1. 1. Ephesians 2:8-9 These verses might be the most important in the New Testament. They show us we can do NOTHING to receive God’s favor. He gives us the gift—we DO NOT earn it, we must receive it by faith. God’s standard at the end will not be “how good were you,” HIS standard will be did you receive the free gift my SON offered you?  
2. 2. 1 Corinthians 10:13 This is one of the first verses I memorized and one of the most important for a follower of Christ to understand. God gives us a way to deal with situations that come into our life, it is our job to find the way out.

3. Proverbs 3:5-6 Most of us want our paths to be straight and we can get very frustrated when we feel as if we are spinning out of control. These verses tell us the formula for staying where God wants us—on HIS path!

4. John 10:10 If you are one of those people who believe that if you become a follower of Christ that life gets boring and you have to follow a set of rules, you are missing what the Christian life is all about. God brings us joy and abundance when we trust in HIM!

5. Acts 1:8 This verse is important for the church and the Christian to understand God’s formula and design for us to reach the world for Christ.

6. Romans 1:16 If we stand for Christ and honor HIM and stay consistent the world will respect us. If we decide one day to live like a Christian and then turn around the next day and deny HIM we lose the power God wants to give us through HIS message. The gospel is alive and active!!!

7. Galatians 5:16-18 We must begin to feed the Spirit within us, where we make a mistake is by continuing to feed our sinful nature as we walk with Christ. In order to achieve the Spirit-filled life which simply means (controlled by God’s Spirit) we must lay aside sin that entangles us. Feed your spirit and not your flesh, natural man or sinful nature—all the same thing.

8.  Romans 12:1-2 These 2 verses transformed my mind as I began to understand the importance of allowing God’s Word to get into my mind or what I like to call my spiritual hard drive.

9. Colossians 3:23 The one person who sees everything we do is God, nothing is hidded from HIS sight. Whatever job you may have teacher, pastor, lawyer, salesman, stay at home mom–(the hardest), construction worker or salesman–give it your very best. God desires for us to be our best. Our work ethic is a reflection of our character.

10. Romans 3:10, 23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-10  These verses will bring new life to the person who reads them and understands and confesses their sins to God. The verses have been known as the “Romans Road,” If you have not received Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour read these verses and see the amazing gift God gave to you—eternal life through HIS SON Jesus Christ.

Dawson in Ellijay

Saturday was a wonderful day for me and Dawson. Dawson sat on the bed with me as I watched some football. Dawson began to get tired and decided to cuddle up in my legs and watch the game with me. I wish with all my heart Dawson could talk and I wonder frequently what he would say to me if he only could speak. However I understand his emotions, looks, thoughts and especially his expression of love. It seems that lately my emotions and thoughts for Dawson are changing. I look at Dawson with the eyes of “my Heavenly Father” who knew my name before the creation of the world and knows everything about me. My Heavenly Father looks at Dawson and I as a masterpiece of His creation. Although Ruth and I are proactive with Dawson’s therapies (aba, speech), I do not look at Dawson and see autism first anymore. I see a boy who understands his parents love and in his own way reciprocates that same love. I must say it took me awhile to get to this point and the road has not been easy. Heavenly Father thank you for allowing me to be the father of Dawson. I place him in your hands the “Master Designer” of each of us!

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Dawson’s last day of school at Brookwood Elementary and how hard it would be to know he would not see his unbelievable teacher again. Ruth and I have been earnestly praying and seeking God’s guidance of what to do for Dawson in the fall, as far as school is concerned. We had checked out private schools in Atlanta for Dawson and didn’t really know how to gather the funds.  Well, a few days ago Ruth got a call from the Special Education Department in Gwinnett County with the most unbelievable news. It turns out that after months of agonizing, prayer, and many tears that the school they are moving Dawson to is Lovin Elementary, and Lovin Elementary is also the new home of Dawson’s amazing teacher from Brookwood.  So, Dawson will have his same teacher who was so great with him and be closer to home. God is truly amazing even though sometimes we don’t understand His timing; however, God truly has our best interest at heart and He is faithful to those who are His children. Psalm 18:30

What an awesome experience to raft down a pretty intense river with some friends. MZ college age ministry went to the Ocoee river today and had an awesome time. I must say there were some amazing moments when you are wondering what will happen next, but with a good guide and good friends helping–it is an awesome experience. One thing about rafting is to not pay attention to your guide is a huge mistake and can end up really hurting you. Which tells me since God is our Guide and His Word directs us–we must heed to His commands and principless He has for us. Oftentimes when we make a mistake our “friends” will lend a hand and pull us out of the rapids of life. Summary we need a Guide in our life and we need good friends to help us! 

I was at the parade in Snellville the other day and I took my boys to see how they would like all the “stuff”. Graham and I were kneeling down and I had my arms around him, and all the sudden one of his favorite things came crossing into our area a “HUGE” firetruck. As it was literally about 10 feet from us it sounded its horn. If you have ever heard a horn on a fire truck you know how incrediblly loud it is and Graham jumped (but didn’t cry). I was thankful that I had my arms around him at this particular time so that Graham wasn’t scared. Later on I thought about this moment and it reminded me that God’s Protection in our lives is so amazing and we should not fear anything because God’s Arm’s surround us every moment of our life. Romans 8:37-39