Blessed Beyond Recognition

Ramsey/Maxwell Interview

Christopher W. Parks — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:43:35 +0000

I just saw a great interview Dave Ramsey had with John Maxwell about Maxwell’s new book “Put Your Dreams To The Test.” Great info in the interview…can’t wait to get my hands on the book. Check it out.

Happy Father’s Day

Christopher W. Parks — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:32:33 +0000

I was fortunate enough to get to spend a little bit of time with my dad and my daughters on Saturday to celebrate Father’s Day. We had a yummy lunch at the Red Lobster in Dalton. Then the girls and I went to a baby shower for little baby Noah… yes I went to a baby shower. Regardless, it was a great day. Kirbi and McKenna got me a “Magic 8 Ball” for my office at work… to help me make crucial decisions.

Are You Kidding Me!? A Blog Repost

Christopher W. Parks — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:55:49 +0000

This is a “paraphrased re-post” from Greg Gutfield… host of Redeye on Fox News. He has a blog called the Daily Gut. Read it at your own risk. The language is less than desirable, hence the “paraphrased re-post.” I think the sentiments are right on. Here is a link to what he was talking about on Yahoo.

MONDAY’S GREGALOGUE - NOW, BECAUSE I’M TICKED

Am I an old fart or am I right to be ticked that some jackass is skateboarding down the halls of the White House while all this Iranian crap is going down?

We truly have succumbed to the idiocy of the MTV/Mountain Dew/Road Rules backward hat and baggy short culture. Did I miss something, or is the White House the future set for the next Real World? Where are the wallet chains? Is Hot Topic handling our foreign policy? Obama should be grounded for a week for letting Tony Hawk play in OUR house. Where in hell are the adults?

Look: Tony Hawk is in his mid forties. He’s a grown man…and he skateboards. Could you imagine your dad or anyone who lived during World War II treating a man who skateboards with anything less than scorn and ridicule?

Right now, people are risking their lives for the glimmer of freedom, and Tony Hawk is in the White House tweeting about Frosted Flakes.

Someone please dig up Reagan. I’d take a dead leader with balls over a living camp counselor who wants all the cool kids to like him.

What a screaming joke.

Books: The Will of God - Leslie Weatherhead

Christopher W. Parks — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 03:52:22 +0000

I just finished up a book study in my Wednesday morning bible study group. “The Will of God” by Leslie Weatherhead was a great read and opened my eyes on how to analyze events in my life, good or bad, and not just mark them off as simply being “the will of God.”

Weatherhead points out three different forms of God’s will, “intentional,” “circumstantial,” and “ultimate” will and the book is structured around explaining the differences.

In preparation for leading our study, I referenced my pastor at my old church back in Dalton. He sent me a note that struck me as profound…

“I remember the first time I read this book. I had problems with the idea that our understanding of human freedom implies that we might make decisions which come as a surprise to God. I know many sincere Christians who wish to be “free will” Arminians, but who in reality are Calvinists - God knows everything that is going to happen, and is somehow behind it all. My little brain can’t solve those intellectual problems. But I know that I believe God will hold me responsible for freely making an eternally significant choice, either for him or against him. If that be so, I don’t know how to put all the pieces together without thinking of the world as a place where I can make choices which God might have been able to predict, but for which he cannot be held responsible.”

In the midst of all of the world’s tragedies and confusion, this book provided some insight and clarity to suffering and sin. I highly recommend it.

Baby Noah

Christopher W. Parks — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:36:45 +0000

Little baby Noah was welcomed into the world early morning June 2, 2009. He is the son of my first cousin Maria and her husband Jeff. He is a bit early… 27 weeks or so and Maria has been battling high blood pressure complications. He was 1 lb. 11 ounces. They are giving him medicine to help close a hole in his heart. Maria will be moving to the Ronald McDonald House in Chattanooga near the hospital pretty soon. Please pray for his development and for his parents.

Welcome Lucy Mae Coppedge!

Christopher W. Parks — Fri, 22 May 2009 03:07:52 +0000

Congratulations to our friends Billy and Joanna Coppedge on the birth of LUCY MAE COPPEDGE! She was born at 9:55a.m. local time in Arua, Uganda on her due date, May 20th. She was born naturally at home and weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. and is 20 inches long. She was born with a head full of dark hair. She and her mama are both doing well and are praising Jesus with you for His faithfulness in responding to your prayers!

Check out Billy and Joanna’s Blog at “Abiding In Africa” for more pictures.

Do Dah Day 2009

Christopher W. Parks — Sun, 17 May 2009 02:42:03 +0000

Amy and I took Petey and Pepper to Do Dah Day down at Caldwell Park this morning. We met up with our friend Denise and her Min Pin Bosco. We dodged the rain, heard some good music, and saw some great dogs… and saw some “interesting” dog owners. People brought their dogs, some brought their cats, and we even saw a couple of snakes, and one marmoset. That was a first.

Check out dodahday.org

I took too many pictures. Check them out in my Facebook photo albums:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

McKenna in the Bagley Middle Talent Contest

Christopher W. Parks — Sat, 09 May 2009 03:14:42 +0000

Doodlebug did us proud today. She participated in the yearly talent contest at school. She auditioned and was one of seven acts. She sang “Together We Can” by the Cheetah Girls. She drew the short straw I guess and had to go first. There were about 500 7th and 8th graders in the gym to see the contest.

While I am admittedly biased… I believe she executed her song much better than any of the other kids. She did not place in the top 3. I think the judges were sleeping during her performance. Regardless, I am so proud of her for having the guts to get in front of so many people and deliver the song. Way to go Doodlebug!!

Take a look and a listen. My little digital camera could not get me close enough.