The RUSH

Video from Matt

2009-12-07T09:33:00.000-05:00

I don't care who you are...you need to see this video. It is of Matt Chandler addressing his church after the news he has a brain tumor, a couple of days before he goes into surgery to have it removed. Please watch it...

Video from Matt

Get your hair cut by these people...I dare you!

2009-11-25T09:20:00.001-05:00

Does God Really Want All People to Be Saved?

2009-11-24T15:13:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my friend Casey Patton...

2009-11-02T11:28:00.001-05:00

This is a real commercial with real people. This is not a spoof. Enjoy!

New Addition to My Blogging World...

2009-10-26T08:21:00.002-05:00

I've always wondered how difficult it must be to write code for my blog or another website that allows someone reading the blog to scroll over a Scripture reference and have it pop up into a small box with the entire verse or passage making it easy for anyone to access the Scripture without me having to type them all into the blog post. Well...here it is:

Check out RefTagger and see how easy and free it is to do it.

Try it out here by scrolling over a few of my favorite passages in Scripture:

Luke 7:36-50

2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Galatians 2:20

Ephesians 2:8-10

1 Timothy 4:6-16

The prayer Americans refuse to pray

2009-10-22T10:59:00.001-04:00

Another FAIL photo!

2009-10-22T10:56:00.000-04:00

A new favorite...

2009-10-15T11:03:00.003-04:00

Every once in a while I'll now be posting a fun picture or video from one of my favorite new websites: FAIL BLOG. Here is the first of these posts. What's wrong with this picture?

John Piper: Think Christ

2009-10-14T12:16:00.003-04:00

From the The Resurgence

At a recent conference in Germany, John Piper talked about why right thinking is so important for Christians:

It is possible to have strong feelings and be lost if the feelings are not based on knowledge (Romans 10:1-2).
God has planned that thinking about the Bible is the means he uses to give understanding (2 Timothy 2:7).
Paul is given as an example of reasoning with the Bible (Acts 17:2-3).
Jesus assumes and requires that we will use logic in understanding both what is natural and what is spiritual (Luke 12:54-57).
Jesus refuses to deal with people who use their reason to conceal truth (Matthew 21:23-27).
Thirteen times in Paul’s letters, he asks the question, “Do you not know?” Paul assumes that if his readers knew something, they would see things differently, feel differently, and act differently.
The Bible tells us that Christ has given pastors and teachers to the church and tells us that they should be apt to teach—because God intends that the Bible be explained to ordinary folks who don’t have the time or ability to go as deep as God wants them to go. Christ would not have given teachers to the church if he thought they were not needed.
The Bible declares that we should proclaim the whole council of God (Acts 20:27). That implies that there is a coherent unified whole, a body of doctrine, that should be given to the church. It is not easy to find this whole council in a book with 1,500 pages! It’s mainly mental labor. Finding the unified biblical theology that the people need to know takes hard thinking.
The Bible is a book, which means that it must be read.
An example of how thinking and valuing and acting relate to each other is Matthew 7:7-12.

You can read the rest of the post at the Desiring God blog.

Matt Chandler on Solitude and Study and Prayer and Affection

2009-10-12T11:24:00.002-04:00

Chandler on Warring Against Sin

2009-09-09T10:24:00.001-04:00

This is taken from an interview Matt Chandler did with LeadershipJournal.net from Christianity Today:

What does warring against sin look like?

Sanctification here at The Village begins by answering two questions. What stirs your affections for Jesus Christ? And what robs you of those affections? Many of the things that stifle growth are morally neutral. They're not bad things. Facebook is not bad. Television and movies are not bad. I enjoy TV, but it doesn't take long for me to begin to find humorous on TV what the Lord finds heartbreaking.

The same goes for following sports. It's not wrong, but if I start watching sports, I begin to care too much. I get stupid. If 19-year-old boys are ruining your day because of what they do with a ball, that's a problem. These things rob my affections for Christ. I want to fill my life with things that stir my affections for him. After a funeral I walked around the cemetery and found a grave of a guy who died when he was my age. I felt my mortality in that moment and it made me love the Lord. It really did. Some types of epic films do that for me, and so does angst-filled music.

We want our people to think beyond simply what's right and wrong. We want them to fill their lives with things that stir their affections for Jesus Christ and, as best as they can, to walk away from things that rob those affections—even when they're not immoral.

Traits/Qualifications for Church Leadership

2009-08-20T17:06:00.004-04:00

As I have recently embarked upon my newest assignment from the Lord, to pastor a church in western Maryland, I have been trying to quantify the characteristics of leadership that we, as the church, should look for in people as we decide on our leadership within the church at varying levels. Through the help of a few friends and from some tweaking on my own, here is what I have so far. Feel free to comment.

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CHURCH LEADER QUALIFICATIONS/TRAITS

CHARACTER
Character is the moral excellence and firmness of an individual as laid forth in Scripture plus that person’s willingness to put God and others before themselves to the praise of God’s glory. It consists of things such as the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Someone’s character is representative of their spiritual maturity in Christ, revealing to God and others that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

CHEMISTRY
Chemistry is how well people get along with others within the church body, especially the leaders of the church. Do they align doctrinally and philosophically with the leadership and direction of the church? They must understand and be willing to support the methodology of the church leaders in how they plan to carry out the mission of the church. Placing someone in leadership who does not agree with the church’s doctrine, philosophy of ministry, or methodology, will definitely lead to unneeded frustration ending in disunity which will hinder the growth and effectiveness of the church as a whole.

COMPETENCY
Competency is the quality of being adequately or well qualified intellectually, emotionally, and/or relationally to accomplish a task or goal. This trait is an often overlooked criteria for church leadership. Each person God has been preparing for leadership will have been given adequate abilities to lead in their particular areas of service. Some people might have their heart in the right place when volunteering for leadership, but if they do not possess the competency to accomplish the goal, they are most likely the wrong person for that particular leadership position.

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Please comment and discuss the above, but remember that this is a first/rough draft and will surely go under several revision at the least. Have fun!

God's Not Mad at You?

2009-07-30T17:48:00.003-04:00

Here is my response to a local pastor in the Enterprise area who wrote a blog post about how God's Not Mad at You. I commented with this on his blog post, but I am not sure he will allow the comment since he openly admits he will not post comments that differ with his point of view on the subject:

I am not a detractor, by any stretch of the imagination, of any church body reaching the un-churched or de-churched of any area of the world. I commend anyone for reaching the lost and hope you will understand my love for you, for God, and for this community. In light of my love for God and everyone in Enterprise, I would like to add a few things for you to think about. I hope you will publish this comment as my heart is not to argue, but to admonish and encourage you and your readers to be diligent in your understanding and in your communication of the gospel in its entirety, as it is given in the Bible.

Without God's wrath being directed toward us because of our sinfulness, there would be no need for a Savior. God's wrath is an essential part of the Gospel. In fact, God begins the meta-narrative of the Bible by describing the fall of man via Adam and Eve’s first sin in the Garden of Eden. Because of their sinfulness and because of God’s holiness, God breaks relationship with them and is just only if He condemns sinners to receive their just punishment…His wrath. The entire Old Testament points to this being the major problem within the meta-narrative, that man needs a sacrifice for his sins in order to be in a restored relationship with God (i.e. the need for Jesus).

Psalm 5:5 makes it very clear that God is not only mad at sinners, but his entire wrath is directed toward them:

Psalm 5:5
The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You (God) hate all evildoers. (ESV)

In the New Testament, Paul repeatedly speaks of God's wrath being directed towards us as sinners. He makes this very clear in his Letter to the Ephesians:

Ephesians 5:6
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (ESV)

Or take for example Paul's method of evangelism in his Letter to the Romans. He spends the first few chapters making the argument that EVERYONE is sinful and without excuse when judged by God; and because of our sinfulness, the wrath of God is upon us all.

Romans 1:18-20
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (ESV)

This is the very first thing that must be explained when telling someone of the good news of God’s mercy and grace that are found only in the redemption of Jesus Christ. His grace and mercy in saving us means nothing if there is nothing he is saving us from...

Yes, God loves the world and wishes that all would come to repentance, but without the wrath of God being directed toward all sinners, there is no need for a Savior. It is simply unbiblical to tell someone who does not have faith, who has not repented and believed in Jesus for salvation, that God is not mad at them.

No, Mr. President

2009-05-14T14:12:00.003-04:00

CLICK HERE

Pastor Shot and Killed During Sermon

2009-03-09T14:44:00.000-04:00

Here is the video from CNN...

Baby Preacher

2009-02-24T15:06:00.005-05:00

So here is a video of a baby preaching. Now I thought it was quite funny until I noticed that the people in the audience and on the stage are taking it quite seriously...

Then it got REALLY FUNNY for me. What do you think about it? (Make sure you turn up the volume.)

Baby Preacher

Mark Driscoll on Dateline

2009-02-23T11:35:00.002-05:00

I know this might be a little bit of old news, but for those of you who have missed this, take a moment to enjoy this dateline interview with Mark Driscoll. I think it came off pretty well. What do you think?

LifeWay Recommends a Heretic?

2008-12-19T10:18:00.004-05:00

So, I was in a LifeWay Christian Store in Dothan, AL on Monday and as I was perusing their recommendations in the Christian Living section I came across this sight:

Some of you might ask what the big deal is, but I can assure you that it IS a big deal. Two of the books on this shelf that are recommended reading by LifeWay were written by T. D. Jakes.

T. D. Jakes is the pastor of The Potter's House church in Texas. He does not believe the orthodox truths about God and is therefore a heretic because of teaching things about God that are not true. Here is a sample of what he and his church teach and believe about God and the Trinity:

God--There is one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three Manifestations: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The belief that God exists in three "manifestations" and not in three persons is the heresy called modalism or sabellianism. Sabellius (A.D. 200), the originator of this viewpoint, spoke of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but he understood all three as no more than three manifestations of one God. This teaching came to be known as modalism because it views one God who variously manifests Himself in three modes of existence: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (www.bible.org)

Simply put, this man preaches things about God that are wrong and inconsistent with the Bible. This is not something that is "little known" in the Conservative Evangelical world. The fact that LifeWay Christian Stores, formerly known as the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board, is not only supporting, but "recommending" this heretic and his writings to Christians and their families is abhorrent and unnerving. If we are entrusting these people to provide our congregations with resources that are aligned with conservative orthodox beliefs, then we cannot stand for such a blatant disregard for truth as it is found in the Scriptures of our holy, triune God. If you agree and would like to do something about it, please contact the President's Office at LifeWay with your comments: (615) 251-2605.

Piper on Politics, Elections, and Voting

2008-11-05T14:46:00.003-05:00

Watch this video of John Piper on politics and the election and post some comments.

Speaking of the Fall Festival...

2008-10-31T13:23:00.006-05:00

Here are a few pics of the Student Ministry worship band doing a little entertaining at the Fall Festival. I think next year we will bring back some favorites for the "my age" crowd from groups such as: Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, etc...

Until then...check out these pics and let me know what you thought of the Festival if you were in attendance!

Fall Fest Frenzy!

2008-10-27T11:02:00.004-05:00

As we all finally begin to feel the cool weather reminders that we are in the midst of fall and football season, it seems as though every organization and their rivals are having a Fall Festival. For most of my life I have come to dislike and avoid these fests as much as possible. If it isn't for the silly games and inward mentality of the organizations, usually churches or parachurch organizations, then maybe it's because of the "carni"-like vision one sees at the arrival of such an event. Either way, it seems as though my opinion of Fall Festivals is changing...or at least being amended.

Last year, our church stepped out of its comfort zone under direction of our Children's Minister and turned our annual Fall Fest into an "influencing outsiders" event by taking it to a local park in our community. It was a huge success in the number of attendees last year (at least 700 people). This year, she stepped it up again and through one tiny opening of a door by our sovereign God, she was able to invite every elementary school child in our city. This enabled our numbers for Fall Festival to jump well over 1000 people.

As I walked around the Fall Fest, I was awestruck at how many lost people were actually in such close vicinity with our church attenders. I stopped as often as possible to talk with people I didn't recognize. I saw the same from a number of our regular attenders and I think that is when it happened. It was like a warm blanket fresh out of the drier that was pulled over me. I realized in that moment that this is what we had been working for all year with some of our people. A large group of our regular attenders were standing face to face with non-churched people who were excited to be with us. We had crossed out of our church culture and into their lives. For at least one night we were being all things to all people and we were seeing an impact.

We are already hearing some "wins" from last night's event. There are some families that approached us with the desire to come to church and be a part of what God is doing. I'm sure we will hear more stories as the weeks go on from some of the follow-up that we will be doing. If you are a believer, we ask that you pray for these families that God is working in already. I guess my opinion of Fall Festivals needs to be revisited...

Video Blog

2008-10-18T23:47:00.001-04:00

Here's a CNN blurb that I found fun. Take a look and enjoy it with me.

Focal Thought of the Day

2008-09-23T17:32:00.002-04:00

"Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believe in vain." - 1 Cor. 15:1-2

What I'm really chewing on: "unless you believe in vain."

Please share some of your thoughts with me on the correct interpretation of this passage and especially this phrase.

2008 Beach Retreat

2008-09-15T18:40:00.003-04:00

We just got back from our 2008 Beach Retreat. It was a blast! We had a large number of our students back out due to the change of date for our trip (because of Tropical Storm Fay), but we didn't let that stifle our fun! Check out this pic of our group just before our departure. Aren't they a great looking bunch?!?!

Winborn for President? I think I could...

2008-09-03T11:39:00.002-04:00

I'm sick of it! I can't stand the political mess our country is in. It is ridiculous! So, after the urging of some friends, I've decided to throw my hat in the ring. To see the media attention my decision is getting, click on the link below.

Winborn for President

Jump on the proverbial band-wagon and vote for me for President!

Hurricane Gustav

2008-09-01T12:23:00.004-04:00

Yes, I am still at the beach, and no it is not that bad here in Panama City Beach. To show you an idea of the chance in seas here, I have attached two pictures of the beach from my condo. These are taken from about the same angle and placement as the two I took the other day and posted in my last message. Take a look.

FINALLY...the beach is so relaxing.

2008-08-29T12:46:00.003-04:00

Finally! For the first time since I moved back to AL, I am finally able to come to the beach and just relax. Check out my view from the balcony. Everything else is on hold...I have a great couple of books to read...the beautiful sounds of God's creation...the warm sun...the cool water...no one I know is at this condo. It is quite wonderful. Just thought I'd share the beach with you. I'll soak it all up for you.

Spurgeon: Lectures to my Students - Day 1

2008-08-27T12:23:00.004-04:00

As is the norm, I am currently reading several books at once. Last night I began reading Charles Haddon Spurgeon's Lectures to My Students. Of course there are several quotes that struck me in the first chapter, The Minister's Self-Watch. Take a gander and comment if you like...

"It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus." (8)

"True and genuine piety is necessary as the first indispensable requisite; whatever 'call' a man may pretend to have, if he has not been called to holiness, he certainly has not been called to ministry." (9)

"A formal preacher is mischievous while he preserves his outward equilibrium, but as he is without the preserving balance of godliness, sooner or later he is almost sure to make a trip in his moral character, and what a position he is in then! How is God blasphemed, and the gospel abused!" (11)

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones - Chapter 1

2008-08-26T10:05:00.003-04:00

At the encouragement of a great preacher, I have begun reading more biographies of preachers. Currently, I am reading the first in a two volume set that follows the life of Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. I have a quote that caught me off guard and I would like to share it with you. At the time of this story, Dr. Lloyd-Jones was 10 years of age. Comment if you like...

One of the old Calvinistic Methodist practices which survived in Llangeitho down to the time of the First World War, was the exercise of catechising on the Sunday School lesson in the chapel. At one such catechising in 1909 the minister, with reference to the resurrection of Lazarus, asked, 'Why did Jesus say, "Lazarus, come forth"?' Silence followed until there burst out a reply in Welsh from the second Lloyd-Jones boy which was to be repeated around Cardiganshire. 'In case,' Martyn declared, 'they all came forth!'

Review: The Shack

2008-08-23T17:10:00.002-04:00

Over the past few months, I have been inundated with people telling me that I need to read The Shack. I've had several close friends ask me to read it and then give them my opinion because they aren't sure what to think about it. I have several students who have been given a copy of the book and told it is a good book to read and it has influenced them.

Well, I've been reading it. I thought about writing a review about the book with my opinion based on how The Shack goes against Scripture and then I found this... This is Mark Driscoll giving a brief run down of why this book is anti-Scriptural. I realize the book is a piece of fiction and was not intended to be taken as fact. However, even though the author is clear that this is a piece of fiction, the book does work in ways that contradicts the reality of who God is as He is described in Scripture. If any book influences people to believe something about God that goes against Scripture, then that book is HERETICAL.

I realize these are hard and politically not correct words, but when we are faced with heresy and anti-Christian teaching masquerading itself as Christian...we SHOULD be direct and non-apologetic about being truthful for the sake of the believers.

Enough from me...see what you think about what Mark Driscoll has to say and then please comment on either his or my statements...or on both.

Website Work Complete

2008-08-13T12:44:00.005-04:00

Finally! Our new website is live on the net. Since I got here just over a year ago, I've been working rigorously as the webmaster (I think the term webslave is more fitting) to create a new website for our church that will bring us into the 21st century and also hopefully add a facet of ministry and outreach to our traditional church that was previously not here. We used this process of creating a new website to also create a new image for our church. Ardent Creative is the company we hired to bring it all together. It takes more hours than you can possibly imagine, but I think the outcome is quite impressive. Take a look at it and post messages here to let me know what you think about it.

Click here: www.fbcenterprise.com

Here's something I want...

2008-08-13T12:41:00.002-04:00

People always say I am hard to shop for...well I've got something to show them and you. Here is a really cool gift for anyone you know that is a fan of the second amendment. I want one soon...so put the word out there for me. :-)

Whew...the week is over...

2008-08-10T15:24:00.002-04:00

We finally kicked off the new year for our Student Ministry. We have changed curriculum and our overall strategy in reaching students in our area of the world. It seemed to have gone off without much of a hitch. There were a few hiccups in the sound department, but I think it was successful overall.

I have spent about ten months preparing our Student Ministry Team by having an inordinate amount of vision casting meetings, planning meetings, problem solving meetings, and training meetings. It seems that good planning does pay off, especially when you are trying to lead others and help them to catch the vision God has given you.

I must say that I owe a great deal to several authors, of which here are a few: God, Mark Driscoll, Andy Stanley, Patrick Lencioni, Augustine, Malcolm Gladwell, etc... Without these influences, the implementation of our new strategy would have been much more difficult and probably less successful. We aren't "there" by any means, but today was a good start to get us on the right path so that we can reach students and help them in their relationship with God.

Your prayers are coveted. I'm going to kick back and take a nap.

Anybody?

2008-07-08T15:42:00.002-04:00

If everyone's gone and no one is reading...I'll be shutting it all down... If you are still reading...let me know. Say hello or something.

Kristian Stanfill...led to worship

2008-07-01T14:06:00.002-04:00

This past week I was at a Student Life Camp in LA with my students. Kristian Stanfill was the worship leader. This is the second time I have been able to worship with him. The first time was at the Orange Conference in ATL in March. He is possibly one of the best worship leaders with whom I have ever worshipped.

Here's a taste...of course it is nothing compared to being present with several thousand other worshippers all focused on giving God the praise and glory which He is due, but it is a taste nonetheless.

Share your thoughts...

Video Blogger I have become...

2008-07-01T14:01:00.002-04:00

Until I have the time and content worthy material, I guess I will continue to post a little something from others. Now that I am nearing the end of the remodel of my home, it shouldn't be long until I can write something.

Until then...here's a thought from Paul Washer. I am very interested to find out what all of you think about this. Most won't respond, but I hope some will. I want pros and cons. I want your thoughts, so think with me...and share with me.

Apple's Changing the World, starting in our own back yards...

2008-06-14T02:22:00.003-04:00

This is a few of my friends who have recorded the magnificence of receiving your first Apple computer. Check them out...

My newest hat of responsibility...

2008-03-24T13:48:00.001-04:00

I'm now a videographer and editor and publisher... wow...that's a mouthful.

"Let me tell you about Jesus..."

2008-03-17T13:39:00.002-04:00

I'm a hypocrite...yeah, you heard me.

2008-03-08T14:55:00.000-05:00

I thought that becoming a follower of Jesus would help me kick the sin habit, providing the inoculation I needed, but in some ways the symptoms just grew worse. I realized how much I was infected and how it was affecting my attitude, my relationships, my life. So the truth is that I’m fighting. I’m fighting sin with everything I’ve got. Some days I fare better than others. Odds are that if you’re calling me a hypocrite, then you caught me on one of my worst days.

I am sorry. I’m sorry that I let you down and disappointed you. But the truth is that I’m not giving up or letting go. I’ve encountered a God who promises that the battle ends in victory- life instead of death. So call me crazy- but I’m holding on to that promise. I’m also trying to uphold the standards God has set. They’re pretty high, and some days I just find myself laying on the ground, staring at the ceiling. But then I feel an urge, an energy, to get up and fight once again.

I could use your help. The next time you see me behaving like a hypocrite, pull me aside and gently let me know. I’d really appreciate it.

- Margaret Feinberg

God, You Are My Joy!

2008-03-02T02:03:00.002-05:00

David Crowder says it in a way that drives me into a deeper experience of worship. It's quite overwhelming to worship our God while being led by David. Although it is not the same as worshiping in person with him, you should still check it out below...

Preview of things to come...

2007-11-30T12:19:00.001-05:00

No, I am not about to start uploading videos of track days, although that would be some really cool stuff for a narcissist such as myself...me on video looking that cool. However, I do have some upcoming posts that have to do with the things that are being depicted in this vid.

For those of you who can't relate, I'm not sure I can even try to explain it. Being in control of a remarkable piece of machinery that catapults me from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds and which can hug a corner at ridiculous speed with a contact patch about the size of a silver dollar while my body hangs off the inside of the bike and my knee drags the ground...well you just have to be there.

Because I can't really bring you there with words, check this out. I can't wait 'til March.

Vacation comes rolling around...

2007-11-30T12:16:00.000-05:00

Looks like Fort Worth is on the itinerary. It'll be nice to see some friends and talk of days of ole'. We always laugh together. It will be different seeing more clearly than I did in the last few years I was there. I wonder how it'll end...

Reviewing, Reworking, Revamping...Just Rethinking

2007-11-16T02:46:00.000-05:00

Check out some of the books in my list to the right. Where are we going? Do things need to change? If so, how? The world has already changed. How are we to react?

How can we be all things to all people so that we might reach as many as is possible? How is that supposed to look? Are we supposed to do this? It seems to be what Paul did and what he, in the sovereign leading of the Holy Spirit, instructed us to do. What does that look like today?

Radical Reformission: Reaching Out without Selling Out

2007-11-07T11:12:00.000-05:00

Here's the latest and greatest addition to my library. If you like to think outside the proverbial box, especially the Fundamental Southern Baptist box, then you will love this book. Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church has done much to shake the foundation of the way I think about ministry. Here is a short snippit from the Mars Hill Church website:

"When it comes to doctrine, culture, preferences, traditions, lifestyles, politics, behavior, etc., Mars Hill Church takes a “closed-hand/open-hand” approach. The closed hand hangs onto the non-negotiable tenets of Christian orthodoxy: sin is the problem, Jesus is the answer, the Bible is true, and Hell is hot.

The open hand, however, allows room for differences when it comes to secondary matters; we liberally allow freedom for conscience and wisdom to guide where the Bible is silent. The open hand fosters unity among the diversity of expressions found in the Mars Hill congregation: Democrats and Republicans, soccer moms and indie rockers, carnivores and vegans, trendy bohemians and Microsoft nerds.

Hence, Mars Hill Church is in favor of good beer (in moderation), great sex (in marriage), and even tattoos (Jesus has one). But our goal must always be love and concern for our friends so that we don’t enjoy our freedom at the expense of their faith.

In this way, we are seeking to simultaneously heed the Bible’s commands to have sound doctrine (1Timothy 4:16; Titus 1:9, 2:1), to love our Christian brothers and sisters (1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:7-21), and to avoid unnecessary divisions (Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 1:10, 12:25; Titus 3:10)."

If you read this book, leave me some feedback. If you an opinion at all about Mark Driscoll or his ideas and methodology, leave me some feedback. If you have no idea about him or his church, check out this book and his website and then leave me some feedback.

Another one...

2007-10-05T15:51:00.000-04:00

Ok, I don't feel like I am getting very deep on here lately, so don't be surprised to see that this is only an update of events as well. If you want to see deep, CLICK HERE.

Tonight we have our last 5th Quarter of the Fall semester. We are calling it our FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN! It should be a lot of fun and will begin just after the football game ends. The students will be competing in several events to see who will be the CHAMPIONS in each of our 3 main events. We'll have a female and male winner for each category. Although all age groups should be present tonight, we will most likely have a group consisting of primarily senior high school students. This is a LONG weekend for our students since the fall break has them out of school on Monday and Tuesday. The high school students will be around because Homecoming is tonight, but many of the junior high students will be heading out of town this afternoon with their parents. The mass exodus from this town during holidays is amazing for newcomers to see.

Sunday evening, the students who are in town have been invited for a Student Ministry Camp-Out. It should be a fun night of games in the woods, hot dogs, and marshmallows. I hope this will provide a great opportunity to get closer to the students and to be able to form some deeper relationships. The students are wonderful kids, but I just don't get enough time to really invest in them individually. I need more events like this...

Ok, enough for now. I hope you are all doing well. Leave me a note or drop me an email...

Something to think about:

2007-10-02T17:36:00.000-04:00

Hmmmm....

Blogger Video Technology

2007-10-01T16:37:00.000-04:00

I have just learned that we can upload videos in Blogger. Last night, some folks took a video of me on my CBR. We were sitting behind a couple of cars at a traffic light and when it turned green, I saw a window of opportunity to let loose and get out of the pack...so I did. It really isn't a very exciting video, in fact it looks like I am going rather slow, but I couldn't wait for a better one to post something on here. I had to see this video technology in action on blogger. I hope it works. I'm sure my mother will love this...

I guess it has been long enough...

2007-09-21T11:36:00.000-04:00

Well, it's been long enough I guess. I'm going to attempt to write a few more updates a little more often. We'll see how it goes. Things are pretty busy here, but I'm loving the new town and the new ministry. Here's a little update for you via pictures:

Here is the Student Ministry with which I am blessed to work. These students are encouraging and each seems to be seeking the Lord's will for their lives. This picture was taken at the beach for our Back-to-School Beach Retreat. We had a great time together and experienced some sweet time with our Lord. Aren't they a great looking bunch!?

Here is a picture of us at a minor league baseball game. We had a lot of fun and our team won! In fact, I think they are on the way to winning another national championship!

Ok...this is a good start, right? Let me know if you're still reading. I will be back soon.

By the way, check out the new music and book links to the right of your screen. Let me know what you think.

George Says It for Me...Again

2007-06-18T03:23:00.000-04:00

I'm sure you know how George says it so perfectly sometimes. Well, he has done it again. He's so good at saying what we feel.

It Just Comes Natural
by George Strait

Sun shines, Clouds rain
Train Whistles blow and Guitars Play
Preachers Preach, Framers Plow
Wishes go up and the World goes round

And I love you, It just come Natural
It just comes Natural
Seasons Change Rivers Wind
Tumble Weeds roll and the Stars shine
Wind Howls, dawn breaks
Cowboys riding' time slips away

And I love you, It just come Natural
It's what I was born to do
Don't have to think it through
Baby, it's so easy loving you
It just come Natural

It's what I was born to do
Don't have to think it Through
Baby it's so easy loving you

Fire burns Waves Crash
Seeds grow and good things last
Ships sail Dreams fly
Night falls and Full moons rise

And I love you, It just come Natural
And I love you, It just come Natural
It just come Natural
It just come Natural

Moving again???

2007-05-30T19:39:00.001-04:00

Looks I am moving back to AL. Just wanted to let you all know early. :-)

Well, I'm here again...for a moment.

2007-05-14T11:51:00.000-04:00

I know. I know... It has been quite a while since I posted anything on here. Let me make some excuses, then I will give a brief update.

1. I don't have internet at home, so it is difficult to post when I am at home.
2. I don't have access to the blogger from work due to restrictions as to what I can view online. (I could go on for hours.)
3. I have my new toy...a black 2006 Honda CBR600RR which takes up a great deal of my time.
4. I've been spending much more time with friends and much less time on the internet. I pretty much only get on the internet to check email, read some forums, such as Ricekiller.com, check the weather to see if it will be nice to ride my bike, and to do business (a.k.a. make money).

The school year is about to come to a close...thank the Lord. I love the kids and the people I work with, but I am ready for a break. Anyone who has worked in the business can attest to the need for a break. There is a REASON why teachers get 2 months off in the summer. They DESERVE it! If you disagree. Try teaching kids for a year.

I'm looking forward to visiting family and friends over the summer. If you want to get together or take a trip, hit me up. I definitely up for it.

The Sunday evening Bible study has been going well. We all enjoy the community and learning that takes place each week. I wish all church events could be so real. It truly has been a blessing.

Alright...say hello, call, write, or come hang out. I look forward to hearing from you all.

My SHORT Christmas List:

2006-12-06T12:06:00.000-05:00

Ok, so here is my latest desire and it makes for a very short Christmas list. Anyone want to buy this for me for Christmas? I am also taking donations towards the purchase. For every ten dollars you donate, I will give you a riding allowance of 1 hour on the back. How about it folks?

By the way, this is the 2007 Honda CBR 600 RR. It is quite the machine...

By the way, if you are planning to comment with stories about someone dying or being severely hurt on a motorcycle, save your breath. I have heard them all and know some of those people myself. It hasn't changed my mind yet...I'd rather hear from those of you who want to go for a ride!

Mayer's Continuum Is Moving

2006-11-07T19:33:00.000-05:00

John Mayer's newest album, Continuum, has a smoother feel than his last two studio albums. For the moment, my favorite song on the album is "Dreaming with a Broken Heart" (click on this really long link to listen to the song in iTunes). Some of you have expressed interest in the songs that move me, so I figured I should keep it going. Let me know what you think, especially after you have heard the song. (Also, make sure to check out my "Listening To" in the right side bar.)

Here are the lyrics:

When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The waking up is the hardest part

You roll out of bed and down on your knees
and for a moment you can hardly breathe
Wondering was she really here
Is she standing in my room?

No, she's not
cause she's gone, gone, gone, gone, gone.

When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The giving up is the hardest part

She takes you in with her crying eyes
then all at once you have to say goodbye
wondering could you stay my love
will you wake up by my side?

No, she can't
cause she's gone, gone, gone, gone, gone.

Do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hand?
Do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hand?
Do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hand?
Do I have to fall asleep with roses in my, roses in my hands?
Would you get them if I did?

No, you won't
Cause you're gone, gone, gone, gone, gone.

When you're dreaming with a broken heart
the waking up is the hardest part.

My First Buck

2006-11-01T19:35:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday morning...early...like 6:30a.m. early, I had the opportunity to take this buck with my bow. It was the first buck I have ever taken and the second deer...all this season. Anyway, here are a few pictures of it. Thought some of you might like to see them.

Homosexuality...a response...

2006-10-18T23:53:00.000-04:00

In response to the previous blog concerning Wal-Mart, especially in response to the comments left on the previous blog by “Herringoforlando” and my Sister whom I love with all my heart.

Here are their comments:

herringoforlando@yahoo.com said...
Really, the AFA is oversimplifying what is happing. The Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerice is an organization that fights discrimination in the work place. This group doesn't fight for gay marriage - it fights for equal opportunities in the workplace for gay people.

Basically, if a Christian has problems with gay people then maybe they should stop shopping at Wal-Mart (and doing business with IBM, Avis, Kodak, American Express and all the other business involved with NGLCC).

Personally, I think sometimes the AFA gets people worked up in a negative way. I think part of being a Christian is to be inclusive and share God's love - not fighting against people.

But as a gay Christian, I'm kind of biased that way. Hope you don't mind I shared my opinion. Thanks!

Anonymous said...
Hey Little Brother,
Why do you fight aginst me?Companies are not out to destroy your religion.Groups dont see eye to eye,religious,cults,wal-mart,whatever the organization is thats why we have these sepratate groups,cause they dont agree on the same Ideas.We (LGBT America) only want Equal Rights.Im not asking for your Blessings,Im not asking you to belive in my life,but I wouldnt think you would try and stand in the way of My happiness.Dont pretend to love me if you dont Love ME...That is only being a hipocrite....
But I do Love You your My Brother and I love you for who you are bullheaded and all...

My resonse:

I completely understand what the Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is and what they are doing. I have no problem, as I stated in my post, with homosexual men and women fighting discrimination in the work place. My problem is not with the NGLCC here. My problem is what Wal-Mart said in the section of the post that I placed in bold letters and that I am quoting here: "Also, Wal-Mart will give homosexual-owned businesses special treatment when making purchases. Companies not owned by homosexuals will be moved down the list."

As you can see, this is discrimination against non-homosexual-owned businesses. This means Wal-Mart is choosing to discriminate against people because of their sexual preference. In fact, they are supporting those with anti-biblical sexual practices over those with biblical/Christian sexual practices. This, I do have a problem with.

Concerning homosexual people in general, I do not have a problem with homosexual people, as in I do not hate or dislike homosexual people. I do, however, have a problem with their living in sin, or in other words, with them living in opposition to the will and character of God as the Bible describes it. The problem I have with it is that I love all people and want them all to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ which means diminishing their own will and becoming more like Christ in living in congruence with the will of God. The Bible is very explicit in several areas concerning the affirmation of righteous sexual relationships and its affirmation that homosexuality is wrong. In fact, for a few of these verses that you can look up yourself, I have provided a short list. Concerning righteous sexual relationships: Genesis 2:21-24; Matthew 19:3-12; Mark 10:2-12; Ephesians 5:22-32; and Hebrews 13:4. Concerning sin and sexual perversion (as the Bible describes it): Leviticus 18:22-24; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:18-32; and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Please note that this short list includes Old Testament and New Testament passages. These passages were written over thousands of years from each other from beginning to end. Some of them were written in the height of the Roman Empire’s reign on the earth which will cancel out any argument that the culture in which the passages were written was not accepting of homosexual behavior. In fact, homosexual lifestyles were not only acceptable in the height of the Roman Empire, but they were actually exalted. Therefore, those who say the Bible passages that denounce homosexuality were written at a time that homosexuality was not accepted by the mass populace obviously are unaware of history.

Please understand that my problem is not with homosexual people in general. Obviously, I have some friends and family who are homosexual. I have friends who are fornicators and adulterers. I also have some friends who are of different faiths than my own. I even have friends who do not believe in God at all. I do not hate any of these people. In fact, I love them all with everything within me. That is why I write what I write, say what I say, and do what I do. All that I do is out of love for God first and love for people second. The love I have for you all manifests itself in the most desirable way a disciple of Christ could show it. So now, on to my foremost desire for you all…

It is my desire that salvation becomes your own. Salvation from what? Salvation from eternal punishment which is the only righteous punishment for sinning against God. But we all sin, you might say. Yes, we do, but the unpardonable sin is unbelief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. What does belief consist of? (I know some of you might say you believe.) Belief in God is having a right relationship with God through His Son in the Spirit of God. Such belief always bears fruit. The fruit that I speak of (and that the Bible speaks of) is a sanctified life, or a life that becomes more like Jesus Christ every day. The Bible, in Jesus’ words says that “You will know them by their fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit. And a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” The fruit Christ is speaking of is a life lived in humble submission to the will of God which is produced when one lives according to the character and laws of God. We are saved by the grace of God, but we know that we are saved by the works of a life changed by God to live according to God’s character (i.e. becoming like Christ). This is how we can know whether or not we are in Christ. If you would like further exposition on this subject, just read 1 John. In it, John writes in the Spirit of God that a true believer is one who lives according to the laws of God (i.e., the Bible).

This is why I say what I say and do what I do. I want you all to become children of God. I fear for your souls and want you to spend eternity in the presence of the Father in heaven because I love you. It is not because I hate or dislike anyone. I love you and want you to come to salvation through Christ, the only way (John 14:6). I hope you understand.

Who would have thought? Wal-Mart? Really?

2006-10-04T15:44:00.000-04:00

Do you remember the Wal-Mart commercials with the little smiley face that wore the mask? He went around slashing prices and making everyone happy? Well I think the mask has finally come off and we can now see what he was hiding from...

I hope you will excuse my silly introduction, but please see what I have read and acted upon below. I found this on the American Family Association website: www.afa.net or for a direct link, you can CLICK HERE.

Wal-Mart asks for, and receives, permission to join homosexual marriage group

Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the world, has asked for and received permission to join the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The NGLCC is a leading promoter of homosexual marriage.

Although Wal-Mart has never excluded homosexuals from being employees, customers, or suppliers, the company wanted to be more closely identified with promoting the homosexual agenda. Wal-Mart is now a "corporate member" of the NGLCC, putting their approval on the NGLCC's efforts to abolish the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. A Wal-Mart vice president will serve as an advisor to the NGLCC, helping them promote homosexual marriage.

Wal-Mart agreed to give $25,000 to the NGLCC and to pay for two conferences scheduled by NGLCC. Also, Wal-Mart will give homosexual-owned businesses special treatment when making purchases. Companies not owned by homosexuals will be moved down the list.

NGLCC called Wal-Mart's action "part of the company's ongoing commitment to advancing diversity (homosexuality) among all of its associate, supplier and customer bases."

Wal-Mart is offering the same kind of support for homosexual marriage which Ford Motor Company has been giving to homosexual groups for years.

TAKE ACTION

1. Send your email to Wal-Mart.

2. Wal-Mart often blocks our emails. To make sure your voice is heard, please call Wal-Mart's home office headquarters and ask for President Lee Scott at 479-273-4000. Also, call your local Wal-Mart manager and express your concerns. Please, be polite when you call!

3. Print out and distribute our specially produced Pass Along Sheet.

Send Your Letter Now!

Don't take my word for it. Call them and ask them yourself or go by your local Wal-Mart and ask the store manager. Print out the flier on the AFA website and take it with you. They will confirm it.

Now...what does this mean for all of us? This is a personal decision for everyone. For me, I believe as a Christian that I cannot support a company that I know is actively pursuing a direction that is anti-Christ. I don't mind if homosexuals are given equal and fair treatment, but that is not what is happening here. Wal-Mart is going above and beyond just that. Therefore, I must go with my convictions and STOP supporting Wal-Mart. It will be a huge inconvenience. It will mean I might have to pay more for what I buy, but at least I know the money God has blessed me with will not be going to support an anti-biblical agenda.

What do you think? How does this affect you?

Deal with It!

2006-09-27T15:44:00.000-04:00

Here is the first in a series of Difficult Sayings of Jesus. Please feel free to comment about how you deal with each passage. Do you do what the Bible says to do. These are the words of the Son of God. They are not optional statements, but commands, so share with us how you deal with them.

Matthew 5:42
"Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you." - Jesus

Gone to Colorado...Big Game Bowhunting

2006-09-13T17:00:00.000-04:00

Please pray for our safe travel and safe hunting while we are in the Rockies. I'll see you all when I return!

"My Stupid Mouth, Has Got Me in Trouble"

2006-08-25T10:29:00.000-04:00

Even if those are the words of John Mayer, they still ring true because they are echoing Scripture. Last night, I was reading Ephesians 5 (which was stepping all over my toes) and I was convicted about my speech.

Ephesians 5:3-4
"But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks."

Now, we know we should all be careful with what we say. I mean James relates our tongues to being fires, which cause all kind of hurt and destruction. We know what we say really does affect people, yet we say things that we shouldn't all of the time. When we talk, we are commanded to "speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ" (Ephesians 5:19-21).

Let me take it one step further. Are you ready for this? In Matthew 12, verses 36 and 37, Jesus says this: "And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned."

If you shall know them by their fruits, Christians and unbelievers alike, then don't you think what comes from within and flows out of our mouth is a good judge of where we stand in relationship to Christ? It is a very difficult thing for me to deal with, but one that I nevertheless must address. I have to change because of this Scripture. Where do you fall?

Newest Thought of the Day

2006-08-24T16:11:00.000-04:00

While I know that I am ready to be loved and to love without end, that doesn't mean that God is ready to give me that relationship. The timing will be right ONLY when it is in the Father's timing. Patience has overcome me this afternoon. It is a resolute conviction of leaning on and resting in Him. What a mighty God we serve.

Speaking of My Hunting Trip...

2006-08-24T13:57:00.000-04:00

Here are a few photos of the area where we will be hunting in Mid to Late September. We will be in the Weminuche Wilderness in Southwest Colorado. Since it is wilderness, you cannot use any motorized vehicles while there. All travel must be done by horse or on foot. Since we don't own any horses, guess which one we will use. It is beautiful, but it is difficult country. They say the first major snow is always in Mid-September. That might complicate thing for us a little, especially when we are packing out two elk and all of our things. What do you think about it from what you see in the pics?

For Quite a While Now...

2006-08-24T12:36:00.000-04:00

For quite a while now, I have had it in my mind to start or help start a church in a relatively non-churched area. I have pitched the idea around with several friends in ministry as well as other people close to me.

A couple of months ago, I spoke to a close friend of mine about starting a Bible study in our area and since then we have prayed about it and given our best attempt at discerning the Lord's will. Last night we decided to try and get things started after I return from my hunting trip to Colorado. It will start out with a social gathering of people already interested in attending the Bible study.

If you pray, please pray for God to guide and direct us. Pray that we would not move in any direction without his leading us to do so. Most of all, please pray that God will be glorified in it all.

Don't get me wrong, I don't know if this will grow into anything more than a Bible study reaching out to the lost in our community, but please pray that we will be fruitful in our endeavors to glorify God while serving him and our community.

Time and Time Again...

2006-08-23T11:06:00.000-04:00

I haven’t seen you in what seems like forever. And then…last night, you emerge out of nowhere. The reality of the evening should have been surreal, but it was too real to question. The breath I felt from you, the touch of your hand, the melting exchange between our souls that passed from your eyes to mine. You took my breath away. Awakened, I am broken…again…and I only wish I could go back to sleep.

Addendum:

I am ready, ready to fall in love. I don't want to hold back anymore. I don't want to be emotionally vacant anymore. I want to see and understand what true forgiveness is, what true commitment is, what true endearing love is... I want the reality of life with the one I was meant to be with. I want the realness, the ups, the downs...I want it all. I'm ready to give it...I'm ready to get it. Can it be mine?

Have I Told You...?

2006-08-23T10:39:00.000-04:00

I love my bow? Mathews has to be the most innovative bow makers in the world. I love the new Switchback XT which I bought a few months ago. For those of you who don't share in my love for archery, you should try it out at least once. Here's the best bow in the world:

My Little Girl Is Growing Up Way Too Fast...

2006-08-09T17:16:00.000-04:00

Days Gone By...

2006-08-08T16:28:00.000-04:00

I have this theory that most people are only pretty at one stage in their life. As you can see, my days were early. Therefore, I am doomed to serve out the remainder of my time as one of the many "not pretty" people in this world.

What do you all think about my theory?

In the words of Pink Floyd...

2006-08-05T00:06:00.000-04:00

"Hello. Is there anybody in there?"

Blah, Blah, Blah...

2006-08-03T12:43:00.000-04:00

Yeah, it has been a while, but much has been going on. Let me see if I can give a quick rundown of happenings:

1. I have four jobs, although really only 2 this summer: Interim Pastor, Math Teacher, Account Executive for AKD, and Graduate Assistant at Southwestern.

2. I am preparing for a long hunting trip to Colorado in late September where I will be bowhunting Elk.

3. I have recently purchased a new automobile.

4. I have turned down a full-time pastoring position where I am the interim pastor.

5. I am still training my dog, Bama, and getting her ready for duck season.

6. I went home for a week to visit my family.

7. I am leaving today to visit my God-Daughter and her family.

8. Emily and I broke up.

9. Yesterday, I turned 30 years old. Things are much different at this point in my life than I expected them to be.

It's been an eventful summer to say the least. I hope you all are doing well.

You asked for it...

2006-06-16T01:29:00.000-04:00

Well, let's see...what have I not updated you all on?

Here is a picture of the last turkey I killed on the last weekend of the season. I called him into me alone. I turned him around from where he was going and he strutted like a body builder in front of my decoy for about 5 minutes before I could get my gun raised. My heart was racing and it felt like an eternity until I took the shot. Such the rush. He was sporting a 10.5" beard and boy did he taste great!

Here is the latest set of pictures of Bama. She will be 11 weeks old on Sunday. Here she is at Lake Texoma for her first swimming experience. She is already a pro at retrieving out of the water! She is going to be a great bird dog! I am blessed.

Some of you might not know that I have been preaching at a church north of Fort Worth for about a month and a half. It has been a major blessing and I thank God for it every day. Emily and I travel up there early on Sunday morning and then come back late in the evening after the evening service. The people are great and God has kept me in awe of his loving kindness and mercies. Please be in prayer for them as they search for the man God is preparing to be their pastor. Pray that I would be a dedicated servant to the Lord, striving for holiness and delving into the Word of God so that the proclamation of the Gospel can be rightly accomplished.

Drop me a line and let me know how you all are. I miss seeing you all and hearing from you, too. Please be patient with me. I do not have internet where I live and only get to update periodically. Alright...your turn!

What a Long Strange Trip It's Been...

2006-05-25T12:19:00.000-04:00

What an eventful week! Last Thursday, I left for the beautiful state of Alabama. I flew to Birmingham, drove to Gadsden (Northeast), spent the night, and drove to Dothan (Southeast), Alabama for Nathan and Beth's wedding. The wedding was beautiful and there wasn't a dry eye in the church, well except for mine of course.

Here is a picture from my camera phone of Nathan and me before he was wed to Beth:

After the wedding, I drove back to Gadsden where Emily was waiting for me. She is such a wonderful girlfriend. She flew to my hometown to help me move furniture and possessions back out here to Weatherford, Texas. We loaded things into a U-Haul all day on Sunday and then we drove the long trek back to Texas on Monday. It took us all day!

Monday night we began unloading things and then finished it all on Tuesday. After unloading and unpacking, we decided to go pick up my new little girl. She was ready for us and has been nothing but a blessing. The following pictures are those of her. Her name is Alabama, "Bama" for short. Isn't she beautiful?

After living outdoors since 3 weeks of age, we had to give her a bath as soon as we got her home. She is now 7 weeks and 4 days old:

Here is a picture of me drying her off after her first bath:

Here is her introduction to Emily's cat Bella. She doesn't seem too interested in the cat, yet:

She likes to lay down to do her eating and drinking. She even likes to splash around in the bowl and dig for more water. She is going to be a great duck hunter!

Here she is worn out during her first day at school. Yes, she is spoiled. She is learning alot at her daddy's school. She decided to go where the kids can't bother her. She is on top of the reception desk. She has been adored all day by everyone...of course:

Andi, a student, is taking good care of her here. She went to sleep holding on to her new puppy toy. Didn't I tell you she is a natural duck hunter?!? What a cutie!

Isn't She Precious?

2006-05-12T11:24:00.000-04:00

After much, and I mean MUCH, deliberation, I have chosen a puppy. Although the chocolate male was adorable, I could not deny the connection I shared with this little female yellow puppy. She was a fiesty one who took nothing off of any of the other puppies, but she was calm, cool, and collected with me. She came when called. She wasn't skiddish. And she seemed perfect for me.

I have a favorite name in mind, but would love to hear some suggestions. Isn't she beautiful?

Here she is after a brief nap in my arms.

A bird dog natural...look at her use that nose!

Time Is Approaching...

2006-05-10T10:03:00.000-04:00

My puppy is now five weeks and 3 days old. I hope to go see him one day this week and then I will be picking him up just after he turns 7 weeks old. An exciting time...I don't have to tell you...

Still, I don't have a name for him, but I will. If you have any suggestions for a good hunting name, please do not hesitate to leave it in the comment box below.

Random Things for Now

2006-05-01T13:52:00.000-04:00

1. Since I last posted, I have killed two turkeys.

2. Last week I preached 3 sermons.

3. My puppy will be 5 weeks old this coming Sunday, but I still don't have a name for him, yet.

4. A question for you all: Please name for me the 3 most influential orthodox Christians from the 1st century and beyond (do NOT repeat anyone else's answers). I want a LONG list, so keep adding them and you can give more than 3 if you want. I love obscurity, too, but you have to back it up.

5. The person who let me borrow their furniture until I can go home and get my stuff in Alabama came and got their stuff yesterday. I now have one plastic chair to sit on in my house and no bed. How do you like "them apples?"

6. Thought of the Day: Why do we think other people really want to hear about stuff that doesn't concern them? Most don't want to hear anything from anyone else unless it relates directly to them.

7. Thought #2: Why are we all so fake with each other when we don't know what to say? Why not sit there in silence instead of saying things you don't really mean? Isn't that lying?

Blog Spotting...

2006-04-21T13:57:00.000-04:00

For those of you who are unaware of my new profession...I am currently a Math Teacher for 5th through 9th grades at a fine arts charter school here in Fort Worth. I know...I know...right now you are all horrified that hundreds of children's minds are being shaped (or warped) by me.

My current job has enabled me to make some GREAT friends. One of them is the fourth grade teacher here at my school name Jon. He has just started his own blog and you must bookmark and make sure to check it often. I am certain he will have some great posts! Go there now by clicking HERE! His blog is also added to my Featured Blogs list on the right side of this site.

I Miss the Beach...

2006-04-21T10:25:00.000-04:00

Once again it seems as though summer is on the horizon. With a couple of days of heat waves and some great rains, it is difficult to miss. Many of you have had to endure my razzing of all things Texas. Don't get me wrong; I do really enjoy this state and especially its people. If you know me at all, you know the only reason I do it is because of the pride of Texans. I just don't get it.

I say all of that to say that there is at least one thing that I can't find in Texas. It is something I have grown up with and will most certainly continue to pray for until God delivers me to it. It is a gorgeous white-sanded beach with tropical blue waters. Oh, how I miss the beach. I love the surf rushing up onto the shore. I love the gleaming white sand that gets into EVERYTHING. I love the picture perfect sunsets and the cool, breezy nights. I just love it all...and I miss it all, too.

Well, since summer is fast approaching and I can't get the beach out of my mind. I figured I wasn't the only one wishing he/she was at the beach already. Since we can't be there now in body, I can at least be there in mind. To help me get there, I thought a little Jack Johnson was in order. So, if you have never heard any Jack Johnson, or just haven't heard his song Bubble Toes, then download this tune and mellow out Hawaiian style with this ex-Pro-Surfer who really knows how to take you back to the beach.

Bubble Toes
by Jack Johnson

It's as simple as something that nobody knows
that her eyes are as big as her bubbly toes
on the feet of a queen of the hearts of the cards
and her feet are all covered with tar balls and scars
It's as common as something that nobody knows
that her beauty will follow wherever she goes
up the hill in the back of her house in the would...
she love me forever, I know she could

I remember when you and me
mmm how we used to be just good friends
Wouldn't give me none
But all I wanted was some
She's got a whole lot of reasons
She cant think of a single one
That can justify leaving
and he got none but he thinks he got so many problems
Man he got, too much time to waste

His dreams are like commercials
But her dreams are picture perfect and
Our dreams are so related
though they're often underestimated

It's as simple as something that nobody knows that
Her eyes are as big as her bubbly toes
On the feet of the queen of the hearts of the cards
And her feet are infested with tar balls and

La da da da da da

Well I was eating lunch at the D. L. G.
When this little girl came and she sat next to me
I never seen nobody move the way she did
Well she did and she does and she'll do it again

When you move like a jellyfish
Rhythm don't mean nothing
You go with the flow
You don't stop
Move like a jellyfish
Rhythm is nothing
You go with the flow
You don't stop

It's as common as something that nobody knows it
Her beauty will follow wherever she goes
Up the hill in the back of her house in the wood
She'll love me forever, I know she

If you would only listen
You might just realize what you're missing
You're missing me
If you would only listen
You might just realize what you're missing
You're missing me

It's as simple as something that nobody knows that
Her eyes are as big as her bubbly toes
On the feet of the queen of the hearts of the cards
And her feet are infested with tar balls and

Straight to the Heart

2006-03-30T03:54:00.000-04:00

Some people say, "I can't go out and evangelize. I don't have the gift of evangelism." You don't have to have the gift of evangelism. You have the COMMAND of evanglism. GO! (Matthew 28:18-20)
~ Dr. Malcolm Yarnell

Thoughts to Ponder

2006-03-30T03:02:00.000-04:00

Robert Murray M'Cheyne was a Scottish pastor in the early 1800's who died before reaching the age of thirty. Hardly able to believe that I am approaching such an age, a few of M'Cheyne's quotes ring brightly in my ears. I share them with you so that you might be blessed by a man who accomplished much for Christ in a very short time. What would we do differently if we knew we would not make it to the ripe old age of thirty?

I know this is a long list, but I beg you to read each and every one. They are jewels of truth which will benefit you much. M'Cheyne's words do not fall on deaf ears I pray. Let us know how they touch you...

"A man is what he is on his knees before God, and nothing more."

"The Christian is a person who makes it easy for others to believe in God."

"Study universal holiness of life. Your whole usefulness depends on this, for your sermons last but an hour or two; your life preaches all the week. If Satan can only make a covetous minister a lover of praise, of pleasure, of good eating, he has ruined your ministry. Give yourself to prayer, and get your texts, your thoughts, your words from God. Luther spent his best three hours in prayer."

"I ought to pray before seeing any one. Often when I sleep long, or meet with others early, it is eleven or twelve o'clock before I begin secret prayer. This is a wretched system. It is unscriptural. Christ arose before day and went into a solitary place. David says: 'Early will I seek thee'; 'Thou shalt early hear my voice.' Family prayer loses much of its power and sweetness, and I can do no good to those who come to seek from me. The conscience feels guilty, the soul unfed, the lamp not trimmed. Then when in secret prayer the soul is often out of tune, I feel it is far better to begin with God—to see his face first, to get my soul near him before it is near another."

"Rose early to seek God and found Him whom my soul loveth. Who would not rise early to meet such company?"

"Most of God's people are contented to be saved from the hell that is without; they are not so anxious to be saved from the hell that is within."

"No one ever came to Christ because they knew themselves to be of the elect. It is quite true that God has of his mere good pleasure elected some to everlasting life, but they never knew it until they came to Christ. Christ nowhere invites the elect to come to Him. The question for you is not, Am I one of the elect? But, Am I one of the human race?"

"Live near to God, and all things will appear little to you in comparison with eternal realities."

"Lord make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be."

"The greatest need of my people is my personal holiness."

"Take heed to thyself. Your own soul is your first and greatest care. You know a sound body alone can work with power; much more a healthy soul. Keep a clear conscience through the blood of the Lamb. Keep up close communion with God. Study likeness to Him in all things. Read the Bible for your own growth first, then for your people. Expound much; it is through the truth that souls are to be sanctified, not through essays upon the truth. Be easy of access, apt to teach, and the Lord teach you and bless you in all you do and say. You will not find many companions. Be the more with God. My dear people are anxiously waiting for you. The prayerful are praying for you. Be of good courage; there remaineth much of the land to be possessed. Be not dismayed, for Christ shall be with thee to deliver thee. Study Isa vi, and Jer i, and the sending of Moses, and Ps li 12, 13, and John xv 26, 27 and the connection in Luke 1. 15,16. . . . . "

"I know well that when Christ is nearest, Satan also is busiest."

"Set NOT your hearts on the flowers of this world. They shall fade and die. Prize the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley. He changes not! Live nearer to Christ than to any person on this earth; so that when they are taken, you may have Him to love and lean upon."

It's that Time of Year...

2006-03-23T17:04:00.000-04:00

I know some of you will be disappointed to see that my first blog post after a brief hiatus is about the upcoming Turkey Season. On the other hand, I know many of you are rejoicing with me that we are only one week and two days away from Opening Day! In case you do not know, I have never been turking hunting. I have been instructed in some hunting knowledge by one of the most experienced hunters I have ever met. I have gotten myself "camo-ed up," my guns are ready, and I hope to be shooting some Giant Gobblers in a matter of days.

Some of you might not know that turkey hunting is actually a pretty tough sport in many places. Turkeys have great eyesight and can spot movement and color from a great distance. This makes hunting them a great challenge. I hope you will find some good stories about my hunts after the season opens, maybe even with a few pictures of my trophies. Until then, check out this fellow drawing a bead on this passing gobbler. Notice how the gobbler is strutting to seduce some hens in the area.

This Blog Is ON HOLD...

2006-03-20T11:18:00.000-04:00

Always Learning

2006-03-08T17:19:00.000-04:00

Since I started teaching mathematics full time at a local middle school, I have once again been affirmed of the following. A pupil (no matter the age) is almost always limited most by the bar at which you, as their teacher, set your highest standard or requirement. What this means in math is that if I push my students and walk with them along the way, they will soar to heights they never believed possible. I thought this would be the case and I have seen it that it IS the case.

Now, this brings me to the local church. I believe one of the biggest problems of the local church today is the biblical superficiality of the people in the pews. When I first noticed this in the church, I became frustrated with the people themselves. Over time, I came to realize that the reason most people are still babes drinking milk from the Scriptures is because their pastors and lay leaders are only feeding them milk from week to week. If we, as pastors and lay leaders in the church, would set the bar higher, our brothers and sisters in Christ would begin to grow and see that their is a much deeper and meaningful life to live for Christ than just warming pews on Sunday morning and Wednesday night.

Well, now for the audience polling...what do you think about it all?

The many Christian ways to Change a Lightbulb:

2006-03-06T15:37:00.000-04:00

How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?

Charismatic : Only 1
Hands are already in the air.

Pentecostal : 10
One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of
darkness.

Presbyterians : None
Lights will go on and off at predestined times.

Roman Catholic : None
Candles only.

Baptists : At least 15.
One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the
change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken .

Episcopalians: 3
One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk
about how much better the old one was.

Mormons : 5
One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do
it.

Unitarians :
We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the
need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have
found that light bulbs work for you, you are invited to write a
poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next
Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb
traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, 3-way, long-life
and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

Methodists : Undetermined
Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved.
You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Bring a
bulb of your choice to the Sunday lighting service and a covered
dish to pass.

Nazarene : 6
One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting
policy.

Lutherans: None
Lutherans don't believe in change.

Amish :
What's a light bulb?

Blog Spotting

2006-03-04T19:21:00.000-04:00

It has been a while since I "Blog Spotted" anyone, but here we are again. My good friend Michael has embarked on his own blog journey and looks to be a very worthy addition to anyone's list of regularly clicked blogs. If you will look over to the right, you will see his blog listed in my Featured Blogs list under "Michael's Meditations." Check him out and leave a word.

Look Around for New Things!

2006-03-01T20:28:00.000-04:00

Ok, I have made a few changes and additions to my blog. I have new books, blog-links, and favorite links. Search through them and let me know if you find one you really like!

My Music Kick

2006-03-01T14:48:00.000-04:00

I am a music fiend. In fact whenever I am talking to someone or even when I am alone, everything I see or hear reminds me of a song. I guess you could say I am musically inclined in that way even though I am not very inclined with musical instruments.

Lately, I have been even more music-minded. Because of that, I will be posting one more song that has gripped me today. Hopefully I will be able to refrain from posting so many songs in the near future, but for now...enjoy.

Where Are You Going?
by Dave Matthews Band

Where are you going, with your long face pulling down?
Don't hide away, like an ocean
But you can't see, but you can... smell
And the sound of waves crashing down

I am no superman
I have no reasons for you
I am no hero; oh that's for sure
But I do know one thing
Is where you are, is where I belong
I do know where you go is where I wannna be

Where are you going? where do you go?
Are you looking for answers to questions under the stars?
If along the way you are growing weary, you can rest with me
Until a brighter day and you're OK

I am no superman
and I have no answers for you
I am no hero, oh that's for sure
But I do know one thing is
Where you are is where I belong
I do know where you go
Is where I wanna be

Where are you going? Where do you go?0

Where do you go? Where are you going?
Where do you go?

I am no superman
I have no answers for you
I am no hero; oh that's for sure
But I do know one thing
Is where you are is where I belong
I do know where you go is where I want to be

Where are you going? Where do you go?

Groovin' to Jack's Jams

2006-03-01T11:21:00.000-04:00

Many of you might not know my affinity for Jack Johnson and his island grooves. If you have never heard of him, I suggest you pick up one of his popular songs from iTunes or pick up a CD from your local music store. Here is one of his songs that I love...

Flake

I know she said it's alright
But you can make it up next time
I know she knows it's not right
There ain't no use in lying
Maybe she thinks I know something
Maybe maybe she thinks its fine
Maybe she knows something I don't
I'm so, I'm so tired, I'm so tired of trying

It seems to me that maybe,
It pretty much always means no
So don't tell me you might just let it go
And often times we're lazy
It seems to stand in my way
Cause no one no not no one
Likes to be let down

I know she loves the sunrise
No longer sees it with her sleeping eyes
And I know that when she said she's gonna try
Well it might not work because of other ties and
I know she usually has some other ties
And I wouldn't want to break 'em, nah, I wouldn't want to break 'em
Maybe she'll help me to untie this but
Until then well, I'm gonna have to lie too

It seems to me that maybe
It pretty much always means no
So don't tell me you might just let it go
And often times we're lazy
It seems to stand in my way
Cause no one no not no one
Likes to be let down
It seems to me that maybe
It pretty much always means no
So don't tell me you might just let it go

The harder that you try baby, the further you'll fall
Even with all the money in the whole wide world
Please please please don't pass me
Please please please don't pass me
Please please please don't pass me by

Everything you know about me now baby you gonna have to change
You gonna have to call it by a brand new name
Please please please don't drag me
Please please please don't drag me
Please please please don't drag me down

Just like a tree down by the water baby I shall not move
Even after all the silly things you do
Please please please don't drag me
Please please please don't drag me
Please please please don't drag me down

It's Bow Time!!!

2006-02-28T16:52:00.000-04:00

Today is the day...if they have the bow in stock that I want to buy...then I should have it by the end of the day. Aren't you all excited for me?

For the time to come...

2006-02-28T11:30:00.000-04:00

This semester, I am only taking one class. It is a discourse analysis class where I am studying Romans 3:21-5:21 to determine Paul's theology of salvation. This passage is an intricate and difficult passage to exegete. Paul's soteriology (the study of salvation) is key to our understanding of how we are saved. Periodically over the next couple of months, I intend to use a passage or verse from this study to share with you some insights I have gained. Not only will it be the meat of my study for class, but it will also be the focus of my devotional studies. For now, I have decided to give you the entire passage to read through and to begin to become acquainted with. It is intense, but reading it verse by verse, you can see the enormous value in taking time to try and understand exactly what Paul is saying. I hope you all enjoy... Every time I read through it, God impresses something deep within my soul that changes my view of Him and moves me to worship Him even more.

Romans 3:21-5:21 (English Standard Version)
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,  and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."

Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned-- for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John Mayer Strikes Again...

2006-02-27T18:35:00.000-04:00

Here is a blast from the past. From a guy who doesn't show much emotion, it is a song that I think is full of passion. No real reason why I am reposting it except that I was listening to it again and realized just how much I like the song. Do you ever do that? What are some songs that just stick with you like that?

Old Love

I can feel your body
When I'm lying in my bed
There's too much confusion
Running round through my head

It's making me so angry
To know that the flame will always burn
When will I get over?
When will I ever learn? (ever learn)

Old love
Leave me alone
Old love
Go on home

I can see your face
But I know that it's not real
Just an illusion
Caused by how I used to feel

And it's making me so angry
No, no, no- the flame will always burn
Come on, when will I get over?
Come on, when will I ever learn?

Old love
Leave me alone
Old love
Go on, go on home

(guitar)

Old love
Old love...
Old love

To GOD Be the Glory!

2006-02-23T03:25:00.000-04:00

Here is a passage from which I preached a sermon tonight in North Dallas. What a glorious passage it is from the book of Ephesians. Read it for yourself and see just how awesome God is! He has done all of these things on our behalf so that we might have eternal life with Him in heaven for the purpose of Him being glorified. It is all FOR HIM, THROUGH HIM, and BY HIM. May God be glorified in all things! May God be glorified in all I do!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."
Ephesians 1:3-10

Matthews Switchback XT 2006

2006-02-21T19:54:00.000-04:00

Alright here is my next big purchase. I hopefully will have this beautiful piece of archery equipment in my hands by early next week. If you are into archery at all, here are the specs on the Matthews Switchback XT:

Bow Specifications:
Make: Matthews
Type: Switchback XT
Hand: Right Hand
Draw Wt: 70#
Cam: StraightLine Perimeter-Weighted XT Cam
Color: Hardwoods HD
String: Zebra Barracuda
Draw Lng: 29.5"

I am stoked about this! Bill, my hunting mentor, and I are attempting to line up a Colorado Elk Hunt this fall. We would drive up for a few days and "Spot and Stalk" elk in the Rocky Mountains with our new weapons of choice. It is as close to maximum challenge as I will ever get. Did you know that many bow hunters will not attempt a shot unless they are within 20-25 yards of the animal they are hunting. Getting that close to an animal without spooking them or alerting them to your presence...that is simply amazing! With Bill's wisdom and help, I hope to be able to do just that. I am stoked!

Two More...Due to Popular Demand

2006-02-02T18:24:00.000-04:00

I hope you enjoy these:

Question of the Day...

2006-02-01T18:40:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine told me a story today. She said her ex-pastor was accused of adultery with 11 women over a period of 10 years at her church. The women ratted out the pastor together and then sued the church and the pastor. They eventually dropped the suit against the pastor, but only after they won a very large sum of money in the court case with the church body.

Let me break it down in simple terms for you:

Pastor sleeps with 11 women during a 10 year period at one church.

Women get mad and rat out pastor.

Women sue church body.

Women win large settlement in court of law.

What do you think about that? Comments please...

Bumper Sticker Fun

2006-01-29T02:48:00.000-04:00

Here are a few bumber stickers I found that make me laugh. Which ones are your favorites?

Sin Ruins Everything

2006-01-25T03:20:00.000-04:00

Do you ever wish you could enjoy some of the things you used to enjoy before Christ, but now those things seem tainted with sin, even if they are not sinful in and of themselves? For instance, tonight I was thinking of some music I used to listen to on more than a regular basis. It is great music that anyone could enjoy, given their tastes lean in that direction; however, for me that music is associated with my lifestyle of bad choices before God saved me. It was music that I lived and breathed, day in and day out, but I just can’t bring myself to listen to it because it drives my mind back to those reckless days of selfishness and makes me feel filthy all over again. It’s like the sin from my past begins to creep all over me making me feel like I need to be cleansed. Those thoughts of my old self invade my mind and make me sick to my stomach. I simply abhor who I used to be and that seems to bleed into everything else that is of those days…music, movies, and all. I hate it.

Can any of you relate? Does anyone understand what I'm talking about?

A Passage to Ponder: Ephesians 1:3-14

2006-01-24T03:45:00.000-04:00

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Eph 1:3-14, ESV)

Here are some things to ponder:

1. What does it mean in the first sentence that we, as Chrisitans, have been blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places?

2. Did God choose us or did we choose him?

3. If he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, does that mean we had no choice in the matter of our salvation?

4. What exactly is our inheritance as Christians?

Questions of the Day

2006-01-19T01:30:00.000-04:00

1. Do you believe people today are gifted with "speaking in tongues?" I do not mean speaking in foreign languages, but speaking a spiritual language, a prayer language even, which is understood only by the Holy Spirit?

2. Would you become a member of a church where it was acceptable for people to speak in such a tongue, even if they did not do it in public?

Finally...

2006-01-12T15:40:00.000-04:00

Ok, Ok... It has been forever since I posted anything on here, I know. I took a vacation over the holidays and that included blogging and email for all practical purposes. I hope no one is eternally offended, but I had to get away.

Anyhow, it is time to get back on track and get the gears turning again. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Mine was great with the inclusion of a trip home with my girlfriend (who is the most wonderful girl in the world).

This weekend I am visiting my God-Daugther's family in Port Neches, TX. It will be a great time of relaxing and catching up with that part of my family. I miss them all, especially Robert and Sarah Riley.

Last night, I delivered a sermon to the Youth of Arapaho Road Baptist Church where Geo is a minister. Thanks for the opportunity Geo. I really appreciate it and your kids rock! I preached on 1 John - Assurance of Salvation.

Oh yeah, I have decided to acquire a major hobby since I have a small number of things I like to do, none of which might be called an actual hobby. The winner is...HUNTING. I do love it very much, but haven't had time for it until now. And before all you PETA people get going...I am a member of PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals). Soon I will be embarking on my first Turkey Hunt and we are even talking about bow hunting for elk in Colorado. Heck yeah! Bill is awesome!

Now, for a few thoughts to chew on while I travel to see some family...

1. Why do we call the buildings where we worship God the CHURCH? Isn't the CHURCH the body of Christ, those who beleive in Christ? I think this way of thinking is one of the biggest problems with churches in the Bible Belt.

2. When is the last time you took care of orphans or widows? Isn't that a DIRECT command given by Christ?

3. If we love God as much as we say we do, then why aren't we telling others about Him? I mean if I get a new toy or if I get excited over a book I read, I tell EVERYONE about it. Why don't we do that with God? He gives us life, spiritually and physically. He provides for all our needs...but when is the last time you told someone about Him?

Have a great weekend and check back soon.

FINALS Week Hiatus...

2005-11-28T19:04:00.000-04:00

Dear friends, Romans, countrymen...lend me your ears....

I hope you all had a fabulous Turkey Day with your family. Mine was great, but now I am about to enter the tunnel of terror..."FINALS WEEK!" I will be out of blogger commission until I emerge from the other side of this tunnel which should be sometime next week.

In the meantime, post encouraging words or a daily joke (if you think YOU are funny...), and know that I will soon return.

In the meantime, check out some of the cool links that I have on the right side of this blogsite.

Au revoir!

PETA Begs for Pardons for Their Friends this Thanksgiving

2005-11-23T15:01:00.000-04:00

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is waging a war against the eating of turkeys for Thanksgiving. Their website now is host to the "Top Ten Reasons Not to Eat Turkey" which will surely make you laugh.

I, like Dr. Mohler, will not bore you with the entire list, but here are a few examples which Dr. Mohler has chosen to list on his website:

Turkeys are social, playful birds who enjoy the company of others. They relish having their feathers stroked and like to chirp, cluck, and gobble along to their favorite tunes. Anyone who spends time with them at farm sanctuaries quickly learns that turkeys are as varied in personality as dogs and cats.

Eating a turkey carcass contaminated with bird flu could kill you, and currently available drugs might not work. Cooking should kill the virus, but it could be left behind on cutting boards and utensils and spread through something else you're eating.

Let's face it: If you're eating a turkey, that's a corpse you've got there on the table, and if you don't eat it quickly enough, it will decompose. Is that really what we want as the centerpiece of a holiday meal: an animal's dead and decaying carcass?

So, when you pray prior to eating your gloriously basted bird on this Turkey Day, let's remember to pray for the horrified people mourning the death of their feathered friends. Obviously looney, we still need to love them.

By the way, the fact that eating a turkey might make someone stumble...is that keeping you from eating the turkey this holiday? I didn't think so...let's remember this for a later post on "making others stumble...."