If you’re wondering about the condition of my leg, I have a pretty picture of what the doctor saw when he pulled it out of the cast last week…pleasant huh? Gives new meaning to “how beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News!” I’m starting the challenging road of physical therapy with Mitch Mula this week. Though I held a press conference announcing to the professional kickball world my retirement from the league (ha ha), I am still committed to creating unforgettable backyard memories for my children–hopefully without any more broken bones!

It was so good to be back at Late Nite this past Saturday! It’s been a long time since I’ve been involved–I last preached on March 10th!! It’s difficult to put into words the feelings and emotions that you experience when you reconnect with something you love. Healing Place Church has the world’s best college students and young adults anywhere on the planet! You just don’t realize how much something means to you until it’s taken away. During the month of April, I felt like Tom Hanks in the movie “Castaway”–my life has crashed into an unknown, deserted island, and I often find myself talking to a pair of crutches I fondly named “Wilson” and “Spalding.”

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!!!

Late Nite is doing our first ever kickball tournament this Saturday! (no i will not be playing!) It will be held at Highland Road Park from 1-3 pm. Check out these funny videos some of our creative minds put together.

Kickball part 1

Kickball part 2

This week has been marked by some notable progress. Monday afternoon I went to the gym–crutches and all–and worked out for the first time in 3 weeks. It felt awesome…though I realize I’m pathetic and sorely out of shape! It wears me out just getting to the water fountain in between sets. I was in the office Tuesday, leg propped up and my crutches nearby, having meetings and making phone calls. It was wonderful to be back, fully engaged in church life again. I even scheduled a lunch appointment with a very attractive, drop-dead gorgeous woman–my wife!!

I haven’t preached in over a month, so you can imagine how I’m driving everyone around me insane. My kids won’t let me say the blessing over the meals anymore, and for the life of me, I can’t understand why! There’s nothing wrong with putting a little “preach” in your prayer, is there?? It must be the Greek word studies on “chicken nuggets” I include that are making everyone so impatient.

Anyway, I’m excited about the guys Friday morning study at Vitality called “Go Big.” I’ll be teaching this Friday on our Christian faith being a “Big Adventure” and the thrill of trusting God in the journey. I love doing life with guys who are fully committed to following Jesus regardless of the risks involved!

Moving forward, slowly but surely, one leg at a time!!!

Fourteen consecutive days of doing life from a recliner–your leg elevated to your earlobe–no ESPN or even basic cable for that matter…it’s enough to drive anyone crazy!! I thank God for this easy-chair, but when I’m finally able to walk again, I’m going to drag it out to the backyard, douse it with gasoline, and watch it go up in flames!! We’ll sing a song of celebration as we sacrifice this piece of furniture, marking the end of my frustration and the beginning of a new season. Oh to be able to walk!! When I’m able to put both feet on the ground, I’ll never again complain when Rachel asks me to get up and pour her a glass of water.

It’s confession time. Many of you have been injured before and know what it’s like to lose mobility. In a sense, it’s like being stripped of part of your independence. Don’t you hate having to depend on everyone for everything? While talking on the phone with my mom (who lives outside of Dallas) yesterday, I found out she was at the Sonic drive-in. Instantly, I got a craving for a Sonic burger. It was lunchtime, and I made a decision–my hunting and gathering instincts kicked in. Ten minutes later I was driving down Hwy. 42 with both windows down, radio on, crutches in the Tahoe, and my leg propped up on the passenger seat! I felt like a man for the first time in 2 weeks!

I wish I could describe to you the joy I felt!! FREEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM!!! Out of that recliner, out of the house, wind in my face, and all the horse-power my broken leg could handle!! I was going to exercise my drive-thru right as an American man…Me want Sonic burger–me go and get Sonic burger! Being a carnivore never felt better! Though I still have a long recovery ahead of me, it was therapy to taste the freedom of full mobility again!

Now, this needs to be our little secret. Rachel is still in London, England, right now and doesn’t need to know anything about this! Can I trust you to keep this just between us? Mikaela, who couldn’t keep a secret if her life depended on it, has assured me that my solo Sonic-run is safe with her…never-mind the fact that she has already told all the neighbors!

Even though I have slammed on the breaks and my schedule has come to a screeching halt, my spirit is alive and active. I’ve been able to do some personal inventory and evaluate my “true” priorities–weighing them up against this arbitrary list I carry in my head. It’s embarrassing to look at some of the things in my past and realize how selfish I have been. Sometimes I act as if I’m the all-powerful sun, and everything else in the universe must orbit around me. I’m convinced that the most important investment of my time and energy is not in chasing my own dreams, but in loving and serving the people God has brought into my life. It’s sad when God has to break your leg to improve your sight!!

I am forever committed to the faithfulness of God. The Bible, history books, and the countless testimonies of modern Christians all over the world remind us to celebrate the faithfulness of God. In the Old Testament, God threw the mighty Egyptian army into the Red Sea. He used hail and locusts, storms and drought, all to accomplish His will. He sent fire from heaven and blinded the eyes of His enemies. He gave children to those in old age, and He delivered His people using the weakest of human servants. Why? Because He’s faithful!

In the New Testament He defeated the devil in the wilderness. He raised people from the dead and gave sight back to the blind. He turned a motley crew of fishermen into a group of leaders that would turn the world upside-down! Perhaps most importantly, He snapped the iron grips of death, throwing off its tyranny, bursting from the grave! Why? Because He’s faithful!

He poured out His Spirit on all flesh–young and old, men and women–and empowered them to speak of the Good News of His love to the ends of the earth. From the time Jesus ascended into heaven until now, He has enable His Church to withstand the onslaught on persecution and division, heresies and harassment so that His final command might be fulfilled, to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature! Why? Because He’s faithful!

Sorry for the sermon…I haven’t preached in weeks, and I needed an outlet!!