where have i been

i just got an e-mail that Nick had posted a comment to my blog

i hadn't blogged in nearly a month and i had to go take a look again at what i had been writing

timing is everything under God's sovereignty

i have been gone -- physically, emotionally, and mentally -- since that last entry. we went away for a pastor & spouse retreat which was a blessing. then we took a few days just for ourselves, much needed time away (something we've really only done once in our 11 years of marriage). we returned only for me to leave a few hours later to be at a state meeting. two days later, my wife had to head to Michigan for the funeral of a family friend who has been supportive of our own ministry here in Alabama. my wife returned while we were in the midst of a family crisis here with my own family which just hit another level today. and now is Holy Week, and we have a nightly service focusing on Christ's last week before His sacrifice for us

in the midst of being gone and stuck at home with kids, i haven't been able to go see Bobby or others that i see regularly (i had usualy been going about 4 times a week). in that time, Bobby got drunk again -- really badly. he has come out of the stupor in the last week and a half. we've talked on the phone, but he's been pretty distant.

i was able to see him yesterday, and he's mad at me -- not for being gone, but for taking his gun.

several months ago, Bobby had gotten drunk thanks to a 'friend' bringing him a drink. when i came into visit him, i was more disturbed at seeing the gun, than him being drunk. i asked him where he got it and he said a 'friend' had brought it over. friends who give guns to drunks are not friends

i told Bobby i didn't think he needed to have the gun. in fact, i told him to give it to me and i would get rid of it. after some discussion, he gave it to me. i took it and turned it into the police

now, after this latest drunken spell, Bobby has used up all of his money for the month on alcohol -- if he had the gun, he could sell it and get by until his next disability check. but since i took it away, he's in trouble

Bobby's mad -- at himself, he's just found away to feel better about himself by blaming me for his predicament.

So he wants me to get it back, or give him the money he could make. i told him i wouldn't help him get it back until he was off the bottle for awhile. in the meantime, i would buy whatever he needs to make it till next month

not a good answer--he doesn't want any more Bible study until we get straight.

Pray for Bobby. Pray for me to be patient, loving, consistent, and a servant so that i can have further opportunities to disciple Bobby toward maturity.