Happy New Year!

My prayer for 2008 is that God allows me to be part of what he is blessing. I used to ask God to bless what I am doing but I have learned this prayer is more in line with his will than mine. I love my wife and family! I know that seems out of place but I really am a very blessed and happy man. Christmas was a huge emotional roller coaster and I have not really had much time to blog. We had an amazing weekend of services at church and my wife and I spoiled the kids. Christmas Eve we spent with a friend that was beaten up by her husband earlier that day. We got the call about 930 and rushed over to find 3 cop cars with her boyfriend in one. It was heartbreaking and I won't go in to the details. I am grateful God allows Renee' and I to be in a position to help. I hope 2008 is a great year for all of you and I will be back to more blogging later in the week.

My very funny Maddy!

WOW!

I am very overwhelmed right now!!! I am not overworked but overwhelmed by God. Sometimes he pulls at my heart and sometimes he speaks to me. This week he is shouting and I am trying to catch every word. I hope to relate that in a longer post later. I just want to let some of the excitement out today. On a personal note, Hans you have been such an inspiration to me lately. So many other guys have been also but Hans has been there pushing me for a long time and I just wanted to say a very public and heartfelt Thank you!

Merry Christmas!

Brandon & Renee' Cunningham

Our Blessed Family to Yours!

Jacob, Maddy, Nick, Matt, Reagan and Avery

Example

What would a new Christian become if he or she imitated you? I was reading Philipians 3:17 and Paul was talking about living as an example of Christ. Since the bible was not in circulation yet, Christians had to learn by example. So I wondered if a new Christian was to follow me for a day what would he think? I get men asking me about issues almost everyday and I struggle with the words I use but I wonder if I should struggle more with the example I set. Do I say gambling is wrong but then go get a lotto ticket?
A friend wanted me to go to a movie one time that was rated R. I said I couldn't because I needed to set a better example than that to the men in the church. I guess what Paul is saying here is that I need to be a better example to the men becoming a Christians and having only me as an example to follow. Most new Christians are not reading their bible daily yet and certainly don't usually have many good role models around. So what does it say about our faith if we don't live it out everyday? Are you too busy to pray and study? I certainly am! The problem is really that I am too busy NOT to pray and study everyday.
Spend time with God everyday and the little things won't bother you so much. You won't be so irritable. Worry will start to disappear. Temptations will be weaker. Discouragement will become rare. Your energy level will increase both physically and spiritually.

Ignore the Gap!!

I am so tired of everyone getting all upset about stores not saying "Merry Christmas". Instead of trying to get God into stores why don't we focus on getting God back into our homes. Back into our schools and communities. Stop thinking Wal Mart saying "Merry Christmas" some how changes the world. If God is in your home, the world will change by your example, not your spending or protesting. Don't waste your time telling Target to get Christ. Christ is the target.