Lately women world wide are posting on their facebook status, "I like it on the..." and they name a place. Immediately, you begin to wonder what in the world are they talking about.
Turns out it's about breast cancer awareness and they are referring to where they place their purses...http://voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2010/10/i_like_it_on_your_facebook_sta.html
Really? The innuendo implied by these facebook statuses is yet another challenge for students and adults to keep their minds pure. Although, it maybe "cute" and "raising awareness" I think it causes minds to flutter. It's unfortunate that women would use this type of tactic to become a cry for such a worthy cause. I think it's demeaning towards women, it cause people to stumble in their thought life, and it's hard to redeem the necessity for such a slogan.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
life book
Today I picked up over 1600 life books as we ready ourselves for The Life Book Project next week, October 11-15. We're asking that everyone of our Barlett area high school students jump on board and pass out 25 copies of the life book. I'm anticipating incredible things from this project and hope and pray that other churches in our area are as committed to this project like we are. Students don't need to hear men, they need to hear the word of God and the life book is an incredible opportunity for unchurched and unreached students to read God's word. Praying...
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Rescue Me
Yesterday we had the terrifying experience of our middle son getting caught in a strong riptide and being swept out to sea.
We're in Ft. Morgan, AL enjoying a condo with some great friends, Clif an Sarah Anderson, this week. We've enjoyed the beach despite the media scare of oil ridden beaches and waters. Luckily, where we are at we have the occasional tar ball on the beach, but the water is clear and the beach has been fine.
The boys in our group have enjoyed some great body surfing due to a recent tropical storm in the gulf. Yesterday, Caleb was body surfing with his buddy and doing just fine in the somewhat rougher waters. I took a phone call away from the beach area so I could hear better and when I was returning I saw a bobbing head of a child in rough surf and three men running into the water to get the kid who was obviously been taken out by strong currents. I quickly realized that the kid in question was my red-headed boy wonder. Clif got there just in time to grab him. I was right behind him and was experiencing the riptide that had sucked Caleb out. Clif threw Caleb to me and when he got his arms around my neck he held on like he had never before. Together we got back to the beach safely having experienced a pretty close call. Aside from being shaken up, Caleb was fine.
This morning I got up thinking about what if we didn't get to him in time...enough about that.
When we take matters into our own hands in sin, we are headed for certain destruction. Sin draws us in and before we know it when in over our heads and overwhelmed with peril. God sent His Son Jesus to be our rescuer from the riptide of our sin. By the cross, Jesus pulls us out carries us into the safety of His will. I hope that when Jesus comes to my daily rescue as I'm enticed to sin that I'll clutch to him like my son clutched me.
Lord, give me the eyes to see the warning signs of sin. Father, when I'm being pulled away help me to recognize the rescue your Son provides and give me the strength to clutch to Him.
We're in Ft. Morgan, AL enjoying a condo with some great friends, Clif an Sarah Anderson, this week. We've enjoyed the beach despite the media scare of oil ridden beaches and waters. Luckily, where we are at we have the occasional tar ball on the beach, but the water is clear and the beach has been fine.
The boys in our group have enjoyed some great body surfing due to a recent tropical storm in the gulf. Yesterday, Caleb was body surfing with his buddy and doing just fine in the somewhat rougher waters. I took a phone call away from the beach area so I could hear better and when I was returning I saw a bobbing head of a child in rough surf and three men running into the water to get the kid who was obviously been taken out by strong currents. I quickly realized that the kid in question was my red-headed boy wonder. Clif got there just in time to grab him. I was right behind him and was experiencing the riptide that had sucked Caleb out. Clif threw Caleb to me and when he got his arms around my neck he held on like he had never before. Together we got back to the beach safely having experienced a pretty close call. Aside from being shaken up, Caleb was fine.
This morning I got up thinking about what if we didn't get to him in time...enough about that.
When we take matters into our own hands in sin, we are headed for certain destruction. Sin draws us in and before we know it when in over our heads and overwhelmed with peril. God sent His Son Jesus to be our rescuer from the riptide of our sin. By the cross, Jesus pulls us out carries us into the safety of His will. I hope that when Jesus comes to my daily rescue as I'm enticed to sin that I'll clutch to him like my son clutched me.
Lord, give me the eyes to see the warning signs of sin. Father, when I'm being pulled away help me to recognize the rescue your Son provides and give me the strength to clutch to Him.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Earn It
I'm on my way to lead an FACS Leadership Retreat in Gulf Shores, AL. I'm super excited about the opportunity to invest in these seniors and coaches. I'm praying for God's strength, wisdom, and relentless love to overwhelm our meeting times. It's going to be a great week.
Here's a glimpse of some of the things we'll talk about...
EARN IT.
Saving Private Ryan is perhaps one of the greatest war movies of this generation. The movie takes place during World War II. After the invasion of fortress Europe on June 6th 1944, Captain John Miller (played by Tom Hanks) leads his squad from the 2nd Ranger Battalion of the 29th Infantry Division, on a mission to find and bring home Private James Francis Ryan (played by Matt Damon) after the death of his three brothers. The mission takes them through Nazi occupied territory to establish contact with Ryan's unit: an element of the 101st Airborne Division. However, during their mission several members of the squad are killed as they attempt to bring back Private Ryan. At the end of the Capt. Miller jumps in the line of fire and saves Ryan. Before his death Miller utters something into Ryan’s ear,
“Excuse me, sir” asks Ryan.
“Earn this…earn it.” says Miller as he dies.
Man, what a line. Can you imagine the enormity of the charge? Capt. Miller was telling Private Ryan to earn his death by living his life, and living it well. I’m not sure how I would feel holding the dying body of a man who just took a bullet for me, not to mention him telling me to earn his death.
I can’t help but to think about Jesus’ death on the cross for my sins. He sacrificed his life, experienced the pain of a criminal’s execution, and took on the wrath of God, so that I can live. Choosing to live my life for the moment, to live my life for selfish gain seems to cheapen the Jesus’ death for me. I know I can never earn my salvation, but I hope I’m living my life in such a way as to glorify His death that gives me life.
Pray for us this week.
Here's a glimpse of some of the things we'll talk about...
EARN IT.
Saving Private Ryan is perhaps one of the greatest war movies of this generation. The movie takes place during World War II. After the invasion of fortress Europe on June 6th 1944, Captain John Miller (played by Tom Hanks) leads his squad from the 2nd Ranger Battalion of the 29th Infantry Division, on a mission to find and bring home Private James Francis Ryan (played by Matt Damon) after the death of his three brothers. The mission takes them through Nazi occupied territory to establish contact with Ryan's unit: an element of the 101st Airborne Division. However, during their mission several members of the squad are killed as they attempt to bring back Private Ryan. At the end of the Capt. Miller jumps in the line of fire and saves Ryan. Before his death Miller utters something into Ryan’s ear,
“Excuse me, sir” asks Ryan.
“Earn this…earn it.” says Miller as he dies.
Man, what a line. Can you imagine the enormity of the charge? Capt. Miller was telling Private Ryan to earn his death by living his life, and living it well. I’m not sure how I would feel holding the dying body of a man who just took a bullet for me, not to mention him telling me to earn his death.
I can’t help but to think about Jesus’ death on the cross for my sins. He sacrificed his life, experienced the pain of a criminal’s execution, and took on the wrath of God, so that I can live. Choosing to live my life for the moment, to live my life for selfish gain seems to cheapen the Jesus’ death for me. I know I can never earn my salvation, but I hope I’m living my life in such a way as to glorify His death that gives me life.
Pray for us this week.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Ministry Vomit
Several years ago I had an intern who replied, "we not to stop feeding our students so much - let's give them an opportunity to throw it up."
Although graphic, what he meant was, we need to provide opportunities for our students to apply what we've been teaching. C.S. Lewis wrote, "Experience is a brutal teacher, but you learn." In ministry, we are called to equip the saints through knowledge but we do them a great disservice if we don't help them apply their new found knowledge.
Last night we had our first of three planning meetings for our upcoming Student Led Sunday. On this special day we'll teach all of our adult connect groups, lead in worship, preaching, and the other duties of a Sunday morning - greeters, ushers, etc. It was really great to cast the vision and become a member of the group as they brainstormed and thought through how we are going to minister and share the gospel on this special day.
Some of my most rewarding moments in ministry isn't speaking in front of thousands, writing a published article, or being around giants of the faith. I find the most fulfillment in ministry when I see students grab vision and begin to apply God's Word towards serving others. I love hearing the conversations that are full of "what if's" and "maybe we could" and "what about" and "how can use God's Word".
I'm excited about what the next few weeks holds as we gather thoughts and begin working toward serving the body in this meaningful way. I'm looking forward to seeing our students stretch themselves in serving the Savior and see what God might do in the life of our church and our students.
Last night we had the beginnings of ministry vomit and I was feeling great.
Although graphic, what he meant was, we need to provide opportunities for our students to apply what we've been teaching. C.S. Lewis wrote, "Experience is a brutal teacher, but you learn." In ministry, we are called to equip the saints through knowledge but we do them a great disservice if we don't help them apply their new found knowledge.
Last night we had our first of three planning meetings for our upcoming Student Led Sunday. On this special day we'll teach all of our adult connect groups, lead in worship, preaching, and the other duties of a Sunday morning - greeters, ushers, etc. It was really great to cast the vision and become a member of the group as they brainstormed and thought through how we are going to minister and share the gospel on this special day.
Some of my most rewarding moments in ministry isn't speaking in front of thousands, writing a published article, or being around giants of the faith. I find the most fulfillment in ministry when I see students grab vision and begin to apply God's Word towards serving others. I love hearing the conversations that are full of "what if's" and "maybe we could" and "what about" and "how can use God's Word".
I'm excited about what the next few weeks holds as we gather thoughts and begin working toward serving the body in this meaningful way. I'm looking forward to seeing our students stretch themselves in serving the Savior and see what God might do in the life of our church and our students.
Last night we had the beginnings of ministry vomit and I was feeling great.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Sweating Courage
I know that services all over the world will take place tonight in observance of Maundy Thursday...the beginning events of Jesus' trial and crucifixion. According to Wikipedia (not that I use all that often)most scholars agree that the English word Maundy in that name for the day is derived through Middle English, and Old French mandé, from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you"), the statement by Jesus in the Gospel of John (13:34).
As Jesus walked to the cross, he was leaving morsels of truth to help his disciples, of whom he calls friends in Jn. 15, continue in the work of the Gospel. But I can't help but wonder one if one of the most significant moments of the Easter events isn't in the garden before Galgotha...
It is recorded that Jesus sweat blood while in the garden...a sign of incredible stress and anguish. It's here that Jesus prays, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours, be done." Jesus is struggling, hurting, stressed, overwhelmed in such a way that his body responds by sweating blood. Although Jesus is obedient, sacrificial, unwavering, the word that comes to mind is courageous.
Jesus had courage.
Courage to go through with it.
It wasn't all just talk.
It wasn't all just a show.
It wasn't all just a put on.
More than prophecy fulfilled, it was extraordinarily brave.
Knowing that his entire incarnational experience is pointing to this moment, and knowing what he is about to endure, he courageously stands and meets the crowd of accusers who will lead him to six different trials, to be beaten, scourged, and eventually crucified.
What incredible courage our Savior had to meet his purpose head on.
I hope that when tests come my way to prove my purpose as a faithful follower of Christ, I'll be half as brave.
"Jesus, faithful King, Lord with grateful hearts we sing, how great is the love of our Savior. The weight of the cross, the curse of our shame, you carried it all and rose from the grave. How great is the love of our Savior!" - Meredith Andrews, singer/songwriter
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