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Endless Options

eric — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:16:54 +0000

You know, I have begun to realize that I have endless options regarding new employment. One job I am considering is a volunteer fire chief for Fire House Subs. They have cool fire helmets and great food and who knows…they might even have to put out a fire every now and then.

I think I am pretty good at putting out fires. Being in sales for over fourteen years and ministry for nearly five, it would seem I have great experience for putting out fires. Yep, customer service and ministry are pretty demanding, trust me.

Anyway, I was wondering how people think I look in this get up. Who knows I might be a fireman, astronaut, barista, vice-president of marketing for IBM, chief idea creator for Apple, president of Bank of America or a garbage collector, but don’t think for a minute that I couldn’t handle any of these challenges.

So, how do you like the look?

Jesus Christ…Savior of the World

eric — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:24:43 +0000

Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14″Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Our Christmas Card this Year!

eric — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:41:38 +0000

Make a Smilebox greeting



Graystone Christmas Eve
eric — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:38:47 +0000

In the midst of decorating a tree or house, finding a parking spot, shopping, wrapping presents, going to work or school parties, and driving cross country to Grandmother’s house, there is a birth to celebrate!
Jesus came over two thousand years ago to live a life just like we experience, but to die a death none of us have to experience.      JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD HAS COME!!    The price has been paid for our transgressions. 
I would like to invite all of you to GRAYSTONE CHURCH on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!  This is worth celebrating!
FYI – I’ll be at the 3:00 service.   Call me if you are not sure about directions. 
We’d love to have you there with us!

       


It’s a Wonderful Life
eric — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:56:16 +0000

It’s still my favorite story and movie.  Everyone needs second chances.  Everyone lives through times when they sometimes become blinded to the blessings in their lives.  George Bailey represents everyone of us at sometime or another.
It was pizza and a movie at my house tonight.  Lately, we have been popping in a movie around 6:30 or so and watching it while we eat.  It’s a great time together.  We are still a “sit at the table for dinner” family, but these are awesome family times as well. 
While I was walking tonight, I thanked my Heavenly Father for all His blessings.  You know, we forget how significant it is that God made each of us for this life.  We are made primarily for His glory, but included in that we are to be His tools.  Just like George Bailey, the world would be a different place had God not specifically created YOU and ME. 
It’s a wonderful life and until we are transformed to an eternal life with Jesus and God, the Father, we have much to do and lives to influence.
       


Just Worth Mentioning
eric — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:19:53 +0000

Today was a great day and a busy one.  The day started at Graystone, our new church home.  What a great group of people.  The current series is Love is Here.  The main point from Jonathan  (our lead pastor) was we, as a church should LOVE GOD and LOVE OTHERS.  Graystoner’s like to say it this way, “Dominate our community with the LOVE of CHRIST.”  Great worship today at Graystone.
Also, Dana and I were invited a few weeks back by a couple of really close friends to Married Life Live – goes Christmas at Northpoint their church.  So, we went and it was the bomb.  (OK, an outdated term, but truly accurate.)  Our friends took us to dinner tonight to some swanky place called Village Tavern in Alpharetta and then we went right over for the main event.  Those Northpoint guys have there stuff together.  I love to see what’s next with them.  (Note:  Our boys went to Hebron Church tonight to see there Granddaddy do his thing in the Christmas musical there.  They said it was awesome and saw me in some old videos.  They made it loud and clear that they were OLD videos.  But nothing they said phased me, I got to hang with the main squeeze all by myself without breaking up one brotherly fight.)
All of these churches have had such great impact on our lives and the lives of so many others and for that we are so grateful.  Anyway, it was a great day and we love our family, friends, church and our Father and it’s just worth mentioning.
       


A Christmas Favorite
eric — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:11:49 +0000

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas, now that I’m approaching geezerhood… is to walk the neighborhood at about 8:00pm and take in the lights as I listen to Christmas songs on my MP3 player (geezer).  I don’t have an iPod yet.  Sometimes I just walk it with my family with me instead of the music playing. 
My youngest son has been walking it with me and we talk about all kinds of guy stuff (geezer to grasshopper).  He hits me up almost every night now to go and walk.
The only complaint I have is that there are far fewer houses celebrating this year in my neighborhood.  I am sure it’s due to the recession, but it is depressing compared to last year.  I swear I could almost feel the heat from the lights last Christmas as I meandered through our streets. 
I surely don’t put up Christmas lights because I’m having a good year financially and I do appreciate keeping the bills down in this economy, but I miss them still the same.
We have a reason to celebrate Jesus Christ whether we have a job or not, lost a loved one, our family split up or any other number of situations in this life that we encounter.  I don’t mean to be insensitive on folks with an unfortunate happening in their life right now, but without celebrating Jesus Christ there is an emptiness, a void.  He really is the only HOPE we have.
When I walk alone I talk to God, interestingly enough about guy stuff (GOD to geezer) pretty much like my son does to me.  I cherish my time with Him and love the reminders of Jesus’ birth and the fact that one day regardless of what this life brings I will be with him to walk different streets that will shine forever!
       


Got mine!!  Got Yours??
eric — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:40:01 +0000

Tomorrow morning will be  our first Sunday at the new Graystone Church location.  Everyone who comes will be receiving a t-shirt like this one.  The front has the date of our Grand Opening, coming up in January.  But, you don’t want to wait till then to come.  I got my green shirt at volunteer training and you should come and get yours tomorrow.
Along with GREEN t-shirts, you will find great music, friendly people, a first class facility for your children and for adults  and communication from our pastor passed on from the God who made all of this possible. 
If you come at 11:00am, I will be there to greet you or you could come at 9:15am.  So, if you don’t have a church, come and see what God is doing at Graystone and in your community.
Cya there!!!  I look AWESOME in GREEN!!!
JESUS RULES!!!
       


Ozora Road
eric — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:06:49 +0000

GRAYSTONE moved today!  Right after the service we all loaded up chairs, sound equipment, furniture and whatever else churches accumulate over a few years.  There was a huge crowd of the Graystone family that stayed to help.
Where did we move to?  We moved to Ozora road near the intersection of Ozora and Callie Still roads.  The facility is awesome and going to be a hot spot for the community.  Just passing by all the homes today, I wondered which of them will have their homes restored because of Graystone.  God is doing great things in this community.
On a personal note, I asked both of my boys individually if they were glad to be at Graystone and they both made it crystal clear to me that they did.  I am excited about the future and seeing how God uses Graystone for his glory and kingdom!
       


Thanksgiving Inventory
eric — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:54:39 +0000