Point for the Day

When things seems desperate, don't give up. Do what you know to do (I Kings 17:12).

Point for the Day

Consistent obedience grows faith (I Kings 17:24).

Great Quote Thursday

It's about doing the right thing. Calling your Mom and Dad and telling them you love them. We are trying to win, but we are building men- University of Tennessee Men's Basketball Coach Cuonzo Martin

As We Reach the Sweet Sixteen

Our family completes round-by-round brackets each year for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. At the end of the first three rounds, we've reached the Sweet Sixteen. Here are the current standings in our family brackets:

Parker: 41-11
Greg: 37-15
Tonya: 35-17
Turner: 34-18

With the 4-game lead Parker has, and with only 15 games remaining in the tournament, this competition is effectively over.

Point for the Day

Even when we disappoint God, He is still faithful to provide our future (Genesis 4:1,2; 25, 26).

Your Calling is Important

A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men- Proverbs 18:16

With a genuine calling comes a settled assurance- Charles Swindoll

Love the calling you have, not the one you wish you had- Jud Wilhite

Point for the Day

Even when we disappoint God, He is still faithful to provide us our focus (Genesis 3:16-19).

Point for the Day

Even when we disappoint God, He is still faithful to provide forgiveness (Genesis 3:21).

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament update

Our family completes brackets each year prior to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. We follow two formats:
(1) a complete tournament bracket from beginning to end (the one that a North Dakota State or a Mercer busts); and
(2) a round-by-round updated version where we adjust our selections around the upsets

As Round 1 (4 games) and Round 2 (32 games) are now complete, here are the current standings:
Parker: 29-7
Greg: 26-10
Turner: 24-12
Tonya: 24-12

Fun on Friday- More Parkerisms and Turnerisms

Raising two sons, 10 and 6, means we have lots of fun conversations in our home. Here are some more:

Turner: Daddy, what's your biggest hope for the future?
Me: That you and Parker grow up and live for Jesus.
Turner: No, I mean like you and Mommy having a baby girl.
Me: No. I'm not thinking about that at all.
Turner: I don't mean like right now. I mean like in the future. Like later in 2014?
Me: No.

After his Dwyane Wade player on Wii basketball made a great play-
Parker: He got some lights on the highlight reel.

Tonya: Turner, you can sort of do it pretty well but it's really time for you to learn how to tie your shoes on your own. When you do, we'll get you a Lego set.
Turner: Just a Lego set?
Tonya: How about a pack of gum?
Turner: I'll take the Lego set.

Final Four Predictions

In what has quickly become an annual family tradition, as the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament tips-off today, here are our family's Final Four predictions:

Turner
South: Kansas
East: Virginia
West: Oklahoma State
Midwest: Louisville

Parker
South: Florida
East: Virginia
West: Creighton
Midwest: Louisville

Tonya
South: Kansas
East: Michigan State
West: Wisconsin
Midwest: Louisville

Greg
South: Florida
East: Michigan State
West: Oklahoma State
Midwest: Louisville

In addition to our overall bracket, we also pick games round-by-round. I'll post updates about those selections here on the blog as well.

Great Quote Thursday

Emotions follow obedience- Don Wilson

Point for the Day

God always makes a way for His people (Genesis 12:13)

Point for the Day

If you want God to bless your future, you have to let Him be a part of the present.

Point for the Day

We may leave Jesus behind but He'll never leave us (Luke 2:43)

Fun on Friday- More Parkerisms and Turnerisms

Raising two sons, 10 and 6, means we have lots of fun conversations in our home. Here are a few more:

Turner: If I were President, everyone would have a pony and stickers would never be made. And everyone must eat 100 Oreos everyday. I'd get 101.

While driving by a house near their school-
Parker: Do they have a doghorse?
Me: A what?
Parker: A huge dog, because they have a really big fenced in yard.

While talking about football players-
Turner: Hey Daddy, where did BenJarvus Green-Ellis go to college and when was he drafted?
Me: Georgia, maybe? Second round? I'm not sure.
Parker: I think he went to Ole Miss.
Turner: I don't think he was drafted.
Me: Well, remind me and we'll look it up later.
Turner: Yeah, we can look it up on Pinterest.
Parker: Google. You mean look it up on Google.

Great Quote Thursday

NBA coach Mike Woodson on team building and effort:

I think, when you're trying to build a team, guys have got to understand it's not about who's getting all the shots. It's not about who's playing all the minutes. It's what you do with the minutes and what you're doing when you're in there.

Point for the Day

In those times when you don't hear God speaking directly to you, rely on what you know about Him (Matthew 11:4-6).

Fun on Friday- More Parkerisms and Turnerisms

Raising two sons, 10 and 6, means we have lots of fun conversations in our home. Here are some more:

While watching an episode of Tom and Jerry-
Turner: This says Mouse in Manhattan. It looks like New York.
Me: Actually, Manhattan is part of New York City. Just like there is Fountain City, South Knoxville or Turkey Creek. But it's all Knoxville.
Turner: Oh, okay. Thank you Daddy for telling me that but I have no idea what you are talking about.

While flipping through the channels during the recent Winter Olympics-
Me: Oh, here's some women's curling.
Parker: Who's playing?
Me: Canada versus Great Britain.
Parker: I'm for Canada.
Me: Why?
Turner: Because they're winning 6-3.

While playing in our back yard on a warm day last week-
Turner: Daddy, I've noticed you've not mowed the grass a lot lately.
Me: Well, it is only February.

Great Quote Thursday

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both- Dwight Eisenhower

Point for the Day

By God's grace, Joseph was able to forgive his brothers (Genesis 42:25) many years before his brothers requested forgiveness (Genesis 50:18).

Point for the Day

Joseph didn't initiate reconciliation with his brothers. But God had prepared his heart to grant forgiveness when the opportunity came.

Point for the Day

Only after Joseph granted forgiveness to his brothers was his relationship with his father restored (Genesis 46:29). Forgiveness heals relationships.

Doing What You Can

This afternoon I had the privilege of speaking at the graveside service for an 86 year old friend of mine from church who passed away on Thursday. He was a World War II veteran. Sadly, there are fewer and fewer of those men still with us.

My friend had battled cancer and other health issues for some time. Through the years, even when his health was faltering, it was obvious he loved his wife and family, his country and his church. I had come to know him and his wife as he had served faithfully as an usher and greeter at Sevier Heights. But there was a story I shared about my friend today that I think succinctly captured who he was and how he lived:

A couple of years ago, I walked into our church's worship center for the first morning of Vacation Bible School. There, on the back row, sat my friend. In faltering health. In his early 80's. Wearing a multi-colored VBS shirt (over a long sleeved dress shirt).

Surprised to see him in that setting, and knowing he was not well, I said, "Well, good morning. I didn't know you were working VBS this year".

I'll never forget his reply: "I thought I would do what I could to help". Turns out he was going to help serve snacks to the children during their snack breaks that week.

"I thought I would do what I could to help". Wow!

Here's The Point: The world would be a much better place if each of us would simply do what we can to help and to serve others.

Point for the Day

Forgiveness isn't about feeling good. Forgiveness is about honoring God (Genesis 45:4-8).