A Day With First Priority Tampa

First Priority Tampa Bay is lifting the name of Jesus in area schools this is a days activities in this growing ministry.

I was blessed to be a part of the events of the day.

Rays Win A Spot

Tuesday night as the 17,891 who came to Tropicana Field to witness the 5-0 win against the Orioles.

Ironically There I was, someone who cares naught for professional sports, watching the Rays convincingly win a spot in post season play. Section 209, Row B, seat 14, press level with a $29 ticket I did not pay a dime for.

The economy is turning the minds of the populace to more significant things like food, clothing and shelter and as sports organizations  do everything in their power to make it more difficult for the fans to witness their games the economy continues to slump. I have to say as much as I am upset by peoples worship of sport in general I did experience some of the excitement of the game in the post game celebration with players running around spraying champagne all over everyone.

Thanks to Bill Carl for inviting me Kevin Dodson for driving us all and Dan confessing he has developed an allergy to shellfish and mollusks. I enjoyed the fellowship and even some of the game.

A JT Party

I have a client who throws grand parties. Mrs. Jackie  Toledo and family do not miss an opportunity to gather friends and family together for food and fellowship. These parties are always above and beyond, and always have a theme. My favorite thing about them is the family atmosphere!

Last week was a birthday and the theme was superheroes. Here are some on the job images from the happy occasion.

The lady and gentleman of the house. Mr. Toledo is a real hero for dressing up as Spiderman for his wife.

There was a tiny Batman  at the party and as guest arrived there were more superheroes to be seen.

There is always a piñata filled with candy and this time there were two.

The happy birthday song and candle blow went off as planned.

Swimming is always a favorite activity

along with consuming large amount of sugar and

bouncing!

A smile is such a wonderful thing.

Legend of the Guardians

Amazing cgi artwork in 3D,  heroic owls and upbeat music by that strange little man known as Owl City the Legend of the Guardians was quite enjoyable. This very family friendly movie about good vs. evil is simple and stunning with plenty of heart!

Toys On A Teal Blanket

Toys from my beloved church. These toys have been slobbered upon by many many babies and it could be that some of them have been slobbered on by babies who are no longer babies.

As Time Goes By

I am just back from an hour in the midst of many little people. This activity is both a joy and a challenge. A joy because the little people and I love each other and a challenge because with love  comes the responsibility of discipline.

As one moves through time along our passage from death unto life there are many opportunities to become wiser. This does not have to occur of course. We can always choose to find a comfortable level of  ignorance and set about fermenting for as long as we like. There is an absolute truth about mankind in the light of our loving Creator. We have been given a will no matter how mysterious it may be, with which we can close ourselves off to anyone we choose, including the aforementioned Creator Himself.

The fact is we use this will mainly for the more trifling task of keeping a comfortably superficial level of communication with those we encounter daily. Little people do not develop this skill to a satisfactory level until they reach  five years of age or more. Some with parents who are experts may start early but without really knowing what it is really about.

This evening I am reminded again by the little people how to live with those around me. Available, vulnerable and lavishly affectionate. Willing to be crushed by rejection, in the slim chance that if I run with faith into the arms of those around me, I will be received with warmth and joy. I will be fiercely protected and will be build up as we live together in Jesus. Truth is  I am rarely built up by my peers. More often I find that there are more like me looking for an opportunity to cut down.  On any given week and through dozens of smiling little faces I am convinced that I am loved and valuable. For a small investment of time or the shortest bit of eye contact I am richly rewarded with the reception one would think reserved only for kings and celebrities.

When I receive a child in the name of Jesus I receive Jesus. This is the Kingdom of heaven. This is the choice before the our will given us by the Creator. I will or I will not. Humility or selfish pride. Who is the greatest in the kingdom?

Fallen Owl

This morning as I drove home from the gym in the beautiful fall like air I saw something on the road. I have seen this sight before and knew with a good amount of certainty that the heap of brown and white feathers was the broken body of an Eastern Screech Owl. I have a lot of affection for these rarely seen little stealth fighters mostly because I have some history with them.

I want to build another home and have owls claim it Lord willing.

Beth Moore Simulcast at STF

The Beth Moore simulcast was well attended and received at South Tampa Fellowship.

The law of kindness was the topic.

Proverbs 31:26 (specifically the NKJV – “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.”

 

8 tastes of kindness

1) Kindness is not a weakness. There is difference between kindness and being nice, and went to the Latin definition of nice, which is “nescius” or ignorant. Being nice is just not really knowing, where in kindness we are aware and chose to be kind. Kindness is perfectly capable of speaking a hard word.

2) Kindness is not an action. It is a disposition. “Kind” means that it is profitable, fit for any use, useful towards others, good-natured. You can fake being nice, but kindness you can’t fake. It is the grace which pervades the whole nature.

3) Kindness wears down when we do. One of the works of the spirit of the enemy is to wear us down. She said, “We all have someone we need to feel differently toward. When we are worn down, we need to be built up by the body of Christ.”

4) Kindness looks pain in the face! Job 6:28 where Job says, “Be so kind as to look at me.” And she said not to have face blindness. Be willing to hear more than just “Fine” when you ask someone how they are doing.

5) Kindness is a Savior. Kindness took on flesh and dwelled among us. Jesus not only saved me from the pits of hell, but also from MYSELF! From my own sin and bondages!

6) Kindness has a good memory. Psalm 106:7 says, “they didn’t remember your many kindnesses and they rebelled.” Remember that God has been good to you! Remember the ways!

7) Kindness craves an outlet. When we know God has been kind to us, we want to share it with someone else.

8.) Kindness leaves a legacy. In Acts 28:1-2, we read that the “islanders were showed unusual kindness.” In a study, Beth Moore recently found that on the island of Malta (the same one referenced here in Acts), still some 83% of people are involved in some charitable giving!

Chicken Update: Day 32

The chicks are fast becoming chickens and will go to roost when let out of the run in the evening. They are getting closer and closer to self sufficiency!

From this….

To this…….

I am also chick sitting for Dave who brought back the six chicks he was given while he is out of town for the weekend. I was really interested to see how his chicks had grown and was sure that the chicks in my coop would be bigger than his. I was very wrong. Dave is the chicken master no doubt. The Red Star on the right is his and the smaller one on the left is mine. I guess I am not going to be able to be Dave’s friend anymore.

Crip Chick To Be Called Clara

Cripple Chick is making an almost full recovery an really beginning to grow. She will be one of the chicks that we keep. There are 12 left 14 have been given to friends 3 of which were eaten by some creature during the night.

Two Hen Coop

I just completed the second two hen coop. I am happy with the result and have been keeping the remaining 12 chicks in the first of the two through the night out in the back yard.

Itty Bitty inspected and approved by the way!

Crip Chick Improved

Chicks Day 14: Another Coop

I am finiching up another coop and have two more to build. The chicks are doing fine and I have given away just under half of the twenty six.