Jumping Ship

Update you mess cause I am jumping ship over to WordPress. You can find me here. Look I had to do it. My wife made one for herself and all the kids and I didn't want to be left out.

For the finally time here on blogger.....


MUSA OUT!

14 reasons!!!

14 Reasons why I love this woman!

1. She married me!!!


2. She gave me Caleb, Kennedy and Courtney.


3. She is a total BABE!


4. She brings out the very best in me and I am a better man because of it.


5. She is determined.


6. She is an encourager.


7. She is passionate.


8. She is a great cuddle buddy!


9. She is trustworthy!


10. She puts her family before herself.


11. She is my best friend!


12. She loves God!


13. She has a great smile, beautiful eyes and she is a "Hottie"!


14. After 14 years of marriage, she is my help mate, my lover, my companion, my friend and counselor. He who finds a wife finds a good thing. I believe this applies directly to me.

I love you Helen.

Saturday night Brain Dump!

I did it again.... I hit the enter button and posted a blank post once again.
Saturday Night Brain Dump- Take 2

1. Dad had hernia surgery yesterday and came through with flying colors.
2. Why do my kids take their cues from each other and decide that it is cool to ask 1,000 questions about the most random things... ALL AT ONCE!
3. Why do my dogs sleep so much???
4. Why does my wife sleep so much???
5. Why don't I sleep that much???
6. My oldest will be a teenager in a little more than a month..... Less than thrilled or not feeling prepared. You decide.
7. On that note, He just had his yearly physical, and lets just say that he is not 5 or 6 anymore. YIKES!
8. My wife will have to get a job next summer. Why, because whenever I come home from work, she has taken it upon herself to rearrange 3 rooms of our house with plans for more. I can't find anything!!!! Truly frustrating
9. Football practice starts in 19 days.... YES!
10. There is nothing better than Grandma's roast and rice that is covered in brown gravy. It will make your tongue slap your brains out!

Bonus thought: After nearly 14 wonderful years of marriage, Helen has successfully made brown gravy....... YEAH!!!!

Remember to keep it real till it goes wrong!

On Eagles' Wings!

Well I promised something more thought provoking and I guess I can't put it off any longer.

While on our vacation to Busch Gardens we went to the bald eagle habitat to see a collection of some rather awesome birds. Except there was one problem. None of the birds in that habitat would ever fly again. It struck me to see these birds waddle around or perched on the various rocks and branches around their en closer. Knowing that they would never again feel the wind on their wings or see a perspective of the earth that we as humans can only dream about. You see, these birds came to be there because they were either injured or became sick and thus they would never fly again.

My point is, that these birds were created for one thing, and the thing that they were created for they can never do again. God created us for one thing, and sometimes we like those birds through sickness or injury aren't able to do that thing that He made us for. Fortunately for us we have a Redeemer who is able to heal us and restore us to flight. Will you allow Him to restore your ability to soar on the wings of eagles or will you remain grounded unable to take flight again.

Look at it this way, birds fly, but eagles soar!

Country Living!!!

Well since we moved to Pender County I have noticed several things about country living.

1. It is REALLY DARK at night!
2. Next store neighbors is relative considering it is about 100-150 yards to get there.
3. Trash from passing cars ending up all over my front yard.
4. Having to take my trash to the county dump.
5. Country bugs are bigger than city bugs.
6. Various forest creatures that get struck by cars and dying in my front yard. (Deer especially)
7. Deer that like to have their social get togethers in my front yard
8. Electric fences...
9. Riding lawn mowers.
10. Having a house too far from the road to get cable.
11. Thunderstorms are worst here, thus the need for a weather radio
12. Blinking traffic lights at 10:00 pm

Wordle

I found this on Bryan's website and I thought it was pretty cool so I decided to try it. Just some of the random words that have appeared on my blog from time to time. Needed a space filler, what can I say.

Summer Time TV

Well it has been a while since I posted so I thought I would go with this: NO Re-Runs

1. American Gladiator- Just as good as when I was a kid
2. Wipe Out-New show on ABC- Kinda modeled after the Japanese game shows- Very Funny!
3. Design Star- Helen loves it and I love her so there you go. Not that bad either
4. Deadliest Catch- Crab fishing to the MAX!
5. UFC Unleashed- Two Men, 1 ring, tons of pain.
6. So you think you can dance- Watched it once or twice. It was ok
7. America's Got Talent- Good if you need a quick nap before bed
8. Nashville Star- Watched just enough to know who is hosting. (Billy Ray Cyrus)
9. If you have Direct TV- Gospel Channel is a good one! Lots of good music videos and other special programs!
10. What not to Wear- Just started watching this again. Once again, Helen loves it so see #3

So there you have it. The Summer time viewing list.

P.S. I promise to have something more in depth to say soon. You will just have to wait for it.

MUSA Out!

Another Great Church Sign

Sorry guys, I've been on vacation so there haven't been any posts coming from yours truly. With that said I thought I would get back in the groove by posting another interesting church sign that I saw just today.

It reads: "Our Sundays are better than Baskin Robbins!" Whether that is true or not isn't for me to judge, but Baskin Robbins is bringing 31 flavors so they had better come strong if they expect to top them.

Bonus sign. Actually I didn't see this one on a church sign but it is true not the less. It reads: " If God doesn't help, Help ain't coming!" I liked it, so there you go.


Musa Out!

Happy Father's Day!!!

I figured I would take this time to get the first post in for Father's Day. Yesterday my nephew graduated from high school, Way To Go Matthew!!!! But anyway, it was a another opportunity to spend some time with my father and my grandfather. BTW my grandfather is 94 years old. That man is simply amazing. My grandmother is 86 and they have been married for 66 years. They are stilling going strong.

The point is that I want to honor them for their roles in shaping the man you see here on this blog and in person. These two men did what many Black men of this generation chose not to do. That is, get married, have kids and then stick around to raise them. I owe much of who I am to these 2 men. Those of you who know me best may say, but John your dad is not saved. While that is true, he did instill in me some Godly principles even if he didn't realize it. Dr. Myles Munroe said it best while visiting our church that the fathers are the foundation of the family. Destroy the foundation, you destroy the family, destroy the family, you destroy a society. Dads our roles are vital to raising great kids. It works best when there is a mom and dad to raise them, but we can't forsake our role in getting it done.

Looking at my grandfather yesterday it hit me that I am a part of the legacy and blessing because of the foundation that he is in our family. I thank God for him all the time.

Happy Father's Day!!!

Burden of Leadership

If being a leader was easy, anyone could do it. I have discovered how easy it is to critic others for how they lead or conduct themselves based on the position they are in. It is quite another matter to occupy that position and be faced with those decisions knowing that the outcome of those decisions will affect those around you. This guy has made that abundantly clear as he moves ever closer to being the lead dog of this place! To make a long story short, I have taken the opportunity to not just complain about a situation but instead try a new concept and get involved to make it right. I was elected to the board of my children's school, and while I still feel somewhat under qualified, I never the less felt compelled to act. The saying: " The only way for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing!" kept popping up in my mind. I now have a chance to make an impact on something that is very important to me.

Leadership to me is best put like this: If you have to ability to act then you also have a responsibility to do so. Its kinda like seeing an accident happen and instead of lending a helping hand, we cruise on past and just rubber neck the whole event from afar. All the while saying it must stink to be in that situation or if they had been paying attention it wouldn't have happened. Catch my drift? As a christian, I haven't been called to just get by and not get involved. I am supposed to be a change agent, a catalyst, an example to those around me. So I have put myself out there for all kinds of critics to come my way.

In other words, you can criticize me all you want, but at least I am in the game!!! The view from the sideline must look pretty good huh?

I am just saying!

MUSA OUT!

Sunday Night Brain Dump!

Well it is Sunday night and we don't have choir practice.... So I find myself in front of this computer typing out this blog post.

1. I attended a pair of funerals over the weekend, one of which I was asked to be a pal bearer as soon as I arrived at the church. Helen was worried about me. But I was honored to do it.
2. I saw a lady driving on I-40 and she was holding her cell phone with one hand and flossing her teeth with the other. Talented or stupid.... You decide.
3. It has been Jungle hot outside over the past few days.
4. Vacation for me and my family is one week away.
5. Kennedy turned 10 this past Tuesday.... My kids are going up WAY TOO FAST!
6. Caleb will be 13 in August. I could be wrong but I think of all my closest friends from college that Helen and I will be the first to take the dip into parenting a teenager. Fortunately we will get to practice on Kennedy before we get to Courtney. She may be the one that tests my metal as a father.
7. Abbye bailed on the worship team because she wanted to get ready for baby Rylee. Can you believe it. Man, this is so unfair. Seriously, it was great to have her as our Worship and Creative arts Director.
8. Happy Anniversary to my pastors: Ron and Norma- 39 years!!! AWESOME!
9. Must go to the beach this summer.

Question of the Day/Week/Month: If the only time you pray together as a family is over your meals, is that a problem?

As always.... I'm just saying..... Musa Out!

Where were you when????

Since Google didn't think it was important to remember this, I figured I would do it. Do you know what today is??? Think about it for a second.... Give up?

It is the 64th anniversary of D-Day.

It has been said that the men and women from that era are known as the "Greatest Generation". I believe they may be right.

Musa Out!

TownHall- 6-1-08

Well we just attended our first Town hall meeting for our church to help our congregation better understand some of the changes that are taking place here. Pastor Ron and Pastor B shared their heart and vision for the future. To me it wasn't a whole lot of new material that was shared, because to Helen and I had already made up our minds where we stood. Some things that stood out to me about this meeting:

Pastor Ron talked about the importance of the prophetic and that how it was needed less inside the church and needed more out in the world where the lost and hurting reside. To me at first I didn't get it but the more I thought about it the more I found myself nodding in agreement.

If nothing else, that statement challenged me to walk by Holy Spirit direction. How many people have I passed by that God could have used me to speak a word of encouragement to them.

Pastor Ron is moving to a role in which he will be able to pour into the leaders of our church. This really excites me because it will be a chance to learn from a great leader of men.

Pastor B doesn't have it all figured out.... And that is OK. Because it is about the pursuit of the Father.

I believe we are getting ready to enter the most challenging and purpose fulfilling time in the life of our church. 2008 is supposed to be the year of acceleration and elevation. Are you ready?

Musa Out!

Consequences to our actions

Life moment number 200. Any two fools have to ability to make a baby. But it takes a man and a woman to be good parents. As for me, I believe I am some where in between those two extremes. My son was doing what 12 year olds do, when in the company of other 12 year olds. Except this time it got him suspended from school. Helen and I took the opportunity to discuss the matter with 2 of his teachers as well as his principal. While neither one of us was happy at what happened and we didn't necessarily agree with the punishment. We were able to be professional and courteous to them.

My point is simply this. We are to be a reflection of Christ in season and out of season. While I will leave it up to you what those seasons are. It was in the back of my mind during all of our meetings this morning. I wanted to get my concerns across but at the same time I needed to remain a representative of the God I serve. I hope we accomplished both. I am not perfect but I am striving even in difficult circumstances to be the same person that God wants me to be.

I am just putting it out there for public consumption... Do with it what you will!

Musa Out.

Wednesday Brain dump

Well it is Wednesday so it must be time for a quick reflection of the week's events.

1. Saw Prince Caspian with my wife and children on Monday. Pretty good flick. I can recommend it without reservation.


2. I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew. So I will have to swallow this one whole. I was elected to the school board of my kids school.
3. It is still May and I am being summoned to football meetings and practice doesn't even start for another 2 months.
4. Kennedy turns 10 (I think) on June 3. There is a sleep over in my future along with another cookout.
5. I get to learn some new music with this lady tomorrow.
6. BTW, I am starting to enjoy having the newest member of our family around. You may know him as IThunder. Helen knew it would only be a matter of time.
7. Helen and I are preparing to move on something that is close to our heart. Pray for us.
8. Vacation is coming. YES!
9. I have decided to get back on the "Weight Lost Express"..... Hopefully I can stay on board to the end.
10. Geocaching--- Its all the rage... If your kids come home talking about GeoCaching. You should give it a try. Great fun for the whole family.

I think that is enough for now.

Musa Out!

I am a Transformer!

This morning, before I left for work, I read Romans 12:2. I asked the Lord to transform my mind, to elevate my thinking. Helen has been faithfully reminding me to break out of the old mindsets that we as a couple have allowed to run our lives. To be honest, I was in a blue funk for most of the afternoon yesterday. I really had no reason to be. I got to spend time with my wife and children and we went to the movies. It was an extra day away from work and school and I should have been elated at the chance to be with them. And yet I found myself thinking of the things we didn't have, yet at least to me we needed. The point is that I have to allow God to change my way of thinking so that I can discern what it is He wants me to do and where I should go. I can't do that when I am stuck in an old worn out mindset. Simply because thinking like that is not on the same plain that God's thinking is, and He desires for me to come up to where He resides. So today, I am asking for a transformation of my mind, my thoughts and my desires.

Remember- If you think you can or you think you can't.... You are Right!

I serve???

I figured that I would be the first to comment on the sermon from church yesterday. I was listening to a very good sermon on joining the ranks of those who contribute to the ministry, instead of just receiving from it. Now I do in fact serve in a couple of areas in our church but I guess the question I am asking myself is, while I am serving, am I serving at the level and commitment that I should be. In other words am I just paying lip service and do things half-way or am I going all out to see the vision fulfilled? Because to me it seems there is not much difference between not serving and serving half hearted. Neither is advancing the kingdom.

I am just saying, if I am going to do it then I need to be in it all the way with my hair on fire. Serving half hearted is like eating cold soup. It may fill a need but it never satisfies.

It takes a village....

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton wrote a book, called " It takes a Village". I didn't bother to read it but I believe the premise of the work deals with how it takes a community to raise your children. Now I would generally disagree with that until tonight. You see I just left the GAFA dance production that my girls were a part of. They were awesome by the way. But it got me thinking. It really does take a community to teach, train and raise our kids. The primary responsibility lies with Helen and me but there are other people in my kids' lives that are very influential. For example, I couldn't have taught my girls those dance routines. I am not gifted that way, but there were some dedicated women who poured themselves into them to bring out an awesome gift in my girls. Nothing makes me prouder than to watch my kids excel at something they have worked hard on. So were does this leave me? Well, what Helen and I do is the foundation for everything else in their lives. But we also get to build parts of their lives as well and there will be others who will build into their lives things that I can't supply. Makes you think about the people who are involved in your kids lives doesn't it? I hope this makes sense.

As always...

Musa Out!

The Un-offended

God has the ability to cast my sin as far as the East is from the West and remember them no more. Now we say, how can He simply forget the wrong that I have done? Well I decided to take a look at it more closely. Many of you who read this may not be aware that my wife is white and I am of course NOT! I think the PC term for it is Inter-racial marriage. I will have a post on the whole "race" thing later. But for now let us focus in on this. When Helen and I first started dating her family was not very happy with it at all. Long story short most of her family did not come to our wedding. She had to walk down the aisle without her father. It was tough, and we could have felt justified in being angry or even bitter. The thing that kept me grounded was that I knew what the word of the Lord was to me concerning Helen and I believed in my heart that God would turn it around.

The thing that amazes me, is that God is so much better than anything we can imagine or think. He not only reconciled us to Helen's family but He so completely healed the breach that I really do not remember what it was like before He restored those relationships. To me, that is how I know when I am walking in forgiveness towards someone. When I can't recall what it felt like when the pain and offense were still new.

As far as East is from the West, into the sea of forgetfulness. Are you able to say that with a clear conscience towards those in your lives. It kinda gives new meaning to the phrase "Forgive and Forget" now doesn't it?

I am just saying.....

MUSA Out!

What will they say about me????

Ever wonder what people will say about you when you die. Now don't freak out, I don't have a death wish or anything. What I mean is. If you were dead and people had to sum up your life from their interactions with you, what would they say. This is a little experiment to provoke us to live in such a way that those who knew us best would say the kinds of things about us that would be good and true. If your list of negatives is longer than the positives then maybe just maybe some changes need to take place. I am just saying....