Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Introducing...


My new niece: Jada Ball
9 pounds / 10 ounces
2-24-09

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Spring Volleyball

Our Spring Volleyball League is starting soon and my wife couldn't be more excited. We started Volleyball last year, and since she was pregnant during our first season, she couldn't play. Although the only volleyball skills I have is my height (and some would question whether or not height is an actual "skill"), my wife's happens to love the sport. So....it looks like I will be playing volleyball this spring with my wife and some friends. It promises to be a fun time. Come join us. Deadline is next week so hurry and sign up.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Dominican Republic


Promotional DVD from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.

Last year I was fortunate enough to take a trip down to the Dominican Republic. Above is a little taste of the work being done through sports ministry in this country. In August this year we will be taking our own team from Shepherd Sports down to the Dominican Republic. I pray you will consider joining us.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

We're In....

Emily enjoying her first day at her new desk
The finished project

Leading up to installing the carpet

Getting ready for the furniture

Finishing the reception area

Getting ready for paint

Today my staff officially moved into their new offices. Over the last week or so we have been gradually moving all our odds and ends into the new space. However, today the computers and phones we need are up and running and the Sports Ministry finally has a place to call home.
During our team meeting this morning, we spent time praying over each desk and staff member who will be occupying that space. As we continue striving to let God lead us, we also turn this space over to Him. If you get a chance, please pray for the Sports staff, that God would use our gifts and talents to golifiy Him.

My wife making me watch HGTV finally paid off...lol

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

God Facts!!!

It looks like history still has a lot to teach us...

DID YOU KNOW THESE FACTS?

Death is certain but the Bible speaks about untimely death!

It is written in the Bible (Galatians 6:7):
'Be not deceived; God is not mocked
for whatsoever a man sow,
that shall he also reap.'


Here are some men and women who mocked God:

John Lennon(Singer):
Some years before, during his interview with an American Magazine, he said:
'Christianity will end, it will disappear.
I do not have to argue about
that, I am certain.
Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, today we are more famous than Him' (1966).

Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times.

Tancredo Neves(President of Brazil ):
During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500,000 votes from his party, not even God would remove him from Presidency.

Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a day before being made President, then he died.

Cazuza (Bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer and poet):
During A show in Canecio ( Rio de Janeiro),
while smoking his cigarette, he puffed out some smoke into the air and said:'God, that's for you

He died at the age of 32 of LUNG CANCER in a horrible manner.

The man who built the Titanic :
After the construction of Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be.
With an ironic tone he said:
'Not even God can sink it'

The result: I think you all know what happened to the Titanic

Marilyn Monroe(Actress):
She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a show.
He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her.
After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said:

'I don't need your Jesus'.

A week later, she was found dead in her apartment

Bon Scott(Singer):
The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang:
'Don't stop me; I'm going down all the way, down the highway to hell'.

On the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead,
he had been choked by his own vomit.

Campinas (IN 2005):
In Campinas , Brazil a group of friends, drunk, went to pick up a friend.....
The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter holding her hand, who was already seated in the car:

'My Daughter, Go With God And May He Protect You.'
She responded: 'Only If He (God) Travel s In The Trunk,
Cause Inside Here.....It's Already Full '

Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died, the car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the trunk was intact.

The police said there was no way the trunk could have remained intact.
To their surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs, none was broken

Christine Hewitt (Jamaican Journalist and entertainer):
said the Bible (Word of God) was the worst book ever written.

In June 2006 she was found burnt beyond recognition in her motor vehicle.

Many more important people have forgotten that there is no other name that was given so much authority as the name of Jesus. Many have died, but only Jesus died and rose again, and he is still alive.

'Jesus'


Monday, February 2, 2009

How much more does GOD love you?


Working from home today because my baby boy is fighting a bad cough. As a new parent by only three and a half months, I am becoming more and more aware of God's love for us. As I watch my boy play, or sleep, or even cry, my love for him pours out of me. I can't help but imagine how much more God loves us than that! I have to think that my son needs to build up his immune system so he can fight off other viruses and infections as he gets older. I believe it is the same with you and me. As Pastor Dudley shared in church a couple weeks ago about pruning the branches, we need to fight off things today that are keeping us from being all God created us to be. Sometimes we need the trials and tribulation so that God might grow us.

Though my love for my boy seems so great, our Lord in heaven has looked down on each one of us since the day we were born with a love that we can't begin to comprehend. God desired for us to lean on Him and have faith in Him. Just as I feel I can teach my son so much, how much more can our almighty God teach us? We are like children in the sight of the Lord. Humbly set yourself before Him and watch what He can do through you.

If you get a chance, pray for Donovan. Thanks.