Here We Go Again!

Here we are on the adoption roller coaster again…one month steaming ahead making progress in leaps and bounds, the next month, no so much. This is perhaps an oversimplification, but when the system is more concerned with protecting the supposed rights of people we’ve labeled criminal rather than being concerned with the rights of innocent children, we have a problem. Oh, I know not all parents who have a child taken from them are criminal, but many are. I also know that emotions enter into the equation at every opportunity. Still, it often seems our system is more concerned with appeasing those adults they fear will file lawsuits against any sane decision, tying up the courts for months and years instead of caring for the welfare of children who cannot fend for themselves. Just another consequence of a system that chooses to be politically correct instead of choosing the morally right decision, regardless of who claims they are offended. Having said that, keep us in your prayers as we wade through the process once again…pray that the best is done for Mac!

Something More

Who knew...Nick sings too! If you've not seen his other videos, search Godtube or Youtube for Nick Vujicic. You'll be blessed!

The Skinny on Worship

Looking for some videos to support upcoming sermons and I came across this. I laughed until I cried! This might be the best one yet from the Skit Guys.

God of Wonders...and Homework!

So I drove today just over 3 hours for a 2 ½ hour meeting…usually a frustrating time for me. It was a productive meeting, but not as productive as the prayer and worship time I had as I drove. Then I returned to nearly four hours of homework…history, math, reading, and spelling. Two tests tomorrow…good thing I was prayed up or we (I) might not have gotten through it! As I marveled today at the change of the seasons and this evening at the fact that God has made us all so differently (at least all those living at my house), it all points me to the magnificence of the Creator! Add to this the fact that my marveling can be magnified a trillion times or more as I look out of my house into the realm of the universe! We truly serve an awesome God, a God of order, who has woven together every detail of nature in such a way that we who take the time to look are able to observe and praise His holy name! But now, just before bedtime, it’s back to studying the states and their capitals.

Watch Your Mouth!

“Stop all your dirty talk. Say the right thing at the right time and help others by what you say.” Ephesians 4:29 CEV

This was my memory verse for today and I must tell you it hit me right between the eyes. Not that I curse like a sailor…whatever that means, cause I have known several sailors who do not curse at all…but it hit me because of the level of vulgar language in our society today. Everywhere you turn foul language prevails. I was shocked lately by the language on a television show…presumably a kids show (at least I thought it was cause I was watching it with my kids)…at 6:00 in the evening! In addition to the vulgarity, this verse also speaks to the destructive power of words. And perhaps more damaging to people today is the ability some have to use words to tear down the spirit of others. As I understand these words from Paul, this is not a suggestion but rather a commandment. We are to use our words intentionally, as tools of encouragement for the building up of others. I would see this as first the words that come from our mouths, but also the words we allow others to speak. I know I cannot stop someone from saying something if they are intent upon saying it, but I can turn off the television or radio, or remove myself from the immediate circumstances. If you think words are not really that important, remember the words of James? “My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses. We praise our Lord and Father, and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn't right” (James 3:9-10 CEV).

Why We Remember.

Tell.Show.Be.

From our friends in the United Methodist Church of Great Britain. Well done!

TELL.SHOW.BE. - English from Tell.Show.Be on Vimeo.

Observing 9/11

We will soon find ourselves observing the tenth anniversary of 9/11; I must confess that I am struggling with how to observe the day with it falling on a Sunday…at least as far as our worship service is concerned. I hate it when days with such a social focus fall on the Lord’s Day. I certainly do want to observe it by remembering the event and the lives that were lost in this attack on our country, in fact, I want to do much more, however I truly believe the purpose of our worship services is to worship God…regardless of the day or any specific event. I also realize there are some public events scheduled for both the patriotic and religious (as if one person cannot be both) to gather, but still I struggle with this imaginary line. Certainly God wants us to remember those who lost their lives, but how far do we go until we are robbing God of worship? Not to mention those who do not know the service is worship of God alone…those who see/expect to be entertained…isn’t a too strong a focus on 9/11 confusing them further? Keep me in your prayers as I try to discern exactly what God would want us to do to honor the day.

I-God

I recently read a blog that asked the question, “What if Steve Jobs made Disciples?” Now, first on the outside chance you do not know who Steve Jobs is, he is co-founder, chairman, & former CEO of Apple. He has had too many achievements and honors to mention here, but suffice it to say he is both successful and influential in ways that most of us cannot even dream of. Let me also say this is not about running the Church like a business, it’s about being innovative in the Church like Steve Jobs was at Apple. If my memory is correct, Jesus led like that! Jobs is known for things like thinking outside the box, not following current trends, equipping others to lead, having an enormous vision, and hiring only the best, just for starters. I would also say whether it was his tactics or something else, Steve Jobs has made millions and millions of “disciples” of Apple products during his tenure there. So how does that translate to us in the Church? Well, first of all, our product (Jesus) is much better and more needed than any Apple product. What if we stopped trying to cram God into our little boxes and started to think like Jesus? What if we followed practices outlined in the Bible instead of the newest program used by another church across town? What if we truly equipped leaders by giving them a job AND the authority to do that job? What if we had a God-sized vision…you know something that only God could accomplish in/thru us? And what if we did the very best we could do whenever we did something for God…instead of making excuses for our lackadaisical approach to Church? What would happen? I’m guessing Jesus might be the hottest thing since the I-Pad, or I-Phone, or I-Pod, or the Mac…the real question is, “Why don’t we?”