The Convergence

Wii > Mii

2010-03-02T11:44:00.004-05:00

Our next series in Revolution starting this sunday and taking us up to Easter is:

It's simply this that we are better together...here's what we are looking at.
- Pride
- Friendship
- Problems w/ others and how to solve them
- The Church as the body

Very distrubing...I hope you'll pray...

2010-02-24T10:05:00.005-05:00

I just watched the following two videos in horror...Please be advised these videos are distrubing...you may not want to watch them...

Persecution in India: Unedited Footage from Cornerstone Church on Vimeo.

Persecution in India: Francis' Response from Cornerstone Church on Vimeo.

These video broke me...Man, I hope you'll take some time and pray...

If your reading this on facebook and the video do not load you can watch them here...

http://brianlarue.blogspot.com/

MAKE WAR

2010-01-25T15:44:00.003-05:00

Prepping for an upcoming series for Revolution, our Student worship service...A friend of mine, Spencer Arnold told me about a song by a Christian hip hop artist named Tedashi called MAKE WAR...this song kinda got my creative juices going and sparked some inspriration. The song can be seen in the video typography below... Looking forward to preaching the series and decking out stage with camo and war type decor....we are going to MAKE WAR against sin.

Check out the video below if you like...those not into hip-hop/rap you have been warned...

Questioning God when bad things happen...

2010-01-21T16:29:00.000-05:00

I read this today and thought it was an intresting point and one I had not heard before...Thought I'd share it...

"Maybe the reason we question God's moral character when bad things happen is that we live our lives largely independent from Him. In other words, we struggle to trust God in times of trouble because we do not really trust Him when things are going well. Maybe we struggle with suffering so much in the West because we are so comfortable most of the time that we feel we don't need God. We do not rely on Him on a daily basis, and so we do not really know Him. When suffering comes along, therefore, it is not so much that it takes us away from God, but that it reveals to us that we have not really been close to God in the first place.

-Michael Ramsden, European director of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

2010

2010-01-04T13:41:00.003-05:00

I dont really know if I'm totally sold on New Year's resolutions... They seem to trail off and get forgotten by mid February or maybe sooner. But I do think the first of the year is a good time to look, plan, pray and think about what we need to get done this year...Here are some resolutions, commitments, goals or whatever you'd like to call them for me personally in 2010...

Finish up reading the Bible cover to cover...
Run/Jog 300 or more miles
Take every advantage of every chance I get to be a daddy
Date my wife more...
Read 24 or more books
Fast more...
Encourage people...

Nothing earth shattering, I know...No hiking to the peak Mt. Everest...but it my list...What's on yours?

Last time you hit the gym?

2009-09-11T12:44:00.007-04:00

When was it? Many people hit the gym three times a week, some as many 5 or 6 times. Some spend big bucks to get fit... people get in shape at home gyms, some pay monthly dues at the club, some even hire a personal trainer to get better, faster, and professional expertise. Disciplining themselves, training, and getting stronger.

How many workouts did you get in this week? Before you answer...know this...I'm asking about the spiritual gym.

I have a few questions about your "work out" regimen...

How many spiritual workouts do you get in this week? Three days or are you a spiritual gym rat maybe 5 or 6 days? Did you get three sets of Bible, a super set of prayer, a circuit of fasting, or maybe you did some cross training and combined a few this week?

Where do you usually work out? Home, at a club (the church), do you hire a personal trainer those being a mentor, small group, or accountability partner.

When is the last time you seriously hit the spiritual gym?

It's time we get in shape...

Time to hit the gym...

Grapple: to engage in a struggle or close encounter.

2009-08-31T15:55:00.012-04:00

We just finished a 13 week series on James called "Rooted" @ Revolution our worship service for middle and high school students. We took it apart verse by verse, but I wonder where many of us are in our thinking about it or doing something about what we have studied. What made me think think about this was what I read the following in this old bible commentary...

"The Book of James can polarize those who grapple with it, leaving groups pulling in opposite directions. Which way do you find yourself leaning:

Guilty or inspired?
Resistant or repentant?
Wavering or single-minded?
Passing the buck to the rich or passing out bucks to the poor?

Are you grappling with it at all? I know I have...I'd love to hear your thoughts or comments if you traveled through James with us.

When is the last time you have grappled with scripture?

My challenge to you...Get in the ring, octogon, street corner, or wherever you engage in struggles or close encounters and...grapple.

For years we have been asking the wrong question...

2009-08-11T16:37:00.002-04:00

What would Jesus do? That's it...that is the wrong question. The braclets, the bumper stickers, the t-shirts, (add in any trinket here) they are all wrong in my opinion. Asking that question only helps us for that moment that we need guidance or direction, then it's over and we don't need Jesus till next time we have an issue.

So what is the right question? So glad you asked...

What did Jesus do?

I know it's similiar. I know it's one word difference, but it makes a huge difference. As I'm getting ready for our next Revolution preaching series "Ripened: The Spiritual Disciplines" I'm realizing that if we would do what Jesus did then when we have an issue or questionable call to make it would be easy. A few examples...

Jesus practiced solitude...
Jesus fasted for a month and a half...
Jesus served the disciples and those in need...

If we would do what Jesus did...pray...fast...serve...love...practice solitude...then the "what would Jesus do?" questions would be null and void. Because we would know what He would do.

Simply a rambling in my brain the last 24 hours..but thought I'd share it.

Read the Gospels again and see what He did and do it.

"Dropping like Stars" by Rob Bell book review

2009-07-30T19:50:00.005-04:00

I pretty much read everything Rob Bell writes, so when I stumbled on his new book "Dropping like Stars" in Barnes and Noble, I did a double-take. For one I didn't know it was coming out and two it's an over-sized book, not your normal book shelf-type or size. So I grabbed it up found a comfy chair in the corner and thought I'd check it out. We'll about 30-45 minutes later it was finished. Not sure if I owe Mr. Bell or Barnes and Noble or Zondervan some money or not?

Here are a few things I took away from the book and a few things that stick out

Whenever I read Bell I can hear him say certain lines, maybe from NOOMA videos, maybe listening to him on podcasts. Does any one else hear an author speak? (That last sentence really makes me look crazy,but I'm leaving it in.)
The book is about the topic of suffering, so right away Bell captures you, cause you have been there.
Opening illlustration of a hospital hallway...some hallways in a hospital are filled with joy, while others arer filled with tears and pain.
Suffering unities us. We hear a story of suffering similar to ours and we thinkon say,"I've been there."
Suffering eleminates the unesscessary and shows us what matters.
God wastes nothing.

I took home this that we need to look at suffering differently. Rain looks like dropping stars to a little boy, and Bell says he never saw it that way....much like suffering when we realize it unities, elemintes the unesscessary, and shows us what matters.

Overall it was a good stuff, a nooma video put into words and art, but too pricey at $34.95. B+, not for content, but for the price of the book.

Are you Hungry?

2009-07-16T09:56:00.002-04:00

I was talking to a good friend of mine just yesterday who was dealing with a person saying the excuse "I'm not being fed at church." Mark Batterson is pastor in DC that I follow had this to say about the subject and I think he nailed it.

"Permission to speak frankly?

One of the common complaints people make when leaving a church is this: I’m not being fed. As a preacher, my goal is to nourish our congregation via a well-rounded diet of sermons. And I try to preach every sermon like it’s my last, but let me push back. My kids learned to feed themselves when they were toddlers. If you’re not being fed, that’s your fault. I’m afraid we’ve unintentionally fostered a subtle form of spiritual codependency in our churches. It is so easy to let others take responsibility for what should be our responsibility. So we let our pastors study the Bible for us. Here’s a news flash: the Bible was unchained from the pulpit nearly five hundred years ago during an era of history called the Middle Ages.

If you are relying on a preacher to be fed, I fear for you. Listening to a sermon is second-hand knowledge. It is learning based on someone else’s words or experiences. A sermon is no replacement for first-hand knowledge. You’ve got to see it and hear it and experience it for yourself. It’s not enough to hear the truth. You have to own it. Or more accurately, it has to own you. Honestly, I’d rather have people hear one word from the Lord than a thousand of my sermons. And that happens when you open your Bible and start reading.

Mark Batterson is the pastor of National Community Church in Washington DC. He also the author of Wild Goose Chase, and In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. Check-out his blog at www.evotional.com."

Friends, you can't just eat on Sunday mornings, and maybe a meal on Wed. nights spiritually speaking. The question is....Are you hungry?

TEXT idea

2009-06-08T13:56:00.004-04:00

I tried something new this past week in Revolution our student worship service...We are going through the book of James and one thing about James is it's very much like a Text message or like Twitter. He hits a topic then, BAM.! He hits another topic, very short and concise.

We used a FREE text message device http://www.txtdrop.com/ and sent the 4 verses for the sermon to students and when they recieved it they stood up and read it...My guy Ben sent the message from our tech computer so we could just copy and paste the scripture in. It was a great idea but cell reception is kinda bad there sometime. 3 out of the 4 went through. It's was a good idea and we may do it again but maybe send them the morning of instead of direct during the service. Maybe something to try for you youth/student ministers out there. Any other ideas?

2009-05-28T11:04:00.006-04:00

Three reasons you’ll love the next series ROOTED: The book of James.

1. It’s intensely practical. The book of James is super clear and super direct.

2.. It’s like a text message or twitter tweet. James talks briefly about something then bam, he’s hitting something else. It’s short and sweet wisdom then James moves on to the next thing.

3. It’s full of metaphors, illustrations, and word pictures. He uses them to help us understand and remember. The waves in the sea, a withered flower, your face in the mirror, the bit in a horse’s mouth, the rudder of a ship, a destructiveness of a forest fire, pure spring water, arrogant business men, rusted metal, and moth eaten clothes. Everyday items that helps us remember everyday truths.

Beginning this week in Revolution 10:30 am in the Chapel.

2191 Galilee Chrsitian Church Jefferson, GA. 30549.

Summer 09 Student Ministry Calendar

2009-05-27T11:06:00.002-04:00

Our Summer Calendar...Check it...

http://www.scribd.com/full/15855733?access_key=key-t2muf957l2ogoc3v5jv

The Original Social Network...

2009-05-19T09:32:00.010-04:00

I saw a Coleman camping gear commercial this past weekend that claims they "gave birth to social networking" and it got me thinking. You know sitting around a campfire or camping was social networking. Social networking is a big deal from the old Myspace days, to Facebook and Twitter and who knows what is next. Millions of people connected everywhere they go by phone or computer.

But I believe Jesus gave birth to the greatest social networking tool, it's called the church. It was way before Coleman and Twitter. We connect today through status updates, texting, posts, blogs, and #(something-creative-here). Here is a few ways they networked and stayed connected.

They meet together Acts 1:6

Prayed together Acts 1:14
Sold things to help the ones in need Acts 2:45

Served together Acts 2:45

Ate together Acts 2:46

Hung out in each other homes Acts 2:46

Praised together Acts 2:47

One heart and mind Acts 4:36

Shared everything they had Acts 4:33

Are you connected?

Book Review: Understanding God's Will by Kyle Lake

2009-04-30T20:44:00.011-04:00

Understanding God's Will

This is the second book I have read by the late Kyle Lake, the first being Understanding Prayer which I loved. I feel much the same with this book, loved it. I picked it up for a few reasons, one as I said I loved the last book I read by him, two as research and study for a upcoming Revolution message, and finally understanding God's will is something I'm always trying to get my mind around. Students, friends, and probably the person reading this are always wondering and asking about His will. Kyle has a great way of making difficult theological truths seem like a conversation over a cup of coffee.

The main theme of the book is God's will is not some recipe, blueprint, formula,mantra, there's no 7 steps to knowing God's will for you life. So many pastors like myself give the recipe or blueprint; such as pray, seek wise counsel, listen, etc. etc. Lake states understanding God's will doesn't fit the recipe,blueprint, or formula.

He uses three illustrations to describe God's will...a disciple...a father...and a kingdom. They all expand to really explain God's will for our life through those lenses.

Random and final thoughts...

The first part of the book is the strongest, great hooks.

Quick read, easy read.

Many great "That'll preach" illustrations that I'll preach someday.

If your looking to crack the blueprint or find the recipe to understanding God's will grab this book.

Grade: A-

Leadership Retreat Mind Dump

2008-10-15T11:26:00.000-04:00

I really love listening to leaders that are passionate, I got to sit with about 25 other NE GA ministers last week and here Cam HuxFord share with us. I love confrences and training because they alwasy spark new ideas, but the the down side is I forget them. I'm trying now to look back a week later and see what I'm still chewing on from the training or sharing time. Here is what stuck with me till now.

Good chess players think multiple moves ahead. Cam said 8 steps ahead. Good churches and ministers should do the same. What are you next steps in your ministry?
Visit churches double your size or the size you would like to be, then twice as large then, 5 times as large. See what they are doing, ask questions, watch learn. Take elders with you and women with you.
Sometime you must re-invent yourself. Illustratoin: Tiger Woods has tweaked his swing every couple years to stay on top. Is your church? Are you?

Good questions and thoughts that I'm thinking through at the moment.

TXT more than Talk

2008-09-23T12:16:00.000-04:00

This caught my eye this morning.

For the second quarter of 2008, U.S. mobile subscribers sent and received on average 357 text messages per month, compared with making and receiving 204 phone calls a month, according to Nielsen. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10048257-94.html?tag=newsLatestHeadlinesArea.0

What do you think this says about our culture? Sure we like to stay connected, but how connected do we really want to be. Don't get me wrong I'll text till my fingers turn blue. But I thought it was an interesting item.

Olympic Youth Ministry Event

2008-08-18T14:25:00.005-04:00

Every time the Olympics come around I get more and more sucked in, it's like a tractor beam, that pulls me to my couch and TV. I began to last night think what makes the Olympics so special, engaging, powerful, and exciting? I believe because it's not so mundane, it does not happen every summer, or every year. It's something you look forward to, something you wait for four years.

I then thought what if we did something in ministry that evokes that type of mountain top event. Not a sporting event. Something that is not CIY Move, CIY Believe, Summer Camp, VBS, Winter Retreat, Mission Trips, an every year type of thing. Don't get me wrong these are awesome events that I promote and love and I think a super important. But what if we did something that students would look forward to and prepare for every four years.

What could this event be? I have some ideas but I'll keep them to myself right now.

Question to comment on or ponder? What could this "Olympic" youth ministry event be?

Couch Wars

2008-08-12T16:35:00.001-04:00

Our first Momentum last week we did Couch Wars! One of my all time favorite scavenger hunt events. We had 43 that night, which blew my mind. I had tons of sponsor help also, it was a fun night. Here are some of the pic's.

Tebow again...

2008-07-31T10:37:00.004-04:00

I think this week should be Tim Tebow week on my blog. Tebow in this article http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-07-30-tebow-playboy_N.htm says no to being on an All American College Football team. He says no to Playboy's annual All American team because it conflicts with his christian beliefs.

I may have to buy his jersey now, but I really can't wear a gator emblem, that would conflict with my Flordia State beliefs. All jokes aside Tebow is a great witness, I hope he has a good, injury free season.

Question to comment on or ponder: What do you need to say no to because it conflicts with your beliefs

Not a Gators fan, but Tebow is my favorite college player

2008-07-28T17:38:00.002-04:00

I have loved the Florida State Seminoles for years since they were dominating collegiate football. Now they aren't but, it's all good and I believe they'll turn things around. So being a Noles fan means the Gators are not liked well, or at all. I can't stand the gators..at all.

But I really have watched the gators QB Tim Tebow the past few years and how he is not shy about his faith and what he stands for. I also like that he plays QB like a fullback and punishes the other team. But back to my first reason I read this in the Athens Banner Herald this past week....

Tebow's hectic off season schedule included three overseas missionary trips to Thailand, Croatia and the Philippines. Those came on his breaks from school and between-season conditioning for one of the challengers for the SEC East title.

"Doing those things is more important that football to me," Tebow said. "I can take what I do and take football as a game and change people's lives, that's what's important. Doing things like that are much more important than beating Georgia or Florida State. It doesn't come close to having the ability to put a smile on a kid's face or to go to a high school and see a girl who's about to die and see her smile because you're there to see her. You can't put a price on what that does for me. It does more for me than what I did for that person."

Here is a guy who knows whats important. I don't think I'll get his jersey(it has a gator on it) but I will be pulling for him.

If you want to read the rest of this article http://onlineathens.com/stories/072408/football_2008072400347.shtml

T-Shirt Design

2008-06-11T11:38:00.005-04:00

Every year for the past few years I have let the seniors design the shirt we all wear one night @ CIY. Mostly it's pretty normal, a little catchy, and nothing to amazing. This year will be different. It is the craziest, random, and creative I had to design. Here are the word and images they wanted.

Triceratops, an Island on and island, taco .89 double cheesy beef burrito, ping pong table, rock band, Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, a rock band, acoustic guitar, and on the back Don't Stop Believin'.

Here is what we will have....

3G iphone

2008-06-09T17:18:00.004-04:00

The new iPhone comes out July 11 should I get it here are some thoughts some positive some negative.. comment if you like...

iPhone only $200 with 2 year contract, last iPhone was $400.

I need new service t-mobile is bad around the new homestead. Everyone here says go At&t or Verizon.

At&T is cheaper than Verizon.

I always feel I need something I don't. I confess to the sin of gadgets and gizmo's.

I have to get a new phone sometime soon.

My ipod doesn't work properly. This would give me a new ipod and new phone.

Built in GPS, Sarah could keep the one we have in her car.

Am I making up excuses? Let me know....

61* blog is live...

2008-05-29T08:53:00.003-04:00

The 61* Blog is live, well is will be much more alive June 1...go check it out...

http://61asterik.blogspot.com/

61* kicks into gear June 1. This website will let a few things happen.
If you loose your 61* information you can come here and keep up to date. Each day the daily reading will be posted.
You can share your comments, thoughts or how the days scripture hit you.
You can read others thoughts and comments as we journey through the bible together.

Spread the word about 61*

61*

2008-05-20T14:01:00.004-04:00

Finishing up 61* project and will have it on here soon for any that want to use it. I already know a church/youth ministry in VA who is going to partner up. I'm going to create a 61* blog site also that has the days reading and then peeps can comment and share about what they have read that day.

61* Random fact: Los Angeles Lakers' Elgin Baylor set a record for 61* points in a NBA finals game against the Boston Celtics (April 14, 1962)

Question to comment on or ponder: Who's going to the NBA Finals this year?

61*

2008-05-13T16:42:00.003-04:00

Just had a crazy idea I'm going to mess with...

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/readingplans/chronological.php

You read read through the key stories of the Bible in chronological order, tracing the development of God's plan from Adam and Eve to the church of the New Testament. This reading plan introduces you to the major people and events of the Bible in chronological order, beginning with Creation, moving through the birth and history of the Israel nation, and ending with Revelation's prophetic words. It's all broken down into 61 easily-readable segments.

There are 61* days in June and July, what if we challenged our youth ministries and church to this 61* days...to reading through major events from Genesis to Revelation.

You'll here and see more about this hopefully if I have the time to pull it off...You wanna help let me know...Maybe a baseball theme or feel...

Do you know who is in this photo and why the number 61* is there?

Enstien's Theory of Religion

2008-05-13T11:24:00.003-04:00

In the link below I just read an article about a letter Albert Einstein wrote to a gentleman who sent him a Christian book. The letter is going on to be auction for big bucks this week. Many Christians claim Einstein on their side, while many atheists claim him just the same. What do you think?

In the letter, he states: "The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/may/12/peopleinscience.religion/print

Einstein's theory of Religion might be something like this.

Human Weakness + Honorable Writings + Childish Legends = God's Word.

Question to ponder or comment on: What's your theory?

Summer Calendar Launch

2008-05-12T10:46:00.002-04:00

We had 40 people Wednesday night @ Impact. I gave out the 2008 summer calendars and there seemed to be a good buzz about them. I gave them out yesterday after service and had several people stop by and pick one up. I will posts some pic's of it sometime this week. The plan is done, now it's time to work the plan.

Thinking about SITS instead of CIY

2008-04-23T11:33:00.002-04:00

There are three different schools on different schedules we must contend with here @ Galilee...and the fun part is none of their calendars sink up...so I'm thinking about bringing up the idea of Summer in the Son. It is a CIY type week long event, I went when I was student.

Pro's

Cheaper than CIY...$230
Gets kids on a bible college campus instead of a liberal arts school
I love the schedule perfect for high school kids breakfast @ 9 and stuff till Midnight...
It would be a new thing for Galilee and myself
Works with the summer schedule
Some people there...Robbie Seay Band, Jeremy Camp, Jared Hall, The Turning
Lots of free stuff in the area to do...Carter Caves and Cliff Jumping.
I know the area went so college for 4 years there.
8 hours away compared to 4 hours TN..Roadtrip!!!

Con's

It's not CIY
It's a new thing
8 hours away

If you want to check it out www.kcuspecialevents.com/sits... I'm gonna run it by sponsor and pray about it and then make the decision soon.

2008 Summer Theme

2008-04-22T15:21:00.003-04:00

From time to time in the past I have done a summer theme and given them summer calendar that corresponds. Just to get some hype for summer..For example....

Take the Plunge: Summer calendar attached to a mini plunger.

When Stars Wars Phantom Menace came out we did a light saber type thing and attached and talk about the devil our phantom menace.

One summer the calendar was on old parchment looking paper and I burnt the edges and it looked like a treasure map lead to each event that summer...

I just got a crazy one for this summer from a teaching series I did last fall @ Central.

Urban Legends...Have the calendar on old looking paper and give it out attached to a diet coke and menthos (an urban legends that is true and you need to try if you never have). Then teach on Spiritual Urban Legends through out the summer.

I'm looking for feedback on this summer theme if you read this hit the comment button and let me know what you think or let me know your idea.

The 12 days of Galilee

2008-04-14T17:36:00.003-04:00

I have now been here 12 days at Galilee...Here are twelve things that have caught my eye, or my mind or thoughts, or something that happened to me. No order just random.

The first board meeting was opened with scripture, a devotional on listening and prayer. It was closed with all the elders and deacons forming a circle holding hands and praying.
I got lost on my first day of work. Debbie Garmin my GPS system got me there but it involved a MLK a dirt road that goes going up a hill and back down.
There is crazy potential for God to do big things here.
I miss my family and cant wait to hug them.
Sweet Tea flows like a raging river here.
I like my commute. It's approx. 25 minutes, but I enjoy it.
Why did I wait so long to have HD TV?
I have seen so many blessings in the past month that God has blessed me with...God is good.
Sorry Florida, but people are nicer in Georgia or maybe I'm just the new guy.
The summer calendar is going to be a challenge here, but I'm up for it. The three school systems all stop and start at different times.
Less distractions doesn't mean you be less distracted. Something will always try to pull you away from time with God.
The book of Proverbs will challenge you, encourage and make you want to seek wisdom.

En Quote

2008-04-08T15:44:00.002-04:00

I heard a great quote this week...

"You can't direct something that isn't moving"

Ben Merold

So often this happens in ministry we really want to direct and steer a program. But the program must be moving and have life to make the changes we need to or we think we need to make. It's the same with volunteers or sponsors, if they are not moving or doing something already it's tough to direct them. If your leading a church, ministry, business, or even a family, you must get it moving to lead it to the place you or God are wanting it to go.

Question to ponder or comment on: Are you moving spiritually? If not how do you expect God to guide you?

Been a while I know....

2008-04-04T15:42:00.003-04:00

It has been a long while since I have blogged anything at all. Emotionally over the past month and a half I really could not put myself and my emotions out there. Leaving Central was very tough, I suffered though many tears and emotions and see ya laters. Probably the most emotionally tough time since losing my Grandpa in 2000. I love Central especially the students there. It broke my heart to leave them. But God was telling me that it was time for me and my family to move on.

God's will is not always easy. It's not always what you want to do. But it's always what you need to do...

Reboot..

2008-02-05T23:21:00.000-05:00

Listening to a Mark Driscoll sermon tonight while jogging and he used the illustration that we need to reboot every once and awhile. That we need to shut down the world for a few days. No TV, No internet, No books, No newspaper, No Cell phone. In turn read the Word, worship, fast, memorize scripture, journal, prayer. Sounds like a great idea for a retreat weekend or week.

Question to ponder or question: Do you need to reboot?

1# Question about Hell

2008-01-16T10:39:00.000-05:00

Sunday we started a new series on Heaven and Hell in Sunday School. We talked about Hell. Talking about Hell is always a little scary, and the students seemed zoned in. I hope it makes the students think about where they will spend eternity, and I also hope it encourages them to tell the people they love about Jesus so they don't have to experience Hell.

The number on question I am asked about hell is this, and I was asked it Sunday...

Why would a loving God send someone to Hell?

Do you know the answer? I do.

Winter Retreat Update

2008-01-16T09:41:00.000-05:00

Looking like it's gonna be a great weekend. The weather report for WinterPlace is filled with snow. We have about 40 students and sponsors signed up and ready to go. We are going to do a study called "Zip It" from Lifechurch resources during the weekend. It's all about words that come out of our mouths.

Complaining

Criticizing

Gossip

Our words reveal the condition of our hearts.

Question to Comment on or ponder: What is in your heart?

Big Saturday

2008-01-12T19:00:00.000-05:00

We had a great Saturday. It was Sadie's third B-day we had like 8o degree weather and had a great day at the park. My fam and Sarah's were all there we had a few Daugherty's show and the Albert clan in attendance. Jan 12 and it's 80, amazing!

I'm watching the Green Bay vs Washington game as I type and wishing for some snow for Sunbowl/ Impact practice tomm. Saturdays with family and football does it get any better?

Tommorrow morning for Sunday School starting a new series about Heaven and Hell, should be fun.

Everything is spiritual...

2008-01-11T11:22:00.000-05:00

The Buckham's invited me over last night about 9:30. David and I played some Guitar Hero III, he actually beat Lou on the medium level. It was spiritual. I then had my fourthmeal and quesadilla from the bell. It was spiritual. Then we watched the new video from Rob Bell "Everything is spiritual". Here a few few thoughts from that video...

I need to buy the video. So I can show and share it and also watch it again. It's 1hr and 17 minutes of good stuff.

Rob Bell is a great communicator.

White boards are cool, Rob Bell and UPS are making them popular.

Rob brings a huge whiteboard on stage and using it to illustrate his teachings.

Rob hurt my brain a few times, trying to wrap your brain around a few ideas really made me think.

Main thing I took from the video was everything around me shows God's glory and love for me and you and how many times I miss it. Because I'm to busy or have a to do list some other time constraint.

Question to ponder or comment on: What things do you miss or walk by daily that show God's glory and love for you?

Random Stuff

2008-01-07T13:31:00.000-05:00

I'm glad it's not longer 27 degrees around here.
Starting up a new series "Guy talk Girl talk" next Sunday night. It's some good stuff from Simply Youth Ministry.
High School and Middle School Sunday School have selected the next topic they want to look at, it's our version of the peoples choice awards, Heaven and Hell.
Buc's lost to the Giants saw it coming.
American Gladiators is back. Sweat, Steriods and Spandex, you gotta love it.
Praying for David Buckham he has two interiews in the next 24 hours.
College Championship game tonight. LSU vs. OSU. I have LSU by two TD's.
I'm really enjoying the Craig Groeschel book on preparing for marriage "Going all the way." I'll do a review once I finish it.

New Years Resolutions

2008-01-04T09:43:00.000-05:00

I never get very hyped about New Years Resolutions. Have I done any in the past? Sure. Has it worked? For a while, sometimes forever.

The thing is this why do we need a calendar change to decide that we need to change something in our lives?

It doesn't matter what problem or addiction we have why is Dec 31 to Jan 1 the only time we will think about change?

Changes and resolutions must happen daily. We can't wait till 09, to change the mistakes we have already made in 08.

Question to ponder or comment on: What resolution do you need to start today?

New Years Lock in

2007-12-19T15:19:00.001-05:00

How many times can you hurt me?

2007-12-17T23:26:00.001-05:00

When it comes to Major League Baseball I feel like a loving wife that has a husband who beats her, but I keep coming back becomes I know somewhere down deep he really loves me. I'll go back to the beginning and chronicle my love/hate relationship with baseball.

My dad started my love of baseball, I remember as a kid he would take me to Texas Ranger games.

I then began to collect baseball cards and I didn't stop for many years and many cards later, still have them actually.

My cousin Marky gave me my first cards, I still hold on to them.

My favorite player was Pete Rose as a kid. Why? My dad was a Red's fan since he was a kid, I saw Rose play hard, dive head first, break records hitting records. I began to collect every card with Charlie Hustle(for those MLB haters that's Pete Roses' nickname) on it.

Rose then breaks my heart and is caught gambling. My first heartbreak.

I then chose Nolan Ryan to be my hero, and I picked a good one.

My dad and I continued to go to games together, one of my favorite things to do, baseball with dad.

Then heartbreak #2 the players strike. Greed.

After the strike I followed the MLB still but at a distance.

I moved to St. Pete FL and lived 2 miles from Tropicana Field and the Devil Rays. I was back in love. Dad would come up and we enjoyed watching the d-rays lose as Yankee and Red Sox fans cheered.

Last week the Mitchell Report, heartbreak #3. Greed again, illegal drugs to get an edge.

Should I go back to MLB?

Divorce is not green

2007-12-10T22:49:00.000-05:00

Divorce. Forget that it tears families apart, messes up children involved, or simply breaks peoples hearts. Add to that financial struggles, power struggles, custody battles, promise breaking between God and the couple. Maybe this will help stop divorce.

Divorce Found to Harm The Environment http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/03/AR2007120301797.html

The above link describes how divorce impacts our environment. When people separate they create two household thus creating more need for energy, and water ,etc.

With "green living" or conservation being the buzz right now, I hope people don't stay together for Mother Earth. I hope they stay together for Mom, Dad, kids, family and the promise they made to each other and God.

I'm all for saving the environment, but saving the family environment is a much better choice.

Question to comment on or ponder: Is your family green?

Things I never thought I'd deal with (1 of 4)

2007-12-02T00:45:00.001-05:00

Students came to me this week with three different struggles they where going through. All three I never thought I would personally deal with. I will blog about the near in the future and change the names to protect the innocent and in some cases the guilty. I'm glad they share and I'm glad I get to be a part of their struggles, but it really sits on my heart. It really weighs on me, emotionally and mentally. These are three stories actually all from the same day. This is a day in the life of Youth Ministry. Just when you think you've seen it all and heard it all. I may wait a while so people don't try to figure out who is who.

Questions to comment on or ponder? Every dealt with something you never thought you ever have to deal with?

Stll learning....

2007-11-28T09:44:00.000-05:00

This morning was one of those mornings. Hannah (six months old) was up and at it @ 6:30 a.m. and the Sadie (two months shy of 3 yrs old) woke-up about 6:45 a.m. Sadie was not herself this morning, but she taught me alot about myself. Sadie had a cough and a cold and is under the weather a little so it's to be expected somewhat. Here is what happened and why I'm still learning....

Sadie, Hannah and I were watching some cartoons in our bed enjoying the early morning, I got the girls dressed and ready then myself. As we were sitting there Sadie started to jump around and about dropped a knee on Hannah's head so I said, "No, more jumping please, you just about kneed sissy in the head." Sadie got upset but stopped jumping. She then while watching some blissful cartoon kept almost kicking Hannah, I once again ask her to stop, she once again got mad, and this time reached over and pinch/scratched/slashed my eye (impressive WWE move the eye rake). I told Sadie she hurt me, she didn't care. I asked a few times, "You hurt daddy, what do you say?" She deliberately ignored it and ran out of the room. A few more times throughout the morning I asked her, "what do we say when we hurt someone?" No answer, no care.

As the morning progressed in was time to do Sadie's hair, which is like trying to brush the mane of a lion, the lion doesn't like it, it's dangerous, and the lion will just mess it up in two seconds anyway. I come with brush and hair tie in hand and ask Sadie to come get her hair brushed and she takes off running from me, like the brush is a knife and I'm Micheal Myers (cue the Halloween theme music). As she runs she gets under the table and then bangs her little head really hard as she tries to go around the table. There is one nano second of complete silence after I hear the bump at before the crying and tears.

She now runs towards me and I scoop her up and hold her, telling her it will be okay and and kissing her boo boo away. Then I start to tear up...

Because I see myself in a two year old. I see myself hurting my heavenly Father, knowing I messed up, knowing I'm wrong, but refusing to say I'm sorry and not really caring. Then I replay my words again...You hurt daddy, what do you say?

I see myself running away from Him when He just wants the best for me. I wanted to brush Sadie's hair so she looked as beautiful as possible, not wanting to hurt but to help. I run I bang my head, I get hurt, I feel pain. Guess who I run back to, my Father.

I have learned more about God being a Father, then I ever have listening to sermons, going to Bible college, or any retreat, and I'm still learning.

One last thing...About 40 minutes after all of this morning mayhem, I asked Sadie one last time as I held her little hand and we walked into school. "Is there something you still need to tell daddy?" She responded, "Yeah, I'm sorry." I stopped and told her thank you and that all is forgiven and that I loved her...then teared up again.

Question to comment on or ponder...Is there something you need to tell your heavenly father, or are you still running from Him?

Family @ Thanksgiving

2007-11-23T14:03:00.000-05:00

I am truly blessed. I have a unique family situation. I have had thanksgiving this year with four different extended parts of my family, I'll explain.

My family, Mom, Dad, and Grandma.

My in-laws

My sister-in-laws-in-laws (is that a word?)

My brother-in-laws parents

What does it mean? I ate a ton of food, and put on about 5 pounds easy. I live close to most of my family. But most importantly, I have family on both sides that actually get along. I'm blessed that all the family listed above believe in and follow Christ, both mine and Sarah's family. Now we are not perfect and we all have our quirks, but it was a perfect, loving, buffeting time of celebrating family, blessing and calories. I am thankful for family.

Question to comment on or ponder: How was your thanksgiving? What are you thankful for?

Desires of Youth

2007-11-21T09:47:00.001-05:00

A few Sunday's ago in Sunday School as we are trekking through the book of 2 Timothy we hit the section of scripture that talks about "fleeing the evil desires of our youth." We know that Paul is writing to Timothy here encourage him a he is a young pastor and he reminds him to flee his desires of his youth. So I asked the students what where the desires of a normal everyday youth, they should be the experts. The picture to the left is the list they came up with.

We then discussed which of the desires were evil or good, but we ended up thinking some could be a good desire or evil desire depending on how you use it. Check marks are good, X's are evil, and - are evil/good desires depending on how you use them.

Here is the thing I'm 31 and I still have some of the same desires a high school student would have. I have fled many but some I have not. For example, the one I get stuck on is technology, if you were to look at my cellphone or computer or my house, you would find a techno junkie. I desire new, flashy gadgets, and I like the bells and whistles. I'm sure God shakes his head as I purchase the newest and latest and greatest, great thing to desire Brian. The fact is there are still desires that I need to flee and run from.

Question to comment on or ponder: What desires do you need to flee?

It's all about me..even when I'm gone.

2007-11-10T13:58:00.000-05:00

I just read an article about epitaphs in Canada and how a good number of people are no longer writing simply "Rest in Peace." Here are a few examples from the article.

"I'd rather be in Boston watching the Red Sox"

"I told you I was sick"

"He who dies with the most toys wins"

"Gone Fishing"

"To be continued..."

romantics - "We'll dance in the moonlight"

"I'm not here, I'm havin' a beer"

The last statement in this article is the one that stood out to me a really made me think.

"Well, I suppose you don't dress like everyone else," said Millar. "You want to be noticed a little bit out in the graveyard. It depends on the person, just like what we pick to wear."

We are pretty pathetic. We are so stuck on ourselves that even as people walk through a cemetery we want people to see us and notice us.

Question to comment on or ponder: When will it stop being about ME? How can we beat the ME complex?

Mr. Mom

2007-11-09T13:30:00.000-05:00

Anyone remember the movie in the 80's Mr. Mom? Micheal Keaton stars in the film, and he gets fired from his job and decides to stay home and take care of the kids. He makes it but he does it alotdifferent than mom does it. I see myself in that movie once and a while.

Thursday through Saturday I'm watching Sadie and Hannah as Sarah goes to women of faith in Tampa, I'm glad she gets to go. Watching the girls makes me appreciate Sarah more than ever. I'm usually the one gone on trips or something else and she doesn't even act like it's tough and never complains. It helps me realize I need to be gone less and be more of a help when I am here. She does it with such ease it seems. I'm blessed to have a great wife who is a great mother and I love the times I get to play Mr. Mom.

Question to comment on or ponder: Why is that when we put ourself in someones shoes we see so much clearer?

Hi..my name is

2007-11-05T14:46:00.000-05:00

I'm getting really excited about Sunday nights teaching time. The theme is "Hi..my name is." We are going to talk about how important our names are, in reference to:

Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is more desirable than great riches”

David Buckham is going to help shoot a video to jump start the teaching time out at Bay Pines Memorial Cemetery showing names carved onto various headstones as I introduce the topic.

I've done some research on names and found a bunch of interesting things, here are a few:

According an article in the Harvard Gazette a good Ebay seller reputation will get you 7.6% more money than a bad seller rep. So it pays to have a good name. http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2003/02.27/17-ebay.html

Coca-Cola retains multiple lawyers on staff to stand guard over their trademark name "Coke". (and this was in 1977, they must have an entire division now) (Time Magazine, October 10, 1977)

A museum in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates has agreed to attach the name "Louvre" to it's muesum, with a price tag of 520 million dollars. A good name cost a great price. (Time Magazine, March 6, 2007)

Question to comment on or ponder: What are you doing to protect your good name like Coke, what's your name worth to you?

Let me be totally honest with you...

2007-11-01T00:06:00.000-04:00

Nobody trusts anybody anymore, trust me.

We have camera's at numerous public places, babysitter cam's stuffed into teddy bears. We have prenup's, contracts, the TV show Cheaters, private eyes shooting photo's, clothing and other things worth stealing have a large plastic button or a metal bar codes that go crazy if you walk out the door. It's so bad we had to invent a machine that detects lies. A few generations ago it was the promise sealed with a simple handshake. I mean even deposits for room damages to rental cars all go back to the factor that there is no trust in the world.

Even as a kid you must make binding contacts on the playground. Thus cross my heart hope to die stick needle in my eye, and my favorite promise and one of the strongest the pinkie swear.

So often we have to make promises and sign our name or show proof or a credit card. Jesus tells us something that would really help us.

Don't swear by anything. (Pinkie or Prenup)...Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no.

We need to live that way. I bet if you and I were honest with people and just used Yes and No, there would be no need, for us to promise the moon or swear with a pinkie. People would actually believe the words that come out of our mouths.

Do you have a problem with honesty? No, that's a lie, I swear.

Real Cross-Training.

2007-05-12T23:31:00.000-04:00

American culture loves the mirror. We spend millions of dollars on that reflection. Diet pills, promising before and after. Late night TV is funded by infomercials promising that in only 42 seconds each day on the AB-(add your own noun here) you will have a 12 pack in two days. Gazillions are spent on making old people look young, but then in a little while guess what your sagging and wrinkling again. Then there are Extreme Makeover, Fit Club, Biggest Loser, etc.

Paul in I Timothy 4:7-8 train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

I like to lift and exercise and play ball, I try to stay fit, keyword try. God here through Paul tells us that training, fitness, and eating one twinkie not the whole box has some value. But it should not be our focus to be Arnold or America Next Top Model. . We like to train, tone, and change our body.

But the question is this are you training your spiritual body. What if we could see the shape of your spirit. When is comes to psychical bodies they will sag, wrinkle, bloat and die. But our spiritual bodies have value now and in the life to come. Maybe it's time to not only curl dumb-bells but curl up with the Bible. Maybe it's time to do some cardio, but also hit God's Word in our heart through memorization. Maybe we should look to exercise once a day, and get with Him once a day also. Maybe we should watch what we eat, and watch how we live. Maybe it's time you look in the mirror and look also at your heart.

Do you have a healthy heartbeat for God and for your health? It's time for real cross training, training of psychical health and spiritual health.

One way Street

2007-01-16T22:38:00.000-05:00

So many times we think that church is a one way street. That all roads from the church led to us. I hear, see, and even live the following statements:

The worship leader must have the songs I like in the playlist. I can't worship to other types of music.

The preacher doesn't really speak to me.

I need my needs met.

If I didn't help with this ministry it would fall apart.

Nobody talks to me.

I don't like the way this and that are done.

I don't want to be around middle school students, I'm so mature.

My friends aren't coming, so I cant come to church.

I'm too tired.

Here is the thing when we become members of a church. It's not a country club membership. It's not a place where you are waited on, it's not a place where you pay your dues and then get everything you want. The church membership is a relationship. The church should reach out and try to meet every need a member has. I believe most churches try to do this. But in a relationship there are two sides, it's a two way street. Church members also need to meet the needs of the church. The Church is not a fast food resturant where you order what you want and get it your way right away.

Churches commit to people, but people won't commit to the church.

Running on fumes...

2006-10-25T13:54:00.000-04:00

I've come to see a pattern and it only took me 30 years. My spiritual life is much like how my Jeep runs on gasoline.

My jeeps runs well if there is gas in the tank. My spiritual life runs well if I fill up with the Word, prayer, service, etc.
If the tank is empty in my Jeep I go no where and I'm stranded. I even feel dumb having to call someone to help me out of the mess I have got myself in, and it's even worse if you have to call the same person again when your tanks bone dry for the second time in two weeks. If my spiritual tank is empty I feel lost, broken down, passionless, stranded in life. Every time my spiritual tank is empty, I feel so bad calling out to God again, "Hey, I ran out of gas, can you bail me out?"
Gas is not cheap, well right now it's $2.09 a gallon. Spiritual Gas is not either. It costs me time, energy, focus, and discipline.
I must have a vehicle to get around, thus I must have unleaded fuel to get me through the day. Spiritually I must seek God to get me through the day.

Fuel is something I need. Sure, I could get it from God, through His word, through prayer, through worship. But I'm just like our government, I seek alternatives because the price is to costly, and I fill up my tank with things that look like fuel. Pride, my wants and desires, laziness.

Lord, Once again I come running on fumes ask that you would fill me up. Because I am stranded alongside the road.

19 Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.