Blake Bouldin

Here is a shout out to Mark Maddox...my nephew

Today I had the privilege of attending a graduation luncheon for my sister's son, Mark.  I say "privilege" not out of formality, but rather because I mean it.  Mark, to me, is one of those guys who just has "it".  I can't quite explain what "it" is, but he has "it".  I mean, Mark is the type of guy that when he walks in a room the spirit changes.  His charisma and never ending positive attitude have always been something that I have admired. I was honored to stand as one who congratulated Mark on his graduation.  When we all stood around and watched the video his dad had prepared it was all I could do to keep from losing it.  It honestly seems like just yesterday I was looking at a boy growing up.  Today, I found my self looking at a remarkable man!  Mark, dude, I am so proud of you!

Here's a few things I think of when I think of Mark Maddox:  aggressive, fun to be around, kind, tan, nice smile, strong, great basketball player, honest, full of integrity, committed, friend...

And one other thing.  And I mean this.  I am vertically challenged.  I know Mark worries about this, so I'm going to make this clear...It is a Bouldin characteristic.  I seem to have gotten the worst of it.  As a result, growing up, knowing that I hated being short, my dad would say to me from time to time was, "it's not how big the man is Blake, it's his heart that matters."  I remember thinking "yea right, dad!"  But he WAS right. Seriously. So let me say to you Mark, it really is what's on the inside that counts.  Right now the things that matter will pale in comparison to what God blesses you with.  Life is so much more than dribbling a ball down a court and shooting it through a rim.  Life is about family, it's about hard work, it's about loving the person God has chosen especially for you.  It's about raising kids and teaching them the lessons that your parents have taught you.  It's about loving God and honoring Him with the totality of your being. It is about making a difference.  I feel like I have been able to do all those things on some level, and here is the best part, I didn't have to be tall to do them.  You won't either.  And you got the looks!

Finally, let me say this:  Today, as I looked and you and tried not to stare, I honestly thought to myself (I really did) "There is a guy with a great big ol' heart.  There is a guy that is destined for great things!" I believe that about you Mark - with all my heart.  You are a reMARKable guy!  God Bless You homey!  Congratulations!  I'm proud of you and I love you!

Uncle Blake

Shout Out to Brad's Teacher, Mrs. Southard!

Have you ever had one person in your life that can totally change your world?  Our son, Brad has for the past two years.  Angie and I were a little worried when Brad started kindergarten at Indian Trail Elementary.  We knew it would be a challenge following behind the footsteps of his siblings, the "Bouldin Bunch."  Not to brag, but the Bouldin children had left a legacy of well-mannered, gifted, polite, sweet children that had been around for the past 7 years.  When staff heard another Bouldin child was coming along there was an expectation - an unrealistic expectation for little Bradley!  Needless to say, it was rough.  There were many conferences and phonecalls and Brad begin to lose hope in himself.  That is, until God answered our prayers and he landed in Mrs. Southard's 2nd grade class.  We knew from the first day that that year would be different.  She invested in Brad enough to recognize his strengths and his weaknesses and allowed him to flourish.  For the first time he enjoyed school and had a desire to learn.  Mrs. Southard wanted so much for these kids to thrive that she moved up with them to 3rd grade to ensure their success.

Friday was Brad's last day with Mrs. Southard.  She left for a few weeks after having a baby girl, but took time to write each student a note.  Here's what she said to Brad:

"Brad - I don't want this year to end because I am not even close to being ready to say good-bye to you!  The one happy thought I have is that you will be here next year, so I will at least get to see you in the halls!  Brad, I am so proud of all the accomplishments you have made in the past two years and I can't wait to learn about the many more you will make in the future!  You are such a well-rounded young man.  Not only did you make a 4 on your EOG, you also make it into AIG!  WOW!  Oh yeah, on top of all that, you have an amazing personality and you're just too cute for words!  Your handsome smile and gorgeous eyes always collect compliments from everyone who sees you!...Brad, you have been an absolute joy to teach and I know I will never forget you and your wonderful family!  Have a fabulous summer and keep in touch!  Love, Mrs. Southard - 2nd and 3rd grade teacher."

Here's a "Shout Out!" to you, Mrs. Southard.  Thank you for changing Brad's world!

I Saw God Today

Sunday night my family and I hunkered down in front of the TV to watch the CMA awards where the years best country music artist were honored.  I, personally, love the show because I love country music.  One of the things I like best about the CMA awards as opposed to the AMA's is that the artist seem to legitmately care about their fans as well as the way they present themselves.  For instance, I didn't hear one artist stand up and say the proverbial, "I just want to give thanks to God who made all this possible" and then have every other word bleeped out because it's profane. 

While we were watching George Straight sang a song entitled, "I Saw God Today".  After it was over my daughter looked at me and said you ought to put those lyrics on your blog.  I agreed.  So, here you go.  Whether you love country music or not, these lyrics are great because they remind us that the God of the universe is in the "little things" we so often take for granted. 

I Saw God Today

Just walked down the street to the coffee shop
Had to take a break
I've been by her side for 18 hours straight
Saw a flower growing in the middle of the sidewalk
Pushing up through the concrete
Like it was planted right there for me to see
The flashing lights, the honking horns
All seemed to fade away
In the shadow of that hospital at 508
I saw God today.

I've been to church, I've read the book
I know he's here but I don't look
Near as often as I should (Yeah I know I should)
His fingerprints are everywhere
I just slowed down to stop and stare
Opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

Saw a couple walking by
They were holding hands
Man she had that glow
Yeah I couldn't help but notice she was starting to show
Stood there for a minute taking in the sky
Lost in the sunset
A splash of amber melted into shades of red

I've been to church, I've read the book
I know he's here but I don't look
Near as often as I should (Yeah I know I should)
His fingerprints are everywhere
I just slowed down to stop and stare
Opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

Got my face pressed up against the nursery glass
She's sleeping like a rock
My name on her wrist wearing tiny pink socks
She's got my nose, she's got her mamas eyes
My brand new baby girl
She's a miracle
I saw God today........

Shout out to Dear Ol' Dad! Happy Birthday!

Hey Dad!  This blogs for you.  It was your birthday on Monday and so I thought I would write you a birthday blog.  It's hard to believe you're 70.  I was telling Bryson and Brett the other day that I can remember just like it was yesterday when you were my age.  Time really does fly.  When I was younger I wanted time to fly. But the older I get the more I wish it would slow down because more than ever I realize that there really is only a finite amount of time that we will spend with each other here on earth.  That is why I really do cherish the time we spend together.

But I don't want this blog to be sad!  I want it to be happy!  So I started thinking about all the memories I have of you like:

1. How you would walk in from work, throw your keys on the counter, walk into the den, and without fail, say "Well hello gang.'

2. How you would sit in your favorite chair with a pocket full of snickers watching something on TV.

3. How you put your shoes on before you put your pants on.  I used to try to do that until Angie told me I was stupid.

4. How you would throw baseball with me in the front yard and make Ric Flair sounds when you snapped off a curve ball.

5. Your green "BERMUDA" shorts.

6. Your athletic socks and your Adidas tennis shoes.

7. Our talks on the way home from church in the yellow Toyota.

8. Our talks at the kitchen table fighting over the sports page.

9. Our trip to Dallas to watch the Cowboys play the Eagles.

10. Hearing you preach and thinking, "my dad can lay it down!"

11. Hearing you say, "Son, how many times do we have to go over this?"  Ha...I used to think this is the first time we've gone over it, what are you talking about?

12. Hearing you say "Dad Gum It!" every time a car pulled out in front of you.  Paris was the worst!  I thought you were going to blow a gasket.

13.  What a great father and friend you were to me every day of my life!

I could go on Dad.  I have so many great memories of our times together but you know how I feel about you.  I love you more than you know. I hope you had a happy birthday.  Here's to many more.

Your Son,

Blake

Two Shout Outs!

I want to give 2 shout outs today!  The first goes to my friend Josh Via.  Josh and his wife Tashia and their team led us in worship on Sunday morning and did a fantastic job!  Josh and Tashia have their own ministry traveling around leading worship and we were blessed to have him lead at WCC.  If you are interested in knowing more about Josh and what he is up to visit his website at www.joshvia.com. 

I also want to give a big shout out to my friend Mark Kramer.  Mark has been at WCC for several years now and about a year ago he joined my small group.  Since then I have gotten to know Mark a whole lot better and appreciate his support and most of all his humor.  Mark you are hilarious man!  Anyway, yesterday Mark sent me some information about how Christians give or don't give back to the church.  This was prompted by my message on Sunday.  It is interesting stuff.  Check it out.

Attached is a new report issued by Barna this morning about tithing and
giving. Here are highlights:

*    In 2007, 5% of adults tithed.

    *    24% of evangelicals tithe

    *    12% of conservatives tithe

    *    12% of those who read the Bible and attended a church
service during the past week tithe

    *    11% of charismatic or Pentecostal Christians tithe

    *    10% of registered Republicans tithe

    *    Under 1% of these people tithe: "people under the age of
25, atheists and agnostics, single adults who have never been married,
liberals, and downscale adults.

    *    Among all born again adults, 9% contributed one-tenth or
more of their income.

    *    Protestants were four times as likely to tithe as were
Catholics (8% versus 2%, respectively).

*    The percentage of adults who tithe has stayed constant since
2000, falling in the 5% to 7% range. The proportion of adults who tithed
was 7% in 2006 and 2005; 5% in 2004 and 2003; 6% in 2002; and 5% in
2001.

*    In 2007, 84% of all adults donated some money to churches or
non-profit organizations. That figure has also remained consistent in
recent years.

    *    The median amount of money donated during 2007 was $400;
the mean amount was $1308.

    *    The mean sum of donations per person in 2006 was $1348.

    *    34% of all adults gave away $1000 or more during 2007.

    *    18% donated $100 or less.



Here is a shout out for one of my favorite people!

I got an e-mail from my sister Betsy today. I wanted to post it because it provides a link to her "new" blog.  Little did she know that I had already visited her blog and loved it!  It is so her...obviously right?  I love the music too.  I don't say this enough, but I love my brother and sister and have so many wonderful memories of both of them.  Their spouses and children are also precious to me.  Betsy, you don't have to be cool or informative for me to read your blog....being a great sister is enough! 

Here is the e-mail she sent me.  If you check out my blog, I would love for you to check hers out too!

Hi Blake and Brent-

It's official that all the original Bouldin kids have a blog now!  haha   I decided to join you both in the blogging world.  But my blog is nothing like either one of yours & will probably totally bore you both.  (I'm not cool & informational or inspirational!)  Just wanted to let you know, though, & give you my link to my much girlier blog! 

http://atimetoloveatimetolearn.blogspot.com/

ttyl!

Betsy

PS...that is my arm around her in the picture...love you Betsy!