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Monday, August 15, 2011

Alive!

About 30 years, 8 months, and 5 days ago I was ALIVE for the first time. I came kicking and screaming (as most newborns do). My parents gave birth to a boy named Beau Alan Ballard in Temple, TX at King's Daughter Hospital. I also became a younger brother to Bradley Wayne Ballard (hope my brother does not mind me telling his full name) for the first and only time in my life! I was born into a heritage that dates back many years. My father's family had a heritage. My mother's family had a heritage. Not only did I have parents, but I had grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. Also, about 3 years later, for the first and only time I had a younger sister (Crystal Nicole Ballard). As I learned about these families, I learned that there is a legacy; a rich environment in which I am a part of. It does not revolve around me, but I contribute to this legacy and heritage.



As I grow and become a dashing and charming young man, I contribute to this legacy. Not only was I born into this heritage, I contribute to it again by marrying a stunning woman named Erica Anne Thomas. We are joined for life and we contribute as a couple and add Elijah, then Sadie. They are our children. They become ALIVE for the first time when they are born.


I again became ALIVE for the first time 15 years and about 11 months ago. I was "born of water and of Spirit" - John 3. I was born into a family that had a long lasting heritage that dated back many years. I have brothers and sisters, but only one Father. There is a legacy with this family. This family cries and laughs together. We smile and frown together. We explore and sit together. We eat and fast together. We drink and thirst together. We work and play together. When this family hurts, I hurt. This family does not revolve around me, but I contribute to this legacy and heritage. All this is possible because one man, who is the Son in this family, surrendered and became obedient to His Father. I don't deserve a place in this family, but my Father desires for me to be a part of this family. He holds me just as I hold Elijah and Sadie and loves me. He scolds me when I need a redirection. His Spirit counsels me when I need guidance. His love is never ending! All this is a rich heritage to which I am a part of.


But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us ALIVE with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:5




Friday, July 8, 2011

20 for 20

Genesis 2 for Friday, July 8

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Psalm 119:11

Tonight we spoke about the power that words have in your life. Words can either build us up or tear us down. Our communication is mostly made up of verbal words that we express to others. We hear words in songs, pray words to God, read words in a book, listen to words from our parents, sing words in worship, and the list could go on and on. James speaks about our words and sometimes words of praise and words of cursing come out of the same mouth. And for Christians that is not acceptable to God. We need to monitor the words we hear and the words we say, for it is the foundation of our communication.

What words did you hear tonight? Was it the words on the radio? Were they words from your parents telling you to clean your room? Were they words spoken in hatred toward another? Were they words that were offered up to God in prayer? Or were they words that you were reading in a book? Post at the bottom what you heard.......then say if it built you up or tore you down.

BB

Whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
Colossians 3:16

Thursday, May 12, 2011

20 for 20

Last Chapter of Matthew for Thursday, May 12. Matthew 28

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

20 for 20

Matthew 27 for Wednesday, May 11

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

20 for 20

Matthew 26 for Tuesday

Sunday, May 8, 2011

20 for 20

Matthew 25 for Monday, May 10th