Hero

I was speaking today with Jeanne, our church secretary that has just come back from a family vacation in Alaska(and has been sorely missed), about what constitutes a hero. Is a hero someone that is impervious to pain? Someone that is super strong? Someone that is faster-than-a-speeding-bullet?

Well, those traits are more seen in comic book domain.

I am talking about a real, human hero. What is that person made of?

I sometimes think that we try to attribute comic book powers to real people. Even ourselves. When we try to be impervious, all-powerful we tend to shut out emotions. We close ourselves off from the possibility of being hurt or crushed by others. At the same time, we close ourselves off from being loved and embraced. We become our own burden.

Is that a hero? No! A hero is not afraid to take a chance, knowing that maybe they will fail. A hero gets back up after a hard fall and continues making the journey. A hero is not afraid to love openly and deeply. A hero will admit fault and say "I'm sorry." A hero will take care of those who can't take care of themselves. A hero is someone who has bruised and scabby knees from kneeling and looking to the Source for their true strength.

That is a hero.

Encouragement To Parents

I read this blog today and thought that it spoke some great, encouraging words to all parents struggling out there. You know, trying to be the "cool friend" and "authoritative figure" at the same time. It just doesn't seem to work.

I am not yet a parent, but I have wrestled with this in youth ministry and feel somewhat empathetic to the situation, so I thought I would leave you with this blog by Mike Cope:

"A while back I wrote about how pleasantly surprised we were by the message of the film "In Good Company." By the previews it looked like a mindless plot about the romance between a hot-shot young executive (Topher Grace) and the college-age daughter (Scarlett Johansson) of the man whose place he took (Dennis Quaid) after a company buy-out.

But the romance is short-lived. The movie isn't about that. Rather, it's about the fathering of this young exec by the man he replaced. Near the end, he says to this older guy after being punched in the eye for sleeping with his daughter: "No one ever took the time to give me a hard time."

What a great line.

I want to encourage all you younger parents out there in blogsphere. It is hard to be the parent who lovingly gives a hard time. It's hard to be the one who enforces tv/computer time limits, homework, and bedtimes. It's difficult to set age-appropriate limits to movies when "every other kids' parents let them watch whatever they want." It's tough to be firm when you're exhausted from work and life's stresses.

But hang in there! Your kids are counting on you -- whether they yet know it or not. (I just saw a teenager on the plane whose t-shirt had two words: NO LECTURES!)

Your children need to know that YOU are the parent. In too many homes, the children run everything by parents who are overly-eager to please. If they don't like the Bible class, they don't have to go. If they have more friends at another church, the family leaves. If they want to eat unhealthily -- well, we reassure ourselves that at least they're eating something. If there is a problem with a coach or a teacher, the child is always assumed to be right.

Be the adult! Be the loving, compassionate, tender, but very-much-in-charge parent! It's one of life's ironies: that the one thing kids say they don't want (rules and limits) is what they need.

I'm not talking, of course, about being a tyrant or about being inflexible. I'm talking about being lovingly in charge.

It may seem to kids that parents who mind their own business, don't serve veggies, let them wear whatever is in style, allow unlimited time on the net to chat, permit any movie to be shown when friends come over, and ask no questions about where they're going in the evening are the cool parents.

Here's my encouragement: Don't try to be the cool parents. Be the parents who take the time and the love to give a hard time.

Eventually, when your kids age a bit, they'll know that you really were the cool parents."

More

Are we true disciples of Christ? If we are true disciples of Christ then why do we relegate ministers, missionaries and paid preachers to all of the work? Why do we sit back while they study, meditate and evangelize.

Listen, many in the church have become lazy. We have become a society of churchgoers who sit in the pew for a few hours each week to sing and be entertained by the lesson. We have lost much of the energy, drive and passion of the early church.

Where has it all gone? Why have we fallen into this rut of passive Christianity?

We need our spark to be rekindled! The kids sing about the little light that is gonna shine all the time. We need to remind ourselves daily that Jesus commissioned all, not a select few, of us to go into all of the world to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ!

We have been challenged! The fields are white! Let's go!

Quote Of The Day

"Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ" - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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More on that quote later...

A Beautiful Day

So, what do you think of my new template? I had several requests to change the font on my link side. Well, I tried that and failed miserably so I decided to change my template altogether! What do you think?
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This morning, my buddy, Jim Gardner, and I mowed the lawn of someone in our congregation. Boy, it just feels great to be out in God's nature. I know that it is so cliche, but I feel close to Him while I am out working in His creation.

I ask that you take some time out today and enjoy the beauty of God's creation. Whether it is rainy, sunny, hot or cold where you are, I ask you to step out into His world and take a deep breath and enjoy His handiwork.

Slower Pace

Last week was a blur. On Sunday through Wednesday, we held our annual VBS. It was a smashing success, but I had no time to blog.

Thursday- several of our teen leaders came up to help me clean the rooms and I have to say that I am very proud of Chae and Joey for their dedication and service.

Friday-the Family Ministry threw us a House-Warming Party. There were 50+ there to help my wife and I celebrate the joy of a new home. My Dad even came and brought us a new lawn mower!!

Saturday-the Youth and Family Ministries took over 30 to Magic Springs' Christian Family Day. We spent pretty much all day riding rides and having fun with each other. 4-Him and Anointed performed the evening concert.

Sunday-I celebrated Father's Day by taking my Dad out to an all-you-can-eat buffet and spending time with each other. It was a good time for Father and Son.

Today-I am glad to see this week as a time for more blogging(for those of you that accuse me of one blog per week), studying and renewal!!

A Great Lord's Day!

Yesterday was a great Lord's Day! We kicked it off with a wonderful time of praise and worship to our Lord. God spoke a great message through Jim Gardner.

Marla Carter and I gathered some youth in the afternoon to put some finishing touches on VBS for the evening. The VBS was a smashing success. We had 175! Leon Barnes from Central church of Christ in Little Rock spoke to the adults while the youth were taken in their herds from station to station learning about God and his servant, Gideon. The theme for last night was to KNOW GOD.

The teens were so helpful with the smaller kids. This congregation is blessed to have such energetic, hardworking teens. I am proud of all the work they do.

Speakin' of teens-I have a couple of surprise visitors (David and Ruey) here in my office jammin' away with me to Christian songs. My job is awesome! Summertime brings with it the joy of visitors from the youth group. The office is jumpin' with energy for God!

Youth are not going down without a fight.

Adults getting set to whoop the youth in Volleyball.

Some of the youth just chillin'

Quote Of The Day

"Obedience is the only sound objective of a Christian spirituality. Of course, we do not obey to earn anything - earning is out of the question - but we obey because doing the things that Jesus said is what is best for us and for everyone around us." - Dallas Willard

Home Again

I got back from a great time of rest and renewal. Elizabeth and I were able to spend some tome with our 3 year old nephew, Kameron, and our newest addition: 2 week old Brenden. We spent some good, quality time together.

It rained on us every day while we were in Orlando at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. That didn't stop us, though! We purchased ponchos and rode all of the rides and attractions. Revenge of the Mummy, The Hulk and Spiderman were the absolute best rides.

We got home in time to attend Elizabeth's brother's wedding in Little Rock on Saturday the 4. They were wed and then headed off on their Honeymoon.

Sunday brought me back to the reality of work and, quite frankly, how much I enjoy it. In the morning we had good class and energetic worship. At 5:00, Praise 101 (a class I teach that covers new and older, unfamiliar songs) began with a bang. At 6:00, our Youth Group got together and discussed the problems of relativism and pluralism (big words, but we boiled them down). To cap the night off, the Family Ministry held a Grill-Out and Volleyball Game for anybody who wanted to stay. It was a blast! Cool to see the youth play the adults with such energy and great sportsmanship!

I will post some pics of the event tomorrow.

Off To Florida!!

I ask that you pray for me and my sweeetie as we travel. She came in last night (or this morning) at 2:30, woke up at 5:30 and taught a bunch of elementary kids on their last day of school. I am sure that I will drive all of the way. Hey, that is fine by me. I loooove to drive! I just ask that you pray for our safety as we journey on to celebrate our 2nd year of marriage. God has surely blessed me with a wonderful wife. Each year brings with it greater and deeper love. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Time With Family

Tonight I am spending time with my Dad. We got together to eat some Mazzio's pizza and watch a movie. We talked a little, but being together again was just what we needed. It is great to spend time with family!

Tomorrow my wife and I will leave for Tallahassee to spend a few days with my sister, Misti, her husband, Jeff and their two sons, Kameron and Brendon. Little Kameron is looking forward to spending time with "Uncle Thummy and Aunt Libeth." We can't wait to spend time with him, too!

Then it is off to Orlando for a week. Just me and my sweetie of 2 years. Just us. No phones. No ringing doorbells. No previous engagements. Just time for us, a new family, to celebrate our anniversary on the beach and at Universal Studios. I am so looking forward to this!

Family is a great thing. Don't take it for granted. Make sure that you let your love for your parents, spouse, children, siblings, etc. show in your words and actions. Home is truly where the heart is. It is the one place where you can truly let your hair down and refresh and renew yourself through relationship.

Tubin' In The Sun

The youth group had a great Saturday this past weekend. We all hopped in the van and traveled over to the home of some truly great people in our church: Walt and Shirley. They had the food (which was delicious and in overabundant supply!) and boats ready on the lake for the 30+ kids that attended. Rick, their son, gave a great devotional thought and we had some nice singing.

We tubed from 11:00 to 5:30 or 6:00 on the Sumo, the Patriot, the Mach 3 and many more.
It was fun to watch on Sunday morning as they came dragging in to bible class with sore muscles and faces, arms and legs that closely resembled those of a lobster.

Thanx a bunch to Walt, Shirley and Rick for all the hard work and prep time that they put into this great day! God has blessed us with people like you.

Quote Of The Day

"I stake the future on the few humble and hearty lovers who seek God passionately in the marvelous, messy world of redeemed and related realities that lie in front of our noses." - William McNamara

Feelin' Good

This morning I started a new regimen. I got to the gym at around 7 and met up with my friend, Joey. We worked out for a little over an hour and I have to say that I feel like a million bucks right now. I am a little sore from our 1st workout on Tuesday, but other than that I really have the blood flowin'.

I believe that it is extremely important to lead active, healthy lives. If you do not have a walking, jogging, lifting, pilate, yoga, stretching or any other type of exercise routine in at least 3-4 days a week, then I recommend that you start one. Your outlook on life will be lifted. Studies have shown that not only does regular exercise enhance physical health, but mental and emotional health as well.

It has made all the difference in the lives of me and my wife. We feel good and full of energy, passion and zeal. If you want to lead a fuller, more enriched life; start today!

Just One Of Those Days

Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the one where you spend all day trying to figure out why you got out of the wrong side of the bed? You stay in the grump state from dawn to dusk? I have been in this funk all day long. And I don't know why! I have no reason to feel like this. Yet, here I am with a "case of the Mondays" on Tuesday.

I hastily brushed off a kid from my youth group while snapping at my wife over the phone. I holed myself away from my coworkers. I was not quite as cheerful with the lady behind the desk at Taco Bell as usual. It has been just one of those days. And there is no reason behind it. It just is.

While I encounter this day of grumpiness, I recall the lyrics of a song that my mom and dad would play for me every Sunday morning in my childhood. "Have patience. Have patience. Don't be in such a hurry. When you get impatient, you only start to worry. Remember. Remember that God is patient, too. And think of all the times when others had to wait on you." Just remembering the words to that song (sung by a snail in a dragging, monotonous baritone, I believe) brings a smile to my face.

I have since called my wife and apologized. I am going to see the kid in the group and say some kind words and I know that I will be back in Taco Bell to smile and shoot the breeze with the workers. Reparations are well under way.

Days like this will come upon us whether we like it or not. But when they do it is helpful to stop and bring to mind a little poem, ditty or scripture that speaks to our behavior and attitude. It makes a world of difference. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)

As I Arose

As I arose this morning to the break of dawn and the bird singing their sweet songs, I thanked God for his beautiful creation. I heard the cry of my little puppy, Peanut, and the loud motor-purr of my kitty, Gabbi, and I thanked God for his beautiful creation.

There are so many things created by God for humankind to enjoy in this life. Too often, though, they are taken for granted. He wants us to enjoy what He has made. They are a proclamation of His awesome power and might. The prophet Amos wrote: "For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals every thought. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads the mountains under his feet. The Lord God Almighty is his name!" (4:13)

I encourage you to look around you at the creation of the Almighty and enjoy His beautiful nature.

Quote Of The Day

"If someone proved to me that Christ were outside the truth and it really were that the truth lay outside Christ, I would prefer to remain with Christ than with the truth." - Fyodor Dostoyevsky