Another Birthday = More Rejoicing

December 8, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Dear Harrison,

Another year has gone by, and I continue to rejoice in the godly young man you are! Right from the very beginning, your Mom and I knew there was something special about you, and this has become more and more evident with each passing year.

I love our conversations when you are fully engaging your intellect. You challenge me to think more deeply and to see things from a new perspective.

I love that you have the same quirky sense of humor that I do, so that we can laugh at the same things.

I love how respectfully you treat your Mom, especially now that you practically tower over her!

I love watching you gently and lovingly interact with the kids at church, showing them a picture of a true man of God.

I love that you choose to make so many sacrifices to your schedule to be involved with ministries and activities at Calvary A/G.

I could go on and on and on….

     Bottom line: I love you!

Another year has passed, and you have given me so many more reasons to rejoice in the fact that you are my son. To paraphrase the words of our Heavenly Father, “This is my son, in whom I am well pleased!”

Happy 16th Birthday, Harrison,

Dad

Posted in Uncategorized. 1 Comment »

Remember And Respond

December 7, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Today is Pearl Harbor Day. For my parents’ and grandparents’ generations, this was their “9/11.” I’m still saddened when I think of the unprovoked, cowardly attacks on both December 7 and September 11. But I am grateful that we have only had two such attacks within our borders.

Today is a great day to remember, to mourn, and to thank our military personnel who responded so courageously in the aftermath. These, I believe, are appropriate responses.

But every day is our day to respond appropriately.

Let’s show our gratitude for the safety we have in this country every day.

Let’s find ways to live out our thankfulness every day.

Let’s show our thanks to our servicemen and women and our law enforcement officers every day.

Remember … and then respond appropriately every day. God bless America!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , , , . 1 Comment »

Living Nativity

December 6, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

I’m so proud of our team for putting on an incredible Living Nativity in Cedar Springs this past weekend!

It was a rush job to begin with (see a previous post where I talked about God moments by clicking here), but then so many people stepped up big time!

You can see all of the pictures Delbridge Langdon Jr took by clicking here.

I want to give some shout-outs to our cast:

  • The Three Wise Men (or “The Three Wise Jeffs,” as we called them): Jeff Tolar Sr, Jeff Armstrong and Jeff Tolar Jr.
  • Mary and Joseph: Judy Anderson and Josh Schram.
  • Our angels: Harrison Owens, Samantha Owens and Brandon Owens (yes, they are angelic children!).
  • And our shepherdesses: Cindy Karafa and her 4H girls.

I also want to recognize Joe Palmer for his incredible set design, and Claudia Owens (my favorite Mom) for making all of our costumes.

And finally, thanks to the Calvary A/G family for praying for us and talking it up, and thanks to Chris Burns, the Cedar Springs City Manager, for inviting us to present the Living Nativity.

It was a great night, and I hope we can do this again and again for many more years.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , . 1 Comment »

Set Up

December 6, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

I absolutely love this quote from Albert Einstein:

“‎Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

This is so right on. And can be so sad.

I run into so many people that have this terrible message playing over and over and over in their minds, “I’m stupid … I’m worthless … I don’t have any talent …”

Perhaps we need to find some water for these fishes!

Get it? Instead of trying to change people’s wrong perspective of themselves, let’s get them set up for success. Help them discover where they are a genius … where they are invaluable … where they are talented.

Gotta go… I have a few fishes I need to point to water.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

My Heart Still Goes Pitter-Pat

December 2, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Craig & Betsy

Twenty-six years ago today, Betsy and I went on our first date. My life has been immeasurably better because she has walked alongside me for all these years.

And, yes, 26 years later she is still the only one who makes my heart go pitter-pat like no one else!

I love you, Betsy… the only one who stole my heart away!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , . 1 Comment »

Thursdays With Oswald—Whose Ideas?

December 2, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

This is a weekly series with things I’m reading and pondering from Oswald Chambers. You can read the original seed thought here, or type “Thursdays With Oswald” in the search box to read more entries.

Whose Ideas?

     Am I allowing anyone to mold my ideas of Christian service? Am I taking my ideas from some servant of God or from God Himself?

From Approved Unto God

My relationship with God is a personal relationship; it is unique to me. I can certainly pick up some principles from others, but the application to my life has to be what I hear the Holy Spirit speaking directly to me.

Don’t be a copycat. Be the original you that God needs you to be.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , . Leave a Comment »

White As Snow

December 1, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

As I watch the snow falling outside today, slowly covering everything in a pure, unblemished whiteness, the same thought enters my mind every year at the first snowfall. God says,

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”

And this line from the great old hymn,

My sin, O the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the Cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Doing good, seeking justice, helping the oppressed, defending orphans, and fighting for widows doesn’t cleanse my crimson sin, but when my sin has been covered I DESIRE TO do these things!

What do you think of the snow?

What do you think of God’s incredible whiteness applied to your life?

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »
Newer posts »