Chilling in NYC
Rhonda and I are in New York with Heather and Matt. I don’t think I’ll blog a lot this week. We are going to relax and enjoy some time chilling.
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Lori’s Got BIG News
Rhonda and I just learned that Lori, our 2nd child, is engaged!
Here’s the short story: After a romantic dinner last night, Lori and Randy went for a walk on the beach. He got on a knee, presented the ring, and asked the question. That’s pretty cool. He had the ring made from his grandmother’s ring. That’s cool.
Rhonda and I met Randy for the first time a couple of weeks ago. He is a gentleman. Rhonda and I both believe they really love each other. Since I had never met him or had a chance to talk with him, I did have the “dad” talk with him before they left. Of the many things we talked about, I wanted to know where he was spiritually. Basically, I wanted to know if he was a Christ follower and, if so, whatever his future intentions, would he respect Lori and build their relationship with Jesus at the center.
Okay, I don’t want to get “preachy,” but that’s important to both Rhonda and me. We are happy for them (and sad too). She will probably live in central Flordia for the rest of her life. But Randy, remember, we have some really big deer up here and tons of turkey!!!! The wedding will be sometime next year … maybe in the spring. Stay posted.
Public Etiquette Rules … I need to vent
This morning Rhonda and I went Andy’s graduation ceremony (he was getting his Master of Arts in Education). We found Kim and sat down next to her and her parents. The folks sitting next to me (no relation to Andy or Kim) were texting or chatting on their phones. They did stand up to let us through, but continued to play on their phones.
The program started, and the woman sitting next to me was still on her phone taking up more than her fair share of real estate. We were asked to stand for the presentation of the colors, and she stayed on her royal typing away. She stayed in her seat throughout the entire presentation of the colors. I came real close to saying something.
I love my country. I respect the sacrifices of those who fought to give us the freedom we enjoy. As far as I’m concerned, if you’re asked to stand for a few minutes when our flag is presented the least you can do is put your phone down, stand up, and show a little appreciation for the freedom you enjoy as an American.
After sitting down I decided to claim the real estate that was rightfully mine. No more “Mr. Nice Guy.” I’m sure my attitude (and maybe my actions) were less than Christian. I crossed my leg, sat with my back squarely on the back of my chair, and moved my right arm to the back of my chair. Oh yes, I was tough! I think my arm made it a little difficult for her to keep typing on her phone. She chatting, or whatever she was doing, throughout the entire program (except for a brief moment when she shouted for the person she came to see get her diploma).
Okay, here’s the thing … if you are attending a public event (like a graduation ceremony or church) turn your phone off and put it in your pocket! If you can’t live without emailing, chatting, facebooking, or texting for an hour or so, stay home. Perhaps you need to see a doctor for disruptive behavior disorder. And when the American flag is presented, stand up! Also, don’t take up more real estate than your own. Consider those sitting next to you.
Death Is No Stranger
Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Ed McMahon passed away this week. Death is no stranger to the rich and famous. As I watched the news reports, I wondered if any of them are spending eternity in heaven.
Ed McMahon was a Roman Catholic, but I didn’t find out much about his spiritual life after a brief online search. Farrah Fawcett was a Roman Catholic. Despite a faith background she told Ryan O’Neal that she “was not going to make it.” For many years Michael Jackson was a Jehovah’s Witness. After a brief internet search, I learned that his faith was a mystery (he may have converted to Islam, become a nihilist, practiced Kabbalah, or just explored a number of world religions).
There are a lot of religions out there today. I am a Christian. But I’d rather say that I’m a follower of Jesus Christ. I think the term “Christian” has lost its meaning because so many people use the term without understanding what it means. The word was first used in the 1st century and referred to people who were imitating the lifestyle, values, and morals of Jesus.
I’m not sure if Ed, Farrah, and Michael are in heaven right now. I did not know them. Nor is it my job to judge them. All I know is this … Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The only way to heaven is through a relationship with Jesus Christ. While other religions may have great ideas and moral values, they will not get you into heaven.
Jesus is the only way. It does not matter who you are, how much money you have, how popular you are, or how good you were. Death comes to us all. The real question is this, “Am I ready?” Unless you have confessed your sins and trusted Christ for salvation, you are not ready. River Ridge exists so people will be ready when death comes. I want us to help people find real life … in this life and the one that follows!
What do I really want?
What do I really want? This question has been on my mind lately. While in Orlando I wanted to be a part of a HUGE movement of God. I wanted to see hundreds of people who were not pursuing a relationship with Christ start pursuing a relationship with Christ. I wanted it to happen fast. I did not want to waste a lot of time. I wanted River Ridge to be “different.” I wanted this new church to rock the world around us and be a really cool place to worship at. I looked at the success of other church planters and wanted what they had …
Well, it’s been three years since Rhonda and I left Orlando. River Ridge is almost two years old. I still want to see HUGE numbers of people pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ. I still want to see hundreds of people finding real life at River Ridge. I still want it to happen fast. I still want River Ridge to be a safe place for people to explore real faith. But, I am not so sure that I want River Ridge to be a “cool cutting edge place.” I am not against that; I want us to be cutting edge; I want us to be different. I want us to be more than a cool place; I want people to say “God is in this place.”
It’s not that God has not been here … I am longing for God to show up in a way that we have never experienced before. I want people to be drawn to our worship experiences, not because our music rocked, the videos are cool, or the sermon was great. I want people to say, “I don’t know what makes this place different from other churches. It just seems like God speaks to me here. I feel something different than I’ve ever felt at any other church. I can’t wait until next Sunday. I’m going to bring someone with me next week.”
That’s what I really want! How about you?
Busy day, not much time to write
Rhonda and I are getting ready for RRC’s Backyard Bible Club. It starts tonight. It’s going to be great. Hope to see you here. If not, say a prayer for the kids and parents to find real life in Christ this week.
Been a great father’s day
Had a great worship service … talked with my dad and kids … enjoyed a relaxing day … a simple meal … watching some TV … just chilling … and enjoyed a laugh (oh the memories; click the link below to watch a video Heather & Katie created)
Lessons from the Ladder
I fell off the ladder about 4 weeks ago. The elbow and foot are not completely healed, but they are getting better. I did not fall far, but the pain and consequences are still real. Here a few things we could learn from my fall …
- When I set-up the ladder, I put it on uneven ground, so it was wobbly … Without the firm foundation of a close walk with Jesus Christ, your life will be wobbly. A little faith, a little prayer, a little worship, or a little bit of Bible reading is better than nothing, but it is like putting your life on uneven ground. Deepen your walk with Jesus to remove some “wobbles.”
- I knew the ladder was not as stable as it could have been, but I climbed it anyway … God has a way of letting us know when we should step away from a situation (that little small quiet voice in our head screams, “Don’t do it!”). When the warning bells go off and the alarm sounds that something is not right, listen! In those cases, don’t take the risk.
- With each step up the wobbly ladder, my confidence grew, so I climbed higher … Sin has a way of luring us into a false sense of security. You know you should not look at something, long for something, or lust after something. But as you walk down “temptation alley” your confidence and desire grows because their does not appear to be any real consequence with each step. You are blinded by your desire and fail to see the potential pain that lies ahead.
- When I reached the top of the ladder, I ignored the danger and focused on my goal … We can get so focused on the desires of our heart that we fail to see or hear the warning bells go off. Pride is sneaky; it ignores the real wisdom that only comes from God. If you are determined to do something on your own, regardless of the cost to you and others, watch out. Pride comes before the fall!
I’m sure there are many other lessons from my fall that we could learn … so, share yours with the world as well! Just log in (create a username if you don’t have one) and share your thoughts.
Fireproof Challenge #31: Love and marriage
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24, NIV).
Is there a “leaving” issue you haven’t been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to your spouse today, and resolve to make it right. The oneness of your marriage is depenent on it. Follow this with a commitment to your spouse and to God to make your marriage the top priority over ever other human relationship.