McGarbage

Not too long ago, Prince Charles, while speaking in the UK, said that “banning McDonald’s is THE "key to a healthy lifestyle” in his nation. While I agree with the Morgan Spurlock’s of the world (see Supersize Me) and loathe the ridiculous “stuff” ol' Ronald tries to pass as food, I find this statement quite ridiculous.

It is indicative of culture today, isn't it? We like passing the buck, and blaming others. We do not like accepting blame and responsibility. Eliminating such foods from your diet will improve your health, but having the government ban it is not the key! The key to YOUR health is not up to someone else to pass legislation, it is UP TO YOU!! The key is YOU making a choice, and following through.We cannot rely on others to make us better, if we aren’t willing to make the changes on our own!

I think this same principle applies to our spiritual lives too.

How many times do we want others to heal our souls for us? So often we whine about our churches, ministries and classes. “I’m just not getting fed” is a term we often hear and say. I understand where this comes from, and at times there is SOME validity to this….but where does self responsibility come into play? Aren’t we old enough now to also feed ourselves? How many of us when complaining spent ANY time that week studying God’s word for ourselves or praying to him?? We cannot always rely on others to push us forward in faith. We too have work to do here. God says that there is a time to move away from the milk of babes and start eating meat of an adult!

I am not discounting the need for great preachers and teachers. I think they are vital parts of healthy spirituality. I just think that we can become TOO dependant on them to do all of our soul’s work for us. Just like the body, we too must exercise our faith!

Banning McDonalds is NOT going to save us, if we choose to eat garbage at home. And listening to a great speaker is not going to save us if we choose to continue to “eat garbage” at home. Take some time to get to know God yourself……it is vital to your health!

Hide and Seek

Last Sunday night, the teens and I went to the Craterian Theater downtown. We quietly walked in. Our purpose was to support our friend Trey Allen as he performed a vocal solo. It was very cool to see an entire youth group basically take up a whole row in this theater.

The night was nice. Several kids sang songs. Others played some beautiful music. Much talent was displayed. Trey was the next to last performer, so we sat through just over an hour of solos before he took the stage. He looked great in his tux. He looked just like the Trey we all knew and loved.

But, when Pavarotti, I mean Trey :) began singing in German, it was NOT the young man we all knew. He was fantastic! We had heard him sing praise songs in class and even joke around in Karaoke, but NEVER had we heard him like this! It was a wonderful discovery of hidden talent. What an amazing surprise!

I wonder what hidden gifts may hide beneath the surface in those folsk all around us? I am sure we have some amazing teachers that have yet to step up in front of us. Surely there are great preachers in our midst. Future elders must walk our classrooms. The next great theologian just may sitting next to you. And who do we talk to each week not knowing how they may change the world someday?

I want to encourage each of us to step out of our comfortable boxes and try something new for our King! I don’t think we can ever grow in the ways that we would like until more of us are willing to lead in new areas. God has promised us great gifts in Him, and it is up to us to discover and use them. How exciting!

Don’t let fear hold us back! Let us be that “city on a hill” that Jesus described. Let us put these God given talents on display! Trey can use this new found gift to improve his life and the lives of others, but what if he had never chosen to try and sing? My brothers and sisters, we are all called to sing!

34...the facts

Today I turn 34. That sounds like a boring age, but here are some cool facts about the number.

34 is SELENIUM om the periodic table
34 has secret meaning to the Sigma Phi Epsilom fraternity
#34 is a song by the Dave Matthews Band
34 is the code for international direct dial phone calls to Spain
34 is Edmond Dante's prisoner number in Count of Monte Cristo
34 was worn by the greats Hakeen Olajuwon and Kirby Puckett, and the so-so Shaquille Oneal with the Lakers
T34 was a world famous Soviet Military Tank
34 grams of carbs in a McDonalds Double Cheeseburger

ahh....................

Blessed Donuts

My son did some wonderful things recently. He had been saving up a dollar here and there that he had earned and storing them in his new Batman wallet he got in Mexico. Saturday he asked if we could walk to the donut shop (the whole family). We often do this on Saturdays so we thought it sounded great. As we talked he let us know that he was going to be treating us. Wow! Thanks son! When we arrived, he made us sit down, and then “took our order”. He then would NOT let us go to the counter. He wanted to do it all. He ordered in his beautiful little voice “I would like…….please”. He even threw in an OJ! He then paid the lady (with a little help) and carried the trey to us. It was SO beautiful. Jessie and I watched with tears in our eyes and pride swelling in our chests. It probably sounds silly to the random reader, but to this daddy, it meant everything in the world. I praise God for the blessings of my kids. Thank you SO much Jude-O. That breakfast meant the world to Daddy and Mommy!

Gift Wrapped Jesus

My friend sent me this video. It REALLY makes you think. We want everythign neatly packaged and convenient. We don't want to have to break a sweat. Has our generation forgotten that we sometimes need to work for blessing?

here

These are a few of my favorite things....

My new tradition I decided was to put up a post each weekend of the things that humored, inspired, touched and generally entertained me the previous week. Here are a few things from this one:


I really have to admit that I like the new POD album. The track "Tell Me Why" is gorgeous and the lyrics cut me deep.


Thank heavens the writers strike is OVER! The 1st 2 new episodes have been classic!


WOW! This book is really making me think!


The season finale was SOOO good! Please come back soon Eli!


This movie REALLY screwed with my emotions. It is heartbreaking to see what a cavalier and apathetic attitude many kids have toward sex and pregnancy. It too though was beautiful, heartbreaking AND redemptive all at the same time.

ACU on the rocks...

WOW! Check out this news story. BIG STEPS! Tell me what you think:

here

What's next, guys with earrings and gals in shorts in class???????

VS