Bobby Lepinay

Ask....And Keep On Asking

After church on Sunday, Deb left to go to Lafayette to be with her sis on her birthday.  I, in turn, was honored to be a part of Bryan and Brooke's wedding ceremony.

I left the reception around 8 or so, got in the car, and promptly noticed I had a number of calls from my honey.  She had left a message around 6 that her car had broken down in Hammond.....

"PLEASE CALL!!!'

By the time I called, the wrecker had already come and brought it to a local shop there.  The next morning, after finding out that the transmission was completely shot, I called the Acura dealership in Ft. Walton.  The transmission was replaced at 82,000 and it is only at 128,00.  These things are not something you associate with the name 'Acura'.

Long story short, the service manager stated the following:  "Let me be honest with you Mr. Lepinay.....8 months ago we would have replaced it, no questions asked.  But with the economy, Honda and Acura have stopped giving handouts and we can't cover it." 

??????

There was no way I was going to settle for that one.  I asked his name and asked for the national number to call for who was higher on the food chain.  I spent the next few hours stating my case.  Finally, I was told to just get it towed to Baton Rouge, the nearest Acura dealership so they could look at it.

Well, this morning, after getting it there, the Service Manger in Baton Rouge called me.  I explained the situation and that the treatment I felt I was getting was not what I expected of the Acura brand.  He agreed and said he would see what he could get from National.

Well, at 5:30 this afternoon I got the call.  They will cover 75% of the cost of the job, and warranty it for 36,000 miles, rather than the usual 12,000!  It's still a chunk of change, but no where near what I was originally facing if I had just taken the first guys answer.

So, Deb is getting a 4 day longer stay with her family and I am playing Mr. Mom!  I know "ask and keep on asking" is directed to the Father, but I sure am glad I didnt stop asking on this one.  It took about 3 hours on the phone, but those 3 hours are now worth about $800 an hour ($3200 for the whole job)!

To persistance...

PB

Michael Jackson

This past weekend, the world marked the passing of Michael Jackson.  Without question, MJ was THE single biggest 'icon' of my generation.  His death can't help but to be felt, even as weird as he got toward the end.

It really is strange that I feel impacted.  The only thing I can reason is that with his passing, it makes my own mortality that much more real.  His music in may ways served as 'mile-markers' for my generation.

I can remember like yesterday the 1st time I heard and saw him.  I was 10 years old, watching Dick Clark on Saturday after cartoons.  The Jackson 5 came out and sang "ABC". 

I couldnt get it out of my head.  Whatever 'it' is, Michael Jackson had 'it'.

In those early years, they rolled out a number of hits.  I remember so well going on a 4th grade field trip and listening to "Rockin Robin"....tweet tweet...:) It really is funny how songs indelibly mark an exact time and event in your life.

I got into high school and "Ben" was the rage.  It was a song MJ wrote for a movie about a mouse.  It was huge though.  Then, his breakout album came out, "Off the Wall", in my Junior year.  EVERYONE had to have that album!

Michael was only 21 when Off The Wall came out, but from there, you never heard of the Jackson 5 anymore.  Michael Jackson was in a league of his own.  Every school dance had to have "I Want To Rock With You", as well as "Dont Stop".  It was like some unwritten code.

I got saved in late 1981 and totally lost track of MJ for a few years, as I really embraced "the world behind me, the cross before me".  But I will never forget walking through a Bradenton, FL mall in 1985:  Posters for "Thriller" were, again, EVERYWHERE. 

I remember telling Debbie (we had just gotten married) how much different he looked than before.  Boy, if I had only known how much MORE different he would look in years to come! 

But you could not escape "Thriller-Mania".......the world was overtaken by the biggest cultural idol it had ever seen, bigger than even Elvis!  Seriously, unless you lived it, you really can't imagine just how HUGE this guy was in the mid 80s.

In the mid to late 80's, I was busy pastoring and raising babies, so I didnt keep up with popular music.  But again, Michael Jackson had a way of always touching your life somehow.  In 1992, I took the family to Disney.  The big 'thing' they were promoting...?

...Captain EO, ....aka, ...Michael Jackson in 3D!

I know this is waxing long, but I felt I needed to write to mark a milestone in my life.  With Michael's passing, in a wierd way, a part of me feels deeply sad. 

Its like the 'official' end of youth, maybe..???

I find myself watching the endless replays of his videos much like I watched the endless replays of the Twin Towers falling.  You know what is going to happen as you've seen it a hundred times, but still, you feel compelled to watch again. 

It's like some kind of catharsis.

Michael Jackson's life really is a tragedy.  Abused. Deformed.

Lost. 

You hurt for him in so many ways. 

I had heard a rumor that Andre Crouch, the pioneer of the modern Gospel music movement, spent some time with him a few weeks before his death.  I went to his Facebook account.  This is what is on there, written by Andrea's account administrator:

Andrae' Crouch ...Michael wanted to see Andre and called him to come over, as he had questions.  So Andrae and Sandra (his wife) explained to Michael about the "anointing" and about Jesus. Michael wanted to know what makes your hands go up, and what makes you “come out of yourself”, and what gives a "spirituality" to the music? He then requested to hear his favorite song that he loves, and wanted them to sing to him, so they sang that song to him, and joined hands and sang together. Michael said, “That's beautiful”...

6 hours ago · Show Feedback (13)Hide Feedback (13)

 

 

 

Who knows but God what transpired in Michael Jackson's heart in those few weeks after?  The thought of seeing someone so deformed by sin and pain transformed by resurrection life.......???.......

 

Wow....that would be amazing and WONDERFUL, as it is every time I see broken humanity restored by grace.  I sure hope so. 

 

OK, I have written what I had to say.  Regardless of where Michael is now, one thing is certain and I never want to forget:

 

"Tis just one life,

Shall soon be passed,

Only what's done for Christ

will last"

 

Grace,

 

PB

25 Things I Hate About Facebook

Its Friday.....!  I usually don't post on Friday, but decided to have a little fun with it.:)

Some of the things here, I have to disagree with, namely, OLD guys being on Facebook.  But it is what it is, I suppose, so here goes.....

PB

Personal Fast Retreat

I am going to try to get away for a mini retreat for a few days, so will not be posting the rest of this week.  Since my dad died, I have had NO time to really process it (grieve) so for the next 2 days, I will just be journaling, reflecting, praying.

On that, I want to ask you guys to please continue to bring McKenzie Ongalo to the Throne of Grace.  My experience is that when something like this happens, and the person is miraculously spared, everyone kind of lets their hands down and stops praying. 

Please, DO NOT STOP!! Her body was exposed to 130 mph impact force and until she if FULLY out of the woods, we need to pray.  Just bring her before the Throne of Grace, pray for full healing, intercede in the Spirit.

Love you guys and looking forward to seeing you Sunday!!

PB

What About Cremation?

Every week, I will try to tackle a question that came in during our TXT series that we did not have time to answer.  The question this week? 

'What do you think about cremation?  Someone told me it was wrong.  Does the Bible talk about it?"

Having just had to face this with my dad, here are my conclusions:

1. Cremation is about half the price of a funeral.  Most opt for it for this simple reason alone.
2. Without question, as we search throught the Bible, we find that God's people sought to give dignity and honor to their dead.  Abraham, Isaac and all the patriarchs sought a place to bury those they loved who had died. 
3. In the New Testament, giving honor and dignity to the body continues.  We see John the Baptist, Stephen (Acts 8) and others all buried and deeply mourned.  If you recall, Jesus' followers wanted his body to anoint it and take care of it, ensuring a proper burial.
4. Burning of the body was usually reserved for pagan kings.  Throughout history, beyond the Bible, you will usually find the above facts to be true in Christian cultures and ungodly, pagan cultures as well.
5. With that said, I do not believe it is a "Sin", per se.  Nor do I think it is something to be condemned about if the choice was previously made with a parent or whatever the case may be.  For my dad, I believed God to help on paying for his funeral, as we did with Will, and somehow it all worked out.

Hope that clears things at least a little bit!

Grace,

PB

Monday Review 6/22/09

• WOW..!!!..what a weekend!!  As most of you know, got a call Sat around 2am about Kenzie being in a severe wreck.  For those who dont know, McKenzie Ongolo is 18, her parents, Scott and Carolyn are Overseers at Harvest.  She was hit head on going 55 by a driver going 70, clippiing the curve on Avalon Blvd.  She was then hit by the car behind her.
• God's MERCY is all I can say!!  She is VERY banged up, but alive, no paralysis, no facial damage, no brain damage.  She is talking as of Monday morning, but heavily sedated, as they removed the breathing tube this morning.  I talked with Carolyn and the big need is to pray against infection.
• After sleeping about an hour, headed to our 1st Boot Camp class.  It was FANTASTIC!  About 30 people gathered, hungry to grow in the Word, prayer, worship.  This next Saturday, 2 of them will preach for 10 minutes each out of I Timothy 1.  I was BORN to lead and raise up leaders!
• I was a little 'edgy' for the 8:30 service!  I was concerned that I may have come off harsh, but know that beyond me, God planted some good seed in hearts that service. 
• Michael and Karen did a superb job singing the offering song, "You Wont Relent".  I had my eyes closed, worshipping, when I heard Karen's voice go off.  Opened my eyes to see her on the ground, passed out!!  She was taken to the hospital and released, as they found nothing wrong with her.
• 10am service was GREAT!  I went in a few different directions than in the 8:30 service.  The band did well changing songs during the offering.  I have had some very encouraging emails today about the Spirit, Soul, Body part that I talked about.
• OK......finally, I said to go to my blog on Monday to hear more about the point I made.....Prayer is a key way God's love and grace are released in our relationships.  Here goes:

A number of years ago, I lent 5k to a very, very close friend to help him buy his first house.  It was supposed to be paid off at the closing, but things came up, and the money was not there.  We agreed that he would pay me $300 a month til it was paid off. 

Well, as these things often go, that never happened.  It bothered me every month.  More and more as each month wore on.  We were best friends, and as each year passed, I became more offended that he never even brought it up!

Well, 5 years goes by, and one day, I am driving back from Birmingham, having a major prayer and worship time in my car, trying to stay awake, as it was like 3am.  I begin to pray about my friend and my offense toward him.  "What am I supposed to do, Lord!!!???", as I bang on the steering wheel....

Silence.

I begin to cry, as I realize the Holy Spirit is requiring me to forgive and release him.  I needed that money.  I was not then at the point I was before when I lent him that money. 

I needed it now.

I finally say, "OK!!! I will forgive and release him!!  YOU are my provider, and I look to YOU alone!!"  So when I got home, I wrote him a letter, stating my offense at his not attempting to pay me back, and that I loved him and forgave him the debt, in Jesus' Name."

A few weeks later, he called me, crying.  He went on to tell me how hard it had been for him to not be able to pay it, and that he was too embarrassed to bring it up. 

And now for the point on prayer:

We ended the call by PRAYING for each other, he for me, me for him.  All I can say is that every bit of hostility and bitterness I had in my heart was washed away and only LOVE for my brother remained.

We cried. 

We prayed more, for all of about 30 minutes.  

Our relationship was restored.  God's grace and love had come in and filled our hearts.

Is there anyone you need to talk to and pray with??  God's grace and love awaits this vital "ENTRY POINT".  But YOU have to make it happen!

PB

PS  By the way, within a week of forgiving my friend the 5k he owed me, an aunt wrote me a letter, cancelling the debt of 5k I had with her on a van I had purchased.  I had been paying her $100 a month and she sent the last month's payment back, with a letter saying I didnt need to pay her any more!  Out of the blue.....!!

Coincidence..???  

I think not!!! :)   

Missing My Dad 2.0

 

Yesterday afternoon, I was out running errands.  Trying to avoid the Post Office lines, I went to mail some packages at a little store I hardly ever go to at the corner of 9th and Creighton.

As I am signing the credit card receipt, the girl glances over to the owner and smiles for him to come see the name I am signing,....which I was about then starting to feel wierd? :)  He then asks me, "Are you the son of Mr. Lepinay....?  He was a customer with us over 10 years ago and I guess he moved, but we always talk about how much we miss him.  He always had us all laughing, every time he came."

I said I was, and that he had passed last month.  They were all so sad and just recalled little things about times he had come in and with my mom, brightened up their day.  I got in my car and just said, "Wow.. I miss you Pop."

This picture is the last one I got of him.  I was showing him my IPhone and how easy it was to take a picture.  I am so glad for that little moment.

"Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold."  (Proverbs 22:1)

My Birthday Girl..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL "FIRST" LADY!!  I have 2 other ladies, but she is numero uno!

.....and by now, after 25 years of marriage, I am WAYYYY to smart to say which birthday it is. :)  Just know I and everyone who knows you loves you.  You are beautiful, wise, clever, fun, intelligent, caring, loyal.....

....you are "Debbie".

May this coming year be your best, most satisfying ever.  May you be fulfilled, enjoying the richness of this season of your life.  May you experience deeply the joy of the Lord, as well as the peace of God in your soul.  May you be blessed, blessed, blessed in every way......

Me :)

Tuscany

 

 

 

Wow.....its only been 1 month since we got back from our trip, yet it almost feels like a YEAR so much has happened since!

I am beginning to organize pictures from our trip.  Deb and I will be taking some time to finally "digest" our time together in the next week or so as things are beginning to settle down a little. 

Last month, I started by posting about Paris.  Today I want to focus on Tuscany.

After landing in Feumeuchino (sp) airport in Rome, we rented a little Fiat to make our way up to Tuscany.  Having never driven in Italy, it was intimidating, but I got the swing of it pretty quickly.  Italians are FAST and IMPATIENT drivers and if you dare to get in the left lane, you better get back to the right quick, or risk being run over!

About an hour outside of Rome, we began noticing these walled, Medievel towns up on the high hilltops.  Turning off the A1 Autostrada, we began to go through some of these little towns.  Amazing driving!  Small medievel towns, stunning country-side....again and again. 

Seriously, the Tuscan country-side is everything you have ever seen on a postcard.  Rolling hills of green and gold, dotted with towering cedar trees lined up in perfect rows, punctuated with lone Italian villas every so often picturesquely surrounded by olive groves and grape vineyards.

I never got tired of the view. :)

We made our way to Montalcino where we were to stay for the week.  Montalcino is situated on a mountain, surrounded by high walls and a fortress to protect it during the middle ages.  Our farmhouse was just outside the city walls, a 5 minute uphill walk to one of the city main gates.

We loved our little farmhouse! Overlooking one of the most beautiful valleys on earth, the Val d'Orcia Vacation rental in Tuscany near Siena, Pienza, Val d'Orcia, who woundn't?? We did a lot of just sitting, reading, staring. 

At night, our entertainment consisted of watching the only movie channel we could catch, old American 60's movies, all in Italian overdub.  I would turn the volume down and provide the dialog as I thought it should be.  :)

I am by nature a 'scheduler', but it was nice having no schedule, just lazily walking into town, getting an esspresso at a cafe in the town Piazza, an afternoon gelato.....grapefruit/lime....beyond belief good.....browsing the little shops.....basically, doing a whole lot of "nothing" together.....we need more of that.

We had a few daytrips, one day to Sienna (best Piazza in all Italy, pic above..as well as the Doumo... ) and another just driving from village to country-side, village to country-side.  One freeze frame that is forever in my mind is the drive from Montiechiello to Pienza.  Seriously, I almost went off the road numerous times, trying to take in the view!  Here is a picture to get an idea: 

http://www.david.j.harris.photoshot.com/Tuscany/Pienza.JPG

I am done for today.  Will post more memories as we go, more for Deb and I  than anything else! :)  Thanks for being on the journey of life with us....!

PB

Spiritual Boldness

One of the things I talked about Sunday is the fact that we must differentiate between personality/temperment and spirit. 

In other words, a person can have a quiet, unaggressive temperment but because they are filled with the Holy Spirit, be very bold spiritually.

 

Acts 4:  "The believers prayed and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and went out speaking the Word with great boldness."

ALL the believers.  Not just the "Type A's" (or D, based on personality tests).  Spiritual boldness goes beyond personality!

In the first service, I told the story of Pastor Craig and I flying to Tanzania back in 2001.  As we were airborne, the whole Ethiopian track team began to celebrate their victory in the Pan Am Games they had just won.

The hero was a little guy named Haile.  They kept chanting his name and had an award ceremony of their own while we were flying.  Haile had just set the world record for the marathon.  Craig and I just watched and enjoyed seeing their celebration. 

After it settled a bit, we saw Haile go to sit by himself up at the front of the plane, just staring at his trophy, absorbing it all.  Suddenly, Craig says to me, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking???"  I replied, "You know it!"

So the two of us made our way up and sat by Haile.  We introduced ourselves as Americans, telling him how great it was to celebrate with him.  He let us see his trophy, take pictures with him......and then we said, "God really has blessed you!" 

From there, the conversation took its course into surrendering to Christ vs. the religion he had grown up under in a Moslem nation.  He listened intently as we explained the way of Christ.  When we asked if he would like to pray, he said, "No, not yet.  You have given me much to think about." 

We told him we would be praying for him, for God to show him the truth, and he thanked us.  We never talked to or saw him again, apart from the Olympics on tv where he won the gold medal.  We had just planted a seed, trusting God to take it from there.

You can only imagine my surprise when I read this past Saturday the following in preparation for my message!  Its from an Aussie newspaper:

     _____________________________________________________________

HAILE Gebrselassie, the greatest long-distance runner in history, is Melbourne-bound — for the Great Australian Run, a 15-kilometre road race around the streets of Melbourne. 

To find out just what makes him tick, we did some research about the Ethiopian runner, who this month became the first man to break two hours four minutes for the marathon (and, in all, has broken 27 world records). This is what we found out:

■ Gebrselassie rises every day at 6am, drives 25 minutes to the Entoto Mountains, where he usually runs 20 kilometres with other Ethiopian athletes. (He goes to the mountains because the air is clean, there is no traffic and it is slightly cooler than in the city of Addis Ababa.)

■ He then returns home to change and grab a quick breakfast.

■ At 9am, he is in his office, personally supervising his business empire that includes being:

CHAIRMAN of the Great Ethiopian Run, a public fun run that has been a huge success in Ethiopia with 32,000 entries; and

BOSS of a construction company that builds cinemas, convention centres, petrol stations, schools, sports stores, cafes and fitness centres.

■ He fInishes work at 4pm and heads to more training, either back to the mountains for some hard running or to the national stadium for a session on the track.

■ He is home just after 6pm for time with his family or to prepare for any evening engagements, where he is in great demand.

ALL THIS by a bloke who:

■ Is a devoted Christian who presented his first Olympic gold medal to his local church as a token of thanksgiving for his special talent.

■ As an employer, has given half of the jobs in his businesses to women in a part of the world where equal opportunity was once never heard of.

_________________________________________________________________________

A devoted Christian!!  We planted a seed.  God obviously brought others since to water the seed and cause it to grow.  But what is amazing to me is to think if we HAD NOT stepped out, never planted a seed. 

So much is at stake, folks! 

"Father, give us eyes to SEE opportunities to plant a seed, to pray with someone, to encourage in Christ.  Deliver us from our bondage to ourself and our own problems.  Help us to lift up our eyes and SEE the harvest!"

PB