I read Yahoo news pretty much every day (often several times a day). Well, today I read something that hit me wrong - I'm guessing it will you to.
Exxon-Mobil just posted their year end profits for 2008. Well there's good news and bad news. The bad news is that their 4th quarter profits were down 33% from the 4th quarter in 2007 (Not to worry - it wasn't a loss - just not as much profit). Now the "good news" - their annual profit was a record breaking 45.2 Billion. Poor souls broke their own record of 40.6 Billion in 2007!
It's just nice to know that while we are facing enormous lay offs, foreclosures, bankruptcies, and various other economy woes we call all pitch in and help out a "brother".
So every time you fill up and wonder why the price at the pump is going up while the price of sweet crude is going down just smile and feel good. You and I are doing our part to help Exxon Mobil maintain the standard of living they so deserve.
OK - I've vented - now I have to go fill up my truck and PUKE!
OK - I've been remiss. I have not posted for a couple of days and I really don't have much right now to blog about. I'm sure something will pop up later and I'll blog about it.
So for now - I'm still alive and well and as you can see by the numbers I have picked up a couple more ounces - uggghhh. Still not working on the treadmill - and it shows!
245.7 / + .7 / 19.3 - Not bad for a weekend in Pigeon Forge!
OK - I wanted to write about our weekend - I planned and executed a romantic weekend for my wife - and boy did she need it. Lot's going on in our world right now. So I'll just list some high points - OK - Not all the High Points - ;)
1 - The destination was a surprise (Pigeon Forge) - she knew we were going, just not where.
2 - The drive down was amazing - just spending a few un-interrupted hours with her was awesome!
3 - Shopping with her. When we got there I gave her a couple hundred bucks with clear instructions - she could not buy anything for anyone but her! And I was willing to go anywhere she wanted and and look at anything she wanted to see - THIS WAS HER WEEKEND and all I wanted was to share it with her. So that meant we went to a number of Christmas stores, a couple of pottery type places and we went shopping for a purse - she wound up getting two! And yes men I stayed with her all the way. Although she did wander off a couple of times - but I found her!
4 - We stayed at a Quality Inn with both a jacuzzi and fire place - can I get an ooo-la-la? It was awesome. We even took a break Saturday afternoon just long enough to see the 2nd half of the UK - Ala game - GO CATS!
5 - We ate at the Applewood Family Restaurant (light #0 in Pigeon Forge or is it Sevierville?) Whatever - that's where I gained the .7 pounds - could have been 7 pounds! It was phenomenal!
6 - Sunday afternoon we visited a number of shops and galleries in the Arts and Crafts community in Gatlinburg - Wow! About 2/3 of the places we went past were closed - not sure if it was because it was Sunday or winter hours or the economy. But we still had a blast!
7 - And one of the coolest things was we got to use our AARP card! Yep - Melody has been dodging getting hers for over a year but I insisted. Well they came in this past week and we got 10% at the hotel. SWEET! That's why I married an older woman! Some of you may not know this - but I'm not old enough to get the AARP card yet (at least not till April). But I'm all about getting that Sr discount wherever I can!
So guys - get off your butt and do something romantic for your wife - and ladies - feel free to share this blog with your man!
And baby - thanks for a great weekend and I love you most - "I'm just sayin'".
OK - not much to say - I'm getting ready to head out of town for the weekend with my wonderful wife! I can't wait. We're going to an undisclosed place (it's a surprise for her). We will be back Sunday afternoon - SO DON'T CALL!
OK - I'm mad - I mean really mad! I've had two conversations in less than an hour with guys who's marriages are in various stages of divorce. God says, "he hates divorce" and I know why. It just sucks big time!
Folks pray! Pray for you own families. Pray for your neighbors families. Pray for your co-workers families. Pray for my family. Pray for the staff's family. Just pray for every family you can think of. The Devil is alive and well and he's kicking butt and taking names!
Man, I'm telling you - I'm sitting here with tears rolling down my face after hearing the pain these guys are going through - and I'm sure their wives are too.
Please keep us in prayer as we prepare for our next series at church - it's about relationships (and that includes marriage)... and boy do we need it... But more than that we need to heed it!
OK - I've got some really bad words going through my head - so I better stop.
First, let me say how proud I am to be an American today. Seeing the first African-American become president brought tears to my eyes. And while I don't share all his political views (even disagreeing strongly with some) - I do celebrate the American system of democracy. I thought his speech was spectacular and I thought Rick Warren rocked! As to the other guy who prayed - not so much.... ???
But I do have a question - Why is Barack Obama referred to as an African-American? He is 1/2 black and 1/2 white? Why not a Caucasian-American? Or better yet - why not just an American? Why are some people labeled Asian-American, or Mexican-American? Now to be sure African-American is much better than some labels that have been used in the past - but it's still a label.
And what about our Christian labels? What benefit is there in being labeled a Baptist, Lutheran or Methodist? Don't these labels only show our differences instead of celebrating our common faith? Even in the Christian church where many pride themselves on "the name". Some say, "we don't claim to be the only Christians - just Christians only". And yet the differences quickly find a way to surface often overshadowing the commonality.
And what about us at HCC? Our uniqueness as individuals if unchecked has a way of helping pride to get in the way of true unity. Some might feel that their particular part of the ministry is better than someone elses? Folks that's a big pile of crap! God gave everyone one of us different gifts - but only one purpose. But when the tail (the gifts) wag the dog (the purpose)... we have a mighty wierd looking dog!
Consider this - Jesus' last prayer with his disciples was a prayer for unity. What a mess we have made of that one!
Now before you are tempted to throw something my way. I did not say, nor will I say, as some propose that we toss out doctrine for the cause of unity - but we would certainly do well to make clear distinctions between essential doctrine and preference.
I'm Dean Scott - I'm not a Baptist-Christian, not a Methodist-Christian, and I'm not even a Christian Church-Christian. I'm just a Christ follower (Christian) and that's more than enough to keep me quite busy.
OK - I'm really letting you in on who I am and who I can be.
Preface - Nothing bad is happening, I'm not leaving HCC, and I don't have cancer. But for a about a week I've felt like the Devil had my number. Something was discussed with me last week and it was done in love and in the right tone - I really mean that. But it hit me wrong for some reason. In the discussion I mentioned concerns and thought that was that. But a couple of days later I hadn't let it go. As a matter of fact I was starting to be consumed by it.
So much so that I decided to fast concerning the issue. So for the last four days I have been fasting. I didn't tell anyone - not even Melody. Now I'm not writing about this to promote me in any way - I know what a "meathead" I can be. But I think I've learned some things.
I thought the discussion was the big issue. I think now the big issue was me. I don't see myself as a prideful person - but then who would - right? But as I was praying and seeking God and trying to fight off the "crap" going through my head it dawned on me. Is this a legitimate concern? I concluded that it was - but my emotional reaction was ridiculous and Satan was using it big time. I'm still not sure it was pride or ego or what - but I know full well it wasn't something from God.
I was reminded yet again of the truth of Ephesians 6:12-13 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
I am surrounded by people right now that are facing similar struggles, several on our staff are feeling the attacks daily. And to them and anyone reading this... don't forget - we need to put on the full armor - not just bits and pieces of it.
The Bible tells us some things will not be resolved without prayer and fasting - I highly recommend that we all take that advice.
Life Without Limbs organization is an organization founded in 2005 by Nick Vujicic. This man was born without arms or legs. He faced unbelievable struggles yet found grace in God and a call to turn his human limitations over to the power of our God who knows no limits. He speaks all around the world about faith and the impact that faith in God can have on the world.
Don't feel sorry for this guy - He gets it! So the next time you are tempted to give excuses why you can't do something God is leading you to do - maybe dig this out and watch it again. And then get off your butt and do it!
249 / 1.6 / 16 - So far so good - thanks for your prayers and encouragement!
What a game! Last night I watched the Cats play the Vols. Or should I say I watched Jodi Meeks play the Vols. The dude was unconscious! The kid is phenomenal and even has his own web site! (But then who doesn't right?)
Anyway - last night the Cats beat the Vols 90-72 IN KNOXVILLE!!! You gotta love that. I even got to watch the game with Rodney Quinton (Pez) - He's a huge UT fan and for the first time in a long time he was speechless, probably because he didn't want to cuss in front of the preacher.
But the real show was Meeks. He hit 10 threes (setting a new team record) and ultimately scored 54 point breaking Dan Issel's mark of 53 set back in 1970. A record many thought might never be broken.
During the game Pez mentioned someone's shared opinion that UK only had 2 division 1 players (he credited Andrew Gill with this remark - I didn't check that out - but I'm sure if it's not the case he'll respond - LOL) Anyway at the end of the day UK beat the Vols with only one division 1 player. I guess that's all you need to win in Rocky Top. Nobody likes overkill right?
OK - enough gloating - what I think may be lost in this incredible feat is that Meeks hit every one of his 14 free throws. And in the game of life (including the spiritual life) you'll have days when you have a chance to hit the long range bombs and when you do it's awesome. But day to day, week after week, month after month - it's not the 3-point shots that make you a winner - it's hitting the free throws.
Here are some free throws we need to hit consistently. Time with God every day in prayer and the word. Acts of love and kindness to friends and starngers alike. Daily taking inventory of the junk in our lives that we need to deal with. Being faithful in the little things not just looking to make the miracle shots.
What an amazing weekend! PTL! WOW! AWESOME! AMAZING! etc, etc, etc......
Have I mentioned lately how much I love Harmony! It's no secret that I love my job - I really do... but sometimes it's just over the top! This weekend was like that.
First, we blew the doors off Saturday night with 319 in attendance! And I did something I've never done before - I did the Texas Two Step - ON STAGE - with someone who was not my wife! You'll just have to watch the video to see it and know why.
Sunday was even better - I danced with a man! Again, you'll just have to watch the video. But thanks Joey Jones for showing me how to do the two-step at the 9:00 service. And a big thanks to Susan Dummer for helping me out at 10:45 - she danced the two-step like only a Texan can do it.... and for her benefit - "Go Aggies" and thanks for Billy G!
Our overall attendance was 1268 and we had one transfer and after church we had a baptism! I love doing that! Then the greatest blessing of all. After church a friend of mine named Pat came up and said he wanted to get baptized too and wondered if I could find the time? Well DUH - Of course I could! So at 3:00 in the afternoon I met him and his son and two other friends and we got 'R done!
Now here's the best part - I have been working with Pat for a couple of years and he's been a joy to watch in the journey. He had tons of questions and was really honest about his doubts - but God is not afraid of our questions and our doubts don't bother Him either as long as we're serious about wanting to know. Pat was and now he's made the step. I was blessed to see it!
The Cafe continues to be a "hot spot"... Folks are coming earlier to hang out and don't know how to leave once church is over. Man, I love that! Saturday night I even told some how to turn out the lights when they leave. It's like every service is a family reunion and I really think that's what God had in mind when he started this whole thing we call the church. Maybe that's why it's so often called in the Bible a family.
OK - the good, the bad and the ugly. The good - I've been sticking to the diet, the bad I have not been hitting the treadmill, the ugly - well here it is... 254.8 / +1.1 / 10.2 (today's weight / loss since last post / total loss).
Now for the sermonette (sorry Jon) - so what's the deal?
I not only did not lose any weight in the last couple of days - I actually gained a pound. Well there are some obvious and maybe not so obvious reasons. The obvious - I have not been exercising and I have been eating a little too late in the evening - even though I'm eating within Adkins parameters.
The not so obvious - There are likely some uncounted carbs slipping in somewhere, simple body chemistry and metabolism can be a factor - I may wake up tomorrow having dropped 2-3 pounds. I also know that the first week on a low-carb diet gives you the greatest short term results - but they are slower after that.
So what are the spiritual applications here? Well the obvious - if you don't exercise spiritually (living you life under the direction of the Spirit) you will not be progressing in your walk with Christ (no matter how much you may be learning). If you are putting junk into your life - you will see junk coming out of it too.
The not so obvious - spiritual growth is not always visible (at least not day to day). While growth can and should be ongoing there are times when it really looks like you are making progress and other times when it seems you are not. But if you stay the course seeking God and His will every day there will be an overall growth.
So I'm encouraged - I know what I'm doing, and I know what I need to do... I also know that as irritated as I was to post these numbers today - I'm glad for the encouragement and accountability this gives me.
So thanks for the continued support.
Monday, January 5, 2009
253.7 / 3.9 / 11.3 (weight today / loss since last post / total loss)
I read a number of blogs (not too many). One that I read pretty religiously is Perry Noble's. In this post from the weekend he made an interesting statement. He wrote, "If a churches goal is to keep the Christian happy ... then God probably isn't happy!" What a line!
I got to thinking - what does a church do to make Christians happy that may not be in line with God's plan?
They focus on a style that appeals to the "churched" not the lost, or even one that honors God. (This might be music, preaching, building use, staff selection, etc.)
They have an inward look instead of an outward viewpoint. They may not say it but - but they are driven by what "we need", not by what it takes to reach the lost, and be the hands and feet of Jesus to a suffering community and world.
They avoid the real tough "life issues" in preaching and teaching, so they can focus on theology (not that solid theology is not important). The result is overstuffed, inactive, Biblically literate spiritual couch potatoes.
They spend a lot of time and energy trying to make unhappy sheep comfortable. Their leaders and pastors must spend tons of time "putting out fires" and pampering members. Someone is going to have to explain to me someday why we need to invite people to their own church!
Churches that are trying to make Christians happy are driven by popular opinion so there is no need to rely on the Spirit. But Churches trying to please God are constantly praying and seeking God's direction because they know that "their ways are not God's ways" automatically.
OK - this is not an exhaustive list - but it's a start...
Oh, and one other thing - I AM SO GLAD TO BE A PART OF A CHURCH THAT IS NOT LIKE THIS! May the Lord keep us focusing on Him and not US!
OK - I'm putting it out there! I need to do something about my weight! I just jumped on the scale and tipped it at 265! Yes, you can officially call me "fat boy", "tubby", or "the great one". Now to be fair I did pig out A LOT over the last few days with Christmas and New Years festivities so the it might be more like 260 (that's so much better isn't it?)
I even went onto one of those sites that calculates your ideal body weight. When I put in the numbers the computer crashed! Just kidding - but here is what it told me - Ideal weight range 170-187 lbs (77.3-85 kg.). It even did the math for me telling me I was overweight by 73 lbs (33 kg.) And then it even suggested that I may wish to consult with my physician for medical help!
Add to this that recently my Doctor put me on some cholesterol meds and seemed concerned about my "sugar" levels - he was not amused when I just informed him that I'm a sweet kind of guy.
So here's the plan - I get on and stay on a low carb regimen. This will help lose the weight and have the added benefit of being in line with a diabetic diet. (I don't have diabetes yet - but am heading there fast). Should help lower the cholesterol too. It has in the past.
And I need accountability. That's where the blog comes in. I am going to post the numbers every time I post a blog. They will be in this format: weight / total loss / loss or gain since last post. It will look like this (265 / 0 / 0). If I had lost 2 pounds since the last post it would look like this (263 / 2 / 2).
I may even post some other related things - like how long I hit the treadmill, etc.
You don't need to reply to any of this, but you are welcome to. I just need to know there are folks out there I'm "reporting too".
You can pray with me about this too.
This is not just a health issue - it is also an issue of honoring God. I have clearly not been doing this when it comes to my own body.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Cor 6:19-20 NIV)
245 / 1.2 / 20 - Much Better!
