Focusing on Family - Mark

Yes, we've been away for awhile... We want to be consistent so starting now we plan to post twice a week. Thanks so much for your support and keep checking in for two new posts every week!


So what does it mean to "Fix your eyes on Jesus"?  Obviously, the author of Hebrews isn't telling his readers to stare at a picture of Jesus.  He's telling us to focus our whole being on the person of Jesus......what His instructions for living are......how He lived life......why He came to be with us......who He said he is.......where we will end up if we trust in Him, etcetera.  This focusing or "fixing" our attention on Him also comes out of a family relationship we have with Him.  Ephesians 1:5 says, "He (the Father) predestined us to be adopted as his sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ..."  Through Jesus we have our Daddy (Abba) in heaven, who calls us His daughters and sons and gives us an eternal inheritance.

I'm sharing all of this because as I think about our trip to Kenya, and as I think about my running approximately 1,000 miles to raise money for a Kenyan project, I think about what is truly important in life.  I'm not thinking about a new car, or a nicer house, or a big screen television.  I'm thinking about my wife(Cynthia)....my mom (Norma)....my daughter (Maria)....my son, his wife and their one-month old son (Bill, Karen and Mason - pictures are attached!)..... my other two sons (Dan and Jesse)......Cynthia's parents (Mom-Ginger and Dad-George) and Cynthia's 8 siblings and their spouses and children (James, Cheryl, George, Gerald, Crystal, Michelle, Roxanne and Sharlene), totaling about 30 people......my church family at Bethany Baptist church......and all my brothers and sisters in Christ, who over the years have encouraged and helped me to "grow up" in the Lord.  As you can see, I am blessed.....blessed.....blessed.

I know that family ties are huge in Kenya, and I am excited to see how the Kenyan culture celebrates and encourages family ties.  I am looking forward to spending time with the Cassell family (nine of them).  I have already experienced their joy and warmth here in the U.S. when they have visited.  I am looking forward to experiencing my Kenyan brothers and sisters in Christ.  I will think about all of this deeply as I put one foot in front of the other and run......run......run!

Update:  First week of running - 8 miles......Second week of running - 20 miles.....This week's projection ending Saturday, June 9th - 32 miles.  Put those pennies in a jar and see them build into something significant by the end of the year.  Praise the Lord.



Our new addition to the family - Mason William Corbin

Prayer Request:  Pray that Bill and Karen will experience God's joy as they parent Mason, and that Mason will experience God's grace and love as he grows up! That we remember the important things in life including family, both biological and spiritual!