Safely Back In Charlotte

Here's just a short and sweet post to let our friends and family know that we arrived in Charlotte safely, although incredibly tired. Tomorrow's work day is sure to be a challenge.

Miriam took lots of pictures that I will download from the camera and share a few with you. So stay posted.

Road Trip Back To My Roots

Miriam and I left Charlotte Thursday morning and drove straight through all the way to Baton Rouge. What a drive! We were beyond exhausted and so was poor lil Ian. We would make a stop and get him out his car seat. He would be all excited, smiling and laughing. And then mean ole Mommy and Daddy would put him back in his seat. All and all, he did surprisingly well for such a long trip.

We pulled into Zachary around 8:00 or so Central time, ending a 14 hour drive. It has been refreshing to visit with my sister and her family. My nieces and nephew have grown so much since we saw them last. Most of our family has never seen Ian so it has been sweet to see him with them.

We're amped about going to a service Sunday at Healing Place. For all of our HPC friends, we'll be at the 10:00 am service so look for us! We'd love to see you.

Hmm. What else? We'll wrap up a few days in the Baton Rouge area, go to north Louisiana, go to Miriam's sister's wedding, and then embark on the long journey back to Charlotte. It's sure to be a great, action filled week.

Spontaneous Baptisms

Spontaneous baptisms. I've never heard that term before. You must admit that it's pretty cool and makes you want to find out more about it. I was able to experience it on Sunday. Or observe it at the least. And it moved me.

John 5:4 - After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time (season) into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.

I'm not sure about an angel stirring a pool but I do know that my heart was moved. Maybe even parts of my heart healed. A congregation unapologetically challenged to step out of the boat. To step out of their comfort zones. And to walk on the water. For those who had never been baptized, to make the step that day.

Pastor Steven Furtick talked about how God can be a bully. I couldn't agree more. He will pursue your heart like no other! He will put you in positions and ordain a time for things to happen. And in those times, the decision is ours to do something. He challenged those who had never been baptized to seize the day. Not to wait.

Every excuse someone might have for not being baptized was addressed. So the enemy had no seeds of doubt to plant and people had no reason to put it off. Clothes to change into were provided down to socks and underwear (and even maxi pads!) . You name it, it was covered. I thought, "That's pretty cool." And then the invitation to be baptized came. And many, many people responded.

Then Miriam and I wept. I thank God for just being able to observe people's decisions to receive salvation and be baptized that day. A couple sitting next to us went together. We saw a young boy grab the hand of his grandfather to walk with him. We saw young and old. From all backgrounds. And it was refreshing.

So a pool may not have been stirred by angels, but my heart was stirred by spontaneous baptisms.

8 Years

Tonight Miriam and I celebrated our 8th anniversary. It almost doesn't seem possible that it's been that long already. Can you believe I've put up with her for that long? OK. OK. Calm down. I know that it's the other way around. Let's not fight.

I must say that being married to such a wonderful person has made life that much sweeter. She is always so loving and supportive. I can't thank God enough for giving her to me for us to spend our lives together. And my adoration of her has only increased as she is not only my wife but also my son's mother. Life is good. (And yes, I purposely wrote son rather than children. For now. Hopefully for a little while.)

Thanks to Ms. Peg and Missy for being so awesome and watching Ian for us tonight. I called Miriam and told her not to cook tonight and just be dressed nice and ready to go for 6. I made reservations for us to enjoy a fine dining experience at Ruth's Chris at Southpark. We definitely don't splurge and spend that much money on a meal very often at all but I wanted to do something special for my special wife.

We each had our own filet and agreed that the steaks ranked right up there with the best steaks we've ever eaten. Be sure to get one of the complements with the steak if and when you ever eat there. You'll be glad you did.

There are so many memories from the past 8 plus years. One that came to mind tonight was that Miriam was on a vegetarian kick when we met and married, but I'm thankful that didn't last. Not only is she now eating red meat but she's gone from well done to medium well to medium plus. That's my girl! I'm teaching her the fine art of enjoying a nice steak. Pink in the middle. Not bloody red. But definitely not overcooked and well done.

Miriam, thanks for the best 8 years or my life. I am excited about having many more.

Turn The Page

I'm almost embarrassed that I only posted two entries last month on the blog. I must admit that I've become more active on Facebook and on Twitter so I'm not sure if that stole a little of my blogging thunder. If you have Facebook, become one of my friends by searching for me by my full name, and if you're on Twitter, you can find me listed as ChrisDouglas.

For those of you who like Bob Seger (or even Metallica for that matter), the title of this blog entry is a tribute to that song. OK, I like the song and couldn't think of a catchier title so I thought it would be better than titling it "Starting a new month".

Things with a 7 month old in the house don't stay still for very long. And that's usually a good thing. There are very few things better than coming home, giving Miriam a big 'ole kiss, and getting a huge smile from Ian. There are just some moments in life that are worth savoring. Letting it all soak in.

Hopefully I'll be more diligent about taking the time to blog this month. I should have some really good things to post about with everything that is going on this month. Stay tuned. Turn the page.