty much figured out what God was doing. He's like wake up because I could have ended your life that day. I found out that I might be a tough man but God showed me how weak and vulnerable I was. That blood clot could have went to a different organ or I could have been behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler and wrecked from the pain. I don't feel worthy of the call God has put on my life. God has given us all gifts to love Him and others with. I once had a dream to serve the Lord in the same manor as Dr. Billy Graham. I don't feel worthy to do so because of my sins and failures. But the thing is neither did Isaiah. In Isaiah 6 He said woe is me but God made him ready. God has a calling for all of us. He called me years ago to preach and teach the gospel. I've never really been sure what He is leading me to but day by day I pray that I get there but it's my job to continue to seek and figure it out just the same as it is for you to seek out His will for your lives. I pray that we all become everything that the Lord Jesus is calling us to be. Thank you for reading. God bless you and your family. 

Life's Little Lessons

 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6

   One thing I've learned over the past couple of years is how to face or so I thought this world alone. When you spend over two years behind the wheel of a truck by yourself it's hard to make friends or make plans to do anything. For one I never know what time I'll be done with my route. It could be an early day and be done by 3pm or for me it could be a long day and be 7pm. For me usually I usually take longer than most because I was a welder for almost 16 years and if your weld fails it could mean someone's life and its hard to not strive for perfection for me. Granted taking pride in your work is important. Some of a man's identity is found in his work but we forget sometimes who's we are and whom we belong and that should be our identity.

  It's easy to become a loner and live by yourself even if you're married it's hard to talk to your wife/spouse about what's troubling you. For me especially I hate showing any signs of weakness or vulnerability. In my mind if she looks at me and sees that I'm not worried she might not worry as much. I have discovered that being strong and looking like a man of faith is different than being one. The devil never quits doing destructive things. The number way the devil loves to come after people who do love God and try to live for Him is to get them too busy. When you get so busy that God becomes second you're asking for trouble. The late Dr. Charles Stanley said, "if you are too busy for God you're asking for trouble." The late Jerry Falwell of Thomas Road Baptist Church said as young pastor in Lynchburg his dashboard would become his altar but sometimes he would have to pull over his car, take his shoes and go for a walk up a creek barefoot and get alone with God and commune with Him. It's definitely hard to do that but Jesus got up early while it was still dark to commune with our heavenly Father. I know that years ago before I was married and had kids I would spend 30 minutes to an hour every morning doing Bible study and prayer. I have found that it's easier to be lazy and get a few minutes extra especially knowing that you're facing a 12 hour day ahead.

    Last year God sent me a wakeup call and was like hey I just want to remind you of something. The scariest thing is it was smaller than a head of pin. It showed me exactly how fragile this big tough man is. I had just finished an overnight bulk route and was picking up a few empty pallets and shells when it hit me. I collapsed as if I taken a right hook from Mike Tyson. I went from being on my knees to being on back and I reached for my phone and my first was my wife. The pain was so intense I could barely talk. For those who know me say that's hard to believe.  All I remember saying is honey where are and how fast can you get to me? She said at least an hour because she had just picked up groceries. I was too embarrassed to call out to my coworkers on the dock who were calling my name looking for me. I thought this just a kidney stone or something you wimp. Get up and quit being a crybaby. Well one of my coworkers finally found me because of the flashlight on my phone. He's like Mark are you alright? Um I don't know but i need to get up and out of here. He went and found a couple warehouse and they helped me to drivers check-in room. After multiple attempts one of the supervisors answered and Hey Mullins what's up? I'm in a meeting. I said I don't know what's wrong but I need help. I need to go to the emergency room. Well the supervisors transported me to closest ER which is a 1/2 mile away. After being there for about 3 hours and a couple CT Scans the doctor walks in and says well I've got good news and bad news. The good news is it's not a kidney stone. The bad news is that's it's much worse. You have a blood clot shutting off the blood flow to the kidney and the organ is dying. I was floored. Never would I have thought it was that. The doctors said it was a 0.01 percent chance of this ever happening to someone in their 30's. At the time it only made me think about how glad I was that I wasn't driving when that pain hit. I would probably wrecked or been killed and probably someone else along with me. After spending five days in the hospital we were no closer to finding a cause. I honestly do believe it was divine intervention. I could have died multiple ways that day in October including the the transport ambulance wrecking with me in it. Yes they got into an accident that day on the way to hospital. I had to be transferred to another ambulance to get to the hospital. 

    I guess the main thing that I've learned through this whole ordeal learn to bend your knees before breaks your legs. God expects and deserves first place in your life. Not the leftovers. I'm not pretending to be an expert on the subject. A lot of people have to learn the hard way like me. I am grateful for His second chances. They seem to fix or make a lot  things better. Thanks for reading and God bless.

The Doors God Leads You Through

And to the angel of the church of Philadephia write, "These things says he who is holy, He who is, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts and shuts and no one opens." ' I know your works. See I have set before you an open door and no one can shut it: for you have a little strength, kept My word and have not denied My name."

Revelation 3: 7-8

It's not every day peoples lives change forever. Most days our lives stay the same. We walk through the same doors day after day and nothing ever changes. It makes me think of the story of Joseph in Genesis beginning in chapter 37. He was a boy who was somewhat cocky and arrogant and he was his daddies (Jacob) favorite kid. Started bragging about his dreams around the when they were gathered together. Naturally his brothers were extremely jealous of him and his attitude poured gas on the fire. So to shorten the story in fit of jealously they sold there brother into slavery and lied to there father to cover it up. He ends up in Egypt and bought by Potiphar pharaohs captain of the guard. With God watching his back Joseph excels at everything he does and ends being in charge of all the servants in the house. Naturally Potiphar's wife is totally infatuated with him and tries repeatedly to seduce him but he constantly says no and flees. Well the last time she gets his cloak as he runs away from her she lies about him trying rape he. He gets sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit.

While in prison he meets the pharaohs butler and chief baker and interprets the dreams of these men. He told the butler he would be restored to his former position in three days. The baker was all excited and spilled out his dream and Joseph told him he would be executed in 3 days. The butler was told by Joseph to remember him when he was restored to his position but the butler suffered from amnesia. Joseph spent another two years in prison and eventually ended working for Pharaoh and was governor of Egypt because he eventually was remembered by the butler when Pharaoh had dreams that terrified him and needed someone to interpret them for him. Now you're wondering why I am writing this today....

There comes a time in life when God says it's time to close the chapter on one area of life and move forward into another. Not many people can they are still working the same job they were when they entered the work force but I can. Since I was 18 years old I walked into a job arranged by my high school welding shop teacher. Didn't know what to do there but do what the guys I was working with told me to. As I grew and learned the job I became top notch welder by my work ethic and my willingness to do whatever is necessary to complete the tasks I was given. My work effort set me apart from the pack and earn a group leader spot after six years. Well after about 6 years and 11 months as a group leader I accused by another associate of discrimination because the person was female. Everyone knew it was joke but it was he said she said situation. Kind of like Joseph I ended up in trouble because of someone who lied on them. I stayed at my current job for another two years despite my demotion, put my best foot forward, and proved myself above reproach. Several other things happened in those two years that wasn't right but I stayed and remained until God started speaking to me through my wonderful bride. She nudged at me to try get my CDL. Well I had the books and I started studying. Between the books and free phone apps I passed all the test and the physical to land to get my CDL learners permit. I started filling out applications on Indeed. Out of 6 applications I received a phone call from one company for a phone interview. In 10 minutes of a phone interview the company I was offered a job and the person interviewing me said he has no reservations about giving me an opportunity. I am not a prophet but I do see the similarities between Joseph's story and mine. I believe that God has great things in store for me. After reading Coca-Cola's mission statement the day after turning in my resignation. It says Our Purpose is to honor God in all we do, to serve others, to pursue excellence, and grow profitably. To me that was God saying follow me and I will take you where I want you to go. God's closing one door and a major chapter of my life and opening another door where God opened it and all I have to do is walk through and work like His word says I should and He will take care of the rest. To quote Dr. Charles Stanley, Obey God and leave all of the consequences to Him." I pray that God clearly opens doors in your life as clearly as He opens them in mine. God Bless.

Lessons In Love and Sacrifice

 John 15:13-16

"13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." 

    It's not everyday you meet a hero. Sometimes you wake up and wonder what it's like. For those who call themselves Christians our hero is Jesus Christ. I will say that it's not everyday you take the time to stop and remember what it's like to really think about what it's like to have a hero that loves you so completely and unconditionally. Sometimes on this earth you have the privilege of meeting your childhood hero's but for some reason the real hero's get overlooked. It's not normal for people to sacrifice everything of themselves for others. Since this world health crisis began we have heard nothing but praise and glory for healthcare hero's from every news outlet or politician. I must say that everyone isn't as fortunate as me.

    Pretty much for a solid year the woman I have many pet names for ranging from Mama Bear to My Wonderful Bride has found the faith and courage to go into the fire call the Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit knowing that Jesus may call a patient in her care home. It takes a special kind of person to throw their heart and soul into their work when it seems like it's a no win situation. I have watched how she has sacrificed of herself to try to save those whom she doesn't know. Only a person that God has a hold on their heart can throw themselves into losing situation and continue to fight. I know that people say who that's admirable and I definitely will not disagree. There has been times I've had the pleasure of being the shoulder she's cried on, the ear to vent to, and the man to love her troubles away. I know that's what a husband is supposed to do but I can't take credit for loving her because as humans we can never love our spouses correctly unless Jesus has first put His love in us to understand and know what true love is. You have to know our story to understand why I am writing this.

    Our relationship began six years ago in October of 2015. We had been dating less than a month when catastrophe struck for my wife(girlfriend at the time); her hot water quit working. She called me crying and all upset and I asked if it was gas or electric. Well I told her that I would get the parts and fix it. Needless to say she doubted my handyman abilities at the time but once it was fixed and working she was very much impressed and surprised. I guess you can say I had the opportunity to "save" her. My humorous term is her knight with a shiny belt buckle. I noticed that this woman threw herself at me even though we hadn't been together that long and really pour out the love she had in her heart for me and I didn't know what to think because it wasn't what I was used to. She was so loving and so giving I felt undeserving and inadequate because I'm nothing special. What I loved about her then and now is that she might not be a theologian or Biblical scholar but she can love someone according to the scriptures better than I can and God granted me the opportunity to stand behind the sacred desk many Sundays in my life. The way she loves is amazing. Chris Young's song "Who I Am With You" speaks volumes to me because it came out right after we started dating and has been our song ever since. She shows me everyday how to be a better man because I get to be with her and be enveloped in her love. When I met her I thought I was getting a damsel in distress who needed a man to save her and sweep her off feet. As it turns she ended up saving me. She has constantly sacrificed of herself since before we ever said I do. 

    Since the beginning of this health crisis she has been given numerous accommodations for her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty at work. I wasn't surprised that my respiratory therapist did. She has been that way since our first date. Things got even harder for her since December 2020. I found out I had a torn rotator tendon and bone spur on the tip of my collarbone and I had to have surgery and put me out of work for awhile. What does she do? What you would expect from a sweet Godly woman; she willingly started picking up extra shifts to make up the difference. The weekend of Valentine's Day this year she got me my favorite cut of meat to make BBQ out of. She ordered a whole beef brisket for me. Of course that weekend we had back to back ice storms which knocked out our electricity for 24 hours. She posts something on Facebook about me staying up most of the night to keep a fire in the fireplace going and what real love is. The funny this she's the one who showed me first. 

    

    Those who are reading this may wonder why I chose to take the time write this. To me it's simple. First my wife deserves praise for being the wonderful woman she is. The second is to take a minute to share what Jesus can do in and through a person that loves Him. You can save lives. Sometimes they might be in the hospital or they might be person you say I do too. Allison you are a not only a healthcare hero you're my hero, my lover, my confidant, my wonderful bride, and my best friend. Sweetheart just know that you are loved, cherished, and admired by those you live with at home.

    For those of you who have someone who loves you and treats you like my darling wife treats me and her children make sure you don't them for granted. It's rare to find someone who empties themselves willingly for others. Jesus did it for all of mankind on the cross and my wife does it daily for her family. I hope this touches your hearts in some way. May God bless you. I know that He has me.

Keeping It Between The Lines

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way that is easy leads to destruction and those who enter by it are many. For narrow is the gate and the way is hard that leads to life and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14)

   I must say it's been a long time since I have had the inspiration to write but it feels good to open up and share what's on my heart. It's been a tough year dealing with all of the changes I have had to endure but I am so very blessed to know that the God of this universe is still by my side and He sent me a helper to hold onto in the good times as well as the tough times. More and more everyday I continue to see how God has blessed me. Tonight God used an old country song while I was giving my two babies a bath to remind me that all I need to do is keep it between the lines.

    Tonight was a not a normal night for me. Usually my sweet children get the tired daddy and the leftovers from what my job has taken from me. I got a little more sleep last night than usual and actually took a power nap with my toddler that fell asleep on my lap. For dinner my two youngest children headed to out about 5pm to go run a couple errands and grab dinner from Burger King. Of course you have snap a couple of photos with cardboard crowns on their heads. When we got home I grabbed the double stroller and took them for a walk around the neighborhood. Since it's a Saturday night my babies needed to be cleaned thoroughly before we go to church in the morning. I was in the mood for some old school country music. Not this junk they call country music today. I had an old favorite song called, "Keep It Between The Lines" by Ricky Van Shelton come across my Youtube feed on my phone. Of course like everyone else I started singing along and at the end of the song the lyrics struck me at the core of my being. 

    I remembered what Dr. Charles Stanley often says, "Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him." The lyrics brought tears to my eyes and I nearly cried. I just looked my two babies and thought how they look at me like I'm perfect and I can see in their sweet eyes that they look at me as their hero. Then I had a thought that's how God looks at us through His Son Jesus when we choose to believe in His death, burial, and resurrection. How my kids look at me melts my heart and it is humbling because I see myself next to the true measuring stick of my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. It's so hard to know that you're the measuring stick for your kids and when you look at yourself in the mirror you see all of your flaws and faults. Thank God for His saving grace and forgiveness because I know that if the way to heaven was based upon my good works I know that I wouldn't stand a chance. The lyrics in the song Keep it between the lines talks about walking with God essentially. Keeping it between the lines is walking in and meditating in His word will transform your life. I need to be a better example for my wonderful bride, our sweet children, and for everyone that God allows to cross my path. I've got a long way to go but as i run this race of faith it's a marathon. It's not a sprint. One thing that I am learning to do is cherish every moment with my kids. They are growing up so fast. They are changing day by day. Who you are and how you are living today might be how your kids remember you for the rest of your life. Your legacy is your children. Keep it in between lines because Jesus died because of His love for you. Keep it between the lines because you love wife/husband and you're supposed to demonstrate who Jesus is in the home. Keep it between the lines because you want your kids to grow up to love Jesus and be better person in society that what you were. Just remember that those little eyes are studying every move you make. I hope and pray that it honors God. It's getting late and I have children and a wife I take to Sunday morning worship. May God bless you all and goodnight.