Family and friends...

My family and I just returned from a two week vacation. I have never been away on vacation for two weeks! But, our local church was gracious to allow us to be gone that long. We drove nearly 2400 miles in total.

We drove to Alpharetta, Georgia, where Tim, my middle brother, lives. After a good night's rest, we all drove to Rock Hill, South Carolina. This is my hometown, and it still holds a special place in my heart. My mother still lives there, and it is the rendezvous point for all family to converge for Thanksgiving. While the ladies are in the kitchen preparing a feast, my two brothers and I are out in the backyard throwing a Nerf football. The picture above is my daughter Faith with my oldest brother's two children, Jacob and Emily.

After a few days together with family, we drove back to Tim's apartment in Alpharetta. We enjoyed a few days of shopping, watching movies, eating, watching more movies, sleeping, and eating some more! It was a very relaxing time.

After leaving Tim's place, we drove to Huntsville, Alabama, to visit Paul and Julie Lamey. I went to The Master's Seminary with Paul, and were neighbors in Montrose, CA, for three years. In addition to that, we served in the same Bible study for a little over a year. It was my privilege to serve alongside him and observe his leadership. I frequently visit his blog.

Faith loves spending time with Johnny, Paul and Julie's oldest son. As you can see from the picture, they spent a lot of time together. We count it a privilege to spend time with them every year when we drive through the area. Yes, Faith still misses Johnny and asks about him frequently.

How humble are you?

Sorry that I have been negligent in updating this blog. I frequently read the blogs of others; however, I rarely update my own!


I just finished reading this book by C.J. Mahaney. It is a wonderful little book that deals with the proper remedy to pride and arrogance in our lives. Whether you are an unbeliever or believer, this book will challenge you wherever you are! All of us deal with the issue of pride in our lives. If you don't think you have a pride problem, then this is sufficient evidence that you need this book more than you imagine.

Pulling together many salient truths from Holy Scripture, our friend applies the truth of humility to our lives. I found myself being challenged in many areas as I read this book. Here are just a few personal thoughts after reading this book.

1. Any type of comparison between believers is a sign of pride in my life. It is all too easy to see godly men and women in the local church and think, "What is the secret to their success? What can make me godly like them?" This sounds noble, as long as examine our motives. It is right and noble to look up to these godly individuals, but oftentimes it is tempting to envy their position of humility without emulating their practice of humility.
2. Any type of comparison between other churches is a sign of pride in my life. As a pastor, I desire above everything else to be glorify the Lord through the faithful proclamation and practive of Scripture, both in my own life, my family, and the flock that I shepherd. But like #1 above, it is all too easy to compare one church to another, thinking, "What is the secret to their success? What are they doing that has brought the favor of God?" The reality is that only God brings about change, in the life of any individual or church (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). At the end of the day, we have to confess with the apostle Paul, "What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one." (1 Corinthians 3:5). My inability to change any person's life is one of the most humbling aspects of pastoral ministry. But therein lies the truth of humility: I am to be dependent upon God rather than seeking to be independent of Him.

At the outset of his book, C.J. Mahaney confesses "I'm a proud man pursuing humility by the grace of God" (pg. 13). It is only through the grace of God that any of us can see humility being lived out in our lives.