A Well Penn’d Video

Got this video from @carldempsey and had to find on youtube to post here:

I believe he may one day change his stance all because good, well meaning, “sane,” Christian people share their faith out of a genuine concern for those in need of a Savior. This is why it pays to be bold. Sure he didn’t change…but that guy made a HUGE impact on the life of an atheist that may one day lead to a change! Maybe not…but either way that Christian lived a crazy, bold, and amazing witness. What will you do with the time you have?

Baptism Update

Reaching Out?

Have You Played This Game?

The video speaks for itself:

Highly Creative

Brady is our highly creative 4 year old who enjoys early mornings. In fact, he enjoys morning way more than mom and dad do so there are times he will wake up sneak around and we never even know it. The other day I actually heard him and thought he was playing quietly in his room…this is what I woke up to:

As you can imagine we laughed. HARD. Then we did what every self respecting parent does next…get evidence for blackmail later on in life…we took pictures for your pleasure. the real joy came later when we needed to clean him off and discovered it was NOT a sharpie that made this beautiful addition to his face. *Shew* In fact, it was  only a crayola marker (water based) but did not make the job much easier. Happily he is marker free but I thought you would get a big kick out of this adventure!

Killing Cockroaches Review

This post has nothing to do with crushing insects, but it has everything to do with crushing status quo. As you read Tony Morgan’s latest book Killing Cockroaches, several things are bound to happen. First, you will laugh. Humor abounds in this book of great insight and authentic musings about strategic thinking in regards to leadership and intentionality. Second, you will cry. It was apparent, that as I read, Tony had been peeking in on some of my most fatal flaws and ripping away at any sense of security I “think” I have and challenged me to embrace thoughts like, “if we’re going to make our lives count, we’d better figure out how to begin today.” Third, if you are a leader you will know by what you do with the words you have read in this book. Wisdom is easy to find as you breeze by section after section of this masterfully designed book. When I finished I was buzzing with excitement about my leadership venue and the honor I have in leading people to the greatest truth ever in Jesus Christ. The rewards are eternal and Killing Cockroaches has dared me to lead the way I have to for maximum effectiveness. You have to get a copy, and lucky for you it is available now. Stop reading my review…seriously…CLICK HERE and buy this book.
Thanks Tony for the read and the preview.

Baptism and New Christians

The last few weeks have been so much fun as we have seen two people give their life to Christ. I love how this happens when you least expect it. It is an honor to watch this happen in our church, but it begs the question: what is next? Well, our reaction is important. Do we celebrate this great miracle? I think we will. How do you think we should do this…I am hoping it is party oriented. Give me your thoughts.
Also, the reaction of new Christians to their new found life is important. The Bible would certainly direct a new follower to LEARN about Christ since He is the perfect example for how we are to live. The best way to do that is STUDY. Open the Bible (maybe to John) and start digging in. Read it again and again till things begin to make sense. Ask questions and get ready for the by product of seeking truth…wisdom. Your eyes will be opened to anew way of doing life, a life that is full…dangerous…thrilling…counter culture. Make sure everyone knows that this is your choice…help them see what is happening and be very public about it! The world around you needs you to be bold with this new found faith and oone of the best ways to do that is…
Baptism. In a river. In a pool. In a bath tub. In a hot tub. It doesn’t matter where you do it, just do it and invite everyone you know to be a part of it. Your faith is an example…an example of Christ. Christ is the hope for the world…so let your light shine before all your friends and family and invite people to experience the truth that has changed your life FOREVER.
We will be having baptisms soon. Do you need to be baptized?

Friends Back Home

My friends hosted an 80′s night theme party last night and this was all I got out of it, but since they shared you get something too!

Digi Led Bible Study?

Don’t forget to comment so I will know what direction to take? Thanks.

Please Get Help

After reading Rhett Smith’s blog this morning I have something I need to say. If you are a leader (christian or not) I want to implore you to get help with any addictions you might have. So many leaders are kept from their fullest potential because they do not deal with their addictions. The caveat to this is that leaders usually hide their addictions out of shame, fear of job loss, and personal embarrassment (and more). I agree that many of these are grounded in reality but the flip side of secret addictions is that you will NEVER achieve your fullest in life until you get help. Your marriage, your job, friendships, finances, dreams, all of life will suffer. Also, the notion that your addiction will remain a secret forever is juvenile at best. Addictions do not remains stagnant…they don’t plateau. The very nature of an addiction is to consume. Eventually the thing that you love in secret will be made known. Your drive to satisfy its lure will lead you into dangerous behavior and actions. DON’T let this happen. It may start innocently enough, but beware. Some things that probably need to be done if you are reading this and think you might need help with an addiction:

1. Stop feeding your addiction right now.
2. See a qualified counselor, therapist, or pastor.
   1. no matter what this step costs or how it inconveniences you do this one today.
3. Follow the advice they give you and never look back.
4. Find trusted people in your life and confess.
   1. invite others to help hold you accountable to walking a new way of life. Give someone else permission to speak candidly with you. Give someone else access to your secrets so you are living life in the open and not in secret any longer.
5. Know that the road ahead is hard.
   1. the other side of this point is that it only starts getting better from this point forward.
6. As a pastor you have to know that I believe the only way to truly win the battle with addiction is through a relationship with God. Admit to God that you are broken, you have sin in your life, and that you need help. Then accept that help by reading the Bible and living out the words on those pages.

I want to thank Rhett and others like him who are willing to lay it on the line. His post is insightful and timely. I know that I will use those words to gauge my own need for affirmation and how I feed my technological addictions. My hope is that you will grow from this post and that it will help you if you are indeed feeling trapped under the weight of an addiction.

QUESTION: Do you have anyone in your life that you allow to know everything about you? Do you meet with them regularly? have you met with them recently?

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