One Thing

 

I have begun reading a book called ” One Thing” by Sam Storms and already it is renewing my spirit and my focus.  There is one quote that I thought I would share with you today regarding our purpose on this Earth.  Storm says, ” You weren’t created for boredom or burnout or bondage to sexual lust or greed or ambition but for the incomparable pleasure and matchless joy  that knowing Jesus alone can bring.  Only then in Him, will you encounter the life-changing, thirst-quenching, soul-satisfying delight that God, for His glory, created you to experience.”

Remember in all we do, His glory should be the focus and the issue.

Wisdom from Mr. Magorium

 

Well here I am with another installment of the bald man ramblings.  This Sunday night I went to the movie Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium at the dollar theater.  Most of the movie was outlandish, maybe better described as a play-land for people with ADD. 

In spite of that, there was one quote in the movie that really made me think. It was when Mr. Magorium tells Mahoney, “Life is an occasion, rise to it.”  Although his point was about succeeding in a worldly sense, God really spoke to me in that moment.  I took it as we are only here on this Earth but a short time, life is but a vapor or an occasion, and while we are here we should rise to that occasion. 

Rising to the occasion as a Christian is not about succeeding financially or stepping up to lead a business but as Paul says in Philippians 3 that we would be found in Him, know Him, fellowship in His sufferings and lay hold of that which Christ saved us for.

I want to rise to the occasion.  I want to lay hold of that which Christ laid hold of me for.  I want my life to be about knowing Him.  I want to be found in Him.  I want my life to reflect back to Him the glory he deserves.  I want to become all he wants me to become.  I want to reach the goal for which he called me heavenward.  I want to be holy. I want to be like Him.

Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.”

Next Up: Quotes and discussion from Sam Storms book “One Thing”

Training

This weekend at the 220 retreat one of the speakers Terry Burris said something that has really resonated with me.  He said, ” Stop trying to be Godly, and start training to be Godly.”  What an important statement to remind us of how important it is to be in God’s Word Daily as we train ourselves to be more like him.  Just like in physical training at the gym, if you do not commit to working out you will not get stronger.  If we do not dig daily into God’s Word we will not get stronger.  Howard Hendricks said,” Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives.” I have seen this be so true in my own life.  I hope these quotes help you today as you train to be more like Him.

Politics and Education

The Bald Man is back!!! And now the world shall call me educated.  Friday December 14, 2007, I received my Masters Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  It is exciting that I am finally done with school and now able to completely focus on youth ministry.

My intention is not to be too political on this blog but I saw this clip of former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and immediately gained a deep respect for his courage to stand up for what he believes.

What Dreams May Come

Have you ever had a really weird dream and wondered where the inspiration for the dream came from?  About a month and a half ago I had a dream that has been intriguing me and if I am honest given me more than one chuckle.  I figured it was time to come clean before all of the world about this amazing journey of dreams.

The dream starts with me riding down the highway in a computer chair.  The computer chair is going at a high rate of speed, like that of a nice sedan or a swift truck.  As the chair rolls down the highway I am shifting gears, as you would in any computer chair, when all of a sudden a squirrel runs out in front of my chair.  If you are not aware, computer chairs do not have breaks, so I ran over the squirrel and decapitated him.  In horror I somehow bring the chair to a stop and go back to check on the squirrel.  As I approach the squirrel, the headless animal rises from the ground and begins to viciously attack my feet.  In protection I begin to furiously kick my feet to fend off the headless monster.  I awake from my dream and I am kicking the snot out of my bed and my heart was beating like no other.  Man it was so real, and so scary, to be honest it is surprising I did not wet myself.

What does it mean???

Romo better than Aikman?

I know living here in Dallas that the assumption that anyone is better than the golden boy Aikman is a cardinal sin but as a lifelong Cowboys fan I am going to make this statement. It could be the greatest overreaction of all-time, but I believe when all is said and done Romo will be regarded as a better quarterback than Troy. This all hinging on longevity and if he can stay healthly through out his career.

 

I never remember feeling so confident in the quarterbacking situation in Dallas than I do now, even during the 90′s. I know the arguments for Aikman: a stronger NFC in the 90′s, more running plays, and less weapons but I still think if you look at the stats you will be amazed at the quality of Romo’s numbers.

 

Romo: 22 Starts: 470 completions 717 Attempts 6220 yards 51 tds 27 int

 

Aikman: 26 Starts (1989-1990) 381 completions 692 attempts 4328 yards 20 tds and 36 interceptions

 

Even if you look at career stats most of Romo’s outweigh Troy’s

 

Highest QB Rating for a Season: Aikman- 99.0 ; Romo- 107.1

 

Highest TD Count- Season: Romo- 33 and counting; Aikman- 23

 

Highest Completion percentage for season: Romo- 66.0; Aikman- 69.1(in his 5th Season)

 

Anyone agree? Disagree? I know some must be left up to history to see if Romo can win SuperBowls like Aikman but I think Romo is amazing.

Who is Influencing the Masses?

I have been thinking about this question, and contemplating who are the top 5 most influential people in the United States? Who are the people who are truly shaping what we think, how we believe, how we function, entertaining us, affecting our way of life? Who are the voices that are being heard the loudest in our society? I would love to hear who you think the 5 people are and why you chose them.

My thoughts are: Oprah Winfrey, George W Bush, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Steven Colbert

What about for teenagers? Who are the top 5 voices they are listening to?

In Memory of Sean Taylor

 I did not write this., but thought it would be nice to show my respects for Sean Taylor. Sad to see someone this talented and young die, but I know God will get glory from this tragedy.

It’s a sad day for NFL fans…

Early Tuesday morning Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor died, a day after he was shot at home by what police say was an intruder. He was 24.

Family friend Richard Sharpstein said Taylor’s father told him the news around 5:30 a.m.

“His father called and said he was with Christ and he cried and thanked me,” said Sharpstein, Taylor’s former lawyer. “It’s a tremendously sad and unnecessary event. He was a wonderful, humble, talented young man, and had a huge life in front of him. Obviously God had other plans.” He said Taylor died early Tuesday at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where he had been airlifted after the shooting early Monday.

Sharpstein said Taylor’s girlfriend told him the couple was awakened by loud noises, and Taylor grabbed a machete he keeps in the bedroom for protection. Someone then broke through the bedroom door and fired two shots, one missing and one hitting Taylor, Sharpstein said. Taylor’s 1-year-old daughter, Jackie, was also in the house, but neither she nor Taylor’s girlfriend were injured.

Taylor was a great up-and-coming NFL safety. Take a minute and pray for the Taylor family.

So please just repost as “in loving memory of Sean Taylor.”

The Pursuit of Beauty

” I’m not Josie Grossy anymore”

Yes, a few nights ago my wife subjected me to the movie “Never Been Kissed” with Drew Barrymore. I had seen the movie before, but I guess this quote just resonated with me more than the first time I heard it. Drew’s character Josie is now 25 years old but has never let go of the teasing and ribbing that she received from the popular girls in high school. They told her that she wasn’t pretty and she wasn’t acceptable.

Of late I have been heartbroken by the burden that teenage girls and young women face to become what our society calls sexy or beautiful. So many of them are looking for acceptance and looking to become what photographers, television producers, music executives, hiphop artists and magazine editors say they should be.

How long will girls buy into this lie and how long will we as guys feed into this by our words and actions? My hope is that girls will begin to believe the truth of God’s Word that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and that God’s love is unconditional and is not based on who you think you should be but He loves who you are. Not who you can become, but He loves who you are, just as you are.

There is a song written by a great friend of mine named Josh Martin, who has blessed me in so many ways. Josh wrote this song after meeting a 15-year old girl who was cutting herself because she didn’t think she was pretty.

Uncover yourself
Unmask your eyes
You’re beautiful
And I don’t want to hear otherwise
Your smile it brings joy to each day
And the lies of the past they will soon fade away
And bring a new beginning

You have been given
Something that is bigger
Than what you’ll ever see in a mirror
You have been trusted
With a beauty that is something
That will never be uncovered in a picture

What you see is not what you get
Cause by the looks of things
You’re more than I know
You’re more than you show
You’re more than this world
Has ever given you credit for
You’re gifted you’re talented
Oh so compassionate
You just seem to be hiding
Won’t you come out of hiding

Why do you run
Why do you hide
From the beauty you have
From the treasure that lives inside of you

Girls… God loves you the way you are and he made you beautiful. Don’t let the lie of the culture rob you of joy and fulfillment in who you are. You more than this world gives you credit for.

Outreach Events

 

I know this is a long article but it really challenged me to evaluate what is a true outreach event and what is my plan to reach to those who do not know Christ.  I have become a really big Jonathan McKee fan lately.  A few weeks ago I read his book Do They Run When They See You Coming and I am currently reading Getting Students to Show Up.  This book will cause you to evaluate what you are doing to reach those outside the church walls.  Below I have posted  an excerpt from the book, if you are a pastor with the goal of reaching unchurched students definitely check out the book and go read the excerpt.

http://www.thesource4ym.com/BookGettingStartedChp2.asp

(This article is an excerpt from Jonathan’s new book GETTING STUDENTS TO SHOW UP.)

The word outreach is slapped onto the titles of a variety of programs. It’s a buzzword that’s probably thrown around a lot more than it’s actually thought about.

   I’ve been to hundreds of “outreach” programs where no reaching out took place. Instead, the purpose of these programs always seemed to be worship or helping Christians grow in their faith. Noble purposes, indeed-but not “outreach” by any means.

   I’ve spoken at “outreach” rallies where the first thing out of the emcee’s mouth is “How many of you are here to celebrate Jesus?”

   Think about that for a second.

   How many students who aren’t believers do you think came to that event to “celebrate Jesus”? Granted, many of these “rallies” are full of Christians who scream in excitement and yell in celebration, so the statement isn’t usually received poorly. But what’s wrong with this picture?

I see two oversights:
1. Why is our audience 90 percent Christians? We’re talking about an outreach program, right? At an outreach program we might want to draw teenagers who don’t believe in Jesus yet. Do you remember Jeff Goldblum’s character in Jurassic Park? During that first uneventful tour of the park, he says, “Now eventually you might have dinosaurs on your dinosaur tour, right?” He taps on the camera. “Hello? Yes?”So why aren’t the “outreach kids” attending? Didn’t our church kids believe us when we said, “Bring your friends who need to hear about Jesus”? The sad truth: Our audience is often made up of the wrong students. No wonder they didn’t object when we yelled, “How many of you are here to celebrate Jesus?”Which leads us to our second blunder.
2. If we’re trying to draw out unbelievers, then why are we talking to them as though they’re already Christians? Imagine you’re asked to emcee the MTV Music Awards. The arena is decorated. All of the hottest artists have walked the red carpet and taken their seats. The crowd is full of screaming music fans. Now the program begins, and you walk onstage and yell, “How many of you are here to celebrate Jesus?”Awkward.None of us would yell such a phrase to that crowd. So why do we do it at our “outreach” events?

The truth of the matter is this: Many of us label our programs “outreach,” but we don’t always draw the students we’re supposed to reach. Even if we do, we often talk to them as if they’re Christians. Why?

   What if some of the difficulty lies in the fact that we don’t really know much about this “animal” we’re attempting to tame? We’ve never taken the time to really look at our goals for this kind of programming and put it into words. We never took the time to define it.