I can't erase the scars from growing up in the '80's

We started our Crazy Love small-group study tonight. I've really been looking forward to it and I wasn't disappointed. Great turn-out, thanks to everyone who came, and good discussion. I hope everybody sticks with it.

But there's a problem: every time I think or say "crazy love," I start singing "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince in my head. And let me tell you, it's hard to focus on falling more in love with God when you're singing Prince and the Revolution. Talk about a thorn in the side.

"Are we gonna let de elevator bring us down?" I hope it's stuck in your head all day.

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And one last addition to last night's post about Gee-dub. This is one that I wanted to include but didn't because the post was already reaching "War and Peace"-like longevity.

For Heather --This one is in honor of Rev. Gene Wood and "...all them people talking in Irish and Mexican" :

"Amigo! Amigo!" Pres. Bush calling out to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Spanish at the G-8 Summit in Rusutsu, Japan

Okay. I'll stop.

Happy Thursday, mon freres.

Forget the politics, I miss him.

Sarah came by the house tonight and while we were goofing around on the internet, I ran across a website that made me laugh like I haven't in a very, VERY long time. I share some of these with you tonight with the hopes that it relieves you of your cares and concerns for a little while.

Enjoy my tribute to the greatest orator since Mark Twain.

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"There's an old saying in Tennessee -- I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee...that says, fool me once, shame on...shame on you. Fool me...you can't get fooled again."

"Our nation must come together to unite."

"I have a different vision of leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together."

"He can't have it both ways. He can't take the high horse and then claim the low road."

"For every fatal shooting, there were roughly three non-fatal shootings. And folks, this is unacceptable in America. It's just unacceptable. And we're going to do something about it."

"As governor of Texas, I have set high standards for our public schools, and I have met those standards."

"One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures."

"Too many good docs are getting out of business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their, their love with women all across this country."

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."

"We must all hear the universal call to like your neighbor just like you like to be liked yourself."

"Thank you, your Holiness. Awesome speech."

"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test."

"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"

"The most important job is not to be governor, or first lady in my case."

"I glance at the headlines just to kind of get a flavor for what's moving. I rarely read the stories, and get briefed by people who are probably read the news themselves."

"I am mindful not only of preserving executive powers for myself, but for predecessors as well."

"They want the federal government controlling Social Security like it's some kind of federal program."

"That woman who knew I had dyslexia: I never interviewed her."

"No, I know all the war rhetoric, but it's all aimed at achieving peace."

"We look forward to hearing your vision, so we can more better do our job. That's what I'm telling you."

"I mentioned early on that I recognize there are hurdles, and we're going to achieve those hurdles."

"We are ready for any unforeseen event which may or may not happen."

"Natural gas is hemispheric. I like to call it hemispheric because it is a product that we can find in our neighborhoods."

"I understand small business growth. I was one."

"I believe the results of focusing our attention and energy on teaching children to read and having an education system that's responsive to the child and to the parents, as opposed to mired in a system that refuses to change, will make America what we want it to be -- a more literate country and a hopefuller country."

"The administration I'll bring is a group of men and women who are focused on what's best for America, honest men and women, decent men and women, women who will see service to our country as a great privilege and who will not stain the house."

"Do you have blacks, too?" --to Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso

"This foreign policy stuff is a little frustrating."

"They misunderestimated me."

"Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."

"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office."

Well, maybe he didn't make America great, but he made her laugh.

I'll call this one, "Untitled."

As the old saying goes, "The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree." It was Noah's Ark Night in Awana and all the kids looked awesome in their favorite animal costumes. Master Fowler here was going for an elephant, but managed to pull off a very convincing mouse.

Tonight I just want to say that God really is way too good to me. Even with my chronic faithlessness, He graces me with answered prayers.

I spent a great deal of time over the past few days in prayer about a specific issue. I practically begged and pleaded, beseeched even, for God's mercy regarding something that is literally crippling to me. Deep down, I don't feel like these prayers should be answered, even though I really, really want them to be. Let's face it, no one likes to be knocked off their feet no matter how much they deserve it.

But God sees things differently than I do. I'm very glad of that. It seems that the hardest person for me to forgive is me. In the words of the ever wise and philosophical Kimbo Slice, "The enemy is the inner me." But God doesn't see things the way I, and Bro. Slice, see them. His forgiveness is forever, unconditional, and His mercies are everlasting. I can beat myself up over something for years, but God has cast it away.

You'd think I would learn that after a while. How many times does God have to show His goodness and love to me for me to get it through my thick skull? Apparently, that question is un-answerable because I'm sure that I will have a time in the near future when I once again take something to God after having judged myself unworthy of blessing.

It seems that I am my greatest obstacle. I know that Satan loves to use my past against me, and I know that God has wiped away that past, "...by a mighty, mighty wave."

Well, hopefully with more of that grace and mercy I will one day realize that my previous sins haven't tainted me, they haven't ruined me, they haven't made me unfit for service to God, and they haven't lessened me in God's eyes. Only mine.

But He answers; He guards, He strengthens, He delivers, and He gives us the ability to carry on in the work we do.

Shout it loud, y'all.

Remember Harry's bathroom scene in "Dumb and Dumber?"

I went to the haunted corn maze tonight, or I should say, the "Trail of Doom!"

It was fun, no doubt. I haven't been that close to an involuntarily bowel movement in years. I tried to be cool but I'm just not. Never will be.

But I learned a few things. First and foremost, Bennett is the man. He was terrified before we even got in line, but afterwards he was laughing. It wasn't easy for him and he had some difficult moments, but he kept walking, facing his fears, and emerged with his chest stuck out. Way to go.

Also, I realized my reaction to fear. I don't get scared often. Let me clarify that, I'm not fearless, I just don't find myself in very many situations that cause fear. But tonight I got spooked several times. What I noticed was that I don't scream (like Virginia), I don't freeze (like Virginia), I don't tear out someone's bicep (like Virginia), and I don't hide my face (like...yeah).

I get this little tingle from the small of my back up to my ears. It's that old chill of fear, I guess, but it's instant and all my senses go numb. There's no outward reaction except maybe a small jerk, but I zone out and my fists ball up. I don't think I ever had the urge to use them but they were ready. I'm sure Michael Myers was shaking in his coveralls.

I recalled the times I've felt this way before, most recently when I fell from a telephone pole. When I stepped up and there was nothing there, I remember feeling that same tingle right before I hit the ground.

Now, what struck me tonight was that I have felt that same tingle at times when there was no apparent danger; no scary-masked people, no chain-saws, and no fog-enshrouded cornfield. It was just me and my normal surroundings.

These times of fear were about people. Sometimes we see or hear things in the lives of those we love that scare us. Our spiritual radar starts humming and it's as if God is warning us that we need to alert for someone. I think the Holy Spirit tips us off at times to harmful things or situations that people are involved in so that we can be prepared, either in prayer, or in confrontation, or literally in a position of rescue.

I wish I had always been attuned to these feelings. I know of a few that I have responded to but I'm sure there were more and will be more. After all, that's partly what the church is for, to look out for each other when we don't see things clearly.

Anyway, just thinking out loud.

The eyes of experience

Oftentimes when we are burdened, heavy-hearted, or perplexed, we seek out someone who will listen and counsel us based on their experience of similar situations. Hoping to hear the one word or phrase that will part the clouds, we pour out our heart and pray for answers.

My counselor today is King David, whom God divinely inspired to write of His faithfulness and deliverance in all situations. If there has ever been a man who knew distress and a heavy heart, it was God's anointed leader of His people, who, for all his faults and weaknesses, was honored by God as, "...a man after My own heart."

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O Lord, how many are my foes!

Many are rising against me;

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,

my glory, and the lifter of my head.

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Give ear to my words, O Lord;

consider my groaning.

Give attention to the sound of my cry,

my King and my God,

for to you do I pray.

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How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I take counsel in my soul

and have sorrow in my heart all the day?

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;

light up me eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him,"

lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;

my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord,

because he has dealt bountifully with me.

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Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted.

The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

bring me out of my distresses.

Consider my affliction and my trouble,

and forgive all my sins.

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The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

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Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders,

the Lord, over many waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful;

the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.

The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness.

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Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;

my eye is wasted from grief;

my soul and my body also.

For my life is spent with sorrow,

and my years with sighing.

Love the Lord, all you his saints!

The Lord preserves the faithful

but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

all you who wait for the Lord!

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Cast your burden on the Lord,

and he will sustain you;

he will never permit

the righteous to be moved.

It's Thursday, and Third Day, or Third Day Thursday. Wait! I know! It's Thirds-day!

Well, it ain't the best picture but you get the... oh.

I went to a concert tonight and I would like to make a few observations. I'll try to be brief 'cause it's midnight and I just got home. (loud, obnoxious yawning noise)

First, at the Coliseum was a contemporary Christian concert. Right next door, at the Civic Auditorium, was Robin Williams. And I mean right next door.

Am I the only one who sees a crazy irony in that? I hope not.

The concert was fantastic. They sang their hits and the really good stuff from their latest release (almost said album) and it was a wonderful time of worship and fun. How can you not enjoy a Christian show that also has "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" in it? Yeah, I know, right?

It really was a special evening and the praise was oozing out everywhere. But literally on the other side of the wall was a comedian who is known for profanity and tasteless humor. It's a shame that someone with great talent has to resort to those means. Honestly, back in middle school, guys like me and Benji would crack up at that stuff. Funny how young boys can't stop snickering anytime a four-letter word is used. But what I kept thinking about tonight was what if the audiences switched?

If the performers carried on, business as usual, but the audiences simply got up and swapped venues, what would happen?

Would the RW fans feel the least bit uncomfortable listening to songs proclaiming Christ? Would they even stay for the whole show?

What about the Christian bunch? Would they feel uncomfortable listening to such talk or would they snicker and squirm around in their seats a little, but sit there so as to not be singled out and counted among the "zealots?"

Tonight there was a physical wall between God and the world. But on a spiritual level, there should always be a barrier between those of us who follow Christ and those who choose to follow the crowd. We are set apart, we should look different, behave different, think and talk different, even opposite, than the world. What we let in determines what comes out.

I've noticed that as my relationship with God grows, I become more and more disgusted with the sinful behaviors that I personally used to have. Language is a big one. When I was in an environment where all I heard was bad language, it wasn't long before I started using it myself. I wonder how many people thought I wasn't a Christian just because I said one word.

Anyway, "evil company corrupts good habits" and all that. My point is that the ways we show our faith and beliefs to the lost world are sometimes as subtle as the way we talk. I've heard the argument about profanity a million times and probably argued it myself. But the more I hear this kind of language coming from the mouths of Christians just to impress the ears of the world, I have to wonder what it sounds like to God.

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Second, a word of testimony that you may not care about. That's okay. I'm gonna put it here anyway just for spite.

I've mentioned before that I was never a fan of Christian music. I was into the Southern Gospel thing pretty heavy but only started listening to other stuff a while back.

About a year and a half ago, I fell from my lofty heights of pride and self-righteousness and found myself at God's feet and mercy. My life was "wrecked" and everything I thought I had done right turned out to be a pile of manure. Just about a day or two later, I heard a preview of Third Day's upcoming release, Revelation, on the radio. The song they played was the title track. Almost instantly, the words hit me at the core of my sorrows and I couldn't help but hear in that song one of the most earnest, pleading prayers I could imagine. I made it my personal prayer and thanked God that those lyrics were reserved for me at that time.

After that I was pretty much hooked. My taste in music changed a little, but the changes in my worship and praise to God were monumental as my heart was opened to the truth of what He wanted for me and what He would do to keep me close to Him. I've never looked back.

So thanks to Third Day for being obedient and recording a song that I am sure has spoken to many people. And thanks to God for breaking me to the point that I could hear it.

I don't know where I can turn

Tell me when will I learn

Won't You show me where I need to go.

Let me follow Your lead

I know that it's the only way that I

Can get back home.

Times of refreshing

Today was one of those days that come just in the nick of time. What I mean is it's been one of those days that make you stop and realize that, in the midst of stress and frustration, it really ain't all that bad.

I talked last night about my over-extended schedule and I mentioned that if it got any busier, I would croak. Well, it got busier but no croaking here.

Tonight was supposed to be my down time. I had an early-evening dinner to go to for my brother-in-law's birthday, then a haircut, then nothing. Me time. Couch time. Nappy time.

"The best laid plans..."

I was informed of a meeting tonight regarding the Technology Committee stuff. Then my hair appointment that was supposed to be in lovely (and nearby) South Knoxville was moved to the distant and uncharted land of Farragut. At 7:45 PM. I had to go to the meeting late (8:30), and I just got home from there (10:45).

No me time. No couch time. No nappy time.

This was my mood.

Then I had a conversation with a dear friend that was not much more than catching up, but it slowed me down long enough to make me remember how amazingly wonderful my life is; how blessed I am to have the absolute best people in the world to love; how remarkably blessed I am that when I have a conversation with a loved one, it always results in talking about God; most importantly, how blessed I am to have a circle of friends that are not only fellow Christians, but sincere, devoted Christians to walk along beside me.

Then my hair appointment turned into a long, meaningful discussion about, you guessed it, Jesus. I got to listen to someone share some really tough things that were on their heart and I was blessed to be able to share words of encouragement and affirmation with them. That's always a good day, I don't care who you are.

Then, at the meeting, the frustrating and potentially divisive situation that I had been worried about worked out; more specifically, God worked it out. Feelings have been spared and humility, kindness, and godly wisdom have won out.

See? I told you people to not get all torqued out. :)

Now my mood is this.

"that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..." --Acts 3:20

I really, really want to post something tonight

Unfortunately for me, and fortunately for you, I am in the midst of week two of my own personal apocalypse. I'm not sure if I can get any busier right now but if I do, just say some nice, meaningful things over my exploded torso.

I really am unbelievably busy. I don't know exactly what happened to make things this way but once I discover the source, I'm going to be watching for it next time.

But I'm not whining, really. I love this. I remember all too well times when I sat around with nothing to do, not even able to imagine something to do. The best thing is that everything that fills my time right now involves church.

If anyone complains about nothing going on at SCBC, please send them my way.

Our new Sunday school class went well, I think. It was the first day so there's a guaranteed break-in period. But I'm looking forward to loosening up and really getting serious about discipleship and putting our walks with God first and foremost. Our current study is addressing the battles that we face each and every moment and being prepared to stand. This week is about being blind-sided by temptation because of our spiritual arrogance and finding ourselves numbed to God and slipping away from our relationship with Him. Well, actually the lesson is about how to keep that from happening or at least recognizing when it does and returning. Anyway, I'm really thankful to God for making this happen and I hope it bears much fruit.

I was blessed with the opportunity to help out in Can-Do Club on Sunday morning as well. It was a whole bunch of fun. I think I like this radio show thing because I'm invisible, so to speak. No one can see me. For me it's like playing a role in my own head, only out loud (umm...yeah, whatever). Anyway, it is fun. I've done two or three of them now and I must give credit to Jeff and/or the other writers for developing something for kids that still has Scriptural relevance for old folks, too.

The Technology Committee (I'm one/fourth) is presenting a proposal for media monitors in the sanctuary. This is looooong overdue. I really like the solution we have decided on and hope it passes. Of course, there is resistance but I don't know of another church our size that didn't do this years ago. I bet 200 years ago there were alot of folks who thought it was stupid to spend money on a bunch of books with nothing but songs in them. Hmmm....

Well, that's all I have. My noggin is fried. But I hope everyone has a great day. And since I've been studying about falling into deceptions and being led astray, I'll mention how easy it has been in the past for me to do that very thing. I never saw it coming, and usually I followed something that I attributed to the "hand of God at work in my life." Man, we'll believe anything, won't we? Point is, it's not an "out there" kinda thing. Those things are real and if not for the grace of God, we would all become deceived many times a day. Be aware that temptation is a very dangerous thing. Remember what the Bible says that, "even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."

Eyes on Christ, people.

Let's talk.

This coming Sunday will be my first as a Sunday School teacher/leader guy in about six years. I'm looking forward to it, sort of.

The class is for young adults, of which I am one, mainly between the post-college age and the "at-the-little-league-ball-field-every-night" station of life. Mostly it's to fill a gap, not age specific but lifestyle specific. Understand?

This is how the class came to be. Back about April, the College and Career class was going through some changes. I felt very burdened about separating the career types from the college students because of the obvious differences in their everyday lives. Graduating college and exploding into the work scene is potentially difficult, but it is most definitely spiritually challenging no matter how strong a person's relationship with God may be. It really is comparable to moving to the front lines of a battle. No amount of training and equipping the soldier can fully prepare someone for what is to come.

This is where I was when I fell. I was what I thought to be strong in my beliefs and convictions but it didn't take long for me to become enraptured with what we call "worldly things" and fall into the deceptions that are out there. I had heard all the typical sermons and lessons all my life but I never knew how sneaky and subtle those deceptions could be. So for a period of about eight years I lived a life typical of those I hung out with. No regard for God, reasoning out ways to justify my lifestyle and choices, and faking it pretty well when the situation called for it.

So I talked to Benji many times about my way of thinking and he was very supportive and agreeable. We talked about it for several months, actually, because, even though I felt burdened for this particular group of people, I had, exsqueeze me, have certain fears, concerns, and apprehensions. Not about the teaching part, that's what I love. Talking, discussing, challenging, communicating, or basically conversing about God in any way is awesome for me.

Anyway, I dodged surrendering to God about this for a while. He didn't let it go the way I had hoped (funny how He never does). So finally, the burden outweighed the fears, and, voila. New class.

The goals for this class are simple, I think.

1) Discipleship, but on a very real level. Focusing on and diligently pursuing and applying God's standards for our lives is the key to discerning and avoiding the traps and tricks of the world.

2) Accountability. As we are faced with new and unexpected choices to make in our everyday walks, we need like-minded loved ones to lean on and trust, and we need to be willing to be leaned on and trusted. There is no substitute for having those we walk with and worship with and pray with come along side of us in times of confusion and need.

3) and probably most importantly, to develop and cultivate a deep, passionate love for God and an understanding of why He desires for us to live according to His Word. There's nothing wrong with a sense of duty or obligation, but we need to serve and obey Him based on a very real and active love if we want to live a life that pleases Him.

On the less churchy-answer side, this will be a whole bunch of fun, too. My social function planning skills aren't too sharp but I'm sure they'll develop as needed.

So I ask that you all pray for this class, those who attend it, and especially right now for moi. I am totally inadequate for the job and I'm relying completely on God's grace to make it happen and to relieve my anxieties about it.

See ya Sunday. We'll be meeting in Room 206, with all the teddy bears and Cubbies paraphernalia. It's only temporary, I assure you.

Frankly, scarlet.

I have been reading Charles Spurgeon again (Hey! Don't roll your eyes at me!). This book is titled Sermons on Women of the Bible. Self-explanatory.

The one I read today is about Rahab. As I read it I noticed many great points that Spurgeon made and thought I would simply share some of those. There is no marvelous, enlightening conclusion here, just some things that I felt like throwing your way. If it bores you, and it shouldn't 'cause it's about Jesus, just do like me and trust that it will meet someone at their need.

The sermon is titled, "Rahab: The Scarlet Line in the Window." Enjoy.

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She was told to tie the scarlet thread in the window, and she did it; there was exact obedience. It was not merely a thread, a line, but the scarlet line. She did not substitute a blue or a green or a white line. The order was this scarlet line, not another, and she took that particular one. Obedience to God will be very much seen is small matters. Love always delights to attend to the little things, and thereby makes the little things great. I have heard of a Puritan who was charged with being too precise, but his answer was excellent, "I serve a precise God."

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I am not sure that the spies meant by it that the scarlet thread should be the same to Rahab as the blood on the lintel and on the two side posts had been to Israel in Egypt, but it does strike me as being very probable. Those two men were so acquainted with the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, and the consequent preservation of all in this house, that it was very natural that they should give Rahab a sign akin to the token which God had ordained for His people Israel when His angel passed them by in the day of doom. Therefore, trifling as the color of the cord might seem, it had a deep significance; and even so, commands of God, which are little in themselves, are great in symbolic teaching. Great errors have come into the Christian church by the alteration of simple points in God's commands; and, therefore, since a little thing in the sign may involve a great thing in the substance, it becomes us to cultivate exact obedience.

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I believe that, when the house and the church pull together, things are right; but when religion is made to be a thing of the church, and not of the house, when the priests are looked to instead of the father, when men cease to be priests in their own houses, then the very sinews of vital godliness have been cut. If I had to give up all weekday services, and shut up every place of worship in Christendom from Sunday to Sunday, I would prefer to do that rather than lose the morning and evening gatherings of devout households worshiping God.

I wonder how many houses represented by you come up to Matthew Henry's third standard. He says, "Those who pray, do well. Those that read the Scriptures and pray, do better. Those that read the Scriptures and pray and sing, do best of all."

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I notice that there are other things besides family prayer which should be like the scarlet line in the house. For instance, there should be, in every Christian house, a scarlet line put up in the selecting of the company that is kept. The Christian should carefully select his friends and associates. He should say, "He that tells lies shall not tarry in my sight." As for the drunkard and the swearer and those who use unchaste language, let them be what they may, they shall not visit within our doors, we will not tolerate them. If we are masters of our household, we try to find our children friends whom we should like to be their companions in eternity. Some parents introduce their children to young men and women who happen to be "very respectable," as they say, but who are worldly and ungodly, and thus they do much to ruin them. It should not be so. Hang the scarlet line over the door, and if they do not love that scarlet line, religious conversation will before long make the place too hot for them.

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One thing I would like to observe is that from the time of Rahab, around 1400 B.C. (give or take), the color of scarlet has been associated with prostitution, sexual immorality, adultery, etc.; things like The Scarlet Letter, "Red Light" district and so on. But I like what Spurgeon wrote about its relation to the Passover. We think of scarlet as symbolic of sin, when maybe we should think of it as symbolic of salvation.

In His Steps

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. --1 Peter 2:21

"What I am going to propose now is something which ought not to appear unusual or at all impossible of execution. Yet I am aware that it will be so regarded by a large number, perhaps, of the members of this church. But in order that we may have a thorough understanding of what we are considering, I will put my proposition very plainly, perhaps bluntly. I want volunteers from the First Church who will pledge themselves, earnestly and honestly for an entire year, not to do anything without first asking the question, 'What would Jesus do?' And after asking that question, each one will follow Jesus as exactly as he knows how, no matter what the result may be."

"Our motto will be, 'What would Jesus do?' Our aim will be to act just as He would if He was in our places, regardless of immediate results. In other words, we propose to follow Jesus' steps as closely and as literally as we believe He taught His disciples to do."

Rev. Henry Maxwell, from Charles M. Sheldon's In His Steps, 1896.

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In preparing for tonight's lesson about passionate humility, I thought alot about what Christ-like humility would look like if we really got it right in our lives. I remembered reading this book several years ago and almost laughing aloud when I learned that the "WWJD" phenomenon was recycled from over 100 years ago. So much for turning up our noses at the "old ways."

I think we over-complicate things. It isn't so much about wondering,"What would Jesus do?" I think it's more like, "What Jesus did do." I don't think there is any great mystery in determining how to best handle a situation the way Jesus wants us to handle it. The Bible and the Holy Spirit plainly communicate to us how we should behave (oh, behave!) as His children. The complicated part comes when we put ourselves in the way and try to make the situation work out the way we believe it should. That's where humility comes in handy.

Humility is such a visible attribute. You can literally see it on someone. And those are usually the people that are the most pleasant to be around. You can feel God's Spirit when you are in their presence, and you know that their words are backed up by the way the live. I think that's where we go wrong so often. We talk a good game of Christian living and we wear the masks well, but it stops there. Our real lives portray worldly desires and actions, filthy language and selfish motives, and hateful, prideful attitudes. As the old saying goes, "Actions speak louder." I doubt anyone will be introduced to Christ through a false witness. They have to see us living out our faith.

Jesus' examples of love and humility are the only things that will show the world that we are truly set apart, that we are different. I challenged the high school kids tonight with the same challenge that was set before me this past week during my lesson preparation. That is to put away the motives and self-seeking attitudes that our culture teaches and focus on Christ's way of doing things, allow God's brokenness to transform our hearts into something usable, and show Him to the world.

Have a great Monday.

Something quick...

This ain't much but it's how my night went, therefore it's meaningful to me.

First, these lyrics were sung tonight by Andy Ford and, even though I've heard them countless times, they really hit home tonight. So I'm praising God for His faithfulness.

And I will fear no evil,

For my God is with me.

And if my God is with me,

Whom then shall I fear?

Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, you never let go

Through the calm and through the storm.

Oh no, you never let go

In every high and every low.

Oh no, you never let go,

Lord, you never let go of me.

Second, more lyrics. I rejoined the choir tonight and we practiced this song. I told Brannan that it must have been my reward for coming back because I can hardly ever make it through this song without losing it.

Holy, holy, holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

Who was and is and is to come.

With all creation I sing

Praise to the King of Kings.

You are my Everything,

And I will adore You.

For years I understood the book of the Revelation to be only doomsday prophecies and "Woe unto them" kind of stuff. But when you really start to see the praise and worship going on in heaven, it makes you long to be there. I know we shouldn't wish our lives away, but some days I find myself thinking that it would be nice if we were all there already, giving praise to Him forever.

Have a wonderful day.

Last one. I promise.

I finished Robinson Crusoe. Finally. I can't remember when it has taken me so long to complete such a short book. But that doesn't mean it hasn't been rewarding.

I've previously posted about the deeply spiritual themes in this book and how young Robinson rejected the godly advice of his father and others and set out on his own course with no regard for God. I've talked about how he experienced "near repentance" several times when his ships fell into danger but quickly turned back to his ungodly direction once the fear had passed. And I've written about how he came to understand that, first, there is a God who is sovereign over all, and second, his own miserable situation was a result of his choices and joy and peace can be found even in the worst of circumstances. To put it simply, Crusoe had to be lost to find God. Such is the case still today, nearly 300 years later.

If this story were to be first published today, it would fill the shelves at Lifeway. It is considered to be one of the first English novels, and it would certainly be the first Christian fiction novel. Few books that I have read recently that fall into that category have the God-centered views of Robinson Crusoe. At its most basic points, it is about a man who is stranded for twenty-eight years, isolated from civilization, and who's greatest concern becomes not about his deliverance from the island, but his place in God's master plan.

So I'll summarize my three week long book report with one final observation. And it's a doozy.

After years of isolation, he finally rescues a "savage" from the hands of cannibals and names him Friday, after the day of the week on which he met him (genius). His first order of business is to teach Friday some rudimentary English. But right after that, and I mean immediately after that, he proceeds to teach him about Jesus Christ. After many long and difficult conversations, some of which Robinson finds himself learning more about God, Friday becomes a Christian. At this point, Robinson enlightens us on the true simplicity of God's Word.

Another thing I cannot refrain from observing here also, from experience in this retired part of my life, how infinite and inexpressible a blessing it is that the knowledge of God, and of the doctrine of salvation by Christ Jesus, is so plainly laid down in the Word of God, so easy to be received and understood, that, as the bare reading the Scripture made me capable of understanding enough of my duty to carry me directly on to the great work of sincere repentance for my sins, and of laying hold of a Saviour for life and salvation, to a stated reformation in practice, and obedience to all God's commands, and this without any teacher or instructor, I mean human; so the same plain instruction sufficiently served to the enlightening of this savage creature, and bringing him to be such a Christian as I have known few equals to him in my life.

In case all that escaped you, he's saying that without any human being to guide them through the plan of salvation, or to tell them what the Bible meant, he and his new friend were both led to the truth of Jesus Christ simply through dutifully reading the Word and following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Wow! And all they had was the King James Version. 1611, of course.

No Sunday School, no worship music, no Chris Tomlin or Dave Crowder, no bulletins or hymnals or praise lyrics, no seven-point sermon outline to follow, no "Purpose-Driven Shipwreck/Castaway" to read, and no F.A.I.T.H., or outreach team rowing up to the shore with a welcome basket and a visitor's card.

All of these things are valid tools, don't get me wrong. We are blessed to have many things at our disposal with which to evangelize the lost. But we shouldn't forget that salvation lies with none of them.

"To try to win a soul to Christ by keeping that soul in ignorance of any truth, is contrary to the mind of the Spirit; and to endeavor to save men by mere claptrap, or excitement, or oratorical display, is as foolish as to hope to hold an angel with bird-line, or to lure a star with music. The best attraction is the gospel in its purity. The weapon with which the Lord conquers men is the truth as it is in Jesus. The gospel will be found equal to every emergency; an arrow which can pierce the hardest heart, a balm which will heal the deadliest wound. Preach it, and preach nothing else. Rely implicitly upon the old, old gospel. You need no other nets when you fish for men; those your Master has given you are strong enough for the great fishes, and have meshes fine enough to hold the little ones. Spread those nets and no others, and you will need not fear the fulfillment of His Word, 'I will make you fishers of men.'" --Charles Spurgeon

Such is the suffiency of the Word of God.

My final thought from Robinson Crusoe is this, and I will allow you to draw your own conclusions about the relevance of it for the church of today, specifically our church:

As to the disputes, wrangling, strife, and contention which have happened in the world about religion, whether niceties in doctrines or schemes of church government, they were all perfectly useless to us, and, for aught I can yet see, they have been to the rest of the world. We had the sure guide to heaven, the Word of God; and had, blessed be God, comfortable views of the Spirit of God teaching and instructing us by his word, leading us into all truth, and making us both willing and obedient to the instruction of His Word. And I cannot see the least use that the greatest knowledge of the disputed points of religion, which have made such confusions in the world, would have been to us, if we could have obtained it.

Hope e'erybody's having a great week.

Ain't nothin' wrong with lovin' chunky

Madagascar 2 has been showing on television all week and I cannot get this song out of my head. Is that a bad thing? It's actually kinda catchy, don't you think? But when I walk around singing it all day at work, the guys kind of keep their distance. However, I have told some people that I think I'll try Moto Moto's pick-up line: "Girl, you HUGE!"

Guaranteed to fulfill Sarah's prophecy.

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Poor, poor Vanessa. I have no words of comfort or counsel, except that if you play tennis with Tonya Harding, you're kind of asking for it.

Ya know I almost, I mean for one split second, nay, nano-second, felt bad about making fun of you on here for all the world to see. But then I remembered how you harrass me about color-blindness and tobacco. The guilt passed rather quickly. :)

Are you sure it was really a tennis match? You didn't accidentally sneak some of your skybox party favors, did you?

Hope you feel better soon.

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So, on Saturday I will be voluntarily immersing myself in that most dreaded and foulest of all earthly stenches. Dolly-water.

Yes, dear readers, there is nothing in this sinful and fallen world that can compare to the nose-burning, stomach-churning smell of the putrid liquid that courses through the canals and misting machines at Dollywood. It starts early each summer morning splashing up on unsuspecting tourists, saturating the dirty socks and gym shorts of those poor, helpless Ohioans who sojourn each year to this fair land of ours simply for the pure elation of hearing "Life is Like a Butterfly" flow on waves of Bose-like sound from hidden flowerpots and restroom signs.

It is the baptism of the simple folk, symbolically washing away the evil nature of the cities from whence they come, and joining in true fellowship with, and becoming one with the mountains.

What would a trip to lovely, serene Pigeon Forge be without suffusing one's self with this holy nectar, allowing it to permeate each and every fiber of polyester adornment, and then...

shuckin' 'em off in the truck 'cause the smell is unbearable.

Can I get a amen?

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Okay, enough of that. One more quote from Robinson Crusoe (deal with it). I think this story is very valid for pondering on Spiritual things, that's why I share it with you. Here, as always, Crusoe is contemplating his situation, now twenty-four years on the island, and thanking God for unseen deliverance from the "savages" who frequent the shores.

This renewed a contemplation which often had come into my thoughts in former times, when first I began to see the merciful dispositions of Heaven in the dangers we run through in this life; how wonderfully we are delivered when we know nothing of it; how, when we are in a quandry, a doubt or hesitation whether to go this way or that way, a secret hint shall direct us this way when we intended to go that way; nay, when sense, our own inclination, and perhaps business, has called us to go the other way, yet a strange impression upon the mind, from we know not what springs, and by we know not what power, shall overrule us to go this way; and it shall afterwards appear that had we gone that way which we should have gone, and even to our imagination ought to have gone, we should have been ruined and lost.

But it is never too late to be wise; and I cannot but advise all considering men, whose lives are attended with such extraordinary incidents as mine, or even, though not so extraordinary, not to slight such secret intimations of Providence, let them come from what invisible intelligence the will.

Wow! Now that is acknowledging the Holy Spirit's gentle nudgings as eloquently as I can imagine. Personally, I am grateful, these days more than ever, for those "secret intimations of Providence" that have kept me from following the wrong path.

Love some chunky this weekend.

Ladies and Gentlemen...

This is how you rock it out! I love this kid, even though every week he tells me which karate belt he has recently achieved and then proceeds to show me on my shins and kneecaps. Caleb has no reservations about letting it all go in worship, though his particular brand of expression strongly resembles a Kid Rock concert.



And this is how I spent my Wednesday night. Left to right are Jake, Boone, and Tyler. My nerves may never recover. But it was a blast and I'm sure the kids all had a great time, except maybe the little girls. Poor little Josie seemed to shy away in terror but, heck, can you blame her? Props to the college students who orchestrated the melee/fracas/hullabaloo. I hope we do it again soon.

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And I have a story that came to mind when I read Prof. Cross's post about the Biblical kings. I have laughed about this all day and I'm actually sorry I didn't share it with you all sooner.

Several months ago, I went through a little study about the kings with my Sunday night high school and middle school boys group. It wasn't anything terribly deep but we just touched on each king that the Bible mentions and talked about their reigns and what they accomplished or didn't. We discussed the blessings of obedience and the judgments and disciplines of "doing evil in the eyes of the Lord." Then, we would move on down the line, or up the line. Whatever.

One Sunday I was carrying on and the guys were kind of drifting in and out (normal behavior). So I cut it a little short and finished up with reading the rest of the Scripture passage for the night: 2 Kings 24:6, which says, "So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers..."

Landon Raby (no further explanation needed), who had been yawning and rubbing his eyes, perks up real quick and says, "He did WHUT?!?!?"

I'm so proud.

Have a great day, y'all.

Can I claim two college students as dependents on my W-2?

Tonight I grilled three roasts. Seriously, these were three of the biggest steaks you've ever seen. But that's not what this post is about (although, Sarah scarfed hers down in record time).

For the past two nights, I've watched Sarah and Spenser prepare their genograms. Apparently, my dining room table makes a wonderful craft area. As I watched them research their families and write (or fabricate) positive and non-dysfunctional things to say about their relatives, I couldn't help but wonder what a genogram of our church family would look like. If we were given the task of describing our spiritual relatives, those in our close circles at church, could we honestly describe them in uplifting and positive terms? Or would the diagram overflow with flaws and deep, personal issues?

What I noticed the most is that the people on their family trees that had the most positive words describing them were the ones they knew the best. But the people who were distant or they just didn't know very well had all these generic and sometimes bluntly truthful descriptions.

Maybe if we took the time to get to know our church family a little better we would find it easier to describe them using words that portrayed them in a positive light, instead of tearing them down all the time.

I was worried that this would bore you, but...

it's my blog. One man's trash is another man's treasure. So, no more censoring myself.

As I had posted before, I am reading Robinson Crusoe. It's taking longer than usual because of the general busyness of life. However, in a way I am glad that I am forced to take my time with it. It is chock full of wonderful insights, especially into the mind of a seventeenth century Christian. If you have never read it, I highly recommend it, if for nothing but the simple view of faith that is portrayed.

As the story goes, Crusoe is stranded on an island, at this point in the story for somewhere around his sixth year. He has gone from a faithless wanderer with no regard for God and bent on his own desires to a devout believer and daily disciple of Bible reading and prayer. His newfound faith has caused him to be content in his present condition and even praise God continually for the wisdom and Spiritual growth brought on by what he repeatedly refers to as, "the hand of Providence."

Now, he desires to sail around his little island kingdom in a canoe fashioned from a tree but soon falls into dangerous seas that threaten his life. His mood instantly deteriorates. And he soon realizes how fickle the faith of man can be.

And now I saw how easy it is for the providence of God to make the most miserable condition that mankind could be in, worse. Now I looked back upon my desolate, solitary island as the most pleasant place in the world, and all the happiness my heart could wish for was to be there again. I stretched out my hands to it, with eager wishes. "O happy desert!" said I, "I shall never see thee more. O miserable creature! Whither am I going?" Then I reproached myself with my unthankful temper, and how I repined at my solitary condition; and now what would I give to be on shore there again! Thus we never see the true state of our condition till it is illustrated to us by its contraries, nor know how to value what we enjoy but by the want of it.

"Don't know whatcha got 'til it's gaw-awn." (Anybody remember the rock band Cinderella? From the '80's?) Joking aside, the point is, how often do we dive head-first into the "greener grass" on the other side, only to look behind us and know at once we have made the wrong decision? And then, having found out the truth of our present state, let our prideful, selfish hearts keep us from rising up from the hog-pit and returning home?

Well, Crusoe makes it back to land safely. Thank goodness, otherwise the story would end abruptly. His first act is to drop to his knees and thank God for deliverance. Soon after, while walking along the beach, he sees a man's footprint that isn't his and convinces himself that it must have been made by the Devil himself, there to lead him away to his death. Just previously he had longed for human companionship. Crusoe says, "Thus my fear banished all my religious hope; all that former confidence in God, which was founded upon such wonderful experience as I had had of His goodness, now vanished."

Like I said, fickle.

But again, in another moment of self-awareness, he enlightens us, and himself, on the unfaithfulness of the human heart.

How strange a checkerwork of Providence is the life of man! And by what secret differing springs are the affections hurried about, as differing circumstances present! Today we love what tomorrow we hate; today we seek what tomorrow we shun; today we desire what tomorrow we fear, nay, even tremble at the apprehensions of. This was exemplified in me at this time in the most lively manner imaginable.

I will let you draw your own conclusions about how this applies to your own life. But doesn't it reflect the self-righteous attitude that plagues our prayer lives? There's that big-ticket item, that one thing that we just know without a doubt will make everything okay, solve all our problems, if God will just grant it to us. Because we know, we have all the answers. We have determined what is good and right and satisfying, based on our idea of what God should be for us.

The question is, what happens when we get it and it was nothing more than a distraction to entrap us?

What then?

Are we afraid of love?

This can be found at Francis Chan's blog. If you aren't familiar with him, I can tell you that he is definitely an outside-of-the-box kind of preacher. The current popular trend seems to be to teach that God exists for us, to supply our wants and bless us with a comfortable life and fulfill our desires. It's really sad to hear all of the Scriptural spin going on these days. Francis Chan's teaching embraces the truth that, "the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts—it's falling in love with God."

His book, Crazy Love, is a must read.

The quick, little message above actually addresses something that has been a concern of mine lately. We are on the verge of some really great things. People are starting to get motivated and develop passion for the cause. We have drawn nearer and nearer to this for some time now, but we too easily get sidelined. I believe that one thing that we have talked about doing but have failed to do is hold each other accountable for our way of living, specifically our way of Christian living. In our pursuit of holiness, we must have the support and love of those in our close family to keep us in check.

Benji has been hitting on this on Wednesday nights. Psalm 141:5 says, "Let a righteous man strike me, it is a kindness; let him rebuke me, it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it."

I think it's time we realize that letting those who love us hold us accountable is a great act of love. I can honestly say that there have been times when I have rejected accountability, and times when I have longed for it. I need it now more than ever. There are some that I love dearly who need to be held accountable for actions and attitudes, not out of spite or self-righteousness, but out of a deep desire to see them living and walking as close to God as He desires. As Chan has said, it won't be popular, but it is Christ-like.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I feel as if now is the time for all of us to really fall in love with God. I think we all agree that it isn't about following a list of rules for the sake of following, but because He loves us enough to give us a Book full of things that He knows will keep us safe and close to Him. He fell in love with us first.

Pray about this, please.

Have a great Monday.

Here's a great tip: After the video above finishes, you'll see other vid-caps along the bottom. Scroll across and watch some of those sermons. You won't be sorry.