Flash Player needed to view this VideoBlog.

Tonight I'm at home thinking about and praying for the students at realife. I can't wait to be back with you guys!!!

Flash Player needed to view this VideoBlog.

There are times when circumstances (like recovering from back surgery) keep you from attending church as a family. That is a great opportunity to have a little family worship at home. We just finished a great Sunday morning of services (3 to be exact) where our three oldest girls each got to lead a service.

I thought you might enjoy a little media ministry so we captured a few minutes of one of them. Be blessed and may your home always be a place of worship.

Flash Player needed to view this VideoBlog.

If you look closely - and I do mean closely - you can see I'm growing a beard...at least for a couple of more days.

Despite what Casey says about how much weight I've lost since surgery, this isn't a picture of me. It's actually a picture I shot right outside my doctor's office the day before my operation. I think it was meant to describe how I would feel during week 2 of recovery! :)

Furthermore, I think David must have had a similar type procedure based on what he wrote in Psalm 6.2-3 "O Lord, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O Lord, how long?" I've only said that same prayer about 10 times myself (every hour). And David didn't even have Hydrocodone to help him!!!

I not only relate to David's pain in chapter 6, I also connect with his peace in Psalm 3.5 - "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me".

Isn't that true? About the time you feel like you can't go on or you can't take it anymore God steps in and provides the rest you need or the strength to sustain you. He doesn't promise that you will never struggle...or even that your difficulties will only last one hour or one day. He simply wants you to trust Him to help you...even when (or especially when) times are hardest.

So you can lie down and rest knowing He is with you. Tomorrow is a new day. He will sustain you. Just take it one day at a time.

Flash Player needed to view this VideoBlog.

This video is a fun reminder from Bria (our 2yr old) of God's wonderful promises.

You can stand on God's promises...they are true! 100% of them 100% of the time. Why don't you consider going through each day with a specific promise from God's Word? Especially if you're facing something that is difficult, confusing, or trying. Read the Bible and find out what God has to say about that issue. Then meditate on it, wrap your arms around it and face your day with the peace provided by His wonderful promise!

Flash Player needed to view this VideoBlog.

It's great to be home. I'm so refreshed and blessed by the smiles, giggles, and hugs from my girls. They're still trying to figure out why I can't hold them, or why they can't crawl on me or wrestle like we usually do. At least I can tell them that in a few months I will be able to do more with them than I ever have!

Casey has been more than amazing during this whole process...which doesn't surprise me. She is such a giving and caring person. I totally can relate to Proverbs 18.22 where it says "he who finds a wife finds a good thing". I found a great friend, competent help-mate, beautiful wife, and nurturing mother of my children when God brought Casey into my life. No wonder I'm so glad to be home!