findingMoore

Running for Life Pt 3: Discipline

2011-11-14T20:41:00.000-06:00

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete training it to do what it should, Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

The final thing that I have learned from running in my first 5k is that there were days leading up to the race that I DID NOT feel like running. When I first started running I struggled running for 60 seconds, so I had to get back in shape. To do that I decided to run 4 days a week. Our family's schedule is a little hectic in the evening and I want to spend as much time as possible with the kiddos before they go to bed. Because of this, I set my run times EARLY in the morning.

I would get up and run around 6:15am four days a week and several days I DID NOT want to get up. Especially as the mornings got darker darker and colder. Honestly the first 10 minutes were horrible. I hated it. I had to make my body and mind come into agreement with my purpose of running 3.1 miles. I had to DISCIPLINE myself to get out of bed, especially on Saturday mornings. If I had the not, I would not have been able to run the race, I would have had to walk/run it.

I touched on the subject of Discipline in a previous post. But what I found is that there are periods, after you set a goal and set your directions, that you are going to want to "take a break". You will try to convince yourself that you deserve the break with all kinds of excuses.

It's too early.
It's too late.
I don't have time right now.
I'll do it later.
I've been doing really good so far.
This is too difficult.

One excuse can lead to another one, then another, and then another. Finally, we are no longer pursuing the finish line. You have to make yourself do what you are supposed to do in order to cross that finish line. If you don't, you are disqualifying yourself from the race and you will loose. Once you've been disqualified, in order to cross the finish line, you may have to go back the starting line. Then thought of having to start all over can lead to complete surrender and giving up.

Whatever goal you've set, or finish line you defined in your life. You're not always going to feel like training and making the preparations for your race. Do whatever it takes to make sure you can cross it. If not you'll wind up discouraged and starting over or dropping out. Set the alarm, disable the snooze, get up, and run!

Running for Life Pt 2: Direction

2011-11-05T22:43:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete training it to do what it should, Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

What would a race look like if everyone was going in different directions? What if those in the race were not running in the direction of the finish line? What if they ran in the opposite direction? Odds are they would have a hard time reaching the finish line if at all.

In a race the path to the finish line is marked with signs and markers letting you know where you are, where to turn, and even how far you have gone. The night before my first 5K I was given a map of the course that showed the start and finish lines, the direction I was to run, and where the turns were. As I was running each mile was marked, each turn was marked, and there were even folks on the side line encouraging us and pointing us in the right direction. I knew I wanted to cross the finish line in a certain time, I had my purpose, but before the race started I also knew how I was going to get there.

Go Commando 5k Clarksville, TN

It doesn't matter how clear and precisely marked your finish line or purpose is, if your course is not set and you don't have a clear direction on how you are going to get there...you will have a hard time crossing your finish line if at all. You will struggle in accomplishing your goal. Take some times before the starting gun sounds and mark out your course. Set each step. Clearly mark your turns. Where will your uphill climbs and down hill coasts be? Don't just choose the shortest distance either. Just because it's quicker doesn't mean it's the best way either. Make sure you have people in your life at the right places cheering you on pointing you in the right direction. Don't get distracted by the scenery or try to take shortcuts. Make sure you stay on the right path until reach the end.

Running for Life Pt 1 - Purpose

2011-10-28T22:40:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?SO RUN TO WIN! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with PURPOSE in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete training it to do what it should, Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

I've been chewing on this verse for a couple of months now. Partly because I have started running (believe it or not.) Seven weeks ago I began a C25K (couch to a 5k) program in order to run my first 5k in honor of a fraternity brother who passed away. And on October 15th I completed my first 5k with a time of 28:16, almost 2 minutes under my goal time.

In times past I have made fun of people who run for fun or exercise. My thought was that running is something you do when you are being chased. However, many times I tried to start running to get in shape and many times I failed after a couple of days. I even bought a pair of running shoes and wore them twice until recently. I also bought a tiny mp3 player to entertain me as I ran. It was used mostly in our cars.

The primary reason I failed all of those times, is because I had no clear purpose for my running. Sure I wanted to get in shape, but there was no set goal I wanted to reach. The above scripture said that a runner runs to win and each step is made with a purpose. My earlier purpose of "get in shape" was vague and shallow. There was no finish line to cross. That is why I never followed through.

My current obsession with running is attributed to my decision to run a 5k in honor of a friend. I wanted to run it, not walk it, or even run/walk it. I didn't want to just complete it, wanted to run it in at least 30 minutes. I set my "win" and with that came the purpose for each step I ran. The goal was concise, precise, and attainable. Something I could work toward and there would be a finish line I would cross.

I crossed that finish line and I'm still running. I'm running in another 5k in a few weeks and I'm planning on running a 10k in the summer. I'm still running because I have set another finish line to improve my time and increase my distance. I've also found that I REALLY enjoy running.

I don't think anyone would complete a race or even run in one if there wasn't a finish line. Most of our incompletes in life or even failures are due to a lack of finish lines. Is your purpose clear? What are you wanting to accomplish? What are you wanting to achieve? Why are you running? Did you reach that mark and then stop? Are you tired of nothing changing in life and always giving up? Is it financial, relational, physical, or spiritual? Find a finish line. If you don't see one, set one. Once you reach that goal, set another one that will take you to the next level. Run to win!

The D word

2011-10-14T09:57:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are DISCIPLINED in their training. They do it to win the prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with PURPOSE in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I DISCIPLINE my body like an athlete training it to DO WHAT IT SHOULD. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

I am the MAN of the house, the parent of the house, and I have a responsibility to discipline my daughters in ways that benefit and protects them... I've known this would be the case since before Ella was born.

But another reality has made itself very clear recently.(AGAIN) I am also responsible for disciplining MYSELF as well. Not in a way that keeps me out of trouble and out of jail. But in a way that helps me be and do the best I can in a few areas of life. Those areas being...

Finances - Exercise - Eating Habits - Time on Technology - Hours of Sleep - Reading - Writing - Prayer

That may not seem like much....but those things are HUGE portions in my life.

I would easily say that lack of financial discipline is the reason for our nations economic problem (at the political and individual level.) The obesity problem in our country is due mostly to a lack of discipline to push away from the table and declining to take a walk (Not including real genetic and medical issues.) Our lack of productivity is due to staying up all night and then staying distracted by twitter, facebook, youtube, and random blogs (like this one.)

The point is this...the things that we SHOULD be doing have been replaced by things we WANT to be doing. And just because we want to do something doesn't mean that it is the best thing for us. In fact the things we SHOULD be doing are some of the hardest to do. We have to discipline ourselves to do them.

What do you know you should be doing, but aren't. Stop feeling guilty for not doing it. Make the decision to do it and then just do it. That is the only way it is going to happen. You don't have to read another book, get another idea, or find a better or easier way to do it. Just start where you are and do what you know to do. Right now.

Sliding through the park

2011-09-16T11:48:00.000-05:00

This is a little shot of Addison's first trip to the park. Don't worry she was fine. I was not however...ha

If you knew...

2011-08-30T10:02:00.000-05:00

I was just listening to a podcast of one of my spiritual mentors...and wow. He just revealed a nugget of truth I had never thought about and just pass over.

One of the greatest hurts we face as leaders, pastors, or just people is betrayal by someone we are in relationship with, someone we care about. For whatever reason a relationship breaks down because of a lie, deception, or disagreement, and we feel betrayed. We feel stabbed in the back as the saying goes.

How do you normally respond in that situation? Like most we put up walls, we retaliate, or we go into hiding. Usually anything to deal with the pain and possibly try to punish the person. Now let me ask you this. What would you do "If you knew someone was going to betray you?" How would you respond?

Would you jump ahead and hurt them first? Would you confront them with the information? Would you avoid them all together trying to prevent the betrayal? Any one of those things would be part of our human nature to respond.

But this is what Perry Noble pointed out Jesus did in John 13.

I've read and taught John 13 dozens of times from the angle of humbling yourself and serving others. But totally missed that Jesus was also serving the one who would betray him...AND He already knew Judas was going to betray Him.

v2. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus. v3. Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. SO He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around Him and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples feet....

Where it says he began to wash the disciples feet....that includes Judas. Judas, the one who sold Jesus out! Jesus didn't exclude him. In the SAME chapter Judas leaves to betray Jesus.

Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him
Jesus knew He had been given authority over everything. He could have used that authority to prevent the betrayal or correct Judas in front of the other disciples.....or just take Judas out all together.
Jesus knew all this SO He got up from the table and washed their feet. It was because He knew these things that He did what He did AND included Judas in the experience.

Jesus was walking out what He was talking about in Matthew 5:43-48 and Luke 6:27-35.

The truth is this...people are going to betray you at times. But that does not exclude them from our love. I bet if we lived this way the betrayal would have a lot less power over lives.

SO knowing this.......serve/love the one who hurt you this week.

You may have went to church today

2011-08-28T22:54:00.000-05:00

If you are a Christian in the US, odds are today you went to church. (We had a HUGE day at FaithPoint Church today with 619 in attendance and around 15 Fresh Starts with Christ) You were able to get there with little difficulty, other than getting the kids ready and a possible argument with your spouse about dirty clothes left in the bathroom or getting to church on time. And you were able to go to lunch after service and publicly share your experience at church. Odds are during the week you catch very little flack and your life is rarely threatened because of your belief. To be honest, as Christians in America, we face very little persecution.

Jesus encouraged His disciples that as much as He would be persecuted that they would be even more. Paul even celebrated the fact that he was persecuted everywhere that he went and looked forward to opportunities to suffer more. I believe this is a hard concept for most American Christians(myself included) to grasp. I am both thankful and ashamed of this when I think about it.

We are persecuted so little in the US but still keep our beliefs a secret to most so we do NOT to offend them. How would we respond in other countries where our very life would be threatened daily because of the choice to be a follower of Christ?

We think about this from time to time, whenever we read a book or hear a story of someone who has suffered for the Gospel in another part of the world. After some time the thoughts fade and we sink back into the safe complacent Christianity that we have here in the US.

Don't take what we have, what they are doing, or what He did for granted.

Listen to the lyrics of this song...Powerful!

CHORUS
the pain that i bear cannot compare
to your arms once i get there
people don't hear You
so I'll be your voice
suffering daily
but still we rejoice
time for your glory
im just telling your story
we'll carry the cross
you suffer before me
people dont know you
so i'll be the one
to introduce them to your glorious son
and until that day
when we see your face
this race we'll run
inspired by LOVE

My Girls

2011-08-27T14:58:00.000-05:00

Thought I would share a couple of videos of my girls. Being a dad is so stinking cool, that I can't stand it some times. Never a dull moment....but then again sometimes never a silent moment.

I love it when Ella gets a hold of the flip! You never know what you are going to get. You have to watch it all the way through to get the full effect.

Addison is REALLY trying to tell us something important.

He's Proud of Me

2011-08-25T09:31:00.001-05:00

Been meaning to share this for a couple of days. I pray it's an encouragement for you.

Ella is five. She's started kindergarten this year. I dropped her off at school Tuesday morning and she didn't want me to walk her in. "Dad! I'm a big girl, I know where to go. I can do it myself!" So I opened the car door for her and watched her disappear through the double doors into the building. It's hard to believe how fast she is growing up.

Even though she's big enough to walk to her class by herself she says she still isn't big enough to sleep in her bed all night. That's why around 4 o'clock EVERY night she gets in our bed.

Tuesday morning she woke up and asked if she could just lay with me a little longer before she got ready. She put her arm around my neck and began scratching the back of it. She was laying silently, I could see her wheels were turning, and then she gave me this piece of advice.

"Dad? You know..... I think God's proud of me. Don't you?"

"Absolutely! Of course He is. What makes you think that though?" I answered.

"Because He made me very special...and so He's proud of me.!"

We laid in silence for a bit....then she started again.

"And dad? You know He's proud of you too. God made you special too. You know that right!"

"Yes I do! Thanks for reminding me!"

Nothing like an honest piece of encouragement from a 5 year old. Hopefully you know that regardless of how you feel or what kind of day you're having, He's proud of you. God's made you special, and specifically for a purpose. Once your start that relationship with Christ, His work begins in you and you begin the work He has for you. And that makes Him proud to be your Father.

Ephesians 2:10

¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Addie Turns 1

2011-07-15T15:04:00.000-05:00

Addison on the way home

Ella and Addison 6 months


Addison turning 1

I just want to take a moment and count a blessing! Remember the things most important in life.

Addison was due on July 14th 2010 (yesterday would have been her birthday), however she surprised us by showing up on JUNE 14th 2010. One month early. We barely made it to the hospital on that day. With no time for Jennifer to receive her "drugs" after about 45 minutes Addison made her debut. It has been a bit of a battle to get here weight caught up at times with some belly and acid reflux issues. But we've made it into the "average" range for her weight. Praise God! She has such a HUGE personality already and is a blessing to our family. Jen and I are blessed to have another beautiful daughter and Ella has turned out to be the perfect big sister.

YEA BOO YA

2011-07-10T01:50:00.001-05:00

Friday morning I informed Ella that I had special plans for us that night. The rest of the day she was full of anticipation and expectation on what was going to happen during our hangout. (For the record I want to call it "daddy daughter date night" but she says we can't because I'm already married and she's just my daughter. So we call it "hangout").

I usually don't tell her when I have one planned because I like to surprise her, but I told her about Friday. And she kept asking what we were going to do, where we were going, and that it was going to be a long time before tonight. She was super excited.

While getting ready she and Jennifer picked out a special "princess" outfit and didn't want me to see her until she was completely ready. When I tried to sneak a peak she hid. She wanted Jennifer to curl her hair but we ran out of time (a bit like her momma when getting ready.)

She knew something big was going to happen and knew I would come through on my promise even though she didn't know exactly what it was going to be. She didn't doubt me even though she didn't know all the details. But she knew I was her dad, I loved her, and had made her a promise. And that was enough for her.

Ella and I shared some good ole Mexican food at El Rodeo. She screamed " YEA BOO YA" as we pulled into the parking lot. After that we watched most of Cars 2 before leaving for a hot fudge sundae. According to her it was the "Best Night Ever....Boo Ya!"

We need to live in the same excitement, expectation, and anticipation with our Heavenly Father and the good things he has in store for us. Because He is so much better than you and I will ever be and His surprise gifts will be much better than ours. Go ahead and get "dressed" for the occasion and don't worry about the what and the where. Just know you're gonna probably gonna scream YEA BOO YA when you see it.

Just in case you don't know the verse Luke 11:11-13

A walk in the woods

2011-06-25T18:38:00.002-05:00

Last month I spent a day on a silent retreat. I had read about other leaders taking them, and wanted to have one of my own, but felt like it would be something that I'd never really get to do because of the busyness of life. I finally made it a point to make it happen, and I finally took a moment to write it out.

Moses made it a practice to take his tent some distance from the camp to speak with God. (Exodus 33) He was known as one who spoke to God face to face.

After driving an hour and a half to Mouse Tail Landing Park in Linden, TN; I hiked about an hour and a half to two hours one way into the woods to a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River. The journey to the bluff was full of obstacles, turns, inclines, and scenery. Once there I spent several hours in complete silence and solitude reading, praying, and listening. Trying to find a bit of rest and balance for my soul.

At first I have to admit it was a bit awkward. I ate lunch, explored the area, and took some pictures. Then I began my time with God. I tried reading by blindly opening my bible and "allowing God to lead my reading". I got distracted. I allowed the wind to turn my pages and "lead my reading". I got distracted. I prayed a bit. I got distracted. This went on for a while, and finally in my disappointment of NOT hearing from God I had decided to make the journey back to my car.

In one last attempt at this silent retreat thing. I opened my bible to a couple of Psalms and began reading them out loud. One chapter and then another and then another. Finally my heart heard something it needed to hear.

I read it, I spoke it, and I heard it. I stopped and listened. God didn't speak to me audibly but through His Word.. It was exactly what I needed to hear and God knew that.

I know you may not be the adventurous type or have a lot of time on your hand. But I bet you could carve out about a half a day to "go some distance from the camp" and meet with God. You probably spend more than a half a day on less important stuff. It may be awkward at first. Stick it out and pursue, and God will speak! You'll be glad you did.

Broken to Use

2011-04-24T01:14:00.001-05:00

This excerpt by Watchman Nee was from the YouVersion Lent Reading Plan. It was the reading for Wednesday, but I have been chewing on it since then.

God must bring us to a point - I cannot tell you how it will be, but He will do it - where, through a deep and dark experience, our natural power is touched and fundamentally weakened, so that we no longer dare trust ourselves. He has had to deal with some of us very harshly, and take us through difficult and painful ways, in order to get us there... But then at last it is that He can begin to use us.

We would like to have death and resurrection put together within one hour of each other. We cannot face the thought that God will keep us aside for so long a time; we cannot bear to wait. And I cannot tell you how long He will take, but in principle I think it is quite safe to say this, that there will be a definite period when He will keep you there... All is in darkness, but it is only for a night. It must indeed be a full night, but that is all. Afterwards you will find that everything is given back to you in glorious resurrection; and nothing can measure the difference between what was before and what now is!

I've been especially thinking about being broken to a point that we no longer dare trust ourselves...and then it is at that point that He can begin to use us. The process of being broken is never a fun one. Jesus describes the Father as a Gardner, pulling up those that produce no fruit and pruning those that do so that they may produce even more. Uprooting and pruning are both painful processes, but it's in that time that we are being broken. And God uses (but not necessarily cause) different circumstances to break us. It takes longer for some of us than others. But it is not until we are fully reliant on God that he uses us. Some of us actually never get there, because we like to be in control to much. We trust ourselves too much to trust Him.

But I love the final line in the piece. "and nothing can measure the difference between what was before and what is now." Once we are broken and used by God we are not the same as we were before. And there is no ruler, tape measure, scale, or rubric great enough that can measure the change that has taken place in our life.

And if you think about it...God broke His only son to use Him in the greatest possible way. And He didn't just break Him, He crushed Him.....to death.

So whatever breaking you are going through right now, know that you will soon be coming to a point that God will use you greatly. And at the end of the journey you will be VASTLY different than who you were at the beginning. And you will be glad of the process it took to get you there.

Staring Straight

2011-04-19T21:28:00.000-05:00

Listened to this song for an hour straight as I cut my grass this evening.

I sit here clutching useless lists
and keys for doors that don't exist
I crack my teeth on pearls
I tear into the history
just show me what it means to me in this world

'cause I am due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
I'll stare straight into the sun
and I won't close my eyes
'til I understand or go blind

I see the parts but not the whole
I study saints and scholars both
no perfect plan unfurls

do I trust my heart or just my mind
why is truth so hard to find in this world
yeah in this world

'cause I am due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
I'll stare straight into the sun
and I won't close my eyes
'til I understand or go blind

I know that there's a point I've missed
a shrine or stone I haven't kissed
a scar that never graced my wrist
a mirror that hasn't met my fist
but I can't help feeling like I'm

due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
I'll stare straight into the sun
and I won't close my eyes

Do you Reapeat or Reveal

2011-04-15T18:29:00.000-05:00

Last week I started a series in our student ministry called Jesus is_____. I know, catchy title. I actually swiped the title from Judah at Generation Church. Before we went too far into the series I wanted our students to know that regardless of how much you know about Jesus, you have to be able to declare who He is to you.

If you look in Matthew 16: 13-19, how we answer Jesus' question, "who do you say that I am?", has huge implications on His power in our life. When you read the text, Jesus actually asks two questions.

1. Who do people say that I am?
2. Who do you say that I am?

In the first answer the boys are basically REPEATING information of who others have said Jesus is. In the process they spout off a couple of names, not sure if they are giving the right answer. Simon quickly answers the second question without a stutter or stammer, "You are the Messiah, Son of the Living God." Simon wasn't just repeating information...he was REVEALING his heart. By REVEALING his heart, Simon became Peter and was given strength that even the powers of Hell would not overcome. How we describe Jesus in our lives determines His power in our life. Are we only REPEATING what we have been told (trying to give a good Sunday school answer hoping its right) or are we REVEALING our heart (smooth, quick, personal explanation). The only way that can be REVEALED in the heart is if it's in there, and the only way it can be in there is if we put it there...because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, right.

Of course this message was meant to encourage my students to make sure that they know who Jesus is to them, and that if they are truly followers of Christ they shouldn't just be Repeating information.They should be Revealing their heart.

BUT as I was thinking back through this today, I became consumed with this thought in how it relates to pastoring, preaching, and the health of God's Church. This thought has even greater implications when it comes to building The Church (both locally and globally). When we focus on correctly answering the second question and sharing that with others.........THE CHURCH CANNOT FAIL. It's a promise made by Christ himself.

Pastors, are you only Repeating what you have been reading. Or, are you Revealing your heart? When you preach which are you doing? When you share Christ in any conversation, which are you doing? I know personally there have been times that I've caught myself just repeating information. But when The Word that God gives me becomes embedded in my heart and I Reveal it. I know it, I feel His power in my life and within the ministry that I serve...and I feel that the Powers of Hell cannot conquer me. The ones I have revealed that word to are empowered the same. Others know which you are doing too. They know a good speech from a God given Word from the heart.

We have to make sure that we soak our hearts in His word separate from our message preparation times. It's in those times that our hearts become full, and we are able to REVEAL who Christ is in us and in our church. Because, out of the abundance of the heart....the mouth speaks.

Spring day with my girls

2011-04-13T10:19:00.001-05:00

I spent a Friday with my girls outside and at the parks. I am so thankful for technology that allows us to capture moments like this to enjoy for years to come.

Eat Sleep Serve

2011-03-28T17:11:00.001-05:00

In 2005 our youth ministry attended a Group Work Camp for the first time. During that week we spent time simply serving in the community of Monroe Louisiana. My thoughts after the trip were "Man, we could and need to do something like this in Adamsville." For the next 5 years we would still travel out of state and country to serve in other communities. Yet that thought from the first trip constantly lingered. Last year, in 2010 that thought solidified with Eat Sleep Serve. We eat and sleep at the church, while serving and sharing Christ in our back yard. Last years ESS was very successful but this year was even greater.

James 1 tells us that Pure and Genuine Worship is taking care of the orphans and the widows. So that is just what we did for ESS2011. We served in 6 house projects, a children's outreach, and food distributions. We also had 14 free oil changes lined up, but had to reschedule due to rain. As we worshiped through serving during the day we opened up opportunities that 1st Peter 3:15 talks about allowing us to share Chirst with some individuals

We ended each day with a celebration service. During Thursday night's service Pastor Dan Lord of The Life Church of Memphis brought The Word, challenging our group to be the Loudest Generation. We are to Embrace our Call and use our Voice pointing others to Christ. Friday night we asked God to break our hearts for what breaks His, to be able to see the crowds as He sees them by looking past the labels with compassion. The night ended with our group spending over an hour after service on our face in worship while only a CD played. It was definitely one of the most amazing experiences in my life. All four of our Youth Ministry Values were seen played out this weekend, Worship-Acceptance-Change-Challenge.

I am so thankful that God has had patience with me and continued to nag me with this idea until I completed my task.

r

Making Jesus Smile

2011-03-19T00:57:00.001-05:00

Today was a much needed breath of fresh air. Literally! 80 degrees. Sunshine. Light breeze. It was a day that was meant to be spent outdoors. That is just what I did. Ella encouraged me to take a break from my outside chores because she needed to be pushed in the swing. The girl could swing for hours.

After a few minutes in the swing, as I'm pushing her higher and higher, she starts making funny noises and gigling after each sound or two. She's barking like a dog, meowing like a cat, blowing her lips together, mooing like a cow, and various other crazy-funny sounds. She only makes the sounds at highest point of the"up swing" while stretching her face up another inch or two.

We're both laughing at one point and I ask her if she's being silly.

She responds giggling, "Yea dad! I'm trying to make Jesus laugh. Do you think I'm making Him laugh?"

WOW! I love these moments. If you read this little blog at all you'll know that.

"Of course He's laughing. If I'm laughing He's gotta be rolling, laughing REALLY hard, " I tell her with a huge grin on my face and tear in my eye.

What's the moral of this? You know there is one.

It is in our human nature to want to please people. We do it daily in relationships, at work, online, and in life. We hope to do something that pleases someone or catches their eye so that we can feel their approval in return. Most of the time that mentality leaves us anything but happy. And if it does it is just for a short time and leaves us constantly working to replenish that feeling.

BUT....

When we live in a way that we believe is pleasing to God...His joy becomes evident in our life. Just like Ella's giggling at herself thinking that what she was doing was making Jesus laugh, we are able to smile knowing we are living in a way that brings Him joy. And His joy is then made full in us.(John 15:10-11).

I know it sounds silly, but it made perfectly good sense to my five year old. Go out and make Jesus laugh, I bet you find yourself laughing too.

Stop Drop and Roll Doesn't Work in Hell

2011-03-01T00:25:00.000-06:00

You've probably seen the title of this post as an evangelestic message on a church sign as you passed by. What were your first thoughts? You've probably seen these too....

- Don't make me come down there! ~ God (I'm actually looking forward to this)
- God answers knee mail. (really?)
- Salvation: so easy a caveman could do it. (theologically jacked )
- Go to church or the devil will get you. (this is actually a HUGE billboard off of I65N and why would the devil try to attack if you are already doing what he wants you to)

And there are a couple of local ones that are trying to be relevant in incorporating current radio friendly songs. To be completely HONEST, I HATE church signs.... with the exception of service times. They are often cheesy, insulting, embarrassing, or embarrassing (I know I said it twice...because it is). If you only had one thing to say to someone who is lost without Christ and they just happen to drive by...is the message on that sign what we'd want conveyed about the God we serve? I know it's not for me. I cringe (okay maybe I laugh a little) at most of the signs I see and wonder if non-believers feel the same way. Probably so. If you have or have had one of these phrases or something similar...change it. The greatest thing that they could read would be God's word followed by service times. Let's give them just a taste of what they need plus the times they can get more of it when they choose to do so.

I wonder how much time, energy, and creativity goes into changing those signs out. How many people have spun into a church parking lot because a church sign "compelled" them to come? Could those resources be used to better serve the community and share Christ in a more influential and lasting way? You may be getting defensive thinking they're cute and harmless and they may be to those already inside...but what about those who are on the outside? I think we were the ones who were meant to compell them to come in (Luke 14:23). Let THE CHURCH be known for what we show (John 13:35)...not what we say on a sign

In the great words of theologian Bill Engall....."Here's your sign"

dada

2011-02-18T23:40:00.000-06:00

Addison is quickly following in the footsteps of her big sister. Dada is again the first word to come out of our child's mouth. Raising another Daddy's girl!

I'm praying I'm setting the example of the God she'll one day serve, the man she'll one day marry, and the son she'll one day raise.

R&R of the Sabbath

2011-02-08T12:09:00.002-06:00

The Sabbath is a day (historically the 7th day) of the week where no work is done. It is a day of rest created for us and patterned after the 7th day of rest in creation. Of the Ten Commandments God spends more time talking about the 5th one more than any other commandments. Don't believe me count the verses. We have come to observe this weekly holiday less and less over the years as cultures pace of life, desire for success, and fear of lack has grown more and more.

As I've read through Exodus over the past week or so and I've noticed how much God informs, illustrates, and reminds His people about the importance and benefits of observing a Sabbath. God urges His people 6 times alone in Exodus to take this day off. It seems that observing a set Sabbath, not just a random day whenever you want, and benefits us more than just rest.

1. REST
This is the most obvious and stated benefit. Taking a day off gives our minds and bodies a rest from the week's work and recharges us for the days to follow. It reminds us that we are human and have limits. A day of rest prevents us from pushing past those limits causing fatigue, burnout, and illness. Stress, high blood pressure, heart attacks, depression, anxiety, worry and other physical and emotional illnesses would probably subside if we took more time to enjoy the day God has given us to enjoy Him. If God being all powerful even took a day off, by not doing it ourselves we are placing our abilities and capabilities above His.

2. RELIANCE and RESPONSIBILITY
This is a new one for me. Having to take a day off causes us to rely more on God's provision and be more responsible in preparing for that time off. In Exodus 16 God provides Manna for the Israelites to eat. He told them to gather only what they needed for each day. Then on the 6th day they were to gather twice as much and set aside a portion for the next day. The 7th day would be a day of rest. If they failed to be responsible and make provisions they would not eat on the Sabbath. In Exodus 23 God goes even further, taking the Sabbath beyond a day observance to a whole year. During the 7th year there was to be no cultivating, planting, or harvesting of the fields. Over the first six years the Israelites would have to plan for year seven in addition to year eight. Year eight could prove to be more difficult than year seven because there would have been no harvest from the previous year. So the people would have to rely on God's provision and be responsible enough with it to sustain through years seven and eight. This would mean no over indulging and self discipline at working to save in the years leading up to the Sabbath year. Always working can be a result of NOT relying on God's provision and NOT being responsible with what he's given us so we are unable to enjoy the day off.

Now look at our life and culture today. We are tired, sick, lacking, and wanting more. We work over to get more done, make up for what we haven't done, and to get more than we need. So we rarely take a consistent day of rest. It becomes a viscous cycle. And for me I feel super guilty for taking those days when they happen. I feel like a failure for not "accomplishing" anything on those days. As a result I rarely take them.

How would our life be different if we made sure that we observed a Sabbath? What if we took one day EVERY WEEK and said, "I'm staying in my PJ's all day."? What if we fully relied on God's provision and were responsible with it; using what we needed just for today and preserving some for the future? What if we disciplined ourselves to finish as much as possible the first six days and did nothing on the seventh. We would be healthier and without want. The Sabbath wasn't just set up as law for us to follow but to enjoy. So pick a day to stay in your PJ's all day, finish your to do list, make plans to have what you need for that day and enjoy a guiltless work free day of rest.

flickr picnik

2011-01-21T17:57:00.001-06:00

IMG 0400 picnik, originally uploaded by Steven_78.

I've been using flickr for quiet sometime now. I used to use it just as a webspace to share pictures with others. Now with the social networking sites doing that I mostly use it as another back up for my photos in addition to a DVD per year and an external HD.

Flickr has recently connected with an online editing site for photos that allows you to do some nice editing and enhancing for free. The site then automatically saves it to your flickr account. I Highly suggest checking them both out if you haven't already.

Prayer of John Wesley

2011-01-07T20:39:00.006-06:00

I was catching up on my reading of Jesus Manifesto and was reminded of this John Wesley Prayer. It was given by one of the staff at our West Virgina Mission Trip over the summer.

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.

Amen.

One of the things we forget as Christians is that our lives are no longer our own when we give it to Christ, but His. Go figure! We are not only following Him, but He is living and working IN us and we are becoming LIKE Him.

Remember the WWJD (what would Jesus do) bracelets? I had two or three of them. In college I learned that they could also stand for "we want Jack Daniels" depending on the conversation. They had good intentions but they were based on thinking about following a certain way, certain process, and examples. Anyone can try to follow the teachings and ways of Jesus without being a Christian.

When you are completely in love with Jesus and realize that He is living on the inside of you; the question changes. It moves from, "what would Jesus do" to "what will I do?" What will I do in light of this gift I have on the inside of me and with this love I have for the One who has rescued me from death. Don't try to behave...just be.

Paul said it like this

Galatians 2:19-20
So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. ²⁰ My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless.

God of Second Chances

2011-01-06T13:20:00.003-06:00

I've been seeing blurbs about a Homeless Man with a "Golden Voice." I Googled it and this is what I've found. A homeless man in Ohio who has been given the gift of a warm, inviting voice perfect for radio. Early in life and in his career he lost his job, family, and everything important to him through the draws of drugs and alcohol. Ted has now been clean over 2 years and earlier this year he turned to God for direction.

This is the embodiment of Luke 15:11-21. God always takes us back and restores us when we turn to him. He's the God of Second Chances.

Original Footage

CBS INTERVIEW

This reminded of a video I saw with Carlos Whittiker recording a video for his new song "God of Second Chances." As he's recording the video a homeless guy named Danny comes up and starts singing with him. Powerful!!!

I know your there

2011-01-03T23:14:00.002-06:00

This is a nice little post to follow up my last one.

Tonight was my turn to lay down with Ella, read her bedtime story, and say her bedtime prayers. Jennifer went in before me to kiss her goodnight. When I went into the bedroom Ella and Jen were hiding under the covers and wanted me to find them. I walked over and pulled back the covers, Ella laughed, Jennifer and I followed.

Jennifer informed me later that when she and Ella pulled the quit over their heads Ella got a little worried but hen realized something.

She said, "Mom, it's dark, so dark that I can't see you. But that's okay, I can still FEEL you and know your there."

WOW. So much wisdom seems to be found in the hearts of children. I pray she carries that truth with her as she grows up and grows in her relationship with Christ. But the reason Ella could FEEL Jennifer and know that she was there was because she was clinging close to her before the quilt covered her head.

There are times when life get's dark, sometimes so dark that we can't see Him. But He is still there. You may not can see Christ in your situation or understand it, but if you are staying close to Him before it get's dark, I promise that there will be something inside of you that feels the Peace of Christ when it does get dark.

A Kiss Goodnight

2010-12-30T12:00:00.005-06:00

I love watching my Ella sleep for several reasons. It is as if time stands still and I try to capture that moment in comparison to her first months of life. I always wipe the hair out of her face and say a prayer of thankfulness, protection, and wisdom over her. Before I leave her for the night I kiss her on the cheek and tell her that I will always love and do my best to always protect her. I love those moments.

Last night I was laying in bed with Ella watching Pingu and was beginning to doze off. Pingu will do that to you. I was awake enough to feel her stirring. Ella then proceeded to give me a little peck on the cheek and then whispered very softly..."I love you daddy and always will"

Wow...I love being a dad!

Sweet Dreams

Now What?!

2010-12-26T12:17:00.000-06:00

Christmas is over! The presents that crowded the base of the tree are now with their rightful owners. The Christmas parties and programs have come to an end. We've sang carols and hymns. We've dined on feasts and finished left the leftovers. Pretty soon all the decoration will come down and go back in storage for the next eleven months. To me the feeling is a bit like blowing up giant balloon with the anticipation and preparation of Christmas....and the day after is a bit like letting that balloon go and watching all the hot air jet out of it.

Christians are super adamant about keeping CHRIST in CHRISTmas during the holiday season. There are numerous Facebook posts, yard signs, and comments about the birth of Christ, Happy Birthday Jesus; On this night a Savior was born; We say Merry CHRISTmas. But what about the rest of the year? Does our faith follow the path of the holiday season and deflate like a released balloon. How can we continue the Christmas Spirit? How do we allow the finding and meeting of Jesus influence us the rest of the year?

1. Allow God to change our direction - Matthew 2:12
After seeing and worshiping Jesus, the wise men were unable to go back home the way they came. They had to go back a different way than they had arrived. God had changed their direction. There is something about meeting Jesus face to face for the first time that changes us. And if you haven't changed directions then you haven't REALLY met Him. This just isn't a one time thing. Once we meet AND follow Christ - He is constantly changing our ways to match His. Are you allowing Him to change your direction or are you still trying to go about life as you always have?

2. Fill your Heart and Meditate =- Luke 2:19
After giving birth to Jesus and listening to the shepherds, Luke says that Mary KEPT all these things in her heart and thought about them often. These thoughts would one day become a treasury that would sustain her while her son would be beaten and crucified. They became apart of Mary and were a reminder of her purpose. They also shaped the woman she would grow into. It is remembering our times in the presence of God that sustain us in the darker times and remind us who we really are. When was the last time you thought about your first encounter with Jesus Christ? Our thoughts shape who we become. Our thoughts direct our actions, our actions create habits, and our habits shape our character. What thoughts are you filling your heart with because a person brings up the good or bad that is stored there.

3. Praise God for what He has done - Luke 2: 20
We can't always stay "in that moment". You know the moment I'm talking about. The place where you sense God breathing on you, speaking to you, comforting you. There comes a time when you have to go back out. Go back to work and school. Go back to "life as we know it." The shepherds had to get back to their flock. But they just didn't go back to work. They went back glorifying and praising God for what they had seen and heard. One of the quickest ways to forget what God has done in your life is to STOP thanking Him for it.

Look at this season of your life...NOT just Christmas. So Now What?!

What are you doing with this Gift?

Are you still allowing Him to change your course and ways? How often are you thinking about Him and storing up His words in your heart? Are you still thankful for even the smallest of details in life?

Community on Community

2010-12-11T10:53:00.010-06:00

I've been watching a lot of this show lately even episodes multiple times. It is probably my new favorite.

Community follows a study group of mismatched traditional and non-traditional students from various social and economical backgrounds who depend on each other to survive their time at Greendale Community College. The show centers on Jeff, a suspended lawyer for faking his degree; Britta, a high school drop out; Abed Nadir,an aspiring film student; Shirley Bennett, a recently divorced mother attending college for the first time, former high school quarterback Troy Barnes, Pierce an aging tycoon, and straight-laced nerd Annie Edison, who has had an unrequited crush on Troy since high school.

Each show ends with a "Ah Ha" moment of how the group learns together, grows together, and takes care of each other. The things the group have worked through this season range from loss of loved ones, dealing with insecurities, working through mess ups and misunderstanding, and celebrating successes as well. They even overcame a virus that put others into a temporary Zombie like state. Take out the "garbage" and it's a lot of how life should be done together with those that you care most about. They even arrange their class schedule so that they can take the same class to remain a study group. It is similar to how the community of a small group SHOULD be. It's not always pretty, sometimes ugly, but at the end of the day you really care about those in your group.

The show is actually taken from the creator's, Dan Harmon, experiences in a community college Spanish Study group. With this as the background, Harmon wrote the show with a main character largely based on himself. He had, like Jeff, been self-centered and independent to the extreme before he realized the value of connecting with other people.

This show has a lot incite on the importance of community to those leading or apart of small groups. I'd love to see created, even create myself, resources on doing life together using this sitcom.

In this episode the group attempts to help Troy become a man as he enters his 21st year of life by taking him to get his first drinks. They show the glitz, glamor, and spoils of the party life. In the end Troy realizes that he is already a man even without the power of booze.

Michael Buble' in Concert

2010-12-07T20:35:00.003-06:00

My wife is a HUGE fan of Michael Buble'. Never been much of a listener myself. Not my style of music. To "crooner-ish" for me. However a couple of years ago I "tried" to surprise my wife with tickets, but she found out while checking our online bank statement.

After the concert I must admit I became a lil' bit of a fan. However, only of his live shows. You still won't catch me listening to him on a daily or even weekly basis. BUT I must admit his live show is well worth attending. He is a true entertainer and incredible vocalist and because of that I bought my wife tickets again this year for Christmas to his show in Memphis. To be honest it probably will NOT be the last time I buy her tickets either....

These are a few of the highlights I caught with my flip

Opening Song: Cry Me a River - Cool opening but not big on the song.

Favorite Song: Feeling Good - This is actually the last song I want played at my funeral. I want my urn to be danced out down the middle isle during the 1st chorus and everyone else to dance out during the rest of the song. The lyrics completely describe how I believe I am going to feel once that day comes...but hopefully not for a bit.

Closing Song: Song For You - He closes every concert with a small heartfelt speech of his appreciation for those who work hard for their money and choose to spend a portion of earnings to see him. He confesses his humility in being able to do what he does and works very hard to prepare a show worthy of our money. This is actually my favorite part of the night and was hoping he would be doing this song. You have to watch this one until the VERY END, because it proves the depth of his talent.

Leaders are Readers

2010-12-02T23:15:00.009-06:00

Over the past month I've managed to accumulate more books than I've read all year. That's not too hard considering I've only read 5 books all year. This disappointment me greatly. It is about half of what I normally do in a year.

There are a few quotes that ring in my head when I look at this stack and think about my failure to read this year.

The first two are my paraphrases.

"Leaders are Readers"

"The things that change you the most are the relationships you build and the books you read."

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them. ~Mark Twain.

So this will be my reading for the next few months or even year. My wife says I can have NO MORE untill I've read these. So I'm hitting them two at a time.

The two that I have started on are:

1. Leading from the Lions Den - Tom Harper
In this book, Tom has taken the entire bible and gleaned one leadership nugget from each book. So it is essentially broken down into 66 little bites of leadership lessons that applies to just about any avenue of life whether it be spiritual, personal, or business. What I love about this one is you can take a couple of bites (chapters) every morning and meditate on them the rest of the day.

2. Jesus Manifesto - Frank Viola / Leonard Sweet
Just now about 40+ pages into this one. I had heard that basically it just states, re-states, overstates, and then states once more of how "Christ IS Christianity." Stuff that most good Christians already know. It's true, BUT the way it is presented is very convicting. At least for me as a Christian minister. The real gut punch was a statement which cited that "most sermons are about anything BUT Christ and that He usually just get's an honorable mention somewhere in the message." The also exhort that church members should know more about Christ than about church programs or events. This book has really fighting through some questions in my head to be simply about keeping Christ in the center of Christianity. Oh and Frank Viola is NOT to be confused with this Frank Viola....which I did at first. Yes I actually have that card.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on either of these two.

Are you worth following?

2010-11-15T16:46:00.003-06:00

Just got my tale handed to me from a guy in Texas. Actually it was through a message from last years Right Now Conference by Tim Ross of the Potters House in Texas. The message was a challenge to make sure that we are the person that others should be following.

If you consider yourself a leader then you are the guy in the front of a line on the elementary school playground taking all of those behind you where you want them to go. If you are the leader then you are the one at the front of the line that is being imitated by everyone in the line behind you. I know it may be a bit over simplified but in essence that is what you are doing as a leader.

Do you ever stop and consider where you are taking them and what they are imitating.

In Romans 12:8 Paul encourages those who have been given the gift of leadership to take that responsibility seriously. I take that responsibility very seriously...or at least think that Ido.

Tim Ross brings out 1st Corinthians 4:3 where Paul speaks these words...
"For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I urge you to IMITATE ME!"

It's one thing to play a silly little game on a playground where you see just where you can get people to go and how funny you can get them to act. But it is a CRAZY BRAVE thing to URGE...not just ask...but insist grown folk to "IMITATE ME, follow me, do what I do". But Paul is not just telling people to follow him up a hill or through the swings, flapping their arms while barking like a dog.

Paul is telling them in 1st Corinthians 11:1
"You should IMITATE ME as I IMITATE CHRIST."

As a Spiritual Leader (whether you are a pastor, church staff, department leader, FATHER or MOTHER, or BELIEVER) it is our responsibility to lead other to and in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Could you, can you, make the same declaration as Paul..."IMITATE ME as I IMITATE CHRIST. Because, if you imitate me then you are becoming more like Christ?"

If they did imitate you are they be becoming more or less like Christ?

OUCH...I know it hurts me to...

But think about that for a moment.

We have those that we are leading because we have been given that place or position. Then there are those around us who are following without ever being asked to do so. They do because of our relationship with them. Maybe they have seen you pass by and have just jumped in line following us around the playground.

Either way we have been given the "gift of leadership"and we must take that responsibility seriously. Imitate Christ...so that when they imitate you...they are realy only imitating Him.

Legends of the Old School

2010-11-08T21:16:00.007-06:00

I've started a new series with our students "Legends of the Old School vol 1." We are taking a look at some of the Heroes of the Old Testament. I spend a lot of time in the New Testament reading the letters Paul put out for the churches he was planting, but have shifted gears lately and planted myself in the OT for a bit.

Hebrews 11 is like the Hall of Fame walk through for the OT heroes. Maybe even The Cliff Notes for the OT (I failed my share of tests thanks to Cliff, so don't just read this chapter.) Everything they accomplished, was by faith. Almost half of all the verses in chapter 11 begin with, "It was by faith."

The beginning of the chapter tells us that Faith is the confidence (belief) of what we hope to happen will ACTUALLY happen, and that what we believe to exist actually exists even if we CAN'T see it. These folks earned their reputation for believing the impossible and seeing the invisible, when no one else could.

The amazing thing is that ALL these people died still believing what God had promised. And they didn't even receive everything that God had promised but they still believed it was theirs up to their very last breath. But the chapter tells that they welcomed from a distance. They never looked back, but continued to look forward at that promise. They knew even a portion of that promise was better than where they had been and even where they were at. And in that lies the basics of their Old School faith that earned them their reputation and kept them going.

They knew that what was in store for them was better than where they were at. They endured, they fought, they followed, they waited, they wandered, they succeeded, they failed, all because of their faith in the promise they had been given. That is what kept them looking and moving forward. That is what earned them their good reputation and THAT is what made God PROUD to be called their God.

Which of God's promises are you going to believe to your very last breath? What are you believing will happen (regardless of YOUR time frame)? What are you seeing (that no one else sees)? Parents don't give up on your kids. Don't give up on your spouse. Fight that illness or that generational addiction. Take that stand. Hold your ground. You may leave this earth, without physically seeing the promise fulfilled, BUT that doesn't mean that it won't be fulfilled. You might just have to "welcome it from a distance." When you believe that, see that, speak those things God is PROUD to be called YOUR God.

So make Him proud be called your God and don't stop believin'.....

Old Testament GOD-father

2010-10-19T23:04:00.004-05:00

I've been reading through parts of the old testament this week. I started Judges yesterday and it's been a while since I've read these passages and I think I had the same response the last time I read them.

"YES! THIS IS AWESOME!"

It's hard for me to pull spiritual revelation from this right now because I can't seem to get passed the sheer "Godfather-esque" brutality of these Heros of faith.

(not for the faint)

Ehud the Lefty (Judges 3)

¹⁵ But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord again raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed man of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites sent Ehud to deliver their tribute money to King Eglon of Moab. ¹⁶ So Ehud made a double-edged dagger that was about a foot^b]">[b] long, and he strapped it to his right thigh, keeping it hidden under his clothing. ¹⁷ He brought the tribute money to Eglon, who was very fat.

¹⁸ After delivering the payment, Ehud started home with those who had helped carry the tribute. ¹⁹ But when Ehud reached the stone idols near Gilgal, he turned back. He came to Eglon and said, “I have a secret message for you.”

So the king commanded his servants, “Be quiet!” and he sent them all out of the room.

²⁰ Ehud walked over to Eglon, who was sitting alone in a cool upstairs room. And Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you!” As King Eglon rose from his seat,

²¹ Ehud reached with his left hand, pulled out the dagger strapped to his right thigh, and plunged it into the king’s belly. ²² The dagger went so deep that the handle disappeared beneath the king’s fat. So Ehud did not pull out the dagger, and the king’s bowels emptied. ²³ Then Ehud closed and locked the doors of the room and escaped down the latrine.

²⁴ After Ehud was gone, the king’s servants returned and found the doors to the upstairs room locked. They thought he might be using the latrine in the room, ²⁵ so they waited. But when the king didn’t come out after a long delay, they became concerned and got a key. And when they opened the doors, they found their master dead on the floor.

Nailed by Jael (Judges 4)

¹⁷ Meanwhile, Sisera ran to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because Heber’s family was on friendly terms with King Jabin of Hazor. ¹⁸ Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Come into my tent, sir. Come in. Don’t be afraid.” So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.

¹⁹ “Please give me some water,” he said. “I’m thirsty.” So she gave him some milk from a leather bag and covered him again.

²⁰ “Stand at the door of the tent,” he told her. “If anybody comes and asks you if there is anyone here, say no.”

²¹ But when Sisera fell asleep from exhaustion, Jael quietly crept up to him with a hammer and tent peg in her hand. Then she drove the tent peg through his temple and into the ground, and so he died.

²² When Barak came looking for Sisera, Jael went out to meet him. She said, “Come, and I will show you the man you are looking for.” So he followed her into the tent and found Sisera lying there dead, with the tent peg through his temple.

²³ So on that day Israel saw God defeat Jabin, the Canaanite king. ²⁴ And from that time on Israel became stronger and stronger against King Jabin until they finally destroyed him.

Wonderland

2010-10-18T23:06:00.003-05:00

Ella and I went exploring after church Sunday evening, and this is what we found. Luckily I had my lil' Flip in pocket to catch this. This just vividly illustrates the strength of a child's belief in the unseen, the power of the imagination, and the influence of media - even a classical cartoon.

For the Record.

This was NOT the response I was expecting or provoking. But it was her response. Even though I did play on it a bit.
She has never seen the live action version of Alice and Wonderland only the classical cartoon.

Be Naked

2010-10-12T11:57:00.008-05:00

I'm in the midst of a new series with our student ministry called, Be Naked. I've actually had this concept swimming in my head since January, but just now getting around to teaching it. A phrase used today to describe this thought is living transparently. But I think Naked gives us a much more vivid mental picture. How do you picture someone transparent?

The concept is simply this.

Adam and Eve were created Naked and Unashamed. Because of their sin they became Ashamed of themselves and their sin. So they covered themselves with leaves. Because of their fear of God they hid from Him amongst the trees (where they got the leaves.) (GENESIS 2 & 3)

Being human our lives mimic this cycle

We sin, mess up, and fall short and are ashamed of what we have done. We try to cover it up the best we know how with lies,smiles, and religious routine. Often in ways that are fake and temporary much like a leaf.

We are afraid of people seeing our sin and us this way so we hide ourselves in activities, excuses, even more sin separating us from others and God.

...The thing is, we can't hide from God. We can't hide our issues from Him (Hebrews 4:13). And when we try to cover ourselves and our mistakes we are no longer who God created us to be. The weight and worry of being discovered or seen naked by Him and others prevents us from living in the freedom Christ bought for us on the cross.

There are things that we can do to Get Naked and Stay Naked before God and others.

Confess Your Mess - It's a bit like stripping and just as uncomfortable
Be Honest - Keeps the clothes/leaves off
Be Obedient - Prevents the need to re-dress, cover up, or hide

If we can integrate this simple concept in our lives, how much more drama free would it be? How much more confidence would we have about ourselves. If we can just be comfortable in our own skin.

What are you trying to cover up? Who are you hiding from? Can you Be Naked and unashamed?

Gulp....Gasp

2010-09-11T22:32:00.007-05:00

So I've been asked to coach a 4&5 year old soccer team. We had our first practice this past Thursday. It was a ton of fun and my team is the coolest! I'm really excited to be doing this. However I found that after a couple trips up and down the ginormous 30 foot peewee soccer field I am WAY out of shape. My attempts over the last year to get in shape have been anything but successful and last only a couple of weeks totaling just a few hours.

Today after I finished push mowing the yard, I had already worked up a good sweat and decided to add to it. So I did a bit of dribbling the ole soccer ball around the yard like I did in High School. However, unlike High School I was winded before the first song had finished playing in my headphones (about 2 minutes).

"MAN, THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I CAN'T EVEN KICK AROUND MY DAUGHTER'S SOCCER BALL FOR 20 MINUTES WITHOUT GASPING FOR AIR."

It was at that point, I was challenged by an inner thought or my conscience you may think, but I believe it was a prodding by the Holy Spirit (HS).

The conversation went a bit like this as I ran around my back yard.

HS: "You haven't taken care of the body God's given you. You never exercise, and you cram your face with sugar every day. You sit at your office chair, only walking into the office, the bathroom and maybe to the mailbox. What else would you expect."

Me: " I know. But you don't understand, I eat the sugar throughout the day for energy and at night to help me stay awake while feeding Addie. I don't exercise because I don't really have the time with all the stuff I have going on at church and the new baby. By the time the day is over I just want to chill."

HS "Hmm. I see. Well didn't you spend about two weeks redoing the youth room. You spent HOURS putting up new lights, creating musician platforms, a projector screen, and new decor on the wall. Why can't you put that kind of effort into exercising?"

ME: "C'mon! That's the church. I want to make sure the teenagers have an awesome place to meet, worship, learn, and grow. I'm their Youth Pastor! That's my responsibility." I then turned up my headphones as if I could drown out the conversation.

H.S: " Shut Up! You know this 1st Corinthians 6:19-20 and your body is much more important than a stinking youth room. And you even preached this a few months ago 1st Corinthians 9:25-27 and YOU should be making your body do what it is SUPPOSED to do. Not giving in to every little sugar and snooze craving. Besides if you can't take care of your body, the first thing God gave you, how are you going to take care of anything else. Furthermore your role as the Spiritual head of your family is way more important than of the ministry you serve in. AND if you don't take care of yourself....you won't be doing either one very well OR very long."

ME: "gulp.....gasp"

On the Way to Small Groups

2010-09-11T15:36:00.006-05:00

This is some info I'm passing on to my small group leaders this weekend. It's nothing new, but a few things to always try to be practicing.

A lot of the things Jesus taught the disciples and some of the miracles He performed were on the way to somewhere else. The majority of the learning and ministry moments with your students may not necessarily be with in the small group time, but on the way to and from your group. Recognize these moments and make the most of them.

Compliment in Public / Correct in Private
◦ Complimenting is important but easy. Celebrate and share their successes with others inside and outside the group.
◦ Correcting is equally important but NOT near as easy. Don't shy away from a learning and growing opportunity for both you and the student.
◦ If a problem arises you may have to initially diffuse it in public, but address further in private.
◦ Don't just correct, but also discuss the motives behind the offense, how a repeat offense can be avoided, the personal leadership potential in the student, and the influence they carry with others even if they don't recognize it.

Challenge the student to step up (their influence outside the group).
◦ As the relationship and trust grows with the student, take the opportunity to address weaknesses that you've noticed and current mistakes they've made.
◦ Don't berate them about , but don't completely ignore the situation, it could be the very conversation that creates a turn in that student's life and it is a growing opportunity for the both of you. Refer to the last bullet for Correcting in Private.

Challenge the student to step out (of the boat).
◦ If your group is doing a silly challenge, answering a tough question, or telling portions of their story and you have a quiet one continue to encourage their involvement and stress the value of their contribution to the rest of the group.
◦ Try to notice a student curious about stepping out. Look and listen for a growing interest and feed it.

Be inconvenienced.
◦ Anytime Jesus traveled, people met him on the road wanting Him to heal them. The disciples often saw these folks as an inconvenience and wanted to pass them by and keep moving. Jesus stopped any way.
◦ Students will often wait until the most inconvenient times to talk. While you are working on something else, talking to someone else, when it's too late or too early. They've worked up the nerve to ask/talk about something; sacrifice the moment to listen and pray with the student for a possible life changing conversation.

Look With Your Eyes

2010-09-02T08:15:00.005-05:00

"Dad! No! Look with your eyes!"

Well what would you look with? Your ears? My daughter makes this statement when she is doing something that she wants me to see and she doesn't think I see it. The thing with that, is that she is ALWAYS doing something that she wants me to see. And I've gotten used to it. She's already showed me the jumping jack once. I've seen her hop on one foot a hundred times. Spinning around until she is dizzy is nothing new. Rolling Over? She's been doing that since she was 6 months old. BUT she still wants me to see it. So she says "Dad! Look at this!"

Me - "Uh huh! Yea that's cool baby!" (Never looking up from what I'm doing.)

She realizes I'm NOT REALLY looking and reminds me that if I want to see her...I have to look with my eyes. Crazy concept right. If you want to see something you have to look with your eyes. Monumental! But how much in life do we miss out on because we are not actually looking with our eyes or listening with our ears? How many small, mundane things do we get used to? Lots! By not looking with our eyes and listening with our ears, we disconnect from our heart and miss the importance in the small mundane. Maybe we we even miss that "last, last" time we get to see or hear something, because we never look or listen up. If you don't you'll miss a moment...worse still loose that moment forever.

Jesus knew this and reminded others this...

Mark 4:22-24 (New Living Translation)

²² For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. ²³ Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

²⁴ Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.

Don't miss something that's right in front of you. Be intentional. Look with your eyes. Listen with your ears. Open your heart.

A Leader (pt 3).... is Humble

2009-12-11T23:09:00.008-06:00

Because of the Power and Authority that had been given to Paul, he warned us.

"Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourself, measuring yourself by the faith that God has given you."

Two men were at an altar praying one night. One caught a glimpse of the other who looked beaten down, disturbed, and bothered. In fact he even recognized him.

"I know him, I know his story. WOW! Can't believe he's here. God thank you, that I am not as bad as that guy. I pray daily, fast weekly, follow all of your commands to a T, and give exactly ten percent of everything."

The other young man in his shame, would barely lift his head in prayer. Uttering only a few humble words.

"Oh God! Please have mercy on me a sinner!"

How many times do we think ourselves better than we should. In my last post I stated that leaders sometime seek an entitlement for what we think we deserve. We hold ourselves to OUR OWN standards in comparison to others instead of holding ourselves up to HIS standards. Obviously we know that we can never fully meet the Perfect Holy standard that our God sets, we know that. Yet at the same time we place ourselves in categories above others, because we meet our criteria for Holy. At the end of this parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Jesus quotes,

"Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Jesus uses another great teaching moment at a party to illustrate this point in choosing humility over recognition.

Luke 14:7-11
⁷ When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: ⁸ “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? ⁹ The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

¹⁰ “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. ¹¹ For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

That is probably one of the worst, if not the worst, feelings in the world. To think you are the man, people noticing you, getting attention and recognition, everything is going as planned.

BAMM!

Someone walks in and bursts that bubble. OUCH! Embarrassing right?, Not only that, but as a leader, those that you serve will begin to think that the motive for doing what you do is only to move up a seat at the table. When that happens you loose respect and influence. In reality you are actually moving down a seat or two at the Leadership Round Table.

A balloon deflated by the one who inflated it, is not as loud and noticeable as someone else bursting it. Let a little air out of your balloon before someone pops it.

Because of what you said

2009-12-10T15:03:00.005-06:00

I've been thinking, bothered, disturbed (in a good way) over the last couple of days and have been wanting to put this up here, but haven't had the time.

I've been thinking about most Christians struggle in sharing The Good News of Jesus Christ. To be honest, at times, when I'm not holding a microphone, I have a hard time sharing it too. I was reading the story of the conversation Jesus had with the woman at the well. He told her things about her life that she knew that no one else could know. He offered her refreshments that only He could give and a promised life that only He could fulfill.

Verse 39 states that after the talk she goes back into the village and that many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman said, "He told me everything I ever did." They left the village to meet Jesus themselves, a 2 day revival began within the town and many came to be believers in Him. WATCH THIS. In verse 42 the crowd informs the Samaritan woman, whose story had started it all, "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that He is indeed the Savior of the world."

Everyone who meets Jesus has a story. That story is powerful and has potential to impact someone else's life. The story will stir the curiosity in others to want to see for themselves. What is your story? How many people have been impacted, how many have come to believe in Jesus because of what He has done in your life. How many have been stirred to curiousity to check it out for themselves and now believe because of thier own experience.

If your not sharing your story, If I'm not sharing my story; and what He is doing in my life. I am keeping others from meeting the same Jesus that has changed my life. Sharing the Good News is just that; telling others the Good Stuff that God is doing in your life. When something happens share it, tell it, shout it...over and over. Eventually someone is going to notice and ask about. They need to hear the possiblity that there is Something more than what they are experiencing and that can only come from someone who has experienced IT. Don't miss the opportunity to share the Good Stuff and introduce others to the ONE who brings the Goods.

A Leader (pt 2)....Serves

2009-12-01T22:52:00.007-06:00

The meal was about to begin. Everyone was present and the table was set. Jesus knew that all power had been given to Him by the Father, SO He rose from the table to do something. Something that was NOT His responsibility, but it had not been done, and someone needed to do it. He replaced his outer garment with only a towel, and proceeded with a task that was normally reserved for the lowest level of all servants.

He knelt before each disciple, to their surprise, and washed their feet. Once finished, He put back on His robe and asked.

"Do you understand what I have just done?"

Ummm you washed our feet. Thanks Jesus, but really, you shouldn't have. I mean you're Jesus. (italics my imagination)

"I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done. Slaves are not greater than their masters. Nor is the messenger more important than the One who sends the message."

Think for a minute about what just happened and the last statement of Jesus.

He knew He had been given all Power from the Father, SO he took the place of a servant. He lowered himself to a place and fulfilled a role the others didn't even think about doing. Why didn't they step up...or in this case step down? Was it someone else's responsibility? Was the job beneath them? Were they too important? If that's the case, then wouldn't Jesus also had been too important?

Jesus was and is more important than the disciples and us. He is the one sending the message. The disciples were the messengers. We are His messengers. If Jesus lowers himself, and we are no greater than He, THEN we must lower ourselves, serve, and even at times do things that are not our responsibility.

Jesus was simply modeling what He had taught the disciples earlier in their relationship.

Matthew 20:25-28
²⁵ But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. ²⁶ But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. ²⁸ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

I carry this verse in my heart daily as a reminder of the attitude of Jesus. Within the culture of the American Church today is growing the same entitlement mentality that caused Jesus' rebuke. James and John wanted to sit where they felt they deserved. The others became indignant and jealous. Many who believe they have "Reached IT" feel they are deserving of titles, rewards, and recognition. BUT JESUS WAS IT, had always and WILL ALWAYS be IT. Yet He sought no entitlement, but only to serve more than being served. Which do you seek, even unconsciously? Being a Leader entitles you to nothing more than Leading and SERVING those that you are responsible for.

A Leader (pt 1)....intro

2009-11-24T21:03:00.010-06:00

According to John Maxwell, Leadership is Influence. Nothing more, nothing less. If you have no influence with people you cannot lead them. In my pursuit for scholarships for college I interviewed for the President's Emerging Leaders Program (PELP) at Austin Peay and I was asked, "What is a Leader?"

My answer, as a super intelligent 18 year old, "Um, Someone who leads others. Yea, that's it, a leader is someone who leads." "Ahh you idiot!"

I knew I had bombed the interview. I knew I would not get into the program or receive the nice $8000 scholarship that would come with it. Thankfully I was wrong! I did get in. Over the course of 4 years we were supposed to learn the basics of Leadership and take enough classes to almost earn a minor in Leadership. I remember very little from any of the classes or the experience, and they have since added 2 more classes to the program to allow for a minor in Leadership. John Maxwell's name was never even mentioned. Hopefully they have caught on since then.

But my experience over the past 8 years (has it been that long since I graduated college) along with a few conferences, many conversations, and books I have learned a little more of what a leader should and should not be, do, and say. Over the past few months I have contemplated the qualities that I believe as a leader I should hold very tightly in importance. These are also qualities that I also look for in others to serve along side me in whatever I do in ministry and out. I have taken them to one of the greatest expert on leadership that has ever lived to hear what He has to say about these qualities. Not only did He initiate change in his own time but instilled certain values into His followers that are still impacting and changing the world today. That Leader is Jesus Christ. Through both word and deed with the disciples, Pharisee, and outcasts He defined a leader in a way that was counter-cultural then.....and still is today. I'm sure their are several qualities, but for what I see as important this is my list. This is just the list....the breakdown will follow later.

A LEADER........
.....SERVES
.....IS HUMBLE
.....IS RESPONSIBLE
.....HAS INTEGRITY

Twit/Face - it

2009-11-22T22:04:00.010-06:00

Yea so it's been over 2 months since my last post. I don't know what has happened. This time last year I was averaging about 3 posts a week. Writing was more of a priority. I don't know what has happened? (Waite didn't I just say that? Yea I did, sorry). I originally started this thing to get some of the random thoughts out of my head to make room for newer ones. Lately I haven't taken the time to write anything out AND I've definitely been thinking more than ever.

I recently read an article in Relevant Magazine about silencing our digital world. I don't have the issue with me, so I can't quote exactly what it said. But basically we are NEVER EVER unplugged or disconnect and we want everyone to know what we are doing and thinking at all times. We twitter, post, and blog about every little detail and passing thought in our life; interesting and mundane. I'm a tech savvy guy, with accounts @ youtube, vimeo, dailymotion, twitter, facebook, myspace, 3 e-mail addresses AND a cell phone that allows me to do all of this plus text. I stay pretty connected...too much most of the time.

And lets face it, with the introduction and popularity of twitter and facebook updates...people want to give and receive as much info as possible without doing the work. To be honest that is probably why I haven't wrote as much on here, simply because 140 characters is a lot less work and allows the grace of misspelling to keep it fewer than 140. But really? How much information are we really sharing.

Basically we have just fed our insatiable appetite for gossip...NOT knowledge. Gossip is usually spread in just a few passing phrases about someone. Knowledge is gained reading about something worth thinking about...and then actually thinking about it. Knowledge is shared by making that thought, idea, and information available and with more than 140 characters.

Don't get me wrong I'm not bashing Twitter/Facebook. They are great ways to stay in touch and up to date on your friends, followers, and stalkies. I even use a program that checks and updates both at the same time. But don't rely on your total daily reading and writing regiment to come from 140-200 characters at a time. Find something worth chewing on...maybe even something not digital...where you actually have to turn a page and dog ear it to mark your spot instead of adding to your favorites.

So with that.

Gd nite all. I'm now going 2 bd & will B getting up in the morning 2 start a wonderful work week. Lots 2 do in such a short amount of time.

Equip God's People

2009-09-12T22:15:00.005-05:00

I've had a moment recently. After seven and half years in ministry, six of those full time, I'm finally starting to get it. I CAN'T do it all. In fact, I DON'T have to do it all. It is hard for me to ask for help. Not b/c I don't think others are capable of contributing, I just hate to ask them. I feel like I'm bothering them. After all I get paid pretty good to this and the tithe paying members of the church should get what they pay for. BUT that is so NOT the way it is supposed to be.

I've been teaching alot lately in our student ministry about the body of Chirst. And I think it is finally starting to sink in....to me. It hit me as I was getting one of our classrooms ready for our new BreakOut groups. I don't have to hit a home run sermon every week, I don't have to be at EVERY sporting, band, drama event, I don't have to be the one to plan every event and trip, remind students of those events and their responsibilities. I don't have to be the one to greet every new student and contact every student that's MIA. I don't have to be the one to pick out every piece of curriculum and teach it page by page. I don't have to be the one to send out letters, do the bulletin, do the attendance, make videos, set up, tear down, pick up, take home, and a multitude of details that come with student ministry. I have been doing this, I am doing this, but I'm working on no longer doing this.

Up until about 3 years ago, I could do almost everything fairly well. My wife and I were both in full time ministry and we had no children. We worked everyday until the sun went down, even our days off. Now she has a teaching job outside of our ministry (and is darn good) and we have three year old angel of a daughter with plans for another offspring.....and I just can't do what I used to could do....at least not successfully.

The church has been given GiftS from Christ, not the gift of a young savvy youth pastor to do all the work. But a training team to "Equip God's people to do his work and build up the church" and "it is each parts job to help the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy and growing." (Ephesians 4:11-16)

There is some relief and release in those scripture. But also some conviction and confrontation. So actually by "not bothering people" I have been hurting them and preventing them from doing His work. I have kept them from growing, helping others grow, and even preventing the whole Body of Christ from growing. Most of the time we prevent others from growing, because we don't want to take the time on the front end to train them for their work. Instead we'd rather work a little harder and do it our-self.

It's not our job to do it everything. It's not our job to make those we lead, God's people, to do everything we are supposed to do. It IS our job to help those we lead, God's people, to do everything He wants them to do.

HeartBeat

2009-09-01T08:14:00.005-05:00

Last night as Ella was winding down on the couch, I laid down beside her in hopes to read a little. That didn't happen. She took the book out of my hands and crawled up in my lap, laid her head on my chest, and pulled the blankets over her head. She wiggled a bit trying to get comfortable as she positioned herself completely on me.

As she laid there snuggled underneath the blanket I began to remember the first few weeks she was home and she would fall asleep on my chest, with room to spare. I began just thanking God for the opportunity that He's given me to be a father...we'll then it just became one of moments. My eyes began to "water" and things just got all mushy.

It was real quiet for a couple of minutes. Ella peaked her head out from under her blanket and said, "Daddy I hear your heartbeat!". Pulling the covers over her head again to listen. She excitedly repeated her discovery. As she was covering her head back up to listen again, I asked, "What's it saying?"

Softly she spoke these words, "It saying I love you."

WOW - How'd she know!

Then one of those AMAZING teaching moments occurred when the Father reminds me of Himself. He asked "When was the last time you were quiet, still, and heard my heartbeat. When was the last time you shut yourself out from the rest of the world, got close and really listened? If you did, you'd know my heartbeat and what it says."

So often we forget the Heart of God because we fail to hear it. For Ella to hear my heartbeat, the TV was off, the House was quiet, she pulled the blanket over her head, and got close to me. To hear God today; Turn of the noise, get quiet, get close, block everything else from your thoughts, and then listen. What's His heartbeat telling you?

At the Last

2009-08-24T22:45:00.003-05:00

So it's been a while since my last post and I've had several things floating through my head these days. But haven't take the time to turn them into something understandable.

Over the last week I've really wrestled with the "lukewarmness" of American Christianity and even how comfortable I have gotten within my personal relationship with Christ. Not that I doubt my salvation, but that I doubt the boldness that I live it out making the most of every opportunity that I have been given. Living this life fully with each breath in a way that brings the Father joy and expands His goodness. Living something other than just a good Christian Life.

Check the lyrics of the song that was on repeat in head along with Matthew 25:31-46

Its a shame that some must go without,
But I was no fool to think it might be my problem.
Needy hands were reaching out;
I kept my spare change and my pride in a tight fist.

And now at the last, everything is changed in this pale light
That death has cast on all Ive done - on all I've done.

Im a good man on the whole;
Who could blame me for looking out for number one?
I never killed, I never stole;
A small indulgence now and then, so what of it?

Im a good man.
Im a good man.
Am I a good man?
I thought I was,
But the rewards of this life now count for naught.
My body: soon buried and left to rot.
The times gone, how quickly it all has passed.
My God, now I see how Ive squandered each and every breath.

Now at the last, everything is changed in this pale light;
That death has cast on all Ive done.

Now at the last, everything is changed in this pale light;
And looking back I am undone - I am undone.

Youth America Highlights

2009-08-04T22:24:00.002-05:00

Not doing much writing these days...guess I've gotten lazy or something. However here's a video I put together from our camp experience. It doesn't touch the awesomeness of it.

Youth America 2009 from steven moore on Vimeo.

Highlights from Youth America 2009

2009-07-11T16:12:00.003-05:00

2004 was my first Summer Camp as Youth Pastor at our church. This was the largest group we have ever taken (47- was 50 but 3 dropped on the day of) and was one of the best if not the best experience ever. These are just some highlights / quotes / thoughts / etc. from the week.

Things I heard
-Rulers do 3 things - Build Cities (Nehemiah 2:17) / Wage War / Make Big Decisions

-When will we stop crossing the road and start caring? What will revival look like?

-Pursue the presence and NOT the pedestal?

-You are pursing the pedestal if you

Live in the applause of people
Do not enjoy the Pursuit of Jesus - its more about what He's doing through and not in
Doing replaces being - you pray/read/preach/serve because you are the pastor. Are you more concerned with DOING for Jesus or BEING LIKE Jesus.
Plagued by "ComparISIN" - you compare yourself and your sins to others to make yourself feel better.

-Are you a Hireling or a Son of the House?

- Teenagers need leaders:

Who get them.
With Vision
Who earn their Respect
Who are Relevant

-Don't focus on Growth. Focus on Health because healthy things grow.

-God lives in what we believe about ourselves, but He is NOT moved by what we believe in ourselves.

Things we did:
- We had several teenagers recommit their life to Christ, some filled with the Holy Spirit, and even some commit to finding their place in ministry.

- I had the honor to speak Wednesday morning about ruling the world. It starts by simply doing what's expected. Before David faced and conquered his Giant he did what Jessee had instructed. Had he not babysat the sheep he wouldn't have fought the lion and bear. Had he not delivered the food the army he would not have seen Goliath. He was able to do the exceptional because he was faithful in doing what was expected.

-Harvest is starting a new NextGen 1 year internship and we have 4 young adults committing to the 1 year life changing experience that begins in about a month.

-We formed new and strengthened existing relationships with Church of the Harvest.

- Got to be apart of the recording of the New Live Worship Album.

-Had an amazing time of prayer, discussion, and bonding during our recap of the week on Thursday morning. The Holy Spirit was all over the place.

-In competitions our church won:

2nd in Jr. High Basketball
2nd in High School Basketball
2nd in American Idol Competition
1st in Vocal instrumental Competition

Things I thought about:
-Revival will start from within the CHURCH but not "inside" the church.

-I don't want anyone to give me credit beyond what they see in my life and hear in my message~2nd Cor. 12:6.

-God, I'm sorry for not trusting, I'll do whatever you want - just show me.

What would happen?

2009-06-26T00:12:00.003-05:00

I'm not a huge Creflo Dollar fan...BUT I watched a little interview of him on The Hour and he made this statement. Really something to think about.

"If you were to close your church down and the community doesn't miss you, then you were not having an impact on your community."

He didn't say if your church members don't miss you...but THE COMMUNITY.

We miss the point and purpose of a church so often. It is NOT there to keep "the saved" safe and satisfied, but to change and challenge a community. I want to be a part of a church that doesn't lock itself into a mode of protection, entertainment, and satisfaction, completely forgetting that there is a world outside the double doors.

If you go to church, what would happen if your church one day just shut the doors. Would the impact go beyond those that sit in it's seats, or would the ripple of impact end just inside the entrance doors?

I want to

Honduras and Back Again

2009-06-18T22:29:00.004-05:00

I felt God stretching me to go and take others "to the ends of the earth" early last summer, but didn't know where it would be. After much time in prayer and research, Junquillo Honduras would our end, and I began planning in November of last year. The trip seemed months away, then suddenly days away, and in a blink we were on our bus to the our home for the week as we served and shared Christ.

6 days later we drove back to the airport, it still seemed like a dream.
"We really did it. It's all happened so fast. God you are amazing."

The week was stretching, tiring, frustrating, heartbreaking, exhausting, exciting, adventurous, breathtaking, exhilarating, inspirational, and many other indescribable words.

You look and think the community is heavily stricken with poverty, but at a closer look, they are wealthier than most Americans will ever know. We served two families and improved their homes with concrete floors, walls, and a new tin roof. We played and shared Christ with the local kids during a VBS. And you ask yourself, Who's ministering to who?

During our evening debriefing Josh, the Experience Mission staff, made a statement.
He said, "We tend to judge people based on their circumstances."

How true is that? At first glance the Hondurans are poor by OUR standards, but after some time you realize that they appreciate what they have more than we do. While we are looking for the NEXT BIG THING, they are still enjoying the MAIN THINGS - time and each other.

Josh also reminded us that no matter our economic status - how rich or how poor someone may be, we all have one thing in common.

The Lord created us both ~ Proverbs 22:2

(more pictures and video to come)

Heading to Honduras

2009-06-08T12:06:00.008-05:00

HONDURAS UPDATES
Wednesday
Plane landed in Honduras at 11:20 am. No rain during landing...thank goodness.
It took a while at customs b/c they checked us all for diseases and viruses...especially Swine Flu. We were all clear.
We rode a bus and had a small hike/walk to finally reach our destination...a ranch in Junquillo.
The ranch was all built by hand by trees from neighboring yards.
They took us to a restaurant when we arrived...good thing b/c we were really hungry.

Our living arrangements are nice...outhouse building for restroom usage....water hoses/sprinkler ran from a lake to be able to take showers. Girls actually have warm water...the ranch owner rigged that up for us. We get to take showers at night.

Thursday
The day started early. For breakfast we had eggs, potatoes, refried beans, and tortillas. It was very good. Today we took an old roof off of a 93 year old man's house and put a new tin roof on.
We started a VBS in the afternoon. The kids go to school here until 12:00. They started coming to VBS after school and kept showing up until after 4:00. They had told us to plan for 20-40 children...we had over 60. God is awesome!
It was a hard-working day, but worth it in every way.
Dinner was good...chicken, tortillas, refried beans, and potatoes. Beans will be a part of every meal I believe.

Friday-Sunday
We aren't able to begin building the well because we are the only group here. It takes many to make that happen. We have laid concrete flooring in homes where there were dirt floors. We put a concrete floor and concrete walls in a home where there is a family of 7. There house consists of one room and a kitchen. There entire home is smaller than our prayer room at church. After we finished, the mother decided she was going to get a new stove built since she had a "new home." We have done VBS everyday...there have been way more children than expected. The kids love playing games (they have none). They love making crafts....construction paper is amazing to them. They love anything you give them to play with b/c they do not have toys of their own.

Monday
We are finished with our projects so we were able to go into town. We just spent time walking around, seeing the people, and relaxing. We had a cook out tonight for all the families that we worked with this week. When I started packing, I had a huge surprise waiting for me in my bed...a palm-sized tarantula (no joke). They told us that the one in my bed was a small one...they get much larger. I am wishing I would have checked my bedding more carefully all week.

Tuesday
As of 4:30 the team was stuck in the airport in Honduras due to the fog/cloudiness. They may have to spend the night there 2nite and leave in the morning. Will continue to update if I can.

follow me on Twitter

Hey Thanks for checking back here at FindingMoore. I know my blog has been a little thin lately mostly because that is what my spare time has been. We will be leaving for Junquillo, Honduras Wednesday (June 10th) and returning Tuesday (June 16th). Hopefully if this works right, I will be able to update my Twitter Status via text messages. Check back regularly to find out what we are doing! So below you'll find a short video of where we are going, and the names of us who are going. Please take a minute and say a prayer for our safety and that we are humbly obedient in serving and sharing Christ with the people of Junquillo.

Mission Trippers
Cierra Yanok
Emily Rich
Brittany Page
Jessica Polk
Chelsea Neill
Melissa Cromwell
Kelly Durbin
Sandra Williams
Gina Davis
Cody Willoughby
Steven Moore
Robert Neill
Chris Durbin
Bill Cromwell

It's all crazy! It's all false! It's all a dream! It's all right!

2009-05-19T23:21:00.005-05:00

It's defiantly alright for sure. This is the3rd album added to my mewithoutYou collection. They are a very eclectic band to say the very least. On their last tour they rocked a harpist on stage. For the final song of the show pulled out some kazoos and a couple of children instruments for probably one of the most energetic songs ever performed. Their lyrics are colorful, thought provoking, and even riddled.

The band's first two albums were fairly dark, full of doubt, and questions. Brother Sister, their second album, seemed a bit lighter and brighter. And the final song on that album, In a sweater poorly knit, I believe could have been on the new release. It was almost a prelude of what was to come maybe.

Their newest CD, It's all crazy!It's all false!It's all a dream! It's all right!, is full of colorful stories of animals, insects, vegetables, and a king. A lot of the songs carry a tempo and rhythm reminiscent of old Sunday school favorites, but with a bit more edge. Are they fables, parables, dreams? Whatever they are, they are ALRIGHT! I could so totally see this becoming a musical of some sort. I'd be on the front row. I'll definitely be at their next show in TN if I'm free.

Lyrics from a couple of the songs.

Every Thought a Thought of You.
Every song in praise of you. Our darkest nights are days to you. The trees raise branches high like arms in church to grateful sky. Every song a praise to You. No one here believes in You. Everyone else is bound to leave but You. When they swear their love is real, they mean I like the way You make me feel. No one here believes in You

King Beetle on a coconut estate (quote of a beetle talking to his children)
"We've all called me your dad - but your true dad's not me. I laid next to your mom and your forms were conceived. Your Father's the life in all that you see. He fills up the ponds as He empties the clouds. He holds without hands and He speaks without sounds."

A stick, a carrot and string.
With horses hay beneath his head, or Lord was born in a manger bed. That all whose wells run dry could drink of his supply. To keep him warm the sheep drew near, so great full for His coming here. He's come with news of grace, He's come to take my place.

The donkey whispered in His ear, child in 30 some odd years, you'll ride someone who looks like me into town triumphantly. The cardinal sang with a joyful song, He'll make right what man made wrong. Bringing low the hills, that the valleys might be filled.

Here's a video of Aaron, the lead singer, on purpose, belief, and forgiveness.

Pretend your playing for Lakers or the Celtics

2009-05-18T00:33:00.001-05:00

Without a doubt one of the greatest videos on Youtube I've seen lately. What a great way to learn basketball and get in shape. Might even work for a dance move...

Weak and Tired?

2009-05-14T23:38:00.009-05:00

During praise and worship in our service last night. We had a time of prayer for our students who were just tired and weak. Tired of school, tired of family problems, tired of relationship problems, tired of trying to be perfect, tired of trying be someone else, tired of being tired. We prayed that God would strengthen them.

As I was praying with a couple our students, God dropped a couple of verses into my prayers. They were so powerful and convicting that I spent some time and shared them with everyone.

1) Ecclesiastes 4:12
In verses 9 through the first part of 12 Solomon talks about the importance of close relationships. People to call on in the worst times and celebrate with in the best times. Then to end it all, solomon switches it up and starts talking about a robe made of 3 chords. He says this rope is not easily broken.

The three chords are this
1 - You
2 - The person you are in relationship with (friend, family, spouse, dating, etc)
3 - Christ

It makes sense. A piece of rope with only two chords is weaker and more easily broken than a rope with three chords. There is an extra strength in the the three chord rope. So it's the same with our relationships. If Christ, being the third cord, is missing, the relationship will be weak. We will be weak as a result of it. The reason so many marriages end in failure is because they are missing the third cord. They try to do it alone, just the two of them. They grow tired and break. Their hearts break, their marriage breaks, and they break the lives and hearts of their children.

Keep Christ at the center and keep yourself and the relationship stronger.

2)Luke 22:41-43
Jesus is in the garden praying. Looking for strength to go through what He is about to go through. Every part of his flesh is scared and tired of waiting for it. He's praying, so much in fact that His sweat is like blood. But his disciples are sleeping. No one to strengthen and encourage Him. Read for yourself.

⁴¹He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ⁴²"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." ⁴³An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

Did you catch that? When did the angel come and strengthen Him?

When Jesus gave in. When He made the statement "Not my will but yours be done." He gained a new strength when He followed the will of God. No matter how painful, dreadful, awful, he knew it was going to be. He was strengthened when He said "Lord, I'll do your will, whatever it is."

Could it be at times that we are tired because we are out of the will of God for our life? Instead of saying yes we are saying no and doing our own things our own ways. If we are only about our business and our will, we are only using our strength which runs out. If we are about His business and His will, we are relying on His strength which never runs out.'

Say yes to His will and His strength.

AWESOME....not

2009-05-08T21:03:00.003-05:00

I slept like 2 hours all night long if that long. The right side of my face sincerely felt deformed from all the pressure. I spent the night and morning putting pressure on my right eyeball. I went to the doctor today to finally give in and get a shot, I couldn't take it any more. I went in for one shot, came out with three. I had forgotten to get the follow up rounds of my Hep. A shot and my Typhoid shot for our Honduras Trip. So one in each arm, and one in the hip. I move like the tin man right now. Wait there's more....

BEFORE Elementary School my right eardrum ruptured. IN Elementary School I had tubes in my ears TWICE to remove fluid from behind my eardrums, during this time I had to be super careful and wear earplugs when getting around water because I had a tube creating holes in my eardrums. Water in the head probably isn't good. I find out TODAY, that I have permanent on one side of my right eardrum and severe scarring on the other side of it. I knew I had some scarring, but a hole.

The Doc asked if i wore ear plugs b/c of my hole.

"Um yea sure...sometimes", I said this kind of automatic, but NO!

"Waite I have a hole? Is that why I don't hear as well out of my right ear?"

"Yes", he says.

"So what are the chances that it will grow back together?"

"ZERO" as he holds up a goose egg with his fist. "You need to make sure you have earplugs anytime you are in water, no matter how clean you think it is. You are probably okay in the shower just don't lean in."

Wow! How long have I had this? I've been in the Buffalo River, TN River, Pacific Ocean, countless pools and hot tubs (some clean and others, not so much) over the last 15-20yrs. And Now I'm told I still need to be wearing earplugs. Well at least I can still hear out of it now.

Now I have no sense of smell AND a hole in my ear drum. Life is Humorous at times.

I could always get one of these. Jen does always complain about the music and TV being too loud at times. Thanks Nick for the suggestion.

Highway to Hell

2009-05-06T23:08:00.003-05:00

This is one way to start a service.

HIGHWAY2HELL_JUSTIN from Jiggle Snort on Vimeo.

Actually it was a great opener for NewSpring Church's Easter service. If you haven't heard of NewSpring check em out. God is doing some amazing things through Perry Noble and his crew right now. 1000+ salivations in April.

Dada! I gotta give you a hug!

2009-05-05T23:01:00.003-05:00

"I gotta give you a hug."

Is Ella's trade mark remark these days. She quickly follows through with what she intends to do, running up to and hugging you wherever she can reach. Not just people she knows well, but almost anyone at times that she get's comfortable around.

I love it when she tells me this.

She'll tell me, "Dada, i got something that will make you feel better"

"What?"

That's when she'll snuggle up and give me a big hug. She says it makes all my boo boo's better. And she's right. It just makes me want to pull her even closer.

Most of the time when I get home, or pick her up she'll come running at me screaming for me with a smile and a hug.

I've stated that since I've become a Dad I understand now how much my Heavenly Father loves me, because of how much love my I have for Ella. (Luke 11:11-13)

I picked Crazy Love up tonight, I stopped reading at about page 50 in December. I get distracted and jump around from book to book.

Francis Chan talks about our perception of our God's love for us after we become fathers ourselves.

But on page 55 he flips it. He also loves it when his daughter meets him at the door or maybe even in the driveway. His heart swells, as does mine, when she runs into his presence and gives him the biggest hug of the day.

I love it when I open the door and where ever Ella is, she comes running with arms open.

"DADDY! DADDY's HERE!"

I'm tearing just thinking about it.

The same love I feel for Ella is the same my heavenly Father has for me times 1,000,000. But the reverse is also true.

When Ella comes running to her daddy...I'm overflowing with lover for her that I can't help but pull her closer. When we come running into the presence of God with hands raised, and our hearts screaming..."DADDY! DADDY"S HERE". He can't help but be overflowing with love and pull us closer.

So go screaming right now, find a place and reach up and scream...

"Daddy, I got a hug for you!"

Celebrations and Change

2009-05-03T00:09:00.008-05:00

Tonight we had the first of a couple celebrations for our graduating class. It was a banquet type celebration with family, food, embarrassing sideshow, and the story of 1000 marbles. You've may have read on here, but this is the largest graduating class since I have been the youth pastor and maybe ever. We have about 24 graduating this year. We celebrated with 15 of those tonight. These are our kids. I have been the only youth pastor that they have had. Most were in 7th grade when we started, some came along more recently, still others we had while children pastors. Another amazing thing, is that I have 4 wonderful leaders who have been right there with me all the way, loving on and encouraging these kids.

It is an exciting time, but also bittersweet. Teenagers that we've seen multiple times a week, sometimes every day, for over 5 years; we will only see monthly at best in a short time. That hurts. But we have new ones to form bonds with and to watch grow now. The cool thing we are starting to see some of the fruits of all of the work God trusted us with. He is so awesome and we are so blessed!

There have been a lot of tears, lots of laughter, miles, mistakes, success, embarrassments, disappointments, a lot of sleepless nights (planned and unplanned), services, events, messes, messages, prayers, and a million other things that have been poured out. There were times when i wanted to walk away and just hide. But it's time like these I'm reminded why don't.

I love it when we finally see God's word withstand, strengthen, encourage, and remind us that His promises are fulfilled.

Galatians 6:9 (The Message)
^9-10So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

A Classic Song for your enjoyment that has meant a lot to me over the years at different transition points in my life.

End of an era...

2009-04-28T22:46:00.003-05:00

Today, today i sold my Dodge Dakota. It's a somber, bittersweet moment in my life. I'm not one to hold on to stuff. I'm not a pack rat at all. I have had it for 12 years and I'm not real sure that I'm ready to part with it. Even though I have a newer Dodge Nitro to help ease the pain a bit, I'm still going to miss the Dakota. I tried to convince the wife to let me keep it a little longer, but to no success. I just feel like I've sold a part of me. Isn't that silly?

I got the Dakota 2 days before graduating from High School in '97, at age 18. Twelve years later, it's just as sweet as it was the day it pulled down my driveway for the first time. I've practically grown up with it; from a kid, to a college man, husband, and now a father. When i got it, it had 700 miles on it and now still only has 94, 000.

I spent Friday shining it up real good for a couple of test drives by perspective families.

The winner?

A young man who is in his 2nd year of college. He too is a Dakota fan. His first automobile was a white Dodge Dakota, that was trimmed out with a bed cover, rims, and ground effects. A couple of years ago he hit a light poll and totaled the truck. I was told his test drive brought back some old memories, it was love at first site. I trust he will take as good of care, and enjoy the Dakota as much as I did.

I have the Dakota for one more week...and then it's good by old friend.

16 Days...

2009-04-23T23:41:00.005-05:00

It's been 16 days since my last post...that's sad. Over the last couple of days I've been thinking.

"Man I need to get back to writing, I've got so much to catch up on."
"Do I back track and catch folks up, or just start from now and try to stay current?"
"If there was anyone who read my stuff consistently I bet they've probably given up."
"Should I even waist, my time?"

Well to be honest over the last 16 days, some pretty stinking God Amazing Things have happened!

1) I am taking a mission group to Honduras in June, I've been praying and planning for this trip since about Nov. of last year.

Originally it was myself and 9 teenagers going with a cost of about $1600.
Over the last couple of Months God has brought me 5 other adults who have committed to this trip.
Plane tickets that were originally $600 - $1000 per person were bought @ $300.84
So now I am taking 14 individuals for less than the original 9.

2) I was asked to speak at the funeral of woman that I barely knew,
but will never forget.

Ms. Cathy Jones is the grandmother of one of my teenagers. She had been in the hospital since the beginning of January with many heart conditions and other complications. She had punched death in the mouth on more than a couple of occasions, and was determined each day was going to be a good day.I have never met someone so special. I went to visit and encourage her in the hospital the first time and left more encouraged and motivated about life than before I went in. The family said she connected with me and talked about me. The last time a went to visit last month was just a couple of days before my surgery. Over the next couple of weeks she would ask if anyone knew how I was doing. Ms. Jones had been in the hospital for almost 4 months and was more concerned about my little outpatient procedure than herself. She truly was an angel and I was honored and humbled to be able honor her this week.

3) I received a HANDWRITTEN letter from a student.

That doesn't happen much. And when it does, it's really special. This young man is an amazing individual and I am so glad to see him back in our church family. I can't wait to see what God does in him and through him. That's why you never give up.

4)God is really doing amazing things in FaithPointe Students.

I have a great bunch of adult leaders that are working on connecting with our growing number of students. I feel like more and more of our students are stepping up and inviting friends to church and ministering to them.

Last night was an amazing service with student pouring their hearts out in worship before their Father. At least 3 accepted Christ and 4 were filled with the Holy Spirit. That makes for about 29 commitments so far this year (the actual count is in the office). The most we've ever had since I've been here, and it's just April! We are taking 44 students to camp this year - another record. The most before this year was about 40 with leaders.

All Glory goes to Jesus Christ who's life saving power is changing lives at FaithPointe Students.

5)I've made a new short, super sweet (i think so anyways) video of my Ella.

Make a Wish from steven moore on Vimeo.

YOU MAY HAVE TO TURN THE HD OFF TO WATCH

Brave New Voices

2009-04-06T23:40:00.007-05:00

My Senior year in High School I had to enter a talent competition as part of my Drama Class grade. It wasn't by choice, but by grade blackmail. I used to write and I listened to rap music but didn't rap. I remembered hearing a poem that resembled rap but was much more powerful. It was Spoken Word. So I wrote a Spoken Word Poem. I won 2nd Place as the only piece of poetry in the competition and was an alternate to the Mid South talent show in the event the winner was unable to make it. I beat out girls who had been singing and winning competitions since they were 5. The funny thing is as I wrote it, it sort of stuck in my head and 12 years later I can still recite it word for word, with a little bit of thought.

So here it goes....

There comes a time, There comes a time
When a man must rewind the hands of time
and look back on his past
Because with it, he cannot last.

He must remember the days of old
and what he was told as child
running wild in the streets with all his dead beat...friends.

His parents teaching, their Godly preachings
that he heard, but did not care to hear...then
Are now sinking in.

At the ripe old age of 31
He can still hear his mother say,
"Son, be a responsible man, do all that you can,
give your very best and nothing less should you demand"

But it's too late to remember way back then...
Those memories are just dust in the wind.
One last breath is all he'll take.
A shot to the head has made his bed
and never more will he awake.

So don't make the same mistakes, I say
and ponder the things of yester yonder.
Search the deepest parts of your soul.

So that you may grow old ,
And reminiscence ,
And reminiscence on your past
Because without it YOU will not last

Not bad for a geeky little white kid from hickville, usa. I've always loved the art and really would have liked to have done more of it...but felt unqualified to do so.

Tonight I watched the opening episode of a new Russell Simmons documentary on HBO, Brave New Voices. I've been waiting a few weeks for it's premier and was glad I was home to catch it. The show follows teenagers around the country displaying their struggles, heartaches, challenges, and victories through the art of spoken word. I found myself in tears a couple of times to see the passion, pain, and power behind the stories of these kids ranging from rape, racism, illness, family situations, and peer ridicule. The courage it takes to be that transparent at that age is astonishing. These young leaders are letting their voice be heard and are the voice for many who are voiceless. If only we all could speak that much truth with that much power.

Below are a couple clips of the guys who really stuck a chord with me. I felt connected a little to this first young man from Michigan, Ben Alfaro. Him coming face to face with his father and his father not realizing that was his son and me not knowing my birth father and having mostly at times an awkward relationship with my step dad, wondering if we really know each other at all. The second young man from New York, B. Yung, described his words like a fire in his chest. Even when he's quiet it's there, burning him up on the inside, waiting to get out. (A Jeremiah maybe?) And when he lets it out, he really let its out. I promise you will see one of these two guys in the finals if not winning the competition.

*Caution...these videos contain some strong language and material due to the nature of the students' life. It (the poetry) wouldn't be real if they (the kids) weren't.

Will You Accept Me??

2009-04-02T11:32:00.004-05:00

As we are planting the roots of our Youth Ministry Values deep into the hearts of young people right now, I am trying to find ways to get them to take ownership of them. Do things that help them become more concrete. At the end of the series, I will probably have those who are artistically inclined do some art piece for each of our values...Worship - Acceptance - Change - Challenge.

I've got a couple of guys who are pretty handy with the video camera. They've done a few other videos for me ... Savannah City Countdown and Sghetti Dinner. Nick and Jake can do things already at 18 that I hadn't figured out how to do until a little over a year ago. I just hate that they are seniors.

Lesson learned...Utilize your students' gifting and talents early.

This is their latest creation for Acceptance. They were a bit disappointed that it wasn't as "magical" as they had first discussed. But they basically had about two days of school and only a couple of hours to get it together. I PERSONALLY THINK IT ROCKED.

Will You accept me? from steven moore on Vimeo.

VISION PT 5 - Values of FaithPointe Students

2009-03-30T22:48:00.003-05:00

In my 5th Post on Vision, sort of documenting the newness God is sort of bringing to our Youth Ministry, He is helping me clarify our values. I have always sort of knew what was important to our ministry, but never solidified it to a point that it could be articulated by both students and leaders. If I can't easily describe it how can my students. It should be part of the driving force behind the things that we do and teach. So without further adue...our values:

1)Worship - Far above anything else, I want our ministry to be an obvious place of worship. This sort of ties in to a series that I just finished on Worship. At FaithPointe Students making sure everything we do is a Response to God for who He is and what He's done and will do..... is priority numero uno.

2)Acceptance - In a world of myspace, facebook, and others where teenagers are just wanting to be accepted, but not necisarily by being themself. FaithPointe Students is a a place where everyone is accepted and loved regardless of background, skin, bank account, secret or public sin.

3)Change - When we worship God and love those He brings to us, I can't help but believe that hearts will be changed. FaithPointe Students is a place where hearts and lives are changed through the love and power of Jesus Christ.

4)Challenge - I have said repeatedly over the years that Christians are responsible for more than just getting saved and staying safe. We have a responsibility to Grow and to Go. We should be growing into the relationship and purpose He has called us to and going to those who are lost without Christ. FaithPointe studensts is a place where students will be challenged to grow in their relationship with God, share Christ, and serve others.

Over the next few weeks I'm imparting these values into our leaders and students. I want it to become apart of the regular leadership conversation that goes on between my adult and student leaders. I want itnto be apart of our FaithPoint Student DNA so to speak.

It's all about to be W.A.C.C. YO! Ha...just kiddin'!

VISION PT 4 ---Purpose of FaithPointe Students

2009-03-26T16:46:00.005-05:00

Over the past few month's God has really been challenging some things within the Youth Ministry He has allowed me to be apart of. I have been allowed to pastor a group of teenagers for a little over 5 years. This is amazing considering the avg. stint at a church for a youth pastor is about 18 months.

It is easy to get set in the ruts and in what's comfortable and known. Same event schedule, same teaching schedule, same service schedule. It works. It's stable. It's safe. But honestly ...it's been boring. Actually I have just been going through the motions and not been a good steward of what God has given me. In August I sensed a change coming, sort of an urgency to get more leaders connecting with our kids. Beginning in Nov. we have averaged 90+ students each week. But I don't want to be large group with no purpose and a list of names on an attendance roster. Still we have been doing more out of routine than out of purpose. It's kind of humbling and embarrassing to think that I have been just "doing" youth ministry without a clearly defined purpose for our ministry.

After a few weeks of quiet contemplation, prayer, and review...God is beginning to help me solidify some of the next steps in getting this youth ministry on purpose, growing and healthy. Funny thing about the timing of this is that it comes at a time when our first group of students are graduating. This group were 8th graders when I started...and now they are graduating. It's almost like a passing of a torch on to the next generation. A new start maybe.

Our Goal - Reaching students to become Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus.

Step 1 - Get students to a life changing commitment to Jesus Christ

This can happen through services, camp experiences, one on one mentoring

Step 2 - Help them continue growing in their relationship with God

This happens through small groups, church services, Sunday school, individual study.

Step 3 - Get them connected to and serving in the local Church

Involvement in ministry teams, leadership, service opportunities

Step 4 - Help them reach out serving and sharing Christ with those who are lost.

Friendship Evangelism, Missions, Service Opportunities,

There are several ways students are able to advance from one step to the next. And even if they reach step 4 they will not "have arrived." They will continue to work through steps 2 through 4 constantly growing and learning.

MUCH MUCH MORE TO COME

OUCH

2009-03-24T19:53:00.002-05:00

Yea march has been a little crazy for me! A lot has went on and my posts have sort of deminished. Here's a brief rundown of my month.

March 1st
Community Concert with Seventh Day Slumber

March 4th
Morning Devotion at Hardin County Middle School

March 6 And 7th
Make Room Church Conference @ Life Church of Memphis

March 8th
Spoke in Main Service

March 11th
Community Youth Purity Event

March 12th
Took Ella to the Doctor

March 13th
Morning Devotion at High School
Lunch Reading to A'ville Kindergarten classes

March 14th
Youth Leader Meeting

March 15th
Spaghetti Lunch Fundraiser after church for Mission trip

March 17th
Met with the Surgeon for my surgery

March 19th
Bought my Dodge Nitro

March 22nd
Had surprise Birthday Party for Jen turned the BIG 30

March 23rd
Had my lil' surger...but with BIG reaction to anesthesia and pain

Hopefull I'll have more time/energy/content for some new posts.

Hard Week....

2009-03-18T23:54:00.002-05:00

I had no idea on March 3rd when God gave me a word before bed (See Post), the heart ache and exhaustion I would feel. And how much my hands and heart would be tired. I can honestly say that this has probably been some of the hardest few days in Youth Ministry other than when our church split and the side my wife and I chose was our teenagers.

Questions.
Right Answers.
Wrong Answers.
No Answers.
Any Answer.

You think you are prepared but are you really?

I had no idea I'd need the strength to lay out a straight path like I have needed this few days. I pray it was laid straight enough. My hands are tired, my heart is tired.

John M. Drescher from Follow Me, an older book I got from Jennifer's Grandfather, gives me advice with my current situations.

"We must believe our beliefs and doubt our doubts rather than believe our doubts and doubt our beliefs. To do this takes a definate and clear knowledge of God's Word. Therefore study of, turst in, and obedience to, the Word of God will always be paramount in bringing about renewal, in building morality, faith, and truth."

How do you work through those tough questions?

Don't worry though...there is a bright light of hope that I feel is turning in the minstry God has allowed me to be apart of....more on that to come....

It won't be like this for long

2009-03-06T10:16:00.005-06:00

Remember Hootie and the Blowfish? Hold my Hand? Let Her Cry?

The lead singer, Darius is back with a solo country album. My sister had told me about it a few weeks ago, but after the first few lines of the first first verse, I couldn't listen any more. I remembered the song this morning and thought...I can tough it out. I'm not into country that much but this song is breathtaking. Especially if you are a father to a cute little girl, if this doesn't move you - you are heartless.

See www.ionlylisten.blogspot.com for lyrics and more...

New Grip

2009-03-03T23:55:00.004-06:00

Can i say wow.

WOW!

This was a good word from The Word before I went off to bed. I may not be able to sleep now and I have to be Hardin Co. Middle School at 7am. What a good push to keep me going. I'll be thinking about this one for a few days. I'm sure more will come out of this so keep checking. But I wanted to get this up ASAP.

Hebrews 12:12-13

"12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong."

Countdown and a Swing

2009-02-26T10:31:00.004-06:00

Posting a couple of videos that are new and fresh.

This first one is a KILLIN' little countdown piece done by a couple of my teenagers Nick Easly and Jake Jones. The footage was shot on top of a Motel in Savannah. They I've watched 20 times or more since last night. The Paramore song really kicks it. You guys rock my face off. Nice Work!

Savannah City Countdown from steven moore on Vimeo.

This one is just a little project shot on making a single object seem interesting. The song is Brand New's untitled track from The Devil and God are raging inside me. How interesting is it?

In the Swing from steven moore on Vimeo.

Worship - It's in you

2009-02-25T23:42:00.005-06:00

I'm doing a series with my teenagers right now on worship. It's been a little while since I've done a series of teaching dedicated specifically to what is worship, why we worship, who/what and how. I introduced a verse last week from Genesis 4:26

When Seth grew up, he had a son and named him Enosh. At that time people first began to worship the Lord by name.

At this point it had only been a couple or three hundred years since Adam and Eve have been removed from the Garden. The word worship is not mentioned anywhere before this point. Cain and Able each offered a sacrifice to God in one instance but it didn't have much of a happy ending. Adam and Eve have Seth. Seth has a son named Enosh. People worshiped. What caused this sudden movement to happen and be noted?

The cool thing that this further illustrates is this. Before this point people had received no commandments on who they should worship, why they should worship, or when they should worship. They just worshiped. They didn't have to be taught, instructed, or coerced. They just worshiped.

In Genesis 2 when God breathed the breath of life into the nostrils of Adam to bring him to life (which would be cool to see - wish I could do it with Ella's playdough), He also included what he need to worship him. The desire, the passion, the need to worship. So if He put it in Adam, and we are all descendants of Adam. Then, it's in you!

It's kind of disheartening, probably especially to God, that we have to teach on and encourage people to do what we were created to do.

Last week I asked the teenagers to remember their firtst true worship experience. When they knew they had connected with the One who created them. Do you remember yours?

Commitment

2009-02-24T14:44:00.006-06:00

I did a few hospital visits today and was inspired and humbled. In today's society "church people", as I will call us, can be very fickle. We are a "me" society when it used to be a
'we" society. Today we want to know what the church can provide for me.

As I walked through the door to the room one of our older saints was feeding his wife who has recently had a stroke. She is in her 80's and he is is 91. He has been attending our church since he was 8 years old, before it was even really a church. It started out just as a "brush fire meeting" they'd have service around a bond fire at night. Talk about commitment. He knows that the body of Christ is more than a service or building. He knows it's about being committed to those God has placed you with. I have seen my share of "church hoppers", I was sort of one before I was in ministry, and even considered being one again a few years ago. Granted there are times when God calls people from one place to another and you should follow in obedience and other times situations are out of your control. But, people leave for all sorts of reasons: politics, music style, lack of programing, too much programing, lack of relationship, hypocrisy, lack of leadership, too much leadership, and the list can go on.

This man, though, this man has committed himself to the Body and played his role. He's seen pastors come and go, three to four name changes, denominational changes, building project after building project, and has faithfully attended and given through it all. His commtiment is not just seen in the church but also to his wife. In March of they will have spent 64 years together. There are so many qualities that are being lost as "the greatest generation" live out their final years here.

Honest. Faithful. Supportive. Committed. Things people are afraid or unable to be today.

What keeps the current generations from living out and carrying these qualities.

Vision Pt 3

2009-02-22T15:42:00.005-06:00

Over the last few weeks I've been working through some vision and direction "issues" (for lack of a better word)

To Catch Up Try Here
http://findingmoore.com/search/label/Leadership

I had a very challenging and reflective day on Thursday with my good buddy Vince. He asked me some tough but needed questions. (And it was only our first date.) I actually was up until 2 am or later that night thinking through things that I haven't thought about in a long time. I've lost focus. In the midst of doing and keeping my head above water, I've failed to plan what happens once I get my head above water. I used to organize, think, and plan. Now I just "do".

It's just action without vision as the previous post stated = nightmare.

We know the scripture, "Without vision, people perish". I've had vision, but only looked at the same thing for a couple of years. If you think about your physical vision. What would you be like if you only looked at the same thing each day, nothing changed from moment to moment, second to second? Bored? Lost?Crazy? Luckily, our vision is constantly changing, but leading us in the direction we need to go. I spent the weekend refocusing on what God's vision is for me and the ministry He's given to me.

Vince asked me this (only 3 of a possible 7 questions)

- What's a win/success in your ministry?
- Do people know that?
- How do they get there?

This is stuff that pastors should constantly be thinking about, but in the doing, we forget the what, the why, and the how.

I spent Thursday Night, Friday, and some on Saturday writing pages of notes (well only 6) on things in relation to FaithPointe Students.

What's important.
What we do.
How we follow up.
How we disciple.
-What are our Values?

It's been at least a year maybe more since I took a look at these. Thanks Vince!

Love your Neighbor

2009-02-20T11:46:00.002-06:00

Found this video at Morethandodgeball.com

Grab a hankie or a tissue before you watch this. Seriously - go get one.

What would happen if we lived like this daily. What would our world look like?
When your done here go check www.ionlylisten.blogspot.com for today's post of building an Empire.

What can you do today that would echo the truth shared in that football game?

NEW CAMERA

2009-02-14T16:30:00.004-06:00

If you read the previous post, you'll know the camera I just got to make this video. Made this right out of the box in easy mode (after charging the battery)and edited with Sony Vegas. No More "Real Time" importing. Just Drag and Drop Baby! I'm STOKED! Watch in HD and full Screen!

Ella Tricycle from steven moore on Vimeo.

happy valentine

2009-02-14T11:08:00.003-06:00

My wife is in soo much trouble...so are a couple of other people.....

My valentine's day gift

Is it really enough???

2009-02-14T00:12:00.002-06:00

I found this on one of my teenager's myspace blog. WOW! Kelly rocks my face off! Inspiring! I wish I would have thought even half this mature as a High School Freshman!

Is it really enough?
Current mood: inspired

How many times have we told God that he is all that we need? To think about it, we say it quite often. And to be honest, our actions and words don't back up this statement. We say your grace is enough, but we also say that we can't live a week without our ipods, mp3s, cable, and internet services. If he is all we really need, why isn't he number one in our priorities? I remember when we were little that TV didn't matter, and there wasn't a CD player in our house. Internet services were only Dial-up, no bluetooth to be found. We survived without all the technology, and made it just fine. I'm not saying that technology is a bad thing, nor am I saying that it is the only thing that gets in the way of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Other things we can't seem to live without is Drama, Sports, Friends, etc. These things get into our way and we love them so much, we make them our top priorities.

School work is what gets in my way sometimes, It makes it to my number two sometimes, and it is always in my top ten. I stay up till ten o'clock doing homework, but I don't think you'll ever see me stay up that latae talking to God. Now what's up with that?

And it's not just me. I'm sure you do to, and if you think you don't, you're probably not being that honest with yourself. What if our situations is worse than jsut being bored? Say that your food is limited to one or two meals a week, and when you do have food, it tastes like garbabge. Also, your water comes from a well that you don't know if it tainted or not, and your bed is made of lice infested hay. Would you still thank God for the many blessings you have, or would you hold self-pity against yourself? Could you say that his grace is enough for you then? Oh, it is so easy to do it now, you hypocrite. You claim that you still would and then go against what you say when life hits a dry spell.

Has the Lord your God, who led the Isrealites out of the desert safety, not been good to you? Has he not blessed you beyond what any man could ever ask for? And why do you bring forth a wounded unworthy sacrifice before the Lord, when you have a strong acceptable male in your flock? Now you tell me, is his love not enough for you? Is it really enough....

Artist in the Ambulance

2009-02-13T08:38:00.002-06:00

This is the soundtrack of my day...these days. I posted this on www.ionlylisten.blogspot.com but wanted to post it on here too. Go there and read my thoughts....I really should just think about renaming the blog to Twice the Thrice . . lol.

Rhetoric can't raise the dead
I'm sick of always talking when there's no change
Rhetoric can't raise the dead
I'm sick of empty words, let's lead and not follow

Vision pt 2 (why do you run)

2009-02-11T10:59:00.005-06:00

After my post this morning and in finishing up my message for tonight I stumbled across this clip from Chariots of Fire. I've never seen the movie except the opening scene, but everyone knows the theme song. The movie is about Eric Lidell of Scotland who ran in the 1924 Olympics. He was picked to win gold in the 100 meter, however he didn't even compete. The race was to be on Sunday, and Eric's Christian convictions prevented him from running on the Sabbath. If he ran on the Sabbath he would no longer be running for the One who created him. Instead he switched with a team mate and ran the 400 meter event, something he had not ever trained for.

This is a great reminder of where our strength, purpose, and joy should come from.

Isaiah 40:31
'But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and be not weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.'

Vision

2009-02-11T08:27:00.003-06:00

My wife found this quote on Monday night while putting some things together for her 4th grade team. I think it's pretty much an ah ha thing. Makes you say, "oh that's good!"

"Vision without action is daydreaming and action without vision is a nightmare."
- Anon

I find myself daydreaming at times and overwhelmed by schedules to pursue any of them. But then at times I feel like I'm in a nightmare without really knowing where I'm going. It's like I'm on one of those hamster wheels and it's spinning really fast. I jumped on with the purpose of getting it moving Now it's moving so fast and I don't feel like it's going anywhere. If I stop to think then the wheel stops too and I go flying off.

Are you daydreaming or caught in a nightmare?

Dance or Die

2009-02-09T01:13:00.001-06:00

Ella getting down to a little Family Force 5!

Choices

2009-02-06T10:41:00.004-06:00

For the past couple of weeks one of my 7th graders has brought this to me getting me to play along with the game.......
(you recognize it don't you.)

I don't even remember what they are called. I just remember NOT being able to make them in school when everyone else could. It's a origami puzzle of sort with a series of choices. Each choice leads to another choice until your future had been decided. Would you live in a house or a shack? Would you drive a Porsche or a Yugo? Would you marry Jennifer or Jessica? Luckily I married Jennifer.

Last night at the David Crowder Band show, Darren English, spoke a line in his message that caught my ear. "You make your choices now...but later the choices you've made make you." Our life plays out much like the little origami fortune puzzle above. Each choice leads to another and another and another, until the multitude of choices we have made have created the person we are now. We are often able to recognize those really important decisions, while other ones sneak by disguised as minor ones. Whether we recognize them as important choice moments - every decisions made pulls us away or pushes toward the person God intends us to be with the future He intended us to have.

"You make your choices now...but later the choices you've made make you."

One day will we all meet are Creator face to face. Will He recognize you as the person He intended you to be.

Joel 3:14
Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision.
There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.

Ella @ 3

2009-02-04T00:13:00.006-06:00

Ella turns 3 today. Seems like we just brought her home. It goes so quick! I am so blessed

Still Cooking

1 day

1 year

2 year

3 year

The Pre-Party in the car with Walker Evans....going crazy..

(taken with my phone so it's a little fuzzy)

Not all that....

2009-02-03T16:23:00.005-06:00

Here’s the deal.
After standing in a room tonight with a hundred or so AMAZING people who all are “somebody”, I realized again…
It’s not who you know…It’s Who you serve.
At the end of the day it is not about getting “the deal”
At the end of the day it’s not about writing “the song”
At the end of the day it’s not about meeting “the man”
At the end of the day it’s not about your church hitting “that number”
At the end of the day it’s not about speaking at “the conference”
At the end of the day it’s not about writing “the book”
At the end of the day it’s not about losing “those pounds”

.......................keep reading @ www.ragamuffinsoul.com

I only Listen

2009-02-02T23:45:00.015-06:00

So I started a new blog today. I've been thinking it over a few days. Most blogs that I read are "themed" around a central topic. Leadership, Ministry (youth and college). Well findingmoore is mostly about me and my life. Things I experience. Things I learn. Things I love. All in the process of finding more of who God created to be.

As time has passed I've found that most of my posts on here are on music and how I am moved by the truths found in it. There will always be the TRUTH of God's word. But I believe He speaks through us in many things, since he is the Creator of ALL THINGS.

In an effort to be more "themed", organized, or whatever, most posts pertaining to music will now be found at a more simple site. There will be videos, lyrics, and brief description of why I'm moved by the song. I will still post those that really strike a cord within me on here, but most will be on the new site.

www.ionlylisten.blogspot.com

A whipser from the Father

2009-01-29T22:40:00.009-06:00

It's 11:30 and already I've had a full day. I get in the car, start it, and turn up the volume. A little Brand New, it's edgy and angry. Sowing Season sounds good. It's been a crazy frustrating week and I'm off to a lunch meeting with some area youth pastors on an upcoming community event. I don't really want to go but the retreat in my car, no matter how short is a relief. The music's loud and I'm playing out the week's events in my head, thinking over the next week's schedule, and keeping rhythm on the steering wheel.

Suddenly the music isn't so loud. My mind is quiet just as I'm crossing the bridge into Savannah...
The next verse plays out...

"Nothing gets so bad,
a whisper from your father couldn't fix it
Your whisper's like bridge, it's a river span."

I turn the music off as the traffic light stops me at red.

"Sorry Father for not speaking to you today. I know it's been more than just today, it's been a few. But I did ask for help and wisdom a few times. It's been a busy week but you know that. I'm listening now."

Nothing. Complete Silence. No answer, no encouragement. No overwhelming burst of energy or joy. Just Silence.

But that's what I needed. Thanks for the whisper.

1 Kings 19
11And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

HOW DID GOD GET YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

People are People

2009-01-26T23:04:00.004-06:00

After watching this little video. I was in some strange way reminded of my daughter's favorite movie right now, Horton hears a Who. It's strange b/c the movie presents accepting people even if they seem "smaller" than us in some ways. But the 0pposite is also true. We think we know the people we see on the TV in the news, movies, music, and tabloids. But we don't. No matter who someone is made out to be-there will always be more.

Barack Obama is the New President. Love him or hate him, he's the man now. Over the next four years we will both condone and condemn some of the things he does and says. But over the next four years he will also be celebrated by his two girls as their loving father. We forget that before he was a Senator or President, he was a father and a husband. Those roles, prayerfully won't change. His family will hear and experience most all that is said in our freedom of speech media. That scares me for them.

This is a great piece of advice that I pray his girls continue to remember that while he is Mr. President for right now; he is still and always be "daddy."

Heads Up Announcment

2009-01-22T19:17:00.003-06:00

One of the hardest part of a Youth Service or any Service or event for that matter is the announcements of upcoming events. No matter how many times you tell them, put it in print, or tell them again; people just don't remember. There is always the common excuse "Well, I didn't know!" So I decided to spice up our announcements for our youth service with an idea I got from Josh Griffin at Saddleback Church. I laughed and my whole staff laughed when we saw the finished product. But....during service it was dead silence. I don't know if that's good or bad because normally there is a little chatter during announcments. There was no chatter and definately no laughing... So I don't know if the students were just taken back by my creativity and really paying attention to the announcments or if they were just like "are you serious!"

Anyway I thought it was pretty stinkin' awesome!

Heads Up Announcments from steven moore on Vimeo.

Dad can I have the keys...

2009-01-21T00:11:00.004-06:00

Man this commercial crushed me this evening. I was just telling Jennifer last night how much I am going to miss my Ella the way she is now. I'm really really going to miss her. I know she will still be my Ella and will prayerfully always be herself, but there are things that she says and does now that she won't as she grows. I pray I am always able to see the little "Ella Bella" no matter how old she gets.

Dustin, David, and Dave

2009-01-15T11:15:00.003-06:00

As you may can tell by most of my posts I can be a music Junkie most of the time. I really have to force myself to sit without and Jen gets really upset with me when I can't.

The next few months are pretty exiting for me. I will be attending 3 shows, one each month. I just need a show in March, anyone have any suggestions!

On the the 27th Dustin Kensrue of Thrice will be in Memphis.

On the 5th of February I'll be rocking to David Crowder Band in Corinth, Ms with my Youth Group.

Finally in April I'll be jaming to the sounds of the Dave Matthew's Band with a couple of good friends, Jason and Rachel, in Nashville!

Fatty Ram or Left Overs

2009-01-12T21:43:00.008-06:00

Malachi 1: 12-14

12 “But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table. 13 You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord.

14 “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!

Geesh this hit me hard yesterday. In his message on prayer Pastor Rob read a verse of scripture near Malachi, and admittedly I sort of strayed from listening and began reading in Malachi (Sorry Pastor :) ). Amazing book and I have other thoughts going through my head from the few short pages.

I can be pretty good about promising God the finest fatty ram of my farm, the best of the best. But sometimes he winds up getting the runts and outcasts instead and maybe at the last minute.

-"---Okay God tonight instead of spending a couple of hours on the computer, I'm going to spend some time in your word."

"Man where did the time go...Yawn _ gotta get of t his thing (PC) and into bed ZZZZZzzzzzz"

--------------------------------------

----"Nothing but Worship Music the for the heart today God - I really need to spend some time singing to you."

" You know I really don't like Kanye West...but his new CD is pretty good, especially Love Lockdown and Welcome Heartbreak."

--------------------------------------

----"No lunch for me today...I'm spending my hour 12 - 1pm in prayer...Just you and me God"

"12:45...I shoulda ate breakfast, I'm starving. I'll grab a quick sandwich and then spend a few minutes in prayer."

Father please forgive me for defiling the table you want me to sit at with You. Forgive me for not even showing up sometimes. It really is my heart to bring to you the best of me.

It's a Both -And kinda thing

2009-01-08T18:38:00.005-06:00

So in my last post I was feeling pretty "slim" in my contribution to expanding the kingdom of God. Unlike a production or sales job, when at the end of the day you can walk away and sort of see the fruits of your labor. You can tell how much you've made or how far you have gotten in the process. You can ring up the register to see your total sales. You can feel accomplished. Ministry is quiet different and can often seem like you aren't accomplishing anything. Early yesterday I was really convicted and inspired by the video of Hillsong Church's endeavor to reach out to the poor, broken, and neglected. (Please go back and watch if you haven't already) Reaching out is a part of what a Christ follower is to do. I was feeling "small" because I often feel like I don't do that enough.

At one part in the video there is a side by side shot. On the left a shot of a church service where attendees are "jumping for Jesus" in worship. On the right is a video montage reminding us of captive slaves. The voice over questions how we can continual jump around in our freedom while slaves are still held captive. Over lunch I was contemplating all the images I had seen and wondering how to go beyond worship services. As I was beating myself up over it. The holy spirit reminded me of how Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with a costly perfume. So costly in fact that one said that the the money could have been used to feed many who are poor. Jesus reprimands him and reminds the others the importance of what she just did. Scripture says that as the "fragrance filled the room" Jesus said "you will always have the poor." God was encouraging me that the leading of my teenagers into the presence of God through worship is as important as the "doing to the least of these." It's a both-and relationship as James puts it both faith and deeds are needed to be followers. Why is it we can't be balanced on the two. More often than not we get caught up focusing more on one and lacking in the other.

Last night was the first service of the new year. God is just amazing and I love when he proves His word. (He always does - we just don't always recognize it.) Even before our first worship song had finished two girls quietly walk up to me; one a regular attender-one a visitor. They excitedly tell me that the young girl who is visiting really wants to accept Christ and she doesn't want to wait. My wife and I go into the hallway as our worship band continues with the set to pray over and encourage the young girl. Tears roll down her face as Christ is changing her heart in that very moment. The four of us rejoin the others to finish out the praise and worship portion of the service. To my surprise the last song doesn't end at the 20 minute mark as most Wednesdays. What happens for the next 30-40 minutes is a worship experience for the new year as young people drew into the heart of God as their "fragrant worship filled the room." The one young girl at the beginning of service was just a start. By the end of the night 14 more had made new commitments to their Heavenly Father. I may not always be in the streets or other countries rescuing the poor, broken, and neglected. But I'm in the lives of the youth of this area showing them how to pour out their lives out as an offering. I may need to reach out more, but not at the expense of worship experiences. It's a Both-And kinda thing.

.

What stops us

2009-01-07T11:33:00.004-06:00

There is very little that can and should be said following this video.

I've had several thoughtful moments over the last year. It really started when I first heard Hillsong United's Solution. What is the church doing? What is the body of Christ doing? What am I doing? I've come to this conclusion - going from one comfortable service to the next. We live a comfortable safe life in between more or less oblivious to The Call. Scattered here and there are glimpses of what we are supposed to be doing to advance the boundaries of the Kingdom of Heaven. But it's not a constant. Why can I not break out of this. So much inside of me wants to not just do the extreme but be the extreme. But then so much holds me back, comfort, fear, finances, and pride. It is every bit angering, frustrating and sad.

The funny thing is that tonight I'm begining a series encouraging my teens to break out and do hard things. Go against the cultural expectations - break out of the chained mentality that they are not capable of doing anything significant in society or in the Kingdom until they are older. Maybe I should listen to my own messages more.

Do you ever have that "something just isn't right" feeling? What stops us from changing?

DecemBeard

2009-01-02T12:56:00.014-06:00

I missed No Shave November for the second year in a row. So I participated in Decembeard. A term given by my good friend Andy. It sort of happened on a whim. I needed a little stubble for my Redneck scene in our annual Christmas Dinner Theater. At the end of the event I thought, "I've never had a beard, and it's been a few days since my last shave. Why Not!"

And a few days later there it was in all it's glory. My first beard. I it carried around for right at a month and received several comments.

-My Wife - " I hate it, shave your face! Mountain Man!"
-My Ella - "Dad your face is nasty - go wash it."
-My Dad - "Are you growing beard?"
-My Mom - "Woa! What beard!" ....many times repeatedly within a span of 5 minutes
-Rodney - "Ha! What's on your face."
-Brittni - "You really have a lot of hair on your face."
-Church Member - "It makes you look older. More manly. I can take you more seriously."
-Jennifer - "You kinda look like the Unabomber!" - when i was wearing a hoodie jacket over my head

I shaved this morning. and now my face is kinda cold and lonely. I thought about some alternatives to the beard but not real sure as to which is more me. I really like the Mutton Chops, but actually returned to the good ole trusty soul patch (aka a mouche). But which one do you think I could pull of?

A. Friendly Mutton Chops

B. Horseshoe mustache and Soulpatch

C. Mustache and SoulPatch

For more info on bears check out this site I found - after I shaved...arghh.
http://www.beards.org/

20082009

2009-01-01T15:04:00.005-06:00

Another year ends and and begins all at the same time. Time is going so fast these days it just seemed like last week I was putting out the reindeer and tree in our yard and today I took them down. Just yesterday Ella was born and tomorrow she will be 3. Actually it will be Feb 4th which will be the end of my 5th year in Youth Ministry.

As I once heard John Maxwell say
"Life is like a roll of toilet paper - The closer you get to the end the fast it goes." So true.

BEST OF 2008
EVENTS
- Visited friends in Indianapolis, IN
- Family Vacation to the beach (Ella still wants to go back)
- Youth America (always a blast)
- Meal at Texas de Brazil & Michael Buble' Concert
- National Youth Workers Convention

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Ella Potty Trained
- Jen finished her first year of teaching at AES
- Paid off the car and two medical bills - closer to debt freedom
- Learned how to better use Sony Vegas Movie Software
-Ella in Technicolor video
- Entered a couple of YouTube videos
- My lil' sis got married*

FINDINGS
MUSIC - Misty Edwards - Relentless / Thrice - Alchemy Index / Jack Johnson - Curious George Soundtrack /Naturally 7 /
MOVIES - Dark Knight / Prince Caspian / Kung Fu Panda / Horton Hears a Who
BOOKs - Imitation of Christ / Do Hard Things
WEB - www.Spiralfrog.com / www.morethandodgeball.com / www.yearbookyourself.com / www.vimeo.com
TECH - Jen's new mini-laptop

Merry go-round Christmas!!

2008-12-30T16:30:00.005-06:00

I love Christmas! But I must admit I'm a little relieved that it's over. The constant Smile on Ella's face and anticipation of Santa made it all the more bearable. My head is still spinning. As the song goes I actually had 12 days of Christmas and it went a little something like this.

Day 1 - Dec 17th - Youth Christmas Party Service
Day 2 - Dec 18th - Staff/Deacon Christmas Party
Day 3 - Dec 19th - Ministry Adult Leader Party
Day 4 - Dec 20th - Extended Family Christmas Gathering
Day 5 - Dec 21st - Student Leader Party
Day 6 - Dec 22st - Christmas dinner with friends
Day 7 - Dec 23rd - Late night of last minute shopping/wrapping
Day 8 - Dec 24th - Christmas Eve at my grandmother's & dad's
Day 9 - Dec 25th - Christmas Morning at home / Lunch at Jen's mom / Dinner at my mom's
Day 10 - Dec 26th - Lunch with Jen's dad at our house
Day 11 - Dec 27th - Christmas with my mom's family
Day 12 - Dec 28th - Christmas with Jen's family
-----------------
...Not to mention I was the "guest speaker" at our church on Sunday Morning the 28th.

Yawn...I'm tired just thinking about all the action I've had...Nap time! Hope you had a Merry One!

Let it Snow

2008-12-20T11:40:00.005-06:00

Ella and Walkie super excited over any snow.....

This is War

2008-12-16T13:50:00.004-06:00

This is a little video that I made for our Wednesday Night Youth Christmas Service. I've been kinda pressed for time and stayed up until about 3 this morning to finish it. It was really hard b/c I had to literally shred a few different videos from bluefishtv.com to get the clips I wanted. And some of those were only a couple of seconds which I had to slow down and repeat. Tough stuff. But the song is still so very powerful!

This is War from steven moore on Vimeo.

Something Recognizable

2008-12-12T20:07:00.003-06:00

This is a piece from a friends latest post. I strongly encourage you to PLEASE go read. It will open your eyes to what we should recognize.

"Jesus is in the taking, blessing, breaking and giving business.
It's what He's known for.
It's what He does.
It's what He still does."

Something Recognizable

You Could Die Today

2008-12-12T10:06:00.007-06:00

Interesting post title huh? It is actually similar to a chapter title in Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love. The title; You Might Not Finish This Chapter. Of course by the title you can guess the chapter discusses our fragility as humans and how brief the time is we actually spend on this planet. He points to a scripture verse in James that reminds us how short our life is - much like a mist, a morning fog, cold breath, or the steam that rises from a pot of boiling water. Here and gone all within a brief moment! Francis sets up his chapter with a quote by Fredrick Buechner?

"Intellectually we all know that we will die, but we do not know it in a sense that the knowledge becomes apart of us. We do not know it in the sense of living as though it is true. On the contrary, we tend to live as though our lives would go on forever."

I shook my head at after reading this. We all KNOW that one day we could die, BUT we see that day as sometime later, YEARS maybe DECADES from now. The truth is that it could be by the time you finish this sentence. You could finish this post, go to bed and not open your eyes to see the next morning. This could very easily be my last post. Depressing? Morbid? Pessimistic? Maybe. But also very true. We tend to push this back in the recess of our mind. I do.

But really what would my life look like if I kept this truth before me every day, allow it to become apart of me. There are a lot of things I would change, do different, stop doing, keep doing, and do more. So what keeps me from making those changes now. What keeps you from making those changes now.

I believe it is fear and comfort. When death creeps into our life, whether through a loved one or news of our own expiration date, we are faced with our greatest fear. Ceasing to exist as we have known. What else is there to fear now. Nothing. That fear has to be faced and eventually looses it's power. Death takes us out of your comfort zone. Emotions, thoughts, challenges, and events that were kept at bay because of our comfort rush in and force us to take notice. And when you think about people who achieve great things, or use their lives to make a difference in their world. They do two things; get outside their comfort zone and face their fear. We are afraid and we are comfortable - we are comfortably afraid. That is what keeps us from growing and keeps us from doing what we often feel we should do. I'm tired of being comfortable, but afraid of what it takes to move out of that.

This is War

2008-12-07T23:43:00.008-06:00

I just downloaded a most enjoyable but unlikely Christmas album by Thrice's frontman Dustin Kensrue, This Good Night is Still Everywhere. It's rootsy-earthy feel is totally different from most pop-fun, sing along, Christmas Music. Oh it's packed with classics like "Oh Holy Night", "Hark the Herald Angel Sings", and even a nice rendition of Christmas (baby please come home.) However, the real gem of the album is the last track, "This is War."

In this season we work hard to remind ourselves that "Our Christ was born on this day." We try to remember how our Savior came in such a unusual usual way. But the song goes beyond His birth, behind the scenes. Dustin reminds us that we are constantly at war in the spiritual and the Birth of Jesus was the final move of attack freeing us from the captivity of sin and death. The battle was won yet we still act at times as if it's undecided and it's up to us aid in the outcome. What a Powerful Song!

There's not a video or song on the web that I can post directly on here yet because it's so new. I may have to make one over Christmas break, we'll see. So to hear the song you'll have to travel to his myspace to take a listen. It's song number six on his page: www.myspace.com/dustinkensrue

This is war like you ain’t seen.
This winter’s long, it’s cold and mean.
With hangdog hearts we stood condemned,
But the tide turns now at Bethlehem.

This is war and born tonight,
The Word as flesh, the Lord of Light,
The Son of God, the low-born king;
Who demons fear, of whom angels sing.

This is war on sin and death;
The dark will take it’s final breath.
It shakes the earth, confounds all plans;
The mystery of God as man.

findingMoore

Running for Life Pt 3: Discipline

Running for Life Pt 2: Direction

Running for Life Pt 1 - Purpose

The D word

Sliding through the park

If you knew...

You may have went to church today

My Girls

He's Proud of Me

Ephesians 2:10

Addie Turns 1

YEA BOO YA

A walk in the woods

Broken to Use

Staring Straight

Do you Reapeat or Reveal

Spring day with my girls

Eat Sleep Serve

Making Jesus Smile

Stop Drop and Roll Doesn't Work in Hell

dada

R&R of the Sabbath

flickr picnik

Prayer of John Wesley

God of Second Chances

I know your there

A Kiss Goodnight

Now What?!

Community on Community

Michael Buble' in Concert

Leaders are Readers

Are you worth following?

Legends of the Old School

Old Testament GOD-father

Wonderland

Be Naked

Gulp....Gasp

On the Way to Small Groups

Look With Your Eyes

Mark 4:22-24 (New Living Translation)

A Leader (pt 3).... is Humble

Because of what you said

A Leader (pt 2)....Serves

A Leader (pt 1)....intro

Twit/Face - it

Equip God's People

HeartBeat

At the Last

Youth America Highlights

Highlights from Youth America 2009

What would happen?

Honduras and Back Again

Heading to Honduras

Twitter Updates

It's all crazy! It's all false! It's all a dream! It's all right!

Pretend your playing for Lakers or the Celtics

Weak and Tired?

AWESOME....not

Highway to Hell

Dada! I gotta give you a hug!

Celebrations and Change

End of an era...

16 Days...

Brave New Voices

Will You Accept Me??

VISION PT 5 - Values of FaithPointe Students

VISION PT 4 ---Purpose of FaithPointe Students

OUCH

Hard Week....

It won't be like this for long

New Grip

Countdown and a Swing

Worship - It's in you

Commitment

Vision Pt 3

Love your Neighbor

NEW CAMERA

happy valentine

Is it really enough???