Day One Revisited

For those of you who know me, I have recently been doing a on-the-side business and have thus ventured onto other blogging opportunities. I have failed my readers once again by not keeping my promise to update regularly. Well, today I make a new promise. Yesterday, Jenni and I began a 21 day fast. I promise to recap each day of the fast on this blog. I do so not to brag about what we are doing or to sound over spiritual...rather, I mention this process so that you might lift us up in prayer. She and I both have been thick with the leading of the Spirit lately, and we are actively trying to discern what it is we are being told. Thanks in advance for the prayers, I know we have many good people in our lives that want the best for us.

Day ONe...

So, why the fast? Jenni and I are doing our best to live by faith. We enjoy wonderful opportunities to do so in our very Christ-centered work environment, and our very Christ-centered home environment. It seems though, that the most complacent seasons can come when we are the most "comfortable" in our Christian lives. See, our God is a God of seasons...seasons of joy...seasons of storms...but, it is when we are momentarily fulfilled with our current season that God wants to "shift" us into the new chapter of our lives...of our walks...of our faith...

Since God's Word tell us that faith "comes by hearing," should not our faith expand with the more of God's Word we hear? If your faith is not expanding, then either you are not hearing the Word enough on your own, or you attend a church that is not preaching the Word...each of these problems are mountains in and of themselves...the Good News is that it only takes a mustard seed sized faith to change your circumstances...

Jenni and I did not suffer as victims of these problems, as we regularly ponder God's Word and attend a church that is dutifully trying to express God's Word in a relevant way. Our season was a season of settling...a season of being OK with not taking the proper steps towards our God given destiny...we were 'comfortable' with who God was for us in our past, instead of seeking more of God with our present. We had become victims of an addage God gave me last year...a year in which he was trying to tell me that He had more for me, even though I chose to ignore His voice...the addage is that "most people never become who it is they are called to be because they settle for who they currently are." When God gave me that, I thought it was for the students in chapel, little did I know that God would be using it to challenge me today.

Jenni and I had the mutual feeling that we were on the precipice of a new season. The summer sermon series had really left me unsettled regarding what it is I am suppossed to be doing with my life; the school year has left me even more unsettled. Do not get me wrong, I love my job. I have great students, great co workers, and great superiors. I just do not know if this is all I am suppossed to be doing. With these feelings inside and Jenni's voice of reason, I decided it was time for us to seek out the change we felt was coming. So, we went to Free Chapel this past weekend for a change of pace and to hear pastor Franklin. What a blessing it was! Franklin spoke on the exact topic I needed to hear, about being a man of back bone and stability, whose character goes before him and who fulfills his calling...while the worship was literally unexplainable...Never have I felt so free to worship in my life...I took my portion home that day and I am still feeling God's presence around me...in me...and ready to work through me....

So, with what we experienced...Jenni and I started a fast...the details of which do not matter...all that matters is that we hear from God...so, please bathe us in prayer...

thanks...

Business Venture

I started anew business venture on Monday along with my father and my cousin. Jenni and I are both very excited about where this thing is heading. Who knew you could use the internet in such a powerful way? Partnering that with football starting and school on its way and life has gained some speed recently.

Jenni and I are reading Hebrews right now. The author is so quick to remind the Hebrew nation of the rebellious spirit of their forefathers and how God has to chasten them through the wilderness. often times we have a rebellious spirit and do not even realize it. Troubles come and we automatically start asking God why...well, I submit that our season of adversity is directly related to our spirit of rebellion. We have the gospel, the truth, the promise and hope of everlasting life...yet, we worry about car bills, paint combinations, draperies, family rifts, and the drama from yo momma...at the end of the day, salvation extends further than forever...it extends to the present, it extends to the NOW...it is so much easier for Christians to tell themselves " Thank goodness things will be better when we get to the other side." This is true...but things can BE BETTER RIGHT NOW...in whatever season we are in, we can still experience the abundant love of God and the incredible provision that partners alongside of that.

So, what's the bottom line? pray hard, pray long, Salvation is for NOW and forever...see you on the other side of your breakthrough.

Weight Loss Tracker

Well...most of you know that I have been trying to lose weight for a year now. I was 342 this time last year when I had my back surgery. I was already down 40 pounds or so from my heaviest weight around the 380 mark in 2006. I was put on insulin last summer for my type II diabetes. My oral medication has been helping a lot and I have had 4 consecutive normal A1C levels (glucose)now over the last year. So, in May, my doctor told me if I were in the 280's in August (at my next visit), he would take me off my medicine. Well with both of our receptions, school ending and our two week vacation, eating well was not a top priority. I did not do too bad, but my weight had settled back around the 323 mark. So, on Monday June 15th, Jenni and I started the South Beach diet. This had probably been the most consistent diet I have ever been on. I got on the scales today...and I was confused...I weighed this time last week and I was at 315...and that was very encouraging...I mean 8 pounds in one week...that's flippin' awesome. So, today, the scale said 307. I was like "Huh?" So, i weighed again, and it said 304...which made me very confused...so I waited a few minutes and weighed one more time..."305.5" So, that's where I am settling. I have lost 17 pounds in 14 days. Phase One has been SWEET!. Jenni and I leave again this week to go to SC and NC for two weeks. We are going to extend PHASE ONE of the diet until we leave. I am so pumped. We are also adding an hour or so of walking a day this week. My goals are as follows: 290 by July 26th (hopefully size 40 pants, which would be crazy because when I started at CCS two years ago I was a 48)...280 by August 26th (my docs appointment is Aug 27th) and 240's by Christmas...if this happens, I will have lost 100 pounds in 18 months...the right way...and for good....

please hold me accountable!!!!

Jenni and Trey's Las Vegas Vacation

Hello to all...I know, I know...I said I would stay on top of my blogs this time around. But, please, please, please cut me some slack this go around. I have been off the map these last few weeks. Now, I am back and ready to comment on what Jenni and I experienced.

Today, you get to read my full Vegas rundown. I will comment on everything from travel, transportation, food, Strip layout, Vegas history, timeshares, shows, etc. I hope my insights on our experience can help those who might visit in the future.

Here we go!

TRANSPORTATION: Jenni and I booked a flight on Hotwire that departed in the evening from Charlotte, NC, connected in Atlanta (I know, it was way cheaper this way) and landed in Las Vegas just after 11:00 PM local time. We flew out at 5:50 AM and returned on the same flight plan to arrive in Charlotte around 4:00 PM EST. The low down on the travel is to prepare for the potential temperature of the plane. For those travelers who have not flown for several hours before, the plane temp actually mimics the air temp outside of the plane. The longer the plane is at 35000+ feet, the more time the plane has to cool. Jenni and I had the exit row for the leg room and I had the window seat. It had to have been 35-45 degrees in my seat and it was freezing! So, this is a word to the wise...Simultaneously, do not believe the chatter in Vegas about arriving to McCarran International 3-3.5 hours before your departure time, even if it is early morning. Now, this suggestion may take precedence if you are departing in the afternoon or the evening. If you have an AM flight, an hour is plenty of time. Jenni and I had to wait 2 hours in the lobby of the airport for it to open, after being told we needed to arrive at 2 AM. It made for an even longer day.

Once on the ground in Vegas, you have a few options. You can choose to use a shuttle service to take you to your hotel and bring you back on the day of your departure. For anywhere from 12-16 per person, some choose this route. You can always take a cab, but cabs still run when stuck in traffic. On a side note, the drivers of these buses are very knowledgeable, so ask away. But, be sure to tip them upon arriving at your hotel, 1$ per bag should suffice.

While in town, you can choose to ride the DUECE city bus. It is 3$ for a one way ride, 7$ for a 24 hour ticket and 15$ for a 3 day pass. These buses are SLAMMED at night and go at a snail's pace. They stop every block, just a word to the wise...

ACCOMODATIONS: The good thing about Las Vegas is that you can spend a range of 20-200 dollars a night. It is up to you to decide what hotel and what location fit best for you. Jenni and I stayed at the Stratosphere, which will be seen below. It was a walk from here to go anywhere else, but for 20$/night the room was more than adequate. The main Strip jacks the price a bit, but again, you are right in the middle of the action.

SHOWS: Shows in Vegas run anywhere from 30$ per person to 200$ per person. Jenni and I saw 3 while we were there. Tony and Tina's Wedding was very interactive, funny and had a decent buffet. Mesmerized was a hypnosis show that was quite possibly one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my life and what pretty affordable. We also saw a stage show of The Price is Right. You have a chance to go on stage and win prizes/money/etc. It was fun. We will definitely save and pay the big dollars to see a Cirque De Soleil next time around. Nothing but good reviews there.

FOOD: You can eat cheap every meal or you can spend 50$ a plate. There are several local dives, fast food joints, and top notch restaraunts. Just grab a map and plan what works for you.

FREE SIGHT SEEING: The top 5 things you have to see (that are free) while you are in Vegas...

5. The Lion cage inside MGM
4. The Gondola ride/Canal Shoppes in Venetian
3. The Fremont Street Experience
2. The Living Ceiling in Bellagio
1. The Singing Waters outside of Bellagio

CASINOS: Jenni and I enjoyed New York, New York, Planet Hollywood, Bellagio and Stratosphere. There are too many to see and too many things to play. FInd one that works for you and watch the magic happen. Many of the casinos have promotions going where you can earn 10-20$ in free slot play...on which, Jenni and I turned into 175$. So, do your research...most of the time, it is the less-ritzy Casinos that have these offers.

SIGHT SEEING OUTSIDE OF VEGAS:

You have to have to have to see the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. Period.

I feel like a whirling derbish

We're back safe and sound after two weeks of traveling. I'll be doing a thorough critique of Las Vegas and Orange Beach, Alabama, so get your popcorn ready.

Until then...

Life without a Filter

Stunned...amazed...bought up by His grace...

While I'm caught up in this race....

I'll fill my paper with his praise...

Now every day's a daze...

Watch my plans go up in flames...

Still I'll fame His name with a life that's lived ablaze...

Christ is the filter on my brain that keeps the sane, the sane...

Because higher are His ways...and lower are my wishes...

I'm Focused on fidelity to God and my Mrs..

Heed the Scriptural prescriptions ...

Assuage the steady reminisces...

Or else the mind slips through the sinful swagger of a mistress...

Ignore the sound of the devil's whispers...his nothing's are far from sweet...

Idle minds should be 'cautioned' like yellow lights for cars in streets...

It's so harsh to see when a couple hardly meets...

They can do their part in sheets...but you see, Love's a heart that beats...

not a heart that begs...So my sisters please do not lose the reason in your heads...

If you claim that your relationship is dead and your man watches TV instead...

Please do not break bread...because things are out of kilter...

This is what happens in Life without a Filter...

So do yourself a favor and remind yourself of His favor...

Know that Christ is beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega...

He is Lord and Savior...

He's the filter from the muck....

With Him your blessed like Donald Trump...

Without him your Donald Duck...

so, will your press your luck...and watch your life get filled with whammies...

Or Choose Christ the filter...and win more than Oscar's or the Grammies????

Almost done...

We are almost there. I can literally taste the Vegas action, beach relaxation, the ping of the aluminum bat and the sea breeze as I visually vacate my classroom in anticipation of the fun filled and crazy/busy summer my wife and I have planned.

We will spend June 1-6th in Viva Las Vegas...we will see the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon...we might take in a show or two...

We will spend June 8-13th in Orange Beach, Alabama with the Underwood's and Fox's...the chase pool and fine dining await...

I will spend June 15-17th at Basketball camp in Chattanooga

Jenni and I will head back out on the road on July 2nd to Fort Mill, SC to see her brother Cody play some ball...we will go to Myrtle Beach from there until July 11th...and then over to Wimington, NC for 2 or 3 days to visit family...

then its back to the humble abode for a week before school gets back on the swing...

this will be a crazy summer....