Last night, the girls and I went into Austin for an evening of fun and games at Chuck E. Cheeses (or as Tori calls it, "Yucky"). It's always a blast going to Yucky's -- and the pizza ain't too bad, either. Mandy's uncle, Kenny, has always called Chuck E.'s a "honky tonk for kids." All I know is my kids love it and I, as their daddy, love seeing the excitement in their eyes!

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Tonight is the beginning of high school football season in Texas. Marble Falls travels to Gatesville tonight in the season opener. Since Mandy and I married, we've yet to live in a town for one fall that didn't make the state playoffs. That streak might be challenged this fall. The Mustangs of Marble Falls High School have only won one game in the last three years.

But, just as happens every spring in baseball cities like Pittsburgh and Kansas City, optimism and hope rule the day leading up to the season opener. My hunch is the Mustangs get out of the gate strong and win their opener tonight.

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Since we've moved to central Texas, it's only been 100 degrees (give or take a degree) every day. No sign of rain or cool weather. I can't imagine how difficult football practice for the kids must be in this stifling heat.

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Finally, this Sunday is an Open House at MFCOC -- an opportunity for former members to return to meet the new preaching minister and to share a fellowship meal with the elders and deacons following worship. I'm gearing my thoughts for Sunday around the "Holy Hide and Seek" we play with God (see Luke 15). Try as we might to hide from the hand of God, like the "hound of heaven" he pursues us for a relationship with Him. That's why we were created -- for relationship with the Almighty. And in this game of hide and seek, where the stakes are eternal, it is our God who relentlessly pursues us.

On Sunday, we'll focus in on the Biblical portrayal of the pursuit of God for relationship with us.