Saturday's 7

Here is something new for you guys that I thought you may enjoy. Here is 7 passages of scripture that God has used to teach me something great lately.

• Romans 9:30-33: 30What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
• Romans 1:32: 32Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
• Romans 8:14-17: 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry "Abba! Father!" 1 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21: For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
• 1 Samuel 24:3-6: 3And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 4And the men of David said to him, "Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.'" Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 6He said to his men,"The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed."
• 2 Corinthians 11:23-28: 23Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
• John 9:1-7: 1As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 6Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva.Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

DM Demolition

I learned something last night...I worship idols. This is pretty sickening to me because I thought I lived a semi-idol free life. I struggle with tons of things, but I thought I could always say to myself, "You know...I'm glad I don't have idols." While I was preaching last night (about God's desire for our very thoughts to be pure), I was struck with the cruel truth that my thoughts were idols. Let me explain: So many times in my life I think about what could have been or what could be. I could have went to a big 4 year school, played intramural sports, joined a fraternity, and ended my life working some kick butt job in Denver, Colorado. Lots of times I sit down and plan out my future and think about some other jobs or positions I want to have in the next 7-8 years. What I end up doing is dwelling on these "fantasies" and begin worshipping these thoughts. This may sound absolutely crazy to you, but it is something I struggle with deeply. There is nothing wrong about thinking back or planning ahead, but when our thinking back includes us wishing we would have taken a different road outside of God's will or when us thinking ahead includes us planning to be outside of God's will, it is idolatry!! It's saying that these plans I now have are better than what God has for me or if I had only lived this way my life would have been better. I'm learning a lot about me and this is what I'm taking away from this deep bitter conviction: God knows the plans He has for me, they are plans to prosper me and give me a good future, not a material prosperity but a rich spiritual prosperity. I'm trusting Him that where I am now in my life is where He wants me and had planned out for me before the beginning of time. I'm trusting my future in His hands and that wherever He leads I'll go. I trust Him with my future, my family, and my finances. I trust Him with my time, my treasures, and my teaching. I trust Him and I'm am done idolizing these things that I believe would bring me greater happiness. Jesus is my joy, my hope and my portion. Nowhere outside of His is happiness and happiness is only found in Jesus.

Rockin My Face Off

I love music. I'm not a musician or anything, but I know what I like to listen to. I probably don't appreciate the art of music and the work it takes to create it. Phillip Weems, Adam Vinson, and TJ Mauldin are all guys who know music. Tanner Ethridge is another guy who likes all of the artsy stuff like Coldplay...whom I absolutely hate. Phil is into screamo, Adam is a good ole acoustic guy, and TJ hangs out with the Crabb Family. So although I don't know music as well as a lot of people, I have gotten to hang out with some pretty amazing musicians. I just wanted today to give you some bands that have been kicking in my Honda lately...

• Jeff Johnson Band- These guys took a great hymn and made it one of the most amazing modern day worship songs I have ever heard. Tons of people have turned hymns into modern day music, but this is absolutely my favorite, and that includes David Crowder's Come Thou Fount and Chris Tomlin's Wonderful Cross
• Trip Lee- One of the most solid biblical people I have ever listened too...period. This man has a passion for truth and it is evident in his music. Besides being one of the sickest rappers I have ever listened too (including secular), every song points to the real Jesus. Check out all of the 116 Clique.
• TJ Mauldin Band- Always on my list, I know these guys hearts and it makes their music even more real to me than it already is. Culturally relevant lyrics with the truth of God's word, these guys do not compromise their mission to share Jesus with everyone they meet in a way that is effective but again NEVER leaving biblical truth. I love these guys.
• Flyleaf- Sweet Sound...Simply Sweet. Listen to "All Around Me" and try not to nod your head...Go ahead...I dare you.
• Tenth Avenue North- I get a great old school feel from these guys. Possibly on the rise to be my new most listened too.

So there it is. I know I don't have any weird bands on the list, and when I say weird I mean Coldplay and other bands metro-sexual worship leaders listen to to get inspiration from, but these are the guys who I'm digging here lately. Click the band name links and check them out.

An ADD Church

I struggle focusing. Actually struggle is an understatement. I'm incapable of focusing. I can be doing some of the most important things and see a bag of salty peanuts and it be all over for me. Or I can be eating the most delicious bag of salty peanuts and begin to wonder who thought of the idea of salty peanuts, and before I know it I'll notice the cow walking in the pasture across the street from the church and I'll start wondering, "I wonder what it's like being a cow and all." (By the way, I know that was a horrible run-on sentence but get over it) I don't like the term ADD. Attention Deficit Disorder is a problem in our country, but for the most part I believe we claim it for it excuses. I don't claim to have ADD, but I do claim to have the inability to focus. I see it as immaturity and I would say that openly but then no one will ever listen to me again when i try to be serious so forget I ever wrote that. The point of this post is to ask the question, "Have you ever been in an ADD Church?" When I asked that you could be totally, "Oh yeah dude..." or you could have been, "I think I get dumber the more I read this guy." Whatever the case let me explain a little. Churches have missions. Missions may vary slightly, but all in all we want to see people come to know Jesus. An ADD church understands that mission, but they continually get caught up in...umm...excuse me... but STUPID pointless matters. We always joke about the church that was getting new carpet. Half the church wanted red and the other wanted church color carpet (you all know what color church color is) and they ended up dividing it right down the middle and the people who wanted what ever color sat on that side of the sanctuary. We laugh at these kinds of illustrations pastors give, but do we really understand that this is a serious problem and a lot of people don't go to church because of these kinds of STUPID divisions. Just don't be and ADD church...Keep your focus on the ultimate mission of leading others to Christ. Focus on the goal.

Saturdays 7 on Sunday

I know dude...late again, but I promise I have a great excuse. The Internet at the Sowell home has been disconnected due to the dog chewing through the power cord on the laptop. It's harder getting to the office on the weekends to do this and my weeks are becoming swamped because of M-fuge, school prep, and speaking. So here are the 7 thoughts that have been rocking my world lately.

• We are getting some new neighbors which I'm pumped about. The Helder's are moving in the house that connects to our backyard. I guess that means I can't walk around in the backyard naked anymore...I'm JOKING!!
• I'm really glad God put people like TJ Mauldin, Andy Blankenship, and a ton of others in my life. I'm just not that smart and these guys really help me think.
• My son constantly walks around singing our "Pee Pee in the Potty" song but refuses to do it. He'll be in diapers in the 3rd grade.
• For you guys who don't know, we bought a 06 Honda Accord. It's way too nice of a car for a youth pastor. It's so nice it makes my already incredibly hot wife hotter...She is way too hot to be my wife.
• I'm getting the chance to preach a lot this month. The 13th p.m. service I'm preaching a message on Worldviews (this message will be for believers who want to know how to better live out there faith), the 20th we'll have our M-fuge report, and the 27th a.m. service I'm preaching a hardcore message on the gospel. If you know anyone who is lost bring them to this service...God has gotten something big for us this Sunday.
• We got to hang with the Roger's for awhile the other night since Berryville had a traffic jam after the fireworks. For a little cash I can let you in on all of Marci's big secrets...I'm JOKING AGAIN!! We really appreciate cool families who love Jesus, and plus they have Benjamin which keeps JP occupied.
• I'm going to miss my Sunday School class for 4 weeks while I move upstairs to teach the youth. This class has done tons for my walk with Jesus and I'm already looking forward to meeting with them again.

Quotes Quoted

Sometimes you read things that make sense...
Sometimes you read things that change your life...

"I wonder why I felt like God is like the ocean and I am the shore? He comes in moments very strong, but then there are moments when I feel nothing... Then I realized God was the shore. He was constant and I was the waves, coming in to His presence then allowing myself to pull back."-TJ Mauldin

He is the constant one, and if you aren't feeling His presence you have pulled away in some area in your life.

Welcome Here

I don’t think I’m supposed to give details on what was said in staff meetings, but I’m going to anyway…I’m a rebel. Bro. Scott made the comment that we needed to add some chairs in the sanctuary. That church is a great thing. We are growing, people are coming to know Jesus, and when you walk into our building you can sense the peace of our fellowship. I believe we are growing for several reasons: 1. God is blessing us. 2. We have sound biblical preaching. 3. The worship at Southern Heights is real and Spirit led. 3. We have a church that recognizes guests and works to make them feel at home. I read something the other day that a pastor of a large church in Georgia,Michael Lukaszewski, wrote about recognizing guests. This made a lot of sense to me:


“A good landscaper who is operating a weed eater or a blower will stop when you run by, as to not blow grass clippings all over you. In a nice hotel, when you walk down the aisle, the cleaning ladies pushing the cleaning carts through the hallways will stop and say hi, continuing their job after you walk by. They are stopping what they are doing to recognize your presence. Good churches stop what they always do and recognize the presence of guests.”


Wow. One thing I believe we do well at Southern Heights is make our guests feel welcomed. Many of the guests that come through the doors here are possibly lost, and we need to make sure that they do not turn away from the gospel because we aren’t friendly. Thank you for doing an incredible job with our guests. Paul speaks of a partnership he had with the Philippians in sharing the gospel. This partnership was made possible because they all had the same attitude, love, and purpose. They lived in harmony together. The outside world will notice our indwelling peace and our love for each other. This church will help us continue to grow and to continue in winning people to Jesus Christ…Our common goal.