Something New…Video Blogging!

I chosen today to prepare my thoughts and blog them via a video. I’d like for you to give me some feedback and let me know what you think. Do you like this medium better or would you prefer the written word (I really mean typed)! Enjoy!

I’m Gonna Love You Forever!

I make no apologies…this post goes out to my wife, Lori!

Everyone else is welcome to listen in on this conversation to her — but this is clearly from my heart to hers!

Lori, I want to begin by saying: “I love you!” I know in our home (with 4 busy children) our lives sometimes seem to be spinning so fast and doing so much that those words can get lost in the chaos and the busyness. That being said, I never want to take for granted that you know the depth of my love. So, let me take a few moments and tell you how I feel about you.

It’s hard to believe, but it was 19 years ago that I first laid my eyes on you. Your beauty nearly took my breath away. The softness of your eyes, the beauty of your skin and the tenderness of your voice struck my heart like one of cupid’s arrows. I remember our long walks around Lake Hollingsworth, our dinner dates to the Panda Chinese restaurant, and I remember the evenings spent in the library together as you studied your books and I studied you!

You know, as wonderful as those early days were – none of them compare to the times I have with you today! I so enjoy every moment of our lives together. I still look forward to coming home every day and hearing your voice. I cherish the dinners around our table (with our 4 children) as I get to sit across from you and trade the stories from our day along with smiles that speak volumes of our love. I appreciate the way you care for our family and work to provide a safe place to call home. I am grateful for those few hours every night when our children are in bed and we get to cuddle together on the couch. Though we don’t have everything we wish for and our budget is tighter than we would like…there is nothing in this world that I would trade for my life with you today!

I love you. I love you. I love you!

Thanks for being my wife and my love!

Control Freaks!

Simple truth: As much as we may try, we will never really have total control over anything in our lives!

I ran across a funny story about a woman who experienced a winter traffic accident. As the police filled out the report and her testimony of the account, this is what she said. And I quote,

“I hit a patch of ice, and then my car began to spin counterclockwise. I then hit the curb at which point my car began to spin clockwise. After that, I narrowly avoided hitting a house and then a telephone pole. And it was at that point that I lost control of my vehicle.”

What? Am I the only one who thinks she probably lost total control the first moment she hit the patch of ice? The truth is, she never had control.

You know, the more I think about it…neither do we. Oh, we try! But the reality of our lives is that we never really have control over anything. Think about, we can’t control our children or the decisions they make. We have very little control over our investments or our retirement portfolios. We can’t control the housing market or the value of our home. And we can’t even control our health. Oh, we might be able to eat right and exercise regularly…but even healthy people get sick and some times discover they are facing battles with cancer or some other major disease. These things simply reveal that we have very little control in this life. And yet, we spend the majority of our time striving to gain control over these things that we will never really master! It’s unfortunate to say the least.

That being said, I have discovered that I can trust the sovereignty of God, because even though I may be “out of control” — He never is! Let me sum up my thoughts today with this: Though I can’t control my future or those things around me — I can control my habits and my responses.

We can try to control all those elements within our lives regarding our relationships, our future, our finances and the rest — and end up facing the same cycles of disappointment, frustration, fear, anger and blame. Or we begin to trust God and His sovereignty and focus on the one thing that we can control…ourselves! I know this sounds like a paradox, but when we fully surrender our lives and the control of our lives to Jesus we are then able to really live at peace knowing that He has our best interest in mind!

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

So here’s my suggestion – let’s trust His plans for our lives and live more peaceful and more productive lives…and let’s let loose of that endless pursuit of trying to “get control” of those things which will always be out of our reach!

Be encouraged today – God is still in control!

Help for Haiti!

Haitian people reach out for help!

It’s been a little over a week since the massive series of earthquakes hit the nation of Haiti. What initially looked — got worse with each aftershock and seismic tremor. This very poor nation of people were brought to their knees in a matter of moments. I am so proud to see the United States of America and all of our resources responding to the needs of the people of Haiti. While many nations are watching – we are responding. And it’s not just our nation, but it’s also the church who is responding. Never have I been so proud to be a part of the body of Christ as I have been the last few days. Even our (small) local congregation was quick to do something about the needs of the Haitians. With just a simple request for funds, our folks gave $2000 to the relief organization CONVOY OF HOPE. Together with people from all over the world — we are making a difference!

At this time of loss, the Haitian people need us to stand in the gap for them. Rather than judge them for their past or the present mistakes and sin, we will stand with them and share the love of Christ. Rather than condemn them — we must serve them. Let’s be the love of Christ to those with great need during this great hour!

Kindle Time!

Just a brief post today…

I recently received a Kindle Reader from my folks. It was my high-tech Christmas gift this year. Now, I have to admit — I’ve always been a “techy” and love anything that needs to be powered. (Notice I said TECHY not TREKY — although both would probably apply).

I remember when I was a boy, if I received a gift that was electric or battery powered — if wouldn’t take long for me to have a screw-driver in hand and the back off of the device. I just loved things that were “high tech” and wanted to know how they worked.

Well, some things have changed – I rarely take my new devices apart…but I still love gadgets and gear!

As for this new Kindle Reader, well I think it’s amazing! I can carry in my hand a library of 1500 books (if I had the money to purchase that many).

It has a wonderful screen and very good graphic ability. The text can be increased or decreased very simply. The purchase of new books for it can happen in a flash — literally about 60 seconds. I have discovered that I am reading more now then ever before (and I have always been an avid reader).

My most recent downloads (books I am reading) have been Jesus Nation – by Joe Stowell and Uncommon – by Tony Dungy. Both are really good. I recommend by the Kindle and the books. You can’t go wrong with either one!

The Kindle, get one!

It’s Mac Tonight!

Well, it’s official…I have crossed over into the world of Mac! I know, there are many of you celebrating my new found freedoms (and power) – while at the same time, there are those of you who don’t understand the inticement of the Mac World. Well, let me try and explain.

For me the shift to Mac had to do with some of the frustrations I was experiencing with the PC. Over the last year or so I have been creating videos to correspond with my messages (preaching) and felt very limited by the PC. It would freeze up, shut the programs down or just be so slow at rendering and finalizing the project. With Mac, everything is seamless and quick. There has been a bit of a learning curve – but very little! All in all it has been a good move for me. In fact, the quality of the media I’m able to produce now far exceeds the things I’ve done before with a PC. So in short..I’m sold!

Now I know it’s been awhile since my last post…I will try to do better!

Here’s a closing thought for. I heard this from one of the men I deeply respect in Pastoral leadership. He said when it comes to technology and media (as the church), “…we ought to be on the cutting edge and not the lagging edge!” I heartily agree! Let’s do everything we can to culturally connect and speak the language our culture and world are speaking. And in all we do, lets do it as unto the Lord…and for His glory!

A value I am continually embracing is – irrelavance is irreverence! Strive to make a difference for the Kingdom of God.

World Changers

It’s fascinating to me to think about the role of the church in relationto this world. Some people see ‘church’as a location. Others see it as a meeting that takes place on a weekly basis. Still others think of it as a man made institution or community group. Those who are heavily religious look at the church astheee power tool for manipulation or self-righteous bigotry. But there church is nome of these things. The church has been beat described a ‘the hope of the world!’ It is quite literally the ‘ekklesia’ (in Greek), or’the called out ones’ in our modern day English. Butcalled out of what? According to the apostle Peter, the church is that group of people who have been called out of darkness and into the liht of Christ. There church is a living, loving, culturally relevant organism built of people who have put their faith in Jesus. And our primary roles to play are to honor God and change our world with the love of Christ. If church isore about YOU than it is OTHERS than your understanding of the church is off base. I encourage you to rethink your definition of this great movement that Jeaus created…and see if you are living out your calling of being a world changer and voice of hope! And if you’re not – then begin today!

A Dangerous Prayer!

Here’s a prayer I am asking my congregation to consider praying on a daily basis to help us discover better opportunities to share of faith in Christ with others. It’s simple but powerful. I adapted this prayer from a recent blog I found from Mark Batterson (pastor of National Community Church). Maybe you should join us in praying this prayer as well!

“Lord, I pray for an opportunity to share my faith with someone in some way. It’s not up to me to decide who or when or where. But I know why. Because you love them and want a relationship with them. So Lord, surprise me with opportunities to share my faith.

Forgive me for trying to do your job for you. You are the one who convicts of sin. You are the one who draws people to yourself, but help me do my part as I become salt and light.

Help me see those opportunities to react compassionately and listen patiently and even to speak kindly to others. And, through my words and my actions, help me plant seeds of love in the lives of others. Give me boldness when it’s time to speak. Give me restraint when it’s time to listen. Give me words to say. But more importantly, give me ears to hear.

Lord, help me be sensitive to the prompting of your Holy Spirit so I can see the divine appointments you send my way. Help me not to be afraid of questions I cannot answer. Help me not to be afraid of people’s reactions or rejections.

Lord, help me preach the gospel every day, when necessary, with words. In Jesus name, amen!”

Life Before Cell Phones

Does anyone remember the CB Radio?

This is something that brings back such fond memories for me. Now, let me say right up front…I do wish to go back to a CB styled life, but I do love the memories.

It happened today. I was reading a book and something I read really challenged me. It was as if the author was speaking right to me…and almost without thinking, I responded (in my head): 10-4! Now, for the record – I didn’t say it aloud. I didn’t talk to myself…that RARELY happens!

However, with just the thought of those numbers 10-4 came a flood of emotions and thought. And I was reminded of those times as a kid where we would be on vacation and Daddy would let me sit up front and talk on his CB Radio to all of the truckers and the other vacationers on the road. It was so much fun. With a CB (unlike a cell phone), everyone has a “handle” or a “call name” – and mine was “Little Bear”. Daddy’s was “Big Bear”. I have always wanted to be just like him. Well, all of those thoughts and emotions caused me to google the phrase “10-4″ and along with it, I found a lot more codes that CBers use. I thought you might enjoy them. — Over!

10-1 = Receiving poorly
10-2 = Receiving well
10-3 = Stop transmitting
10-4 = Message received
10-5 = Relay message to _____
10-6 = Busy, please stand by
10-7 = Out of service, leaving the air
10-8 = In service, subject to call
10-9 = Repeat message
10-10 = Transmission completed, standing by
10-11 = Talking too rapidly
10-12 = Visitors present
10-13 = Advise Weather/Road conditions
10-16 = Make pick up at _____
10-17 = Urgent business
10-18 = Anything for us?
10-19 = Nothing for you, return to base
10-20 = My location is _____
10-21 = Call by telephone
10-22 = Report in person to
10-23 = Stand by

Well, there were many more…but I think that’s enough. Over and out!

Thinking About Freedom…

Alright, if my math is correct – this week marks the 233rd Independence Day Celebration for America! It was on July the 4th in 1776, that the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this coming Saturday will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues (and in my case – a huge fish fry with all the fixin’s). I recently discovered a website which indicated that potato salad and potato chips are the most popular food items found at Fourth of July picnics across the nation (http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/011920.html). That same site also noted that in 2007, we imported $217 million dollars worth of fireworks. I think the majority of that money was spent by my neighbors (as they love to shoot off their fireworks).

Well, we have come a long way as a nation. Freedom! There’s nothing like it. But I thought I’d add one quote from one of our greatest presidents – Abraham Lincoln. Let this comment stick with you today…and consider the ramifications of it. He said,

“We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation. But we have fogotten God.” - Abraham Lincoln

Let’s put first things first…and celebrate God’s goodness to us! Blessings.