Tuesday, December 30, 2008

A Bowl of Noodles

Have you ever been in a position where you were forced to confront yourself in the condition you wish you were not acting like. Or realized that you have had some blind spots that have been creeping up. Bingo that's me, put the target on my face and smack it dead on, I'm the bonehead. Yes I have been in that season for the last couple of weeks. I've been reading alot of James 4 and Haggai let's just say I'm glad God disciplines those he loves.

Lessons learned in the Cave.
1. Simple frustrations often arise when you put yourself before Christ.
2. Why have I spent so much time on the temporary, I'm chasing wind that is blowing all around me, I cant catch it.
3. Speak less, a whole lot less!!!!!
4. The quit place sounds so much better than the daily replaced chaos.
5. Stop bypassing all the signs, they are for your direction.
6. Does anyone have a chisel because I would love to take chunks of myself off.
7. Remembering once again that his Love is everlasting and his grace is sufficient,
WOW, WHAT ELSE COULD I HAVE POSSIBLY WANTED.

Seasons weather long or really short usually provide some much in growth as long as you still let the sun shine on you but as long as you turn the lite off it's a whole lot harder to see. Stop, listen, and remember his goodness. Paul said that only when you thank him and bless him will you receive his peace, I should thank alot lot more and think a whole lot less. I'm thankful for the Cave because I have to take my sandals off, then I can experience Christ. Whats your cave experience, better yet what are the Sandals that need to come off?

Sunday, December 21, 2008

It's Finally Over

Well she made it, haha my beautiful wife Heather Graduated from LSU this past Friday. 17 and 1/2 yrs of school is a huge accomplishment And I am extremly proud of her. Check her blog out for and insiders view her thoughts from all the hard work finally paying off. heatherepickens.blogspot.com






Monday, December 15, 2008

What an Amazing Week!!!!!!

For the first time in about 16yrs it snowed in Louisiana, I have to say it really was a magical experience snowball fights, snowmen, and plenty of Hot chocolate it was a blast here are some of the pics from what all went on. Heather had to work unfortunately and Ray is stationed in Missouri for Marine Corp Training so that's why they are not in the pics.

Danny, Lance, Mom, Me



Lance and Me

Major

Koah Loving it!

Lance, Me, Mom, and Heather at the play Christmas Carol in Baton Rouge it was awesome.



A Pic from me hunting in Mississippi it was awesome.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Guess who is Blogging


Thats right my Beautiful Bride, Heather L Pickens. It has taken me awhile to get her to get into this whole blogging thing but she is finally up for it. God speaks to her in such awesome ways and she has such an innocent spirit, but the best thing is she keeps her heart focused on God. If you get a chance please go visit her Blog at heatherepickens.blogspot.com she is just getting started and would really appreciate any good comments you can give her. Thankyou all and dont forget to go and help Heather fill up her hit map.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Are you Serious!!!!!!

I have a absolutly no words for how gross this is. I guess the world really is running out of fresh water supply. Still I'll eat tree bark before I go this route, pretty funny though.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Content because I now hold tight his Love

It's funny how my last few post have taken me time to really get my thoughts and Ideas into words. I love writing and blogging, it's a great way to share your heart with friends and tell others about what God is speaking to you. But most of all I love the fact of being transparent in where I am at in my relationship with Christ. It let's others know I have rough moments to and it can give them hope as well, even in there season of life. But it all came to me today after alot of prayer and finally admitting to God that I cant deny the way he has created me, rough, wild, but a heart that has become full of compassion, and an unyielding desire to reach those that are lost, those that cant fend for themselves. I remember back in high school I had so many thing's that I wanted to do in life but felt I would never have time because they where such big desires, but at the same time I wanted with everything in me to live life unhinged and unleashed for Christ. My flesh and Spirit where at War, after 5 years of learning the hard way all the things I wanted to do never coming to fulfillment I have finally confessed what is truly on my heart. And have finally given to God what belongs to him, my heart. I did not get the job at the Sheriffs Dept and it is not ironic at all, I was praying for awhile that God if this is not your will make it painfully obvious, well after 3 and a half months of test, interviews, and applications I made it to the last stage and got turned down. Get your hope built up after all that time then get a big NO at the very end. But I thank God for doing that b/c now I know why, I have known fore the past 2 yrs but I have finally said God my desires don't fulfill like your plan does. I have not been content I have been at a Holy Dissatisfaction for a long time now. My heart and my call have been to Africa. I remember the first time I went it was 2 yrs ago and ever sense then I have felt like half of me has been missing, trapped in the little hands and heart's of those beautiful children. I have dreams and thoughts and journal entries and mental movies that play over and over in my mind every single day. I want to make a difference I want to share the love of Christ to them not just by sending money or sponsoring a child, but by going and playing in the mountains with them, holding them in laughter, kicking soccer balls barefooted all day long, and most important giving them Jesus in a tangible way weather through teaching or food or games or whatever anyone needs me to do I am willing. I loved thanks giving this year because as I thought about all the people there my heart was overwhelmed with Joy, my face was filled with smiles, and my eyes could not stop seeing there tears, I must do something. I MUST. Alot of people ask me why do you want to do that what will your wife think, it's not safe, it's not home, you will miss out on so much. I SAY WHEN YOU TRULY REALIZE HOW MUCH CHRIST LOVES YOU AND REALIZE HOW MUCH HE DID FOR YOU, THOSE WHO TRULY FOLLOW HIM WILL EVENTUALLY COME TO A PLACE WHERE THEY SAY I CANNOT DENY HIS CALL, AND I CANNOT RUN FROM THIS I WANT TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN FOR JESUS AND THE KINGDOM, THAT'S WHAT MY LIFE IS MENT FOR, TO GIVE IT ALL BACK TO HIM. Your call my not be Africa it may not be preaching or what the world sees as main stream ministry but if you are a follower of Christ you do have a call, and I pray that you fall in love with his voice and head to it, cherish him, and leave this temporary that we chase and run with everything towards his eternal. There is nothing greater nothing more powerful and nothing worth more than Christ and Jesus Christ alone. He Love's you he wants everything from you so that he can give you the best and take from you what you thought was best, I dont understand everything for that matter much of anything but I do know that his ways are higher than ours and his love for us surpasses all understanding. The only way I have ever found peace is in his will , outside of that I have always been discontent and restless. But when I have laid aside myself and run into his arms there is no greater peace, no greater feeling of being content, and most of all a Love that can only be understood and felt from the arms of Jesus Christ.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Where are we as a Nation?

This is a very difficult post for me, not because of personal issues or difficult circumstances but mainly because I have so many things on my heart right now but no way to really express them. One of the biggest things that is really getting to me the the decay of this country, and the blind eyes that dont see it. I'm not trying to get all doomsday on anyone but there have been some really big things going on in the last 2 years, more and more tolorance of things that hurt the heart of God. You cant turn the TV on or walk into a store without seeing all the junk being set in front of you craving for your attention, people resorting to all kinds of things to fill that void in there heart. All promising signifiance, beauty, power, pleasure, popularity, sex appeal, wealth. My heart breaks alot of times just thinking about all these things and the poeple that are chasing after them. What good does all this temporary stuff get you but another plate to stand in line with for the next temporary meal. When did we as a nation fall away from God to the point where the name of Christ is the next punch line in a comedy skit, or the next word used at the end of a vulgar statement, or has become the toss around religious obligation instead of a personal realtionship. When did we as a nation turn our own foundational teaching of the Bible into a textbook that you must have in your home as an emotional security but not message we will truly follow and believe in. Why do some go to Church for the sake of having religion or feeling good because they met the weekely quota, God does not want empty practices or false actions he wants your heart! People living together outside the Covenant of God's plan of marriage, people giving murder a new name called abortion, I just cant understand it all. God does not have rules to pin us to the ground, those rules are there to set us free from all the pain that comes from living those types of lifestyles. It's upsetting to see how such a blessed nation founded on Christian principles is now being the isrealites in the wilderness, forgetting so quickly how much God has done for them, resorting to the flesh to fufill all there desires. I hope the hearts of the people will turn, not because of another disaster awakening but a spiritual awakening. One where the true Church of God, the followers of Jesus Christ will come together reaching the poor, the orphans, the widows, the hurting, the oppresed, the addicted, those in bondage, those who have no hope, those who are looking for Salvation. I pray for this to cover this nation now, I ask all Christians to pray for this, no longer living as selfish and self righteous, but humble and longing for Christ. Will we become this again, it wont come from some Goverment plan or agenda, or Hollywood, or any save the trees foundation, it will only come from the body of Christ. Everything in this short life we have is temporary, but the one thing that will never be forgotten never be stopped and will only continue to move foward is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That will bring us mercy, that will save that which is lost.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Step ONE, The Orphans

Sorry The Picture came out blurry the Camera is not that great

This is a really defining post for me, I know that I have expressed many times before about how bad I want to be in Africa but it's just not God's timing yet. There is no doubt that the call is there, I think about it every day literally all the time. The Children how much they changed my life, how much God spoke to me, I remember all the little faces. I have taken my Grandmothers advice and I've started to write an illustrated book about what God spoke to me there (The tale of the Orphan). I wish I was holding those little one's, playing in the sand, singing songs, climbing rocks and running through fields. I wish so much, but again it's just not his timing yet. But the coolest thing about God is that even though I cant go yet he still keeps me close to them, he has given me a gift and he wants me to use it. Art, I cant be there but God has put on my heart to bring them here, I've been drawing pictures and I have one finished already, but the whole purpose is to produce as much artwork that I possibly can of all the children, people, and scenery of Africa that I have and can remember sell it and give all the money I make 100% to Children's Cup. That way more orphans will be taken care of and more mouths will be fed. God put this on my heart a few months back and now it's starting to take place which is so awesome. Step One for me is the Orphans. I will keep posting Art as I finish each peace but for now here is the first.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Sights at the Grandparents house, Weekend in Mississippi.

I Love going to the Grandparents House in Mississippi, it's surrounded by woods hardly a car on the road all day just peace and quiet. It really is a door into the past and a look at how it used to be across the country and for some like my grandparents still is. Such honorable people, hardworking and lovers of Christ. They are really great examples of living a life for Christ. But the sights the sounds the smells they all remind me of being a kid, I love it. Hear are some pics I took this weekend.



Little Man


New Deer Stand in the works




Saturday, October 25, 2008

Why I Love being a Man

It's Saturday morning, cool and crisp, Hunting Season is in the Air. Lance what do you think we should do, Go to Cabelas. I love being a man, being in the woods, hunting, fishing, walking for hours in the ultimate outdoor store with my little brother, it's such an awesome privilege. I love America, just the opportunity to go freely into the wild,camping, and exploring, man I just get so excited thinking about all the fun that can be had, especially in this Country and in this time of the year. Such a past time, such a beautiful land, It's just great being a man.

So After trying to decide for a few hours on what Hunting Rifle Lance wanted he finally decided on a good choice. The AR 50 cal haha, not really but we thought it would be funny to blog about. Hunting Season has to be my favorite time of the year, I love the hunt, the tracking and the Challenge. The one perfect shot, that big buck, the wait for the one perfect moment that could bad the big one. Yeah I love being a man.

This was Ray, Lance and my animals we killed last year, our game room got so full we asked Cabelas if they could display our collection, and wouldn't you know they said yes, haha. Also not true but funny, one of my dreams has been to go on a big game hunt somewhere in Montana or Colorado, or maybe just maybe Alaska. So every time I come in this store and see this display I keep telling myself that big bear is gonna be mine one day, or I'm gonna wrestle that big moose to the ground with my bare hands. Yeah I love being a Man.

And finally I love being a Man because of Guns, shooting and Hunting are so much fun. Especially when the guys in the family come in after a hunt and share all there stories from that morning or afternoons hunt. Eating some left over butter milk biscuits snacking on some bacon and sausage, and hopefully underneath the back porch skinning a deer. Yeah I love being a man, it's rough, rugged, burly, challenging, untamed, unleashed, wild, and fierce all in one. Yeah I love it!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

I am Found in Him

I love Jesus with all my Heart, I love the things he teaches me despite my natural desire to not always execpt them with a willing heart. I have learned so much about ministry in the past couple of months, through Marriage, through working a normal job again and not being in school, through the interuptions that come our way, through Friends who have stayed friends and those who have slowly drifted away, and also my family, all of them who I love so much. I have become more of myself through trial and error now more than I ever was before. It feels great to just be who you are, when you are just that God can use you the best. When you try to fit in and become something your not eventually the mask gets uncomftorable. I love transparency, it's the key to true friendships, it the key to very few burdens. I look back now on so much of these past few years seeing what God has brought me through and taught me and it was not really until now that I have finally learned all those lessons. Identity can be a crisis for many a trademark for most. What can a man say about him self when the end of the day is over and he realizes that it was someone else that put on his shoes that morning, someone else that drove his car, and someone else that decided to make decisions for him. The only thing I think he could say is Why? I love how even though we are following Christ he still has a patience towards us that allows our deception to reveal itself. Simpley put I was a sinner saved by grace through faith, I'm now and have been for 14 yrs a follower of Christ. I'm not a Marine, a football player, a bible student, I'm none of these things. They are all things that I have done or things that I was doing but not who I was or am. I am, and all that I can be is found in Christ, I responded to his outpouring cry of Love for me, that makes me his, that is who I am. I once hid behind many images and masks, but at the end of the day I wanted to wear my own shoes. How temporary those things were how much time wasted. But what better could there be than to give yourself over to Christ, to have eternal purpose and eternal value. Nothing could be better!!! I was journaling a few days ago and I had this picture of Christ. Who is he that Rides the White Horse, who is he that holds the septor of life. He is one that no man can compare and no tounge could describe. He is one that in the midst of all storms he walks gently without ripple, he is one that in the midst of all noise speaks with only whisper and tender voice. He is one that when wars come against you shield and sword will stand fiercly at post and let no harm bestow you. He is one that when wounds are deep and shame can cover no further will lift you from darkness into life. He is my king, my Savior, and the Hope of all the world!!!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Interesting Video



So this Video has been floating around on youtube, pretty dark stuff, I'm glad my security is in Christ not the world. Tell me what you think.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

The Heart In The Hospital

It has been a week full of excitment and yet much pain as well. With Ray only having 2 days left before he heads back to training there have been many stories and many laughs. I just finished my final preliminary testing for law enforcement, so I'm feeling pretty good about that. But with all good things that take place life always seems to throw a cruveball in the order of pitches we were swinging at. Heather's mom a few days ago started having some pretty bad nose bleeds, and over the coarse of a few days, many hospital visits, and many unanswered questions to what was causing the issue, we finally had surgery. It was a moment with the Holy Spirit like I've never had before. As Mrs.Betty was moved into surgery Mr.Lou went with her, and the rest of us in the family went into the over night room. As I walked in the room I paused to see many family's young and old, waiting, hoping, sleeping, praying. And then the Holy Spirit spoke to me so clear, and so soft. This is there Heart,(Love). How fragile life seemed at that moment, all these people waiting in the balance for answers for there loved ones to return to there arms. Life was in the Balance for many, and for some it may have softly passed without knowing. As I sat thinking about the outcome of many of those I have never met it made me think about my own futility. How one moment can change the eternity after life, how one moment can change the outcome of your physical life. I began to think about my Relationship with Christ if I were to go now would Christ be pleased with what I have done, with how I have served him. It was a gut check, but a tender touch of God's Love. I sat down and realized that The Heart In The Hospital checked my heart, grew my Love for my Savior. I dont want to get to the end and not Love him the way he Loves me. Or know him the way he wants me to know him. I love God's Spirit, He is truly a gentlemen. And a Savior who love's despite of who I am.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Where there is a Will there is a Way!!!

Since Thursday at 2am in the morning till now (Sunday at 11:30) it has been one big battle, I had a 102 fever from Thur at 2 in the Morning till late Fri night and stayed on the couch without eating a thing, I have not been sick like that in years. And from Fri till Sun I have been fighting the after effects of being sick, severe headaches, runny nose, I cant hear out of my right ear, and I'm sore everywhere. It was funny waking up this morning because Sat night I was feeling well enough to go to church the next morning, well sure as I get up it feels like I have a vice clamp on my head and I cant open my eyes b/c of the pressure in my brain. I some how found a way to laugh through all that, of course the enemy trying to keep me down. Well, thank goodness for the live web cast, it was only the 2ND time I have used it, and it was such a relief to worship and hear the word since I could not be at the service this morning. But the twist is my roof is solid tin so you cant even talk on the phone unless you are outside, well I had to get creative. Ha ha, let's just say I don't like missing church, I popped my kitchen window, put the laptop on the roof of my truck, and busted out a bowl of Captain Crunch and threw down with some Psalm 84. Pastor Dino always brings a great word, straight from the word, and love from his heart. It was my first time for church like that but a great service. Anyways that old saying is true. Where there is a will there is a way. Even if it means the roof of your truck. HA HA.
My CP hooked to power in the house while watching service, outside on my truck.

Pastor Johny Green giving announcements.

Pastor Dino preaching the word.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Passed My first Test.

Well with Gustav now out of the way I finally got to do my first test towards Law Enforcement. And I passed it. I placed first overall in the first stages of physical testing which was really exciting. Now I have alot of academics to do, but the cool thing is it is the first step to reaching my goal. Swat, like the say if you are going to be a bear be a grizzley. Now I just have to keep pushing myself, and train harder. I dont like 2nd place, and I train as hard as I can to keep away from even being considered. But right now I'm pumped and ready to get back at it. Keep you posted as soon there is more to come.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Aftermath







Sleeping in the middle of the storm

It truly has been one of the, if not the worst storm (Baton Rouge)has ever seen. The only thing in my mind as of late has been, God give us quick hands, comfort those in distress, and let us not look past those who have nothing, family, homes, friends. For there is much work to be done, but the people come before all of that. Building homes is temporary, but to build a life can and will change everything. All for Christ, now let us work hard work fast and sleep when there is no one left to help!!!

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Nightmare on Gustav Street (Rated Hurricane)

The first bands of the Hurricane, completly movie like.

Ok, so after 3 yrs we are facing another Hurricane. It's almost Movie like, we boarded up the windows today and got some extra gas. Then I thought to my self, It really does seem like yesterday when the world was eyes on Louisiana, bracing for impact and and holding there breath. I have often thought in the last few days HOW many will return, how many will call this state home again once all this passes. How much more can people take. With 48 hrs of closed doors there will be lot's of board games, plenty of drawing, and spending some good personal time reading the word. It will be good to get some focus during this time, just thinking about family and how much they mean. You will go through alot of things in life and it's very comforting knowing that you can go through those challenges with your family. After Tuesday the game will be on, rescue and recovery will take place and there will be many needs to be met. I pray that God will give us grace in all of this and help the hands of the church to move fast during the aftermath. If you read this keep us in your prayers, for they will be greatly needed.