:: the PAC blog ::

"Be Still and Know"

The following powerful piece was written by my 20-year-old niece in NYC, Jackie Cortez.  BTW...all done on an iPhone!!   I am sooooo proud of her.

I can do ALL things!

"I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me". (Philippians 4:13)

SMU Freshman hits 95-yard Soccer Goal @ Yahoo! Video

Maranatha!!!!!!

I never had any problems with allergies until moving to Texas in 1991.   That's when I was slammed with all kinds of allergy issues.   At first I didn't know what was happening until finally visiting the doctor.  His response?  "Welcome to Texas!" Since then I've lived in various parts of the Lone Star State--West Texas, Deeeeeeeeep East Texas, The Big D, and now Katy/Houston....each region introducing me to different ways of sneezing!   My prayer?  Maranatha!!!!!!!   

I Never Lost My Praise!!!!!!

Tramaine Hawkins is one of my favorite gospel singers that I discovered in my late teens.   Here's she is singing/preaching a powerful testimony song..."I Never Lost My Praise"!

How to stay young!

Big hoax?

It looks like the run-away flying saucer with an unwilling 6-year-old boy passenger last Thursday may have been one big hoax.   Possibly a publicity stunt by celebrity-seeking parents.   If that's true, then they sure pulled the wool of the eyes of millions of people as they watched this scenario unfold on live TV.  In fact, all the media outlets that pre-empted their regualr shows to follow this story also were conned.   I know I fell for it as my heart went out for the helpless little boy.   When the saucer finally landed, without any passengers, I began to grieve at the prospect of the boy having fallen thousands of feet through the air to a certain death.

There's a another "con artist" that is much more sly, crafty and manipulative that continually controls millions of people all the time with lies, half-truths and dazzling stunts.  Satan...alias Prince of Darkness...a.k.a. "Ole' Slewfoot" continues to orchestrate publicity stunts that have captured the hearts of many.    Solution?  "You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free".   Truth....alias Jesus Christ....a.k.a. Lord of lords!

One of my all-time FAVORITE worship songs....

That was five years ago....

This evening, the Family Life A/G church family hosted a special Appreciation Dinner to honor our fine pastoral staff (we really do have the BEST ministry team!).   The church & Board also celebrated our 5th Anniversary as Senior Pastor.  Can't believe it's been 5 years already!   It seems just like the other day that we candidated and were voted in as new pastors.   After having preached on a Sunday morning and then again that evening, followed by a Q & A session with the church folk, our family went to the McDonald's on Highland Knolls while the membership conducted a Special Business Meeting.   I guess it must've been about 45 minutes or so when we received a call on our cell to return to the church.  Upon walking into the sanctuary, we were greeted by a "standing ovation" by the entire congregation!   We had received an incredible vote (I believe it was something like 94%).   Our son, Taylor, who was only 2-1/2 years old at the time, thought that the "standing o" was for him and he began to squeal with delight!!   That was five years ago.....

So glad we are serving the Lord at the most WONDERFUL church in the Houston metropolitan area!

This morning we saw the most AMAZING sight!

This morning we saw the most AMAZING sight!   We were in the Hill Country for a couple of days of R & R, and stepped outside to enjoy the countryside, clean air and beautiful azure sky, when suddenly, there is was flying way above our heads!  It was beautiful.  it was spectacular.   We saw a BALD EAGLE gliding in the slight wind, full of confidence and determination.  Wide wing span, the unmistakable white head and yellow beak on black feathered body, flying al alone as if in charge of the skies.   Wow.

Banana Split

Does anyone eat banana splits anymore?  I have fond memories of my grandmother taking me to Woolworth's (anyone remember these stores?) to eat in their restaurant section.  I would always order a banana split -- one scoop of each of 3 flavors (strawberry, vanilla & chocolate), sitting on top of a banana sliced in half, covered with whipped cream, drizzled with chocolate AND strawberry syrup, sprinkled with chopped nuts, with a bright red cherry on top!   Wow wee!!  If anyone knows where I can have the BEST banana split in the area, pleeeeeease let me know.