Leftovers

As I write this, I've just finished preparing the Wednesday Bible study at work from Frances Chan's Crazy Love.  This week we covered the chapter titled "Serving Leftovers to a Holy God" and it has convicted me again that I so often go through my day focused primarily on me and a little on God.  The Holy God.

I really want to be a better son and a better disciple.  I really want people to see my faith in my life, in my actions.  I really want to give God all that I have, the very best of me, each day and all day.  I know his mercy and grace cover me, I know his love for me abounds but I simply want to return love to him, to let him know that I cherish being his child more than anything else, to live boldly and be a light shining in this world to glorify him.

I want to live for God's glory, I want to be light in a dark world, I want to give God all that I have.  That is my prayer.

Grace and peace to you.

Hard Times

I have experienced hard times and haven't always responded well when facing the challenge.  I'm posting a link to Michael Hyatt's blog on seven questions to ask when facing a challenge or difficult times.  It's not exhaustive but I find it a good reminder of how to focus my mind on what God has in store for me.


Seven Better Questions To Ask In The Midst Of Adversity


Grace and peace to you.

Open My Eyes

There are things in life I will never understand.  Maybe I'm not supposed to but I sure wish I did at times.  Then again, not knowing everything leaves alot of room for faith to work. 


One of the joys I have found in life is to know with certainty where God is leading me and how he is using me.  It makes me want to tune into him more, to hear him more clearly, to feel his presence and direction more precisely, to see the things he wants me to see with clarity.  I pray that the days to come will allow that to happen more and more.


I checked back in at Twitter after a long absence and still find it to be the container for many spur of the moment thoughts.  I don't see it being a tool for good information and will be surprised if they can find a way to monetize it at the rate it will likely need to keep it functioning long-term.  Of course, I never though Apple would make it either. 


Kansas got beat by VCU?  I almost missed a meeting at church watching that game.  It will be a strange Final 4 to watch and I hope it will be as entertaining and full of surprises as the past 2 weekends have been.


T-4.  Opening Day...and I'm not going for the first time in either 5 or 6 years.  Usually, no one in my season ticket group ever wants a day game.  Naturally, Opening Day went first, Saturday went second (when they give rings to the players and replicas to the fans) so I got the Sunday afternoon game.  Now the question is whether Texas will have any healthy pitchers to start the season with. 

I hope this is a week that God will use me to help someone.  My prayer is to simply know his will for me.

Grace and peace to you.

My Call

So in times that are good, in times that are bad
For any times that I've had it all I will be glad
And I will boast in the cross, I boast in my pains
I will boast in the sunshine, boast in his reign
What's my life if it's not praising you
Another dollar in my bank account of vain pursuit, I do
That count my life as any value or precious at all
Let me finish my race, let me answer my call
--Lecrae, Boasting


Grace and peace to you.

Helen Waite

I always get a kick out of the sign I see in some businesses that say something like "our credit manager, Helen Waite, handles all requests for credit.  If you want credit, please go straight to Helen Waite."


I've spent some time reading more and more of the fallout surrounding Rob Bell's new book, "Love Wins" and the question of what Bell thinks about hell.  I've found a blog from a pastor who lost his job because he no longer believes in a literal hell full of fire and eternal torment.  I've found a blog written by someone who thinks he's on the fringe of religion and think the discussion of hell is a complete non-issue.  I've found a blog that defends Bell and I've found a blog that shares how people have labeled Bell a universalist and heretic.


Sadly, I don't know enough about the titles people are given (I'm still trying to ascertain exactly what liberal and progressive means in the churches of Christ) so I can't speak to what Bell is or isn't and, I would guess, that applies to the people who have taken to name-calling.  However, it has made me stop for at least a brief moment and think about what I believe about the concept of hell and has made me realize it's another one of the many things I need to go deeper in studying.  It has also reinforced the idea of God's love and the importance of living in the knowledge of that, more important than anything I can be doing right now. 


It has also opened the door on thinking how I feel about the wars we are engaging in and the justification our country has made for getting involved.  If love conquers all, why are we dropping bombs.  If heaven is the place we really want to go, why are we killing people we fear?  In Ephesians, we are given the tools we need for battle and I can't remember where we get the bullets, grenades and bombs in the deal.  Does it mean I'm a pacifist?  It very well could.  I'm already past agreeing with the death penalty in any form or fashion.  Does it make me weak?  Maybe in some eyes but it is where I'll have to live on faith.


I look forward to reading Bell's book and to dig deeper into heaven, hell, who God is and who he wants me to be. 


Grace and peace to you.

Kids and Hell

A compelling title?  Two different subjects today.


A mother of two teenage daughters gave me a napkin that cracked me up.  It says, "I'll have a caffe mocha vodka valium latte to go, please."  Cracked me up.

Rob Bell has come out with a new book titled "Love Wins" and it seems he touches on the topic of hell and whether it is a literal place and the book seems to have started a firestorm of it's own.  I've heard from friends things being said online and read some stuff on Facebook and can't help but wonder what difference it all makes.

I've heard people in the past rationalize their faith by saying something to this affect, "I rather follow God and find out there is no God than not follow God and find out hell is real."  I guess my thoughts today revolve around the knowledge that God is love (says so in the good book!) and I have become compelled to follow God and love him back because he LOVES me and gave his son for me.  I can't imagine loving my children simply because they are afraid of me and I can't imagine God loving me if I was "loving" him just so I wouldn't have to go to hell.  I understand the consequences of bad actions because I got my fair share of spankings when I was a kid but I love my parents because they loved me, not because they had me cowering in fear.

All that to say, it's sad to me when Satan wins a skirmish by getting Christ-followers up in arms about a book someone wrote debating something that isn't completely spelled out in God's word, at least not to my level of understanding.  On the other hand, I do believe heaven is real, it's the place where God exists and heaven is the place he has prepared for me and that's where I want my focus (but it doesn't mean I know what heaven is all about either).

I hope the arguments soon cease, that God is praised and glorified and that people who don't know God will know that he loves them so much, he sent his only son to die that whoever believes in him will be saved.

Grace and peace to you.

Anthem, AZ and Yamagata, Japan

Last week I was in Anthem, AZ with 2 of my oldest friends and having a really good time watching some spring training baseball but even more, talking about the old days and the current days, where we've been and where we are going.  We shared stories of our faith and our walk, the ups and downs, highs and lows, things we are convicted of and things we have changed our thinking about and how each of these topics we discussed are bringing us all closer to God.  I love these 2 guys and miss the simpler days when making a basket was our biggest issue but I'm convinced what I love more is hearing them talking about God working in their lives, the transformation he has engineered in them and sharing the same things about me. 

As usual, it was good to get home but I will miss the conversations we had, the faith we shared and the encouragement I gained from them.  The one thing I know is, we are all ready for the day we can make it to the home we look forward to, our home with God for eternity.  Until then, I pray he continues to give us vision and to direct our steps so we are warriors for the kingdom in Anthem, Tyler and Decatur and wherever he might lead us.

I was reading a story about the nuclear crisis in Japan and the reporter was sharing stories of people who couldn't leave the area for one reason or another.  One such person,  Masahiro Sakashita, is the director of an elder care facility with 100 or so bedridden people 15 miles from the reactor.  He and 19 other senior staff members know the outcome does not look promising but he made the call that a minimum staff of older employees would stay while they sent the younger staff members out of the danger zone.  I pray God grants them peace and protects them from danger for risking their lives to take care of others who cannot care for themselves.

Grace and peace to you.

Loving Wednesdays

The last two Wednesdays have been powerful days for me.  Our Bible study at work has been really good and some people have shown up that let's me know God is at work in hearts in some really awesome ways.  That is followed by our youth class at church which may be the highlight of the week for me already.  (Yes Jacob, it's because you are there!)  Last night we had a special prayer night.  Our kids have named some adults who have stood out to them as mentors, friends and confidantes and those adults were there to pray with the kids or kids prayed with other kids.  It was powerful to watch how people came and went from the classroom as we sang so they could go pray about joys, pains, fears and things they rejoiced over.  It was an emotional time for me to see these young people open up with each other, rely on each other and lift each other up.  It continues to give me hope that the future generation will be more authentic with each other and will live out lives that closely resemble Christ's life.


I love Wednesdays.


Grace and peace to you.

Sleep, Where Art Thou?

I'm having troubles with Blogger posting my blogs when I want my blogpost posted. 
Charlie Sheen has gone off the rails.  I've seen a couple of interviews and heard some of the insanity.  The guy has some issues.  No doubt.
The Rangers could have overpaid for Zack Greinke.  Milwaukee got him and he's out 4-6 weeks with a broken rib from playing basketball. 
I'm flying to Phoenix, AZ on Saturday and spending a few days hanging out in Surprise.  I don't think I'll get signed to a 7-figure contract. 
This is one of those blogs that some people will read thinking something of value is coming only to get to the end and realize it was a few minutes of their life they will never get back.
I hate to see young people suffering.
I bounce between laughter and anger at people who are antagonistic for no good reason.
You may still be thinking there will be something of value coming.  Dream on.
March Madness is around the corner.  I think it's my favorite sporting time of year and my favorite sporting event.  I'll miss the Big 12 tournament while in Surprise, AZ trying to get signed to the big money contract. 
What's up with the Miami Heat? 

Enough of that.  I am thankful for good friends who I can trust and who trust me.  God provides.

Grace and peace to you.

More Love Stuff

On Sunday morning, I had the opportunity to speak to the congregation as we prepared for communion.  One of the things I love about our fellowship is that we remember Christ's death, burial and resurrection through a time of communion every Sunday.  I shared that it's the one time of the week that I find myself most in awe of God.  I often think of God's conversation with Job in the last 3 chapters in the book of Job that starts like this:
¹ Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
 ² “Who is this that obscures my plans
   with words without knowledge?
³ Brace yourself like a man;
   I will question you,
   and you shall answer me.
 ⁴ “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
   Tell me, if you understand.
⁵ Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
   Who stretched a measuring line across it?
⁶ On what were its footings set,
   or who laid its cornerstone—
⁷ while the morning stars sang together
   and all the angels^[a] shouted for joy?
 ⁸ “Who shut up the sea behind doors
   when it burst forth from the womb,
⁹ when I made the clouds its garment
   and wrapped it in thick darkness,
¹⁰ when I fixed limits for it
   and set its doors and bars in place,
¹¹ when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;
   here is where your proud waves halt’?

God goes on to further explain all he has created on earth and in heaven reminding Job that no one else is God, no one else can do what God can do, no one can fully comprehend the majesty and power of God.

Then I shared how this incredible God is also the God who knows me and who loves me.  In our group, we often reference how God loves us and I think we sometimes forget that means that God loves me.  He knows me intimately and he loves me.  He loves me enough that he gave his son for me so that I might live justified and spend eternity with him.  He loves me that much.  It's humbling and it's awe-inspiring for me.  I hope I share in that awe with others.

Grace and peace to you.

Hippety Hoppity

Last Wednesday was a very cool/groovy/far-out night for me.  (Yes, I'm channeling a bit of the 70's today.)  I got to speak to our youth class about God's love.  Now, that's not something to be covered in 20-25 minutes and I'm certainly not the one to attempt to do the explanation justice but, that's what made the night so cool.  Before I speak/teach, I spend a couple of days in prayer with God asking him to speak through me.  The deal I make (hahahahaha) is that I will open my mouth and he'll send the words.  So, I had my notes prepared and I got started and then stuff just started coming to me and I said it even though it wasn't following the outline completely.  Did anyone get anything out of what I was saying?  I did and I hope at least 1 other person did too because that's the other part of my prayer.  Lord, if 1 person hears something that brings them closer to you, you be glorified.  So, one person did (me) but my hope is there may have been a few others.  A friend had told me about the hurt and doubt one other person in the room faces and I think God through me spoke to that pain.  I hope they heard it because it was one of those parts that was coming from God.


One off-the-cuff illustration I used was the picture of the prodigal returning home.  I can imagine him shuffling along, in no big hurry to tell his father he'd squandered everything, feeling like the father couldn't love him and probably feeling like he would never forgive himself.  I've been there.  I've known that feeling intimately and every now and then it still rolls through my head.


The story of the loving father is one I've written about often because it speaks to me so vibrantly.  As I'm shuffling along, wondering if God can ever love me again, I look up to find him running to me.  Yes, running.  To me.


Lord, let me be that image to others.  Not that I am their Lord or their Savior, but only that I can wrap them in my arms in glory to you, only that they will know they are loved by you through others who will help them, that they know they can hold their head high because they are a child of the King, just as I am and that we can rejoice in the fact that while we were once lost, we are on the road that leads to everlasting life with you.


Grace and peace to you.  Oh, yeah...the hippety hoppity part is this song I shared with the class.  For my hip-hop homeboys...Flame - Tonight (All Of Me)

That's My King...

Below is a video set to thoughts by S.M. Lockridge.  I heard this a year or so ago in a Bible class and ran across it again yesterday.  I love the passion of Lockridge for his King.  It's a passion I hope to emulate.




Grace and peace to you.

Ready To Unplug

I'm electronically worn out.  I'm tired of Facebook.  I already quit Twitter.  I'm struggling to write a blog.

I think I'll be posting less frequently for awhile.  Another blogging vacation of sorts.

Here's another blog to check out headed up by my good friend Randy Daugherty. 
Word For Today


Grace and peace to you.

Happy Birthday To You...

Today is my mom's birthday.  She's 39.  Don't try to do the math if you know how old I am because it won't work.  My mom loves celebrating her birthday and it's often a 3-4 week process with all the lunches and dinners with friends.  Just between you and me, she's seen more than 39 birthdays and quite a bit of interesting history in her day.  I've listened to stories of growing up on the farm and it seems so far removed from the life I have grown up with.  While I'm thankful for conveniences like a bathroom with running water, there are some things about growing up on the farm that I think would be good for people today because I see how it shaped that generation in positive ways.  I suppose every generations has their strengths and weaknesses and maybe we'll see that my generation and future generations have much to offer the future just like my parent's generation has offered us. 


On this day, I hope my mom's day is filled with good wishes, good friends, good food and a Snickers bar.  I love you mom!


Grace and peace to you.

Where Are You Taking Me?

I've got the writing blah's this week.


I ask God to lead me and then, when he does, I feel like asking "are you sure you want me to do this?"  I like being led where I want to go but I don't get a big charge out of being led where I don't want to go.  I realize that thinking can land me in the belly of a big fish though so I'm trying to accept what God is calling me to do and to be willing to do it. 


I would seek your prayers that I will answer the call and that I will say the things and do the things that come from God working through me. 


Grace and peace to you.

Preach It

Yesterday, I heard one of the most powerful sermons I've heard in a long time.  The power wasn't in the presentation style nor in the energy or tone of the preacher, the power was in the message he delivered.  One point he made really stuck with me throughout the day that just kept me feeling good all day.  Most of us have heard (and can quote) Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" and that is where the recitation usually ends.  But, and this but is big, while it's the end of the verse, it is not the end of the sentence.  Verse 24 continues the thought, "and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."  [emphasis mine}


He gave freely.

Grace and peace to you.

Lady GaGa

I saw Lady Gaga on GMA Thursday morning promoting her AIDS/HIV prevention efforts.  She has created a line of cosmetics with ALL the proceeds going to help prevent this horrible disease.  I applaud her for her generosity and willingness to be an activist to help eliminate a horrible disease.  I can only wish that her efforts were targeted at abstinence and Godliness instead of safe sex.
As I listened to her talk, it seemed evident that she has been searching for what is missing in her life and she identifies it as "self-love" and "finding the inner light".  I wonder how powerful it could be if someone of her stature and promotion ability was sharing a message of the love of God and allowing His light to shine from within to all of her fans.  Today, I am saying a prayer for Gaga and the hope that God will be able to reach her and to touch her heart with His love, joy and desire for her. 


From Gaga to baseball - I'll be in Bowie soaking in the sun and watching Decatur Eagles baseball this Saturday.  I'm excited to have another season going and watching my son and his friends play.  My daughter is escaping baseball by participating in a UIL competition and I know she will rock 'em too!  And, it will be time to see Michael Young, smiling and talking about what the upcoming season will be like and how he doesn't want to be a distraction even though all the questions lead to the distraction he has caused.  Oh well, it's baseball.  Cut, green grass.  Sunshine.  Close plays at home.  Homeruns, fireworks and fly-overs.  Play ball!


May the Lord who created the world, who designed the seas, who created the volcanoes, who built the mountains and put each grain of sand on the beach, may He be praised and glorified in my life today because the One who created all also created, loves, nurtures and cares for me.


Grace and peace to you.

A Good Start

Wednesday was the kick-off day for our workplace Bible study using the book Crazy Love.  Yes, you know I love Crazy Love and I'm excited to begin a study around the ideas offered by Francis Chan in this book.  The first class was an introduction of the book idea, my approach to getting through it and to me.  Several of the people in the study know something about me but I went back deeper in my history than usual and walked them through my growing up and how I got to this point in life and why this book has helped me know God so much better than I think I would have done on my own.  I got some positive feedback from a few of the participants and am thankful my prayer all morning worked - simply that God would make me a conduit of the words He wanted everyone to hear. 


Here's something that crossed my mind the other day.  Who's more concerned with sin; God or me?  Who's more concerned with living out of love; God or me?  I think God is more interested in seeing me live a life of love than He is concerned with me sinning.  I'm caught up in 1 John 4 saying that "perfect love drives out fear."  I can't get this verse out of my head because I want to live in God's perfect love and I want to be a man who shares God's perfect love with everyone I come in contact with.  I'm not there yet but pray that I will be one day. 


God, work on my heart, work in my heart and work through my heart.  Make me a light shining brightly, eliminating darkness and reflecting the glory of your majesty.


Grace and peace to you.

Grammy Whammy

Did you watch the Grammy's on Sunday night?  I had the TV on for the last 20 minutes or so waiting on the news and was flabbergasted, yes flabbergasted, by some of the dancing I saw. 
If you are looking for a good blog to read, check out http://texastoothcarpenter.blogspot.com and http://rross.blogspot.com.  These are two very good friends of mine and they say some things that would benefit a lot of people to think about. 
I've been asked to be a guest writer for another friend's blog.
For the past 8 years or so I've been a columnist for two different western industry publications writing about business, management, leadership and operations.  The crazy part is that I got paid to do it!  Ha.  I had the lofty title of Business Editor at the last gig but gave it up this year because I can only write so much it seems and because it's time to scale back.  Even as I say I need to scale back, I'm contemplating taking on another big, time-consuming adventure.  Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment.
This is one of those days were I'm sort of dry as far as writing so I am filling space with yak-yak.  Yep, yak-yak.  Use that in Words With Friends and see what kind of response you get.
I have changed my musical choices to the point that at least 85% of what I listen to is Christian-themed music.  Don't think I'm patting myself on the back because I still slip in a little Pink Floyd, Molly Hatchett, Guns N Roses and such but I can tell a difference in myself when I'm listening to Third Day, Skillet, Lecrae, Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp and a bunch of other great artists. 
Baseball season is back.  My son is playing again but I'm not involved at all this time...and it hasn't been an easy change.  It looks like the schedule is going to work for me to head out to Surprise in March for a little Spring Training with the Rangers.  I'm pumped.  I'm traveling with a good friend from our younger days and staying with his brother/another good friend.  I'm ready to go today.  Other than the packing.  Shorts and t-shirts...
I had a meeting Tuesday morning with some staff that has been through our company leadership training program.  As we talked about different issues, it struck me again how people interact with each other is so important in our lives in so many ways.  Relationships of one sort or another are a part of the fabric of our lives.  It brought me back to Monday's post - the one relationship I want to succeed at is the one between me and my Lord.  As long as that relationship is successful, I'm fully confident all others will work out for the best.

Grace and peace to you.

I Am Second

I've shared this here before but something said yesterday brought it back to mind.  Many of you have seen the iamsecond.com web site and some of the awesome monologues there.  I think it's a great idea even if they won't let me into their club...or at least they wouldn't the last time I tried to become a member but that's another story.  Where I was going is the idea of being second to God.  I grew up being taught that I was 3rd or maybe even lower down the scale.  The God came first, others came second and then I might fit in to 3rd.  The acronym JOY was used (Jesus/Others/Yourself) to teach us how to live humbly.  I understand the concept and realize how easy it is to start splitting hairs over semantics but, personally, I think it's wrong teaching. 


The greatest command is to love God with all my heart, soul and mind.  The second is to love my neighbor AS MYSELF.  I capitalized those last two words because how am I supposed to love my neighbor as myself if God is first, they are second and I am third?  Here's where I'm going with this.  The only relationship in the world I need to get right is the one between God and me.  If he's first and I'm right next to Him, then the other relationships will figure themselves out because God will be flowing through me.  I don't need to worry about serving others if I'm not right with God and the more things I put between God and me, the more trouble I'm going to have staying focused on what His will is.  I think it's best that I make sure I'm staying on the same page as God and then I can be a servant to others but not before I am whole with God. 


I spent a lot of years trying to put others first, often failing at it but trying, and I never really got close to God.  Now, as I desire to get closer and closer to Him, to make Him first and me a close second, I am learning how I can serve others much better through His power. 


I am second and I plan to stay there.  Again, maybe I'm splitting hairs but this is how I need to approach my walk with God so that I grow closer to Him. 


Grace and peace to you.