Don't Mess With Texas

Houston, we have a problem ...and his name is Paul. Yes, I'm off to a seminar in Houston this week and probably won't be blogging. Thanks for stopping by and please come around again soon. Have a great week!

Jennifer

We are world-famous for having the world's best secretary. We're thinking about getting a sign out front...The World's Best Secretary Works Here. Her name is Jennifer and she has worked especially hard this week to get everything ready for our School of Ministry -which starts tomorrow.

Also one of the major perks in having her here is that she's got an incredible voice. Sometimes I'll hear her singing ...but not nearly enough. I think that should be a bigger part of her job description. Not only is she a talented musician -but also a Youth Pastor. She also happens to be one of the coolest people on the planet. So if you call in, be extra nice to Jennifer.

Java Jive

I wanted to blog something but I'm afraid I had a bit too much coffee this afternoon. Sometimes if I've done that and haven't had much to eat, I start to get the jitters. It's too bad because I was going to write something incredibly profound, of course. But now my hands are starting to shake and lkdjfle kwlla;f;a kwwkejrfke ,...,83j4akkwla;a;!

Prayer

I've been reading Philip Yancey's new book "Prayer". In case you were wondering, it's all about prayer. I've been enjoying the read. He asks some tough questions. Some he leaves just kind of hanging in the air. Some he suggests possible answers. I appreciate his honesty.

This passage caught my attention:

"I see the Christian's life on this planet as a battle...We try to follow God on a place in active rebellion against him. I don't expect prayer to make that any easier, any less problem-filled. I do expect it to give me the inner strength to keep fighting. Persistence is my way of demonstrating faith."

Whether we get answers or not, prayer gives us the strength to keep fighting the good fight. May 1st will be the first of our Tuesday night Worship & Prayer Meetings. They'll be from 7PM to 8PM and this will be a permanent part of our weekly church schedule. I've been convicted to get something like this going for awhile now. You don't see many prayer meetings in churches anymore. Maybe it's time we get back to that.

Don Croswhite

This is an exciting and sad day for me. My great friend, Don Croswhite, has enlisted in the Army. He is leaving today for Fort Benning in Georgia. He is off to become an Airborne Ranger. He'll be in Georgia for awhile and then move to Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

I'm excited for him but, selfishly, I'm sad to see him go. I've practically watched him grow up over the past 17 years. He is incredibly talented. He designed the web-site at my former church and we had people joining the church just because of the site. He brought technical genius, acting talents, humor, and most of all...passion...to so many of the Musical Productions and Kid's Crusades that were produced at the church. He designed the artwork for the cover of our CD. He helped us write a play titled "Christmas: Unplugged". And he also just happens to be one of the funniest people on the planet. Don, I am so incredibly proud of you. Be careful out there. We'll keep you in our prayers.

Zion National Park

Just had to put this one on the blog. I made reference to it in my message last Sunday morning. It is the view you see from Angel's Landing in Zion National Park. I almost got to the top of this hike when a lady warned me that people fall off of it all the time. I told her I wanted to check it out. But then I got to a place where the rock got very slippery and steep...and then it started to rain. Rather than fall into the abyss, I turned back. This is one instance where pride could have literally sent me to my death. I killed pride instead.

This Weekend

I'm looking forward to our Pizza & Bunco Night tonight at the church. Sometimes people just need an excuse to get together and visit. If pizza and games are the requirement, I'll be willing to make that sacrifice. :)
This Sunday morning, April 15th, my message is titled "More Love, Less Taxes". No, I'm not running for office. Zack and Matt were two of the most detested men in town. While religious leaders wanted to keep their distance, Jesus approached them in a way that benefited everybody. Join us!