This is highly unusual for us to get this much snow, but today we have gotten about 4.5 inches. In north Alabama that is a lot! Here are some pics I took early on this morning. There was only about two inches at this point. No traffic, just snow, quiet and peaceful.
Today, as I get to do each Wednesday, I sat down with two of my brothers, Jeremy and Steve, to study God’s word and meditate on its truths. We are studying Ephesians. I just wanted to share another thought or two about grace since that is such the focus of Paul’s writings.
(Ephesians 3:18-19 NCV) “And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love–how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. {19} Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.”
God’s grace came through the love that Christ gave to the whole world. Paul calls it a mystery revealed in the book of Ephesians. He says that it’s greater than we can know, but he also prayers that we will be able to know it. Only then can we be filled with the “fullness of God.”
No matter what I’m going through, I am saved. No matter how great my sin, I am forgiven. No matter how bad the discouragement, I can have genuine joy. No that’s a blessing to give the world.
(Ephesians 3:10 NCV) “His purpose was that through the church all the rulers and powers in the heavenly world will now know God’s wisdom, which has so many forms.” After knowing about His love and grace for us, our purpose is to make known to the heavenly realm the various ways of God’s wisdom. We were asked in the study guide we are using , “Is the church doing a good job of showing God’s wisdom?”
I think that one way we can show that kind of wisdom to the heavenly realm is by doing that which God has given us to do here. For example, Jesus told us to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” We must be showing this to the world to confound the heavenly and earthly realms. Anytime we live out loud the word of God, we are confounding those around us both in the earthly and heavenly realms.
What are some other ways we can show the wisdom of God in our world and in the heavenly world?
Hebrews is written to a discouraged people. They were people who were trying to go back and do things in ways they were comfortable. They needed only to trust that what they believed about Jesus was true and all they needed ultimately was Jesus.
A friend of mine sent me an article the other day that had as it’s text Hebrews 13:9. Here is the immediate context of that verse. Watch what God is up to in these verses.
(Hebrews 13:1-9 NCV) “Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. {2} Remember to welcome strangers, because some who have done this have welcomed angels without knowing it. {3} Remember those who are in prison as if you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering as if you were suffering with them. {4} Marriage should be honored by everyone, and husband and wife should keep their marriage pure. God will judge as guilty those who take part in sexual sins. {5} Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never forget you.” {6} So we can be sure when we say, “I will not be afraid, because the Lord is my helper. People can’t do anything to me.” {7} Remember your leaders who taught God’s message to you. Remember how they lived and died, and copy their faith. {8} Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. {9} Do not let all kinds of strange teachings lead you into the wrong way. Your hearts should be strengthened by God’s grace, not by obeying rules about foods, which do not help those who obey them.”
It is a section of scripture that is a real comfort to me today. Just what is going to happen tome financially I do not know, but I know that God knows and that He has promised to take care of me. I see several things in this word from God.
1. Focus on what matters: “Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.” My family means more than the rules, “which do not help those who obey them.” When he tell us to not let “all kinds of strange teachings lead you into the wrong way…,” he refers to strange teachings about Jesus, which they had to deal with a great deal. His point: Jesus is the same always.
2. I don’t need to love money so much: “Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have.” Contentment is a great thing!! I just wish I could provide only the things I need. I’m going to try and allow God to take care of those needs.
3. Empathize with the hurting: “Remember those who are suffering as if you were suffering with them.” That is telling me that I need to be thinking about those who are hurting. Sometimes I can’t get my mind off of my own “sufferings” enough to even think about others, let alone feel what they feel.
4. God’s grace is sufficient: “Your hearts should be strengthened by God’s grace.” The word for “strengthened” in the original here means “stability.” It is trying to teach me that I am to remain stable only in the Lord’s grace. He is really all that we need. Knowing that Jesus died for me and I’m going to be with Him should be all that I need. I can’t wait till I get to see Him and His loving face!!!!!!
5. Remember: In this passage the author uses the word “remember” five times. He also says that He will never leave us nor forsake us. We must remember all the things He’s done for us and he will never forget us.
This passage blessed me today and I just wanted to share it with you.
Hey guys, I’ve added a couple of new blogs to my “blogroll” that I find interesting and thought you might as well. I’d like to take this blog time to introduce these guys to you.
The first in the list is Mark Maybrey’s Luke blog. Mark is the pulpit minister at Macedonia where we currently are part of the church family. Mark is a dear friend and has been a close confidant in the struggles we have been experiencing. I met Mark back a few years ago when he came to Macedonia. I was at Creekside at the time and called him up to get to know him better. On that day we talked about how awesome it would be to get to work together someday and that “someday” has arrived. He and Tammy have three wonderful children and are a really good team in the ministry. Marks blog is a follow up on the sermon series he is in currently on the book of Luke. We’ve only heard to lessons so far, and it is already blessing our lives in a big way.
The second new link in my list is Ron Ethridge. Ron and his wife Pam are just great people. We met through basketball at Muscle Shoals. Their son Britton (a sophomore) plays on the varsity team as well.
Ron is an interim pastor for the Baptist church in one of our near-by towns called Moulton. He has pastored churches since 1989 in Mississippi and Alabama. He is a generous man and has been one of those divine appointments in my life. He has “been there and done that” when is comes to seeing the nasty of ministry. Therefore, he has related well with our situation and been a tremendous blessing.
I know you guys read lots of blogs, and I don’t usually put more on the list, but these too guys are worth the time. I love and appreciate them.
Today brought about two things that haven’t happened in a long time. The picture here shows the first. We woke this morning to snow. It has been so cold that it stuck. I couldn’t resist one picture to show you guys. It’s not much, but enough to shut down the schools.
Then tonight the Tide rolled all over Texas. I figure most of you saw the game or heard about it, so I won’t give the details. I will say kudos to the Tide defense and Mark Ingram.
I also want to give a huge shout out for Colt McCoy, Texas’ quarterback) who is one of the “classiest” kids I’ve ever seen on TV. His congrats to Bama and his spiritual testimony was awesome tonight. I hated to see him go down like that with an injury. He is a great warrior for God. I pray for him to go far in the NFL and stay strong in his faith.
The clock has turned again and a new year has begun. In the scheme of things, it’s just another day, but there’s something about ushering in a new year that brings a fresh perspective to our lives. It is a time of looking forward while also reflecting on the past.
In some respects 2009 has been a very difficult year for us, but in most respects it has been a good year. We have a new grandson now and a new son-in-law who loves and cares for our daughter and son. We are healthy to the best off our knowledge. We have become a part of a great church family in the Macedonia church. We have been surrounded by friends and family who have loved us in spite of our flaws while at the same time taking care of us–quite literally.
As I look forward to the coming year, I have a few hopes and dreams for my life. I hope to be more involved in the ministry again. I know that some say and it is true in one sense, “we are all in the ministry,” but I feel the calling on my life again and that is a good feeling. I hope to be a better husband than I’ve been this year. I want to be the kind of father my children need. I want to get myself in better shape again. This time last year, I weighed about 30 pounds less than I do now. I allowed the stress of life to dominate my mind and just let myself go. That needs to change.
I hope that 2010 can bring new life to my spiritual life. I really need to get back into the word of God more deeply. I want to begin teaching and preaching more and more again. I want to seek God more deeply than ever in my life.
The difficulties of this past year have helped me see some things anew. 1. I think I am a more humble person. That sounds almost cocky to say, but I really think God has been trying to teach me to get rid of my pride. 2. I think I’m more bold in my beliefs. Having been put in the position I’m in has helped me see what really matters. 3. I have a new respect for people in the “secular” work place. I’ve had to gain that perspective because I’ve been there again. It had been so long that I had grown impatient with people and their “excuses” of being tired on Wednesday nights or saying that it’s difficult to work on certain aspects of their lives due to the stress of work. That is a real struggle for some. 4. I will never take for granted spending time with my family again if I get that opportunity.
I wish all of you a very blessed new year! I pray God’s blessings and favor fall upon you all.
Tonight we took part in one of our family Christmas traditions. We sat around the living room and opened a Christmas Eve gift. Ellen and I were always children at heart when it came to Christmas. As hard as it is for children to wait for Christmas morning, it was even harder for us. So, we decided to start a tradition that has stuck for 22 years now and open a gift the night before. This year we were joined by our new son-in-law Thomas and our first grandson Robert. That made it all the more special.
To my knowledge, I can’t remember a Christmas when our children didn’t get the “big gift” that they wanted. We’ve always somehow managed to make that happen. This year was going to be different. This year we just were not going to have Christmas any where near the normal thing that our kids are used to having. In fact Christmas was not going to happen at all as far as gifts were concerned. There are lots of reasons for that, but suffice it to say that we just didn’t think that the money would be there. Little did we know that things would change.
I’m not going to talk about the amounts or what specific ways people have blessed us this year, but I told our kids tonight that all of their gifts this year were made possible because of gifts given to our family. I can’t name specific individuals because most of them chose to give their gifts through people who were sworn to secrecy. The few that did just give directly asked not to be recognized about it. These are people who did not have to do anything, but chose to help in a time when it was going to really bless us.
Now, I know that Christmas is not about just the giving of gifts, but the way in which people have showered us with gifts is a huge encouragement. There are still people in this world whom God is using to help get people like me and hundreds of others through these seasons in our lives.
So, if you read this and you are one of those people allowing God to work through your giving heart, I can’t tell you what it means to Ellen and me to see the eyes of our children light up because there are gifts under the tree. If you haven’t been the giver of gifts, please hear this blog as a reminder that God does take care of us in all kinds of ways.
My kids are older now and their eyes are open to the mysteries of Christmas. Their innocence concerning this season is lost in a way. But one thing they do know–God is the giver of all good gifts and is always solely responsible for what ever we receive in the way of blessings, not just at Christmas, but all through the year.
Please have a very Merry Christmas from the Davis’!!
It looks like my work at the Sound Shoppe on a somewhat regular basis will end soon. I was hired on the promise that I could work pretty regularly until Christmas at a local music store. (Heaven for a drummer–even though it is primarily a guitar store.) I work with two great guys whom I’ve grown very close to in a short period of time. It is a small business, however, and I will probably not get to work there after Christmas except a couple of days a week.
I’ve been very appreciative to my friend Darrel for taking me on as long as he has. It has been great for me to work around one of my passions in life–music! I’ve enjoyed this part of my journey.
Now I need you to pray for us that God will work the next step out in our life. I have every reason to be confident that He will take care of us. He has never failed us yet and I don’t suspect He will start now.
I feel God leading me back into ministry somehow, but it is still unclear how that will happen. I have some ideas, but do not feel that it is the right time to act on them.
Wow! What a day! It started off with me and Brandon going to pick up the wedding cake and chicken tenders for the reception. That sounds harmless enough, but transporting an expensive cake and worrying about if it will stand the near 30 minute drive to the church is not an easy task. We made it just fine until we were turning into the church parking lot. The cake was fine, but the chicken tenders began to slide. My nephew caught the container and saved the day!
Once at the building, the stress began. There were so many loose ends to tie up before getting ready for the picture-taking. We had to get the last-minute music in order, finish the food stuff for the reception, finish the decorating, and take care of last-minute problems.
We started the picture-taking part of the day about 12:30. Getting that many people in line to cooperate can usually be a chore, but once we got everyone settled, it went pretty well. I hope to share some pics soon.
After picture-taking, the time seemed to really slow down. Every detail is etched in my mind now, but thanks to video, even when the details are gone, I’ll be able to watch most of the day on TV.
Emotions began to sink in and we all had our contemplative moments where a few tears were shed. The first time I saw Tabitha in that dress, those same emotions flooded my heart that did the first time I saw Ellen in hers. Tabitha is a beautiful girl inside and out. Thomas looked rather damper in his tux as well. He still says “swayt tay” (translated sweet tea) as country as the come even when looking all “upidy” in his threads!
The wedding did not go without flaws, which makes a wedding even more fun to watch. First, the candle-lighter for Perry would not extend. Second, the runner that would be the white carpet the wedding party would come in on would not roll out. When it finally did, tape that was holding the front of it let go. Thankfully, Randy was there taking video and just stood on it.
After the wedding party all got in, it was Tabitha and my turn. That is one of the most sobering moments in my life. I realized that I had never done this before and had better sure never have to do this with Tabitha again. I realized that this was the moment she had been waiting for and one that Ellen and I had known would come and did know how to really know how to do this!
We made the walk just fine. Mark Maybrey was waiting in the minister’s spot to receive us. He had the kids to write a letter to one another signifying what this day meant to them. I was doing just fine until I heard the words they had written–very mature and loving toward one another. After reading these statements, Mark asked, “Who gives this bride to be wed?” Then I handed her over to Thomas. I then switched places with Mark and did the ceremony.
I stared with a verbal blunder. I can’t remember the exact way I goofed, but it did start the whole ceremony off with a light note. I’ll play you this clip sometime because it is a classic, but the best I can remember, I said something like, “We’ve prayed since Tabitha was in the womb that a man would come one day and take her away.” I didn’t really mean it like that, but people love to laugh at preachers who mess up, so I was able to give them one there. The rest of that part of the ceremony went well.
Once we got to the rings, Raymond, Thomas’ granddaddy and best man, decided he would fake losing the ring. He really hammed it up. It was great.
Once the vows were made, kiss exchanged, and unity candle lit, the couple came to the center to be presented–only this couple already has a baby boy. They decided to allow Robert to leave the ceremony with them. He was brought in and handed to them. I presented them, “Thomas, Tabitha, and Robert Holcomb.”
They left to the music “Walking on Sunshine” by Catrina and the Waves. They all danced down the aisle as they left. Ellen and I even did a little jig. My mom danced out with Brandon. I can’t wait to see (and hopefully share) this video. As Britney went out, she provided one more light moment when she got tangled up in the very flimsy runner.
All in all , it was a great day. It ended with Brandon playing one of the best basketball games of his high school season. I’ll show you a picture of his radio interview in a later blog. He had ten steals, too many assists to count, and five points.
Pray for Britney though. Her day ended with her boy friend breaking up with her. She really didn’t need that today. Boys don’t have the best judge of timing.
I guess I really never thought this would happen so quickly, but it is here. This is the week of my oldest daughter Tabitha’s wedding. It’s going to be busy all week. Plans have already been happening, but it is down to the wire now and it’s really starting to sink in for Ellen and me.
I doesn’t seem that long ago that we were leaving the hospital with her. She came into the world on October 7, 1987. She was a beautiful baby–not all babies are you know, but this one was. She was the first of what would be seven grandchildren for my mom and dad. They sure let her know it.
Tabitha did like many first children and learned quickly. She did many things early in life. She walked quickly, talked quickly. She was very coordinated. She learned in school very well and was never, at any time, any trouble. When she turned six, we started playing softball. She even did well at that. Every kid in our family did the same. We’ve spent many hours on a baseball or softball field–some of the happiest times in life. A bad day on the ball field is better and a good day at work!
She joined the band in the sixth grade and played the drums (smart kid). Little did we know that the drumline would be something that affected all of our kids lives in some way. Danielle and Brandon played in the drum line, and Britney was inspired to be a part of the color guard. The Muscle Shoals High School band program was a huge part of our lives.
She came to us at the age of nine and wanted to be baptized. That seemed very young to us, but she 
insisted and with her family present, I baptized her into Jesus at Cox Boulevard.
From the moment we found out that Tabitha was coming into the world, we prayed that God would be preparing someone for her to spend the rest of her life with. We prayed that he would be the kind of husband for our daughter who not only would take care of her physical needs, but would take care of her spiritually and keep her close to God. She dated a couple of guys who, at least in our hearts, were not that. She finally met Thomas and we felt good about this guy from the start.
Thomas and Tabitha met on the internet. That kind of scared us, but when we met him, those fears left us. He has such a genuine heart and loves Tabitha so much. He is a quiet spirit who works hard and most of all loves the Lord. One of the first things he told me was that his favorite musical group was Casting Crowns. I knew then that, at the very least, he had good taste in music.
As time went on, Thomas came to me and asked me if I thought he’d make good “son-in-law material.” It was not long after that conversation he 
ask me if he could ask Tabitha to marry him. I gave him permission, and he did. They set the date for December 12.
After setting the date, at some point their morals relaxed and they got pregnant with Robert. Though it was very disappointing, we are now glad to have our grandson. Tabitha and Thomas decided to wait till their wedding date to get married. Some liked that and some didn’t. I thought it was the mature thing to do. But I digress.
This Saturday will bring joy and sadness for me. People say, “You are not losing a daughter, you are gaining a son-in-law.” While that is true, it’s going to seem strange for me to walk that beautiful person down the aisle and give her away.
I’m giving her away to a good man, but still losing her to decisions and situations in life that will no doubt be difficult, but that’s just the way of it all. I’m giving her away to have her cleave to another guy and build a family of their own. I’ve seen other men do the same for their daughters and somehow it didn’t have the same effect on my life.
So, to our Tabitha I say this, “Woo Woo, I love you. I know you are just moving a mile away, but in my heart it will seem ten thousand miles. I 
know you are marrying a good man who will take care of you, but know that we will always be here for you both. I know that you are going to have and create a beautiful family for yourself, Thomas, and Robert, but know this–our daily home life will have an empty spot that only a Woo Woo could fill. We love you and will always have a place where you and your family can belong.”
(Genesis 2:24 NCV) “So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one body.”
