Time for Some Little League

Tonight the kids took in one of Malachi's Little League games.  Our favorite pitcher made the All-Star Team!  We adore this sweet family and are so blessed God brought them to our McDermott family!  

Caleb is thoroughly enjoying his time with Wes interning.  And Abigail loves hanging out with the boys babysitting.  I don't think it's really babysitting because they hang out at the park, play catch and ride bikes! 

Malachi had a good game.  He's got two great pitches and is working on his change up!  I hope he continues to play as long as he loves the game! 

Be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24

Caleb's 21st Birthday at iFly

The boy turned twenty one today!  How crazy is that?!  If you know Caleb, he is very much Jon's son.  They both love learning in any form.  Some days that comes from reading books, touring museums, watching YouTube Videos, or trying something new. 

For his 21st birthday Caleb had several things he wanted to try.  Today he checked indoor skydiving off that list.  iFly is a local indoor skydiving facility where you can experience the sensation & the freedom of true free fall conditions. The instructor gears you up with a helmet, flight suit, and goggles.  Next they headed into the Flight Chamber which is a giant vertical wind tunnel.  The wind speed in the vertical wind tunnels can be adjusted from 80 to 185 mph, based on the abilities of an individual and to compensate for variable body drag during advanced acrobatics. 

He had a blast and the girls and I had a lot of fun watching him.  I'm pretty sure Abigail wants to check it out and Caleb definitely wants to go back! 

Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”  Revelation 14:6-7

Texas Rangers Game

Tonight Caleb and Abigail attended a Texas Rangers game at Globe Life Park in Arlington.  The game was hosted by Oklahoma Christian University's Alumni Association.  The university hosted dinner for potential students. Abigail sported one of my now vintage Oklahoma Christian College shirts.  Fortunately Caleb refrained from wearing any LCU attire! 

The Rangers played a great game and beat the San Diego Padres. 

In the Big-Inning, God . . . Genesis 1:1

Caleb Preaching

Just a few days shy of his twenty-first birthday, Caleb preached before over a thousand people!  I can't even imagine feeling comfortable enough to speak in front of that many people, much less preaching! 

He spoke on Worship, specifically using Revelation chapter 4 as his text.  No surprise that he would start off in Revelation, it's always been one of his favorite books.  There's something very satisfying in knowing how something is going to turn out. In the case of the book of Revelation, bad things will happen but in the end God wins.  And in this case we will praise Him. 

I listened in awe of this  man standing before the congregation, teaching and preaching and humbled that God had allowed us to raise him.  I know most people saw the young man but I had definite flash backs of the young boy who had stood there many times before over the last seventeen years! 

You can download or listen to his sermon by clicking HERE! 

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11

Happy Birthday, Roy

Today we celebrated Roy's 17th birthday at his favorite restaurant.  Roy, Ryan and Caleb all have birthdays right together so it was fun to have them all together. We were just missing Richard and Melissa this evening.  

For the ear tests words

    as the tongue tastes food.

Let us discern for ourselves what is right;

    let us learn together what is good.

Job 34:3-4

Summer Salsa

You can tell the boy is back home because we are out of salsa!  I'm pretty confident it runs through his veins.   

We made a run to Sprouts for fresh organic vegetables and then pulled out my favorite salsa recipe!  When the day was finished we had another sixteen quarts of salsa.  That should me enough to last until the end of summer!  

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

All Tournament Team

Remember the softball tournament Abigail and team played in Tennessee last month?  She was told at the tournament that she had been named to the NASA All Tournament Team and her plaque came in the mail today. 

It is an honor that is voted on by every coach in the tournament.  Each coach votes for the most valuable player on the opponents team and then the players with the most votes are named All Tournament.   Pretty cool! 

A kindhearted woman gains honor,

    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

Proverbs 11:16

Time in Tulsa

This week my mom was really missing me, so she checked herself into the hospital so I would come play with her!   . . . or something like that!  She's doing better but will require surgery in a few weeks so we'll get a little more time together.  

For this is what the Lord says: . . .

As a mother comforts her child,  so will I comfort you

Isaiah 66:12-13

Vacation Bible School with Caleb

Caleb is home for the summer with the fabulous opportunity to intern for Wes McAdams at the McDermott congregation!  One of his first jobs was to teach the adult class during Vacation Bible School.  Jon sat in on the class and said he did a great job.  He spoke specifically on When You Are Powerless . . . Jesus Rescues.  His lesson was taken from the book of Act where Peter and John heal the lame man in Jesus' name. 

I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present 1 Corinthians 5:3

Vacation Bible Class - Shipwrecked

It's that time of the year, time when the focus of the summer church ministry turns to the younger children.  The Church of Christ on McDermott Road chose to go with the Shipwrecked themed curriculum.  It was a nice change up from the over the top productions we've done in the past. 

The setup for the classes was a mixture of age groups as opposed to grade specific.  Ms. Julie, Ms Stacy, Abigail and I taught the Bible portion for the 1st thru 5th graders.  Our sweet friend Ella joined us in helping out with the classes!  We taught a rotating group of four classes each evening. Frankie stayed busy helping in the younger classes.  

There were other great classrooms that the children's classes rotated through including arts and crafts, experience rooms and time in the auditorium for praise and worship.  The focus this week included things that God rescues us from like loneliness (Luke 15); worry (Luke 10:38-42) ; struggle (Luke 22:39-54) and powerless (Acts 3). 

This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead. Ephesians 1:19-20 

Camp Blue Haven

Abigail made it home from Camp Blue Haven this evening.  She's had a wonderful week in the mountains surrounded by God's glorious handiwork and beautiful friends.  She always comes home so encouraged and grounded.  There's something about that mountain top experience. 

The trip home is about nine hours coming back from Las Vegas, Nevada.  Fortunately they take a chartered bus which makes that a more comfortable trip. 

I can't wait to hear all her stories just as so as she gets caught up on her sleep!  Stories of early Christian worship, Bible studies, mountain climbing, talent shop and sweet friendships.  

Brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

ZZ Top Concert

Tonight we actually went out to celebrate our anniversary with a little more than dinner and a movie. We've tried a couple of times before to see ZZ Top in concert but it hasn't worked out.  They were slated to be the opening act for Jimmy Buffet a couple of years ago but didn't make it. 

Tonight they're playing at the WinStar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.  The casinos are generally a nice place for concerts because there is no drinking or smoking in the concert hall.  The band consists of bassist and vocalist Dusty Hill, guitarist and lead vocalist Billy Gibbons, and drummer Frank Beard.  The three have played together since 1970! 

ZZ Top is very recognizable with their long beards.  Guitarists Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill have been wearing the signature look since the late '70s, while the group's drummer, whose name is ironically Frank Beard, prefers to maintain a clean shave. Gibbons recently revealed that he and Hill were once offered $1 million to cut off their facial hair, but they declined!

They put on an amazing show even breaking out the square fur guitars!  

My heart, O God, is steadfast,

    my heart is steadfast;

    I will sing and make music.

Awake, my soul!

    Awake, harp and lyre!

    I will awaken the dawn.

Psalm 57:7-8

Wild Things!

Frankie and I decided since Abigail is off having fun at Camp Blue Haven and Caleb is off in South Texas there was no reason for us to just sit at home!  We called up the Sanderfords and met them for lunch at IHop! 

After lunch we visited the Allen Public Library where they were hosting summer movies.  Today's showing was Tarzan! The girls had a great time together and so did the moms! 

Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10

Preacher Training Graduation

While Abigail is in New Mexico, Caleb headed to South Texas.  The McDermott congregation supports several churches in South Texas and Mexico.  There is a school in South Texas trains preachers and their wives for the ministry in the local congregations. 

This weekend is the big graduations ceremony for the men completing the training.  Following graduation the men travel to their home towns and will begin new congregations or support existing churches. 

Caleb was privileged to attend the graduation and spend time with these new ministers and pray with them as they head out into their mission fields. 

How can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15

Camp Blue Haven

The McDermott kids are off in New Mexico for session 1 of Camp Blue Haven.  They will have a great time being surrounded by God's beauty and majesty.  

The week will be filled with cookouts in the great outdoors among the trees on the side of a mountain.

They will have sleep-outs under the stars after a devotional around the campfire.

One night will include a talent show put on by the campers and counselors.   There will be plenty of hiking because Blue Haven is surrounded by National Forest. Hiking in the surrounding area allows our campers to see God’s beauty while interacting with each other. 

Each day includes a chapel service led by the men counselors and their campers each morning.  There are also morning devotionals held in the cabins before starting the day.  Camper take turns reading the bible, leading songs and in prayer before breakfast. Two Bible classes and one music class are enjoyed by each camper daily.  Each evening concludes with cabin devotionals each night. 

There are plenty of great activities during the day Abigail's favorites include nature hikes, archery, volleyball, tether ball, nuke’em, and Frisbee.  She also loves the challenge course including a low ropes and high ropes courses.  The courses include a zip line, a giant swing and a Leap of Faith.  

The kids are in for a wonderful week! 

Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel. Isaiah 44:23