How Deanna feels experiencing another Birthday (yesterday)...


Well, since I last updated, I have seen Lauren get married and leave for her honeymoon, Jared harvest a buck, preach in a local church, celebrate a worship experience with over 20 family members in our home, host two Thanksgiving feasts, seen Lauren return, and attend the funeral of a dear friends father, and become aware of another friend losing her job.

Goodness, life is full of twists and turns. Some are joyful, and others are less so.

We truly had a wonderful time with family! It was great to all be together to celebrate!

We experienced a spontaneous time of worship that was so refreshing and filled with His presence. We are so blessed to have believers in our family that are truly focused on Him and bringing Him glory. That even when we take a deep breath from life, that our focus doesn't waiver on what is important...Jesus!

We had family here from both coasts and points in between. What an amazing Thanksgiving season!

Deanna and I will be leading a team to Mexico over Christmas Break, so we spent a bit of time exchanging gifts.

One of the gifts I received was something I needed for hunting.

It is a "suit" that blocks human odor from escaping. It allows you to remain relatively undetected by animals (whose sense of smell is much keener than our own).

In usual fashion, I began to think about this "suit" and it's purpose.

If a hunter wants to get close to game, he doesn't want his scent betraying him.

The same is true in our Christian walk.

Too often, who we represent ourselves to be on Sunday, is not who we are on Monday.

In effect, we are betrayed by our scent. It is nearly impossible to squelch the 'real you.' Try as we may, those close to us recognize who we really are.

It is one of the reasons that a "prophet is not recognized in his own home town." People know us well, and we try to fool them. It doesn't work.

The converse is also true. When we are Christlike, others see it in our thoughts, actions, attitudes and responses.

When things get hard, what do we smell like? The world? Jesus?

A "scent-blocker suit" is useless in living for Him. He knows all about us. We cannot hide, though we continue to try.

He smells our true aroma. He wants it to be His. Too often, it isn't.

I am so thankful to be surrounded by family who smell like Jesus. I am aware that our circumstances are unusual in today's world. Most families are filled with unbelievers. Often, if you are a Christian, you are the only one in your family. That makes things so very difficult!

Still, if your aroma is that of Christ, then when others struggle, they will have taken note of the real you, and will come knocking, to ask questions!

In the real world, a "scent-blocker suit" is relatively useless. Strive everyday to be more like Him! He is worth your all!!!



I will be speaking this Sunday afternoon at Marquez Baptist Church at 2pm. This event is open to the entire community and all who would like to participate. The church is located at 138 South Trinity Street in Marquez, Texas. Please come and join with us!!!


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