Kung Fu Fighting

Last night I got the chance to bear my most cherished title - husband and father. We enjoyed our first family night at the movies as we took Aunika to go and see Kung Fu Panda. Her jaw pretty much hit the floor as she saw the size of the screen and also realized how big the animations were. We thought that we would make it through 10-15 minutes and then she'd get fussy or whinny and want to walk around. That's why going to the cheap theater made a lot of sense. We made the entire movie....all 91 minutes of it! With about 20 minutes to go however we did resort to snacks such as raisins, m&m's, and a little bit of sierra mist.

Church Membership IV: Children Loving The Church

One of the main things I've noticed with having a 19-month old daughter is that she is starting to recognize Metropolitan Baptist Church where I am a Pastor. She has started to enter the church and head directly to where the balls are in the gym, proceed to the nursery to check on her babies, and then head to my office to strum my guitar and listen to music on the headphones. My daughter loves the church based on what she gets to do there - what activities she can have fun doing. Sadly, some never move beyond this reality and will continue to love the church based on what the church can do for them. I pray for this to change as my daughter will someday love the church because she loves Jesus and she wants to serve Jesus' church because Jesus has done so much for her. I see it that is my responsibility as a father to instill in my children a life that loves the local church. This needs to be a passion and priority in my life to show my kids how to 'love' the church. As C.J. Mahaney has said, "Our family will not endure - but this family (the church) will endure" I encourage you to listen to C.J. and his wife Carolyn talking about teaching their children to love the church.

Hymn Of The Week: Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

Words were written by Louisa M.R. Stead in 1882 after watching and witnessing her husband drown. For a kickin' southern version check out this version

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

Refrain
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

Refrain

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Refrain

Who is the Knitter? You don't mess with Him!

Check out this video of John Piper talking about the issue of abortion.

Team USA Basketball: Redemption???

As I layed down in my bed at 11:30 pm last night I tuned into my hosptial TV in my room to watch Sportscenter. What I discovered was Stuart Scott (creator of phrases such as "boo-yah" and "as cool as the other side of the pillow") talking about redemption? Stu actually defined the word and told of it's origin. He proceeded to say that redemption was "the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil" (the exact web definition). Stu then transitioned into talking about USA basketball and how redemption had come. How there once was a Dream Team, but it had been replaced by the Redeem Team. He spoke of how Kobe, Lebron, and DWade would not be denied the chance to provide deliverance from another international basketball disaster for the USA. It was at this point that I almost threw up. In the context that Stu created he had placed the potential loss in a Gold medal basketball game (Redemption not occuring) in the same category as not being saved from sin (Redemption not occuring - in a sense Jesus not going to the cross). The fact of the matter is - some people see the temporary disaster of losing baskeball games - on the same level as the eternal disaster created if you don't know Jesus. Jeremy Schapp also reported and started his report with, "Clearly - in Beijing there was redemption! - the US hasn't won a global tournament in 8 years......Dwayne Wade @ one point saved team USA."

I love sports and following sports - I've portioned a significant amount of my life to them, but at times they sicken me as reporters try to be effective communications gurus. Plenty other metaphors and analogies can be made that put these sports in their proper temporary gain perspective. I guess this shouldn't surprise me as other terms I've heard lately are "Two out hits - get you to heaven" and referencing Adrain Peterson a popular blogger said "Oh you mean Purple Jesus!" My response to this is prayer. Pray for these columinsts, bloggers, and sports achors - that they would see Jesus as Savior and the ultimate one that rescues and redeems as David Crowder has said "Redemption has come down - liberating man"

Presidential Forum @ Saddleback Church

Rick Warren is an influential leader amongst Evangelicals in this country. No matter what you think of Warren's theology or the mega-church that he pastors - the fact is that he handled himself very well while conducting a Presidential Forum on Saturday night. Warren asked questions ranging from leadership issues (that included personal issues for both candidates), faith issues, domestic and foreign policy, and also the hot button issues: When does a human life have rights? and Define Marriage? I highly encourage you to watch here as both candidates were asked the same set of questions.
McCain was his typical storytelling self as he told stories about Vietnam. I thought his answers were forceful, straight to the point, boring to listen to, and filled with a tone of patriotism. Obama on the other hand seemed to talk like that relative you have that if you call them on the phone you better block out an hour of time. Obama seemed to have highly insightful answers that were longer, not straight and to the point, but were very tolerant and respectful of others who disagreed with him.
The most interesting parts of the conversations for me were hearing both candidates addressing Warren's question on their greatest moral failures.

• Obama - traced his moral failures of experimenting with drugs and alcohol to selfishness and a lack of concern for anyone else.
  
• McCain - talked of and took responsibility for his first marriage - which failed.

This was something that normally does not happen when two candidates get together - to talk about their weaknesses - when usually their strengths are focused on.

Both men confessed to being redeemed and forgiven by Jesus Christ and professed to being born again believers in Jesus Christ. Obama even quoted a portion of Micah 6:8 during one of his questions not related to faith as well as quoting a verse in Matthew.

There will be plenty of debates to come, but it was nice to watch a forum that didn't have all the interruptions and scabeling that Americans have come to expect around this time of an election year.

Education: May it not be divisive!

Growing up the son of two educators (Mom - high school English Dad- high school History/Government) I was in school for a large chunk of my day. Until I was the age of sixteen I rode everyday with my parents to/from school. This means that you arrive early and leave later than other students. I feel like growing up I experienced all three educational camps at once: Public, Private/Christian, and Home School. I went to Leeds High School (Public), was taught my classes by followers of Jesus (Mom and Dad = Christians), and when we got home an environment for teaching was always there as my parents specifically knew what my assignments were and how I was doing (for the record: no cheating ever happened). Many times at home my parents counseled and aided my brothers and I on other subjects as well. This was a unique experience for me. However, I wasn't fully aware of the dissension that this issue may have in the local church. Some have made this a right and wrong issue thus hindering relationships and making this issue into something that potential can become very divisive. Parents are led to parent and make decisions based on what is best for their children. Many factors play a part in the decision that many parents make. It saddens me that at times opinions, snide remarks, and judgmental attitudes accompany how we think others should parent. Check out this video from Josh Harris. He points out a very important point that this isn't an educational issue, but a Gospel issue.