Mark Riggins

Memories

As a parent, I believe one of my responsibilities is to place my kids in a position to discover and pursue God's purposes for their lives. I really want to get this right. 

As a parent, one of the fun opportunities is creating memories with my family. This weekend that is exactly what we did! 

Here are some of the things we took in over our 3-day weekend in Austin:

- We took a tour through the Central Market and enjoyed a lot of free samples (free fun is often the best fun)

- We enjoyed a meal at Freddies while the kids played in the outdoor park

- Stayed 2 nights at this Hilton (thank you Hotwire)!

- Ate the best donuts EVER at Round Rock Donuts (as seen on Diners, Drive-in, & Dives)

- Spent Saturday morning shopping at the outlet mall and Ikea. Window shopping can be almost as fun during the shopping experience and a lot more fun days after the shopping experience. :)

- Grabbed lunch here while the kids got to play at the outdoor park. 

- Made the trip to the Erwin Center to watch the Texas Longhorns Men's basketball team win over Texas A&M - Corpus Christi (Grateful for the $3 special tickets . . . although Reagen did literally have a nose bleed . . . Hook 'em Horns!)

- We drove around the UT Campus, the Capitol, 6th Street, downtown Austin, etc.

- Saturday night we ate at the BEST bar-b-que place I've ever experienced: the original Salt-Lick Bar-B-Que. In one word: Wow!

- Sunday morning we got a chance to visit Gateway Community Church. Always enjoy a church that is laser focused on creating a place that unchurched people will visit more than once. Plus, my kids had a blast!

- Finally, we stopped by the Texas Memorial Museum. Our kids were pumped! (Did I mention that free fun is often the best fun?!) 

Lots of fun, budget friendly, and most of all . . . GREAT MEMORIES! I love being a parent. 

Tragic Prayer Request

There are rare events in your life that impact you profoundly. Last night, was one of those rare moments. 

As a chaplain at Shannon Medical Center, I often respond to traumas to help minister to the patient, patient's family and medical staff. It is often high stress and "organized chaos". No two situations are ever alike. 

Last night a 12 year old little boy hung himself here in San Angelo. What do you tell the mom? How do you console the dad? What's their next step?

Honestly, there's part of me that wanted to hear that the little boy was "troubled". That he had been warning people all along. That he was severely neglected. That he was spending time with the "wrong" crowd.

The problem is none of these things are apparently true. By all accounts he was a great kid. Emotionally balanced. Good attitude. Great grades. Good parents. Solid family. Even attended church. No warning signs. Just shock. Sudden. Tragic. Final. 

Please pray for this family. Please pray that God will bring peace, comfort, and hope.

I'm gonna go hug my kids again.

Drawing a picture of God

Today at lunch I asked my kids what they thought God looked like. We began a fun conversation! Reagen said, "I think he has a white gown with a golden robe, a crown or hat, and really tall." Kennedy said, "He has a white gown, white hair, blue eyes, a 'puffy' face, and a crown." Lincoln said, "I don't know."  

I asked the girls, "do you think God is fat or skinny?" Reagen said, "He's probably got a body like yours." Hmmmm . . .

Kennedy, sensing I wasn't appreciating her exact description of God said, "let me draw you a picture of God." So she did and then I asked Reagen and Lincoln to do the same thing.

Who knows what God really looks like? I know that I'm made in His image. But so are a lot of other people who I look nothing like. So, I think that's why Jesus came to earth because we needed a clearer picture of God. First century people began to see God through the actions of Jesus and then His disciples. 

Here's the amazing truth: People's personal "picture of God" will be influenced by other people. 

My kids' "picture of God" will be influenced by the way I love their mom, spend time with them, treat others, the level of integrity I practice daily, how much faith I personally exercise, etc. 

So even though I want them to see God clearly for themselves, I realize that I will influence the picture of God that they see and will eventually draw with their own lives.

How's your picture of God coming along? What "artists" are you inspiring to see God more clearly? I know I've got work to do!

Oh . . . here is their picture from today . . . (from left to right ) Reagen, Kennedy, and Lincoln.