Tami, Ryan, Alyssa and I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas. This is our 11th Christmas in Denton. Ryan was eight and Alyssa was 4 that first Christmas in 1997. They are now 19 and 15 and Denton is the only home they remember. We have been blessed to live in Denton and to be a part of First Baptist Church these 11 plus years. As a young pastor I did not want to move from church to church and come to the end of my ministry and have a list of a dozen churches that I had pastored. I prayed that God would put me somewhere and leave me and give my kids the opportunity to go to one school and be able to call that place home. God has given me and my family that gift and this Christmas I am grateful for that gift.
As I write this afternoon it's the day before the day before Christmas! As I think about what will take place over the next 48 hours I'm excited about it all. Most all of it revolves around tradition at the Williams' house. We will begin our Christmas celebration by going to the Christmas Eve service tomorrow night. It will be a time of Christmas Carols, the Lord's Supper, Candlelight and most importantly sharing the moment with our church family. We will then go home and have a special time as a family. We will read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and we will read the classic Christmas book "The Night Before Christmas." Ryan and Alyssa will open one present that night before bed, they know what's inside! They always get new pajama's on Christmas Eve!
Christmas morning we will get up and open presents. We are so blessed to be able to give gifts to one another, more than any of us really need. Tami loves buying Christmas and she always goes overboard and I always get on to her, but I'm thankful that God gives us the means to do that. After we open our gifts and our stockings we will eat Sausage balls for breakfast (my favorite part!) We started a new tradition a few years ago of staying home on Christmas day and inviting whoever wants to come for Christmas lunch. My parents, my sister and her family and the Cole and Beth Sciba family are joining us this year. We will eat too much "fried turkey" and everything else and just enjoy being together on such a great day.
We won't get to see Tami's parents until after Christmas this year. Tami's Dad is in the hospital being treated for an infection. We pray that he gets well soon and gets to go home soon after Christmas.
My wish for you this Christmas is that you will enjoy family and friends, that you will get what you want and be able to give what you want as well. I hope you will be as blessed as I am by a church family, friends, and most of all your family as you celebrate Christmas this year!
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Elves Shelves
For several years First Baptist Church Denton has helped numerous families at Christmas time. We would hear about families in need of help and different people in the church would "adopt" these families and provide toys for the kids, food and sometimes clothes. Usually we would help a couple of dozen families every year. Last year our Children's Pastor, Christy Butler, came up with the idea of Elves Shelves to try and help even more families.
The idea behind Elves Shelves is that parents come to the church and "shop" for toys for their children for Christmas. They are allowed to choose a certain number of toys for each child and then they give the toys to the children at Christmas. Last year we used a small classroom in the church and gave out toys over several days. We gave away several thousand toys and helped several hundred families. Then at the beginning of 2008 we began to make plans for this Christmas. About two dozen people became a part of the Elves Shelves planning team led by Christy Butler. They worked the entire year to make plans for this year's event. All year long they collected toys and money and signed up volunteers to work at the shopping days. Those days began last night and I can't tell you what an unbelievable expereince is has been already.
I am so proud of the people of First Baptist Church. They have given thousands of toys and thousands of dollars to buy even more toys. This year our entire gymnasium is full of toys for children of all ages. On Wedensday night the first families came to shop. 52 families who are a part of FBCD came to shop for their kids. Today dozens more have already come. We have over 1000 children registered to recieve toys this Christmas. Dozens of people from First Baptist are there greeting the people as they come in, helping them shop, and just showing them the love of Jesus.
The idea of gift giving began on that first Christmas 2000 years ago. We often credit the wise men for being the ones to create gift giving. But in reality they were the second ones to give. The first giver was God Himself. He gave His son Jesus that first Christmas and it is because of that we give today. I am proud to be a part of what is happening at First Baptist Denton this year. Proud of a church that even in tough economic times is willing to help those in need.
As you celebrate Christmas with your family and friends this year I hope you will find a way to follow the example of Jesus and GIVE to someone in need. With all the things happening in our country today, it won't be hard to find someone in need. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Season this year.
The idea behind Elves Shelves is that parents come to the church and "shop" for toys for their children for Christmas. They are allowed to choose a certain number of toys for each child and then they give the toys to the children at Christmas. Last year we used a small classroom in the church and gave out toys over several days. We gave away several thousand toys and helped several hundred families. Then at the beginning of 2008 we began to make plans for this Christmas. About two dozen people became a part of the Elves Shelves planning team led by Christy Butler. They worked the entire year to make plans for this year's event. All year long they collected toys and money and signed up volunteers to work at the shopping days. Those days began last night and I can't tell you what an unbelievable expereince is has been already.
I am so proud of the people of First Baptist Church. They have given thousands of toys and thousands of dollars to buy even more toys. This year our entire gymnasium is full of toys for children of all ages. On Wedensday night the first families came to shop. 52 families who are a part of FBCD came to shop for their kids. Today dozens more have already come. We have over 1000 children registered to recieve toys this Christmas. Dozens of people from First Baptist are there greeting the people as they come in, helping them shop, and just showing them the love of Jesus.
The idea of gift giving began on that first Christmas 2000 years ago. We often credit the wise men for being the ones to create gift giving. But in reality they were the second ones to give. The first giver was God Himself. He gave His son Jesus that first Christmas and it is because of that we give today. I am proud to be a part of what is happening at First Baptist Denton this year. Proud of a church that even in tough economic times is willing to help those in need.
As you celebrate Christmas with your family and friends this year I hope you will find a way to follow the example of Jesus and GIVE to someone in need. With all the things happening in our country today, it won't be hard to find someone in need. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Season this year.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Vote 2008
Without a doubt the 2008 election will go down as one of the most historic elections ever in the United States. Regardless of who wins we will have a first, either the first African American president in our history or the first female Vice-President in our history. By the time election day rolls around chances are we will know just about everything there is to know about each of the candidates, from how much money has been spent on their clothes to who their friends are and have been for their entire lives. We certainly live in the information age and there is no lack of information about all of the candidates. Depending on what network news you watch you can get the "slant" you want toward which ever candidate you prefer. You can watch the talk shows on television or listen on the radio and hear every conceivable "side" of the issues. With all of this information and all of the polls that will tell you this candidate is winning in one state or that one is ahead in another state we have been bombarded for months now. But what it all comes down to is what you do when you got the the polls on November 4th or during early voting and you get to decide whom you want to elect as the next president of the greatest country in the world. You get to decide whom you will cast your ballot for. I know your vote is only one of millions but it's your vote and nobody can tell you how to cast it. They can give you their opinions and they can try and influence you but you get to decide.
Let me share with you what will help me decide whom I will vote for when I go during early voting. I will vote for the candidate that most closely holds the beliefs that I hold dearly. I cannot get past the issue of LIFE when I vote. I feel so strongly about the sanctity of LIFE, especially of the unborn that I will vote for the candidate that shares my belief in this area. I will vote for the candidate that will work to reduce the influence of government in our lives. I very firmly believe that God created the government and that it should be respected and followed but I don't believe that the governement is the answer to all our problems, I believe we as the people can better solve our problems. I will vote for the candidate that will reduce the tax burden on our citizens. I believe in hard work and earning your own way. I believe that when the Bible says "if a man will not work he will not eat," that means we are to work for what we have and I believe we shouldn't have to give any more of it to the government than is absolutely necessary. I will vote for the candidate that will work to promote family in our country. Family as God defined it, one man and one woman committed to each other for life raising their children to love God and follow His teachings. I am a "beliefs" voter and a "conscience" voter. I will vote for the candidate that I believe most closely shares my beliefs and my conscience as a citizen of the United States and most importantly as a believer in Jesus Christ.
Notice I didn't tell you who I will vote for. Of course I realize that you can probably read between the lines and make a pretty edcuated guess, but the point is I'm going to vote for the person I believe shares my beliefs and convictions and I urge you to do the same. That is our responsibility as citizens of these United States and as believers in Jesus Christ.
Let me share with you what will help me decide whom I will vote for when I go during early voting. I will vote for the candidate that most closely holds the beliefs that I hold dearly. I cannot get past the issue of LIFE when I vote. I feel so strongly about the sanctity of LIFE, especially of the unborn that I will vote for the candidate that shares my belief in this area. I will vote for the candidate that will work to reduce the influence of government in our lives. I very firmly believe that God created the government and that it should be respected and followed but I don't believe that the governement is the answer to all our problems, I believe we as the people can better solve our problems. I will vote for the candidate that will reduce the tax burden on our citizens. I believe in hard work and earning your own way. I believe that when the Bible says "if a man will not work he will not eat," that means we are to work for what we have and I believe we shouldn't have to give any more of it to the government than is absolutely necessary. I will vote for the candidate that will work to promote family in our country. Family as God defined it, one man and one woman committed to each other for life raising their children to love God and follow His teachings. I am a "beliefs" voter and a "conscience" voter. I will vote for the candidate that I believe most closely shares my beliefs and my conscience as a citizen of the United States and most importantly as a believer in Jesus Christ.
Notice I didn't tell you who I will vote for. Of course I realize that you can probably read between the lines and make a pretty edcuated guess, but the point is I'm going to vote for the person I believe shares my beliefs and convictions and I urge you to do the same. That is our responsibility as citizens of these United States and as believers in Jesus Christ.
Monday, October 13, 2008
What A Wild Weekend
It was one of those wild weekends for me and my teams. The weekend began on a sour note as my beloved Ryan Raiders lost to the Lake Dallas Falcons on a last minute touchdown. The Raiders are now 4-2 having lost two games by a combined 7 points! The weekend ended on another sour note as my Dallas Cowboys lost to the Arizona Cardinals 30-24. But the inbetween time was fantastic. When I was a kid I wanted to be a Texas Longhorn. Although my allegiances have changed since then I ALWAYS pull for the Longhorns to beat the Sooners in the Red River Rivalry. Wow! What a game it was on Saturday! In the meantime my number one team, the Baylor Bears were beating Iowa State. Then my new team the Oklahoma State Cowboys (You know the Bible says "where your treasure is there your heart will be also." Alot of my treasure is in Stillwater now!) beat the third ranked team in the nation the Missouri Tigers on national television. It certainly didn't break my heart that Chase Daniel of Southlake Carroll fame, threw the interception that sealed it for OKState. So it was a great weekend and a not so good weekend for me and my favorite teams.
Next Saturday we will be traveling to Stillwater for OSU Homecoming. They say it's the biggest Homecoming in the nation so I'm looking forward to experiencing it all. I'm still insulted that OSU picked Baylor to be their homecoming game and I really hate it that their first loss will come after beating the number three team in the nation! But that's life!
There are so many things more important in life that football! I'll admit I love football and football players and coaches. The game and the people who coach and play it helped to shape my teenage years and hopefully I have been able to help shape some of those teenagers over the past several years as a pastor and chaplain. Some probably think I talk too much about football but I believe it is a game that brings people together and can bring a great deal of joy to people's lives. Just visit any college campus in the Fall or any high school field on a Friday night and you will see what I mean!
Our country certainly faces some very difficult problems right now. With the economy in a downfall and the presidential election just a few weeks away, these are scary days. But here is what I know - God is still in control! In the midst of chaos, football wins and losses, God is still in control. He is the rock that we can stand on even in the most difficult of times. No matter how your football teams did last week, no matter what your financial situation, I hope you will put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and let Him be your rock through all of life!
Next Saturday we will be traveling to Stillwater for OSU Homecoming. They say it's the biggest Homecoming in the nation so I'm looking forward to experiencing it all. I'm still insulted that OSU picked Baylor to be their homecoming game and I really hate it that their first loss will come after beating the number three team in the nation! But that's life!
There are so many things more important in life that football! I'll admit I love football and football players and coaches. The game and the people who coach and play it helped to shape my teenage years and hopefully I have been able to help shape some of those teenagers over the past several years as a pastor and chaplain. Some probably think I talk too much about football but I believe it is a game that brings people together and can bring a great deal of joy to people's lives. Just visit any college campus in the Fall or any high school field on a Friday night and you will see what I mean!
Our country certainly faces some very difficult problems right now. With the economy in a downfall and the presidential election just a few weeks away, these are scary days. But here is what I know - God is still in control! In the midst of chaos, football wins and losses, God is still in control. He is the rock that we can stand on even in the most difficult of times. No matter how your football teams did last week, no matter what your financial situation, I hope you will put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and let Him be your rock through all of life!
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Dreaded Day Arrives!
Last Friday, the day I have known was coming finally arrived. To be honest I had very mixed emotions about the day. One the one hand I was excited on the other I was not looking forward to it. I had been told for months what a hard day it would be. Many who have gone before me told me of their experience and warned me about what was coming. So I counted down the days until Friday August 15th arrived. The day we took Ryan to college.
We left the house about 7:30 A.M. and headed north on I35. We made our way through Gainesville, crossed the Red River into "foreign" country. We held our noses as we went through Norman, then through OK City and Edmond. We made the right turn onto Hwy 51 and pulled into Stillwater about 11:00 A.M. We drove straight to the SAE house, Ryan's home for at least the next three years of his college experience. It was much different than the last time we were there. Cars were everywhere and people were all over the front lawn. We quickly found Ryan's room and after I wrote my first check for college, making my wallet much lighter! we moved him into his room. He's in the newer part of the house in a room with three other guys. One from OK, one from Kansas and one from Southlake, Texas. His sister was not real happy about him living with someone from Southlake, but that's another story.
After lunch with the rest of the new students and their families, and a quick trip to Wal Mart to stock his mini-fridge, the most dreaded moment of the day arrived, it was time for Tami, Alyssa and me to leave. Ryan walked out to the parking lot with us, we hugged and said our goodbyes got into the car and drove off leaving him behind. I have to admit, I did much better than I thought I would, I felt a few tears coming but I managed to fight them off, knowing Alyssa would make fun of me. Tami did remarkably well too! A few tears and a little trouble saying those goodbyes but all in all we handled it well.
It's only been three days since we left him in Stillwater so it sort of seems like he is gone to camp right now. I imagine that come Friday of this week when he doesn't come home reality will probably sink in a little more. I do miss him already and I know I will continue to. But! I know that I left in Stillwater last Friday one of the finest young men on the face of this earth. A young man that loves the Lord, makes good decisions for an 18 year old, is confident in his abilities and knows where he is heading. I left a young man that has already made me proud and I know will continue to in the days to come. I left a young man that has been given a firm foundation of faith, right and wrong, and a sense of putting others before himself. I left a young man that I can't wait to see how he grows and matures and becomes the man of God he was created to be.
It was a dreaded day for me, a tough day but an exciting day none the less.
Now if we can just find somewhere for Alyssa to go!!!!!!
We left the house about 7:30 A.M. and headed north on I35. We made our way through Gainesville, crossed the Red River into "foreign" country. We held our noses as we went through Norman, then through OK City and Edmond. We made the right turn onto Hwy 51 and pulled into Stillwater about 11:00 A.M. We drove straight to the SAE house, Ryan's home for at least the next three years of his college experience. It was much different than the last time we were there. Cars were everywhere and people were all over the front lawn. We quickly found Ryan's room and after I wrote my first check for college, making my wallet much lighter! we moved him into his room. He's in the newer part of the house in a room with three other guys. One from OK, one from Kansas and one from Southlake, Texas. His sister was not real happy about him living with someone from Southlake, but that's another story.
After lunch with the rest of the new students and their families, and a quick trip to Wal Mart to stock his mini-fridge, the most dreaded moment of the day arrived, it was time for Tami, Alyssa and me to leave. Ryan walked out to the parking lot with us, we hugged and said our goodbyes got into the car and drove off leaving him behind. I have to admit, I did much better than I thought I would, I felt a few tears coming but I managed to fight them off, knowing Alyssa would make fun of me. Tami did remarkably well too! A few tears and a little trouble saying those goodbyes but all in all we handled it well.
It's only been three days since we left him in Stillwater so it sort of seems like he is gone to camp right now. I imagine that come Friday of this week when he doesn't come home reality will probably sink in a little more. I do miss him already and I know I will continue to. But! I know that I left in Stillwater last Friday one of the finest young men on the face of this earth. A young man that loves the Lord, makes good decisions for an 18 year old, is confident in his abilities and knows where he is heading. I left a young man that has already made me proud and I know will continue to in the days to come. I left a young man that has been given a firm foundation of faith, right and wrong, and a sense of putting others before himself. I left a young man that I can't wait to see how he grows and matures and becomes the man of God he was created to be.
It was a dreaded day for me, a tough day but an exciting day none the less.
Now if we can just find somewhere for Alyssa to go!!!!!!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
A Bright Orange Shirt
This past Monday and Tuesday Ryan and I spent a couple of days at his home for the next four years - Oklahoma State University. I'm still trying to get used to the fact that a member of my family will be living in Oklahoma instead of Texas! After all the comments I have made from the pulpit about Oklahoma over the past eleven years I guess I'm getting my payback.
We were at OSU for orientation and registration. It was sort of the culmination of the past 18 months or so of Ryan deciding where he would go to college. He started out looking at OSU, then changed to Texas A&M with a little bit of Texas Tech thrown in for good measure. But when all was said and done he chose OSU. I did make him apply to Baylor and he was accepted rather quickly, but I failed in getting him to follow his mothers example and mine by going there. I was resigned to the fact that Ryan would be the one to choose his school and I can honestly say I had decided I would be happy for him whatever his decision. But I will say that last Friday as we were decorating the house and backyard for his graduation party, with all kinds of Orange things I was a little glad I was not putting up maroon!
We do have some Aggie things around the house because his mother jumped the gun at Christmas time and bought some of those gosh awful things. But not me! I told Ryan I was not buying anything that wasn't green until he was certain of where he was going. Last Tuesday when he came out of registration with his official OSU student ID card in hand I said let's go to the spirit shop. Less than 15 minutes after he got the card I bought my first and second orange shirts! Bright, slap you in the face, orange mind you. I bought an orange polo shirt with OSU on the chest and a t-shirt that says OSU Dad. I will proudly wear them both over the next four years any and every weekend of the year except for the Saturday in October of this year when they play Baylor! OSU even had the audacity to schedule Baylor for their homecoming! I will be there that Saturday hoping that Ryan's first homecoming is a great one except for the outcome of the game!
Tami and I are very proud of Ryan and all that he has accomplished during his high school years. We are very excited for him as he gets ready to go off to OSU. I've been told how hard it's going to be about the second week in August when we drop him off in Stillwater and drive away for the first time. I know its true and I'm not looking forward to it, but I am excited for him and for the experiences he will have while there. Most of all I'm proud of the young man he has become and the great things he will do in life. I am and will always be his biggest fan and cheerleader and I will proudly wear that bright orange shirt on many occasions and tell everyone that my son is an OSU Cowboy!
We were at OSU for orientation and registration. It was sort of the culmination of the past 18 months or so of Ryan deciding where he would go to college. He started out looking at OSU, then changed to Texas A&M with a little bit of Texas Tech thrown in for good measure. But when all was said and done he chose OSU. I did make him apply to Baylor and he was accepted rather quickly, but I failed in getting him to follow his mothers example and mine by going there. I was resigned to the fact that Ryan would be the one to choose his school and I can honestly say I had decided I would be happy for him whatever his decision. But I will say that last Friday as we were decorating the house and backyard for his graduation party, with all kinds of Orange things I was a little glad I was not putting up maroon!
We do have some Aggie things around the house because his mother jumped the gun at Christmas time and bought some of those gosh awful things. But not me! I told Ryan I was not buying anything that wasn't green until he was certain of where he was going. Last Tuesday when he came out of registration with his official OSU student ID card in hand I said let's go to the spirit shop. Less than 15 minutes after he got the card I bought my first and second orange shirts! Bright, slap you in the face, orange mind you. I bought an orange polo shirt with OSU on the chest and a t-shirt that says OSU Dad. I will proudly wear them both over the next four years any and every weekend of the year except for the Saturday in October of this year when they play Baylor! OSU even had the audacity to schedule Baylor for their homecoming! I will be there that Saturday hoping that Ryan's first homecoming is a great one except for the outcome of the game!
Tami and I are very proud of Ryan and all that he has accomplished during his high school years. We are very excited for him as he gets ready to go off to OSU. I've been told how hard it's going to be about the second week in August when we drop him off in Stillwater and drive away for the first time. I know its true and I'm not looking forward to it, but I am excited for him and for the experiences he will have while there. Most of all I'm proud of the young man he has become and the great things he will do in life. I am and will always be his biggest fan and cheerleader and I will proudly wear that bright orange shirt on many occasions and tell everyone that my son is an OSU Cowboy!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Spring Has Sprung!
This is my favorite time of the year. (I think I say that same thing about every season of the year!) This is my favorite time because I love trees and plants and shrubs and flowers and this is the time of the year when all of it is blooming and getting green again. This year I decided to do an upgrade on my yard. We have lived in our house for 2 and 1/2 years and while I have done a lot of yard work it was time to move from a "C" yard and flower beds to an "A" yard and flowerbeds.
George, I don't know his last name, put a business card on my mailbox back in the winter. He must have noticed my yard needed some help. George does stone work for flowerbeds and other outdoor creations. I had George come over last November and give me an estimate. I put it off through the winter but when Spring came I started to get the fever and I called George again. He was ready to work so he came back over and we talked about price. I kept adding things and he kept adding things until finally I said ENOUGH and we agreed on the work to be done. George walked all week, except for the one day it rained. By the end of the week he was done. Now it was my turn to plant my plants and my begonias. Did I mention my wife loves begonias? I planted 20 flats of begonias. You may or may not know that there are 18 plants in a flat. You do the math! Finally last Friday I was done! The plants are all in and the flowers all planted and I have my "A" yard, at least I like to think it's an A yard.
My back is just about healed enough that I can walk straight up again! It's going to be a great Spring and Summer watching it all grow and seeing the colors and the beauty of it all. The greatest thing about all of it though is that it reminds me of the greatness of our God. He is the one that created the beauty and brings the New Life. I hope you are having a great Spring enjoying the New Life God has for you.
George, I don't know his last name, put a business card on my mailbox back in the winter. He must have noticed my yard needed some help. George does stone work for flowerbeds and other outdoor creations. I had George come over last November and give me an estimate. I put it off through the winter but when Spring came I started to get the fever and I called George again. He was ready to work so he came back over and we talked about price. I kept adding things and he kept adding things until finally I said ENOUGH and we agreed on the work to be done. George walked all week, except for the one day it rained. By the end of the week he was done. Now it was my turn to plant my plants and my begonias. Did I mention my wife loves begonias? I planted 20 flats of begonias. You may or may not know that there are 18 plants in a flat. You do the math! Finally last Friday I was done! The plants are all in and the flowers all planted and I have my "A" yard, at least I like to think it's an A yard.
My back is just about healed enough that I can walk straight up again! It's going to be a great Spring and Summer watching it all grow and seeing the colors and the beauty of it all. The greatest thing about all of it though is that it reminds me of the greatness of our God. He is the one that created the beauty and brings the New Life. I hope you are having a great Spring enjoying the New Life God has for you.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Where are the Heroes?
This past Saturday night I watched the NBA All-Star weekend events from New Orleans, Louisiana. NBA All-Star weekend is filled with great events that ends with the worst basketball game of the year where there is absolutely no defense played whatsoever. I could care less about the game but I do like watching the three point shootout and especially the slam dunk contest. I will admit that in recent years the slam dunk contest has become just a repeat of the year before and I had somewhat lost interest. But this one was unbelievable. Dwight Howard is the 6'11" 265 pound power foward of the Orlando Magic. This guy put on a show. At 6'11" he's already closer to the rim than most people but his jumping ability puts him in another deminision. His dunks were creative and spectacular. Definitely worth a search of the video if you missed it on Saturday night.
No doubt millions of young boys were watching the events of the weekend and now millions will try to imitate his dunks on their 6 foot goals in the backyard. All of them will want to be Dwight Howard just like my generation wanted to be Dr. J 25 years ago.
Athletes have become the heroes of our day. We have made them such by the ridiculous salaries we pay them to play games. Jason Kidd has been rumored to be coming to the Dallas Mavericks in a trade. Jason Kidd makes $19 million a year and is scheduled to make $21 million next year. Jason Kidd's salary this year would fund the entire budget of my church for over 5 years! That includes all of the expenses we incure including supporting missionaries, paying the salaries of over 100 people, building costs, ministry budgets, helping people in need and dozens of other things. Don't get me wrong I'm all for Jason Kidd making however much money he can. If that is what he can demand for his services, more power to him. That is the power of Capitalism in action.
But the thing that bothers me is that we have created a culture in which our young people look to these high paid athletes to find their heroes. Most athletes make pretty good role models. For every athlete that gets arrested for bad conduct there are a dozen who give of themselves to help people in the community and present themselves in a honorble way. But we need to point our kids to the real heroes. Men like Justin Monschke who lost his life fighting for his country in Iraq in October 2007. Or men like Shane Kizer, a Denton Police officer pictured in the Denton Record Chronicle comforting a young boy whose father had kidnapped him and brought him to Denton.
These men and women are the real heroes our young people need to want to be like. They don't make millions of dollars like the athletes, they don't play in front of millions of fans and get mobbed every time they go out in public. Instead they make our world a safer and better place to live in. Let's point out kids to the real heroes of our day!
No doubt millions of young boys were watching the events of the weekend and now millions will try to imitate his dunks on their 6 foot goals in the backyard. All of them will want to be Dwight Howard just like my generation wanted to be Dr. J 25 years ago.
Athletes have become the heroes of our day. We have made them such by the ridiculous salaries we pay them to play games. Jason Kidd has been rumored to be coming to the Dallas Mavericks in a trade. Jason Kidd makes $19 million a year and is scheduled to make $21 million next year. Jason Kidd's salary this year would fund the entire budget of my church for over 5 years! That includes all of the expenses we incure including supporting missionaries, paying the salaries of over 100 people, building costs, ministry budgets, helping people in need and dozens of other things. Don't get me wrong I'm all for Jason Kidd making however much money he can. If that is what he can demand for his services, more power to him. That is the power of Capitalism in action.
But the thing that bothers me is that we have created a culture in which our young people look to these high paid athletes to find their heroes. Most athletes make pretty good role models. For every athlete that gets arrested for bad conduct there are a dozen who give of themselves to help people in the community and present themselves in a honorble way. But we need to point our kids to the real heroes. Men like Justin Monschke who lost his life fighting for his country in Iraq in October 2007. Or men like Shane Kizer, a Denton Police officer pictured in the Denton Record Chronicle comforting a young boy whose father had kidnapped him and brought him to Denton.
These men and women are the real heroes our young people need to want to be like. They don't make millions of dollars like the athletes, they don't play in front of millions of fans and get mobbed every time they go out in public. Instead they make our world a safer and better place to live in. Let's point out kids to the real heroes of our day!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Six Months to Major Change
It has just been in the last few weeks that it has hit me. In six months there will be a major change at the Williams household. Sometime in the first couple of weeks of August this year, Ryan Taylor Williams will no longer be a full time resident at the Williams' house. On June 6th of this year Ryan will graduate from Billy Ryan High School and in August he will be off to college, hopefully at Texas A&M University. Now I know that millions of fathers have done this before me and most if not all have survived. But yours truely has never done this!
A couple of weeks ago Tami and I were lying in bed talking and I said to her, you know that in seven months he's going to be gone. She said what? I said you know that in seven months Ryan will be gone! She said, "I don't want to talk about it." So we didn't! Needless to say Tami and I are not looking forward with great anticipation to that day. But while we are not looking forward to it we are quite proud of the transition that will take place.
Like all of you who are parents, I still remember the day Ryan was born at Baylor hospital in Dallas, Texas. What a great place to be born! I remember how proud I was to go out and tell all our family that I had a son. He was born on Wednesday and that Sunday we watched our first Dallas Cowboys football game together, I don't remember if the Cowboys won or not but I do remember Ryan wore his Cowboys socks! From that day to this one Ryan has been nothing but a blessing to Tami and me.
I remember when Ryan and Alyssa were young, worrying that they might turn out to be "typical Preacher's kids." You know the type, rebellious, hating church because their Dad's work too much and don't pay enough attention to them. Many of them drop out of church the moment they leave home and don't return for years. I had seen examples of that and I was determined not to let that happen with my children. Preachers' kids have it tough, and anyone who is not one has no idea the pressures and expectations put on them. Having said that I am so thankful for First Baptist Church in Pleasanton and especially for over 10 years now First Baptist Church Denton that my children love their church. Never once have I had to tell my children "you are going to church" they have always wanted to, even sometimes when I didn't want to go! In fact when I'm on vacation and we are in town, Tami and I want to visit other churches, but not my kids they want to go to "Their Church." Wow! I couldn't have asked for more than that!
Its' because of the churches that God has privileged me to pastor that Ryan will leave home this August with the strong spiritual foundation he will. It's my prayer he will continue to build upon that foundation for the next four years in college and I firmly believe he will.
Ryan is the finest young man I know. He is intelligent, good-looking, he has a caring heart and a great sense of where he is heading in life. Right now I don't want to think about the change coming this August but I couldn't be more proud and thankful for the Godly young man he has become. We are in for some major change with him leaving home. Those of you who have sent your kids to college know what I'm talking about. We will make the change just like we have others in the past, but I'll be honest with you, I'm really not looking forward to it!
A couple of weeks ago Tami and I were lying in bed talking and I said to her, you know that in seven months he's going to be gone. She said what? I said you know that in seven months Ryan will be gone! She said, "I don't want to talk about it." So we didn't! Needless to say Tami and I are not looking forward with great anticipation to that day. But while we are not looking forward to it we are quite proud of the transition that will take place.
Like all of you who are parents, I still remember the day Ryan was born at Baylor hospital in Dallas, Texas. What a great place to be born! I remember how proud I was to go out and tell all our family that I had a son. He was born on Wednesday and that Sunday we watched our first Dallas Cowboys football game together, I don't remember if the Cowboys won or not but I do remember Ryan wore his Cowboys socks! From that day to this one Ryan has been nothing but a blessing to Tami and me.
I remember when Ryan and Alyssa were young, worrying that they might turn out to be "typical Preacher's kids." You know the type, rebellious, hating church because their Dad's work too much and don't pay enough attention to them. Many of them drop out of church the moment they leave home and don't return for years. I had seen examples of that and I was determined not to let that happen with my children. Preachers' kids have it tough, and anyone who is not one has no idea the pressures and expectations put on them. Having said that I am so thankful for First Baptist Church in Pleasanton and especially for over 10 years now First Baptist Church Denton that my children love their church. Never once have I had to tell my children "you are going to church" they have always wanted to, even sometimes when I didn't want to go! In fact when I'm on vacation and we are in town, Tami and I want to visit other churches, but not my kids they want to go to "Their Church." Wow! I couldn't have asked for more than that!
Its' because of the churches that God has privileged me to pastor that Ryan will leave home this August with the strong spiritual foundation he will. It's my prayer he will continue to build upon that foundation for the next four years in college and I firmly believe he will.
Ryan is the finest young man I know. He is intelligent, good-looking, he has a caring heart and a great sense of where he is heading in life. Right now I don't want to think about the change coming this August but I couldn't be more proud and thankful for the Godly young man he has become. We are in for some major change with him leaving home. Those of you who have sent your kids to college know what I'm talking about. We will make the change just like we have others in the past, but I'll be honest with you, I'm really not looking forward to it!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
THE AGONY OF DEFEAT
I can remember growing up watching ABC's Wide World of Sports. At the beginning of the show they played the same intro every week. It talked about the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Every time when they said the agony of defeat we saw this ski jumper crashing spectaculary at the end of the ramp. That man was a Slovene ski jumper named Vinko Bogataj. It was during the 1970 World Flying Championship that on his third attempt he felt he was going too fast and tried to slow down but fell and you know the rest. Interestingly enough he only suffered a concussion in the fall.
Last Sunday afternoon those of us who are Dallas Cowboy fans suffered the agony of defeat. With a 13-3 record, the best ever by America's Team, our beloved boys went down to the hated New York Giants and for the second year in a row lost their first playoff game. For me it was the culmination of two years of frustration with my favorite football teams. Two years in a row now my son's team, the Ryan Raiders, have lost in the first round of the playoffs and now the Cowboys have done the same. We won't even mention the Baylor Bears and what they have done the last two years!
A funny thing happened last Monday morning after we all experienced the agony of defeat . . . . the sun came up! That's right, just when we thought the world had come to an end, the sun still came up! It was amazing! I can confirm it first hand I was outside jogging when it happened! The same thing happened on Saturday November 17, 2007 the day after the Ryan Raiders lost in my son's final high school football game! Again I was amazed to see it happen, although not first hand that day!
The older I get the more I come to realize what is really important in life. I still love football. I loved playing it in high school, I love watching it as an adult and for the past four years or so I have loved being invovled with the athletes at Ryan High School, their head coach Joey Florence and especially my son Ryan. But I've come to realize that football teams come and go, championships last for only one year and then we move on. What I have come to realize is that people are what's most imporant in life. Even though the Cowboys lost, my family was still there, my friends were still there and they are worth more than all the championships in the world.
And after all the agony of defeat is not so bad because there's always next year! Go Cowboys!
Last Sunday afternoon those of us who are Dallas Cowboy fans suffered the agony of defeat. With a 13-3 record, the best ever by America's Team, our beloved boys went down to the hated New York Giants and for the second year in a row lost their first playoff game. For me it was the culmination of two years of frustration with my favorite football teams. Two years in a row now my son's team, the Ryan Raiders, have lost in the first round of the playoffs and now the Cowboys have done the same. We won't even mention the Baylor Bears and what they have done the last two years!
A funny thing happened last Monday morning after we all experienced the agony of defeat . . . . the sun came up! That's right, just when we thought the world had come to an end, the sun still came up! It was amazing! I can confirm it first hand I was outside jogging when it happened! The same thing happened on Saturday November 17, 2007 the day after the Ryan Raiders lost in my son's final high school football game! Again I was amazed to see it happen, although not first hand that day!
The older I get the more I come to realize what is really important in life. I still love football. I loved playing it in high school, I love watching it as an adult and for the past four years or so I have loved being invovled with the athletes at Ryan High School, their head coach Joey Florence and especially my son Ryan. But I've come to realize that football teams come and go, championships last for only one year and then we move on. What I have come to realize is that people are what's most imporant in life. Even though the Cowboys lost, my family was still there, my friends were still there and they are worth more than all the championships in the world.
And after all the agony of defeat is not so bad because there's always next year! Go Cowboys!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Peace in the Middle East
You might not have noticed that President George Bush has been in Israel this week. With the 2008 presidential primaries underway Hillary and Obama, Rudy and McCain, and Huckabee and Romney and all the rest are grabbing most of the headlines. But if you are a keen observer you have heard about the President being in the other holy land (Baylor being the Texas holy land!)
On the front page of the Dallas Morning News today is a picture of President Bush shaking hands with Greek Orthodox clergymen during a visit to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on Thursday of this week. (I'm going to try and put the picture on here but remember I'm way behind technolotically so I may not get it done!) If you have been to that church as I have you recognize the scene in the background of that picture and you recognize the clergymen and their dress. Each time I have been there I have seen both. When you go to that church you have to go down under where they are standing in the picture to see the traditional site of the birth of Jesus. If you would like to go I'm planning a trip for 2010 so start saving your money now!
President Bush has stated that he wants to have a peace agreement between the Israelies and the Palestenians before his term in office is complete. Of course that means he has about 12 months to get it done. Mark Davis was commenting on this on WBAP radio this morning. He says that any "peace agreement" is meaningless. Just like the one that President Clinton brokered during his days in office and like the one Jimmy Carter got done during his. Davis says until the militant Palestinians are defeated there will be no peace in Israel.
The conflict that we have all observed in the Middle East for decades has been going on for much longer than any of us have been here on this earth. What President Bush and Mark Davis and all the rest need to understand is that conflict began in the womb of a woman named Rebekah thousands of years ago. Two boys, Jacob and Esau fought in the womb and their descendants are still fighting today!
The Bible talks about a time when the antichrist will come and bring peace to the entire world. Peace between Isralies and Palestinians and all the rest. Unfortunately that peace will be relatively short and will be followed by the worst tribulationt he world has ever known. Until that time we may see peace agreements signed by leaders but we will probably not see the "peace in the Middle East" President Bush and others are looking for.
In the meantime we need to make sure we are on the right side. The United States for decades has been on the "right side." Israel has been our friend and ally. While we act as peace makers in the years to come we better make sure we stay on the "right side!"
Let me hear you opinion!
Cowboys 35 Giants 21
Go Cowboys!
On the front page of the Dallas Morning News today is a picture of President Bush shaking hands with Greek Orthodox clergymen during a visit to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on Thursday of this week. (I'm going to try and put the picture on here but remember I'm way behind technolotically so I may not get it done!) If you have been to that church as I have you recognize the scene in the background of that picture and you recognize the clergymen and their dress. Each time I have been there I have seen both. When you go to that church you have to go down under where they are standing in the picture to see the traditional site of the birth of Jesus. If you would like to go I'm planning a trip for 2010 so start saving your money now!
President Bush has stated that he wants to have a peace agreement between the Israelies and the Palestenians before his term in office is complete. Of course that means he has about 12 months to get it done. Mark Davis was commenting on this on WBAP radio this morning. He says that any "peace agreement" is meaningless. Just like the one that President Clinton brokered during his days in office and like the one Jimmy Carter got done during his. Davis says until the militant Palestinians are defeated there will be no peace in Israel.
The conflict that we have all observed in the Middle East for decades has been going on for much longer than any of us have been here on this earth. What President Bush and Mark Davis and all the rest need to understand is that conflict began in the womb of a woman named Rebekah thousands of years ago. Two boys, Jacob and Esau fought in the womb and their descendants are still fighting today!
The Bible talks about a time when the antichrist will come and bring peace to the entire world. Peace between Isralies and Palestinians and all the rest. Unfortunately that peace will be relatively short and will be followed by the worst tribulationt he world has ever known. Until that time we may see peace agreements signed by leaders but we will probably not see the "peace in the Middle East" President Bush and others are looking for.
In the meantime we need to make sure we are on the right side. The United States for decades has been on the "right side." Israel has been our friend and ally. While we act as peace makers in the years to come we better make sure we stay on the "right side!"
Let me hear you opinion!
Cowboys 35 Giants 21
Go Cowboys!
Monday, January 7, 2008
First Time Blogger
Today I come into the age of blogging. My family accuses me of being way behind when it comes to technology. I know enough about computers to do what I need to do in preparing sermons or e-mailing but not much more. I don't have an ipod and they think I know nothing about their's. My cell phone is way out of date but I can make phone calls and answer them. And as of about a month ago I now do text messages as well. I really don't know why they think I'm so far behind!! Today I'm making another step forward by creating my own blog, which by the way except for a little help from my administrative assistant, I did all on my own! So take that family!
I'm going to ease into this blogging thing. At this point I'm not sure what I will put in my blogs or how often I will do so, but I'm sure as with most other things in my life it will evolve over time. I plan to talk some about my family, certainly a lot about my church. I'm certain I will even deal with some things like politics from time to time especially with the presidential race in 2008. While I would not share my political feelings from the pulpit or in the church newsletter or even on our website, this blog is my own and I will share things that I would not share in my role as pastor of First Baptist Church Denton. I'm sure I will talk about sports and my other passions and anything else that hits me on a particular day.
So if you are a seasoned blogger, be patient with me while I figure this thing out and hopefully surprise my family in the process.
I'll be watching the national championship game tonight. Denton's own Hermon Johnson all 6'7" and 356 pounds of him will be playing for LSU. I don't really care who wins tonight but I'm predicting LSU 24 Ohio State 17 While I watch I'll be dreaming of the day when Baylor plays for the national championship! What a dream!
I'm going to ease into this blogging thing. At this point I'm not sure what I will put in my blogs or how often I will do so, but I'm sure as with most other things in my life it will evolve over time. I plan to talk some about my family, certainly a lot about my church. I'm certain I will even deal with some things like politics from time to time especially with the presidential race in 2008. While I would not share my political feelings from the pulpit or in the church newsletter or even on our website, this blog is my own and I will share things that I would not share in my role as pastor of First Baptist Church Denton. I'm sure I will talk about sports and my other passions and anything else that hits me on a particular day.
So if you are a seasoned blogger, be patient with me while I figure this thing out and hopefully surprise my family in the process.
I'll be watching the national championship game tonight. Denton's own Hermon Johnson all 6'7" and 356 pounds of him will be playing for LSU. I don't really care who wins tonight but I'm predicting LSU 24 Ohio State 17 While I watch I'll be dreaming of the day when Baylor plays for the national championship! What a dream!
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