Digging In

I learned the value of the expression "Dig In" way back in high school. Whether it was basketball practice with Coach Knight (which is as close to torture as I hope I'll ever be), crunch time in a big game, or just overloaded with school work, I learned that the phrase dig in just helps. It changes my mindset. I don't see it as a burden but a challenge, and I'm way more fond of a challenge. I had to tell myself this morning to dig in. I just finished classes for the summer and was preparing for a nice couple of weeks of reading and doing some other regular office work. Then I sit down and realize just how much I have to do. This month is packed. I teach our students 4 times this month, preach 3 (2 p.m. and 1 a.m.), M-fuge for 6 days, and then prepare for the student revival in Omaha the first part of August. This morning I looked at my calendar and said, "Dig In". I have been praying for some opportunities to preach and God has given me three. I get to spend a week doing mission work in St. Louis. I get to speak to our students 4 times this week. Life is good. The thought that Jesus would show so much grace towards me a sinner blows me away. That He allows me to share His Word...Unreal

God vs. Culture

This morning in Sunday School we talked about some things in our life that is wrong but for the most part culturally accepted. Resentment, bitterness, grudges, and strife are all things, if we are honest, we have in our lives. Our culture has done an amazing job teaching us that when someone wrongs us it is OK to feel bitter, to hold a grudge. My main thought this morning was this: Just because it is accepted and often approved of in our CULTURE does not mean that it doesn't offend a holy and righteous GOD. I'll take God's perspective over my liberal culture's any day. Since you have had some time to digest this point I make about culture's seemingly authoritativeness in our lives, let me ask you a question: How did this happen?? How did our surroundings that will wither and fade become our predominate source of right and wrong over Jesus Christ? I have an idea but let me share with you my thoughts in the words of a great friend and a great pastor:

"lets be real for just a minute most of the guys in our generation are flaming liberals or watered down at best."

When he said this to me, a light went off. This is one guy in the ministry speaking to another in the ministry about OUR generation which serves in the ministry. People just don't have biblical worldviews anymore. We take the subjects of God, man, truth, ethics, and knowledge and we see them in a worldly perspective instead of a God-perspective. God= a distant force or higher power not holy, righteous, perfect, everlasting, and the great Judge the Bible tells us He is. Man= generally good and self-sufficient not lost, depraved, and in need of a Savior like the Bible tells us. Truth= circumstantial meaning it's according to the situation not ABSOLUTE like the bible tells. Ethics= cultural meaning whatever the culture says is ok not RIGHT IS RIGHT AND WRONG IS WRONG like the bible tells us. Knowledge= whatever science reveals to us not natural revelation meaning what God has revealed to us through creation and Special revelation meaning the Word of God.

I guess this post turned into more of a sermon than I originally anticipated, but I'm just so sick over the people we are losing to the world because our lives as believers are inconsistent. Listen to the beautiful words of Peter in his first epistle chapter 1:14-16

14As obedient children do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

Man that sure is a high calling...are we living it?

Saturday's 7

• It has been raining pretty much all morning and will be for the rest of the day. I think I would love to live in Seattle where it never stops raining.


• I'm pretty excited about our student services Wed. night. We are going to talk about Jesus and His bleeding from the back and what that means exactly for us. This series has been going really well. We'll have tons of students out since a lot went to Washington D.C. for a school trip but I'm still expecting big things.


• I got my books in the mail for my fall classes. Acts, Genesis, and Theology 202 will be a lot of fun but a lot of work. Church Ministry and Theology 350 on the other hand will be just a lot of work.


• I'm moving into the youth Sunday school department to give Jeff and Kim Phillips a break. I'm pretty excited about not getting the chance to say stupid stuff in the adult class and this way Marci can't give me the evil eye no more.


• I watched "Be Kind Rewind Last Night". That movie would have stunk it up way worse of Jack Black wasn't in it.


• Of the 60 something kids on stage last night for VBS family night, JP was the only one who couldn't face the right way. He did a great job and he danced and sang at the top of his lungs...He just didn't face the right way

• VBS is finally over...I think it really wore JP out. He went on his first date last night after the family night extravaganza and ended falling asleep on the girl of his dreams.

Catch Up

I apologize for the sporadic blogging here lately. Life has been more than a little crazy. So today I'm going to give you a Friday Five just to catch you up on what's going on in my life and in the life of the church.

• Tonight is the last night of VBS. It has been really good, and Megan and Mrs. Rama knocked it out of the park with the scheduling and coordinating. The teachers= Amazing. This has just been a really good time in the life of our church.


• On a much sadder note...we lost two more softball games last night. The thing is we aren't that bad. We just can't make the plays that count, I can't pitch, and none of us are patient at the plate. So my goal for the rest of the year is to be the guy that is always having fun and helping others to have fun...I got to be good at something:)


• JP has been having an incredible time at VBS. Although you really can't tell by this pic...

I promise...he really is having fun, no, really...

• I couldn't sleep at all last night. It was one of those nights were God was really speaking, and to be honest I didn't want to go to sleep. I'm preaching here the 27th of July during the A.M. service. It will be one of the most hardcore messages that I have ever spoken so I started about a month ago preparing and praying.


• I have never been so excited about school before. I'm taking Acts, Genesis, Church Ministry 201, Theology 202, and Theology 250. Going to be a really tough semester but I feel God changing my heart about school for the better...This could be big news when I graduate next summer.

Missing the 90's

Sitting here waiting for VBS to get started, I began to do a little daydreaming. I miss the 90's. Plain in simple this had to be the best decade hands down. I was born in 84 and I remember some cool things about the 80's, but thinking about music, television, clothes, and many other things makes me wish I had the opportunity to raise JP in this spectacular time.

TOP 5 Songs
5. Wonderwall (Oasis), I can't help but to think of Philip Wilson every time I think of this song
4. Killing Me Softly (Fugees) This girl has a voice
3. Jump (Kriss Cross), My first hip hop love
2. I'll Be (Edwin McCain) I can't play guitar, but this song made me want to
1. Time of Your Life (Green Day) I absolutely hate the band now, but this song brought tears to my eyes

TOP 5 TV SHOWS
5. Ren and Stimpy, You know it was hilarious
4. Drew Carey, Gave me the motivation not to be an alcoholic...for that I'll every be appreciative
3. Ned and Stacey, You may not remember this one but me and mom had some good laughs watching this one
2. Boy Meets World, I learned all of life's tough lessons watching this show
1. Saved by the Bell, Simply the greatest part of the 90's

TOP 5 Movies
5. Dazed and Confused, also contributed to my motivation not to grow up a loser
4. GroundHog Day, Many may argue but you know you watch it still every time it comes on TV
3. Green Mile, The end got a little weird but Tom Hanks was amazing
2. Shawshank Redemption, If I could have two first places this would be one...also contributed to a deep desire never to go to prison
1. Dumb and Dumber, Only the most genius movie of all time

TOP 5 CLOTHING TRENDS
5. Dickies, may have been just an Alabama thing but I had a few pair
4. Sagging Jeans, Still carries on today...a sign of a true fashion statement
3. Starter Coats, your favorite sports team with a Starter brand
2. Over the Calf Socks, You young wouldn't believe we used to wear socks you could actually see
1. Adidas Windpants, come on all my Calvary Baptist people...we rocked them every week

What were some of your favorite things about the 90's?? Let's start a debate...

Starting The Season 0-2

Yep, that's right. 0-2. Last night Southern Heights team 2 took the field with aspirations to win the church league ragball championship but were quickly deterred as Boyd Church and Bethel brought their A-games. I wasn't present for the game one, I was watching JP while Megan was directing VBS, but as I approached the field for game 2 (which started at 10:20 p.m.), I had high hopes. That was until I noticed everyone seemed to be injured. I have been fighting a high ankle sprain for 2 weeks now and Russell, our worship leader and player/coach seemed to have busted his knee pretty bad his first time in the box. Refusing to go away quietly I took the mound...and got roped!! They hit everything and we made error after error after error. We started rallying towards in the bottom of the 5th. I hit third that inning and bombed one to deep left center. When it left the bat, I was sure hoping it was gone just for the pure relief of being able to trot around the bases on a semi-hurt ankle. But just like everything else that night, it came up short. We play again tonight, but we will be missing tons since VBS is still going on. I'm hoping we can come away with a win tonight and then at least split Thursday night leaving us at 2-3 on the season. Then when VBS is over, we can play without other more important obligations. It was the most fun I have had in a long time though...win or lose.

Deaf Choir

Last night we had a deaf choir from Baton Rouge come and lead worship for us. Quite possibly the best worship I've experienced...ever. There was a love for Jesus and the Gospel that is absent in most churches today. Besides being really really good, they were loving, appreciative, and real. There were some people who could hear on stage with them and helped with the translating and all of them had a heart for the Lord. I couldn't quit thinking last night about how awesome it was that even though the black people on stage were deaf, they still had rhythm. I know most of us white folks just can't seem to look cool when we dance, walk, or do anything really, but last night they all looked so smooth. I guess it is true what they say, "You don't listen to music...you feel it." Last night we felt the presence of God...not because we had some really neat, rhythmatic people on stage leading us in worship, but because they truly sought glory for the Father and I have much appreciation for that.