Listen before you vote!

Does God's Word tell us who to vote for? If it did would you listen? Before you vote, if you haven't already, then take time to listen to this message by Ed Young Jr. I'll admit that he's a little bit over the top sometimes but he makes a really strong case. He's definitely an entertaining communicator and will keep your attention!:
Politicked - Rock the Vote from Fellowship Church on Vimeo.

Pray for my mom and dad

Over the last month or so we have been adjusting to the news that my dad, Troy Cotton, has lung cancer. The doctors have said he has between one and two months.

Daddy has been fighting Alzheimer's for the past 8 years. The news of cancer stirs up mixed feelings. We wish for long life and as many days together as possible, but dad never wanted to conclude his days in a nursing home with no memory.

So we are waiting and giving thanks for God's perfect plan and that God is the only One who knows the number of our days... His plan is best.
...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Psalm 139:16-17

Daddy and mom have been married 54 years and daddy's 79th birthday is tomorrow... October 1st. Pray for mom as she waits on dad... day to day and as we all wait for his graduation to a perfect home in heaven and new body.

Daddy with the youngest grandchild ...Caroline.

Meme with Catherine and Diann














"Pop" sitting around the table with five grandkids ... waiting for some of Meme's great cooking.

After the Storm - Hurricane Ike

Hurricane Ike came through Houston during the night hours of September 12, 2008 on into the morning hours of September 13. Here's how close the storm the storm damage came to our house. This pine tree trunk snapped about 40 up and fell toward our house... missing by this much from coming in our living room or bedroom!

This oak uprooted and fell toward the corner of the house... wedging on another pine and only touching on the roof and bending our gutter.

This oak snapped off about 30 feet high and fell toward our house... missing and hitting our side fence.

This type of debris and limbs covered our entire yard, the streets and neighborhood.

We gave thanks for how God protected us and our home. We it was light enought to see this damage for the first time... Diann burst into tears... I just said, "thank you Lord."

Even though the mess was extensive, we were so blessed by getting out and working with our neighbors... helping each other cut trees and haul limbs... we grew closer friendships and we encouraged by every one's positive spirit.

Would I stay through the next storm? Probably not... this was my first and hopefully my last hurricane up close.

Behind on blogging

I have been sidetracked in so many other activities... can't believe it's been this long since I logged in my thoughts and experiences. I have some catching up to do.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Last Thanksgiving (November 2007), Diann's father died. Being the first of our parents to pass away, we have traveled through lots of emotions and lots of questions. As a pastor, I sit by many beds and pray with lots of people who are facing "the valley of the shadow of death."

This comes from Psalm 23...
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ...

This summer Tony Snow passed away on July 12, 2008. I discovered this article that he wrote about one year ago. Please take the time to read about facing death through the eyes of a man experiencing it. >> Tony Snow ARTICLE

I would love to read your comments on this.

Birthdays and apart for the first time

This week on July 14 (Diann's birthday) Catherine was away at Edge Camp and the boys are in Missouri. Diann and I had a great time together... but it has been a long time since we did her b'day without any kids.
Then on July 17 (boys birthday), Coby and Cory are away at Kanakuk working as counselors. I think this was the hardest change to swallow. We missed them and getting to really celebrate on the day they turn 21!
It worked out for them to call home briefly and Diann was able to talk with them both.
We will do a big birthday celebration in August when we all get back together.

I am so grateful for how God has worked in our children and keeps shaping them into his image. This is no greater joy than knowing and seeing your children walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4)