My father turned 70 last week. We took him to lunch. No frills. Just the way he liked it. I wrote him a letter that shared how proud I was to have a dad like him. He told me Sunday night how much that meant to him. The Bible says we are to honor our father and mother. I believe we all should sit down and write a letter to our parents and share with them good things we've always wanted to say in the living years. Here's a rather somber question: if your mom or dad were to go home with the Lord tomorrow would there be things you regretted not sharing with them today? Don't wait. Do it now. I'm glad I did with both!

I picked this up this week. It is known as the responsibility process. I know it will help me because there are things on my mind at times that take more energy there mulling about them than to deal with them. Maybe this will help you?

1. What is a difficult or troubling situation in your life?
2. What payoffs or benefits do you get for keeping it like it is?
3. What costs do you pay for keeping it like it is?
4. How do you create, promote, or allow it to be the way it is?
5. What do you pretend not to know?
6. What do you want?
7. What actions could you take and what requests could you make to get it?
8. When will you do that?

Last weekend was a great weekend in the life of our church. It capped off what I feel has been a great summer at Ridgeview. On Saturday our church was out buying down the cost of gas $5 for each customer who arrived at the Spinx on highway 290. Reactions ranged from "what's the catch," to extreme gratitude, hugs, handshakes, and even two ladies began to cry. I was reading my Bible this morning (good thing to do, right?) and came across this passage: "If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward (Matthew 10:42). I continue to lead our church to reach out to our community because I want people to know the joy having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God's word says we all will be rewarded one day at his "Awards and Appreciation Day." I know I am rewarded each and every time I see a life changed by Christ. Our church continued sharing the love of Christ on Sunday as we hosted the North Greenville University football team for our morning worship. We also fed them after church. What a great day! I was especially thrilled to see 5 young men express their desire to begin a relationship with Christ! Again, the rewards of serving Christ are incredibly fulfilling.