Make Today COUNT!!!

Make Today COUNT!!!

I was full of energy and excitement as I sat down at my computer a few minutes ago. I have this routine that I go through nearly every morning...I get a bagel and a glass of milk, drive to work (usually listening to FOX news), check my e-mail and then start to work.

But this morning my plans changed...I am stunned...I am numb...I can't believe what I have read.

Maybe you have heard about the story--maybe not--but Kyle Lake, the pastor of University Baptist Church in Waco, TX (the one where the David Crowder Band leads worship) died yesterday during a worship service. He was only 33, and left behind a wife and 3 small children. Apparently he was preparing to baptize someone and, while standing in the water, grabbed the microphone--something that he had apparently done many times. However, yesterday something apparently went MAJORLY wrong.

My heart goes out to this church--to this mans family--to the people he had the privilege of teaching and leading. I can't believe it! In fact, when I first read the story I thought, "This is a sick joke--a REALLY sick joke." However, the story is true...and my heart is broken.

Let me make you a promise--Kyle did not get up yesterday morning planning to step into eternity, but apparently it was his time...I believe that--I believe that God reigns, He is Sovereign, and that He has a reason for everything that happens.

In Scripture we are promised a lot of things--but we are never promised a tomorrow. My question to you is this, if you knew you had six months to live--what changes would you make? How would you treat your wife? Your children? Your friends? How would that affect your relationship with Christ?

My challenge is to answer those questions--and then begin to implement the changes. WE DO NOT KNOW how much time we have on this big ball of dirt called earth--we need to make our lives count.

Please pray for Kyle's family and his church as they go through this time. And as far as you and I--we are still here--God still has a purpose--let's live life to the fullest.

Caffeinated Caption

At 13 months old, my friends daughter Julia is already consuming three venti Starbuck coffees a day.


Ok, maybe not. But I had to capture the moment and share it.



Anyone got a creative caption for this one?

World Series Predictions

It's down to 2 teams: The Astros and the White Sox.
So here's my question: Who is going to win it all this year? Post your prediction...The winner and in how many games.
My prediction: The White Sox win in 6 games...(Sorry Astros fans. But they aren't going to score any runs against the White sox starting pitching)

Sometimes you have to laugh

Whether you like it or not--you will offend someone. No matter who you are or what you do...for some reason there is a person or group of people who will get mad. You don't even have to try to be offensive...trust me, I learned this on Monday morning upon arriving at work.

Let me set this up--I drive a new 4Runner that has one of those remote thingys that you can lock your door with. (I remember the first car I had with one of these...I would stand and lock and unlock the door just because I could!). When you lock the car it makes a "beep." (I know, some go "beep beep;" however, mine is just one "beep" to lock & "beep beep" to unlock).

So I get out of my car, lock it while I am on the way in with my remote...and I see this older guy walking in...and he's giving me a really dirty look. So I smiled at him (not the wise thing to do--I found this out later) and said, "Good morning--how are you?" (Once again--not the wise thing to do).

This dude nearly melted down! He went off on me by saying, "I'm not good at all...these stupid people with these new cars...they are too gosh darn lazy (his exact words) to lock their stupid car...all they have to do is run their finger over a button--but NO, they have to blow their stupid horn and scare people half to death--there's just no sense in that".

Keep in mind that this was Monday morning...I had just spent all morning leading worship at church the day before, and most of that evening at The Afters concert, and was still sort of out of it...so I didn't realize at first that he was talking about me--so I kept smiling at him and said, "Man--that's awful".

Then he gave me a look that told me I should go to somewhere I can't go because I am a Christian and walked in the door ahead of me.

Then it hit me, "He's talking about me!" I realized that I must have scared this dude when I locked my door and that he was going off not on some random person--but me!!!

I stopped in my tracks...and then I just started laughing...I could not help it, I tried not to--I guess if I had been godlier I would have felt sorry for this guy--but I could not get the picture of what it must have looked like when I locked my car out of my mind.

Trust me--I didn't mean to offend this dude. I didn't sit in my car and scope him out and then blow the horn...I had no idea that this would even remotely affect anyone in a negative way. But nonetheless...he was ticked.

So what should my response have been? Maybe I should have apologized. Maybe I should not use my remote thingy anymore. Maybe I should just not lock my car! I am not sure what the Biblical thing to do was--but I could not help but laugh.

Like I said--sometimes you will offend people without even trying...and if you take the time to run around and apologize for every misconception or misunderstanding that you are involved in then...well...let's just say you are going to live a miserable life.

I had a friend tell me once, "words don't have meanings...people have meanings". And that is so true--people hear what they want to hear and believe what they want to believe. Our job as followers of Jesus is to live a life that is above reproach...realizing that sometimes people will get offended without our knowledge...and we have to live with that. I suppose from time to time an apology might be necessary--but I didn't feel that doing the "beep beep" thing with my remote was a clear violation of Scripture.

So how has this altered my life? Well...not really at all. I will continue to use my remote...I do not feel that repentance is in order here--but I will try to make sure when I use it that this dude isn't even in the parking lot (unless I am feeling mischievious!).

Have an awesome day--and remember that our job is the relentless pursuit of who Christ called us to be--anything else is sin.

Playoff controversy

The absurdity of the call will renew cries for instant replay in Major League Baseball, but the entire incident never would have occurred if the umpires had simply ruled that Angels catcher Josh Paul had caught the ball. If plate umpire Doug Eddings didn't see that, then one of the base umpires should have stepped in to ensure that the ruling was correct. Sure, replay could help fix such mistakes, but it also would create other issues, lengthening games that many fans already believe are too long. The vast majority of the time, the umpires get it right. This time, they did not.

Late Night Tuesday

Great movie on TV last night...Godfather Part 2 on AMC.

Flipping channels I overheard on Laguna Beach in less than 8 seconds:

"So I was like......like...it was like..."

"I know! Like no way! ............like."

"Like...........awesome...like for sure......"

People watch this show?

I did something

I went out this past Saturday to go casually looking at new cars, and I ended up coming home with one!

It was time, really. My car was a 1997 Toyota Camry with 163,000 miles on it. I traded it in on a beautiful Toyota 4Runner. Believe me, this was a total God thing. The deal I got was amazing (turns out the finance manager recognized me from church and is a believer...cool!).

I know what some of you may be thinking...the gas prices will kill you. Well, for those who know me, you know that won't be the case for me. But I can't tell you why on this blog.

I'll post some pics later.

Be Still

Confession time...I have to do this--I have heard that it is good.

Somewhere in the Bible, ok, in Psalm 46:10, is that familiar verse that leader types like me can quote all day long BUT have a really hard time following, you know, "Be still and know that I am God..."

What? Is God joking? Be still? In today's society? I am sure that might have worked back in the days that this was written...but these people didn't have to face what we face did they? Seriously, we have schedules to keep, soccer practice for the kids, meetings during work, meetings after work, meetings about having too many meetings. Those people didn't have that type of lifestyle did they?

Uh, yep, I am afraid they did. God's word shatters all boundaries. Including the one of time--and if what was written was true a few thousand years ago...then it works today.

"Be still and know that I am God."

Easy to memorize--hard to apply. I think that is the reason that many of us walk around wondering why can't we see the Lord, why can't we hear the voice of Jesus. Simple--many of us are in too big of a hurry. Take the following test to see if this is you. (By the way--I FAILED this test with flying colors!!!)

When you come to a stoplight...and there are two cars in front of you, one in either lane...do you attempt to get in the lane behind the car that you think will go faster? You rationalize it this way, "I can get behind this car and then when we pass the other car I can get in the other lane and pass the car directly in front of me now." How did we do here?

"Be still and know that I am God..."

Or how about this--you are at the grocery store...two lines are open and they look to be equal in length. Do you begin to size up the cashiers to see how fast they are getting the customers through? Do you begin to count the items in the cart of the people in front of you before making your decision? Do you, after choosing a line, watch the other line to see if you had chosen that line if you would have made it out faster. Uh, yeah--I didn't do so well here.

"Be still and know that I am God..."

How about when you get in the car and are either heading to work or are on the way home. Do you begin to scan through your cell phone to see who you can call? Do you call people just to talk, not having any reason to call them...and if you would have had the option of calling that person or doing something else then that person would have lost hands down?

We are all guilty--we attempt to go at the speed of light--and we burn out.

"Be still and know that I God..."

My problem is that I hate being still! It's not fun--there is no rush--no one has ever been awarded for being the most "still" person...our society does not recognize people being still--but God does. Why? I think it's because it's during those times that He can communicate to us on the deepest level...and I want that.

So the rest is up to me. I must be intentional about making time to be still--not to be in such a hurry. I will continue to push hard, to do my job to the best of my abilities--but on the way to work tomorrow...I think I am cutting my cell phone off and not turning the radio on--that's a HUGE step for me. What about you? Are you in a hurry...or are you practicing the art of being still.

"Be still and know that I am God..."

Ice Ice Baby

My brother and I were driving home from dinner last night. (we had the top down and the windows open since it was a cool evening). Anyway, on the radio station we were listening to, they had an "all request" night...and someone requested, "Ice Ice Baby."

I was so excited! I know this is going to ruin the view that some of you have of me--but I love that song. And if you are anywhere around my age--there was a time that you loved it too. In fact, you still know the words, "Rollin' in my five point O with my rag top down so my hair can blow..." Go ahead, finish it--you know you want to!

So here we are, jammin' to this song--and we pull up to a stoplight. Do you know what my first reaction was? You guessed it--I reached and turned the radio down...I didn't want anyone to actually see me enjoying that song. But then I sat there and thought, "Wait a minute--I like this song--I don't even know the people in the cars around me...and I am letting what they might think about me control my behavior--NO WAY!"

So I cranked it back up, "I grabbed my nine all I heard were shells--fallin' on the concrete real fast, jumped in the car, slammed on the gas..." (I know you hate me right now--that song is stuck in your head--it's going to be there all day long--there's nothing you can do about it!)

So what in the world does that have to do with my faith, the Bible, Jesus, God, church--anything remotely close to some type of religious experience? I am glad you asked...

For a moment I was consumed with what others thought about me--and it was to the point where I let people that I didn't even know--and a fear of what they might think about me--actually alter my behavior. I see this as being a MAJOR problem among people who claim they are Christians.

For example--we gather at church, or go to home group, or youth group--whatever, and we sing songs to Jesus, listen to stories about Jesus, talk to Jesus--in that context it isn't hard to be a follower of Jesus--when everyone around you is doing it then it is easy to simply fall in line.

But what about at work? At school? At the game? Have you ever let your fear of what people may think about you cause you to slip into covert Christianity and back away from doing or saying something that will totally honor Jesus? I have--I think we all have--it's natural to want to back away--but it's just not right.

MAJOR DISCLAIMER--please understand, I am NOT saying that you need to be weird...and this is NOT permission to be stupid--let me explain.

I am NOT saying to go and get your Bible, walk into work, stand on top of your desk, and announce to everyone that they are going to hell. That's not taking a stand for Christ--that's causing people to think you are quite possibly a loon!

So how do we take a stand? How do we become "salt and light" like Jesus challenged us to become? Simple--it's in the little things.

For example--when you go out to lunch with some co-workers and your meal comes--PRAY. And don't do one of those things where you act like you are wiping your nose--seriously, bow and thank God for your food. Or better yet--ask the group if they minded if you prayed & thanked God for the food. I know what some are thinking, "But I might offend..." That is the problem--you are letting the possibility of someone not approving of your actions dictate how you act.

Or how about this--take a shot at inviting someone to church, and then offer to have them over to your home for a meal afterwards. Trust me--people are CRAVING community...and many will jump at the chance.

Or when you notice that someone is going through a tough time...tell them you are praying for them (and then actually do it)--trust me, that comment will mean more than you know.

Christ asked us to be loud--and not to turn down the volume when we get around people who might not like His music. So let's crank it up and live the life He's called us to live, and reach the people He's called us to reach!

"Yo, word to ya mother..."

Baseball Post-Season Begins!

Well, I made my predictions a few months ago about which teams would be in the post season. So I thought I'd share who made it compared to who picked:

AL East: (I picked) Boston (Actually won it) NY Yankees

AL Central: (I picked) Chicago (Actually won it) Chicago

AL West: (I picked) Los Angeles (Actually won it) Los Angeles

AL Wild Card: (I picked) NY Yankees (Actually won it) Boston

NL East: (I picked) Florida (Actually won it) Atlanta

NL Central: (I picked) St. Louis (Actually won it) St. Louis

NL West: (I picked) LA Dodgers (Actually won it) San Diego

NL Wild Card: (I picked) Philadelphia (Actually won it) Houston

What does all of this mean? It means I don't follow the National League that much. I love this time of year! Go Sox!

Slow Down!

I know...it's been a week since I've had a blog entry. I apologize. Life has been busy.

I saw a wreck yesterday AND I almost saw a wreck this morning. (In both cases I yelled "whoa" in my car--totally expecting the people to hear me.)

The one I almost witnessed this morning was a sight to see. I was at an extremely busy four way intersection...every road had a line of cars with the exception of the one to my right. Everyone was being nice and obeying the traffic laws...until this little old lady came tearing down the road (the one without a line of cars) and blew right through the stop sign. (I am completely sure that no curse words were uttered in any of the cars that were nearly obliterated because we were near a church.) :-)

I guess in a way I was a little happy...no one was hurt (the little old lady is still probably tearing down the road somewhere--she was clueless.) I was also happy that this was not one of those little old ladies I would have to worry about getting behind riding down the road...trust me, if you are following this woman...you are making some great time.

BUT the fact is that she ran a stop sign...never even hit her brakes. And I know the stop sign has always been there--I travel that road nearly every single day.

I was thinking about this when I got to the office when it hit me, "That is the way things are with me and the Lord sometimes. I am traveling through life so fast that I never take time to notice the obvious."

Anyone out there guilty of that?

We have our schedules, our deadlines, our meetings, kid's soccer practice...all of the things we feel like we have to do in order to be a decent citizen...and we accomplish great things--yet we blow right by opportunities to see Jesus at work around us everyday AND to thank Him for all that He has done.

So try to slow down today...and be thankful. Instead of screaming at the person who pulled out in front of you--thank God that you are still alive. Instead of complaining about how high gas prices are going to be--thank God that you have a car. Instead of worrying about how high natural gas prices are going to be this winter--thank God that you have a home, there are many that do not.

Scripture says that we need to be still and know that He is God. (That is so hard for someone like me with A-D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D...sorry!) But I have learned that the more I pause during the day...the more I can hear His voice...and the more I am able to experience His presence.

What do you believe?

Have you ever asked yourself if you really believe that what you believe is really real? For example, you say you believe in God. You believe that God is. What do you mean when you say you believe God is? Do you believe that God is actively at work in the world He created, meaning He is actively involved in your life, or do you believe that God created the world and then backed away as a passive observer leaving everything, including you, to function according to natural laws? There is a difference! What do you really believe?

Let’s build on the belief that God is. If you really believe that God is, that God created the world, and that God is active in the world in which you live, how do you explain the presence of evil? You say that you believe that evil exists because of sin. In other words the real problem with our world is the fact that human beings are sinners. Do you really believe that to be true? Do you believe that pain and suffering, disease and death are really the result of a power called sin that works in the heart of man, or do you believe that humans are intrinsically good and that under the right social conditions, their good nature will emerge? What do you really believe?

If you believe that sin is real, what do you believe is the solution to fix the problems that sin working in the hearts of man has created? How do you fix mankind? What is the antidote to sin? You say you believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the answer to humanity’s problem. If men would confess their sin and receive Christ into their hearts as savior and Lord, the problem of sin would be fixed. Do you really believe that to be true? What do you really believe?

I raise these questions because what you believe is really real is important. Why? Your beliefs are your personal GPS that direct your daily decisions and actions. What you believe to be really real determines how you live your life. So what do you really believe is really real?

Billboard Irony

I saw this on the way into work this morning. Do you think they were placed together on purpose?

Big Mistake

TORTURE = watching Food Network at 12:15 in the morning. (The Secret Life of Fried Chicken)
Not good...

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

We all struggle with making decisions, do we not? I saw some people outside church last night having the struggle that has ended friendships & caused family quarrels that have yet to be resolved, "Hey guys--where do you want to eat?"

We all want to make good decisions. No one woke up this morning and said, "Dear Lord, I want to be stupid today." I don't know about you--but I don't need to pray for His assistance in that area--I do a fine job all by myself!!!

So how do we make good decisions, decisions that are not going to result in intense amounts of pain & frustration? Let me give you some things that I do...some questions that I ask...maybe this will help, maybe it won't--but it might be worth a shot.

#1 - What Does Scripture Say About The Situation?

Many have different views on the Bible--my view is that it is the totally inspired, infallible word of God. It is God's instruction book (and love letter) to mankind...and I have NEVER made a bad decision when I follow its council.

For example, if you are someone who is considering living with someone before you get married & you are wondering if this is the right decision...the Bible says "no," that we should refrain from sexual immorality.

If you are considering making a purchase...and you can't really afford it...the Bible says that we should not spend more than we make.

Following Scripture will not mess you up!

#2 - What Would __________ Do In This Situation?

I try my best to surround myself with people that are smarter than me. (It's really not that hard to meet people with those qualifications!) And when I run into a situation that is beyond my scope of wisdom or experience...I ask them what they would do.

For example, when it comes to my finances, I have two or three people who are very wise financially, who have made incredibly wise decisions and are NOT in debt up to their eyeballs, and so I ask them. I have learned that God often uses other people to communicate incredible amounts of wisdom.

When it comes to leadership...I have several men and women in my life that I run decisions by, just to make sure that my thinking is in line with Scripture AND that I am being rational.

In fact, when it comes to major decisions...I NEVER make them without consulting someone who I consider to be wiser than me...in doing so I have been protected from a lot of things that could have gone wrong.

#3 - Will This Decision Make Everyone Happy?

The bottom line is this--whatever decision that you may wrestle with...you cannot make everyone happy. I promise, someone will get mad. However, don't worry about that...the book of Proverbs says that fear of man is the snare of death. One of my prayers has always been to ask God to give me the wisdom to know what's right & the courage to do what's right...even when it's hard.

#4 - Can I Face The People Who Love Me The Most After This Decision Has Been Made?

WOW--that's challenging. This one is deeply personal. I realize as a decision maker that I am going to have to face my loved ones and answer for decisions that I have made...and I always want to be able to face my family with a clear conscience, knowing I have done my best to keep their interest in mind.

Those are some things that have helped me...I promise that I don't always get things right...but when I adhere to the list that I just gave...well...then I do get things right, most of the time.

What? Another new cell phone???

And the answer to that questions would be a gigantic...YES!!!

I have been waiting for the folks at Nokia to finally get their act together and come out with a flip phone that had everything that I look for (and need) from my cell phone.

Well they did it at last. It just came out yesterday.

I picked up the Nokia 6101 this morning and think I have finally found a phone I will keep for a long time. It has speakerphone, camera, video & audio recording, picture caller ID, an FM radio, and much much more.

Starfish & Shells

Rob Bell, of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, MI tells the story of his young son who has just waded into the water after collecting two handfuls of smashed sea shells.

Now these shells were the type that are all over the beach. Thousands upon thousands have washed up and been trampled upon. The child decides to wade into the water with shell fragments in hands. After a while his father notices a beautiful starfish floating on top of the water within reach of his son. Rob yells to his son to pick up the starfish.

Anxiously the boy looks at the starfish and then looks at his fists, full of broken shells. And then back to the starfish and then again, back to his hands. Suddenly he bursts into loud sobs. Rob shouts out, "What wrong, buddy? Just pick up the starfish!" To this the son blurts out through his tears, "But then I'll have to drop these shells!"

Isn't that the case we often find ourselves in? We want the broken shells that are in our hands when our Father wants to give us the coolest starfish in the ocean! We'd rather hold on to what is comfortable or what we know, rather than give up control and allow God to bless us beyond what our human minds can fathom.

I learned that lesson this weekend. God blessed me beyond my imagination by taking away something that I thought I wanted. For this lesson and for the blessing, I am eternally grateful.

May we all trust God - the giver of every good and perfect gift.

The Doers, the Dreamers, and Me

One of my favorite movies is the original, "Muppet Movie". No, not the highly lame, "Muppets in Space" or "Muppet Treasure Island" - uh, definitely not. We're talking where it all started. The movie begins with a wide angle pan shot of the Florida Everglades. We gradually focus in on a log with a frog, or a frog with a log, whichever you prefer. My favorite childhood green buddy, Kermit busts into "The Rainbow Connection". The final line being, "The lovers, the dreamers and me."

Kermit has a dream - to go to California and make a movie. The tension throughout the rest of the show is between how some characters believe in this dream and that others don't.I think we all live in this tension.

Each of us has "dreams" we would like to fulfill and each of us has stuff that we simply need to "do". The problem is that I often find myself dreaming and then feeling guilty that I haven't gotten things DONE. Or I find myself in this frantic state of doing, so much that my soul starts to wither because it hasn't DREAMED in days.

Rarely, if ever am I in a state of balance. So I guess I'm either a frustrated dreamer or an exhausted doer. I think I'd rather be the former and dream with a little guilt. It is here that I find fulfillment, even if just for a time. Even if the dream never really results in anything tangible.

To paraphrase Shakespeare, "Better to have dreamed in vain, than never to have dreamed at all."

"The Muppet Movie" ends with Kermit and the gang finally getting the chance to make a movie and yet somehow Animal destroys the entire set. Even through this seemingly disastrous ending Kermit still holds onto "The Rainbow Connection" - the dream. Something about human... err... frog souls - we've gotta keep dreaming the dream.

My Big Ball

Did you laugh your head off watching Napoleon Dynamitee and Dodge Balll? Then you've gotta check out:

"The true adventures of Chad, the guy who was so into Super Monkey Ball Deluxe that he decided to live in a ball."

The Swim Meet episode made my sides hurt!

Here's the link: http://mybigball.com/

Check it out!

Apple unveilved its new IPod Nano today. This thing is teeny tiny. I thought my IPod mini was small, but this thing borders on the ridiculous. It's about a quarter of an inch thick, 3.5 inches long, and 1.5 inches wide, and holds about 1,000 songs.

Instead using a hard drive for storage like the mini's do, it uses flash memory chips. Not sure if I like that or not. No word on battery life yet. It'd have to beat the 26 hours that my Ipod mini gets for me to consider purchasing one.

I wonder how the public will react?