Sermon from Pastor Rob . . .

Achieving SUCCESS in Life

Some say:

Success for me is when I retire
Success is reaching my goal
Success is when my kids leave home
Success is experiencing a special feeling
Success is a new job
Success is vacation
Success is looking like Hulk Hogan, or playing golf like Tiger Woods, Having a brain like Einstein, or having the wealth of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett

Some women may think it is having beauty based upon Cosmo, etc…or the grace & poise of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, or the compassion of Mother Teresa

Every person has his or her own definition of Success
But for us to establish what success is, we must define what success is NOT!

Success is not Money
Success is not determined by your Circumstance
Success is not having it all
Success is not Power


God’s Portrait of Success

1. If you want a picture of a successful life as heaven measures it and God views it, don’t look for it in the glaring lights & blaring bands on Broadway. Don’t look for it in Hollywood or Washington DC.
2. Listen, rather, for the sound of water splashing into a basin, while God incarnate, in a humility that made angels hold their breath, sponges the grime from the feet of His undeserving disciples in the upper room.
3. “He who is greatest among you shall be your servant” Jesus said in Matthew 23:11
4. Paul who converted the Gentile world introduced himself as “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:1) James (James 1:1), Peter (2 Peter 1:1) John the revelator who put his pen to parchment (Rev. 1:1)
5. Jesus – Mark 10:45
6. Success is sowing seeds that benefit others

a. The saddest thing to be ever said about a person – “He/She lived for himself”.
b. Luke 9:25 – “What profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul.”
c. It is said that the average person in his or her lifetime will influence over 10,000 people. How will you be remembered?
d. Don’t live your life with regret! Early Methodist had coined a statement – “How to die well” which meant when I die did I give it my best shot? Was I:

1. Faithful to God
2. Loving to my wife
3. Example to my kids
4. Helped my friends
5. Truthful to my self (honesty & integrity)

Funny . . .

View From My Pool...

Man, what a day--The weather was phenomenal---The pool is almost ready...
2 hours of baseball--6 hours on the pool, some mexican food and 2 more hours of baseball, and --I am exhausted--I will definitely sleep good tonite---

Two Very Cool Baseball Kids...

Well here they are again--Ethan the "Gamer"--

and Emma---(It doesnt matter what she does---She is absolutley adorable just hanging out)

Uncle Joe and O love you guys---

My opinion on judging...

It says in Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that ye be not judged".

I have always taken that verse to mean--exactly what it says--Dont judge--and I dont. People I meet on a daily basis --all are treated as equals-But one thing has changed---anyone who has a direct effect on my little world--I will make "judgement" on whether I think they should be around me and my family...Its the same reason you lock your doors at night---I will be locking down a few doors myself...

Well--some people would say--thats judging---
well you are dad-gum right it is. My problem has always been believing and trusting in everyone...So it is time to re-evaluate my thoughts on that verse.

You cant just open up yourself and your family and friends to everything under the sun just because you dont want to make a decision... and best I can tell--when I die and stand before God--I am gonna be judged---regardless---There will be a day of judgement for me...and there will be no middle ground, no arguments--it will be one or the other--and finished.

Humor...

"A sense of humor can help you overlook the unattractive, tolerate the unpleasant, cope with the unexpected, and smile through the unbearable."
-- Moshe Waldoks, Rabbi and Humorist

One of the coolest inventions . . .

I cant believe I havent blogged about this before---From the moment I found out about XM satellite radio --and had it installed---I have been hooked--It changed my little world inside my vehicle. No more listening to goofy local stuff, no commercials--I get everything piped into my vehicle with no static and I can travel for hours and hours and never lose the station I am listening to...I know Im kind of a gadget, geek on these kind of things---but it is the only way to go...

The stations I have programmed in are:

Fox News--Straight feed from the Television station,

20 on 20--top 20 countdown, Favorite new song--Maroon 5 --"Makes me Wonder"

Bluesville---everything blues

ESPNews--sports of course

High Standards-- Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin--all kinds of crooners

Boneyard---Hard rock and 80's metal

Laugh USA-- Clips from some of the best comedians

Plus on long trips---I can channel surf---all kinds of stations--

I love it--Check it out...

What a Fantastic Day....

This morning 9-12 we had ball practice and the boys look good out there. Oneal hit another home run---Except this time---he nailed the scoreboard---It was cool..

Went and ate 2 footlong subway sandwiches--worked in the yard--ate a fresh cold Pineapple--Then me and O went and did a little motocross riding --a few jumps, some wheelies, and some tricks---then we went and bought big steaks from Kroger--grilled and just finished eating---I cannot think of a better way to spend a day--

This is one of the best...

Listen to it 2-3 times--It is great




This is my favorite...

Years...

I found this pic the other day of O'Neal....I wouldnt trade these past 7 years of coaching for anything---I believe this was when he was 6....

I may not have a great win record at coaching--But I have the best record at spending some good baseball seasons with my son...

Verse For The Day--

Micah 7:8

NASB: Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me. (NASB ©1995)

GWT: Don't laugh at me, my enemies. Although I've fallen, I will get up. Although I sit in the dark, the LORD is my light. (GOD'S WORD®)

KJV: Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.

ASV: Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, Jehovah will be a light unto me.

BBE: Do not be glad because of my sorrow, O my hater: after my fall I will be lifted up; when I am seated in the dark, the Lord will be a light to me.

DBY: Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: though I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, Jehovah shall be a light unto me.

JPS: Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; though I am fallen, I shall arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD is a light unto me.

WBS: Rejoice not against me, O my enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.

WEB: Don't rejoice against me, my enemy. When I fall, I will arise. When I sit in darkness, Yahweh will be a light to me.

YLT: Thou dost not rejoice over me, O mine enemy, When I have fallen, I have risen, When I sit in darkness Jehovah is a light to me.

Thanks Pastor Rob

Shallow Blog Ahead...

Ok--I love James Bond movies--I really like the new Bond in Casino Royale. I have been blessed with my dream ride --a big beautiful 4-wheel drive truck, that I wouldnt trade for anything...But if I could have one car---This is it --The Car--The Aston Martin DBS. It is absolutely gorgeous ---I would definitely take one of these. Click on the pictures and look at it up close...

40 year old Sailor

Well--It's Official...I turn 40 this year and so does a good friend of mine-- Tim--We have been friends since the sixth grade---and to celebrate---He and I are setting sail for the British Virgin Islands for a week.

We have put off a good "Guy" trip for a long time---because we have been busy doing the Father, Husband, Family, Work thing---But this time--We are pointing that boat, and we are gone---to enjoy, reflect and celebrate 40 years of life. Im ready Bro---lets hit the High Seas....

Cartoons From Michaels Blog

Check him out @ http://michealrussell.blogspot.com/

Just what the world needs---More of these kind of people...

Well it seems that the "Jerry Springer people" are still alive and well in this small town....I ran across a few more today---Man---what a bunch of idiots....

PS---Bring on the negative comments---I love 'em.

Signs. . .

You know you are getting older when your pants get too high at the top and bottom....

One of my all time personal favorites----

"If you dont love it---you dont get it..."

“It boggles my mind that someone can see life breathed into a baby, watch the grass die and then come to life again, see leaves fall and watch the rebirth of a tree, or gaze on any of the majestic splendor that is this earth and not be overpowered by the presence of an Almighty God!”

Bill McCartney

Easter from Dad . . .

The Power Of His Resurrection.

I'm glad Jesus rose from the grave!! If He hadn't our faith would be in eternal vain. Rising from the grave is our hope as Christians. It will happen!!
Here's scriptural proof: Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
When we are born again, His Spirit lives in us in the person of the Holy Spirit. That same Spirit that raised Jesus will also raise us who are saved!!

A popular old song we sing at the nursing homes is "I'll Be Somewhere Listening For My Name". I don't want to be bashful like the timid children at school. They wouldn't speak up. The teacher would have to call their names
numerous time to find out if they were present.
I'm gonna be extremely glad to be there. When The Lord calls my name, I'm liable to say, "I'M RAT CHEER!!"

I feel kinda like the Apostle Paul. I like Holy Ghost power. He said, Philippians 3:10a That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection.
If we don't get excited about Easter, we're backslid.(Or else haven't "slid forward" yet).
Hope all yall are ready for your Easter when the death angel comes after you.

God bless and have a Holiday filled with Worship.
Your Internet Pastor...Max

The perfect baseball swing...

Well he hasnt done it in a game yet---But O'Neal has hit 2 out-of-the-park Home runs in practice so far---you should see his eyes light up and it is one the coolest things for me to see. I love the sound it makes --when a perfect pitch, connects with a perfect swing...Hmmm--thats a whole different blog for later...

He has always wanted to hit them that far--and now he knows he can---He and a buddy walked around and got the first ball and he keeps it in his Bat-Bag and kisses it before every practice---his little pre-game ritual.

Being a Dad is one of the coolest jobs I have ever taken on....I am very proud of you-- #22.

I come by it honest....

My Dad used to say when we were growing up-"Im not gonna let a television tell me what to do"...
Take for example "American Idol" or some other popular show that comes on --you can pretty much tell where everyone in America is gonna be---on their butts in front of the TV...

I just dont get it---and hope I never do....there is a whole big world out there--and we are watching the "Box". Now I like TV--I kind of make my living in the business--and I have shows that I like---but I couldnt tell you what time or day they come on---if I happen to be in the house--or really not busy and I flip the channels and it is on---Ill watch...but my schedule changes a lot and I would much rather spend time on the baseball field, working in the yard, laughing with friends, going to the gym or occasionally watching a movie....

There are a lot of "Popular Shows" right now that I could mention--but Im sure I would offend someone...So, what I am trying to say is dont let a "Box" tell you what to do---

PS. and for all you Tivo people--its the same thing.

I believe if you are really living and loving life---TV just does not factor into the big picture....I mean seriously--just where does ANY television show fit into your 5, 10 or 20 year goals for your family and your kids...

From Pastor Rob...

“Investor's Business Daily has spent years analyzing leaders and successful
people in all walks of life. Most have 10 traits that, when combined, can
turn dreams into reality. Each day, the paper highlights one. Here are the
10 traits you can begin to develop to better your life:

HOW YOU THINK IS EVERYTHING: Always be positive. Think success, not failure.
Beware of a negative environment.

DECIDE UPON YOUR TRUE DREAMS AND GOALS: Write down your specific goals and
develop a plan to reach them.

TAKE ACTION: Goals are nothing without action. Don't be afraid to get
started. Just do it.

NEVER STOP LEARNING: Go back to school or read books. Get training and
acquire skills.

BE PERSISTENT AND WORK HARD: Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Never give
up.

LEARN TO ANALYZE DETAILS: Get all the facts, all the input. Learn from your
mistakes.

FOCUS YOUR TIME AND MONEY: Don't let other people or things distract you.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO INNOVATE; BE DIFFERENT: Following the herd is a sure way
to mediocrity.

DEAL AND COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY: No person is an island. Learn
to understand and motivate others.

BE HONEST AND DEPENDABLE; TAKE RESPONSIBILITY: Otherwise, Nos. 1-9 won't
matter.”

How many of these traits do you possess? Work on the ones you don't. That's
exactly what I did—and it worked for me, so I know it will work for you

Take a minute . . . and watch...