CHECK THIS OUT!

It's not often that people get a chance to support a good cause. Actually, let me rephrase that statement, good causes are all around us looking for support but, people rarely take the time to show their support and are content with watching from the sidelines. Well Heather Von St James is one of those people who take getting involved very seriously, and she's looking for people who will get in the game and show their support. I had the privileged of emailing with Heather and reading her and her families incredible journey with Mesothelioma. Heather is trying to raise awareness for Mesothelioma, and she's doing her part to see that cancer research has as much finance and support possible to save lives of children and adults. Take a few minutes and check out her blog, maybe this is the opportunity that you've been looking for to finally say, "I'm in the GAME!" http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/heather/ As you read and see the need take some time to contact Heather at heathervonsj@gmail.com or post a comment on her blog. I'm sure Heather would be grateful to take the time and share with you how you can support Mesothelioma and other cancer related problems. If you are unable to help financially then simply do what I'm doing and post a link to her blog, or she will help you with a simple tab that people can click on that will take them to her blogspot. If enough people spread this around then eventually it will end up in the hands of people who are able to help out financially and help keep the research going! If helping financially isn't possible for you at this time in your life then commit to praying as I am that God will send the right people and give wisdom to researchers so that eventually a cure will be found! Always remember that when man works...man works, but when man prays...God works! Sometimes prayer is the greatest help you can give a need, and know that your prayers put you in the game in supporting a good cause and are no longer watching from the sidelines.

LIGHT and DARK

It is on rare occasions that I get preachy on my blog, because I don't want to cause any dissension amongst friends and family. I know that the Holy Spirit cares more about me (and all believers) to live in unity rather than in dissension. He calls us to be bridge builders, to forgive (even when we feel we are right), because we have a light that shines before all men, and it is a light that is not to be hidden! God even tells us in Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." So before I continue I would like you to read a passage from Isaiah, and another from Luke:
Isaiah 5:19-21


19 to those who say, “Let God hurry;
let him hasten his work
so we may see it.
The plan of the Holy One of Israel—
let it approach, let it come into view,
so we may know it.”
20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
and clever in their own sight.

Luke 11:33-35

The Lamp of the Body
33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy,[a] your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy,[b] your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.


The idea here is that "Christians" who do things in secret or live their lives in the shadows are in grave danger of NOT being Christians at all. God is very clear throughout scripture that you cannot live both in the light and in darkness, you cannot serve two masters! I have learned in my years of ministry that people who do things in secret do so because they know that what they are doing is wrong. Those who hide their light under a bushel "OH NO" do so because under that bushel they can say or do whatever it is they want to say or do, and eventually their light will shine no more. Once you begin living in the darkness then you will never understand the light, because in that darkness you can say or be anyone you want to be. A close personal friend and mentor Keith Drury said that as Christians we should strive to live our lives as open books and to have EVERY page available for the public to read. The reason for that is because if you hand someone the book to your life but black out a few pages here and there or tell everyone that they can read every page but the last 4 pages, so as humans what pages do you think we would be most interested in reading??? That is why I truly do my best to live in the light. That is why my blog is for the world to read, it's also why I have so many friends on facebook and will add just about anybody, because I have nothing to hide! I don't have secret aliases nor do I have spies or use others accounts so I can "hide" what it is I'm attempting to do! The only reason one would "hide" is so they can keep saying or doing what they've said or done in the dark because they know if the light were to see into the dark then their deeds would be exposed. The Lord say's "Let your light shine before ALL MEN, so that your good deeds may be seen and the Lord be Glorified!"

My hope in writing this is to not cause more drama, but to prevent it. It's easy to say whatever it is you want to say when no one knows who you are, because in the dark there is no one there to keep you accountable. My world is wide open, and I challenge you to live your life with an open book too because there is freedom in that. I know that there are things in my past that are hard to answer but the beauty of being a believer is knowing that once I've asked for forgiveness then that sin is no longer mine!!! That is one amazing God that we serve!!! Those with Godly wisdom can discern between right and wrong, good and evil, light and dark simply by noticing if a person is wondering in the shadows, blocking their comments, saying one thing but doing another, these are all signs of someone who does not know the light. There will be times when even those who live in the light say or do the wrong thing but when living in the light we have friends who lovingly correct us, family that prays for us, a church that is there for us, and a loving God who Forgives us!!!

Again, I'm sorry for the sermon, but it felt like it was needed and Holy Spirit inspired. I love you all.

Never seen before Christmas footage

My boys secret Christmas Adventure!

Videos

Halloween Pics

Here are a few late Halloween, Pictures and I've been trying to load a video and it wont load so if it does not make it in I am sorry.

Halloween and Birthday videos COMING SOON!

SORRY SO LONG, I will try to do better at updating my blog. Now everyone can stop asking me when I'm going to post new videos!

Christmas!!!

Christmas was wonderful this year! The best gift I received this year was 8 days in a row with my son. We did a variety of things together but one of the most special was seeing him play a wise man in the childrens church musical. Now that he was a superstar at church he found himself a little girlfriend, ah they grow up so fast...lol. At night when we'd get ready for bed Judah would craw on me as if he couldn't get close enough. He would kiss grandma and papa goodnight and then we'd head to bed and read some books. After saying our prayers I would tell Judah stories and scratch his head until he falls asleep. He truly is a daddy's boy. Enjoy the videos and pictures!

JUDAH TURNS 2!!!

Judah turned two on Tuesday November 17th! It was a great birthday party with most of the family in attendance. We had taco night and Judah loved eating it and I loved cleaning it out of his diaper the next day....yuck!!!...LOL. It truly was a great birthday party and I thank all those who were there, who helped with food, and brought gifts, THANK YOU!!! Judah truly loved every moment of it and the gifts were perfect! Enjoy the birthday videos! Beyond the birthday party Judah fit right in with the other boys his age at church. It works out so perfect because about 75% of the children who attend our church are 3 and under, so Judah has lots of friends. It was great seeing him hug and run around with his new best buddies Vanden and Aiden. He danced during worship practice and went to the nursery with ease. I was a little worried about him going to the nursery because he is attached to my hip but going to Monkey Joe's with the boys the day before helped him loosen up.
Judah and I got to watch our first Colt's game together on Sunday! He actually sat there most of the time and would get excited when I got excited and we would boo when the Patriots scored a touchdown. He loved his new Colts apparel and outfit so it's good to know he will always be a fan!

CUTEST KID ALIVE!!!

Judah took off my hat to wear it so he could look like his daddy! He also learned his dance moves from his daddy as well, poor boy is going to have to rely on his good looks.

Judah, Paul, Jocie, Jacky

Daddy's little man

There is nothing like pulling up to the drive and getting out of the car and seeing you little boy just light up from ear to ear. He takes off running towards me and starts looking for the doggies (Maddy and Teddy) before he's even in the car. He wont take a nap without them and Judah goes to bed they are both up there laying down next to him protecting him. It's amazing how dogs can since or smell who's your kid and who's not. Even though Judah falls all over them they still continue to come back for more and love on him.

Tony's accident

Just to let you all know my brother was in a UTV accident. Thank you for all your prayers and to let everyone know he is O.K. and doing well. Check out the video though so you can see how bad it was.

I wish I knew how to get this stupid world map to work. I know I did it wrong but I can't figure out how to do it right. I know several of you have

Mini Me

It cracks me up how much Judah is like me. My family continues to say how much he acts just like me even at his age. I love seeing that in him and knowing that in a way a part of me is always carried on. I think that is why grandparents get such a kick out of their grand kids because they can still see a part of them in the grand children. We were all talking about that with Judah and a friend said that poor Judah has about 90% of my dad in him...lol, I don't think the world can handle two Richard Coles. I hope you enjoy the videos!

Best Fathers Day Ever

I had the best time this weekend with my son. Words can't express it so check out the videos so you can enjoy it with me as well. I do want to say that Judah went crazy when he saw his cousins and they all had the best time together. I'm glad that they are able to spend time with each other so they can build that family relationship. It was also a blessing to have Judah dedicated this weekend by my father at church.

Here are the fish

JUDAH COLE!!!!

I know this has been a long time in the making but I want to thank all of my friends and family for their prayer and support! The court made a ruling on Judahs' last name this past week and the child advocate lawyer, the psychologist, and the judge all decided that it was in Judahs best interest that his last name be changed to COLE!!!!!!!! One good thing is I don't have to change my blog name...lol but it is great news to a father knowing that your son will carry on your last name. This was just as important to me as it was my father, he is very happy that his grandson will carry on the name that he has worked so hard to protect and make "good". Besides God's blessings in this situation it was also a tremendous blessing to bring Judah back to Indiana with me for the first time! He got to go and spend the weekend with all the family, everyone from the grandparents to all his cousins and my nieces and nephews. The family went crazy over him and everyone fought over who's bed he got to sleep in, daddy won that fight..lol. He also got to go fishing, swimming, rode around on the golf cart, chase bullfrogs, and be spoiled rotten by grandma and grandpa. I hope you enjoy the videos and take a look at all the fish we caught!!!!