Writing Ventures

For more than a year, I have been writing and editing Bible studies for Access Downloadable Curriculum (ACD). This is a new product line through Randall House of 4-6 week Bible studies only "accessed" by "downloading" them off its website. ACD offers great topical study materials for small group settings, whether it be in the Sunday school classroom, coffee shop, or living room. Below are links to and explanations of the ones I have written:

For Sure: Be Confident You're a Christian--this study discusses the fears and anxieties regarding assurance that are plaguing the Church, provides in-depth learning into the Bible, and understanding what God says on the issue. Don’t succumb to doubts any longer. You and your group can know how to become a Christian and be a confident Christian.

Daybreak--Light for the Gloomy Soul is a study of God’s comfort and truth for those dealing with sadness, emotional struggles, and/or depression. Although not a treatment or cure for the serious and complex issue of depression, this Bible study seeks to recognize the reality of emotional distress and address the spiritual truths used to combat those struggles.

Real Friends searches the Scriptures to understand the role of God as friend, the importance of friendships, what true friendship looks like, and how to be a friend to the friendless. Study sessions will also evaluate practical ways to grow and care for godly friendships.

In Mary Magdalene--Who Was She? group participants will gain answers from history and the Word of God to help them separate truth from tale, understanding Mary Magdalene’s place in Christ’s life and Christianity.

What's the Problem? Studying God's Promises to Battle the Problems of Life helps group members recognize the subtle work of Satan and false methods of “escape” and invites them to choose the real solution to life’s problems. God’s Word is bountiful in truth to bring perspective and victory to any predicament or crisis.

Finished Chimney

The chimney is complete! And it has been for several weeks now. I just forgot to post pics of it. I have purchased several large terra cotta pots to set along this side of the house. Tomorrow I will be in gardening heaven as I plant flowers everywhere!

More Video on the Flood

Click here for an overall view of the Nashville flooding, set to Johnny Cash, of course.

Click here to see an fly-over of where I was staying during the flooding. When you here "River Plantation," that's where we were!

Home From the Flood

On Sunday, May 2, it became very clear that I was not going to make the airport when all five "exit routes" from Bellevue were submerged in several feet of rushing water. The previous posts of pictures and videos show what surrounded my friend's condo where I was staying.

Now, being home since Monday evening, I can still not get the images out of my mind. And when I hear the news from the Internet and friends that people drowned in their cars and homes, it just makes me sick. I was so near some of the worst of it.

Bryan and I have many, many friends who have lost their homes . . . hello, their HOMES, including their possessions and cars. It is unreal. And several of those had no flood insurance because Nashville just isn't a place that floods!

If you feel compelled at all, please consider donating to the clean-up efforts. The Red Cross is taking donations, as well as other organizations and ministries.

Below are pics and videos I took just before I left on Monday when the water

from the Harpeth was starting to recede a bit, and a few shots of the Harpeth from the airplane (this is outside of the Davidson County area because I couldn't use my camera until we had completely gotten in "the air"). However, at that time the Cumberland had not crested and was still rising significantly in the downtown and Donelson areas.

The Final Video Loaded! They Don't Call It River Plantation Condos for Nothing--Okay, Bad Joke

Flooding Videos and Pics

The Nashville Monsoon

When you see those shocking images on television of water to roof lines and roadways that now look like rivers, you shake your head, thinking, "That's terrible." Then go about your business. And it's okay if you do that with the following picture/video posts.

But what I have seen today has blown my mind. It's is cliche, but oh-so-true that the snapshots do not capture the true depth (no pun intended) of the flooding and devastation. The following images are what is surrounding my friend's condo where I am staying; we are surrounded three-fourths of the way by 10-12 feet deep water. Only two condo units from us in this complex, is where these pics were taken. Less than 50 yards away.

Thankfully, the rain has calmed, and the water is starting to recede. I'm praying I can catch my already-one-day-delayed flight home tomorrow. By air and not boat.