I love sports. I love watching sports. I love Sportscenter. All that said, sports announcers are killing me with exaggeration! Every game can't be "one of the greatest ever played" in the history of mankind, and there can't be an "unbelievable" play every game. If it happens every game then it will eventually become believable right?
Watch this video of a sweet dunk from last night's Cavs vs. Celtics game. Be amazed at Lebron James, but be even more amazed at the over exaggeration of the announcer. No regard for human life?!? Does that mean he was trying to murder Kevin Garnett? I'm pretty sure that's illegal, even in Cleveland.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Monday morning quarterback
In yesterday's message about the power of influence I mentioned the Time magazine list of the 100 most influential people in the world. There's a guy on the list I had never heard of named Kaka. He is a Brazilian soccer player, and I joked yesterday that I never made a decision this past year and wondered, "What would Kaka do if he were me?"
I just received an e-mail from Mike Breece with the picture you see attached. It turns out Kaka is a follower of Christ, and every time he scores a goal he removes his jersey to reveal a shirt that reads "I belong to Jesus". Evidently Kaka is doing exactly what I talked about yesterday. He is being a light for Jesus in the arena God has placed him in. That's pretty cool.
Here are a few other things on my mind:
- "No One Like You" is my new favorite song our band does. I knew when I got to hear them practice yesterday morning that song would be awesome and it was! I gave Richie (our drummer) a hug after the service, and his shirt was soaked. Playing that song twice was a real workout for him. The best part about our band is, week after week they lead without attitude or ego. It shows when they are up front, and it is very evident when they are practicing and dealing with each other before everything gets started.
- We ate subs at home for lunch yesterday. Maybe that doesn't seem fancy enough for Mother's day, but after talking with several people who waited forever to be seated at various restaurants around town yesterday I think we made a good choice. Everybody goes out to eat on Mother's Day, so we thought it would be a good idea to grab some Firehouse Subs and relax. That was Sherry's idea. She's really smart.
- Good stuff is happening in Life Groups. Every week I hear more stories about relationships being built, people reading the Bible for the first time in years, and people's needs being met by the member's of their group. This fall we will begin lots of new groups. You can be apart either by leading one, hosting one in your home, or by simply participating. If you know you would like to host or lead send Donny an e-mail at: donny@freedomfellowshipsc.com
Remember today that you are salt and light. Intentionally be an influence for Jesus where you go today!
Friday, May 9, 2008
The opposite of me
I have been reading through 1 Corinthians this week, and I read the famous love chapter this morning. I don't know how many times I have read the words from 1 Cor.13, but I know it's so many times that it's tempting to just skim over them because of their familiarity. That's kind of what I was doing when I got to the part where Paul describes love: patient, kind,
not self-seeking etc. That's when it hit me. Love is the opposite of me. Really I guess I should say love is the opposite of us. If we are honest, we'll admit that we don't naturally live by the code of love. Sacrifice and giving up our rights for the good of others aren't natural. Responding with kindness and not being easily angered isn't easy when we've been offended. My natural tendency is to take care of me and mine. Love's natural tendency is to put other's first. That's why allowing Jesus to transform me is so important. I can't love on my own. I can't sacrifice if it's up to me. I need to be changed by Him.
Here's some random thoughts for the weekend:
- I am looking forward to a great Mother's Day Sunday this weekend. If you like to read ahead, be sure and check out Matthew 5:13-16 before Sunday. Also, Lindsay Long (used to be Holliday) will be singing with the band on Sunday. Justin and Lindsay were a huge part of Freedom's worship team in the early days. They now live near Anderson, and it will be great to see Lindsay again this weekend. Unfortunately, Justin can't play the drums Sunday because he's on a special assignment with the USAF for a few weeks.
- Greer Family Fest is Friday and Saturday. Every year on Mother's Day weekend we love to hang out in downtown Greer and eat, ride, talk, paint, and do all the other fun stuff available. Come check it out. It's a great place to connect with our community.
- Keep praying for our Future Development team as they look for opportunities involving land and buildings. Things have changed somewhat over the last week. I will be giving a full update about it around the beginning of June.
- This week's message is one of the more encouraging ones I have worked on in awhile. I think you will walk out this week empowered to make a difference in our community. See you Sunday!
not self-seeking etc. That's when it hit me. Love is the opposite of me. Really I guess I should say love is the opposite of us. If we are honest, we'll admit that we don't naturally live by the code of love. Sacrifice and giving up our rights for the good of others aren't natural. Responding with kindness and not being easily angered isn't easy when we've been offended. My natural tendency is to take care of me and mine. Love's natural tendency is to put other's first. That's why allowing Jesus to transform me is so important. I can't love on my own. I can't sacrifice if it's up to me. I need to be changed by Him.
Here's some random thoughts for the weekend:
- I am looking forward to a great Mother's Day Sunday this weekend. If you like to read ahead, be sure and check out Matthew 5:13-16 before Sunday. Also, Lindsay Long (used to be Holliday) will be singing with the band on Sunday. Justin and Lindsay were a huge part of Freedom's worship team in the early days. They now live near Anderson, and it will be great to see Lindsay again this weekend. Unfortunately, Justin can't play the drums Sunday because he's on a special assignment with the USAF for a few weeks.
- Greer Family Fest is Friday and Saturday. Every year on Mother's Day weekend we love to hang out in downtown Greer and eat, ride, talk, paint, and do all the other fun stuff available. Come check it out. It's a great place to connect with our community.
- Keep praying for our Future Development team as they look for opportunities involving land and buildings. Things have changed somewhat over the last week. I will be giving a full update about it around the beginning of June.
- This week's message is one of the more encouraging ones I have worked on in awhile. I think you will walk out this week empowered to make a difference in our community. See you Sunday!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Random Wednesday
Every week at staff meeting we rotate the responsibility for someone to share with the group something God is teaching them through books, on-line messages, etc. Blake was up this past week. Here are two great quotes from a message by Matt Chandler that Blake shared with us:
"Arrogance and the gospel can never hold hands."
"When I was at my worst, Christ said, 'I love you'."
My buddy Dino wrote some good stuff about times getting tough. You can read it here.
Lots of meetings on tap for today and tomorrow. That just means there's lots of stuff going on. I'm glad I get to be a part of it!
"Arrogance and the gospel can never hold hands."
"When I was at my worst, Christ said, 'I love you'."
My buddy Dino wrote some good stuff about times getting tough. You can read it here.
Lots of meetings on tap for today and tomorrow. That just means there's lots of stuff going on. I'm glad I get to be a part of it!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Vision has it's side effects
In case you missed it, this past week we talked about God's vision for Freedom Fellowship. The vision hasn't changed, it's the same as it was when we got started a little over three years ago. In short, God's vision for Freedom (and all churches) begins and ends with lost people. People who do not have a relationship with Jesus are where God's heart is. I prepped something for use in the message that I ended up leaving out for time's sake, but I thought I would share it here. It involves the side effects of God's vision.
If you watch any tv at all you have seen numerous ads for different types of prescription drugs. I have some opinions about our society being over-medicated that I won't get into right now, but the thing about the ads that makes me laugh is the list of side effects. In some of the commercials more time is spent listing the potential side effects than explaining the benefits of the medication. There is a anti-depression medicine that the list of side effects includes: headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and insomnia. If you weren't depressed before taking this drug the side effects will guarantee you'll be depressed once you start. I also heard a sleeping pill ad that said a side effect was drowsiness. Really? Drowsiness? Who would ever think a sleep aid would have that side effect?
If we truly embrace God's vision for His church we may experience the following side effects:
- loss of comfort due to sacrifices made to reach the lost
- loss of income due to practicing the teachings of Jesus in your business
- increased sensitivity to the pain of others
- strange desire to leave home in order to help ease the suffering of strangers
- unexplained joy despite circumstances
- an inability to tolerate selfishness and pretense in other followers of Jesus
- loss of a comfortable church that always does things the same way
- discovery of the true purpose you were created for
Beware! You may experience some or all of these side effects as you pursue the vision God has for you and His church.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Busy Monday
Well this week has started off in a hurry. Every now and then it seems like lots of issues that have been simmering under the surface all bubble at one time. Today is one of those days where that has happened. Nothing too major, just the normal things you deal with when people are involved. None of us are perfect, least of all me.
As a result the trip to see the Drive play this Wednesday is off. At least for me it is. There will still be a game (the Drive's scheduled is not affected by my schedule), and if you were planning on going don't let my absence stop you. I just won't be able to make it due to some meetings that need to take place this week. Oh well, it's a long season, I'm sure we'll make it work another day.
Hopefully, I'll have more time for an update on the weekend tomorrow. Here's two quick things for you:
-Iron Man was really cool. Emily and I both loved it. Jake thinks it was the best of all the recent comic book movies. He should know, he's seen all the movies, and read all the comic books.
-This post from Tony Morgan's blog has piqued my interest. (Bet you didn't expect to read the word piqued today did you?) I know nothing about computers, but what he wrote seems like a good idea. Is there anyone else out there doing this? If so, should I try it?
As a result the trip to see the Drive play this Wednesday is off. At least for me it is. There will still be a game (the Drive's scheduled is not affected by my schedule), and if you were planning on going don't let my absence stop you. I just won't be able to make it due to some meetings that need to take place this week. Oh well, it's a long season, I'm sure we'll make it work another day.
Hopefully, I'll have more time for an update on the weekend tomorrow. Here's two quick things for you:
-Iron Man was really cool. Emily and I both loved it. Jake thinks it was the best of all the recent comic book movies. He should know, he's seen all the movies, and read all the comic books.
-This post from Tony Morgan's blog has piqued my interest. (Bet you didn't expect to read the word piqued today did you?) I know nothing about computers, but what he wrote seems like a good idea. Is there anyone else out there doing this? If so, should I try it?
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Sunday scripture, awesome stuff at Midtown
This past Sunday I had someone mention to me that I didn't put the scripture for last week's message on the blog. I was glad to know that at least one person is reading ahead. (thanks, Alan)
With that in mind, this week's message will be about the vision God has for our church. I know some of you might be thinking, "don't we talk about this all the time?" The answer is, yes. We talk about it a lot because I believe that vision is one of those things that the more we discuss it the more real it becomes to us. As we focus on God's vision for all His churches, we will read a great story found in Luke 15:11-31. As you read this story ask yourself this question, "Where is the heart of the Father?" Our heart as a church should be where the Father's heart is. If that is the case then following God's vision will be very natural.
In other news:
- Brooke went home from American Idol last night. She was one of my favorites, ever since Chikezie left, but I knew she had no shot of winning. She did start to get on my nerves a little with all the crying. Also, the new song Neil Diamond sang had lyrics that seemed to be talking about Jesus.
- Midtown Fellowship in Columbia had an amazing baptism service in a parking garage this past Sunday! Over 40 people publicly made their commitment to Jesus known by being baptized! Midtown is one of the new churches that we support financially every month. They are reaching students at USC like crazy. You can read about the baptism service on Dustin's blog.
With that in mind, this week's message will be about the vision God has for our church. I know some of you might be thinking, "don't we talk about this all the time?" The answer is, yes. We talk about it a lot because I believe that vision is one of those things that the more we discuss it the more real it becomes to us. As we focus on God's vision for all His churches, we will read a great story found in Luke 15:11-31. As you read this story ask yourself this question, "Where is the heart of the Father?" Our heart as a church should be where the Father's heart is. If that is the case then following God's vision will be very natural.
In other news:
- Brooke went home from American Idol last night. She was one of my favorites, ever since Chikezie left, but I knew she had no shot of winning. She did start to get on my nerves a little with all the crying. Also, the new song Neil Diamond sang had lyrics that seemed to be talking about Jesus.
- Midtown Fellowship in Columbia had an amazing baptism service in a parking garage this past Sunday! Over 40 people publicly made their commitment to Jesus known by being baptized! Midtown is one of the new churches that we support financially every month. They are reaching students at USC like crazy. You can read about the baptism service on Dustin's blog.
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