I remember the days when I loved a good thunderstorm. I used to find it so relaxing and peaceful. Lightning flashing in the sky, the sound of the rain beating against the windows and the crashes of thunder, but sadly the enjoyment of storms ended for me 15 years ago.  

Summer, my basset, was a year old and I knew she needed a friend so after weeks of searching, I found Mattie. I don't like to say I rescued Mattie because the truth is she rescued me (but that"s another story). She has been the best little girl any pet owner could ever ask for. It wasn't long after she came to live with me and Summer that I realized she was terrified of storms. She would shake, pant and try to burrow into anything she could to escape the sounds of thunder and the flashes of lightning. The only thing that helped her during the storms was me on the floor with her, the lights on and the volume to the TV up as loud as it could go. Today, Mattie is 15 and has lost a lot of her hearing, so storms are not as frightening to her as they used to be as long as I have the lights on to douce the lightning.

Summer passed away October 2009 at age 14 (saddest day of my life, but again that's another story).  I knew Mattie needed a new friend so.... enter Wrigley.  I brought Wrigley home February 2010.  All was well until the first storms of the season came in late February.  Yup, you guessed it.  Wrigley is scared of storms, no, let me re-phrase that....she's terrified of storms.  The picture of Wrigley above is of her wearing the "Thunder Shirt".  You know, the one advertised on TV that promises to keep your dog calm during storms.  Save your money...it doesn't work.  I have also tried a natural product called "Calm Paste" that a good friend gave me.  It doesn't work either. I even went to the vet to get a mild tranquilizer and guess what?  It worked but it knocked Wrigley out for the day.  So, no more tranquilizers for Wrigley.  We are just going to go au natural from here on out and hope that she will grow out of her fear of storms. 

Guess what it's doing outside right now?  Let me give you a hint...all the lights are on and the TV is blaring in the background.  Oh yeah, and Wrigley is in my lap as I try to write this blog post.  So, for those of you who can....enjoy the storm.

The start of my day is like clockwork. I get up every morning, let Mattie and Wrigley outside and then give them their breakfast. I grab my  C and C mug filled with coffee and head to the study to read emails, catch up on internet sermons I follow and then I check out my Twitter feed.  This morning was a little different. When I finally got around to checking out Twitter, I noticed that a person that I had been following for quite a while (@WhoIsBrandonC) had re-tweeted something from my blog. 

First of all I want to say that I follow close to 750 people on Twitter.  I never blindly follow anyone (I don't do that #followback thing because it's not about numbers to me, it's relationships and connections that I'm looking for).  I always check out a new followers bio and then read a few of their tweets to get a good understanding of what they're all about. If I like what I read...click...follow.  After noticing that Brandon had RT'd something from my blog post, I decided that I would check out his blog. When I started reading I found out that he is a supporter of The Multiple Sclerosis Society and that his wife was diagnosed with MS a little over 3 years ago.  The shocking part of that revelation is the fact that I have been following him for quite sometime and never really knew his story.  

Twitter is such a powerful social media and there are so many great stories and people out there.  We need to take the time and read some of these blogs that our followers pen.  So much wonderful information and who knows....you may just make a friend for life in the process. 

As I was driving around Louisville yesterday, I couldn't help but notice how many cars had either a UofL or UK bumper sticker, flag or car magnet proudly displayed.  You can't go anywhere in the state of Kentucky these days without hearing conversations of the big game in New Orleans tomorrow between Louisville and Kentucky.  The cities of Louisville and Lexington have even announced that there will be added police force out to handle the crowds should riots erupt....and they will erupt...especially if Louisville beats Kentucky.  When I think of the basketball fans in this state, the last word that would be used to describe them would be "ashamed". They are certainly not ashamed to display their support for either the Cardinals or the Wildcats.

Definition of ashamed: Reluctant to do something through fear of embarrassment or humiliation.  

Why is it that some "Christians" are so ashamed (embarrassed, fearful) to share their faith in Christ with others, but have no reservations about broadcasting their love of their favorite basketball team?   Is it because of the fear of being ridiculed? (if your team loses you will be ridiculed).  Is it because being a Christian in todays society is likened to being a leper, an outcast?  (we are not of this world, we are just passing through) .  Are you afraid to stand up to those that think Christianity is too exclusive?  (Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me").  

I think about my past before God drew me to Him and I remember many times being in the company of "Christians" that never shared their faith with me, or even mentioned the name of Jesus.  I have to wonder...was it because they were ashamed of the Gospel or were they false converts?  Personally, I don't believe a truly regenerated (saved, born again) person can be ashamed of the Gospel.

Paul said it so beautifully  "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16).  

First of all, I want to start this blog post off by saying "I am a supporter of all teams in the bluegrass state."  By that I mean if Louisville doesn't win, I will root for Kentucky and visa versa. I am not a basketball fan per se, however, living in Kentucky during March madness it's hard to not catch the "buzz". It's everywhere.  March is also the rudest month to live in Kentucky.  I hear it all day long.... Louisville fans bashing Kentucky fans and Kentucky fans bashing Louisville fans.  It's really gross to say the least.  There is nothing wrong with good sportsmanship rivalry, but there is no such thing as good rivalry between Louisville and Kentucky.  My own family is divided. Some are UK fans and some are UL fans.  They have even had such arguments over the teams that some of them have nothing to do with each other anymore.  It's pathetic, but unfortunately true.  

The only saving grace to look forward to is the fact that the Kentucky Derby is only a matter of weeks away. That always seems to bring the state back together for at least until basketball season kicks up again next year.  This coming Saturday Kentucky will play Louisville for the chance to represent our state with a NCAA title. Good luck to both teams and may the best team win. 

My niece Brandy and I met for dinner last night. I love hanging with my nieces. Since I don't have children of my own, I kind of steal my brothers children from time to time.  This time, however, Brandy called me and asked if I would meet her for dinner.  We always have a great time laughing and acting goofy together.  She keeps me young.  OK, having said the part about "she keeps me young",  last night she asked if I used Just For Men hair color.  I told her I have never dyed my hair.  First of all I don't need to, but even if I had a full head of gray hair I wouldn't dye it.  I like getting older and wiser and looking the part. 

Both my brothers (one older and one younger) have a lot of gray hair mixed in with their brown. I know that's why she thinks I must dye my hair but for what ever reason, I didn't get the gray hair gene like they did.  Anyway to teach her a lesson of falsely accusing her uncle of putting dye on his hair....I made her pay for the pizza. Now you can rightly accuse me of lying because I didn't really make her pay for the pizza.  She insisted.  I have the best nieces in the world.  Even the ones that falsely accuse me. 

1. The greatest moment in the history of the world.....the cross.

2. Aren't all men basically good? Romans 3:10-12

3. Every day that Jesus does not return is just another example of God's patience.

4. I have free will to live my life as I choose, but I had no free will when it came to my salvation. Salvation is of the Lord.

5. With all the bible has to say about how precious life is, how can a person that claims to be a Christian be pro-choice? 

6. How I pray without ceasing....I wake up and spend time in prayer but I don't close the prayer. I talk to God while working, driving in my car, running errands...etc. Then as I lie down at night I close my prayer in Jesus name.

7. I don't like telling anyone goodbye. The only time I cry is if I have to say goodbye, especially if it's for the last time in this life.

The Twelve Apostles graphic to the left was borrowed from @realjdowney 's Twitter pics. Thanks, John.


In Luke 9:23 Jesus said to the Apostles "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me". In our westernized "Christian"
 culture, we seem to have watered that down a bit.  Oh sure we hear it preached from the pulpit, but we never take it as seriously as Jesus meant it.  The cross is a symbol of unbearable torture.  Jesus was saying to them that if they wanted to follow Him, they would experience a horrific life on this earth.  Just take a look at the chart and see how each one of them met their demise.  All but John died a horrible death.  Even John, although he died of old age, was exiled because of believing in Jesus.


My life has changed dramatically since I was regenerated/saved/born again. I have lost friends and family members because of my faith in God.  I am certainly not comparing the trails and tribulations I have experienced with those the Apostles experienced because there is no comaprison.  I often wonder if I am doing all I can to share the good news with those I come in contact with.  What have I got to lose?  Their respect?  Their approval?  Christ followers are missionaries.  It is our duty to share our faith with those that are lost and in need of a savior.  Picking up one's cross is simply to take on the hardships and persecution that will most likely befall us as Christ followers.