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How Big is Your God?

I recently read about a lecture in which John Stott told the story of visiting a tiny church in rural England while on a study leave. He worshipped with them every Sunday, participated in their fellowship, and heard their discussions. He related his dismay when week after week, the pastor would preach about issues facing the village, pray about concerns in the church, and discuss decisions related only to their congregation. “I came to the conclusion,” Stott observed, “that these people worship a village God.”

My question to you is, "How big is your God?" I think a lot of the time we are guilty of putting God in a box or creating an image of God in our minds that doesn't compare to wonder, power, and glory of the true God.

Once we take hold and gain some understanding of the sovereignty of God, His omniscience, His omnipotence, and His omnipresence, we can see and know more than just a village God.

Book Review: The Noticer by Andy Andrews

As most of you know we buried our son, Michael, last Friday morning. I am not really in the right frame of mind for writing a book review, but because I made the commitment to write this review today, I am writing it.

This is the first book written by Andy Andrews that I have had the opportunity to read. The Noticer is part auto-biographical, part fiction, and all inspiring. It is the story of “Jones,” a mysterious old man who has a way of showing up at just the right time in people’s lives. He notices things, a lot of things that they miss and a lot of things they take for granted. His favorite thing to give them in their time of need is perspective.


I like to read with a pen in hand and make notes and observations. As you go through the book you will notice several things "Jones" says to different people dealing with different things in their lives. Here are a few examples:

* “Remember, what you focus on increases.”
* “It’s time to stop letting your history control your destiny.”
* “People are either in a crisis, coming out of one, or headed for one.”
* “Worry is just imagination used in an unproductive way.”
* “Wisdom is the ability to see the future consequences of our choices.”
* “It takes wisdom to discern that oh-so-thin line between good and best.”
* “Many of life’s treasures remain hidden because we never search for them.”
* “If you are still here, then you have not completed your life’s purpose.”
* “Big stuff is made up of small stuff, so you better sweat the small stuff!”
* “We often judge ourselves by our intentions but others by their actions.”
* “If you want folks to believe in you, then it really helps if they like you.”
* “In desperate times, much more than anything else, folks need perspective.”

Now, I know that if you read a lot of books like I do then none of these sayings are new to you, but Mr. Andrews has a way of telling them that keeps the reader interested until the end.

The reader should take caution in what the book might offer as motivation for addressing certain problems. The book is not written from a theological stand point and there is very little said about God, other than general references. And practically nothing written about Christ. The motivation for change should be to serve others not yourself. Of course, the ultimate motivation and ability ability to change comes from Jesus. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
(2Co 5:17)


I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed in the ending. The 'suitcase' offered no answer. (Read the book.) It just wasn't there. However, the book is an enjoyable read. So, if you're looking for a book that will help you see yourself from an outside perspective; and help re-think some areas of your life, this book offers some perspective in that area.

Celebrating the Life of Michael Z

We will be celebrating the tremendous life of Michael Z tomorrow night from 6-8 p.m. at Henderson and Sons Funeral Home.

We just stand amazed in all that God has allowed to be done through the life of our precious little man. We may never realize the total impact that his life has made this side of eternity, but will see the complete and perfect plan fulfilled in Heaven one day.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
(2Co 4:8-12)

Michael Z Discovered Heaven

On April 20, 2009 at 6:43 pm, Michael Zechariah Clements, discovered the beauty of Heaven and the glory of God. He was a fighter and our precious little man. He touched so many lives in the short time he was here with us. I am truly blessed that I got to know him, and I am honored that through this blog that many of you got to know him too.

Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers. My family could never thank you enough for the encouragement and support that you all have given to us.

Busy Couple of Days

Please forgive me for not posting in a couple of days but it has been a little hectic around the house and I have been really tired.

Michael is still holding his own in his new room...they have continued increasing his feeds. He is now getting 26 cc with extra calories added to see if we can get his weight up. His lungs are looking good and he is outbreathing the ventilator so he may come off of the vent in the next day or two.

Please continue to pray for his strength, and for our wisdom in the decisions we need to make. God's grace is sufficient, and may He receive all of the glory.

Michael Z Has His Own Room

Michael has moved into his own room in the NICU now and seems to be adjusting very well. He has started receiving "Momma's Finest," the gold standard in baby nutrition. They started him out with only 3cc and were watching to make sure he digested it well and that there were no obstructions in his intestines with the omphalocele. He is now getting 12 cc of milk and we got to change two dirty diapers yesterday.