Fire Hats, Skin Coloration, and Growing Up

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We took the boys to Firehouse subs one night this week when Eli made an interesting discovery.  As one of the workers gave them fire hats, he looked up at the picture above the door (see above) and wanted to inform me of something peculiar. “Daddy, look.  Those boys look like Obie and Eli.” “Really? …

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The Sins of Omission

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If you were raised in church, you were probably warned concerning certain sins. Oftentimes, different churches have certain sins they really highlight to which they really want you to abstain. It seems that Christianity is often perceived as the “thou shalt not” religion.

In your experience, what are the top 5 sins that you have been taught to avoid?
Thou shalt not have premarital sex?
Thou shalt not drink, smoke, or chew (or date girls who do)?
Thou shalt not curse?
Thou shalt not gamble?
Thou shalt not take the Lord’s name in vain?

Did you ever know that there are sins of omission? These are the failures to do the “thou shalt’s.” Take a moment and read James 4:15-17.

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The Republican Candidates’ Bickering (And How It Is Like Many Churches)

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As we watched last night what seemed like the 84th debate for the Republican party this election season, I was reminded of a few things: 1) I wouldn’t want the job of president, 2) I respect all of their knowledge because just to run, you have to know a ton of info concerning a ton of stuff, and 3) the Body of Christ in America looks a lot like these candidates.

Let me explain.  As these debates have continued, the dialogue has gotten increasingly nasty.  I actually remembered one of the first debates when Newt Gingrich was being lured by a moderator to attack some of the candidates around him.  He replied something to the effect that the issue at hand is not to attack other Republicans, his issue was to get the current Democrat president out of office.  Basically, the guys and lady on the platform were not the enemy, Barack Obama was the enemy.

My, how things have changed.  While the remaining contenders beat each other to shreds, their “enemy” is rallying support to face a bloodied Republican nominee in the near future.  By the time this round is over, the contender will be a weary mess to face the incumbent.

And it is just like the Body of Christ in America.

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Are You Paying Attention to Your Children?

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It’s impossible to teach your children anything if you don’t first have their attention. With children though, oftentimes, you can’t have their attention until they are sure they have yours.

Think through the last week, the last month, or even the last year. When was the longest time recently that your children had your full attention? Think about what that time was:

When: ____________

Where: ____________

What did you do: ____________

What did you talk about: ____________

It is very interesting that the actual last verse of the Old Testament speaks to fathers giving their children attention.

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Bread of Heaven

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Pretty fantastic morning with North Side.  John 6, celebrating communion, spontaneous worship, planned worship, and so much goodness.

Jeff’s message concerning God drawing us to Jesus was very powerful.  My salvation is as secure as the hands that hold it.  Loved our time together focusing on the cross.  Felt led early this morning to be doing some worship from the piano as people walked in today.  I gathered Leah and Woody and said, “I’ll start in the key of F, just follow me.”  And they did.  Special time as we entered into his gates with thanksgiving.

Today, we worshiped to:

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It’s Always Better With People Like This Around

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Tuesday night, I huddled up members of our worship team and shared some direction I’ve been feeling for 2012.  As we completed our last recording project, God had been pressing on my heart a few different things, and over the course of the last couple of months, through prayer and study, I really have fleshed out a direction that I feel like would be honoring to God.

The only problem with sharing it with this group is: the plan sounds kinda crazy.  It’s very different.  It’s pretty ambitious, and there’s a lot that someone could look at say, “There’s no way that’s gonna happen.”

In that meeting, I was shocked to find something completely different.

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I Wish My Life Would Change

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You want a better life than you have right now.

I may not know you personally, but I am sure of that fact. You want more money in your bank account. You wish your boss saw you were deserving of a promotion. If you are married, you wish your wife saw that you were right all the time. If you have children, you would jump for joy if they just obeyed you the first time you gave directions. You may be somewhat pleased with your life right now, but you deeply wish it was better. You earnestly desire a blessed life.

We all desired to be blessed, but are we willing to receive the blessing?

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Courageous in Lancaster

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I had the extreme privilege to go and minister with Second Baptist Church Lancaster, SC last night. They were having a “Courageous” weekend, and I got to serve their church in some really special ways.

They had a men’s only screening of Courageous on Friday night.  Sunday morning, their pastor, Brian Saxon, had preached on fatherhood.  From 4 to 6, I taught a large group of guys who gave up a Sunday afternoon nap and a football game concerning fatherhood.  We took a 5 minute potty break, but we got into God’s Word and talked about what it meant to lead our homes.

At 6, I got to preach to the entire congregation.  Adam Langley and his crew did a great job leading worship – so wonderful to be led by him!

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Walking on Water

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What a great day at North Side!  It was such a blessing to be able to lead at North Side for the first time in 2012.  Jeff was back in the house as well from his travels and boy were we in for a great time worshiping Jesus!

His message was plain ridiculous.  It was a great message about Jesus walking on water and how all the people around Him were looking for something other than Jesus.  So, so good.  Listen to it here.

In addition to celebrating some baptisms, hearing a report from United Youth Worship, we also were blessed to hear from Jason Allen who served on our Africa team.  What an incredible testimony of God’s power over there.

Today, we worshiped to:

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“Are You Calling Gloria?”

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I had a wonderful time with a lot of extra time with the family over Christmas.  We played together, worked together, and even cooked together.  Obadiah (pictured above) and Eli gave me more funny comments than I could possibly handle.

One of those happened on a drive home on New Year’s Eve.  Two of our dear friends were nearing the due date for their baby girl.  I was calling them to encourage their baby to come out already and stop making her mom so uncomfortable.  Once I got the voicemail, I began to say things like: “Get out of your mom’s belly!  She’s tired.  We want to see you.  Stop messing around in there and come out already!”

What was said next almost made me pull over.

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