Kingdom Crossing

Crossing Over

2010-05-12T16:49:00.001-05:00

Henceforth ye shall find musings and postings and other ings over on New Life Living.

Thank you, and have a full day.

R.C.

What Say You?

2010-04-30T11:50:00.001-05:00

I'm thinking of revamping this whole blog thing. The name, design, etc. Any suggestions?

Picking it back up...for real...this time...I mean it...

2010-04-29T17:06:00.003-05:00

After reading many other blogs, I've decided there's more than one way to skin a cat. No, I didn't actually find a recipe or "how to" to skin a cat, but I did think that would've been funny (if not a little gross) to have a link to something that did.

Anyways...

I don't have to say a heck of a lot in order to blog. Trust me. There are plenty out there that don't say much at all. But what I'm talking about is not having to write paragraph after paragraph to post. So, I shall, indeed, pick back up the posting, blogging, writing thingy and see where we go.

Join me if you like. Don't if you don't. Plus, I'm starting to twitter quite a bit. Follow me there if you dare! Ha! I'm a poet and didn't know it! Ha!

R.C.

The Absence

2009-08-20T18:35:00.003-05:00

It's been several months. I'm sorry. Much of the absence is due to working 13 hour days. Those days are over for now, praise God. I have a series of posts in mind for the immediate future, so we'll see where we go. Thanks for hanging around, and I promise to become more active in the blogging world once again.

Be encouraged.

When Will It Begin?

2009-05-17T13:21:00.002-05:00

Especially in the church?

Happy Resurrection Day!

2009-04-12T11:31:00.003-05:00

Life's For Sharing

2009-03-30T07:16:00.004-05:00

Whether you've seen this before or not, it's worth watching over and over. How much fun is this?

Can you imagine a group of people sharing life and Christ in such a way? Not necessarily with the dancing, but altogether. As one body. Life's For Sharing. Great slogan; fun video. Be encouraged.

(This came in the email: At the train station in Liverpool , T-Mobile did this great commercial unbeknown to the daily commuters. They practiced for 8 weeks and late one night at the station. On January 15th, 2009, with hidden cameras and 400 dancers at 11:00 a.m. their plan was put into action.)

Truth In Comedy

2009-03-29T13:16:00.003-05:00

Maybe it's tragedy, but it's truth nonetheless.

Long Days = A Long Time

2009-03-23T04:45:00.002-05:00

Several thoughts are running through my head at 4:45 in the morning:

it's been a long time since a posted
that's because I've been working 10 - 12 hour days the past 3 weeks
oh yeah, going in to the radio station between 5:30 and 6 (a.m.) then working at CellularPlus until till 6 (p.m.) and some days working the sound at ACF for band practice and what-not till 9-ish
I've got a lot I want to post about
been working on new music
got a new guitar
celebrated my 11th wedding anniversary
I need to lose some weight
I need to go get in the shower
I love my new job
God has really given me a grace for getting up so early in the morning
Wyoming sounds like a cool place to live
I love my wife
I love my kids
I love my parents
I love my friends
I love how many times I'm writing I love something
(but I really do love all those people)
I still need to go get in the shower
I wanted to round my list of thoughts off at 20 - so I did

Ciao

iLog 2009: Days 26 - 28

2009-03-09T04:27:00.002-05:00

Day 26: Thursday
Since it's been a week and half since this day, I honestly don't remember much about it. What I do remember is that my wife spent most of the day cleaning, and I mean cleaning, the house to get ready for her 30th birthday party, which was to take place at the house on Friday. Well, that didn't happen, but at least we had a clean house!

Day 27: Friday
My wife's 30th birthday!

Day 28: Saturday
The day after my wife's 30th, birthday! To read more about these last two days of immersion, please go here and here.

Sometime later (I'm not making any promises as to when) I will do an iLog wrap-up. Look for it, and until then, please be encouraged!

The Wife's 30th Birth-Weekend!

2009-03-03T04:47:00.006-06:00

My wife, Bridget, turned 30 this past Friday, and boy, did I get her good! What started out so fun but small turned into an elaborate 3 day adventure! You don't understand how hard it was to not let anything slip during the week. My friends and I tried a couple of times, but luckily, we caught ourselves and were able to give Bridge the surprisiest birthday party ever! (Yes, I made that word up.) Thank you to all the parties involved in helping to plan and participate in such a wonderful weekend. For the low down on the hoe down, check it out here.

(my beautiful bride)

Hello, March

2009-03-01T19:16:00.002-06:00

iLog wrap up and other updates coming soon. Until then:

iLog 2009: Days 24 & 25

2009-02-26T16:15:00.002-06:00

Day 24: Tuesday
The day started out as usual and ended deep in thought. I honestly don't remember how or why it ended there. I remember thinking that night, "why am I so thoughtful?" I don't remember any conversations or events that would have caused me to be so reflective, but there I was, late at night,...reflective.

We had dinner next door at my parents' house, because my mom is out of town and my dad, not wanting to be a bother, won't ever eat with us unless we tie him up and sit him down to eat. So, we did. And he liked it! (Didn't you?)

Yes, that paragraph revealed something interesting, didn't it? I live right next door to my parents. They live in the same house in which I grew up, and now my family and I live next door. Very cool. Many benefits: free babysitting, pool, cable TV, fun (and sometimes free) meals. This could go on and on. I'm just thankful (as is my wife) that my mom is unlike poor Ray Barone's mom on "Everybody Loves Raymond." I don't think we would've lasted too long had that been the case. Thanks, family, for loving and supporting us the way you do. We love you guys!

Day 25: Wednesday
OK, sappiness over, let's continue. I wrote this in my journal at 4:23 in the morning:

I am deep in thought. I have been since last night. At least, that's the best way for me to describe it. I do not feel sad; I do not feel depressed; I just feel ponderous. (side note: 2Nu song, anybody? Anybody?) I feel like the Holy Spirit is wanting to touch me - move me in some way, but am I hindering it? Oh, God, no! I don't wish to hinder Your spirit's move in my life. - Please, speak to me, Lord, for your child is
here, listening.
- I have read 2 Chronicles 13 & 14 and John 9:13-10:21
- Those who obey the Lord find peace. Obedience leads to peace - not necessarily with our enemies, but peace with God. Oh, Lord, teach me that I may obey your commands.

The two words I got out of this morning were "obey" and "peace". Cool. I encourage you to read those passages to see what the Lord may have for you. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

iLog 2009: Day 22 Addendum

2009-02-24T17:13:00.003-06:00

Sunday:
We had some friends come over for lunch, because re:Think's wife had a dream she wanted to visit about with us. So, as we are eating spaghetti, she explains her dream. I'll let her tell you, so, I'm sorry, you will not hear it here. This isn't about that.

After her dream explanation, re:Think, the husband, describes a dream he had the same night. They were similar but different, and I'll let you hear it from him. This isn't about that, either.

So, Bridget starts to tell about a dream she had Saturday night as well. Since this isn't about that either, she'll have to tell you about it. All three of them sat at our table and were just so smug and "la-dee-da" about how spiritual they were that they all had a dream and I didn't. Well, that's not exactly the case. I would've shared my dream with them, but I decided to let them bask in their "spiritual superiority". (please hear the tongue in cheek here)

This is about MY dream.

I actually had three distinct dreams Saturday night, but only one do I remember in detail. Obviously, this is the dream that I shall depict for you. Actually, I need to start a couple of nights earlier, so let me esplain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.

Bridget had an episode where she rebuked fear and immediately I hid under the covers. Apparently, fear didn't leave without one more jab, but this one was aimed at me. Fair enough, I got over it. Bridget still teases me.

So, fear comes back Saturday night. I can tell because my dream is odd and weird, and not scary, but I remember feeling afraid. I kept stabbing this seemingly nice guy who was meaning to do us harm, but he was not affected by my efforts. I end up in that half asleep/half awake state and realize that it is only a dream. Thoughts of rebuking this fear came to mind, but I was tired and really didn't want to mess with it. So, I laid there for a few minutes in this odd state of being afraid, but not really, being asleep, but not really. Doesn't make much sense, I know, but how often can one clearly describe one's dreams to other people?

Finally, something happened, I don't remember what, and I decided to take action. However, for whatever reason, I decided to bind fear. I bound fear's mouth, arms, and legs to where fear couldn't do anything but be bound in the name of Jesus Christ. I rolled over and started a different, less fearful, dream.

I find it interesting that we all had dreams of some sort of significance Saturday night. I find it funny that I had three dreams while everyone else only had one. Ha. So, to not let pride take over any more than it already has, I digress.

Be encouraged. Rebuke and bind fear in the name of Jesus. You'll sleep better.

iLog 2009: Days 19 - 23

2009-02-24T04:26:00.002-06:00

Day 19: Thursday
A Story: Nikola Tesla visited Henry Ford at his factory, which was having some kind of difficulty. Ford asked Tesla if he could help identify the problem area. Tesla walked up to a wall of boilerplates and made a small X in chalk on one of the plates. Ford was thrilled, and told him to send an invoice.
The bill, for $10,000, arrived. Ford asked for a breakdown. Tesla sent another invoice which read: "marking a small X in chalk = $1; knowing where to put the X = $9,999".

A Testimony: Eddie and Joan paid me cash for helping with their recording software yesterday. I felt that what they paid was a little excessive, and spoke with Joan this morning about it. She simply stated it was for knowing where to put the X.

A Blessing: I went to get my guitar out of the shop today, because it needed some work. The charge was 61 cents less than what Joan paid me yesterday. I was able to pay cash for my guitar and not use our checking account. God knew what he was doing.

A Job Offer: For the last several months, a local U.S. Cellular store, Cellular Plus, has been having remote broadcasts at least once a month with our radio stations. I have been the one to actually broadcast from the store, and so I've come to know the crew there pretty well. At the last remote, I had mentioned how I had gone to part time at the station.
Today, the store manager called me, out of the blue, and offered me a part time job with the store. I was in awe; I was flattered; I was humbled. She told me a little bit about it and set up a time for me to come in tomorrow and visit with them about it. Ok. What's up, God?

Day 20: Friday
Bridget and the fam took BoBo to meet her parents, Tam-Tam and Grandpa, in Lawton, so he can stay the weekend with them in Chickasha. He is very excited.
I went in to visit with the "powers that be" at Cellular Plus, and the deal sounds pretty sweet. Flexible hours, base hourly rate that would go up in 6 months plus commissions on contracts and computer repair, weekly pay, potential job growth. Sounds good. Plus, I get to learn how to work on computers and do cellular phone contracts, both of which would be great skills to have in today's job market. I asked for the weekend to pray about it and visit with Bridget about it.

Day 21: Saturday
Eddie introduced his new book, Animal ABCs - A Book of Whimsy, today at the public library. Bear, Popeye, and I went to the library to hear Eddie read some from his book. It was a lot of fun, and we bought a book for kids. Eddie signed it, and the guys were excited. They like "Mr. Eddie."

Bridget went over to a friend's house to sew some curtains for them, and we all wound up spending most of the morning and early afternoon over there. They are good friends. We like them.

Well, the sewing motivated Bridget, so she got some new fabric and came home and sewed new curtains for our house! They look good, too. She then went to the Miss Altus pageant with my mom and sister. The kids and I stayed home and hung out.

Day 22: Sunday
More on this day in a later post.

Day 23: Monday
After talking with my wife, parents, friends, and God, we all decided that the job at Cellular Plus would be a great opportunity for me, so I went in today and told them I would take the job. Kathy, the store manager, was excited and a couple of the other guys tried to get me to start then and there. They actually wanted some time off, I think, but for now I'll go with they just really wanted me to be there.

During this stretch of time, I've been working on music, but I've got musician's block. If that is such a thing. Still walking with God through all this. I start next Monday at Cellular Plus; I wanted to finish this month of immersion. More to come...

iLog 2009: Day 18

2009-02-19T04:50:00.003-06:00

Wednesday

Good things today: got the first song for the CD ready on Reason (I really want version 4), helped Eddie and Joan with their recording stuff, and attended our last Life Group meeting as one, big group. Look for a sample of the song and more details over on Sounds sometime today. Came across this quote on Frank Viola's Facebook page:

"A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against
it." - G.K. Chesterton

Great thought. I know that being a living thing doesn't mean one will automatically go against the stream, but to do so, one does need to be alive. Fill me with your life, oh, God, and guide me.

Soli Deo Gloria

iLog 2009: Day 17

2009-02-18T04:45:00.003-06:00

Tuesday

Finally, a good day of working on music. We've formulated the list for the CD, and it's taken a little while, but I finally feel comfortable working again with my music production software. For further music updates, check out Sounds From the Batcave.

In other news, had a good day overall. I had some new thoughts pop into my head concerning the radio station, so I'm currently praying through them to see if it is indeed God speaking or my flesh.

For whatever reason, my mantra right now is Joshua 24:15. From the New King James:

15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day
whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the
other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.
But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Whom do you serve? Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

iLog 2009: Days 10 - 16

2009-02-17T04:35:00.002-06:00

A lot has happened in the last week. I shall try to touch on highlights and see where we go from here.

Day 10: Tuesday
New furniture arrived! Back in January, Bridget went to the Ashley Furniture Home Store in Wichita Falls, TX, with a some friends and qualified for no interest payments for 3 years. Today, we sat, laid, reclined, relaxed, sniffed, hugged, and thoroughly enjoyed our new leather sofa, loveseat, and recliner for the living room, and our new lampshade-matching armless chair in the bedroom. I would love to post pics here, but we can't seem to find the camera. Besides, I wouldn't dare steal any of my wife's thunder for when she starts to blog again, as she will no doubt wish to share this with you.

Day 11: Wednesday
This time of immersing ourselves in God has really turned into a testing ground for us and even some of our friends. Much time spent in prayer interceding for others on this day.

Day 12: Thursday
Deja Vu all over again. This time, much time in prayer spent interceding on our own behalf. Several meetings with different people all day. There's a reason things are happening at this time. We don't know it all yet, so we're still walking it through with the Lord.

Day 13: Friday
LONG day. But a GOOD day. At the station by 6 a.m. A remote from a new store in town from 11 to 1. Running around collecting all the prizes for the Me and My RC Show Valentine's Day Give Away. Delivering the prizes to the winners. Remote again from the new store from 4 to 6. Pick up Bridge for our Valentine's date, drop off kids, head to our suite at the Hampton Inn by 6:45. Pick up Applebee's, eat, shower, and head to dance between 9 and 9:30. Get back to the hotel late and enjoy and evening and late morning with no kids. (SLEEP!) (Thank you Grandma and Granddad for watching the kiddos!)

Day 14: Saturday
We leave the hotel at 11 (check out time), run a few errands, and bring lunch home for everyone. Naps are in order for the rents and the little ones. Rest of the day is spent just hanging out.

Day 15: Sunday
Release. Lunch. Conversations. Naps. Time spent in Batcave.

Day 16: Monday
At the station till noon/noon thirty. No return visit to station and no praise band practice for the church. Finally, an afternoon to spend in the Batcave. iSessions should start being posted soon over on Sounds From the Batcave.

Please note that I don't always mention the time spent in prayer and fasting. While we haven't produced much music (yet), God has been moving in mighty ways in our life. Some movements we will get to talk about, and some we will not. That has yet to be seen, but God is good. Thank you to those who have been praying with us. Your efforts have not been in vain. I will keep you posted as the rest of this month unfolds.

Soli Deo Gloria.

iLog 2009: Days 8 & 9

2009-02-10T05:01:00.002-06:00

The month continues, and the immersing gets a little deeper each day. I was hoping for more of a dive right in type of thing, but instead we're easing our way into it. We're getting there.

Day 8: Sunday
Gathered with the church of ACF, ate lunch, napped, and worked some more in the Batcave. Seriously, I will post pics on my other blog, but I've got to take some, first. We've got the room looking extremely cool and put together the last bookcase. I can't wait to get to start using it.

Day 9: Monday
Worked at the station, the boys were dropped off later in the morning, because Princess had a doctor's appointment. The boys and I took my guitar to a local music store, because it turned out that the neck had bowed back. They are going to keep it for a week so that they can make sure everything adjusts properly with the humidity and other various things. Came home and napped. My final Musician's Friend shipment came in: my new sustain pedal for the keyboard and my new reference monitors (speakers). The speakers look sharp! The sustain pedal works! I then had to return to the station for Bids For Bargains. We then removed old furniture to make way for new that's supposed to be delivered today! I then went to praise band practice, came home, moved more furniture, delivered a chair to a buddy's house, and went to Walmart for medicine and a new rug.

Should start to have more "spiritual" things to report soon. And music. Hang with me.

iLog 2009: Week 1

2009-02-08T07:14:00.002-06:00

My apologies as the Batcave has been down this week for some remodeling. It all started last Saturday, and I finally had it back in order...well...it's still not completely back in order. I got the computer back up and running late Wednesday night, I think. The days are starting to all run together. I'll post pictures and a more detailed update later today on Sounds From the Batcave. For here and now, let me catch you up on this first week of immersion. Honestly, it's been slow.

Day 1: Sunday
I worked the sound system for ACF like I've done every Sunday but 3 or 4 for the past 13+ months. I have to be there by 8:30 in the morning, and I usually try to spend some time with the Lord before I go, but we were up late Saturday night working on the batcave, so I believe I slept in until 8. (Wow, I used the 3 major conjunctions together in one very long sentence.)
After service and lunch, we napped until game time then headed over to some friends' house to watch the Steelers eek out a thrilling victory over the Cardinals. Good game, great fellowship.
Also, more work on the Batcave.

Day 2: Monday
Back to work at the radio station. Although I'm supposed to be part time now, I put my hour sheet together for payday on the 3rd and realized I had 78 1/2 hours in a little over 2 week time period. My check was around $60 less than what it would have been if I were still on salary. Not bad for part time work.
By the way, our tax return came in on Friday, Jan. 30th. We had prayed for the 2 weeks between filing our taxes and receiving the return over on what to spend the money. So, we've been bidding on some things on the station's Bids For Bargains program. (Bids For Bargains is where an advertiser will trade a certain value of dollars from his/her store/service for that same amount in radio advertising. The station then holds an on-air auction everyday to sell off these items. The opening bids start at half the retail value. Many people get things for up to 50% off retail value. Some items have become so popular that they go for 80-90 cents on the dollar. You're still saving money, but it's a better deal for the station.) So, anyway, we've won Bulldog Furniture open certificates (which mean they spend like cash in the store) and picked up a new dining table and chairs, and a new red leather chair for the Batcave. Since I've been typing this, I honestly don't remember on what day we picked these up, but I know it was this past week.
After spending the afternoon working more on the Batcave, I went to praise band practice up at the Plaza Theater for ACF. Came home and worked some more in the Batcave.

Day 3: Tuesday
Worked at station, napped, worked the Bids For Bargains store at the station till 6:30, worked on Batcave.

Day 4: Wednesday
Worked at station, lunched with friends, napped, received first shipment of new things for the Batcave. Actually, it was a new computer monitor from Newegg (thanks, Chris Provence for turning me on to that site) that I gave my parents, and I took the one they had, because it matched the other one I had in the Batcave. So now I have dual, matching monitors, again. I had that before, but one of the monitors went out, but I'm back in bidness, baby!
We attended Life Group meeting at 7, came home and worked more on the Batcave.

Day 5: Thursday
Worked at station, napped, received second shipment of new things for Batcave, this time from Musician's Friend. I started putting things back together in the Batcave.

Day 6: Friday
Worked at station, ate lunch with a buddy, did a remote from Denny's Home Furnishings, went to the Alumni Association Recognition Banquet at Western Oklahoma State College. The station's owner/manager was out of town and asked Bridget and me to go in his stead. It was a fabulous evening! We even got to hang out with some friends we normally don't get to hang out with after the banquet. Long, but good, day.

Day 7: Saturday
Worked at station till noon, went over to Eddie and Joan Wilcoxen's house and helped with some technical issues in his studio and her office. They bought my lunch for my help. I enjoy spending time with them. He is a consummate story teller, and they are just neat, neat people.
Came home and took a short nap. Picked up last two chairs for dining table out at Bulldog. Good friends came over a little after 6 and stayed until a little before midnight. Time FLEW! We had a great time of abiding and praying and seeking God. I'm sure you'll hear more about that another time.

So, the first week is over, and not a heck of a lot of immersing going on. That will change. The Batcave is in order now, so music should hopefully start to flow soon. Plus, I plan to post everyday or every other day henceforth. Gotta go get ready for service this morning. Til next time!

Soli Deo Gloria

iLog 2009: Prologue

2009-01-31T07:05:00.003-06:00

I plan to keep a journal-like account of our time of immersion. I will call it my iLog, as in "immersion log". Apple could sue, and if they do, then I'll just change it to ILog. No big deal.

In John chapter 15, Jesus talks to his disciples about abiding. "Abide in me as I abide in you," he says. "Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches." Our time of immersion is to be a time of deep abiding. We so strongly desire to abide with Jesus that we are going to fast certain things in our life for the month of February to focus on him.

Now, the idea is that this abiding will simply become our lifestyle (as it is supposed to be). I would say that we abide with our Lord most of the time now, but we want it to become so much more. Hence, this focused time of intentional abiding, this immersion in Jesus.

Follow us during this time, if you will, and I'm sure God will take us on some great adventures. We are praying for new wisdom and insight. Some things, I'm sure God will want us to share with you; some things, may just be for us. Again, here, I will call it the iLog. Over on Sounds From the Batcave, any new music that is born of this I will talk about in the "Immersion Sessions". Why I'm not so compelled to call them the iSessions, I don't know. It's just the way the cookie crumbles.

Today, I have Bids for Bargains at the radio station, a remote immediately following, and I should hopefully be home by 1. Then, we shall spend the afternoon preparing the Batcave. Some rearranging and remodeling are in order, so that this time of immersion can be at least aesthetically pleasing.

Tonight, I've got tickets to go a "Christian rock concert," but we'll see if I make that.

Tomorrow, after an institutional church service, I think we may head over to some friends to hang out and watch some game on TV. I think the Blue Jays and Loggers are playing, or something like that.

As it all begins, I'll keep you up to date as possible. (Because I know you are glued to the edge of your seat.) We should have some fun. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

Pre-Immersion

2009-01-28T05:05:00.003-06:00

Immersion (from Dictionary.com):

1. an act or instance of immersing.
2. state of being immersed.
3. state of being deeply engaged or involved; absorption.
4. baptism in which the whole body of the person is submerged in the water.
5. Also called ingress. Astronomy. the entrance of a heavenly body into an eclipse by another body, an occultation, or a transit. Compare emersion (def. 1).–adjective
6. concentrating on one course of instruction, subject, or project to the exclusion of all others for several days or weeks; intensive: an immersion course in conversational French.

Well, we're not taking a immersion course in conversational French, but we are going to take one in conversational relationship with God. For the month of February, Bridge and I will immerse ourselves in God and in our music. We hope to grow immensely during this time, and hopefully our music will reflect that.

Over on the Sounds From the Batcave, I wrote:

Seasons change. Wisdom grows. Philosophies evolve. Passions intensify. God remains the same. Music reflects it all.

Our prayer for this time of immersion is for God to reveal himself in fresh ways, for him to draw us closer to him and each other, to gain insight and wisdom into his will for our ministry, for new and fresh music to be born (and recorded and produced), to come close to completing the CD, to set a release date, and to just walk with our Lord. Will you join us in this prayer?

I will keep you up to date on the goings on during the immersion. I'm sure there will be a lot to talk about. I hope so, anyway. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

OK Senate Bills 472 & 308

2009-01-27T04:39:00.006-06:00

I never really thought I'd be one to get into a fight like this, but apparently, I am. There are two new bills to be proposed in the OK senate on Monday, February 2. I first saw this story here. It intrigued me as I felt our home schooling rights were being stepped on a little bit. So I started doing a little research.

First, I found this. I felt a little better considering the Chairman of the Senate Educational Committee, State Senator John Ford said,

“Our home school community is a vital asset to this state. The way home schooling parents currently educate their children is a process that has worked fine, and I feel it is important for them to have the freedom in determining what will best serve their children’s needs.”

So, he, at least, is opposed to these two bills.

Upon further research, I discovered the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) was in action on these two bills. See here for Bill 472 and here for Bill 308.

So, where do I come in on all this? We home school our children. My wife has prayed about it since we started having children, and we pray about it before every school year. We didn't home school Bobo or Bear until we moved to Altus. We have absolutely nothing against Altus schools, we just felt the Lord was telling us it was time to teach our children at home. Again, we pray about it before every school year, because we don't want to be disobedient to God. We will put them in the public school system as soon as God doesn't want us to home school anymore. This is the Lord's will for our life in this season, so we do it.

We believe it is a parent's right and God-given duty to teach his or her child(ren). See Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4 among others. The fact that society has created public (and even private) school systems to teach children en mass, does not change this truth. In fact, it endangers it. Read Matthew 18:6, 7 and 14. Does a worldly school system not put a stumbling block in front of our children?

Both of my parents were school teachers. My mother-in-law still is. They taught/teach with integrity and respect to the children, their parents, and God. I have nothing against the teachers. They are doing their job. We, as parents, are doing ours. If the government feels the need to control that, then we are headed for a sad day indeed. I encourage you to pray about this issue and then act as God would direct you. Read up on it yourself, and make up your own mind. Don't just take my word for it. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria.

"That Smells Stinkowith"*

2009-01-22T19:40:00.006-06:00

I live in Oklahoma. I root for Oklahoma teams. I knew we were in trouble when we came away with zero points after two trips to the redzone. Plus, Tim Tebow is a darn good football player. And a believer. A passionate believer. However, that doesn't make all the hype about him before, during, and after the game any more tolerable for OU fans.

I didn't pay too much attention to it all. At least, I tried not to. But when all the announcers talked about was "Tebow this" or "Tebow that", then it became difficult to ignore. That particular sentiment was echoed by many Sooner fans in the days that followed the BCS Championship game. I heard plenty of, "Yeah, but did they have to keep talking about Tim Tebow?" Well, apparently they did.

The guy is good. He loves Jesus, and he's not afraid to tell you about it. If anybody deserves all the fuss about him, it's Tim Tebow. I like the guy. I don't know him personally, but I'd like to. Goodness oozes from him. Some would argue that greatness oozes from him. Victory seems to follow the guy around. For Florida and Tebow fans, you can't talk enough about him. For Oklahoma and Sam Bradford fans, you can't shut up fast enough. All the praise and hype for Tebow is sweet music for the Florida faithful and fingernails on a chalkboard for Sooner Nation.

Then, as I was pondering all of this, I was reminded about a particular passage of scripture. It comes from 2 Corinthians 2:14-16a, from the NIV:

14But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.

In a Roman victory procession, the Roman general would display the spoils of war, including any captives, amidst a cloud of incense burned for the gods. To the Romans, the victors, the smell was sweet, but to the captives, it was the stench of slavery and death. To the one, the smell was sweet victory, and to the other, it was bitter defeat.

As a believer, the message about Christ and his love and forgiveness smells sweet to me. But, I know for some, it stinks; they don't want to hear it. Even though it is a good message, a message of hope and mercy, there are some who don't want any of it. They would just as soon you shut up about it as to keep on and on about how good Jesus is.

Any of this making sense? Are you connecting the dots yet? I'm not saying that Tim Tebow is Jesus, nor am I calling Sooner fans unbelievers. But the illustration can be drawn. Losing to the Gators, and all the hooplah about Tebow, have put a practical case in point for me concerning this passage of scripture. Even though the Sooners lost, I sure am glad to be on the victorious side of Christ and smell that sweet aroma of his glory. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

*(You might check the spelling on that word, but Star Wars fans will recognize that one from the mouth of Jar Jar Binks in Episode I)

Developing Thoughts

2009-01-21T11:32:00.004-06:00

a lesson from the BCS
the battle for the body
homeschooling bills in the OK House
fresh focus and vision
thoughts from inauguration day

These are just a few of the thoughts swimming around in my head. I have some of them on paper. I plan to post soon. As soon as I will make the time. Walking through a valley that includes some self employment is a 24 hour endeavor.

A New Attitude

2009-01-18T17:48:00.004-06:00

Breakthrough this morning! God always knows what you need. He knew what I needed, and he provided in a big, big way. Again, after hearing it, it may not be something completely new to you, as it is not new to me, but perhaps you'll see it in a different light, as I have.

Lately, I've been struggling. Mightily. If you've read any of my posts on any of my blogs, you know how I feel about worship. Worship is a lifestyle. It is a daily laying down of one's wants and desires to please the one, true God. Your life should be an act of worship before the Lord. However, in today's Amercian-ized, super-sized, mega-mall church, worship has become little more than singing some songs with a cool rock or pop band at weekly gatherings. We even call it "worship music". During the service, music is the "worship time". When, in actuality, giving of your time and resources, hearing the scriptures, praying for one another, and other "events" that take place during a "service", are all worshipful acts. So, music is not the end-all worship time. Here's my struggle:

Music is what I do. It's what Bridge and I do. It's who we are. It's what we believe is to be our tool to reach out to the church and to the lost and hurting. Music is a major thread of our life's garment. We want to make music that enhances a person's personal time of prayer and "worship". We want to create events or gatherings where music, prayer, healing, prophecy, teaching, and the move of the Spirit are regular, normal, and welcomed elements. (Kingdom Crossings - read the definition under the blog title)

Sunday mornings have been tough. We talk about worship being a lifestyle, but we push for more "worship" during the music. "Worship the Lord!" "Close your eyes and worship!" Both Bridge and I have had a hard time with this lately. We have felt like the emphasis is misplaced. It has made it difficult to really get "into it". Now, you'll have to understand that music as worship isn't all that seems out of place. There are other issues at hand here, some of which I have discussed earlier, and some of which we will discuss later. (None of these issues, for clarification, deal with our particular church on a specific level - all of our issues concern the American church as a whole, and therefore do not reflect any displeasure with any one person or persons at our particular church.) This touch of God, however, deals with the music.

I run the sound for our particular church. This morning, I was asked to lead in prayer before the praise team started rehearsing. I prayed for things that I have heard before, and know, but God had me take special note afterward of what I had prayed. I prayed for the music to become an extension of our life. I prayed that our lifestyle would reflect our attitude toward our God, and that this music would be an extension of that. After the prayer, I wrote this down:

We want our music to be an extension of our heart - an extension and expression

It was like God was saying, "Live a life of worship, and let your music become an extension of your life, and an expression of your heart. Let your life reflect your attitude toward me and my attitude toward you. Then, let your music reflect that."

I sang and expressed my heart with a lot more vigor this morning than I have in a long time. I didn't feel like I was "worshiping", but I was simply expressing what was in my heart for the Lord. It made singing the songs a lot easier. Maybe you already do that. Maybe you don't. Maybe you should. If you have trouble "worshiping" on Sunday mornings or Saturday nights, then try looking at it as an extension of your life and an expression of your heart. Don't let the semantics get in your way like I did. I won't anymore. I have a new attitude.

Soli Deo Gloria

Inmates Running the Asylum

2009-01-15T18:33:00.004-06:00

Apparently they are over in England. Check this out this story.

Note: if you click the above link, it will take you to the article on the UK website, The Sun. I felt that in order to stay within legal boundaries, I needed to link back to it. However, there are a lot of "distractions" on the site, so I've copied the story below, too.

Judge throws out robbery case: Victim is too HONEST
By JOHN COLES
Published: 14 Jan 2009

A DRIVING instructor robbed by savages as she gave a lesson was branded too GOOD a witness by a judge — who THREW OUT the case against a yob she identified. Beaten-up Denise Dawson, 36 — whose nose was broken by a gang that
surrounded her car — was hailed by Judge Jamie Tabor QC as “honest, utterly
decent and brave.”

But amazingly he ruled that her evidence against a lout she picked out in an ID parade was so compelling it would unfairly sway the jury. He awarded the mum of two £250 for her courage — but let accused robber Liam Perks, 20, walk free. Judge Tabor declared: “The jury may lend more weight to her evidence than her facts allow. You cannot be sure she got it right.”
He added bizarrely: “Had this been the Archbishop of Canterbury’s son, would I have allowed (the trial) to go on? The answer is no.”

Horrified Denise said afterwards: “I felt sick. What more can I do? I positively identified someone from a video ID parade and was prepared to risk everything in
going to court. But it’s still not enough.”
Denise, of Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, was practising hill starts with Jodie Dickinson, 26, when the thugs swooped.
One yob smashed her Ford Focus’s rear window with a brick and grabbed her laptop and £80 cash.
Denise told Bristol Crown Court others punched her in the face and stole her mobile.
Prosecutor Ed Burgess said Denise told cops at the ID parade: “It’s No7. I know that face. It made my stomach go over.”

The jury heard Perks, of Henbury, Bristol, is awaiting sentence for conspiracy to burgle.
Last year Judge Tabor, 57, handed a suspended sentence to a wife who gave her cheating husband rat poison.
The dad of three also freed a pervert choirmaster, saying his 11-year-old victim
seemed to “enjoy” being abused.
The Crown Prosecution Service defended the latest ruling — saying it too felt there was insufficient evidence against Perks.
But Labour MP Dan Norris said: “It’s bonkers. The message to
criminals is if it’s your word against theirs, no matter how trustworthy they
are you are likely to get away with it.”
j.coles@the-sun.co.uk

At least the people who left comments seem to be in their right mind. I can just imagine "Honest Abe's" testimony being thrown out at John Wilkes Booth's trial. (I know that Lincoln died and Booth was later shot, I'm just sayin'.)

So the moral of the story seems to be, don't be so convincing in your convictions, because you might not be right and irresponsibly lead others astray.

Barf.

Oh, God, help us to redeem the day!

Crossing With the Family

2009-01-15T05:12:00.002-06:00

This past Sunday, my wife and I were afforded the opportunity to sing and dance and rap and have fun with our children. My wife wrote a song, I put the music with it, and our oldest two boys carried it. Our little girl decided she wanted in on the fun, too, so she snuck up on stage with us toward the end. All the righteous goodness can be found on the Babione 6 blog. Enjoy!

R.C.

God At Work

2009-01-09T10:29:00.002-06:00

I know that God is very present in my life and constantly working in, and on, me. What's cool is seeing God work in others's lives, as well. This past Saturday night, I got to witness an awesome God experience.

Please note, as I tell this story, there may be issues that come up that you may disagree on with me, or that you don't necessarily believe. This is not a discussion on those topics; this a sharing of an amazing act of God in people's lives. We can discuss, debate, deal with, etc. these issues at a later time. For now, please allow God to encourage your spirit as he displays his glory in the following tale:

What started out to be a perfect, early January evening in southwest Oklahoma transformed into a cutting, cold blistery night in the matter of seconds. A wintry front blew in from the north with little warning, and everyone gathered around the outdoor fire suddenly clamored to get inside. A few brave souls fought the wind and the cold to put out the fire, and once they were safely inside, next to a simulated fire on the tv, the blustered bunch of believers began their bout with the Bible.

Ok, seriously, we were meeting together to eat and hang out and had to come inside because it got too cold outside. Then we started talking about what God was doing in each of our lives. We had two new couples at the gathering, so it was great to hear about their walks with God. After the elder of the two couples shared some things, my wife was moved to have the rest of the group pray over them. So, we did.

Iceman and Fiona* sat on our couch in the middle of the room while the rest of us gathered around them. Then we prayed. Good prayers for faith, strength, supernatural intervention, and the like were offered up. And they were offered in various languages. "Tongues" some people call it. It has become natural for several within the group to pray in such a way, but not everyone is familiar with, comfortable with, or understands praying in tongues. As was the case with Iceman.

After praying over this wonderful couple, we all sat back down when the other new couple, Maverick and Ariel, spoke up. You could tell that it wasn't easy for him, but he asked if any of us had ever had our "tongues" interpreted. Um, no. Of course, I thought that was odd, because I didn't realize that my "prayer language" should or could be interpreted. Maverick quickly teared up, because he was trying to be obedient to the Lord telling him to tell us what we had said in our prayer. Thus, he continued.

He told us that I was saying over and over, "Praise be to God!" To another in the group, she was saying, "Jesus is in control!" Wow. How cool is that? To have God tell you what you were saying to him in the "deep calling deep!" Maverick said that God has anointed him with the gift of interpretation, but he hasn't always used it when he felt God prompting him. So he was taking a big step that night to speak in front of strangers in obedience to God. Major move of Messiah in Maverick's life.

After Maverick spoke, and we all were trying get over the coolness of that, Iceman spoke up. He described how, while we were praying, and he heard us praying in "tongues," he told God that if this was real, we wanted an interpretation. Um, double wow. He went on to explain how he had had two very negative experiences with "tongues" and those who "spoke" them. He said he had a very large mountain in his life pertaining to this topic, and Maverick had completely crumbled it. (still get goosebumps thinking about it) Iceman said that if he hadn't received an interpretation, that the mountain would've only grown.

Well, Maverick gave God the glory for bringing down the mountain, and Iceman agreed. But Iceman also told him that if he hadn't been obedient, that the mountain would probably still be there. To add to the validity of it all, the words being prayed were ones that spoke directly into Iceman's life and situations for this particular season. God is so good. He moves in unexpected ways. We were all pretty stoked from seeing God at work in the lives of our new brothers and sisters in Christ. For me, God fulfilled his promise in Matthew 18:20 -

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

And where he is, the Kingdom can be crossed.

Soli Deo Gloria

*names have been changed to protect the innocent (and not so innocent)

My "Ah-ha" Moment

2009-01-08T09:15:00.003-06:00

We all have them at some point or another. That moment when suddenly all the planets align, two and two actually make four, and everything fits into place. Last night, I had one such moment. Once you read it, you may not think it to be very earth-shaking, but for me, it all made perfect sense.

At our Life Group's meeting last night, Proverbs 19:8 was presented and discussed. From the TEV it says,

Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper.

From the Message:

Grow a wise heart-you'll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head-you'll find a good life.

The question: "What is something you enjoy learning about, and how can it benefit other people?"

My thoughts: You know, I really enjoy reading the Bible and learning new insights about what the Lord has to say and is saying to me. Wait..do I really? It's hard and tedious to read, research, look up, write down, and prepare for a sermon. I really don't enjoy that at all. But I do enjoy just reading and suddenly being interrupted by God. That is quite fulfilling. I like to write down what he says to me in those moments. And it is a heck of a lot easier to prepare from notes I've already taken. Plus, I have a better time communicating something God has taught me for my sake and my life, than to try to communicate something I know but am not really experiencing or have experienced. Interesting...

My notes: When I try to read and learn in order to teach people, it becomes hard and tedious. When I read to learn for my own sake, it comes much easier, and I hear God speak so much more clearly.

Ah-ha!: Well, whaddya know?! While in "ministry," I was always reading and learning more so that I could teach others what I think they need to know. But that came with great difficulty. When I learn for my own benefit, I then am armed with insight and blessings for others. Go figure. I was always trying too hard to go in the wrong direction. The scriptures say to "love others as you love yourself." When I love myself enough to learn more and better my spiritual journey, it can then benefit others.

While I was having those thoughts last night, God reminded me of Psalm 51. Perhaps you know verses 10-12:

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit. (NRSV)

Long ago when I was memorizing those verses, God had verse 13 stand out to me, as well:

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.

In other words, after I seek God on my behalf, I will have what I need to teach others his ways. Thanks, God, for that little mile marker on this road while crossing the Kingdom.

Soli Deo Gloria

The Press and Teenage Sex

2009-01-07T10:02:00.005-06:00

While I no longer do my show at the radio station, I still go in every weekday morning to take care of the early production needs. Eddie, the AM morning guy, handed me an article he printed from The Wall Street Journal website written by William McGurn. You may have seen some of the following headlines and stories, but I have not. I think this article does a great job of clearing some things up, so I thought I would share it with you.

It seems Janet Elise Rosenbaum of Johns Hopkins University conducted a study called "Patient Teenagers? A Comparison of the Sexual Behavior of Virginity Pledgers and Matched Nonpledgers," and published it in the Jan. 1 edition of Pediatrics. The numbers show little difference between those who pledge and those who don't, and that most do not make it to the wedding night as virgins. Well, the press had a field day. The following are the headline and a few excerpts from McGurn's article (click on the headline for the full article):

"Like a Virgin: The Press Take On Teenage Sex"

"Virginity Pledges Don't Stop Teen Sex," screams CBS News. "Virginity pledges don't mean much," adds CNN. "Study questions virginity pledges," says the Chicago Tribune. "Premarital Abstinence Pledges Ineffective, Study Finds," heralds the Washington Post. "Virginity Pledges Fail to Trump Teen Lust in Look at Older Data," reports Bloomberg. And on it goes.
In other words, teens will be teens, and moms or dads who believe that concepts such as restraint or morality have any application today are living in a dream world. Typical was the lead for the CBS News story: "Teenagers who take virginity pledges are no less sexually active than other teens, according to a new study."
Here's the rub: It just isn't true.

...the only way the study's author...could reach such results was by comparing teens who take a virginity pledge with a very small subset of other teens: those who are just as religious and conservative as the pledge-takers.

The first to notice something lost in the translation was Dr. Bernadine Healy...[who]...pointed out that "virginity pledging teens were considerably more conservative in their overall sexual behaviors than teens in general -- a fact that many media reports have missed cold."
What Dr. Healy was getting at is that the pledge itself is not what distinguishes these kids from most other teenagers. The real difference is their more conservative and religious home and social environment. As she notes, when you compare both groups in this study with teens at large, the behavioral differences are striking. Here are just a few:
- These teens generally have less risky sex, i.e., fewer sexual partners.
- These teens are less likely to have a teenage pregnancy, or to have friends who use drugs.
- These teens have less premarital vaginal sex.
- When these teens lose their virginity
they tend to do so at age 21 -- compared to 17 for the typical American teen.
- And very much overlooked, one out of four of these teens do in fact keep the pledge to remain chaste -- amid much cheap ridicule and just about zero support outside their homes or churches.
Let's put this another way. The real headline from this study is this: "Religious Teens Differ Little in Sexual Behavior Whether or Not They Take a Pledge."

What...parents hope to do is direct these [sexual] desires in a way that recognizes sex as a great gift, which in the right circumstances fosters genuine intimacy between a man and a woman and at its freest offers the possibility of new life.

[However,] these families live in an environment where most everything that is popular -- television, the movies, the Internet -- encourages children to grow up as quickly as possible while adults remain locked in perpetual adolescence.

For these parents, the good news here is that the striking behavioral differences between the average American teen and the two teen groups in this study show that homes and families still exert a powerful influence.

Really, please take the time to read the entire article. There's honestly not a lot more, but it will help to fill in some blanks. Again, I hadn't been exposed to the uproar of media hype following this publication, but it sounds like the liberal media. At the bottom of this article on WSJ.com, it has links to some of the headlined stories. See if you can pick the one that is different:

Related News From the Web
The truth about teens and sex - The Boston Globe JAN 03. 2009 boston.com
Study: Religious Teens More Likely to Abstain from Sex JAN 03. 2009 foxnews.com
Virginity Pledges Don't Work, Study Finds DEC 29. 2008 news.aol.com
Abstinence Pledges Have No Effect On Sexual Behavior DEC 29. 2008 huffingtonpost.com

Ah, you never know what you might find when crossing the Kingdom. Father, help us to redeem this world.

Soli Deo Gloria

Crossing On Faith

2009-01-06T09:49:00.004-06:00

In my attempt to journey through the Kingdom, I have entered a new valley. It is a dark valley for the moment. I cannot see what is ahead or around me, and I know that I can't go back in the direction from whence I came. Even that is starting to fade, and frankly, it's a little scary.

During my last year, year and half, in Montgomery, TX, the 23rd Psalm took on new meaning for me. Generally used for comfort during times of great grief, namely deaths, I found great hope in exploring all of its implications. Honestly, I owe that to my pastor at the time, Dowen. He helped point out a lot of significance this passage of scripture had for my life. As I started writing this post this morning, the passage was brought back to mind, so I re-read it. From the NRSV:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff -
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.

I ended 2008 with a full time job (albeit one that didn't pay every bill, but it paid most of them) and a part time job. I begin 2009 with 4 part time jobs. Right now, I'll only be getting paid for 3 of them, but that 4th one is what I know God wants me to do. So. Dark valley? I can't see a heck of a whole lot. Bright horizon? More than you and I can imagine!

While I know God is walking me through this particular valley (like he does every valley) he doesn't promise a peaceful valley. While he promises to be there, to give peace and comfort and rest, the valley and the journey aren't going to be easy. That's why it's called a dark valley or the valley of the shadow of death - not very pleasant imagery.

However, this I know: the other side of this valley will be like a land flowing with milk and honey! While I desperately already want to be on the other side, I know that I've got to journey through this. It's in the journey that God reveals his glory, and I don't want to miss it. What started the idea for this particular post came from Ephesians.

As someone was praying over us recently, he said that it was important to daily put on the full armor of God. So, after reading that passage again, I came across verse 18 of chapter 6:

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

That is my request of you. Pray for me. I may not be in chains, but I am to be an ambassador. So, "I must speak". "Pray that I may declare it boldly." And pray that I may learn what I need to learn, so that this valley isn't necessarily a long one, but one that bears much fruit for the Kingdom. After all, that's all I'm doing - journeying through the Kingdom. Crossing on faith.

Soli Deo Gloria
R.C.

2009-01-01T15:02:00.000-06:00

I am testing out the mobile blogging thingy. If it works, look out! If it doesn't, oh well.

A New Beginning

2009-01-01T14:33:00.002-06:00

In oh, so many ways. First, welcome to my new blog. I will continue to post to my others, but this one shall be reserved for more focused thoughts on God, church, life, and all thoughts pertaining to, but not limited to, God, church, and life.
(wow, that was a big, complicated sentence)

Second, welcome to a new year! '08 is gone and '09 has arrived! May God bless you and keep you in the new year, and may He cause his face to shine upon you.

Third, my time at the radio station has been dramatically cut. When the economy bottomed out in October, so did ad revenue, and so did the funds for my salary. So, no more morning show, and no more headaches and major responsibilities at the station. Scary? Most definitely. Exciting? You have no idea. I now have been given the time to pursue those things that I know God wants me to pursue, and to discover other things He may want me to do, as well. It also will allow me time to work with my father, which will be a treat and hopefully a viable means to support the family until these other developments really take off.

So, please pray for us as we enter this new, exciting, scary season in our life. Also, I will keep you on the mailing list from Sounds From the Batcave (if, indeed, you were on it) for this blog, unless you tell me otherwise. If you would like to be added, please let me know.

Thanks for your prayers and support, and be encouraged!

A Living Room Blog

2008-11-25T13:48:00.000-06:00

Please check out my post on this blog. Feel free to comment over there, or come back here to say something. Thanks.

"Mommas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Pastors"

2008-11-22T11:03:00.000-06:00

I found this video on the Pyromaniacs blog. They are the also the ones responsible for my previous post. This video was the previous post to the one I used as my previous post. If you're confused, good. If you're not, then I'll try harder next time. ;) Anywho (to borrow from my wife), watch it and comment, if you would please. Be encouraged.

Pyromaniacs: The Intolerance of True Religion

2008-11-22T10:38:00.000-06:00

Pyromaniacs: The Intolerance of True Religion

Please, please take time to read this post. Why don't we hear sermons like this today?

"What I tell you in the dark..."

2008-11-21T05:02:00.000-06:00

"What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs." - Jesus (Matthew 10:27 NIV)

I read from Matthew 10, verses 16 through 42 this morning, and the above verse caught my attention the most. There were others that pricked my ears and heart this morning, and you'll hear about them a little later, but for some reason, this one really struck a chord. I think, partly, because I can't find any commentary on that verse. It comes in the middle of a paragraph of scripture that has produced more studying than this little verse. But, for whatever reason, God was speaking this to me this morning.

I believe it implies a quiet time. For me, it is early in the morning when it is still dark. I also believe it implies an intimate relationship with the Son (and Father and Spirit), as he will whisper in my ear. I think it can also be indicative of the relationship between Christ and his bride (us - the church).

While this verse speaks of relationship and time together with Christ, it is also obviously a call to action. We are to share what we learn from our saviour. First, we are to spend time, in private (in the dark/whispered in your ear), with him, then we publicly (in daylight/from the roofs) share what he told us. So, today, start to spend time with your Lord, in private, in the dark, and allow him to whisper in your ear, and then share that good news with others. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

A Quote

2008-11-15T05:37:00.000-06:00

Being a part of the Bride of Christ isn't always easy; I just don't want to be a boob.

Talk Is Cheap Part 2

2008-11-14T05:16:00.000-06:00

I actually wrote my poem before reading this passage. God just worked it out that this was what I read next. He's so cool.

2Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
3At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"
4Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7And the man got up and went home. 8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men. - Matthew 9:2-8 (NIV)

It is much easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven," than to say, "Stand up and walk". For when you say that someone sins are forgiven, you can't actually see that. But to tell someone to stand up and walk would require them to actually do it! It's a little thing I like to call "action". Oh, all that talk about forgiving sins and talking a good game is easy. People can't tell if your sins are really forgiven. Bet tell somebody to walk, and they don't do it? Hoo boy, you're in trouble! There's not only not any action, but there's no visible action. People can see that you're a phony, a fake, a hypocrite.

Fortunately, Jesus is not phony, fake, or a hypocrite. His words carried his authority. The man actually got up and walked. And his sins were forgiven. Talk is cheap, but the cost of following Jesus is not. We can talk about it all we want, but until we actually (I guess I found the italic button, huh?) get up and walk, and put some action behind our words, then we're just wasting our time. And the time of others. And God's time.

O, God, I don't want to take the easy way out and just talk. I know the cost is high to follow you, but I also know the cost is high to say I do and not. Forgive me when that happens. I'm sorry. I repent of my lazy ways. Help me to get up and walk this day. I love you.

Soli Deo Gloria

Talk Is Cheap

2008-11-13T22:07:00.000-06:00

talk is cheap

so they say

when we keep

our own way

and not do

what we preach

and be too

glad to teach

hurt a friend

thought not meant

in the end

price was spent

oh that's when

find as such

talk can then

cost too much

One Thing I Was Made For

2008-11-12T05:23:00.000-06:00

note: I know that is not proper English, but that is how the questioned was asked: What's one thing God has made you for?

My wife.

My destiny is accomplished in serving her destiny and the destinies of my children.

25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body. 31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. - Ephesians 5:25-33 (NLT)

The cleansing of the woman comes from the death of the man. That sentence is in my notes from the men's retreat. What really does that mean? Well, the husband is to love his wife like Christ loves the church. Christ loved the church so much, he gave his life for it. I am to die for my wife as well. Daily. Put aside my own feelings and comfort and serve my wife's purpose and destiny. Christ was (and is) so deeply in love with the church (his people - not any building) that it cost him his life - a great expense. Another note from my um, notes: deeply in love at my expense. My wife needs to know that I love her and that I would do anything for her. I'd fight for her and die for her. I've got to live for her. I think of the Bryan Adams song, "(Every Thing I Do) I Do It For You".

Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church. This is an all out, unselfish, fully committed, undying, unconditional love. He loved the church so much he died for her. He sacrificed for her. So, how do I sacrifice for my wife? The best way to do this is to ask her. "Babe (or Honey, Sweetheart, Pookie, Wife, Woman, Love of my life, Dear, Baby, Sweet potato pie, or any other affectionate name you have for your wife), how can I serve you? How can I help you to be the woman/mother/wife you want to be - that God has designed you to be?" This may take actually talking to your wife. Once she recovers from falling over, you may have to spend some time in prayer with her. Look out, because all this could lead to her fulfilling the scriptures that are written before the above passage:

21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. - Ephesians 5:21-24 (NLT)

It starts with the husband. The church didn't submit to Christ first. Christ loved the church and gave himself for her first, then the church's response to that is to submit to him. It's a whole lot easier for a wife to submit to a husband she knows loves her more than anything and seeks to serve her above himself. Now, our fleshly side says that it would be easier to love a wife that's more willing to submit to her husband, but that's not how it works. We love Christ because because he first loved us. The church isn't easy to love, either, you know. She can be short-memoried, ungrateful, selfish, nagging, whining, disloyal, and down right rejecting at times, but Christ loves her. We must take our cue from him.

Listen, you start talking and praying with your wife, doing the dishes without being asked, giving her time alone away from the kids, taking out the trash without being asked, picking up your dirty clothes, and other non-selfish things, then you will find a woman more than willing to submit to you. Reminds me of an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" when Ray was vacuuming some drapes and Debra walks up behind him and says, "You have never been more attractive to me."

In attempting to do this, I have discovered just how selfish I have been around the house. I have found that I pout a lot if I don't really get what I want. I dare say that you will, too. But, pouting is not the way of a son of God. A son of God is loving, generous, and unselfish. Pouting does not fit that description.

Wow. Well. What was going to be a simple little post has turned into a 30 minute lecture on husbands and wives. I started this thing back on Oct. 31st. Oh, well. Bridget, I love you, and God has made me for you. Husbands, you were made for your wife. Let her know that. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

The Narrow Gate

2008-11-07T05:09:00.000-06:00

This morning's reading was in Matthew chapter 7. At first glance, these scriptures seam like two different teachings. God tied them together for me this morning.

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits." - Matthew 7:13-20 NRSV

For the past few days I have been struggling with being a "professional talker." You know, someone who is considered an "expert" in whatever field, because he/she talks a lot about it, writes a lot about it, puts on seminars or conferences a lot about it, sings songs a lot about it, etc. a lot about it. Not that anyone considers me an expert on anything. I was referring to different people I see on TV or hear on the radio or read on the internet.

I can talk about being a believer all I want. I can talk about reaching out to the lost, helping the poor, feeding the hungry. I can say that a believer should do that everyday. I can talk about living a life pleasing to God; I can sing about living a life pleasing to God; I can blog about living a life pleasing to God. But, am I? This passage really convicted me this morning. Where's my fruit? Am I bearing fruit? Can I make jelly from it? (Jesus Jelly?)

Then I realized that to be a true teacher or prophet, and to bear fruit with my life, that it takes actually entering through the narrow gate and traveling down the hard road. I often ask myself, "Why do things have to be so hard?" Well, the answer is because that is the road that leads to life. Oh. The light's a little brighter this morning. I want to be one of the few who find that road. I want to enter the narrow gate. I want others to come with me. Will you?

VOTE!

2008-11-04T04:42:00.000-06:00

don't vote party - vote righteousness

don't vote race - vote righteousness

don't vote sex - vote righteousness

don't vote pocketbook - vote righteousness

don't vote age - vote righteousness

don't vote charisma - vote righteousness

don't vote looks - vote righteousness

don't vote fear - vote righteousness

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34

Father, God, You are God and You are in control. I thank you for the opportunity to elect our leaders. Today, I hand this nation's election over to You. Your will be done, Your kingdom come, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Have mercy on us as a nation, O God. I turn to You. Be our rock and our fortress. I ask for peace and joy in the midst of this tumultuous time. Whatever happens today, You are still my God, and You are still my hope. Thank You for the blood of Jesus; thank You for the love of Jesus. In his mighty name I pray.

Soli Deo Gloria

Enter the Fight: Round 2

2008-10-27T05:03:00.000-05:00

I know it's been a while. I'm sorry. I've been struggling with a lot of stuff for the past few weeks. Sure, I've been busy, but more than that, I've been trying to get over the fact that I may have really missed something at the men's retreat.

Remember this post? Yeah, well, I thought I had that figured out, too. What I wrote was part of the word the Lord had for me, but it was really more of a personal warning, or a personal call to action: Enter the fight! It was a word for the me entering the men's retreat. And I missed it.

Ron DePriest was great. His messages were stirring, and God was moving, and I really got a lot out of it. Appreciated it. Good stuff. That part was spot on. The rest of the time, well, that's where I feel like I missed it.

Thursday night: I was tired. I'd been up since 4:30, had driven for a little over 2 hours, it was 10 o'clock at night; I was tired. An extremely good friend of mine, Chenson (names have been changed to protect the innocent), and I hadn't eaten, yet. So, we went with Poby to get some dinner. We got back sometime between 11 and 11:30. Quite understandably, I was ready for bed. I had the privilege of rooming with another of my extremely good friends, Poby. However, we had several people come to our room, and after they finally left, Pob and I got our guitars out and actually wrote a song using some words from another song I had and several of our notes from the evening's session. Great stuff! We were up till around 3, I think. Around 6, I get a call from work. I was on the phone twice with them for a total of 45 minutes. Luckily, the first session wasn't until 10, but still, bed late + up early = not a good combo.

Friday: I was tired. Another great session. Poby, Chenson, and I were going to take the afternoon free time to get me registered to vote, get Chenson a GPS for his wife's car, and come back and hang out with the rest of the fellas. Well, we wound up going with Estevie to Guitar Center in OKC. I did get registered to vote, we did get Chenson's GPS, but we got back just in time for dinner. No time spent with other guys (outside my usual "circle of friends"), the pastor, nor the speaker. Not a problem, we still had Friday night.

Friday night: Over by 9-ish. Another great session. More great stuff. So great, in fact, I found Poby afterward and told him I thought we had more writing to do. We went back to the room, pulled out the guitars, and started writing again. A few guys came through. We talked a lot about different stuff. Good time with Poby and with Chenson. Went to bed around midnight-ish (I think). Again, no time spent with the leadership.

Saturday morning: Skip breakfast and show up for the morning's session; the last one. Suddenly I'm hit with the feeling that I've completely missed out on something I was supposed to get. I didn't know what. I still don't. I just had knots in my stomach all morning long. What did I miss? Then the words came floating back into mind: Enter the fight. Had I entered the fight all weekend? I don't know. Suddenly, what was a fun weekend turned into a stressful, spiritual debate. What had I gotten out of the weekend? A song? More time with great guys I already spend a lot of time with? Had I served anybody throughout the weekend? Therein lied my answer. NO.

Realization: I had taken all weekend. Oh, sure, I ran the words for worship every session but the first, I went with Estevie (also a good friend, btw) to Guitar Center, listened to Poby and Chenson, but I never sacrificed anything all weekend. I never helped in the kitchen. I never took out the trash. I never helped any other guy with any other thing all weekend. I never did anything that I didn't want to do. It was a completely selfish weekend. Not the trait of a servant-leader. If that's the kind of leader I want to be, then I completely blew my chance that weekend. That is what I missed, and that is what felt so horrible.

Clarification: I LOVED hanging out with Pobias and Chenson. Always do. In fact, the song Pob and I wrote, we sang in church that Sunday. Our worship team is going to pick it up. Exciting stuff! I cherish that time we got to spend together. I know that was part of what God wanted me to get out of the weekend. I just wish I had taken extra time to seek out the leadership, to give to other guys, and entered the entire fight. You know, get everything God has for me.

So, my encouragement to you comes from Isaiah 55:6-9

6 Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will
forgive generously.
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the
earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your
thoughts.

Just because you think you've got God figured out doesn't mean that you do. Seek Him. Ask Him. Be encouraged. Enter the fight.

Soli Deo Gloria

Thoughts About the Church

2008-10-18T18:14:00.000-05:00

Tall Skinny Kiwi strikes another (although not original) thought about the church. Bridge and I have felt similarly for some time, although not necessarily as strongly as we once did. This is a great reminder about what being the church means. Makes me think. How about you?

Soli Deo Gloria

A Family Poem

2008-10-14T21:47:00.000-05:00

I have a little, 3 bedroom house

With a dog, a girl, 3 boys and a spouse.

We keep the dog outside

Where she likes to bark at all she can find.

But the dog is lame when it comes to sound

When compared with others that are around.

The girl likes to scream and giggle;

Oh, the sight when she starts to wriggle!

Music can really make her go,

And when she dances, she puts on a show!

The boys are older and far more advanced,

But still get grins when they start to dance.

And, oh, the symphony of noise

That comes from a girl and 3 boys!

It's quite a sound you can't ignore,

Even when you close the door.

But when it comes time for bed,

And I get to kiss each little head,

The joy of my family

Resounds throughout eternity!

At last, a word about my spouse:

She is the sweetest sound in all the house!

Enter the Fight

2008-10-09T04:36:00.000-05:00

ACF opens its staff prayer time in the morning to the congregation on Tuesdays through Fridays. The theater (which we own and in which we meet) isn't but a couple of blocks from where I work, so I walk to prayer when I can make it. Lately, I've been able to go 3 or 4 times a week.

Yesterday, walking to prayer, these words flashed through my mind:

"Enter the Fight"

I was already a little jazzed from a morning espresso, but I was just overall excited about things. Our men's retreat is coming up this weekend, Bridge and I are doing "the special" on Sunday, and I had just successfully arranged a rehearsal with some of what I'm going to call Kingdom Band to play the song on Sunday, too. So, I had a few things going my way.

"Enter the Fight"

Ok, so a few thoughts: I didn't figure God was wanting me to pick a fight with someone; I knew that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph. 6:12), and, at the time, I felt it meant by singing a song I had written. You know, I was entering the fight with a tool or weapon that I had made.

Then, we started to pray. God immediately revealed a whole new world of warfare to me. This was the fight to which He was referring. Believe it or not, prayer is spiritual warfare. God calls us all to enter the fight. We enter the fight by hitting our knees. (How many of you actually hit your knees, or kneel, while praying?)

We also enter the fight in other ways. Singing, writing, painting, building, using your gifts for His glory are all ways to enter the fight. How many of you have been moved by a song, a poem, a good book, a piece of art or photograph, a magnificent structure? Inspiration, conviction, love, mercy - these come from godly things. Condemnation, hatred - these come from ungodly things.

So, you who are prayer warriors; you who are writers, artists, musicians, craftsmen, enter the fight! Stand up and be counted. Remember, "for though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." (2 Cor. 10:3-4)

Your songs may not be sung nor heard by everybody, but you don't stop writing or singing; your books may not be read by everyone, but you don't stop writing; your hand-made jewelry may not be worn by every person, but you don't stop making it. To someone, somewhere, your gifts make a difference. God gets the glory, and that is always a good thing. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." (Eph. 6:10)

Soli Deo Gloria

Wake Up Call

2008-10-07T05:12:00.000-05:00

This morning, I checked up on some blogs that finally posted after a few days absence. I also checked out Tall Skinny Kiwi's blog on the "10 Commandments of Blogging." I then read his previous post, and was suddenly awakened to a side of the world I usually choose to ignore. It's not pretty.

The IDOP (International Day of Prayer) is coming up November 16. While our nation needs prayer, so do these guys. Check out the web site OpenDoors.

"You cannot pray for revival for one half of the body of Christ while forgetting
the other half which is suffering under restrictions." - Brother Andrew

I don't know who Brother Andrew is, but he is so right. Our praise team worked on a new/old song last night. It talks about hearing God speak and "oh, this changes everything." Yes it does.

Soli Deo Gloria

"...therefore...hope..."

2008-10-06T12:21:00.000-05:00

ACF's men's retreat is this weekend. As of right now, I'm going. However, I'm not sure what my boss was thinking when he said I could go, unless he thought the rest of the employees at the station could handle both him (station manager) and me (program director) being gone. To add to the distress, our AM morning guy informed me that he would not be there Thursday or Friday. I will be gone Friday. Matt is gone all week. Added pressure will be upon the rest of the staff. Can they do it? I think so. They're going to have to handle it. Fun stuff, I'm sure.

I'm currently reading from the gospel of John. This morning was the passage about Jesus turning water into wine. The commentary from my Life Application Bible mentioned how most of Jesus' miracles were the renewing of fallen creation: blind to see, lame to walk, dead to rise, etc.

That is interesting. I guess I never looked that much into it. It makes sense. The Author of Life rewriting a bad story line. Isn't that what he does for you and me? He redeems fallen creation. Thank you, Lord, for being our savior. This from Lamentations 3:21-24:

But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."

I give you the situation at the station and the men's retreat to ask for your prayers. I give you the passages of scripture to encourage you. Therefore hope.

Soli Deo Gloria

More Stuff

2008-10-05T17:22:00.000-05:00

Isn't this what got us into our nation's financial mess in the first place?

Ahh, true happiness. There's a lesson in here somewhere. One of many passages of scripture to check out:

"Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5

Be blessed; be encouraged; be content.

Hold Fast

2008-10-03T05:10:00.000-05:00

Words of encouragement and a MercyMe song. Really great song. I actually play it quite often on KQ106. I first heard the song a year ago. Then, back in December, I came across this verse:

"The Lord your God you shall follow, him alone you shall fear, his commandments you shall keep, his voice you shall obey, him you shall serve, and to him you shall hold fast." Deut. 13:4

Great verse, isn't it? I have it written down in three or four different places. Then, a little over a month ago, I came across this little gem in Isaiah:

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:3-4

For whatever reason, God wanted me to share these verses with you. Be encouraged. He is with you; He is for you. Hold fast.

My Sacrifice

2008-10-02T12:26:00.000-05:00

It's a Creed song. But that's not the point of this post. As I've mentioned before, my alarm goes off at 4am. Notice how I always say that my alarm goes off then, and not that I get up then. A couple, ten presses of the ole snooze button allows me some extra sleep. I'm usually out of bed by 4:30.

My morning routine consists of bathroom time, batcave time, bathroom time and leaving. Sometimes, I sneak a breakfast time in there, but not very often. It's just hard for me to eat at 4:30/5 in the morning. Besides, I'm usually hungry again around 10-ish.

My batcave time consists of Bible time, blog time, between-God-and-me time (you knew I had to keep the whole "b" thing going) and body building time. That sounds grand, but it's usually just some push-ups and sit-ups. The only thing really consistent in the the batcave time is the between-God-and-me time. I hit the rest most of the time, but some mornings I may spend more time in the Bible and not get to blog, or vice versa, or I won't build my body, or whatever.

My morning routine seems to get easier everyday. It's still not easy. But it has come a long way from whence I started. I fought God on it for a long time. It's just very, very early. My turning point came one morning (before I started writing down stuff) as I was doing my sit-ups. I remember laying on the floor and asking God why it has to be so hard. You know? I was tired; I was trying to do sit-ups; I wanted to be back in bed. Why are things so hard, God?

"It wouldn't be a sacrifice if it was easy."

Whoa. You answered me? I'm sacrificing for You right now? Talk about an attitude change. Here I was thinking I was just going through some tough times, and God saw it for what it really is. It's a season. And, during this particular season, some sacrifices have to be made. So, me getting up every morning to have my time alone with God is a sacrifice. You know, Psalms talks about bringing the "sacrifice of praise." And look at Romans 12:1

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is
your spiritual worship."

Even now, what can I say? My early morning hours are an act of spiritual worship to the creator of the universe. I'm sure it's much sweeter to His ears now. I don't gripe and complain nearly as much as I used to.

What is your act of spiritual worship? Is God asking you to sacrifice anything right now? Remember, it's a season; seasons change. God is here, lovingly walking you through this time, and He's already in the next season lovingly waiting for you. Are you kicking and screaming your way through this time? I was. Maybe it would help if you could see it for what it is. A season. A season of sacrifice. Your living sacrifice; your spiritual worship. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

Instinct

2008-09-30T05:04:00.000-05:00

Two Sundays ago, after church, I was standing on the stairs that lead to the balcony of the sanctuary/theater with my youngest son. He was just a few steps up from the floor holding some papers from children's church and his gameboy. His hands were full. Suddenly, my "spider-sense" went off and I turned to see him stumbling down the stairs. However, not being trained on my "spider-sense", I did not react in time to try to catch him. It was like a scene out of the Matrix.

As he stumbled, his feet stayed put on the step they were on, and his knees hit the step below. Then, as he's falling forward, sure to do a face plant into the tiled, lobby floor, he quickly releases everything from his grip and springs his arms forward to catch himself before he hits ground zero! Wow! It was actually pretty cool; like a superman discovering his powers, or something. He stayed there, with legs up on the stairs and hands on the ground holding himself up like a strong ninja move, or something.

I said, "whoa, buddy, are you alright?" He said that he was, and I helped him back up and gave him a high-five for his actions. His papers and gameboy were ok, too. I couldn't believe his wits. He was aware enough to let go of everything in his hands to catch himself and keep from getting hurt. I just knew he was a goner. You know, what 4 year-old kid knows to drop his gameboy and save his hide? I was impressed with his instinct.

A few days later I was driving and heard the Gloria Gaynor song, "I Will Survive". I immediately thought of the episode with my son and his instinct of self-preservation - his instinct to survive. I guess that instinct comes naturally to us. Or, at least, to most of us. Adam and Eve had to develop that instinct after they sinned. One of the first things they did was fix some clothes to hide their nakedness.

Yeah, looking out for "#1" usually comes pretty easily. What's not so easy is looking out for the other guy, or taking care of others. That's more of a pastoral instinct. A pastor is more like a shepherd. He is to care for, feed, protect, and love his sheep. Jesus is the Great Shepherd. This particular instinct came naturally for him. It's not so easy for us. We have that other instinct with which to compete.

A pastoral instinct comes from spending time with God. The more we read his words to us, the more we talk to him in prayer, the more time we spend with him, the more we become like him. While some people are given an extra grace and anointing to pastor, the pastoral instinct is one that, I believe, can be developed in anybody. But like anything else worth having, it takes time and discipline to learn. Some learn it easily; some don't. But, it is the instinct that needs to prevail.

Don't get me wrong. An instinct of self-preservation is important, too. Especially if you're stumbling down some stairs. But, when it comes to dealing with other people, we need to learn to sacrifice a little. Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) If people looked out for their fellow man more than themselves, I believe this world would be a much better place in which to live. Don't you? Let's show the world His love. Let's develop the right instinct.

Be encouraged.

Happy Birthday, Bobo!

2008-09-29T13:04:00.000-05:00

My #1 son turned 10 this past Saturday. Wow. He's so old. And he's getting so big. The circumstances surrounding his birth and early years were not so great, but he is my pride and joy. Well, one of them anyway. He is awesome! Below are 10 of my favorite memories from his first 10 years (in chronological order - as best as I remember it)

his birthday (born in OKC on September 27, 1998 - I was a very proud dad)

it took him forever to sleep through the night (I mean forever - thankfully, we learned from him and had the others sleeping through the night within a few weeks)

he once stuck some keys in an electrical socket outside my office in KY (I could hear him hitting the wall with the keys, but didn't think about a socket until he got real quiet before he started crying really loudly)

he would pronounce the letter W "double doo!" (he spent a weekend or something with my parents who taught him his letters - that one was his favorite)

he loved the American flag (he always shouted "A flag! A flag! A flag!" until we finally acknowledged that he was seeing a flag)

he was George Washington in a school "play" (I think it was President's Day or something in either the first or second grade - he read a few lines)

he had to have glasses (there was a prophet at our church who was healing some people of eye problems - glasses, etc., he stood for a moment, then sat down and said that he liked his glasses)

his violin recital (he's really gifted)

playing baseball (he had the highest on base percentage on the team, because he kept walking, and he was a pretty decent second baseman)

his prophetic word (wow, what a word spoken over him - if you want to hear it, make your request known in writing and send $1 to.... - just kidding about the dollar, but it's worth hearing, just not on this blog - sorry)

There they are. My wife calls him Bobo on her blog, so we will too. Happy birthday, Bobo! I love you, buddy.

Love Note Day

2008-09-26T12:23:00.000-05:00

Today is Love Note Day. So here are a few notes of love:

To my wife:
I love you. I can't describe it any better than that. You are my sunsushine. You make me happy; you can make me mad, but you don't do that very often. You put up with me. God has said that our marriage was a miracle; well, I'm glad it's our miracle. I'm proud of our children. You are a wonderful mother, and you'll only get better. Thank you for 10 1/2 years of marital bliss (most of the time)! I love you.

To my children:
I love you. You guys are the best. From #1 son to baby girl, you are my pride and joy. You are so much fun, and I love coming home to a family excited to see me. Thanks for being so cool! I love you.

To my family ('rents and others):
I love you. Thank you for your love and support throughout my life. Thank you for loving my little family. Thanks for letting us use your pool and cable and internet and sugar and kool aid and Oreos and everything else. You guys are my foundation. I love you.

To my friends:
I love you. Whether you're a new friend or one who's been with me through the permed hair and Speedo stages of life, you are one of my most valued treasures. Thank you for making me laugh, for laughing with me and at me. You are the best. And I'm sure you owe me money. I love you.

To my God:
I love You. You saved my life. You are my rock, my fortress, my provider, my savior, my joy and my strength. You are the Ancient of Days. You are the Alpha and Omega. You are awesome. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for loving me and forgiving me and bringing me this far. I look forward to continuing our journey together. You are life. I love You.

Huh

2008-09-25T20:24:00.000-05:00

Since I seriously started writing stuff down two days ago, I've seemingly been writing something down every time I turned around. I thought, "Wow, this is great! I'll never forget a thing!" Today, on the other hand, I haven't had anything to write down. I've written nothing down.
Morning time with God - great scripture passages - nothing.
Prayer at church - nothing.
All day long - waiting, listening - nothing.
Was God not talking to me today? Was I expecting too much? What happened? Where's the beef?
You know, I could go all psycho and think God doesn't love me today, and that I've heard all I'm going to learn. But, I'm not. Curious, and honestly, a little disappointed, but not upset or frustrated or anything like that. Just wondering. Out loud. Or at least online. Huh.

No More Sleepy Prayers

2008-09-25T04:59:00.000-05:00

This morning came early. Of course, when bed comes late, morning tends to do that. SLEEEEEPY! I know I have a long day ahead of me. Usually, I have a chance at a nap around lunch time, but today I have a remote from 1 to 4, so no nap today. Early bed is a possibility. We'll see how it goes.

My only option then is to completely rely on God. So, I pray. "God be my strength, and my sustenance. Be my joy, and give me energy for the day." Oh, it is very easy to lay my head down on my desk and snooze for another 30 minutes, or so. But, I know that God wants to meet with me. And I want to meet with Him.

So, I read a little; I pray a little. I read a little, I pray a little. I don't close my eyes - that could be dangerous. I look at things I've written down over the past couple of days (which is quite a bit, actually). I start searching through my notes: several ideas for blogs, or lessons, or sermons, or something. I start looking up different scripture, like a treasure hunt. I start praying in the spirit. I suddenly find myself awake and not near as sleepy. The Lord has given me strength and energy for this morning meeting. Don't get me wrong, I could go back to sleep pretty easily. But the trick now is I don't want to go back to sleep.

The past few times I've had the privilege to pray with a group of people have been interesting. One meeting, I walked in after they had already started praying, and the room was quiet. At first, I was afraid I had missed an ominous announcement or something. The prayers seemed timid; everything lacked punch or enthusiasm, or something. God was stirring in me. I didn't want to come in with some big, boisterous prayer, but I felt God was wanting more out of what was going on. So, I started quietly, but then allowed the Spirit to build up. I kept hearing, "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Be alert! Be alert! Be ready! Be ready!" I could tell as I was praying, that the Spirit started moving among the others. It was as if new life had been breathed into the soul of our prayer time.

Just a few days later, I had a similar experience. The first couple of people to pray prayed long, relatively boring prayers. Had I kept my eyes closed, I would have fallen asleep. I know this because I suddenly jerked up after a couple of minutes of "meditation." Embarrassed, I opened my eyes and looked around to see if anybody noticed. Satisfied, that I wouldn't undergo any significant ridicule for sleeping through prayer time, I decided I better keep my eyes open. In fact, I got up and started walking around. Again, I could hear the words, "Wake up! Be ready!"

So, I wrote this down: Do I have a blood lust? What is this desire to wage war on the enemy? This passion? This burning, yearning for more - NO MORE SLEEPY PRAYERS! Wake up! Be alert! Jesus is coming!

Oh, I really want to press in to God. Press in to the things He has for us. Jesus is preparing a place for his bride; His bride (us, the church) should be preparing for his return! We don't want to be found asleep and unprepared do we? I sure don't. Wake up, church! No more sleepy prayers!

Father, help us to find the balance between this passion for more and the rest we find in Your tenderness. Your love is amazing, and Your grace is sufficient. Wake us up. No more sleepy prayers.

Music Permit

2008-09-24T13:35:00.000-05:00

If you make a rule, then some idiot's going to try to enforce it. This morning's "Eddie's Stuff" produced this little gem:

Amazing how quickly we forget the original meaning or intent of a rule or law. We do it today with the seperation of church and state, and so many other things. I received this email from my father yesterday:

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WAS INSTITUTED TO LESSEN OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL. NOTE: IN 2008 THE BUDGET FOR THIS DEPARTMENT IS NOW AT $24.2 BILLION A YEAR. THEY HAVE 16,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND APPROXIMATELY 100,000 CONTRACT EMPLOYEES. What do they do?????

How quickly we forget. Reminds me of the pharisees. In being so strict in following the law, they forget why they were following it in the first place. So strict, so literal. No room for interpretation. No room to use your brain and do the right thing at the right time. Thank You, Lord, for Jesus and His love. Thank You for Your grace.

Sharp Dressed Man

2008-09-23T13:26:00.000-05:00

Ahhh, yes. How many of you immediately thought about ZZ Top? Kudos to you. If you don't know who ZZ Top is, well, granola bars to you. For those of you who don't remember that Kudos were actually (if they aren't still now) some type of granola bar, just know that I'm not crazy. Seriously. Back to the song.

On my morning show, there is a segment called "Eddie's Stuff". Our AM morning personality comes over, and for 10 minutes, or so, gives us his unusual "stuff" for the day. Today, he talked about the "Shower Suit". It's a suit made of 100% wool and is supposed to dry very quickly. You can shower in it or hang it up and run water over it. It's designed with the always-on-the-go business exec in mind. So, the song I played following "Eddie's Stuff", and tying in with this last story of the morning was, indeed, "Sharp Dressed Man."

All of that to get here:
I look good today. Seriously. Khaki, flat-front pants, nice, button-down green striped shirt. I look sharp. I am, indeed, a sharp dressed man. However, before you get too jealous of my wife, please know, that when I sit down, my pant legs hike up to about my knee. Well, maybe not that high, but I do, in fact, look like I have "high-waters" on. Yes, a lot of sock is showing. Fortunately, my socks are similar in color to the pants, but still. Yikes! It's like they don't fit right or something.

Lesson: humility
You know, just a bit of humility to keep me from getting "too big for my britches."

Be encouraged.

P.S.
Learning from my "10 Lessons", I wrote this little anecdote down this morning, so I wouldn't forget it. Aren't we all glad I did?

Don't answer that.

Top 10 Lessons I'm Learning

2008-09-22T17:56:00.000-05:00

10. be on time (it's a courtesy to those who are depending on you)
09. be professional (echoes #10)
08. even if the cat's away, God is still watching (so do your job anyway)
07. tithe (the first fruits of your money and your time - give God the first part of your day)
06. spend time with God (you can't get to the next level without Him)
05. pray with your kids (teach them early)
04. pray with your spouse (stand in agreement)
03. do what your wife says (this is a lifelong lesson)
02. communicate with your spouse (makes things a whole lot easier)
01. write it down (Habakkuk 2:2 - you can't remember it all)

29 Reasons Why I Love My Wife

2008-09-19T18:13:00.000-05:00

in no particular order...

she's hot (I seriously could end here)
she can sing (you need to hear her)
she makes beautiful babies (have you seen our children?)
she's a great mother (to 4 kids!)
she's a good cook (creamy baked chicken, baby!)
she lets me make her laugh (maybe she's just laughing at me)
she's desperately in love with Jesus (I'm not jealous)
she washes my clothes and cooks my meals (this is a good thing, people)
she rearranges our house at least once month (change is good)
she's not the neatest painter (seriously, check her clothes and look at the ceiling)
she loves to decorate (seriously) (and she's good at it)
she sings a lot around the house (see #2)
she shows me things only I get to see (and I like what I see)
let's just call this one an elaboration of #13 (4 kids, natch)
she prays for me (Lord knows I need it)
she prays with me (important to stand in agreement)
she prays with our children (see #4)
she likes to watch movies with me (so what if I like "Pride and Prejudice"?)
she blogs a lot (check it out here)
she talks a lot (this can be a good thing)
she likes to make music with me (have you heard some of our songs?)
she had the words, "pastor's wife" spoken over her in high school (we were just given the pastoral nod this past weekend) (more on that later)
she bought me at my fraternity's date auction (I'll let her tell you what I cost) (she got a good deal)
she loves my family (and they love her)
she likes to buy things (but only when we have money) (which isn't very often)
she likes to buy me things (not as much as I'd like for her to, though)
she likes to look pretty for me (I did a "top 5" today on my show - #2 was "women are infinitely more concerned about what they wear then men are; in fact, if you met us at the door naked, you wouldn't hear a complaint from us)
she's my Bridy Girl (and my sunsushine)
she loves me (I couldn't ask for anything more)

When she turns 30 next year, I'll add another one. I love you, Bridy Girl!

My 9/11 Post

2008-09-15T04:51:00.000-05:00

I know that today is September 15, but I wanted to post something about 9/11. When today's "One Big Happy" cartoon came out, I thought it would be apropos to go ahead and post something. (wow - that's the second time this morning that I've used that word) Here's the cartoon:

The following is the timeline for 9/11 that I read on air during my morning show at 7:46 CDT, the time the first plane hit the north tower:

9/11 Timeline
(All times EDT)
Please note that the precise times may vary, depending on the source. For this report we used the timeline from the FBI, Time magazine, ABC and Washington Post.
7:59 a.m.: American Airlines Flight 11 takes off from Boston’s Logan International airport with 95 people onboard.
8:14 a.m.: United Flight 175 takes off from Logan with 65 people onboard.
8:20 a.m.: American Flight 77 takes off from Dulles near Washington, D.C., carrying 64 people.
8:21 a.m.: Flight 11’s transponder is turned off. Shortly afterward, the plane turns south toward N.Y.C.
8:40 a.m.: The FAA notifies NORAD that Flight 11 has been hijacked.
8:41 a.m.: United Flight 93 takes off from Newark with 44 people aboard.
8:43 a.m.: The FAA notifies NORAD that Flight 175 has been hijacked.
8:46 a.m.: American flight 11 slams into the World Trade Center’s north tower at 400 mph.
8:50 a.m.: The first New York Fire Department trucks arrive at the World Trade Center.
8:52 a.m.: F-15s from Otis Air National Guard Base are scrambled.
9:03 a.m.: Flight 175 crashes into the World Trade Center’s south tower at more than 500 mph.
9:16 a.m.: The FAA informs NORAD that Flight 93 may have been hijacked.
9:21 a.m.: The FAA notifies NORAD of a suspected hijacking of American flight 77.
9:31 a.m.: Bush makes his first public statement saying the country has suffered an “apparent terrorist attack.” He asks for a moment of silence.
9:37 a.m.: American Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon.
9:45 a.m.: The FAA orders the shutdown of U.S. airspace, a first in U.S. history.
9:48 a.m.: The U.S. Capitol and White House are evacuated.
9:55 a.m.: Bush leaves Florida on Air Force One. He phones Vice President Dick Cheney and puts the entire U.S. military on high alert. He also receives word of the plane crashes at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania.
9:59 a.m.: The south tower of the WTC collapses.
10:03 a.m.: Flight 93 crashes into the ground near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
10:10 a.m.: A portion of the Pentagon collapses.
10:28 a.m.: The north tower of the WTC collapses.
1:27 p.m.: A state of emergency is declared in Washington D.C.
2:30 p.m.: The FAA announces that there will be no U.S. commercial air traffic until noon EDT September 12 at the earliest.
2:51 p.m.: The Navy dispatches missile destroyers to New York and Washington.
3:07 p.m.: Bush convenes the National Security Council, holding a videoconference with council members in Washington from his bunker at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.
5:20 p.m.: Building 7 of the World Trade Center complex collapses.
6:54 p.m.: Bush arrives at the White House aboard Marine One, the helicopter used to take Bush from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to the South Lawn.
8:30 p.m.: President Bush speaks to the nation, telling Americans: “Thousand of lives were suddenly ended by evil... These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”
· 343 firefighters died (60 of them were off-duty).
· 23 police officers died.
· 75 Port Authority employees perished – including 37 of their own police officers.
· 10 bystanders were killed by falling debris.
· 16 people escaped the south tower from above the floors where the plane hit.
· None escaped the north tower from above the floors where the plane hit.
· 18 survivors were found in the debris – 12 fire fighters, 3 police officers and 3 civilians. All were found by September 12th.
· 2,823 – the total number of dead.
· Total cost of the destruction estimated at $60 billion.
· 3.1 million man-hours went into the rescue and recovery over an eight-month period.
· 1.8 million tons of debris was cleared from the site.
· The 110-story south tower was reduced to a four-story pile in just 10 seconds. It registered 2.3 on the Richter scale.
· The second tower collapsed in just eight seconds.
· More than 300,000 tons of steel, concrete and glass hit the ground.
The plane that crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, hit a section that had recently been renovated and was still only partially occupied. Authorities say the death toll would have likely been much higher if the area had been fully occupied. The crash caused a gash on the west side of the Pentagon measuring 30 yards wide and 10 yards deep; 185,693 square feet were damaged and 37,161 square feet were destroyed. Three of the five Pentagon rings were damaged. It cost $501 million to repair the building; repairs were finished within a year of the attack. The Pentagon Memorial will be unveiled today on the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attack. It’s being called “The Park.” The memorial’s focus is 184 benches built over a pool of water – 59 of the benches face the Pentagon and represent the passengers killed on American Airlines Flight 77. The remaining 125 benches face the opposite direction to memorialize those killed in the building. Each is engraved with the name of one of the people killed.

It was tough to get through it. Our AM station morning guy, couldn't even read it. I played an audio montage after I read the timeline. He tried to read the timeline after the audio montage, which was a 13 minute montage of several radio stations in Manhattan from 9/11/01. It's amazing how much it still affects me (all of us, I'm sure) 7 years later.

I've got some great stuff to post later (probably tomorrow). Be blessed.

Head....Swimming....

2008-09-12T12:20:00.000-05:00

Sooooooo many thoughts and stuff going on inside the ole brain. You could call it a brain storm, but I wouldn't.

First, yesterday. 9/11. I read a timeline of the events and played a radio montage from various stations in Manhattan from the day of the event on my show. It was very, very tough. Even now, 7 years later, it still affects me.

Second, yesterday. At work by 5:45a, a remote from 1p to 4p, doing the public address for three Jr. High football games starting about 4:15p and getting home around 9:30p. Only to get up and be at work by 5:30a this morning.

Third, this week. Our church's staff meets every morning in the theater for prayer at 9. Anyone is welcome to come Tuesdays through Fridays (the staff prays just as a staff on Mondays). I try to go as often as I feel I can get away from the station. I made everyday this week. I do enjoy praying with those guys and gals. It's good stuff.

Fourth, my thought keeps developing. The whole "our fears are fueled..." bit. It has now evolved to

"Our fears are fueled and our faith is felled when we forsake the Father's favor."

Sometimes we don't forget, we just plain ole rebel.

Fifth, Ike. He sure is causing a lot of trouble. This morning during prayer, one of the pastors was praying concerning Ike, and I had a vision of hundreds of little groups, just like ours, gathered together to pray. It was like a line of defense up and down the Gulf Coast. Then, another man there started to pray and asked if we dared to rebuke the storm. Jesus did. Why not us? So he rebuked the storm. I then realized that this "line of defense" was for more than just Ike. The groups spread all over the world. War was being fought in the spiritual realm, and it was goose-pimply to see believers praying with us and for us from around the globe.

Sixth, this blog. In my own vain efforts to sound so spiritual and profound, I lose sight of the personality that God has given me. I love to laugh. My whole family does, as do most of my friends. Yet, I'm so serious on the blog. I'm sorry, guys. I shall try to do a better job of just being me. Oh, don't get me wrong. I am spiritual and profound, but just not all the time. So, I will try to blog more, and just see where God leads things. Sound good?

Seventh, I like odd numbers.

An Interesting Twist

2008-09-10T11:55:00.000-05:00

In going over my message this last Sunday, God gave me what I thought was a pretty clever (and dead-on) quote. I was just feeling a burden for the church. Not just my parent's church, but the body of Christ as a whole. In praying over it, this is what came to mind:

"Our faith fails when we forget how much we're favored by the Father."

WE are his chosen, treasured, special, personal possession! How quickly and often we forget that. God's people, the Hebrews, forgot that rather easily, too. The exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land is rife with grumbling, complaining, whining, and turning away from God. The theme of forgetting continues through the New Testament. The pharisees are prime examples of people who had absolutely no memory of God's favor for his people.

Later in the afternoon, the thought was developed a little more.

"Our fear is fueled, and our faith fails when we forget how much the Father favors us."

Quick, little example: Peter, walking on water, focuses more on the waves than on Jesus, his fear takes over, his faith falls, and he starts to sink. Now, side note, he is the only one to have stepped out of the boat, so props for Peter, there. God couldn't show his favor (love, mercy, grace) any better than by sending his only begotten son, Jesus Christ to die for us while we were yet sinners. He not only loves us, he likes us.

Now, here's the twist. This morning whilst praying, it hit me - this is not just a word for the church - it's a PERSONAL WORD.

Whoa.

God just wanted to remind me, that I am treasured by the Most High God. My own faith fails, and my own fears are fueled, whenever I forget that the Father will never forsake me. I even had a word spoken over me back in March dealing with the same thing. Here's a clip of what Paul Costa had to say:

Interesting twist, huh? Be encouraged.

A Peculiar People of Power

2008-09-06T14:21:00.000-05:00

I preach tomorrow in the church in which I grew up. It's especially exciting since I received my mandate from God. I also feel like events are at work right now for more opportunities to that end. I don't know what they are, but I can just sense God doing somethin'.

Now, I'm breaking out a previous sermon and tweaking it just a little. You'd think since I've given it before, I would do a bang up job this time. We'll see. The sermon is based on a poem written by Andrew Jones. Sorry, not the baseball player (he's not doing very well this season at all), but a pioneer in the missional and emerging church scene, particularly in Europe.

The last line of the poem is the title for my sermon:

We are his wonderful signature
a sign of his favor
his presence
power
to change
the world back
to how it should be
healed and harmonious
a peculiar people of power

A short synopsis of the message:
The Greek word used in the new testament, peripoiesis, (bonus points for correct pronunciation or at least the funniest) means a valued personal possession, which is worth obtaining and worth preserving. The King James Version uses the word "peculiar" to translate it. Why? Because the original meaning of that word was, "private property, special; belonging exclusively to one person or group." That's a far cry from today's odd, strange, or queer.

So, in 1 Peter 2:9, when Peter calls us a peculiar people, he doesn't mean strange or odd (although we seem to take it that way). He's telling us that we are treasured by God, belonging exclusively to him. That's way cooler than God's strange little people!

The power comes from the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:3 says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

So, stand up! Be strengthened! You are not called to be a queer people for some distant deity, you are a treasured possession of the Most High God, full of the power of the Holy Spirit. You are a peculiar people of power!

Waiting On God

2008-09-05T04:54:00.000-05:00

It's not always easy. In fact, it's rarely easy in my experience. But, it is a necessity. At least it is if you want to follow God and His will. There are several great scriptures about waiting on the Lord, but my favorite comes from Isaiah chapter 40.

28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
30 Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.

That comes from the NRSV, by the way. It's also the basis of the song "Everlasting God" by Chris Tomlin. He's one of a couple of different guys who sings it anyway. That song was my personal theme song back in the summer of 07. I may pull it back out. Seems fitting for these times, as well.

I bring up waiting on Lord, because when he speaks something, he doesn't always give a sense of timing. He may have said to me, "Preach for me," but he didn't say, "quit your job at the radio station and start preaching anywhere and everywhere you can."

In the meantime, I will be preaching this coming Sunday in the church in which I grew up. I spoke there a month or two ago, but I hope to do a better job of it this time. I think I have a little more "authority" this time around. You know, a command from God and all.

I also found some quotes that are interesting. John Wesley had considered giving up preaching when he spoke with Boehler. Boehler's advice was to, "Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith." And then a quote that I attributed to Wesley, but actually came from St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

So, there you go. I'm getting stronger right now. (from waiting on the Lord, natch) Peace be to you, and check out my wife's pics with her new camera. She's very excited. Until we meet again, I'll be found waiting on God.

Hearing God Speak

2008-08-31T06:36:00.000-05:00

It's really a humbling event. It doesn't matter when, where, or how, it always gets me. There's a song with the lyrics, "Left my fears by the side of the road/hear You speak/won't let go". That's how I feel. Once I hear God speak, it won't let go of me. So, I have to make this latest conversation real for me. You know, before the enemy tries to convince me that I didn't hear correctly.

Yesterday, on the way back from Taco Bell with food for my wife and parents, I drove past one of the local EMS stations. An ambulance pulled out with lights flashing and sirens blaring, followed by an EMS truck. Moved to say a prayer for the wisdom and skills of the EMTs to help save a life, emotions started welling up inside of me.

Earlier this year, I had a prophetic word spoken over me, and in it God said that he had given me his mind - that I had a brilliant mind.

So, I said, "Father, You have given me your mind, would it be too much to ask for your heart also? You ask for my heart and mind, can I not have both your heart and mind?"

"I gave my life for you. Will you give me yours?"

I drove on. What a question. More emotions.

"Father, I give You my life. All I have is yours. I give you my
heart, my mind, my life - it's yours. Whatever You want."

"Preach for me."

Tears. "One more time; I don't want to miss it."

"Preach for me."

By this time, I'm doing everything I can to keep from looking like I'm having an emotional break down inside my car. Even now, the emotions fight their way out. I am Yours, O God.

"Preach for me."

Wow.

When I delivered the food to my parents house, I tried to wipe away the tears before entering, because I didn't want my mother to think that getting Taco Bell for them was a distressful time for me.

Long ago, I started in youth ministry. Always wanted to preach. Always wanted to pastor my own church. (birth)

As time wore on, that desire evolved. I started saying things like, "I know I'm called to ministry, but I don't know what kind of ministry." Eventually, after 10+ years in "the ministry", I left. I knew it was time to not be on staff at a church for awhile. (death)

I'm in radio. I enjoy it most of the time. I help with the sound at the church. I've got a group of buddies with whom we hang out and discuss God things. In fact, we just went camping to hang out with God this weekend. Then, unexpectedly, God shows up on the way home from Taco Bell.

"Preach for me." (resurrection)

Will you help me pray this through? I understand that preaching for God is not necessarily the same as pastoring a church. I've also had apostolic words spoken over me, by the way, so I know that there are a plethora of ways to preach for God. (bonus points to those of you who immediately thought of The Three Amigos when you read the word plethora)

Thank you for praying. Thank you for listening (reading). It's life changing... It's humbling... Hearing God speak.

A Vision Song

2008-08-25T21:21:00.000-05:00

Oh, God, be the voice of a
scattered generation
waiting on your spirit to move
Oh, God, fill our hearts with a
current revelation
of how to show the world your love

And we sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!
Alleluia to the Lamb!"

Oh, God, to your throne, help us
lead our generation
yearning for your spirit to move
Oh, God, fill our hearts with the
joy of celebration
as we show the world your love

And we sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!
Alleluia to the Lamb!"

We cry, "Holy! Holy! Holy!
is the Lord, God Almighty!
Worthy is the Lamb of praise!"
We cry, "Holy! Holy! Holy!"
is the Lord, God Almighty!"
With lifted hands and voices raised
Cry out, "Holy! Holy! Holy!
is the Lord God Almighty!
Worthy is the Lamb of praise!"
We cry, "Holy! Holy! Holy!
is the Lord, God Almighty!
Worthy is the Lamb of praise!"

Oh, God, be the voice of this
chosen generation
ready for your spirit to move
Oh, God, send us out ready to
take back every nation
as we show the world your love

And we sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!
Alleluia to the Lamb!"

And we sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!"
We sing, "Alle, Alleluia!
Alleluia to the Lamb!"

A Blessing

2008-08-24T06:55:00.000-05:00

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD Make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 (NRSV)

A Question

2008-08-11T05:32:00.000-05:00

Does the church today, in particular the American church, enjoy peace and increase in numbers? If so, why? If not, why not? Ok, so I have more than one question.

Acts 9:31 says:

Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. (NRSV)

Now let's look at the question again. Do we in the American church live in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit?

Please, I look forward to your thoughts.

Skip Carey Part 2

2008-08-08T21:32:00.000-05:00

The following are a short tribute to Skip Carey from MLB.com and his most classic (and my favorite) two calls for Braves baseball.

The Tribute:

THE Call: I was praying so hard during this game. I was in my bedroom watching, and my parents were watching in the living room. There were two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Braves were down by a run with Sid Bream, one of the slowest men in the game on second base representing the winning run, and Fransisco Cabrera was at the plate. Did I mention there were two outs? Barry Bonds was in left field for the Pirates. Fortunately, he's never been known for his throwing arm. No movie could ever touch this script.

I don't think I ever jumped so high or cheered so loud in my life. I flew into the living room, "did you see that?!!" My mom was whooping and hollering, too. My dad was trying to get us to calm down. I still get teary-eyed every time I see this clip.

The Championship: It was a Saturday night. I was doing my request show in KKVO radio in Altus, OK. My parents recorded the game for me. I remember asking them at one point what the score was. 1 - 0. The tape was waiting for me on my bed when I got home after midnight. I watched with great anticipation. It was well worth the wait.

The only World Series Championship Skip Carey got to call. It'd be cool to call a championship someday. Any kind of championship. I often wonder if I'll get to celebrate this again. If I do, it won't be the same without Skip Carey calling it.

But I do know that I will enjoy it. ;)

A Poem

2008-08-08T20:24:00.000-05:00

Written on my last day at KVWC radio in Vernon, TX, on December 18, 2007. My shift was over, and I was waiting for the next guy to show up. It was around six in the evening.

As the sun sets on another day
So it does on the old way
If with dawn comes morning bright
Then we shall chase God's new light
If tomorrow brings a darkened sky
Then we shall trust that God is nigh
For it matters not what the day may bring
God is on his throne, the reigning king

How Much More

2008-08-06T20:42:00.000-05:00

Abundantly. That's the best answer I could come up with for Jesus' question. See, my wife and my mother LOOOVE HGTV. When we had cable, at our house, we had 5 channels we switched between: NickJr. and Disney for the kids, TBS for me (when TBS was cool and airing Braves baseball games), and HGTV and TLC for the wife. OK, make it 6. Throw the Food Network in there, too.

One thing bothers me a little about watching so much HGTV. Granted, other channels, including my beloved TBS, has this problem too, but we watch a lot of HGTV, so I shall pick on them. So much programming surrounding homosexual couples. Hear me. It is simply the lifestyle that bothers me. Plus, the gay men HGTV, and others, put on tv seem, well, gay. I'm sure these are fabulous people, but their lifestyle is in direct opposition to God. This is not my point.

This is: "If [we] then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts,... how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:13 NRSV

See, tonight on Deserving Design With Vern Yip, two female roommates received a new home office and guest room. I don't know if they were gay. Unfortunately, anymore, one assumes they are before finding out. Two women, living together, on HGTV... That's not the point.

This is: Their sexual preferences aside, it got me to thinking about how much God loves us. The purpose of these shows is to give someone a blessing. Be it a new kitchen, bathroom, whatever. Houses are remodeled and redesigned, and the recipients are usually ecstatic. So, take a homosexual couple, their lifestyle in direct opposition to God, they still receive a blessing. A new this; a remodeled that. I know the couple doesn't have to be homosexual to be in sin. We don't always know if and when we see the ones who are having an affair on their spouse, or the ones who cheat at work, or the ones who are in to drugs and alcohol, and so and so forth.

As I was watching this show, God just spoke the following verse to me.
Matthew 7:11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (NIV)

Luke 11:13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (NIV)

I really don't think the two women were "a couple". Just roommates. But the point remains the same. If we who are evil, homosexual, alcoholic, abusive, promiscuous, deceiving, etc, can give good gifts to those who are also evil, then how much more will the Father, who is not evil by the way, give to us who ask!

Luke 11:9-10 (Amplified Bible)
9So I say to you, Ask and [a]keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and [b]keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and [c]keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.
10For everyone who asks and [d]keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and [e]keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and [f]keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.

So, if those who are living in sin can be blessed in such a way, how much more does God want to bless those who are actually trying to live for him. How much more will he bless those who chase after him? Why don't we take hold of that more often? Can you imagine how much more? How much more!

"Meet with me..."

2008-08-04T22:13:00.000-05:00

What?
"Meet with me."
When? Now? In the morning?
"Both."
Really?
"Meet with me."

I heard it plain as day. At 11:15 at night. My alarm goes off at 4 in the morning. I have to be at work sometime between 5:30 and 6. 11:15 is late. I know that 10:15 is only an hour earlier, but 11:15 is late. "Meet with me."

OK.
Matt. 19:26. Nothing.
Mark 6:4-6. Nothing.
Lord, I don't know what You want from me right now. Nothing's making any sense.
"Write me a song."
It's late.
"Write me a song."
About what? What kind of song?
"Write me a song."

Anybody else notice I'm not the only stubborn one here? I pull down my guitar.

Give me the words, Lord.
You made the stars....that twinkle....that shine....that burn at night...so bright.
Give me the chords, Lord. Please. Give me the music.
You made this heart...that beats for You...so true...for You...

An hour later:

You made the stars
that burn at night, so bright
You made this heart
that beats for You, for You
You made the wind
that blows through the trees, gentle breeze
You made this soul
that basks in Your glory, Your glory

Your Glory shines brighter than the sun
You're the Holy One
Who was, and is, and is to come
You're the Holy One
The Holy One

You made the seas
that crash into shore, hear them roar
You made these hands
that clap for You, it's all for You
You made the men
who crucified Your son, Your only son
You made Your son
who comes in Your glory, Your glory

Your Glory shines brighter than the sun
You're the Holy One
Who was, and is, and is to come
You're the Holy One
The Holy One

I did not make the morning meeting. I'm sorry, Lord. I will make tomorrow's. Grant me grace to do so. Meet with me.

Skip Carey

2008-08-04T11:41:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite all-time voices. If not my most favorite. He called Braves baseball games for 33 years. I boycotted TBS when they quit televising Braves games. I miss his voice. Now, I won't get to hear it again. I just read where Skip Carey died in his sleep Sunday afternoon. He was 68.

It just adds another notch to the "bad year for the Braves" belt. Big fan. Always have been. Past three years have been tough to watch. This year not so much, because they haven't been on tv.

Skip's death just bums me. What bums me most is, I'm not sure he was a believer. If he was, then praise God! He's home! If he wasn't, then...well...I only thought things were bad for the Braves.

Skip Carey and Pete Van Weiren were my faves. Classy broadcasters. The kind I want to be. Sad day. I can't believe one of them is now gone. Gone but not forgotten. Thanks for the memories, Skip.

Do you know Jesus Christ? He's God's only Son. He died so that we may live. I hope Skip knew that. I pray you will if you don't already. Let's talk.

Obsessed?

2008-07-30T22:11:00.000-05:00

Maybe. I like the movie, so I think about it from time to time. Ask my wife about Pride and Prejudice. I've been re-reading my previous post. Man, the movie is good. God has given me a mind for things. I think part of it is discernment in areas that not everybody sees. Sometimes when I read scriptures, things just leap out at me. At first it was quite frightening, but I've developed cat-like reflexes. I can also see things in movies, tv shows, songs, books. Even a dream or two. Allow me to draw from the movie a little more.

WARNING: If you haven't seen The Dark Knight, and would like to, then take caution in reading on; I may spoil a few things for you. Also, if you haven't seen it, and can't get anybody to go with you, buy my ticket and I'm there. I don't know if my wife will let me buy any more.

Not only is the movie great allegory for the fight between good and evil, I can see Batman as a Christ-figure. No, Batman did not, nor does he, die on a cross for our sins. No, he is not God's only son. No, it is not a perfect representation; there is only one of those. I shall now explain:

In the movie, Harvey Dent is seen as Gotham's white knight. He is the new district attorney, and he is taking a stand against corruption and the mob. The mob comes after him. The Joker gets to him. He loses a very dear loved one, half his face, and his mind. He becomes "Two-Face". He ends up killing a few people. Batman inadvertently kills him.

Jim Gordon and Batman are down and almost out. The Joker "took the best of us and tore him down," says Gordon. Batman says the people must never know what Dent did. Batman tells Gordon to say that he (Batman) killed those people. That he can be whatever Gotham needs him to be. In order to sustain the reputation of Gotham's white knight, Gotham's dark knight becomes the "bad guy". Sounding familiar yet?

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:21

Batman basically said to put it all on him. Gordon says they'll have to chase him. Batman says he can handle it. Jesus took on our sin. We chased and crucified him. He handled it. In fact, Gordon's son says, "why's he running, Dad?" "Because we have to chase him." "But he didn't do anything wrong." Gordon then goes into a great little speech about being "the hero Gotham deserves but not the one it needs right now."

Jesus didn't do anything wrong. He is the hero mankind needed and needs. Now and forever. Do we deserve it? No. But that's the gift of grace. Did Dent's reputation deserve being spared. Not necessarily, but the hope of Gotham depended on it. The hope of the world depends on Christ. More than a white or dark knight. He is THE TRUE KING!

Obsessed? Sure. But not with what you think. Just the King and His stories.

Redeem the Day

2008-07-29T21:44:00.000-05:00

Wars around the world;
hungry boys and girls;
they seem so far away;
oh, redeem the day. Redeem the day.

Homeless on the streets;
we ignore the least;
we just look the other way;
oh, redeem the day. Redeem the day.

You are Justice; You are Truth.
We are fallen far from You.
Christ Redeemer, hear us pray,
"Come, redeem the day. Redeem the day."

Words that are meant to hurt
and rob our neighbor's worth
we find easy to say
oh, redeem the day. Redeem the day.

Corruption is all around;
lies and deceit abound;
this just can't be the way,
oh, redeem the day. Redeem the day!

You are Justice; You are Truth.
We are fallen far from You.
Christ Redeemer, hear us pray,
"Come, redeem the day! Redeem the day!"

Hear Your people's cry;
we will not be denied.
Save us from decay
oh, redeem the day! Redeem the day!

Ignite our hope again
as we turn away from sin
help us lead the way
to redeem the day! Redeem the day!

You are Justice; You are Truth.
We are agents sent by You.
Holy Spirit, help us obey,
and redeem the day! Redeem the day!

Storm's Coming

2008-07-29T05:25:00.000-05:00

As I sit to write this morning, a nice little storm system is rolling in from the west. A little thunder, but nothing too severe. We need the rain.

Have you seen The Dark Knight yet? 3 times, here. It's simply the way things have worked out: 1st time with my dad and a few buddies, 2nd time with a couple different buddies including my boss, and 3rd time with my mom, sis, and bro-in-law. Wife hasn't seen it yet, so maybe there's a 4th time in there somewhere - if I can talk her into it.

The movie is that good. It paints a vivid picture of how chaotic and hopeless evil can make the world seem. There just comes a point in the movie when it all seems pointless to go on. Reminds me of our non-movie world. Evil, when left unchecked, can sustain a great level of chaos, anarchy, hopelessness, hate. But neither in the movie, nor in real life, is evil left unchecked.

Batman, Gordon, and Dent, with the help of others, stage an epic "battle for Gotham's soul" against the Joker and others (don't want to spoil the movie for those who haven't seen it yet) in the movie. Jesus Christ won an even bigger battle, the war in fact, for all mankind's soul in our world. IN OUR WORLD.

But as the movie points out, evil doesn't go down without a fight. That would be our enemy. He's lost the war, but he's bound and determined to take down all that he can before he goes. "Some men just like to watch the world burn," says Alfred. So, Satan has unleashed his hounds. The closer we get to Christ's return, the worse it's going to get. "It's always darkest before the dawn." Jesus is on His way back. But... He's not here yet.

So, that leaves the church, the body of believers in this world, as the guardians of culture. Frankly, we've done a poor job. However, "the Holy Ghost would never suffer the imputation to rest upon His holy name that He was unable to convert the world." (Charles Haddon Spurgeon) So, we, like Batman, must stage an epic battle with evil. The good news is, we've already won, and we fight with the power of the Holy Spirit. God equips us for the fight. The daunting news is, this is an everyday battle. Just like the movie seemed ongoing and almost hopeless at times, life can feel that way, too. But, remember the good news. We must fight for our culture. We must redeem this world. It is, after all, the one in which we live.

Satan will continue to put up his fight. But not easily. The Joker was a formidable foe for Batman. We have one, too. And just like the movie, the forces of good were starting to hurt the forces of evil, so they struck back. As we advance the Kingdom of God, the enemy will strike back. He will bring the storm. But we're covered. The storm's coming. I, for one, want to face it head on. Let's roll.

Begin

2008-07-28T17:32:00.000-05:00

Hello world. The FUN has now begun. We shall create, fight, hope, and love together. Not necessarily in that order.