Welcome back!

It has been awhile since I last posted. Many things have occurred since then. Life is still good as well as you know God is still good!

Family: Please pray as I try to find a way to interact without bringing in my moral compass. I am the only the Christian in my family still. My nephews and nieces have chosen the secular lifestyle. I am not happy about that, but I do know life is about choices. They have to make their own decisions and I was so hopeing that it would be the Christian lifestyle. Those who think others influence the kids more than parents, I have a story to prove you wrong. Please pray! Holidays are difficult. I find myself wanting to limit the amount of time I am around due to what I perceive failure on my part to influence. I know I am harder on myself. I just don't know what to do as we go forward. They are my family, and that's all I have. Again, please pray!

Life: I am content somewhat to where I am. I have had some debates internally about the present and the future. "If you keep doing what you doing, you're gonna get what you get" I think somebody said that. In less than 2 years I will be turning 40. How did this happen? I can not believe it. I remember people reaching 40 and thinking they are old! Now, I am approaching that age. I do enjoy what I do. I have matured in some ways regarding my career. In Education, I have found the only way for me to survive is to be more passive. This might be in every profession, but when you are good at something, your boss will want to come and mess it up for whatever reason. If you go along with it, you will survive. If you resist, you might be looking for something else to do. I have never been fired. I do push the norm wherever I am. I just can't believe I will be turning 39 in January.

Church: I have found another unique congregation to work with since coming back to Atlanta. East Cobb Church of Christ. They love me and I love them. One day I need to post about all the different churches I have worked with over the years. This is a small church of about 300. Ray Hawkins is the preacher. I count him as my long lost brother. He is a counselor and does a great job in the pulpit. As in a lot of churches, they(we) need to express our appreciation for all the things he does and continue to do for the church and the kingdom. I have come to realize that not every church can handle a Terry Davis. I have found another one that loves me for being me. This is very important to me as I try to give 150%. Some days, I think about going back into full time. This church has helped me see that could be part of God's plan.

Work: Yesterday, I received a gift from the JH faculty. They have the last two years included me in the Administration gift. I am always humbled by the inclusion and overwhelmed by the encouraging notes that comes with the gift. They have no idea how much I appreciate hearing those encouraging words. I often say actions speak louder than words. I have to make an exception here, because I treasure each and every word expressed. I don't know why, but believe or not, I cry when I read these words. I am a person that want to get it right. I am learning that I do have a vision of what that is, and you better get out of my way. My prayer is that people see that my heart is for these kids. I don't want to be another adult to fail them. Junior High to me are the special years. They need a guide to help them thru it. I pray that I can continue to be that guide.

Spiritual: I know I can't say this has been the best year spiritually. I have struggle with family, work, and just life. I am renewed each with as I lead worship knowing that I am just a sinner. I am trying my best to do it right. My faith in God has never been stronger. My trusting God for his will in my life has never been weaker. GOD HAS TO BE IN CONTROL. I have to give it all. Sometimes, I think my foot in the boat and in the water. I need to jump freely and trust God will take care of all my concerns. Please pray! I look to 2010 with the idea all will be better. 2009 was not fine, but ok. I look to God to make the next year a better year.

Terry

Recent conversations about marriage

Well, here I go about to stick my neck out there once more. The question of when will I get married always seems to come in the fall. I think about it more in the summer, but ALWAYS get asked the question in the fall.

Here is my take:

In my 20's, I was looking for miss right who would stay with me forever in Searcy, Arkansas.
In my early 30's, I was looking for someone who was a lot more mature and had a faith in God bigger than mine.
Right now, God has a lot more work to do on me. I know, I am not the perfect person I thought I was when I was in my 20's. I have always known but I will admit more today, that I have a very messed up family that I will asked some lady one day to join. Don't get me wrong, my family is my family. This last one, is probably my biggest stumbling block. I am secure in myself, I believe this last point is another hurdle I believe I have conquered.

I am not ashamed of my upbringing, I have to live in the real. I wanted so much to have the perfect life/family to present to my wife. Well, that wont be happening anytime soon. My nephew recent saying "It is what it is!" I hope she will see she is marrying a Christian young man who is a sinner and is looking forward to being in heaven.

So the question of when I will get married. God only knows....

I want to do nothing!

Well, it is the weekend and I'm about to do nothing. I am going to enjoy doing nothing. I might read a book, or do nothing. I want to do nothing, but I might have to go do something. Well, if I do something, I will let you know. I want to do nothing. So, there you have it. What do I do? HA!

Praying

Right now I am praying about many things: New students and their families, Sinners all over the world, East Cobb church, GAC, Creekside Church in Texas, and much more. I pray for our country as I have for many years. I pray that those not liking this President will keep things civil. I hate what I see and what I hear. Adults needs to understand the next generation is watching us on how we deal with things we don't like. Can I say Kanye West? Some Adults should be ashamed of themselves. I am praying for adults everywhere to grow up if they have not yet.

I'm praying for my future. I will be 40 before you know it. I am doing as I always do some introspection, and making sure this is what I should and want to do. I don't know why I look at 40 as the half way point, but the closer I get the more I feel like it is.

Lastly, I am praying for you for coming my way via the blog.

Found a Car!

Well, I found a car. It is a 2000 Chevy Metro. It was the right price. I have done all the necessary things today to make it legally mine. My sister actually drove it more than me today. I am now getting ready for Chicago. I have told myself to take some time to visit friends and have a little more fun away from my fun work. I really enjoy what i do. I just need a little balance. Truth be told I have never been balanced. I will be staying with my good friends from college Rich and Heather Little. It should be a great weekend. I hope yours is as well. Talk to Monday, hopefully sharing all the good that happened this weekend.

Good day in Atlanta!

Well, today was a pretty good day. I have not found a car yet. I am wanting cheap so I can buy new all cash in 2012. The right one will come along. Tonight, I got a free dinner at our magazine sale kick off. This saved me money today. I did not spend a dime except the gas already in my tank. God is still good!

I have had several people to lose a family member here lately. I will continue to preach to my students and everyone else to spend the quality time you can with those you love. I am also encouraging people to be there for those you love. This is difficult for me at times because many of all the "can I borrow" offers. I want to be their emotionally not financially. It is hard, but must be done.

Going to Chicago at the end of the week to be with good friends of mine Rich and Heather Little. I will enjoy this weekend with them. I will lead worship on Sunday, but I always look forward to that every time I can. I even got an email today from another person from my college days just wanting to have that college worship experience at their church today. She said she misses it. I had a great time. She apologized for some people who loved to make fun. I was working for the Lord, so I did not mind.

I hope you are having a great week. Talk to soon!

I want to live like no one else so I can live like no one else!

I am finally sick of being in debt. Today, I am pledging to do something about it. I spent most of my day shopping with my mom and nephews. The whole time I was asking myself, why are they buying so much junk. My nephews said that they just wanted to be like me. I told them immediately, I don't buy to buy. They asked me then why did I buy? Today, people I am pledging to live like no one else so that later on I can live like no one else.

Don't get me wrong I am in a very good position financially. I have been saving for retirement since I was 24. I do have some old debts that won't go away. I will now channel my vision on my debts. I don't want to be slaved to the lender. I want to be free.

A few reminders are in order for those still listening. Remember, I am 38. I have been out of college for a while now. I am single. No children or grandchildren to take care of. Full disclosure, I have taken care of many in my family over the years. I have cut back in that area big time since moving back to Georgia. I do love to give to those who ask. I have been so blessed and that is my way of giving back. I give back in other ways as well. Volunteering my time a lot to service is the biggest way I love to give.

Now, stop reading and go make a written budget plan for the rest of the month. Mine is easy since I have paid all of my bills.