A well deserved face plant!

OK -I'm not necessarily a Bears fan or a fan of Marion Barber - but this is just nuts. After a TD Barber attempts a grandstanding back flip and winds up doing a spectacular face plant! Maybe it's just me, but I'm not a fan of the showboating that goes on in sports. Whether it's the TD dances or the "in your face" antics when a QB is sacked. I say just make the play, get back to the huddle and do it again.

But then I wonder how much of this creeps into the church? I'm not thinking of anything particular at HCC, but how many times does God do something spectacular and we take the credit? I see people get mad because they were not applauded for serving - and have to wonder who are they really serving? As a church tries to follow God's clear vision and folks leave because they are not being "fed". Go to any large preacher function and you will see the "pecking order" established by how many come to the church or how big the buildings are. To me it seems like the post TD antics are not limited to the NFL.

Don't get me wrong - I think cow bells and air horns at a baptism are AWESOME!!! We need more cowbell! But when our calling and service becomes a reason for showmanship - we have missed the mark! It concerns me when people will applaud a funny joke in a sermon - but not sing during the the song service?

Maybe the spirit of Andy Rooney has fallen on me (I'm feeling a little crotchety today) or maybe I should just not blog on a Monday... but I think Barber got what he deserved! And I know that any time I am tempted to take the credit from God - I get what I deserve - a big fat face plant!

Coming Up Short

I like Monday Night Football - OK I like football period. And while watching MNF last night I was reminded of something I've been thinking about a lot lately.

In the game, the St Louis Rams were playing the NY Giants. Now I'm not particularly a fan of either team. NY has Eli Manning at the helm - certainly a star in his own right while the Rams are led by a young Turk named Sam Bradford.

What was interesting about the game was how the Rams dominated on offense yet still lost. On paper they should have won. What was the deciding factor? Turn overs, and an inability to score from "red zone" (that's area from the 20 yard line to your end zone).

That is why it made me think. How often in the church do we dominate on offense and yet fail to score? What I've been chewing on lately is this. I think we are just too busy. We have too much going on. And sadly a lot of activity does not equal spiritual growth. Along with the staff and Elders, we have been reading a book titled, "Simple Church". The premise is that we need a clear process where we lead people along a structured path. A path that goes from someone not knowing God to connecting with Him and His people. Then moving them onto discipleship and service.

What I'm realizing, along with others is that a lot of activity is just that, a lot of activity. So some changes are coming. You'll have to wait to see what that means, but it is coming.

While losing a game on Monday Night is bad for the Rams. Losing the battle for souls is unimaginably worse. Let's all make sure we are not dominating on offense and yet failing to win!

When a toothache is a good thing...

It could be because I never went to a dentist until I was an adult. It could be because we did not have dental insurance for years. It could be because I don't floss. It could be I just have bad teeth. But whatever the cause I wound up with a throbbing tooth ache over the weekend.

Some left over Percocet (thanks to Melody's kidney stone) got me through till Monday morning. Finally I got into the chair. You KNOW the chair. In my case, it was a chair in Larry's "Little shop of Horrors". OK so he's not really that bad, but I was not there for a hair cut. I had an abscess in a tooth that had been previously filled. I was hearing those wonderful words - "We're going to have to do a root canal". Been there, done that - no fun!

Now, I like my dentist. I miss Ershal - but Larry's a pretty good egg. Larry is also Jewish. Over the last few weeks we have actually talked a bit about our faith. Today, on my second of at least three visits we talked a little more in depth. Now, I'm not saying I had the chance to share the gospel with him. But I'm hoping some day I will.

So why did I have a toothache? Was it bad dental hygiene - maybe? But maybe it was a divine appointment. Maybe it was to sow a seed. Maybe it was God using me to reach out to one of his "chosen people".

We all come in contact every day with "chosen people"... not just the Jewish variety either. Are we taking the opportunity to share Jesus? Or are we just there to take care of the issue at hand? As disciples the issue at hand is ALWAYS about being Jesus to those who don't know him.

Thanks Lord for the toothache.... Now you and me have a dental bill we need to discuss.

A Picture is worth a 1,000 words

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. And this picture says way more than that.

At first glace it is three of our youth praying over some backpacks. Three of 364 that are being handed out to homeless men and women in Nashville today. This was a cooperative effort from HCC and several other churches to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

But there is so much more for me than just this (not that this is not simply AMAZING!). During the time of worship I was sitting next to Beth, my 29 year old daughter. And we were both in tears. And I was reflecting. I was remembering how 13 years earlier our family had moved from Louisville to Georgetown. I was remembering how difficult it was for Beth, who was just turning 16. How she had gone from being a big fish in a little pond (small Christian school), to being the "New Kid" a Scott County High School. I was remembering how she hated it, maybe hated us, and possibly God for the upheaval in her world.

As I was holding her hand I whispered... "Do you realize there are more Jr an Sr High kids here right now than there were total people at HCC back then?" I was overwhelmed by God's grace to me, my family, our church, and my daughter. She looked at me and said, "I would do it all again"....

John said it best in 3 John 3:4 - "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth".

I'm so proud of you baby! It is an unbelievable blessing to share this ministry with our family! It is awesome that I get to share it with you! Now where did I put those tissues?

Thanks Melba (and Paul)

It's that time again. It's the time of year wheen my mailbox is stuffed with graduation announcements and party invitations. And while my schedule doesn't allow me to attend very many, it does remind me of my own graduation. It was May 28, 1977.

But more than the date, I'm reminded of who was there with me. Melba (Wilson) Mastin and her late husband, Paul Wilson. They were there instead of my parents. My dad was undergoing open heart surgery in Houston TX the very same day so my parents couldn't be there.

But that wasn't the only day "they were there". My mom and dad were pretty "wishy-washy" in their faith back then. But I was very active in the church youth group, and was planning on attending Bible college. Paul and Melba were youth sponsors. But they were also in many ways surrogate parents for me.

I probably spent more nights in their home my senior year than I did my own. It was at their home I met some guys from Moody Bible Institute. And that wound up being a big part of the reason I attended MBI. Two years later they drove the 400 miles to Freeport, IL to attend my wedding. I could go on for days talking about the impact this couple had on my life.

Twenty years ago Paul went home to be with the Lord. I remember my friend Tom (his son-in-law) calling me and saying, "Paul went home today". I remember at his funeral the passage used by Pastor Faulkner - it was a passage about Barnabas and he attributed it to Paul Wilson - He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. (Acts 11:24 NIV)

Few people have affected me as much as these two did back then and even now. I am forever grateful.

So the question I have for you is this. In 33 years who will be remembering what you did for them today? Who will be reminiscing about the impact you made on their lives.

Thank you Melba and Paul for being Jesus to me and so many others!

What can we learn about power outages?

So you know the drill. A storm is raging and all of a sudden the lights go out. Sometimes for a moment, sometimes for hours. When it's back on you have to do some things. You have to go back to work on the computer (hopefully you had saved what you were working on). You have to reset the clock on the stove and microwave and maybe another clock or two. You have to do something with the VCR (or just live with the blinking like I do).

But sometimes the power outages have nothing to do with a lightning strike, sometimes it's some unfortunate driver hitting a pole, or some equipment failure... but the results at your house are the same. You have to reset a bunch of stuff.

But what about the spiritual power outages in your life? What about the times when God doesn't seem very near. Or you realize you have drifted away from Him? What causes this?

Sometimes it's just apathy - you lose that first love, your relationship with Jesus has been on autopilot for some time and then bang - you realize the power is out.

Sometimes it's sin - you have let some unchecked transgression get a hold on your life. And now you realize you are "on your own".

For whatever reason you find yourself far away from God in this relationship - so what do you do?

Well - just like resetting the clocks in your house you need to do some similar things.

1 - You need to know what time it really is. Spend time in the Word, and prayer - get in touch with God again.

2 - Reset your life's "clock" - Begin again living according to God's time line, His direction, His Lordship.

3 - In some cases damage has been done - I had to replace a whole lot of stuff in my house once because we took a direct hit. Maybe there are some things in your life that just have to go. And be replaced with other things. Maybe there are some relationships that need to be mended.

"For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." (Mat 24:27 NIV)

Remember Jesus is coming again (and maybe soon) - don't let him come and find your "clock" blinking!

Weekend Reflections

Wow - what an amazing weekend!

Friday - Mel-O-Day!!!!! We went to Kroger and spent almost $200.00 but saved $148 using coupons - whooo hoooo! Friday evening wedding rehearsal for Rachel Owens and Brian Putty. I normally don't like doing weddings - this was an exception big time!

Saturday - Wedding and receptions at Circa 1840 - amazing place and food - and got a hug from Daniel Harrison!

Saturday night - Worship at HCC. Jeremy Zeller and his crew were amazing. Three baptisms and the "altar" littered with people letting God have His way in their lives!

Sunday - Two more awesome services at HCC. More lives rocked by Jesus Christ!

Sunday evening - Beth, Dale, and the girls come out for steaks and to celebrate Mother's Day with the most wonderful woman in the world - MY WIFE!!!!

And somewhere in there my fantastic neighbor fixed my push mower, and sharpened the blade on my riding mower. Only downer - I discovered why my yard is not being cut even... a bent blade.....

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Pet 4:8 (NIV)

How this happens?

4 1/2 lb large mouth bass caught on Friday April 30 at Williamstown lake. Rod - 7' Loomis crank bait rod with a splatter back 200 bandit crank bait.

So how does this happen? Well it's all pretty simple in theory. You figure out where such a fish might be (in this case on a wind blown point with fairly shallow water close). You figure out what she's hungry for. (a shad type bait that would match the shad she was used to eating). The kind of presentation needed to mimic a natural food source. (slowly running the bait through the area where she might be). And last, some really sharp hooks! Oh, and one more thing (at least in my case) a little bit of dumb luck.

So why post this? To brag? OK, maybe a little. But more for the spiritual application. Because while not everyone is jazzed up like I am when it comes to fishing. Everyone is being sought after by a much better predator than me. We are all being "fished for" by the enemy of our souls. You know who - the Devil.

And he catches us using some of the same methods I used to catch this fish.

He knows what "bait" to use. And for each of us it may be different. Maybe it is pride, money, sex appeal, or a thousand other things.

He knows what presentation to lay before us. Maybe it's when we are tired, lonely, or feeling sorry for ourselves.

He knows what we are "hungry" for. Maybe it's some medication to take off the edge, or some thrill that we just "can't live without".

And he uses some really sharp hooks!

Now after I caught this fish and took the picture I let her go. Maybe I can catch her again some day and she will be even bigger.

The Devil does not believe in "catch and release" though. Once he gets his hooks in you - he will not willingly let you go.

So consider this verse and take it to heart! Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Pet 5:8 KJV)

If I were to paraphrase this using fishing terms it would read like this. "Be awake and alert because he Devil, the angler from Hell, like a crafty fisherman is throwing his whole tackle box at you, hoping to have you for dinner!"

Allergies

Allergies! Uggghhh! As I sit at my computer my nose is running and my head is thumping. While many suffer greatly from seasonal allergies (like my wife), for me it's generally just an irritation. This year has been a little worse. So I have been up close and personal with my Netti Pot, a box of Kleenex, and a variety of decongestants.

So what causes allergies? Well according to Wikipedia (the source of all knowledge) it is a hyper-sensitivity to otherwise normal environment sources. In my case, and most of you reading this it's pollen right now. That's why I have been doing a "rain dance" for several days. Hopefully the rain will clean the air of these microscopic irritants.

But what about spiritual allergies. OK - I've never heard anyone use this term - but here's my point. What about the normal things of life that wind up kicking our butts? And while they may not lead to runny noses, itchy eyes, and a trip to the pharmacy. They do really wreak havoc in our lives. Let me illustrate.

Work - God created us to work. We work so we can take care of our families, and to join with Him in the work He is already doing. But when a spiritual allergy flares up it causes folks to become work-a-holics. They become dominated by their jobs, success, and climbing the ladder.

Sex - while sex between two married people is a wonderful thing. There seems to be a sex allergy in our culture. People are just consumed with it. The devil has taken this wonderful gift from God and perverted it.

Sports - I love sports! I love playing and watching sports (almost every kind). But what happens when a relaxing past time becomes an all consuming obsession? Either for us or for our kids? Have you ever had a sports allergy?

The list could go on and on. So what can we do about it?

With physical allergies you can be tested to find out what to avoid and then get some medicine that will counteract the trouble makers.

Spiritually we need to do the same thing. The Word of God is the ultimate medicine and test for that matter. As we spend time in the Word it points out the trouble spots in our lives while at the same time giving us the needed resources to fight them.

David said it like this - "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psa 119:11 (NIV)

The author of Hebrews said this, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Heb 4:12 NIV)

So have you been to the "spiritual allergist" lately? If not - I highly recommend it!

What Jesus did not say....

OK - this was inspired by Perry Nobel's blog... but its great stuff...

Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (Jn 13:34-35)

He did not say, they will know you are my disciples by.....

... the way you forward stupid emails thus proving your love for me...

... by the way you yell at those who don't know me for living like they don't know me.

... by your t-shirts and bumper stickers.

... by the music you listen to.

... by the political party you support.

... by the denomination you belong to.

... by the way you protest.

... by the products and companies you boycott.

... by the way you look down on those you don't think are as good as you are.

... by the way you take from one another.

Jesus did not stutter when he said the proof is in how you love one another!!!!

The Masters!

The Masters .....

I'm guessing everyone reading this knows who's in the picture. But just in case, that is Phil Mickelson with his wife Amy. He had just won the Masters golf tournament - the "mac daddy" in golf.

And in so doing he showed Tiger Woods how it's done. Not just in having the best score after 72 holes - but how to love and support his wife.

Sure Tiger has more wins, more money, and more endorsements than Phil. But Phil has something so much more - respect. He has the respect of the other players, his fans and his family.

Over the last couple of years he has been missing tournaments to be with his wife as she battled cancer. Tiger on the other hand has been ..... well we all know what he's been .....

I am a fan of both men. Tiger because of the way he plays the game - he is an incredible golfer. Phil because he knows what's most important. I pray for Tiger. I pray that he can get his family life in order. I pray that he beats his demons. I pray that he learns to get to know the God who's name he loves to take in vain. I pray that he can learn from other men like Phil Mickelson that this is just a game, maybe even just a job, but at the end of the day he is a husband, father, and son.

Winning the Masters is a big deal - mastering your own life is a bigger deal.

Don't forget you can now follow me on twitter - http://twitter.com/Dino2525

Weekend Update (Easter)

Wow - what an incredible weekend - here are some high points and there were many more!

Praise Team, choir, tech folks - brought us to tears more than once - you guys rocked!

Charlie Penn - you and your crew were amazing! The coffee and "treats" were over the top!

Tina and Melinda the place looked amazing!

Those of you that fasted and prayed - thank you, thank you, thank you. The Spirit was obviously moving in hearts this weekend.

Valerie, Paula and dozens and dozens of childrens workers - WOW!!!! You all did an incredible job.

The Greeters, Ushers, and Servers - Awesome! Great job one and all.

The counters - thanks again - 1767 total.

And most all Praise to our Risen Savior for giving us a reason to celebrate not just this weekend - but every day of our lives!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, -Eph 3:20 NIV

Prayer and Fasting pt 4

"Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God." --Andrew Murray

"Of all the duties enjoined by Christianity none is more essential and yet more neglected than prayer." --François Fénelon

"When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy." --Corrie Ten Boom

Please take time today to pray that God opens the hearts and minds of those coming this weekend. While we have heard the resurrection story many times - may it be seen in a new and life altering way.

Also pray that other churches would see a similar outpouring of God's Spirit.

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
1 Tim 2:8 (NIV)

Prayer and Fasting pt 3

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Psa 141:2 (NIV)

As we continue moving toward the weekend I want to offer some more suggestions for our fasting. These are not original they are from Perry Nobel's blog. But they are great.

• You can fast for a day or two…or all week, whatever the Lord puts on your heart.
• You can fast for a specific time period (like from 5:00 pm one day until 5:00 pm the next day.)
• You can fast from a particular meal.
• You can fast from a particular type of food.
• You can fast from something other than food (like maybe facebook or twitter!)

I believe God wants to rock some people's worlds and I for one want to join Him in that - will you join with me?

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Mat 21:22 (NIV)

Prayer and Fasting pt 2.

Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 2 Chr 20:2-21 (NIV)

Jehoshaphat was a righteous king but he saw that his people were facing a real danger (a vast army) - and while he was seeking the Lord he called the people of Israel to fast.

As people of faith we see an even greater danger before us. Those we know and love are also under attack - many have not committed their lives to Christ. So this week I'm asking that we follow the example of many before us. Pick a day (or more if you choose) this week to fast and spend time in prayer for those who will be joining us this weekend at HCC.

Pray that God's Spirit moves them to come and hear.
Pray that God's Spirit makes them receptive to His word.
Pray that Jesus is lifted up in a glorious way before them.
Pray that God is glorified in all that we do.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b (NIV)

Prayer and Fasting

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23 (NIV)

In the early church they practiced and taught about prayer and fasting. So important was this practice that they did this prior to appointing Elders in the churches.

I want to ask all of you to join me this week in another important decision. I'm talking about the decision that many people need to make about who Jesus Christ is going to be in their lives.

This coming weekend is Easter and we will have a monster crowd. And among that crowd will be many that are not Christ Followers and many others that at best are "marginal".

I'm asking that you join me for at least one day of your choice of fasting. I'm not being legalistic about this... it is a fast of your choice. It could be a simple juice fast, or a total food fast with liquid only. Let the Lord lead you on this.

And while you do this take some specific time to pray for this weekend's services. Here are a few suggestions for prayer.

Pray for me that I will hear God clearly in preparing the message this week. Pray that God prepares the hearts of those who will be hearing it this weekend. Pray for the volunteers that will make this a great experience for those coming. Pray for the Praise Team that they will worship in such a way that we naturally join them in praise of God. Add to this list as God leads you.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b (NIV)

I'm now on "Twitter"

You can now follow me on Twitter - http://twitter.com/Dino2525

Is your bracket blown?

I'm sure that you, like me have said, "my bracket is blown" - at least if you have filled out an NCAA bracket this year.

This has been an exciting time of "March Madness". With some top ranked teams exiting early and some "Cinderella Teams" decimating brackets everywhere.

And while this is a fun time of the year for basketball fans it is really not earth shattering - but what about when the "blown brackets" are not on a sheet of paper? What do we do when the "brackets" represent the plans we have in life?

The hopes and dreams we have are shattered by a sickness, infidelity, or rebellion? NCAA fans can go home and hope for next year. But what can we do?

The good news is that God offers grace and restoration. As a matter of fact the Scripture is filled with examples of blown dreams turned into ministry. I think of Joseph, the spoiled favorite son sold into slavery. God used him mightily. I think of Paul, who started out trying to eradicate the Church and yet became it's greatest advocate. In a couple of weeks I will be preaching about the incredible denial of Peter and the monument of grace he became.

So maybe now your "busted bracket" looms large in your life. Take heart we have a God who is so much larger than our situations. I am reminded of one of my favorite verses in Scripture. Ephesians 3:20 says this, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,"

Maybe it's time to just shred that old bracket - and let God do what only God can do.

Oh, and GO BIG BLUE!!!!!

He's not choking on this one!

242 / +2.6 / 23 - "I've been a bad boy".....

Phil Michelson is the #2 player in the world in golf. And I have to say - I love/hate to watch him. He really seems like a class act, but his game is frustrating. He can be awesome or awful. On the other hand I am bad or awful. He has a reputation as a "choker". He can be heading into the final round with a 5 shot lead and then blow it. He is addicted to his driver when a 3 wood would serve him better. But at the end of the day he is still ranked #2 in the world behind Tiger Woods.

And while he may choke at times on the golf course - he's not choking where it counts the most. He is a strong family man with a beautiful wife and three children. And from the outside looking in it appears he has his priorities right. That is why today he suspended his play in the PGA indefinitely. His wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer. You can read the story here if you would like.

So many times celebrities are paraded before us and while they have tremendous successes in their field they are often incredible losers in life. It's nice to see that in the things that matter most Phil Michelson gets it. I pray that all goes well with his wife's treatments. That is much more important than golf!

I miss you mom.

239.4 / -2.6 / 25.6

I don't often talk about my mom. There are a number of reasons - the main one being it is painful. My mom had an incredible battle with mental illness. I still struggle with my brother's mental problems and I have to fight not to blame that on my mom too. Through no fault of her own she was simply not a nurturing person. I think that the survival skills she had to develop in her own childhood made her hard and defensive.

My mom did have some incredible attributes however. She was a voracious reader. She loved God. She worshiped the ground my dad walked on. She would literally fight hell for her three boys. While she had few close friends, she was loyal to them with a vengeance.

But with tomorrow being mothers day I wish I could see here again. She has been gone for nearly 10 years now. And to be honest - I'm not sure I would like to see her as she was. But I'd really like to see her as she is now. She is no longer in the pain of loneliness and mental anguish that she carried most of her life. She would no longer be worried about Mark. She would have cast aside the "stuff of life" that made her sometimes difficult. The corruptible has been replaced with incorruptible. She is now the full blown version of what her savior intended for her to be.

I have not said it in a very long time - so I want to say it here. I love you mom. You gave me life. You really had no greater joy than to see you kids following Jesus. You gave me the best you had. While I have felt many times that it was not enough. I have found that in God's economy it was.

I guess the truth is if I could see you again just the way you were, I really would probably jump at the chance. Even if it meant we would would disagree about something. I do love you. And I know you WILL have a great Mother's Day - because you are having yet another Mother's Day in heaven. One day we will celebrate it together before the throne.

OK - who hid the tissues?