Several years ago when I was pastor of a church in Lincoln county, Mississippi a lady who was our Sunday School director told me one week that she and her family were going to be out the next Sunday. She then explained that her oldest was a senior and it was going to begin getting more and more difficult for their family to get everyone together. So, the family was going to New Orleans.
I was young and full of legalism and I admit, I was aggravated.
However, after almost 20 years, I now see where she was coming from. Our oldest son is 20. The next is 17 and our daughter is 14. We are getting to ready to leave for Florida for a few days vacation and, our oldest can't go because of his work schedule. It frustrates me. A little bit of me is empty because our whole bunch is not going to be together.
I now see what the lady was trying to tell me 20 years ago.
So, make sure you spend time with your family. There will come a time when you can't get them all together.

I'm cutting back.
Throwing away...
Let me explain.
I love to read and as a pastor, I'm always looking for a good, new, fresh illustration (stories) to really top a sermon off. Because of that, over the course of my ministry I've subscribed to magazines and purchased books. The only problem is, I've had too many coming in. They pile up beside my chair. When we go on a trip, I would put them in a box and plan to go through them while we drove. And I went through many of them. But I never got through them all.
For years this has been somewhat of a sore spot w/my wife but she has always been patient and basically said nothing until the stack would get too large and she would demand action. Recently, I started taking action on my own. I've cancelled some thing, thrown away some things and it feels good. In business, it's called streamlining.
Do you need to streamline your life? Do you need to eliminate some things?
People are extremely busy today. I mean, we're always "running in a store" or hurriedly making a stop at a convenience store. It's almost like we take pride in being busy. But, is that the way God wants us to live? I don't think so.
I'm trying to cut back. Jesus said "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all of His righteousness and all these other things will be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33).
Put the Lord first and allow Him to streamline your life.

Who am I?
That's a question that lots of people seem to be asking.
In an attempt to answer it, people spend money on clothes to try to project a certain image. Or, they purchase a new automobile to attempt to do the same. Or, they try to keep up with their neighbors and spend money they don't need to.
All of this is done in an attempt to be someone or act like someone that we admire. And through all of that, we never find out who we are.
Who are you?
First, you are a child of the king of kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.
Second, you are loved by the Lord Jesus.
Third, you are gifted by the Lord Jesus. That means you have been given a certain set of spiritual gifts. God wants you to use those gifts for His glory.
Fourth, you are called by the king. In the book of Acts, the Bible says that God called Saul to be a missionary to the Gentiles. God has called each one of us as well.
So, who are you? That's a key "life" question for most of us. Ask the Lord to reveal to you who you are... what your giftedness is, etc... and be who the Lord called you to be.

Last Friday I had an excellent day. Well, I've had some good days since then as well but that day was a particularly good day.
I was talking to Holli Friday morning and we were discussing Robert. I had just told Holli that I felt disconnected from Robert and that I didn't see him much. I know, it gets worse the older they get.
Well, about the time he comes up the stairs from his room and says that the boys who were supposed to be playing golf with him backed out so, he was trying to decide what to do. Immediately I thought, "Here's your chance. You've felt disconnected from him well, here's your chance to spend a day with him."
I thought about it for a few minutes and decided to go with him. I did have some other things I needed to do but I knew that all of it could wait another day. So, I played golf with my oldest son.
We had a blast. I felt like I got reconnected with him. Robert is a good golfer. He played on his high school golf team. I felt a sense of pride as I watched him gradually get better the longer we played.
Then, after finishing a round of golf, I took Will, my middle son, and a couple of his friends to see the Rome Braves play. We had a great time.
When I got home Friday night I was beat but, I had invested a day in my two sons. You can't beat that.
Thank you, Lord, for giving me three great kids. Thank you that each one is a Christian and trying to follow you.

I watched the MLB All-star game last night. Well, I watched it through the 7th inning. It was 11:00 then which is past when I want to go to bed so, I gave it up. The AL was winning when I went to bed and they hung on for the final two innings.
I enjoy watching the All-star game. I really enjoy the pageantry. Last night, prior to the game, there was a huge salute to the "say hey" kid, Willie Mays. The television announcer said "if he wasn't the greatest, he was one of the greatest to ever play the game." That's a strong statement.
I get goose bumps every time I see a tribute like that. There were the pictures on the jumbo tron then, Willie Mays made his entrance walking between the players on the AL and NL all-star teams. It was neat seeing a "former great" of the game walking among the stars of today.
I wish we had more moments like that. We need to recognize people, encourage people. There is an old saying "give someone their roses while they are living."
Is there someone today that you need to say a word of encouragement to? Send someone an email. Offer to buy them lunch. Give them a call. Write them a note but by all means, do something to offer encouragement and express appreciation.

In my post yesterday (7.09.07) I mentioned that one of the highlights of my trip to the coast last week was getting a fresh supply of Community coffee. Someone asked me what was so special about Community coffee. I mean, in a world that has gone crazy over Starbucks, what's so special about Community?
It's strong. I like strong coffee. Maybe that's the "Louisiana" in me. Louisianian's are known for enjoying "strong" coffee.
It has some "bite" in it. I'm not real sure what gives it the "bite" taste but there is only one other coffee that I have had that is similar and that is Hill and Brooks coffee.
I like the bag. No kidding. No, the bag doesn't make it taste any better but I like the "red bag" it comes in. It's got the picture of the antebellum home on the front. The bag makes it look like it ought to be good, strong coffee. lol
It reminds me of home. I hadn't thought about this until I started writing but every time I purchase a bag or bags of community coffee, I'm reminded of home. Maybe that's weird but it's true.
If you have ever lived away from the place you call "home", when you make trips back "home" there maybe a restaurant, or a store, or a place on the beach or a spot in the woods that you enjoy going to that is a favorite spot. Community coffee is like that for me.
Well, there it is... a theological treatise on why I like Community coffee. Now, I think I'll have a cup!
P.S. If you think about it, drop me a line at gepotts1@aol.com and let me know if you are a coffee drinker and if so, what brand you prefer.

I really had a good week last week.
We went to the Mississippi gulf coast to get away a few days. We ate some seafood, saw some friends and just "chilled" for a few days. I needed it. The month of June had been exceptionally busy so I was a tad bit tired.
The only regret from last week is that I didn't get to see more people. I just needed to hibernate and I did.
On our return trip home on Friday we even got to see my parents which topped everything off.
Then, I went in a Wal Mart and loaded up with a fresh supply of Community coffee. I even picked up some Zapps potato chips for the kids.
There are three weeks left before school kicks in again. I'm looking forward to three good weeks before get back in "busy" mode.

In an earlier post this week I wrote that we were visiting the Mississippi gulf coast and "reconnecting" some. One of the things I really look forward to in coming to the coast is eating seafood. I have had two opportunities thus far. I feel like "Bubba Gump"... I'm enjoying fried shrimp, broiled shrimp, etc... lol

We have had an opportunity to visit with some friends and the kids have as well. It's been a good trip. The only downside is we can't see everyone we would like to see.

A little quote from "Shrek"; last night we watched Shrek I. On one occasion Shrek says "people judge me before they even know me." That's pretty good. Shrek's right. We often judge people before we get to know them. Today, be careful not to judge others. Try to love people as Jesus would.

This post may ramble some today. I have thoughts but they are not necessarily all together.

Reconnecting...
I'm not totally sure all that means but I'm doing some of it this week.
We lived on the Mississippi gulf coast for 12 years. Our kids spent a big portion of their lives here. We have some very good memories from the coast. Last night we dropped our daughter off to spend a few days with one of her friends. We dropped her off at the softball fields. I walked around and remembered all the softball games Sarah played here. We have lots and lots of good memories there. We have friends here. Last night we got to visit with a few folks that we knew from our involvement in kids sports when we lived here.
Our kids have for the past couple of years enjoyed coming to the coast about once a year to see their old friends and just see what's changed. We drive around and look at the area. Of course, lots of things changed after Katrina.
We drove to the coast yesterday. Sarah is spending some time with some friends and Will is doing the same. Robert couldn't come. He has to work this week because he went on vacation with his girlfriend's family last week.
Holli and I will rest some, ride around some, see a few people, eat some seafood and I will take back a fresh supply of Community coffee. I might even take back some shrimp if I can convince my wife. lol The down side of something like this is we can't see everyone we would like to see. There's not enough time.
I need to reconnect periodically. I'm not sure why but I do.
Maybe it's remembering our roots. Maybe it's re-visiting the familiar. Not sure. But I need it.
You probably do as well. This week is a holiday week. Take some time and re-connect with someone.

What are we willing to do to accomplish something great? Any time anything great is accomplished there is normally an individual or a group of people who are willing to sacrifice and work toward a common goal. Such was the case with the American Revolution which led to the birth of our nation.
This Wednesday we will celebrate our nation’s birth. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed declaring the intent of the colonies to be free from the tyranny of England.
But that Declaration didn’t just happen. Events had been unfolding for some time that led to this moment. One of those events took place in the Virginia House of Burgesses on March 23, 1775.
There, Patrick Henry urged the legislature to take military action against the encroaching British military force. The House was deeply divided, but was very much leaning toward not committing troops. As Henry stood in Saint John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia, he ended his speech with his most famous words: Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
The crowd jumped up and shouted "To Arms! To Arms!". This speech is credited by some with single-handedly delivering the Virginia troops to the Revolutionary War.
“Give me liberty or give me death!”
Patrick Henry wanted liberty so much he was willing to die if necessary. He declared that he would rather die in a quest for freedom than live in slavery. He wasn’t alone.
Our founding fathers shared the same passion for freedom. It was a passion that moved them and led them to take up arms in a battle for freedom.
Benjamin Franklin reportedly said as he signed the Declaration, “We must all hang together or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” He wasn’t kidding. He knew that if the revolution failed, the signers of the Declaration would be tried and convicted of treason. But, Franklin and others were willing to pay that price for freedom.
Great causes and great projects require great commitment and sacrifice. Let’s thank the Lord for the freedom we enjoy as Americans and for those who sacrificed for our freedom.

The iphone comes out today.
For weeks now there has been advertising about apples new iphone. It's projected to be the newest "gotta have" gadget. Some of the reviews I have read say that the iphone is indeed worth the hype it's received. One of the things about the iphone that supposedly makes it worthy of the hype is that it's much easier to view web pages on it than it is with many portable devices.
I love gadgets and I have noticed the advertising for the iphone. It seems like a pretty cool piece of equipment. However, I hadn't given much thought to the anticipated release of the iphone until I saw a picture in the paper of a man who has camped out in front a store for a day or two to be first in line to get an iphone. That guy obviously wanted an iphone badly.
The iphone will probably fall into the category of things that many will think "you just gotta have." It will be the newest "cool" gadget. I can see people gathered around someone that has purchased one looking at all it will do and being amazed and saying "I gotta get one of these."
Gadgets are neat and new cars are nice and clothes make us feel "new" but.... we need to remember what Jesus said about "stuff"; "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal" (Matt. 6:19).
There is nothing wrong with purchasing things we like if we can afford them and if we like them as long as we realize they are not the most important things in life.
We need to remember what Jesus went on to say in that same chapter; "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:20-21).

I guess I would be described as a "people person." I normally don't meet many strangers. At least, they aren't a stranger for long. And, when I meet someone, Holli tells me I warm up quick. I become "instant buds" with people who ten minutes prior were strangers. I don't know if that's good or not but it's pretty close to accurate. lol
And, I have a tendency to be a "back slapper." Maybe I was supposed to be a politican. It is natural for me in shaking someone's hand to touch/slap them on the back. Some say I have given people back problems with may hard slaps on the back (I don't think they are but I've been told they are). I have noticed that when I shake the hands of some people who know me well they draw up in the area of their shoulders anticipating my back slap. lol Holli especially cautions me to be careful with the elderly.
I have always enjoyed meeting new people and getting to know them.
Recently, I met a guy in the gym who once played football for North Carolina State. We talked about some of their former coaches and players. I enjoy talking sports with anyone.
And, I met a guy at the gas pump who is an LSU fan. He had more LSU gear on than I have ever had. We talked and I discovered that he has a daugther in the band.
During summer baseball I have enjoyed getting to know some new people. In fact, thus far this year, that's probably been one of the highlights of the summer for me. I have met some new people and made some new friends.
There are 6 billion people on this earth. And, Jesus died for each one of them. God's plan is for those of us who have asked Jesus to forgive us of our sins to share the love of God with others. In order to do that, we have to meet new people. We don't need to stay in our same circle.
I encourage you today to meet someone new. Force yourself to meet someone new. Try to build a relationship with them and eventually, try to share the love of Christ with them. In doing so, you will have the privilege of leading some to Christ and making some new friends as well.

Today, instead of writing something inspirational or motivational... I am going to open up my soul to let you see a little of what God is doing in my life.
God has been speaking to me.
For some time now my heart has been heavy about a couple of issues. I'll not share those but God knows what they are and I ask you to lift me up in prayer whenever my name comes to your mind. A couple of weeks ago, in an attempt to seek answers to these issues I sensed a need to open up my heart and just allow the Lord to speak. As I have done that, God has been speaking to me.
Now, it hasn't been a bolt of lightning or anything... some of it is issues that I've known I needed to deal with but just kept pushing them aside.
I have asked the Lord to speak to me and lead me to make changes where changes are necessary. I've asked the Lord to not make me hurt but I'm not sure that part of my prayer is right. You may have to hurt at times to get things right with the Lord.
Pray for me as I continue on this journey.

This past Sunday, my oldest son, Robert, turned 20.
Twenty..
He’s an adult now.
It may take a while for that to sink in.
As my dad would say “he’s a grown man.”
Yep, he’s not little “Robert James” any more.
But, in my mind he is…
I can see his mom pulling him to church in his red wagon that Paw Paw and Maw Maw Potts had given him for Christmas. The church was just up the road from our house so she didn’t have to go far. Ha!
I laugh when I think of his fascination with his Houston Astros cap that his “Huncle Hemmitt” (his name is “Emmette” but Robert put that “h” in front of it.) brought him back from Houston. He wore that cap 24/7.
And, I chuckle when I think of taking him to his first day of kindergarten in Brookhaven. As I put him out I thought “well, he’s gone.. he’ll never be home during the day again.” He was only 5! It wasn’t like he was going off to college. But in my mind, he may as well have been.
Robert has brought his mom and me lots and lots of happiness.
He became a Christian during a revival meeting when Dr. Darrell Robinson was preaching. When I got home from church that night, his mom had let him stay up to tell me that when Dr. Robinson “prayed that prayer” he had “prayed with him.” In doing so, my son had asked Jesus into his heart.
He grew up in Vancleave. He was blessed to have been able to go through elementary, middle and high school in one school system. When we moved to Dallas, he wanted to remain behind and finish school there. It stretched us some but we did it and don’t regret it.
In the past two years Robert has been growing up. He spent a year at LSU as manager of the fast pitch softball team then, came to Dallas to be with us. He is working and going to college. In the past year, he has worked at Dick’s Sporting Goods at Kennessaw. He recently received a promotion to “front end lead supervisor.”
Robert is a very compassionate young man. He cares for people. He doesn’t want to let anyone down. If he is told to do something, he tries to do it. He has a good work ethic. He has gone in to cover for people who have called him at the last minute. And, at times, I’ve felt like his “good heartedness” has probably been taken advantage of but, he goes anyway.
As a dad, I’m proud of the man he is becoming.
Happy birthday, buddy. I know you’re 20 but you will always be my little “ball game watching buddy to me.”

Even when we are mis-matched, God still loves us.
I discovered that truth today.
Let me explain.
Have you ever thought you had it "all together" only to discover you really didn't?
Did I hear someone say, "Yeah, that happens to me all the time?" lol
I understand.
This morning, it happened to me...again.
When I'm dressing, I occasionally have a difficult time deciding if I have chosen black or blue socks. To solve the problem, I periodically put them up against somegthing that is black or blue to determine if I have the right color.
This is especially a problem for me on Sunday mornings.
We have an 8:30 service so, I'm dressing early. I'm trying to be quiet because Holli is still sleeping. I go to the sock drawer and hold up the sock to get enough light on it to see if it's black or blue. I face this problem during the week but it's not as important to get the right color socks during the week. But on Sunday morning.... well, you gotta have the right color socks. I mean, just in case folks are looking at your socks instead of listening to the sermon. It's really important to have the right color socks. They teach you that in seminary. It's right there in the book "Dress for Success as a Preacher"; "Thou shalt have matching socks." I'm kidding, of course.
Well, this morning, I went to the sock drawer looking for navy socks. I found a pair and finished dressing. It was only after I sat down in my office that I realized... I had a blue and black sock on. I guess today, I'm dressed versatile!
When I saw the two different color socks, I laughed. I thought I was doing so well and all along, I had two different color socks.
I had driven to work confident my socks matched.
I had greeted people confident, my socks matched.
I felt good about the day confident I had on matching socks.
Now, they don't match. Life's a bummer.
So, even when you think you have it all together, we often don't.
But I think the real question is, "what do you do when you realize you dont' have it all together?"
I think we realize that God loves us even if our socks don't match! Even if we are mis-matched, God still loves us.
So, right now, check your socks. If you made the mistake of putting two different color socks on, take a deep breath and say "Thank you, Lord, for loving me even when my socks don't match!"

The title of this blog is "if not for grace." When I created the blog about a year ago, I selected the title because I wanted to stress that God loves us, forgives us and enables us to start over in life. But, although I believe in the grace of God, I didn't even realize how often we see God's grace at work.
In my study of God's word I am continually confronted with examples of grace.
Last night, at our Wednesday night prayer meeting service we studied the ninth chapter of Acts. That's the story of Saul's conversion. Saul was a murderer before being converted yet today, he stands out as one of the most significant men in the history of the church.
Then, there is King David. The scripture describes him as a "man after God's heart" yet, David committed adultery. God's grace is seen in his life.
Then, there is John Mark. He deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Yet, God uses him to write what many Bible scholars believe was the first gospel written, the gospel according to Mark.
Then, there is Simon Peter. On the night of the betrayal of our Lord, he had denied the Lord. Then, on the day of Pentecost, it's Simon Peter who preaches the first Christian sermon in history.
I could continue but, you get the point.
Are you struggling today to believe that God could use you in his service? Are you focusing on a mistake you made and think that disqualifies you from service? God's word is filled with examples of people who, "if were not for grace" may have never been heard from again. Accept God's grace today.
"Grace, grace, God's grace.
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
Grace, grace, God's grace.
Grace that is greater than all our sin."

Recently I read a book entitled The Fred Factor. I
t's a small book but it has a great story and message. The book is about a mailman. And, the mailman's name is Fred. But Fred isn't an ordinary mail man. Fred is a mail man who gets to know every person on his route and tries to help each one.
The book was written by a guy named Mark Sanborn. As Mr. Sanborn tells the story he says that he first met Fred after purchasing a home that he intended to renovate. Just days after moving in he heard a knock at the door and upon opening it, he saw a mailman standing on his porch. "Good morning, Mr. Sanborn, My name is Fred and I'm your postal carrier. I just stopped by to introduce myself and to welcome you to the neighborhood and find out a little bit about you..." How is that for a greeting!Mr. Sanborn was startled. He had been receiving mail for years but he had never been greeted quite like Fred had just greeted him. Well, that greeting made such an impression on Mr. Sanborn that he began telling the story of his mailman, Fred, in speeches that he gave to various companies and, upon finishing the speech, people would want to know more about Fred.So, he decided to write a book entitled "The Fred Factor." It's how anyone can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Today, be a Fred. Be exceptional at what you do. Make a difference in someone's life.

Recently I read a book entitled The Fred Factor. It's a small book but it has a great story and message.
The book is about a mailman. And, the mailman's name is Fred. But Fred isn't an ordinary mail man. Fred is a mail man who gets to know every person on his route and tries to help each one.
The book was written by a guy named Mark Sanborn. As Mr. Sanborn tells the story he says that he first met Fred after purchasing a home that he intended to renovate. Just days after moving in he heard a knock at the door and upon opening it, he saw a mailman standing on his porch.
"Good morning, Mr. Sanborn, My name is Fred and I'm your postal carrier. I just stopped by to introduce myself and to welcome you to the neighborhood and find out a little bit about you..."
How is that for a greeting!
Mr. Sanborn was startled. He had been receiving mail for years but he had never been greeted quite like Fred had just greeted him.
Well, that greeting made such an impression on Mr. Sanborn that he began telling the story of his mailman, Fred, in speeches that he gave to various companies and, upon finishing the speech, people would want to know more about Fred.
So, he decided to write a book entitled "The Fred Factor." It's how anyone can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Today, be a Fred. Be exceptional at what you do. Make a difference in someone's life.

This past Sunday was Father's Day and I had a good one.
Saturday, I was asked to assist our new high school baseball coach in a tournament our team was in. My son went 7 for 7! Yeah, I was proud. Pumped. Ecstatic. Pick a word.. they all fit.
Then, on Sunday, all of the kids were together. That's becoming rare in our home. It was good having everyone together. Holli cooked on the grill so, I got to sit in my favorite chair, read the Sunday paper and eat in the comfort of our home. I love eating out but yesterday, eating at home was nice.
I love my family. I enjoy time spent with them. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with three great kids and a loving wife. Thank you, for the priviledge of being a dad. Thank you for the joy I have experienced from being a father.

Pat Williams is one of my favorite authors. I just started reading his book The Warrior Within. It's a book based on Asher, one of the sons of Jacob in the book of Genesis. Asher is known as a great warrior.
In the first chapter of the book the author has a quote from Dr. David Jeremiah, senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Churchnear San Diego, California. Dr. Jeremiah is a very busy man. The church of which he is pastor is large and consequently, there are multiple demands on his time. In light of those demands, he makes an interesting statment. Dr. Jeremiah says, "There are others who can counsel, others who can make personnel decisions, others who can orchestrate the organization, but there is only one man in the whole world who can be a father to my children - and that's me. I had better be that father while I have the opportunity."
Wow! Strong statement!
That reminds me that I had better use my time wisely. It also reminds me that the meeting that I think I must attend isn't nearly as important as sitting in the stands during a ballgame for my child or a dance recital or an awards ceremony.
This Sunday is Father's Day. Dad, make time for your children. You won't regret it.