To get you ready for the fun, here’s a funny video of the Toy Story characters on Google. Enjoy!

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Over the next couple of days I will catch up on a few book reviews, and fill you in on what’s been happening in my world.

Have a great night!

Every now and then you have to take a break from stuff. Well, I’m taking a break from blogging. I’ll be back soon. Take care. Trace

The Noticer is about a fella named Jones. Not Mr. Jones, just Jones. He wanders in and out of people’s lives long enough to impart some wisdom and “perspective.”

This “perspective” from a total stranger is transformational. Jones sees things that everyone else misses. He points out ideas and knowledge that is typically right in front of the person, but they are too caught up in themselves; too close to the topic, to see the “big picture.”

Some of the quotes in this book are incredible If you are someone who does not normally memorize scripture or quotes, then I highly recommend you make an exception! Here are a couple:

* Wisdom is the ability to see, into the future, the consequences of your choices in the present

* The way we feel loved is usually the same way we express love

* Forgiveness is different than trust or respect. Forgiveness is about the past. Trust and respect are about the future.

Everyone can gain some perspective by reading this book. Andy Andrews has masterfully placed a little bit of all of us on these pages. So if you want a broader view of who you are and what’s going on around you…pick up a copy of The Noticer.
It is well worth your time!

This video was written by worship leader Stephen miller, performed by Nya Dillard, and produced by Jason Benjamin.

Great job!

What would you do if you had one month to live? That’s the intriguing question that will drive an inspiring new message series from Senior Pastor Ken Whitten, at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida.

Easter services are on Saturday, April 11, 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 12, 9:00 or 11:00 a.m.

This is a life changing event you will not want to miss. Hope to see you there!

If you are married, this means we should be serving our spouse. Okay, so “serve my spouse”… what does that mean? How do I do it?

I have my own ideas, but today I want to share some examples from some guys who’ve been married much longer than me.

–”I make the bed every morning, and fix dinner once a week. It’s not Mother Teresa stuff, but you gotta start somewhere.” —John Ortberg, pastor and author, married to Nancy for 22 years

–”Jesus served his followers by washing their feet. In his culture that was the job of a servant. I asked my wife and she had no desire for me to wash her feet, but she had a lot of other good ideas, such as: take out the garbage, vacuum the floors, wash the dishes, dust the blinds, and keep the lawn looking nice. I followed Jesus’ example, and I live with a happy woman.” —Gary D. Chapman, marriage and family expert, married to Karolyn for 43 years

–”It may seem a small thing, but Dianna and I have gotten into the habit of always asking the other if we need anything when we’re up. Just grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge or putting a dish in the sink is an act of servanthood that allows ‘preferring others over yourself’ to begin at home.” —Jerry B. Jenkins, best-selling novelist, married to Dianna for 34 years

–”To really serve my mate, I need to ‘go to school’ and study her as if in pursuit of a Ph.D. In my case, it’s ‘Beckology,’ and I have to know her like no other on the planet. I have to tune in to her feelings, her fears, and her dreams. Only then can I serve her as Christ served the church.” —H. Dale Burke, pastor and author, married to Becky for 30 years

So let me get some comments. How do YOU serve your spouse?

Though Jesus needs absolutely nothing from His children, He has bestowed upon us the privilege of serving Him by serving others.

Are you serving today? Who are you serving today?

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Matt 5:46-47

Step outside of the church. Step outside of your Christian circles. Open your eyes, look around. What do you see?

Jesus saw a world that was lost and hurting. He saw His enemies as opportunities. He saw potential. He saw hope.

I pray today that I would be able to see the world through the same lens and through that lens I would be forever changed.