Howdy!  It's been a while since we posted (some 60+ days).  It's crazy.  Life just gets in the way of all the things that you want to do, or at least intend to do, and then before you know it 2 months have passed by in the blink of an eye.  Oh well, I know that I'm not sharing anything new or deeply insightful with many of you.  I imagine life has been just as busy for you over these past several weeks.  Even now, I need to wrap things up, get out of the office, make a hospital visit, and pick my daughter up from school and get her to her golf lesson.  Yep!  You guessed it.  This is Andy "blogging," not Clay (he wasn't blessed with a beautiful little girl - well she's not too little anymore - I'm the aging father of a teenager - that doesn't even sound possible).

I would love to bring you up-to-speed with all of the amazing and fantastic "things" that have been going on at the Gowins' house (Dakota made the highschool golf team, she played in a couple of tournaments, turned 15 and is driving with her learner's permit; Duncan started middle school, played football this fall [offensive tackle & started], he is working on First Class Scout [BSA] and should be able to accomplish that by January [he's only been in Boy Scouts since June - he's on track to make Eagle in just a couple of years - awesome];  Debbie and I still have our jobs, church is unbelievably fantastic, and we are still in love and actually like being around each other [most days]; I've lost about 183 pounds since the surgery in April and feel like I'm ready to tackle the world;  we've been to every Vanderbilt home game, seen the Titans play twice, are heading out this Saturday morning to deer hunt, and Duncan and I are taking our guy's weekend in a couple of weeks to see the Falcons play the Redskins at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta - this is the best time of the year), but this is not what I want to talk about today. 

This morning during my quiet time I read an amazing verse that reminded me of why I love my wife, my children, my neighbor, and my God.  "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will" (Ephesians 1:4-5).  Did you hear that?  (1) God has chosen us, even before there was an us.  (2) Not only did He choose us, but He has made us holy and blameless; for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, there is no condemnation.  We are not under the wrath and judgment of Almighty God.  (3) Because God loves us He has adopted us.  You and I are sons and daughters of the King of Creation.  (4)  And all of this was accomplished simply because God was/is/will be good and kind in His every action. 

Now brothers and sisters, friends, this should put a smile on your face and a gittie-up in your step.  This is a good day and I could not let is slip away without sitting down and proclaiming and professing my love for my God who loves me in spite of myself.  Take courage and enjoy this day for God is good.  Amen!