Caleb and I are heading on adventure tomorrow to Bogalusa. But first we’ll plan to stop in New Orleans to see the sights and hit some cajun food.  Looking forward to it and praying for Abey Baby (my old car) to get us everywhere we need to go on time.

Excited to see our CP Rant hitting the Baptist Press!

She had a good interview at a place where Caleb might even get a job.  Things are looking really good for now.   Finished the audio editing for Friday Forum. I’m now about to dive into the David Uth talks.

Last night was really stormy and I woke up late.  A little fatigued from the past few days. Tomorrow I begin my trek to Bogalusa, probable staying at my Mark’s place with Caleb.  Praying for some good father/son time

Darlene still on her way. Talked to her about an hour ago. She’s about halfway there. Caleb and I are watching Rocky.

Wrote the following promo treatment for disaster relief.

Disaster Relief Promo

Sketch Art Suggestions in BLUE

Let’s face it. Most of us live in an amazing community.  Houses

We have fresh running water.   Faucet

Plumbing

Transportation    Car

Food every single day   Grocery Bag

At least that’s my story

Even my dog doesn’t skip meals.  Dog

But for me, things haven’t always been that way.

It all started on a grey day in the month of May. I knew there was a storm coming to town back but I had never seen a storm like that one.   Storm Cloud

The wind was crazy

Wind Blowing

and I looked about 300 yards away and there was this twister.

Tornado

It felt like a scene from the Wizard of Oz.

Dorothy Looking Girl

Of course without the Wicked Witch or the Tin Man.  However I was someway a cowardly lion. I digress.

 Lion

It sounded like a train and I ran to a storm shelter.

My house was OK. Just a few broken windows and a few shingles. But my neighbor’s house? Completely destroyed. I wanted to help but none of us had water for some reason and the electricity was off for 4 days.  Rubble

But something amazing happened. About 8 hours after the storm struck, this caravan of people from Lousiana Baptist Disaster Relief showed up with food, water, extra clothes.  They even started cooking.

Disaster Relief Trucks

And the meals went on and on! We were blown away, not just by a tornado- we were blown away that these people would give us so much!  They were there long before the insurance adjusters got there.

Hammer, chainsaw, food on plate

And I asked them why they were doing this. This lady said,  “We love Jesus and he called us to help people.  Jesus figure

Why?

She smiled and said again, “It’s because Jesus loves you. We are his gift to you.”

Heart

That’s how I became a Christ Follower.

Cross

God showed up in a big way in the middle of a storm, and in the middle of my messy life as a single dad.

Man with child

Just so you know, disaster relief makes a big difference. They had a message in the middle of the mess.

Words: LBC Disaster Relief

So as one guy who experienced the love of Christ through the work of Louisiana Baptists and Disaster Relief, I want to challenge you to pray for God to use our teams to share the love of Christ.

People Prayer

We also challenge you to give through the Cooperative Program as well as donating specifically to this amazing team that consists of people just like you!

Dollar Sign

And finally we need you.  Whether you can stir a pot of chili,

Soup Pot

Take a Chainsaw to cut down broken tree limbs, paint, or just lend a helping hand, you too can be a hero

Superhero in Cape with “DR” on his shirt or cape

like those who served me. We’ll even provide the yellow t-shirt that you’ve seen in the news during relief efforts.

And then you can say.  We’re doing this because Jesus loves you!

 For more information:

DETAILED CONTACT INFOMATION 

Praying for her to find the job that will best fit what needs to happen for Caleb. Once more thinking about selling the house here because of financial strain. God has been faithful to open up new opportunities for me. Next month I’ll be traveling to Odessa to help plan the Christmas Celebration.

Sunday, it’s off to Bogalusa. I have writing to do for disaster relief and a few other treatments.

Yesterday we went to Shelter for a review of the story of Ruth. Caleb got to play the drums and it sounded like things went well although I didn’t get to see him in action.

Lord, guide us today. I pray for safe travel for Darlene and a clear vision of what You are up to in our lives.

Lord, I pray that Caleb experiences success playing the drums tonight. I pray for clarity for him as he adapts to lots of new things in life. I pray He will sense your perfect presence in his life today.

Why fear?

Lord, I pray that you will show me the truth of my life. I see Your hand and I am often fearful that I am trying to please my personal aspirations rather than You. Lord Jesus, let my joy come from the inside and not what people perceive from the outside.

Here I am send me

Darlene will head to Nashville tomorrow in order to find a job, visit friends and perhaps look for a place to stay. We’ve tried to make Louisiana School system work for Caleb but he has been unsuccessful here so we’ve made the decision to be apart for the year so that Caleb can graduate. Praying for God to really show us what to do and how to make things work