Do you believe it?

Louie shared these truths a few weeks ago at Passion City Church.

• I Am Somebody, A Saint, By God's Grace, In Christ
• I Am Blessed With Every Spiritual Blessing And Have All I Need In Christ
• I Am Chosen By God
• I Am Holy And Blameless In His Sight
• I Am A Loved Son/Daughter Of God
• I Am A Trophy Of God's Grace
• I Am Redeemed And Forgiven
• I Have The Holy Spirit In Me
• I Am God's Possession
  

Do you believe it?

Why I'm NOT a Bengals Fan

Yes, I was born in Cincinnati.  And no, I'm not a Bengals fan.

How did we break up?

In 1989, the Bengals lost to the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIII.  The 49ers won with 34 seconds left, leaving an eight-year-old completely devastated.  Since then, they've gone something like 110-193-1.

Every Sunday during that stellar stretch, I remember asking my dad if the Bengals were on.  "No, Mike.  They're blacked out again."  It eventually became a joke.

Needless to say, I lost interest in the Bengals and professional football all together.

How did I become a Steelers fan?

Emily is from Washington, PA, which is just outside of Pittsburgh.  She comes from a family of Steelers fans.  The year we got married was Big Ben's rookie year.  While they didn't go to the Super Bowl, they had a MUCH more exciting year than the Bengals.  Not having an allegiance to any professional team, it was a natural fit.

Since then, I've experienced a game a Heinz Field, celebrated two Super Bowl championships and have welcomed two little Steelers into the family.

HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!

Fall Pics

I know it's late, but here are a few pics from our trip to the pumpkin patch and playing in the leaves.

Compassion Friday

The annual cost of a small dog is $580.  The annual cost of a medium dog is $695.  The annual cost of a large dog is $875. (ASPCA)

For $1.25 a day ($456 annually) you can provide a CHILD with an opportunity to receive an education; an opportunity to be healthy; an opportunity to receive love, guidance, personal attention, etc. (Compassion International)

I'm not knockin' dogs.  I'm just sayin'...

Two roads diverged...

Have you ever read something and thought, "They're talking about me!"  That's exactly what I thought when I read this from TrueFaced:

"As we're walking down life's road, we arrive at a tall pole with signs pointing in two different directions.  The marker leading to the left simply says Pleasing God.  The one leading to the right reads Trusting God.  It's hard to choose one over the other, because both roads have a good feel to them."

On the path marked Pleasing God, "I come to a door that reads Striving to Be All God Wants Me to Be.  These words reflect the values that flow out of the motive of Pleasing God, and they describe how we believe we should act.  Since my motive is a determination to please God, I will value being all God wants me to be.  So, I open the door by turning the knob of Effort.  The motive of pleasing God has now produced the value of Striving to Be All God Wants Me to Be.  As I enter this enormous room, a hostess with a beautiful smile greets me and says in an almost too polite tone, 'Welcome to The Room of Good Intentions.'"

"The stifling atmosphere in the room...make[s] it hard for me to breath.  I am so tired of pretending and keeping up appearances.  As I search for the door, someone walks up to me and, looking over his shoulder, whispers, 'Hey, umm, I'm going to check out that other path back at the crossroads.  For the past several years, I've given this room everything I've got and something's not working for me.  You look tired too.  You want to go retrace our steps and head out for the Trusting God trail?'"

On the path marked Trusting God, I come to a door that reads Living Out of Who God Says I Am.  "I tilt my head to the side, thinking the phrase might make more sense if I do.  Those are certainly some words, one right after another.  What in the world to they mean?  It can't mean what I think it means!  When do I get to do something here?  Where's the part where I get to prove my sincerity?  Where are my guidelines?  When do I get to give God my best?  I shake my head and stoop down to read what it says on the doorknob...Humility."

"As I step inside, another hostess immediately approaches.  She smiles kindly and, with a voice that is at once knowing and reassuring, says softly, 'Welcome to The Room of Grace.'"

 "We will never please God through our efforts to become godly.  Rather, we will only please God -- and become godly -- when we trust God."

Compassion Friday

Please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International today.