I needed to focus last week on preparations for this morning, and updating here got away from me over the past few days. Now I play catch up!
This morning at Grace I preached in the absence of Pastor Mike, who's on vacation. For those readers who aren't local or missed it, remember you can download here. We're in a series right now called Cinemology, basically about finding valuable lessons illustrated in the movies. It definitely was not a conventional sermon like the kind I was taught to preach in college/seminary. I think I managed to preach Scripture and use the movie to support my ideas, rather than exegeting the movie and throwing some Scriptures in there to support it. I think God will use it, he definitely showed up this morning.
Had an interesting realization this morning. About a week and a half ago, Anne and I were at Magic Kingdom. We rode the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and found ourselves in the gift shop. As we walked out I saw a little person that looked very familiar. When we were out of earshot, I said, "Is that Willow?" I was refering to Warwick Davis, of the late 80's hit fantasy movie, Willow. Hmmm...didn't know it was directed by Ron Howard...
Anyway, I found out from a fellow Disney-goer that it had, in fact, been Warwick Davis whom I had walked within 3 feet of. I think that's the closest I've ever been to a celebrity. It was funny, because it led into this discussion with said fellow Disney-goer about the age, life, and career of Warwick Davis. You've GOT to scroll down and see all the stuff he's done. He was in the old BBC versions of the Chronicles of Narnia! I never did see any of the Leprechaun movies, but I think he does a great job as Professor Flitwick.
It turns out, said Disney-goer had also come within ten feet of him on the same day at the Star Wars ride at Hollywood (AKA MGM) Studios. And if said Disney-goer is reading, the movie I was trying to think of is one I actually haven't seen: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Moral of the story...? Keep your eyes open?
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
New Record
I could start backposting to boost my June post numbers, but instead I'll just let 12 be the new number to beat. Sorry to disappoint, but it will be a while before I get to my wife's status of posting every day, like many bloggers I know.
Saw a great line the other day: "Going to church won't make you any more a Christian than going to the Moose Lodge will make you a moose." When you make a commitment to Christ and his church, you go there. But just going to church without Jesus being the center of your life, the person you love the most and desire to obey, does not make you a Christian. The New Testament makes clear that faith without deeds is dead, and also says deeds alone are not enough. We need the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf to save us from the consequences of sin. Going to church because it's a good thing to do does not by osmosis make you right with the "man upstairs." You've got to recognize He's so much more than the "man upstairs," he's the Holy Lord, God Almighty, and he wants your love and your heart.
Saw a great line the other day: "Going to church won't make you any more a Christian than going to the Moose Lodge will make you a moose." When you make a commitment to Christ and his church, you go there. But just going to church without Jesus being the center of your life, the person you love the most and desire to obey, does not make you a Christian. The New Testament makes clear that faith without deeds is dead, and also says deeds alone are not enough. We need the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf to save us from the consequences of sin. Going to church because it's a good thing to do does not by osmosis make you right with the "man upstairs." You've got to recognize He's so much more than the "man upstairs," he's the Holy Lord, God Almighty, and he wants your love and your heart.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Great Day
1:30AM: Go to bed after an evening at Disney ending with TV until too late.
8:30AM: Up, email, etc.
10:00AM: Mow the lawn. The only thing "great" about this was that a wonderful friend gave us a mower a few weeks ago that works perfectly and totally gets the job done. And another "great" thing was further discovery of just how bad our crab grass is, and how overgrown the hedges and vines running through them are--why is this "great?" Because knowledge is power.
12:15 PM: Meet up with Kyle Gentry to hang for the afternoon.
12:30: Hot Dog Heaven for lunch. This has become a tradition for us nearly every Saturday, and today I got to take someone there for their first time. He's hooked! And, we met up with Chad and Brad by chance, and got to hear an adventurous story about Brad's take-off and landing misfortunes as he practiced flying this morning.
1:30: To the house to show Kyle the place, and receive further knowledge on how to combat the yard and lawn issues.
3:15: In a tiny theater at Regal for a viewing of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Great movie, lots of fun.
5:30: Home to wife and a living room full of awesome goodies from Anne's baby shower. We received so many good things...it's just awesome to feel so loved by other people, not just because of the getting stuff but because they love you. I am very happy for Anne that she had an incredible time at her one and only first baby shower. Major kudos to the several ladies who put it on.
8:30: Pop in "Hitch" to view in preparation for tomorrow's sermon. Fun movie.
9:20: Finish blogging while watching and getting excited for tomorrow AM.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Another Good Article
Once Again, WiikiHow comes through with some plain simple advice, this time on how couples should work through finances. This does article doesn't replace something like Crown or Good Sense, but it's a good start.
On to a completely different subject--Marriage. Some say there's only one person in the world that you can marry, while others hold there are many people that you could marry in the world. Having been married three years now, I think my beliefs on this have morphed a bit, but I know several people trying to choose their mate, trying to figure out whether to give the ring or whether they want the ring.
I think it's both: if God wants you married, he knows who your mate will be. I intentionally put it singularly. Until you say "I do," there are multiple people that you could marry in the world. I could have married several of the women that I had crushes on--I can't say dated because I never really dated until Anne. Out of those that I could have married, a marriage to some of them would have been difficult, while with others it may have been easier. But God had chosen Anne to be my wife, and in his plan it didn't work out until her. Once I said "I do" to her, a number of things changed, doors were closed, there are now no other options. From an emotional standpoint, she is my soulmate. But whether I thought she was my soulmate or not, once we were announced husband and wife, she became my soulmate.
A few of those who decide to get divorced give the reason that their current spouse isn't their soulmate, that they've found another who is and have decided to be with them. The Biblical principle is that two people become soulmates over the course of their marriage as they learn the intricacies of how to do life together. I have many friends and family who have been ravaged by divorce--as a friend of mine once said, "Curse the fall of man!" It is a result of the fall, a reversal of God's design for two to become one as instituted in Genesis 2. Divorce is very much forgivable by God, but it is always to be the last resort, even in the case of adultery it is an option but not a requirement.
I'd like to hear your thoughts. This post is not at all meant to condemn or judge anyone, just to express what I think is Biblical teaching. I have a heart for those still choosing their spouse, and want them to know that they are sure this is the person they will spend the rest of their life with. I am completely in love with my wife, Anne. Other than Jesus, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me. We have a great marriage, are totally in love, and I'm confident we will be married til death do us part.
On to a completely different subject--Marriage. Some say there's only one person in the world that you can marry, while others hold there are many people that you could marry in the world. Having been married three years now, I think my beliefs on this have morphed a bit, but I know several people trying to choose their mate, trying to figure out whether to give the ring or whether they want the ring.
I think it's both: if God wants you married, he knows who your mate will be. I intentionally put it singularly. Until you say "I do," there are multiple people that you could marry in the world. I could have married several of the women that I had crushes on--I can't say dated because I never really dated until Anne. Out of those that I could have married, a marriage to some of them would have been difficult, while with others it may have been easier. But God had chosen Anne to be my wife, and in his plan it didn't work out until her. Once I said "I do" to her, a number of things changed, doors were closed, there are now no other options. From an emotional standpoint, she is my soulmate. But whether I thought she was my soulmate or not, once we were announced husband and wife, she became my soulmate.
A few of those who decide to get divorced give the reason that their current spouse isn't their soulmate, that they've found another who is and have decided to be with them. The Biblical principle is that two people become soulmates over the course of their marriage as they learn the intricacies of how to do life together. I have many friends and family who have been ravaged by divorce--as a friend of mine once said, "Curse the fall of man!" It is a result of the fall, a reversal of God's design for two to become one as instituted in Genesis 2. Divorce is very much forgivable by God, but it is always to be the last resort, even in the case of adultery it is an option but not a requirement.
I'd like to hear your thoughts. This post is not at all meant to condemn or judge anyone, just to express what I think is Biblical teaching. I have a heart for those still choosing their spouse, and want them to know that they are sure this is the person they will spend the rest of their life with. I am completely in love with my wife, Anne. Other than Jesus, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me. We have a great marriage, are totally in love, and I'm confident we will be married til death do us part.
Friday, June 20, 2008
How to Be Bold
While I'm guessing many church staff personalized their google accounts months or years ago, I just did mine this week. So now when I click on google home page, it's a personalized page with a number of widgets, one of which is "how to..." It lists two how-to's at random from WikiHow. Today, one of them was "How to Be Bold." It's very worth the read.
I've never read any N.T. Wright stuff, another area in which I'm a bit behind currently church leader/theological trends. But I know he writes about the new heaven and new earth, AKA, the new Eden. I definitely want to read his latest book, Surprised by Hope. N.T. recently landed on the Colbert Report... very interesting! Scroll down, you'll see it.
I've never read any N.T. Wright stuff, another area in which I'm a bit behind currently church leader/theological trends. But I know he writes about the new heaven and new earth, AKA, the new Eden. I definitely want to read his latest book, Surprised by Hope. N.T. recently landed on the Colbert Report... very interesting! Scroll down, you'll see it.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Awesome Sermon Series Coming
The sermon series' we have picked for the summer are awesome: The Man Series, which we just wrapped up, was great; very effective, it really spoke to men and women. Now this Sunday we start Cinemology, a six week series on particular movies. It'll be interesting to see where we turn out with The Matrix this Sunday. I had also picked out a movie for my sermon on July 6, then I was going to renig it and choose a different one, but then I found out that things were already set in motion and I couldn't go back, so I'm going to be preaching on Spiderman 3.
I am excited about it, unfortunately, more than one person has told me spiderman 2 was the best movie of the trilogy, that they didn't like 3 as much. The more I think about it from a movie watching standpoint, I think they're right, but there is so much content in SP3! Lots of stuff about forgiveness and revenge. I was considering the Patriot, being July 4th weekend and all, but oh well. Spiderman 3 will be good. I watched it the other day and definitely enjoyed it.
I am excited about it, unfortunately, more than one person has told me spiderman 2 was the best movie of the trilogy, that they didn't like 3 as much. The more I think about it from a movie watching standpoint, I think they're right, but there is so much content in SP3! Lots of stuff about forgiveness and revenge. I was considering the Patriot, being July 4th weekend and all, but oh well. Spiderman 3 will be good. I watched it the other day and definitely enjoyed it.
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