Posted by Brandon under Personal on Saturday, February 6th, 2010
We’re almost to the 30-week mark of Angie’s pregnancy. I get to feel Samuel kicking, turning cartwheels, and giving me high-five’s when I put my hand on her stomach. Last night we painted the nursery. The bedding is in. We’re slowly stockpiling diapers and getting ready for the big day.
While painting last night, my mind began to wander and I started asking myself questions that can only be answered as time unfolds.
What’s Samuel going to look like?
Will he sleep through the night?
Will he like his room?
Will he play baseball?
Can I convince Angie to let him play football?
Will he be an introvert like the rest of us?
Will he have bright blond hair like I did?
Will he be born with hair at all?
Will he be crafty and creative?
Will he hate sweet potatoes like I do?
Will he like me? Will he want to hang with his Daddy?
Will he be godly?
Will he find a godly wife?
Will I be a good Dad to him?
I don’t have answers, just questions, but it’s fun asking them right now. I’m getting a little nervous, a lot excited, and quite giddy. I can’t wait to meet you Samuel David! We’re gonna have an awesome time!
Posted by Brandon under Living on Thursday, February 4th, 2010
In our journey through the Word at Bethel, we’ve come up to the historical books of the Old Testament. We jump right into the first two kings, Saul and David, who could not be more of a contrast. I’ve always been struck by the supreme difference between the two of them Saul would do anything for the approval of man, including live in direct disobedience to God. David, on the other hand, was crushed anytime he didn’t have God’s approval and obeyed God even when it cost him the approval of man.
Posted by Brandon under Leadership on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
There’s a really great blog about leadership and ministry written by Scott Williams called Big Is the New Small. I’ve written an article as a guest blogger there that you might be interested in reading:
Posted by Brandon under Personal on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
I’ve told some friends about this amazing opportunity, but haven’t said much publicly. I am now beginning to get very excited about where I’m headed next week. Early Monday morning, I’ll fly out to Orange County, California to attend Radicalis.
The circumstances surrounding the reason I’m going are a pretty neat story, perhaps best reserved for another time, but I’ll tell you that it has something to do with something more and more people are beginning to “get,” social media… and online publishing… and a love for Pastors and conferences.
I’ll be blogging all week about the things I learn. I’m going to miss my girls terribly, but I’m stoked about going!
Disclaimer: “Stoked” is not profanity… it’s just a term for “excited” I learned from my friend Bobby who is from southern California. This disclaimer is issued so that none of my Arkansas or Kentucky friends or family misunderstand… ;)
Posted by Brandon under Living on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
I remember seeing that phrase on a license plate once and laughing. But sadly, that’s how many of us live our lives. We work because we have to do so. I think it’s one of the reasons get-rich-quick programs are so successful at recruiting people. We have a dream, for some reason, of being rewarded for being less productive.
Posted by Brandon under Sermons on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
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This article is adapted from my sermon from 1 Samuel 2-3
Posted by Brandon under Leadership on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
I recently posted some thoughts about what discipleship looks like and that article was really the product of a recent men’s Bible study at Bethel. Every Tuesday a bunch of men get up and get to church by 6:15 a.m. for a pre-workday Bible study.
We opened the year with an open discussion about the meaning of discipleship and I found it highly encouraging. I wanted to pass along the audio in case you’d missed it, are interested in coming, or just need some inspiration about discipleship and men.
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Posted by Brandon under Sermons on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
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Above is the audio from a recent message I preached at Bethel from 1 Samuel chapter 2 – Hannah’s song of praise to God.
Posted by Brandon under Books on Monday, January 25th, 2010
The Race…from Pit Row to Victory Lane by Rick Lemons, Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Forney, Texas, is the first book even remotely relating to NASCAR that I’ve ever read, much less enjoyed. Personally, I’m not a big fan of the… “sport.” What I am a fan of is the way Rick uses the details of a race to illustrate what basic Christian living is all about.
Irwin does a masterful job of presenting a comprehensive take on the subject of failure. Irwin lays the groundwork by speaking of the qualities that prevent derailment that should be a part of every leader’s life. Thomas Nelson’s description of the book puts it this way…
I'm a Christian, a Pastor to Bethel Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas, a husband to Angie, a Dad to Ella, and I also enjoy graphic and web design. I'm a huge fan of Chick-fil-A and have a little dog named Beau! read a little more...
I'm a Christian, a Pastor to 
