Small Panic Attack

I am having small panic attacks these days. Here is an example of one:

Yesterday I was playing with Elizabeth Anne. She was lying on our bed, and I was bouncing her up and down. The faster I would bounce, the more she would giggle.

Lauran was watching. Elizabeth Anne was giggling. I was bouncing harder and faster.

Then Lauran says to me cautiously, "Don't let her shake too much".

My thoughts turned to...What if I over did it? Does she have a concussion? What if she has brain damage? Have I ruined my baby!?!

I stopped bouncing. She looked up at me with big blue eyes, smiled, and kicked her arms and legs as if to say, "Do it again daddy!"

Whew..I haven't destroyed her yet.

How do I know if I am saved? - Lesson Recap

That was the question this morning..and the topic of our lesson. How do we know if we are saved? How do we know if we have eternal life?

Jesus talks about this with a man named Nicodemus in John 3:1-21

First, we must be "born of water". (v. 5) Or basically a human being, who has a set period of time on earth to receive eternal life. Our problem is that we think we will be a living human being forever and have plenty of time to work this out. I wish that was reality. Reality is that we have no clue when our time is up. Why not explore if there is an eternity, a God, and a way to Him?

Second, we must be "born of the Spirit". (v.5) Jesus states that "the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven", and compares this to the wind. Have you ever seen the wind? No. You see and feel the effects of the wind, but not the wind. Wind is invisible. Now, when God is working to bring you to him, you won't actually see Him. You will see and feel the effects of Him as he moves in your life. Take a second... What "coincidences" are going on in your life? Are people just showing up, talking to you about God? Do you have a pull deep down inside to go to Church or ask someone about Christ? Hmmmm...

Third, Jesus said, "everyone who believes in me will have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it." OK, believe what exactly? That Jesus existed? Yes. That Jesus died for my mistakes, rebellion, wrongs...so I don't have to? Yes. That the only way to get right with God and live forever is through that death? Yes.

Finally, is there any evidence at all that you believe? Did you just say the words or do you really believe? Do you have any attitude changes? Do you love others? Do you have compassion for others where you may not have in the past? Do you want to give? Do you want to serve? You see, this kind of love that God gives us will compel you to change your ways. You can't help it, you just want to change. Not a process that happens overnight for most, but a lifechange should occur.

So, that's how to know.

Are you alive? Do you recognize your rebellion against God? Are you trusting the right one to deal with your rebellion? Is there any evidence of change?

100 Movie Quote Countdown

This is pretty cool. 100 quotes, 100 numbers...

See how many movies you recognize!

BIG NIGHT!!

Last night we had TWO...count them...TWO big firsts!!

We had our first all out belly laugh and squeal! Elizabeth Anne and I were chasing our dog. She squealed with delight and laughter. We are going to try and video it and have it up here soon.

She had so much fun that she decided to sleep compeletely through the night for the first time!! Woohoo!

You know you are offically a DAD when these two events are THE most incredible things that happen to you and are all you can talk about to your co-workers the next day.

But you know...watching this little girl grow up and develop is absolutely remarkable.

Happy Mother's Day!

Treat yo momma right!

Contagious Smiling

I was feeding Elizabeth Anne yesterday. After she finished, it was burping time.

She let out a HUGE burp and spat up along with it. Pretty disgusting actually. But for some reason I giggled.

She noticed that and gave me a big smile, spit up and all.

I started laughing, and the more I laughed, the bigger she smiled.

We cracked ourselves up seriously.

Tummy Time

Tummy time is good for babies. Spending time on their tummy forces them to push up on their arms, lift their heads off the ground, learn to roll over, and basically work and strengthen muscles that will benefit them in the long run.

Elizabeth Anne DESPISES tummy time.

She gets angry. She fusses. She cries. She gets so worked up over it that her face gets red. She HATES tummy time.

But she needs it. Even though she doesn't like it at the time, she needs it. Tummy time makes her stronger, which will help her later down the road.

We put her in tummy time and sit right next to her while she struggles. We watch over her and allow her to go through it. Then we pick her up when she has had just the right amount and can't take it anymore.

Tummy time reminds me of God working on me.

I HATE it when God gives me "tummy time." I fuss, I get worked up, I don't like the struggles he is putting me through. But God knows I need it because down the road it will help me. And he is right there watching me go through it and at just the right time, he picks me up when I can't take anymore.

Daddy does my outfit!

Yesterday, Lauran wanted me to take Elizabeth Anne to the studio where she teaches. She wanted to show off Elizabeth Anne to everyone.

My job was to show up with the baby, that's it. However, I figured since we were showing her off, I would dress her up.

I put her in a light pink shirt that said "Daddy does my hair", and bright pink pants with a bunny rabbit on her tush. Pretty impressive huh? Well, I thought so...

All the mothers gave Lauran a look and said...."Daddy did her outfit too didn't he?"

Lauran just shook her head.

Fat Rolls

Elizabeth Anne has grown fat rolls on her legs!

I was telling her about them the other day, she smiled at me.

Soon she will understand what in the world I am saying and the words "fat rolls" will no long be in my vocabulary.

But for now...we smile at her fat rolls.

Alabama A-Day Game

I went to the A-Day game yesterday. It was pretty fun. There were 90,000 plus people in the stadium, and they had to turn away some! No kidding, it was standing room only. The most people ever to watch a college spring game in the history of college football!

Click here to view the story and video on ESPN.

One thing you can say without question is that there is serious excitement surrounding the Bama football program that is long overdue. We may just be a mediocre team, but the fan support is there.

Initial impressions:

1) Saban is an intense, hands-on coach.
2) The players love him.
3) The offense is improved and will be pretty good.
4) The defense needs some help.
5) We will be stronger and play harder.

I think this year will be decent, and we will suprise some people.