Keep the Dream Alive!

“Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character." (Psalm 105:17-19)

Joseph is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. Surviving a plot by his brothers to kill him then his brothers sold him into slavery...later, falsely accused of raping his boss' wife who tried to seduce him...then being chain and cast into prison, yet never holding a grudge nor becoming bitter. How did he do it?

God had given him a dream and he kept the dream alive! During each trial, Joseph's faith in God's promise gave him confidence things would get better...and they did.

When his dream was fulfilled Joseph became the second most powerful man of his day and he was in the place to save his family and the nation from starvation.

Has God given you a dream? Do your current circumstances seem impossible for that dream to ever come true? Don't give up! Trust God's promise...because with God 'all things are possible.' He will keep His promise.

Keep the Dream Alive!

Faith and Hope

"O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay?

Take pity on your servants!

Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,

so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.

Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!

Replace the evil years with good.

Let us, your servants, see you work again;

let our children see your glory.

And may the Lord our God show us his approval

and make our efforts successful.

Yes, make our efforts successful!"

(Psalm 90:13-17)

Moses' life was a roller coaster ride. He spent the first 40 years of his life growing up in royalty. The next 40 years on the back side of the desert, then 40 years with the irritating Israelites in the wilderness. He never did get to the promised land, yet his life lands his name on the Hall of Fame of Faith.

This Psalm reveals two very important qualities in Moses life: Faith and Hope.

Though Moses went through difficult and frustrating times, he never lost faith that God was in complete control of the future. Here he prays and asks God to make their efforts successful.

As long as their is faith and hope there is a future.

Just a thought...

'If your life is not all you want it to be, it may be that you have some forgiving to do.' - Author unknown

'In his book. Lee: The Last Years, Charles Bracelen Flood reports that after the Civil War, Robert E. Lee visited a Kentucky lady who took him to the remains of a grand old tree in front of her house. There she bitterly cried that its limbs and trunk had been destroyed by Federal artillery fire. She looked to Lee for a word condemning the North or at least sympathizing with her loss. After a brief silence, Lee said, "Cut it down, my dear Madam, and forget it." It is better to forgive the injustices of the past than to allow them to remain, let bitterness take root and poison the rest of our life.' - Michael Williams.

'You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.' Luke 6:36-37 (NLT)

Wild Goose Chase

Finally got my copy of Wild Goose Chase. After reading In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson, I couldn't wait for his next book release. Looking forward to reading it this week.

Here's Mark's summary of the book and his bio:

Summary:
Most of us have no idea where we’re going most of the time. Perfect. “Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something….Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” --from the introduction.

Author Bio:
Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. NCC meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station. More than seventy percent of NCC’ers are single twentysomethings who live or work on Capitol Hill. Mark is the author of the best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger (www.markbatterson.com). He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and their three children.

Update!

Wow…It’s been almost two weeks since my last post. Thanks to those of you who have checked in to make sure I’m still alive. Things have really been busy. Here’s a bullet list of what’s been happening on a personal level:

• Helped move Amanda into her new apartment
• Helped move Nathan’s things to storage and took him to the airport for his deployment to Iraq
• Painted and converted Amanda’s room into a guest/craft room
• Hosted the ‘Higher Calling’ group from Trinity Baptist College
• Cleaned and reorganized garage
• Hosting a four week small group: ‘How to share your faith.’
• Lead two people across the line of faith

I want to share more on several of these events later.

New Message Series

This Sunday we launch our new message series: "Weeds"

'The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.' (Luke 8:14)

It is impossible to grow spiritually apart from God's Word. God's Word has the power to transform our lives and to grow us into spiritual maturity. Why is it that people go to church regularly, yet they are not growing spiritually? Jesus says weeds 'crowd out' and 'choke' or strangle His Word. We need to regularly clear the weeds from our lives. In this message series we will identify the weeds and learn the solution for destroying them.

Vacation Bible School

We have a great VBS planned this year. If you'd like to attend you can register here. Or, if you want to know more here is a video to view. For any questions just email: Office@countychurch.org.

Vacation Bible School in Waldorf Maryland @ Cross County Baptist Church - August 4-8 6:30-8:45pm.

Higher Calling

If you're in Waldorf next Thursday stop in for an Old Fashioned Gospel sing. Looking forward to having the Higher Calling Quartet from Trinity Baptist College.

If you'd like to listen to a sample: Click here

Summer Sunday

Now that's a patriotic dessert! We had a great time today at our Summer Sunday. Steve did a great job reminding us of the liberty we have in Christ...loved the tribute to the red, white and blue by the music ministry...enjoy the time together during the cookout/picnic. Too bad the weekend is almost over.

Congratulations!

Congratulations Andy and Jessica!

I had privilege of leading Andy and Jessica to the Lord last year…then baptizing them last July. What a joy to officiate their wedding yesterday.

May their life together be a blessing. I wish them the best!

How much is that coffee?

Who is crazy enough to pay $50 a pound for coffee? You’d be surprised…

Recently I was given some Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. It wasn’t fresh whole beans. Instead, it was pre-ground coffee in packages used to make whole pots of coffee in offices. Great coffee! We used this at our family reunion last week and I was amazed how great it tasted…even 12 hours after being brewed. Absolutely no bitterness!

But even so, who’d pay $50 a pound for any kind of coffee? Maybe you would…maybe you already are…consider this:

Depending on preferences for coffee strength, 1 tablespoon of fresh ground coffee yields a standard 6 ounce cup…1.5 ounces will make a pot of ten 6oz cups…therefore a pound of coffee beans equals 100 cups of coffee.

A 12oz cup of Starbucks averages $1.85…or the equivalent of a pound of whole coffee beans for $87.50 .

The coffee Starbucks is brewing cost $12 a pound. And, believe me, it is not the same quality as Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee.

So, who’d pay that much for coffee?

At $50 lb, you can enjoy a 12oz cup of fresh ground Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee for only $1. That's just little more than half the price of a Starbucks cup of coffee.

Old Glory Ribs

My 4th celebration did not go quite as planned...it was much better!

The wedding rehearsal in Havre de Grace went very well. Really looking forward to the wedding and reception today.

After the rehearsal we drove to Branch Ave Metro station and took the subway to Foggy Bottom...Walked to Georgetown...and had ribs at Old Glory. They were great!

To top off the ribs we went to Barnes and Noble and cashed in a gift card for Starbucks coffee and cheesecake... an unbeatable combination.

After dessert we watched the fireworks from the Lincoln Memorial.

Barbecue ribs @ Old Glory...Starbucks...Cheesecake...Lincoln Memorial...Nations Capital fireworks...That's celebrating Independence Day.

Ole' Dixie

You've got to meet my sister's dog Dixie. What a great lab!

Favorite weekend

I love the 4th of July weekend. It is one of my favorite times of the year. I look forward to seeing the red, white and blue everywhere. I'm a huge patriot. I love my country and I'm proud to be called an American.

This year I'll do a wedding rehearsal on the 4th. Go to DC to watch the fireworks that night. Officiate a wedding on the fifth. Sunday, we will have our annual Summer Sunday Service and cookout.

Can't wait!

Weeds

New message series beginning Sunday July 13...

God's Word transforms lives. But, many who read the Bible never experience it's transforming power. Why? Because they do not remove the weeds that strangle spiritual growth. In this message series we'll identify these weeds and find a solution to eliminate them.

Best Mom in the World!

Here is another reason why I love my mom and why she is the best mom in the world...

S'mores:)

2008 Dixon Reunion

What a blast! Our 2008 family reunion was off the chart again this year. It was so good to see everybody and to catch up on what's going on in every one's lives.

The weather was good...The fish were biting...

The food was out of this world.

We even had a another family member born during the week (Preston Lee Butler). The Dixon family gets larger every year. God has blessed us in so many ways.

I'm so thankful for such a great family and I love them so very much.

Have you heard from God Lately?

When you read your Bible, do you hear from God? Why is it that some people get so much more from their Bible reading that others do?

Jesus said some would hear but not understand, and others would hear and experience unbelievable result. To illustrate, he told the story of a farmer who planted seed in four different soil conditions. Three of the soils failed to produce, but the fourth soil produced an amazing crop.

The first soil rejected the seed. The second did not develop a strong root system. And, the third was overcome by thorns.

Success in farming requires both strategy and effort. A casual approach to farming will not produce great results. The same is true if God's Word is going to speak to you. Your approach to the Bible should be more than casual. To get the most from God's Word you have to put forth personal effort. Do you have a structured approach to the Bible? What do you do when you come to a passage you do not understand? Do you discuss the Bible with other believers? Do you keep digging till you understand?

God's word is powerful. It will change your life. You need to hear from God. How serious are you about reading and understanding God's Word?

He wants to speak to you today. How serious are you about listening to him?

Fireproof

Gi and I were invited last night to the Hoffman Theater in Alexandria for a screening of Fireproof.

Highly recommend it!

I really think the 40 day dare challenge is going to be a great help to marriages.

Mark September 26 on your calendar and make this movie a date for you and your spouse.

Luckiest Dad in the World!

My girl's really went over the top showing their love for dad this year. I love my two daughters.

So proud of each of them and the wonderful young ladies they have grown up to become.

Amanda gave me a book I've been wanting to buy. I'm already enjoying reading it.

We had our traditional NY Strips cooked on the grill. They were out of this world.

I also enjoyed being able to watch the Nascar race. I'm a big Gibbs Racing Team fan, but it was good to see Jr. finally win one.

Dad's Duct Tape

What can dad do with duct tape? (watch)

They say if you give a guy a screwdriver, pair of pliers, and a roll of duct tape he can fix anything.

Wouldn't it be handy to have a go-to like duct tape to fix problems in our children's lives? I bet the Prodigal son's father wished he had a 'duct tape' solution when his son rebelled. As a dad there are times when I have been overwhelmed trying to fix my children.

The truth is, in the story of the prodigal son, I think the way the father dealt with his wayward son provides a great go-to when dad's face problems. I shared Sunday in the Father's day message a three-fold duct tape solution for dad's:

1. Treat your children as people - Children are not furniture nor pets. They are people. As dad's we cannot live their life for them. The father in this story let his son go. He could have withheld the inheritance but he chose to honor his son's wishes. Definitely a courageous act by a dad.
2. Pray for your children. - No doubt if we treat our children more like people than pets we will spend more time praying then punishing. Not that there aren't times that we must punish. Personally, I feel that parental punishment is more of a pre-teen thing. After that they will suffer from their errors enough without dad's correction. But, what accomplishes more, praying or punishing? Every child needs to know they have a praying dad.
3. Pardon your child, loving them unconditionally - Our children need to know that our love for them is unending. So tragic when a person feels that dad does not love them

I gave each father a roll of duct tape to help remember our go-to solution .

What dad's can't do. (watch)

Camping

We camped from Tuesday to Saturday last week. What a blast!


It was really a great opportunity to spend an extended time with some of the men in the church as well as their boys. We had three men who were new to our annual camping excursion. The fishing was the best it has been for several years. I think all the boys caught several fish. It was for many their first fish ever. Nothing like seeing the face on a young boy after he catches his first fish. Truly one of life's treasure moments.


The Shenandoah river and valley are truly one of the most peaceful and relaxing places on earth.

Sunday Reflection

Sure glad we had AC today. The forecast today was 99 degrees. Makes you wonder how they survived in the old days.

Going into the 'Deal no Deal' series I expected Spiritual warfare. Not sure I realized how intense it might become. The enemy doesn't want us to know his weapons, and he especially does not want us to know how to win temptations battle.

If Satan does not get us to fall with 'the lust of the flesh' or 'the lust of the eyes,' he pulls from his arsenal 'the pride of life.'

• Pride makes us think we are better than everyone else.
• Pride makes us jealous..
• Pride makes us build monuments to our self.
• Pride pressures us to impress people.
• Pride prevents us from fully submitting our life to God.
• Pride breaks God’s Greatest law, ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’
• Pride promotes Satan's agenda.
• Pride prevents us from praying to and depending on God.
• Pride causes us to lose the joy of the blessings we currently have.
• Pride eventually ends in shame.
• Pride destroys lives.

The antidote to pride is humility. Humility is simply knowing that we need God! The measure of our humility is our dependence on God.

God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. …
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
James 4:6 - 10

“To be humble to superiors is duty, to equals courtesy, to inferiors nobleness.”

Benjamin Franklin

Porch Pal

Look at who joined me on our porch today?



I think I'll keep him around hoping he'll eat some of the moles in the yard:)

New Again