Two normal teenagers thrust together for one sleepless night of club-hopping in New York City. Hookups, drinking, crude sexual jokes... teenagers are loving Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, starring voluptuous Kat Dennings and Juno's Michael Cera. It's the modern day Fast Times at Ridgemont High... but with only a PG-13 rating.

My dad had American Grafitti- clean by today's standards, but pretty edgy for its time. In the 80's my generation had the R-rated Risky Business and Fast Times. Teenagers in the 90's (my first youth group) had Dazed and Confused, also R. The new millennium must have ushered in a new standard, because Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is the same ol' thing, but somehow it squeaked through with a PG-13.

Sure, Nick & Norah's doesn't have nudity. It just has orgasms, implied sex, non-stop sensuality, plenty of sexual references and crude humor. It seems as if the MPAA rating just doesn't spell it out clear enough. Nick & Norah's rating is: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including teen drinking, sexuality, language and crude behavior. Do you think that particular rating prepares parents for this?

If you're offended by the above list... good! So am I. Just realize that many of our youth group kids will be watching this film in the next few weeks. After all, public high schools are even allowed to show PG-13 films without parents' permission. Consider that on your kids' next slow school day where the teacher pops in a movie.

I guess I shouldn't expect anything less. For those of us who put our faith in God and His Word, we know that these are the world's morals, not ours. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, Peter writes: As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

It’s really a shame. Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist is a very creative film, cleverly written and well directed. Many audiences love the heart and the artistic expression of the lead character Nick through his “mix CDs” (much like John Cusack’s “mix tapes” in High Fidelity). Michael Cera’s boyish charm delivers once again. No doubt, this movie tells a charming story… sprinkled in manure.

The film also offers parents and youth workers a glimpse of real-world morals and teenage perception of real-world hurt. The characters are genuine and the dialogue is authentic. But unfortunately, Nick & Norah’s doesn’t reveal real-world consequences. Even though characters seem to experience some loneliness and pain, we never see evidence of “regret.” In Nick & Norah’s world, apparently casual sex doesn’t have any consequences. At least Cameron Crowe’s Fast Time’s at Ridgemont High showed consequences both physical and emotional.

Be prepared for polar reactions to this film. Despite the concerns voiced by some critics, pro-gay groups love the movie because of its lack of proverbial gay stereotypes. Some parent groups are calling it clean compared to other mainstream films released to DVD the same month (The bar was pretty low: Sex Drive, and Zack and Miri Make a Porno). I’ve even read some positive reviews from Christians.

So am I being too hard on this piece of “art?”

The film certainly has cinematic merit- it will probably become a cult classic. But I just can’t bring myself to praise such an irresponsible film. My concern lies in its abundance of immitatable behavior and its seeming lack of real world consequences. We have enough media lying to our kids right now. This is one piece of art that my kids don’t need to fill their heads with.

A little surprised, the young man looked at him and replied, "I make $400 a week. Why?" 

The new CEO then handed the guy $1,600 in cash and screamed, "Here's four weeks pay, now GET OUT and don't come back!"

Feeling pretty good about himself, the CEO looked around the room and asked, "Does anyone want to tell me what that goof-ball did here?"

From across the room came a voice, "Pizza delivery guy."

Funny how quick we are to jump to conclusions.  We see something or someone behave a certain way or do a certain thing without understand the ENTIRE picture.  We develop our own view of what's going on, rather than seeking the truth.  Because when we SEEK truth, it requires work, action, and trust.  Rather than becoming critical of others, we are called to encourage.

TRUE STORY:

Late one night as passengers were taking the bus home, some sleeping, others gazing out of the windows, still others just listening to their music, a man got on a bus with his 3 kids.  The man looked tired and worn down, the kids were wild, bouncing from seat to seat, talking loudly, and oblivious to the other passengers.  Passengers who were sleeping were now awake, those gazing out the window were now glaring at the man wishing he would control his kids, those listening to music were had now stopped and all the passengers were shooting glances between each other and the man.

Each passenger seemed to look at another saying, "Say something."  No one moved.  The kids continued their behavior, and dad, was looking like he was beginning to fall alseep.

Finally as if the other passengers had finally had enough, an elderly lady touch the man on his shoulder and asked, "Could you please control your children."

The man sat up, looked at her and replied, "I'm sorry, we just came from the hospital, where their mother died, and I don't know what to do."

As you can image - the bus immediately changed.  Why was it because the kids changed behavior, no. It was because all the information was gathered, and an understanding of the situation was gathered.

Don't JUMP to conclusions - you'll FALL - and hurt yourself and others.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A NORTHERNER WHEN...

Galatians 5:16  So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17  For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.  19  The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;  20  idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions  21  and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.  22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,   23  gentleness and self-control.  24  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  25  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  26  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (NLT)

No one has ever gone to an apple tree, plucked off an orange.  Nor has anyone gone to a banana tree and gotten a pineapple.  The fruit of the tree declares what kind of tree it is.  You CAN go to an apple tree and get a bad apple, you can get bad grapes from the grapevine.  The FRUIT declare whether or not the tree is good, and healthy.

Here's the BIG QUESTION....?????

What does your fruit look like?  What does it say about you?  Look back at the fruit of the spirit - can OTHER PEOPLE SEE IT?  If they can't - it's probably cause it's not there.

A woman gets on a bus with her baby. The bus driver says: “That's the ugliest baby that I've ever seen. Ugh!” The woman goes to the rear of the bus and sits down, fuming. She says to a man next to her: “The driver just insulted me!” 

The man says: “You go right up there and tell him off – go ahead, I'll hold your monkey for you.” 

John 3:27  John (the Baptist) replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 31 “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. 32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! 34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. (NLT)

After Pastor's message on Sunday (if you haven't heard it - listen online here or click to download here), I began to think about God speaking - and about WHAT He says.

In this passage of scripture - John the Baptist is calling for people to LISTEN to what Jesus is saying, not only because He's the son of God, but also because of the MESSAGE Jesus is giving.

These verses kinda jumped out at me:

verse 31 - we speak about earthly things - stuff that we talk about is trivial, it doesn't have lasting, eternal, and real value.

verse 32 - what Jesus talked about - it's eternal, it's heavenly, it has value that will last forever. He testifies about what He has seen and heard.

How much more important then is the words of Christ, of the Bible.  God has spoken, the value of WHAT He has said - is so much more important than anything you or I could say.  Now the question is...Are We Listening?

Sunday night following the evening service over 80 students and parents "invaded" Taco Bell.  Cars, vans, even the mini-bus showed up, and stood in line to place an order.  The look of shock, disbelief, and a slight panic was seen on employee faces.  About halfway through the line the manager locked the doors to the lobby.  We nearly caused them to run out of food.

We took over the lobby for almost 2 hours - and we were getting it to go!!!!  At one point we even caused the drive through window wait time to be over 7 min. long.

So...what's the point?

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.  10  But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. (NLT)

We knew about the "invasion" for almost 2 weeks. Taco Bell was even given a warning (the message wasn't passed on - and there was probably some doubt that we would even show up).

What will happen when Jesus returns WITHOUT warning.  Christians know He will return, the time, the day, the hour is unexpected.  Panic, fear, doubt, anger, disbelief will all be emotions seen that day.

The BIG question is - will you be ready?  Is your life, your heart, serving God?  Have you accepted Christ as Lord of your life?  Does you live your life for Him?  Are you going to be surprised when He returns, or will you be ready?

Some hours later, Holmes wakes up and nudges his faithful friend. “Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.”

“I see millions and millions of stars, Holmes” replies Watson.

“And what do you deduce from that?” asks Holmes.

Watson ponders for a minute.  “Well, Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. 

Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful, and that we are a small and insignificant part of the universe.

Daniel 8:15  As I, Daniel, was trying to understand the meaning of this vision, someone who looked like a man stood in front of me. 16 And I heard a human voice calling out from the Ulai River, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of his vision." 17 As Gabriel approached the place where I was standing, I became so terrified that I fell with my face to the ground. “Son of man,” he said, “you must understand that the events you have seen in your vision relate to the time of the end.” 18 While he was speaking, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. But Gabriel roused me with a touch and helped me to my feet.. (NLT)

If you had an encounter with God, what would you do?  How would you react?  What would you say?

Daniel sees Gabriel, and faints.  Gabriel, an angel - not God, the HOLY, AWESOME, CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT, OMNIPRESENT, KING, but one of the angels.  Read Revelation.  John, the "disciple whom Jesus loved," couldn't stand in His presence.  John spent three years working with Jesus, talking with Jesus, laughing with Jesus, watching Jesus - and now - he "falls as though dead." (Rev 1:17)

What has happened to our AWE of God?  Books are written, describing heaven, walking us through what it will be like, etc.  Yet these Biblical "Giants", can't stand on two feet.

There is a reverence we've missed.  It's almost too obvious.  It's almost like it's not enough for Him to overwhelm us, to be just in AWE of WHO He is.  We have to have something else - we aren't satisfied with just His presence - even though - if we ever experienced it - it would totally wipe us out.

I don't need the extra fluff.  Just let me be in His presence.  Cause when you are - it's wonderful, awesome, indescribable and overwhelming, and you probably won't be able to stand it.

"Exactly," I replied. 

James 1:5  If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (NLT)

I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say, "What's your backup plan?", or "What are you going to do if..." or even "What's plan B?"

Unfortunately this is our culture talking.  God says, "I don't want you to have a plan B.  I want you to totally rely on me."  We waver when we have a "just in case plan," or "backup" plan.

God says this person is unwavering in their faith.  They don't really have faith, because they have a backup plan.  

You want wisdom? Ask for it.  The real test is - Do you have faith?  Prove it, no plan B, no what happens if, no backup plans.  ALL IN!

POLICE COMMENTS - These 16 comments by police officers were taken off actual police car videos around the country. Thank goodness, in spite of the perils of the job, they still have a since of humor... 
16. "You know, stop lights don't come any redder than the one you just went through." 
15. "Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch after you wear them a while." 
14. "If you take your hands off the car, I'll make your birth certificate a worthless document."
13. "If you run, you'll only go to jail tired." 
12. "Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second?  Because that's the speed of the bullet that'll be chasing you." 
11. "You don't know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?" 
10. "Yes sir, you can talk to the Shift Supervisor, but I don't think it will help.  Oh, did I mention that I'm the Shift Supervisor?" 
9. "Warning! You want a warning? Okay, I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket." 
8. "The answer to this last question will determine whether you are a drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?" 
7. "Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and step in monkey doodoo.' 
6. "Yea, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven." 
5. "In God we trust, all others we run through NCIC.' 
4. "How big were those 'two beers' you said you had?" 
3. "No sir, we don't have quotas anymore. We use to, but we're allowed to write as many tickets as we can." 
2. "I'm glad to hear that the Chief (of Police) is a personal friend of yours, so you know someone who can post your bail." 
1. "You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're right, we don't. Sign here." 

Romans 13:1  Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.  2  So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.  3  For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.  4  The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.  5  So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. (NLT)

A couple of years ago I got a ticket.  Now, that might not seem like a big deal to you, but something inside me, started getting upset.  Not with the officer who gave me the ticket - with myself - I deserved exactly what he gave me (I rolled through a stop sign for those of you who are desperately wondering).

What kind of example did I just set for the church?  What kind of example did I just set for Christians?  Why do I believe I don't deserve what I deserve (because God gives grace - does that mean I always get grace)?  Why are Christians the same as non-Christians?  What kind of example did I just set for my kids?  What kind of example did I just set for my students?

Needless to say - I changed.  I am VERY cautious about my speed.  Even had someone at church told me I drive "slow". (I responded with, "I drive the speed limit").  I try to make extra care about HOW I drive.  Am I perfect, not always - I catch myself every once it a while not paying attention enough.

What's the point?!?!  According to Romans 13, you and I should be setting the example, not breaking the rules.  We should be the ones, following the law, driving the speed limit, controlling our road rage.  We should look different, be different, act different, drive different.

A man was walking along a California beach and stumbled upon an old lamp. He picked it up and rubbed it and out popped a genie. The genie said "OK. OK. You released me from the lamp, blah, blah, blah. This is the 4th time this month and I'm getting a little sick of these wishes so you can forget about three. You only get one wish! The man sat and thought about it for a while and said, "I've always wanted to go to Hawaii, but I'm scared to fly and I get very seasick. Could you build me a bridge to Hawaii so I can drive over there to visit?"

The genie laughed and said, "That's impossible! Think of the logistics of that! How would the supports ever reach the bottom of the Pacific? Think of how much concrete . . how much steel!! No, think of another wish!" The man said OK and tried to think of a really good wish. Finally, he said, "I've been married and divorced four times. My wives always said that I don't care and that I'm insensitive. So, I wish that I could understand women . . . know how they feel inside and what they're thinking when they give me the silent treatment . . .know why they're crying, know what they really want when they say, 'nothing' . . . know how to make them truly happy . . ."

The genie said, "You want that bridge with two lanes or four?" 

Matthew 17:20  “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”. (NLT)

After reading this passage I began to think about my own faith.  Faith as small as a mustard seed.  Is my lack of faith keeping God from doing the "impossible" in my life?  Do I trust Him completely?  If I do, do my actions show that I do?

In looking at the year ahead, I guess my "resolution" is to increase my faith.  I want to trust God with all I have.  Now I say that understand just how difficult that is.  It's easy to say - and challenging to do.

Hebrews 11:6  And it is impossible to please God without faith. (NLT)

I want to totally, completely, undeniably, unashamedly, depend on God.

These leap seconds are used occasionally because the Earth slows its spin (rotation) about its axis by an average of two-thousandths of a second (two milliseconds) each day. This slowness occurs primarily because of gravitational forces acting on the Earth from the Moon and from other secondary sources such as heavy movements deep within the interior of the Earth.

The organization called the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), with its central bureau located in Frankfurt, Germany, takes care of time with respect to Earth’s spin about its axis. It is the responsibility of the IERS to make the decision to add a leap second to the world's official clocks. The IERS assures that atomic clocks do not vary by more than 0.9 seconds with respect to the Earth’s rotation. When they vary by more than 0.9 seconds, they order a new leap second to be introduced around the world. These atomic clocks are used to tell time by the vibration of very accurate cesium atoms. These clocks are accurate to within one billionth of a second each day, and are much more accurate than clocks that use the rotation of the Earth.

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. (NLT)

Sometimes I just wish Jesus would return and we can go home, I'm ready, I'm tired of dealing with this "earthly" stuff.

Then usually this verse comes to mind.

The reason Jesus hasn't come back is because there are still people who need more time.  He doesn't want anyone to perish.  He wants to take as many people with Him as possible.

When you understand why, and you love the who, waiting isn't that bad.

Hoping to keep the peace Nigel ate lunch with the rest of the family, and even lingered for some pleasant after-lunch chat before retiring to the lounge to turn on the television.

Some minutes later, Janet looked in to see how he was and graciously even bought a cold soda for Nigel. She smiled, kissed him on the cheek and asked what the score was. Nigel told her it was half time and that the score was still 0-0.

'See?' Janet said happily, 'You didn't miss a thing.'

Romans 12:2  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (NLT)

New [noo] - something that is new; a new object, quality, condition, etc. :Ring out the old, ring in the new.

I think the real reason for the new year is really about an excuse to throw a party, get off work, or even try to erase the previous year.  I mean, is it really new? What's new about it? How we right the date? Do we really change?

Sure we come up with some great intentions....I mean resolutions. They usually are forgotten 30 days later.

Romans says it's about the WAY YOU THINK.  It's not about a calendar, it's not about a new year.  It's all about how you change your thoughts.  If we change the WAY we think, God transforms us into a new person.  The quality and condition of our lives becomes infinitely better.

Don't start the new year with resolutions.  Instead start the new year with thoughts. Think like God thinks.  Put his WORDS (Bible) into action in your life.  Yeah, the date might be new, but becoming a new person - knowing God's pleasing and perfect will - is so much better.

Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.

We should have known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

Romans 12:9  Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (NLT)

Love is what this season is all about.  TAKE DELIGHT IN HONORING each other.  It should feel great when you genuinely love someone.  It should inspire and excite us.

Don't fake it.  Don't pretend.  Love each other.

It might take some practice to love each other - that's ok.  It's the what God wants, and what we are supposed to do in light of what He's done for us.

That's the direction we should be headed!

'Something for my mother, please,' replied Emily sweetly.

'Something for your mother? Well, that's very loving and thoughtful of you,' smiled Santa. 'What do would you like me to bring her?'

Without turning a hair Emily answered quickly, 'A son-in-law.'

In the Greek New Testament, there are three different words used which can be translated by the English word "love":

• agapê (love, charity) This is a God's love.  Agape love gives and sacrifices expecting nothing back in return.

• philia (friendship, love) Brotherly love.  A soulish (connected through our emotions) kind of love - something that can be experienced by both believers and non-believers.

• storgê (natural affection), only as astorgos (lacking natural affection) in Ro.1:31 and 2Tim.3:3.

A fourth Greek word for "love", eros (attraction, sexual love) is not found in the Greek NT, neither the word itself nor as root of another word.  We get the word erotic from this word.

1 Peter 1:22  You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love [phileo] to each other as brothers and sisters. Love [agape] each other deeply with all your heart. (NLT)

Most of the time we confuse love with infatuation - that elated, "high" feeling we get when we "fall in love."  LOVE is not based on situation, circumstance, or even feelings.

Don't confuse how you feel (storgê) with what you feel (eros) with how we are supposed to love (philia) each other, and love (agapê) God and each other.

She exploded into a rage, yelling at me, "You northern Yankees never do read the Bible!"

I assured her that I did, but simply couldn't recall anything about firemen in the Bible.

She jerked her Bible from behind the counter and ruffled through some pages, and finally jabbed her finger at a passage.  Sticking it in my face she said, "See, it says right here, 'The wise men came from afar!'"

She jerked her Bible from behind the counter and ruffled through some pages, and finally jabbed her finger at a passage.  Sticking it in my face she said, "See, it says right here, 'The wise men came from afar!'"

Ephesians 4:1  Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (NLT)

It's hard sometimes to be humble.  It's hard to be gentle.  But patient with other people, making allowance for their mistakes!?!?

Don't you just feel that sometimes there are people who deserve a good smack in the head. Or maybe they need someone to tell them what they are doing wrong. No one likes to be on the receiving end - but we all know people who need it.

We are called, BECAUSE OF OUR LOVE - to make EVERY EFFORT to keep unity. Yes, people can drive us up the wall - keep the unity.  Not because they don't deserve it or because they don't need it - because of our love.  Because love keeps peace, and is patient with one another.  Because love doesn't judge or demand.

Go the extra mile.  Turn the other cheek.  Because of your love.

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. (NLT)

I remember asking for a present for Christmas and then not getting thinking, "It's because they didn't love me."  Now as a parent I understand a little more.

I didn't get the gift because I didn't need it, it would have been unhealthy for me to have, we didn't have the money, it was cheap and would have broke in minutes.

God's love is no different.  He doesn't give us everything we want because it's not always good for us.  And it's not because He's mean - it's because He has our best interest at heart.

He's not waiting to return for us because He's slow - He wants as many people as possible for the return trip.  He loves people and wants to be with us.

The next time you call out to God - just remember HE IS LISTENING - and He loves you, enough to say no, enough to say wait, and more than you will ever know.

For women it's not a call to obedience (although it's a part of it), it's not a call to be oppressed, ruled over, or walked on.  It's not an issue of women being less valuable than man, or less important, or having less ability.  It's a call to RESPECT and HONOR your husband.

Most women don't like this verse, and your not supposed to - it's part of the curse of sin:  Genesis 3:16  Then he said to the woman,  “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy,  and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.”

If most husbands treated their wives like they are commanded (see previous blog) - this is a non-issue.  When a husband dies to himself and lives for his wife - it's easy for her to respect and honor him.  It's when he doesn't that women struggle.

It really boils down again to LOVE.  Love puts the other person first.  Sacrifices our desire to be first, our desire to be important or be in control.  It means I will put you first, and submit (respect and honor) you.

Doesn't mean that it's easy - life never was, never is, never will be.

What does this mean for a man? It means he must give up his desires and live to please his wife (1 Cor 13).  It means how I treat my wife is example of what I truly think of myself, Christ, and the church.  The man is called to PROTECT his wife.

To LOVE my wife is to do what Christ did.  DIE.  Die to myself.  Christ sacrificed everything for us.  He suffered so we may live.  He walked away from glory to be slaughtered.

As men we are commanded to sacrifice.  Women and children first.... It means more than that though. It's a mentality.  It's a (sometimes difficult) constant decision to love our wives to the point where we die to ourselves.

It's a price higher than some will pay...but it's worth dying for.

Luke 14:26  “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison - your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. (NLT)

We want things cheap.  We want the best deal.  We want the best, but don't want to pay for it.  We want the bargain.

What if God wanted the cheap? He wanted the bargain? He didn't want to send His son - that price was to high to pay.  Give me the 2 for 1 special.

Love pays full price. Love isn't cheap, and won't do cheap. Real love is willing to pay whatever needs to be payed - because the value isn't about what the asking price - the value is determined by what love will pay. Love goes farther, lasts longer, forgives more,  and stops at nothing.

Do we really understand how GREAT God's love is for us?  According to this verse - we don't really "get it".  We can't fathom God's love for us.  It's to BIG, to GREAT, to IMMEASURABLE.

We build huge towers, and monuments, ships that travel into space, all kinds of grand and big things.  They don't even touch God and His love.  It's beyond our imagination - now that's BIG!

The greatest command - LOVE.  It doesn't matter what you say, It doesn't matter what you do - without love, it's nothing.  Why is it then so hard to love?  Why do we fail at love?

WRONG DEFINITION - love is a choice.  It's not a feeling, it's not even an act (an act of love proves a choice you made).  Love chooses people (who they are) over people (what they've done).  It's why a parent loves a child even when the child disobeys, it's why God loves us, even when we make mistakes, or don't love Him.

WRONG MOTIVATION - love is about someone else.  We do it not so we can feel good, but so someone else feels good. It's not based on my opinion of someone else - it's based on my knowing how God sees them.  How I feel about them is insignificant to how I MUST treat them.

WRONG INTERPRETATION - love requires action.  I can say "I love you," but if I fail to act upon my choice - it doesn't mean anything to you.  We say we love people - but our failure to act upon that statement causes a misinterpretation of our words.  Did we really mean what we said?  Were we just trying to be nice?

Jesus made a choice, He died for you and me, and His actions proved it.  That's real love.  It's the kind of love that we are supposed to show and give and live.

1 John 4:20  If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

Why is it that we "FAKE IT" so much.  Come on - take the mask off, and be honest.  Don't say everything is fine when everything is not.  We become someone that people like we act a certain way because we want to fit in.  We are careful not to let people to close - they wouldn't like, or we wouldn't like them to meet the real "me."

Romans 12:3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. (NLT)

When was the last time you were HONEST with yourself.  Honest with others.  We fear that people won't like, understand or worse yet - they will judge the real me.

Here's the problems:

(1) You and I will never know REAL LOVE unless people see the real us.  Our pain, hurts, shortcomings, and faults allow others to love us for who we are. When we pretend, and become who people want us to be - we miss the greatest gift of all - LOVE.

(2) When we judge others we miss opportunity to LOVE.  The body is supposed to CARE FOR - not judge it's parts.  I don't care about your background, your hurts, your failures, your mistakes - I've had plenty of my own.  What I want - is the opportunity to love you - for who you REALLY are.

That's really what Christmas is about.  Jesus came to love the real you.  The real me.  If only we could understand, and show this kind of LOVE - it would change the world.

I love figuring out how things work, taking things apart, putting them back together (most of the time).  I think part of that is human nature - we want to know how stuff works, why it works.

I got to go to "The Magic House" in St. Louis as a kid.  There they have all these scientific things you can experience and do.  My favorite was the lightning ball.  You would touch it and all the lightning inside the ball would go to your hand.  My next favorite was the static ball - this one made your hair stand up when you touched it.  (Insert hair joke here).

I know it's a scientific thing - but how does it work?  It always amazed me.

Ecclesiastes 11:5  Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. (NLT)

I think sometimes we try to "figure God out".  We want answers!  We want to know "why?"  I've learned that we aren't going to get those answers until we get to heaven.  There are just some things that we will never know.

I will leave you with this statement that I heard several years ago, and I hope that this "satisfies" your curiosity and answers as it did mine.

"If we could figure out God, and the things of God - He wouldn't be God."

Some of you remember the arcades, you would go a mall, or a store, get change for a couple bucks and throw those quarters in the machines.  I was of different generation.  Yes, I played the arcades, but my generation got a new household name....Nintendo.  You didn't have to leave the house - the games came to you.

Some of you might want me to bash playing video games, or say that "no one plays outside anymore".  But I'm not riding that dead horse.  I'm a gamer.  Always been a gamer.  The only game I can't beat students at is Halo.  Almost every other game - I will win (unless you are like a professional donkey kong player or something).

I played backyard football after school (me and my brother mopped up the neighborhood).  Then after dinner it was video game time (except Friday night - that was family night).

There were several times my mother said, "Time's up." and turned off the system (that is never a nice thing to do to a gamer).  She quickly learned that if she would give us a moment we would "save" our game.  This allowed us to pick up where we left off the next time we played.

Mark 8:34  Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.  35  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.  36  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? (NLT)

Save means to rescue or to keep from being lost.  Jesus says here in Mark the only way to SAVE your life is to lose it.  For a video game that doesn't work, but for us, in this life, it does.

Notice the condition. "IF we want to be his follower..."  It cannot be about me. "Turn from your selfish ways".  This means things might get "uncomfortable," and I can't do what I want.  It means I live for a bigger purpose.  I live for Him, and He was always about other people.

Life doesn't have a save button.  You can't come back to it later and pick up where you left off.  We need Jesus to save us.  Otherwise...GAME OVER.

I love Legos.  My kids love legos.  You can build anything with legos.  Usually you start with what is on the box and then, eventually, you start creating whatever you want.  

My favorite lego set was one that I got for Christmas, the pirate ship.  It had working cannons, a monkey, a shark, several pirates, and the ship.  It was about a foot and a half long of awesomeness.  At that time - it was THE lego set to have.  My brothers and I would spend hours playing with legos.  (Now the set to have is the giant Death Star).

Lego made space ships, castle, pirate, city, alien, and even sports legos. The most amazing part about legos are their interconnectivity.  They connect with each other.  Blocks are different shapes, sizes, colors, designs, and yet they all fit together.

1 Corinthians 12:18  But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.  19  How strange a body would be if it had only one part!  20  Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.  21  The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”  22  In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. (NLT)

Sometimes you can get yourself thinking that the church doesn't NEED you.  "They won't even miss me." "I was gone - they never knew it."  Granted sometimes we don't realize when people are gone - remember we are people too.  But doesn't devalue you.

WE DO NEED YOU.  The body of Christ must depend on each other.  I could give a dollar in the offering - but that won't help build a building, or pay for the electricity.  It takes all of us together to accomplish that.

You might not think your role is significant - notice verse 22 - you might be the most necessary.

Think of each person in the church as a lego.  Individually it's not much.  But together we can create, build, and make some pretty awesome stuff.  So whoever you are, where ever you serve - connect, link up and let's build something AWESOME for God!

As in second for those of you keeping score.

A man was talking with God about life, and heaven.  "God, a million years is a long time."  God replied, "It's only like a second to me."  The man commented, "God a million dollars is a lot of money though."  God replied, "It's only like a penny to me."  "God could I have a million dollars?"  God answered, "Wait a sec."

Romans 5:3  We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  4  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  5  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (NLT)

That's what God is there for right - to bail us out.  To give us what we need.  It seems that is sometimes what we think.

The Bible says He is the ULTIMATE DAD.  I remember wanting something as a kid and not getting it cause my dad said no.  I thought he was mean.  Now I have kids, and find myself in the exact same situation - my kids ask me for something - I say no.

Not because I don't want them to have it, or because I'm a miserable ogre, or even because I'm mean. I see the opposite side of the coin - I see the benefit to them not getting it.

God knows that in the long run He would rather us not get our immediate desires, so we understand His love, and appreciate the other gifts He gives even more.

If you are like our family when choosing an establishment to eat there are 2 (two) very important questions you must ask.

1) Who's got the best toy in the kids meal?

2) Who's value meal are we going to eat from?

You want to stretch your money as much as possible.  The most "Bang" for your buck. Everyone want to make sure their money goes as far as possible.  Even websites are trying to entice people to shop.

Ebay has a special going on right now where you have to search through there site to find the hidden $1 item.  Here is a few of the items you can "find" - 2009 C6 Corvette Coupe, a Brooks Brothers men's charcoal suit, a 2.5 carat Asscher cut diamond engagement ring, 65" plasma TV, plus several other items.

Romans 12:2  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  3  Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.  4  Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,  5  so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. (NLT)

How many times do we try to pick and choose our own "value meal" at church.  We want grace without conviction, mercy without judgement, love without loving others, friendship without being friendly.  We expect others to serve us without being a servant. We have adopted the "world's" view.  Buy it now, get it quick.  It's almost like drive through church.

Why can't we WAIT on God.  SIT in His presence.  SLOW DOWN and put others first. STOP and let others go.

As the old commercial used to say, "The best thing comes to those who wait."

McDonald's has removed the double cheeseburger from the $1 value meal.  In it's place they have added the McDouble.  The difference between these two sandwiches?  One slice of cheese.  The double cheeseburger is still available - you just have to pay $.20 more for that extra cheese slice.

I love cheese.  Cheese makes the world go round.  Everything tastes better with cheese.

First of all a McDouble sandwich already exists, the true McDouble didn't get it's name from McD's it got it's name on the street.  A McDouble is a McChicken and a double cheeseburger put into one.  The new McDouble is a McFraud.

Second, Wendy's did this a few months ago changing their 1/4 double stack (yes, I'm bitter about that one too).  It's all about profit margins and money.  How about we want to make a great sandwhich?  Removing the cheese doesn't make it better.

Third, I will never purchase the McDouble, or the double cheeseburger again.

1 Corinthians 12:18  But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.  19  How strange a body would be if it had only one part!  20  Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.  21  The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” (NLT)

Each person God has in a special place for a special purpose.  Don't remove yourself from what God wants to accomplish.  WE NEED YOU!  Does that mean that life is easy? No.  Does that mean that we get along with everyone? We will still have our differences.

It means that we lay aside our goals, dreams, personalities for the greater good. For the church.  For God.  For those who don't know him.

Don't change the recipe - God knows what He is doing!

I know I haven't blogged in a while, and while I could provide a list of things I was doing, and how busy my schedule was, and all the reasons why I haven't blogged in a while - I won't.

No Excuses.

Plan and simple blogging wasn't my priority over the last couple weeks.  The problem is - it should have been.

I can't tell you how many times I hear excuses about why someone didn't make it to church.

It doesn't matter how tired you are, how crazy your schedule, how bad your day went, or how much work you have to do when you get home.

Either God is your priority or He's not.  Your choices PROVE whether or not He is.

So the next time you don't feel like it, are tired, are busy, or are simply having a rough day - just make sure HE is your priority.  And let nothing take get in the way.

I played baseball during my High School years, and there was one pitch that I really didn't like - the curveball.  If a pitcher can really throw a curveball it will look like the pitcher threw the ball out of the strike zone, then at the last second, move over the plate.  Some times the ball will look like it is to far to reach then come back toward you, other times it might look like the pitcher threw the ball at your head, then suddenly "curves" back over the plate.

Life can throw curveballs.  All of the sudden out of the blue, something happens, you weren't ready for it, you didn't see it coming.

Matthew 6:25  “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  26  Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?  27  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  28  “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,  29  yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  30  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?  31  “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’  32  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  33  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.  34  “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (NLT)

Verses 33 and 34 are the key here.  Don't worry - Seek God.  His promise is - if we seek Him - He will take care of everything else.  

I was asked to explain about this passage for someone - so I figured "HEY" - I would post it here for everyone.....

John 8:31  Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.  32  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  33  “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”  34  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.  35  A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever.  36  So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.  37  Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message.  38  I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”  39  “Our father is Abraham!” they declared. “No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.  40  Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.  41  No, you are imitating your real father.” They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”  42  Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.  43  Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me!  44  For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.  45  So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me!  46  Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me?  47  Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”  (NLT)

They were thinking - Abraham is our father / Jesus is thinking - God is your Father

verse 35 is a key verse here - read it again and again.

verse 38 is the slap in the face - why? - cause Jesus just tells them that their father is the devil.  I mean how would you react if someone told you that.

Why does Jesus make this BOLD statement - their actions.  They were behaving in such a way that was contrary to God.  Their ACTIONS proved differently than what they said.  They said (vs 41) that God was their father - yet Jesus said, no He isn't the devil is.  I can't even imagine the anger that burned inside some of them.

Today we would use the word - hypocrite.  You say one thing and you do another.  but Jesus doesn't even stop there (vs 47), He says that if you don't LISTEN to God you don't belong to God.  So it's not just your ACTIONS it's also your ATTITUDE.

Our refusal to conform to God's authority - to those in authority - shows WHO we serve.  A rebellious attitude toward a person in authority shows you do not belong to God.  Because ultimately EVERYTHING we do we do unto God.

Ephesians 6:5  Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ.  6  Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart.  7  Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

So what is Jesus saying?

Remain FAITHFUL to His teachings.  ACT appropriately to His teachings.  Don't just act appropriately - let your ATTITUDE (heart and behavior) be appropriate. Failure to do this proves you don't love HIM, and that your father is the devil.

So I've been observing and watching the last several days the Mission's Festival here at NC.  Yes, this is my first Mission's Festival here, but it not the first Mission's Convention or Festival I've been to.  I've just been trying to observe people - people that call NC home, people that visit NC, people that work at NC, just people.

Here's what I've seen.

Mission's is a BIG DEAL here at NC.  You know what - that excites me, I'm so glad to be a part of a church that wants to tell others about Jesus.  People who see the need, vision, who want to support and help, people that want to reach the world.

I thought of the Great Commission and it's so awesome to be a part of what God has called us to do!

Matthew 28:18  Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  19  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  20  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NLT)

After reading this I had to stop and think again.  This calling wasn't just a send missionaries to the world and reach them - this was a personal call.  YOU go and make disciples, YOU baptize, YOU teach.

I have been thinking - I know that's dangerous - Am I, ME, MYSELF reaching people.  When was the last time (other than a church service) that I led someone to Christ?  Have I shown Jesus to my neighbors?  Do they even know I'm a Christian?

It's been to long.  I can do more.  I am a missionary.  Where ever my feet take me is my mission field.

That's when it hit me....Mission's can't just be a big deal at church, or when the offering plate comes, or when I fill out a pledge card.  Mission's must be a big deal all the time.  Until He returns there will always be people that need to hear His message.  And it's our job to tell them. 

Dream - If you could do anything, and knew you wouldn't fail, what would you do?
Discover - What are the talents and gifts God has given you?
Adapt - What are the things in your life you need to be flexible about?
Expect - How can you prepare for the future?
Focus - What distracts me from God?
Create - What am I actively doing for God?
Enjoy - What do you enjoy doing?
Invest - What are you investing in?

I want to live my life serving God to the absolute best of my ability.  When we keep him the center of our lives we truly understand what life is all about.

Ephesians 3:16  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  17  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  18  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  19  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (NLT)

May we experience life the way God intended it to be!

Times have changed, some of you remember when things could be bought and agreed upon simply by a handshake and your word.  Now people are a little less trusting, almost doubting that others will keep their word, sometimes even doubting that they will keep their own word.

Isn't it good to know that God will ALWAYS keep His word.  There never has to be any doubt or wonder if He's gonna do what He says.  Sure it might be slower than we like sometimes, but He's gonna keep His promises.  His Word is true.

Here are some promises of God's Word:

Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (NLT)

Luke 11:11 “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead?  12  Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not!  13  So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (NLT)

James 5:7  Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.  8  You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. (NLT)

James 5:13  Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.  14  Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.  15  Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.  16  Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (NLT)

James 1:5  If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  6  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. (NLT)

Some promises require action on our part (waiting is an action - it's just not an active action!).  One of my favorite books is "Promises of a Jesus Freak" (it's available at the NC bookstore), it's simply a book with topics -- anger, depression, guilt, love, peace, worry, joy, and then scripture verses that give the promises from Scripture.

It encouraging to know that we can count and depend on God's Word.

This week Alicia Chole challenged us with a message that I believe not just a message from the Word of God, but a message for Northland Cathedral.  If you haven’t heard the message click here.

I began to think about the church as a whole, about how we let petty things get in the way of of the BIG PICTURE.  You know, we worry more about how people dress than who they are in God’s eyes.  We worry more about the style of worship, more about where someone parks their car, more about where we sit, more about the Pastor’s hair, more about who talks to us - or if someone in particular talks to us at all.

None of these things have ETERNAL value.  They are just forms that we perceive as valuable.  The real value is people.  God’s people.  Whether they dress wierd, look weird, act weird - it doesn’t matter - they are what holds value.  We must see them as God sees them - not as sinners - but as potential saints.

Then I began to take a personal look at this whole concept.  How many times to I judge my kids, my wife based on form and not substance.

This concept is crucial to us because it can cause us to miss the BIG PICTURE of what God is trying to do - because  we are stuck to our “this is the way it should be” ideas.  I’m not saying that EVERYTHING we do should be tossed out the window - NO WAY.

But we need to have an evaluation of what, how, and why we do what we do.  Is it because that is God’s plan for our llfe?  Is it because that’s what God’s called us to do?  --OR-- Is it because that is what I want to do?  Is it because that’s what we’ve always done?

I just want what God wants.  Don’t care about anything else.

Until we meet again . . . in His service, PJ --------------- <<< to comment on this blog click here >>>

It wouldn't be so funny if it was made by anyone else - but this was said to me by my 3 year old son.  And he was serious.

Here we were sitting on the couch.  He looks at me with all seriousness, "You've got to be kidding me, he can go into water!?!?  I couldn't help it.  I giggled.  Then he said it again as if I wasn't taking him serious enough.

So what does this have to do with anything?

Simple, enjoy the moments.  Don't miss the moments.  Moments of laughter, pain, crying.  Moments together.

These are what make life.  Take in the moments, enjoy family, friends, God, creation, life.  Just don't get to the end of the journey and say, "You've got to be kidding me - I missed that?"

**edited about 5 min later**

My 2 sons are playing are playing on the couch - the youngest has his feet in the older one's face saying, "Smell it, smell it."

Without kids, life wouldn't be enjoyable.  They bring the meaning of joy to life.  You can never laugh to much.

Until we meet again . . . in His service, PJ

The first time I heard that phrase - I just kinda did one of those, "I don't like that because it says 'devil' in it thoughts."

A little older now, and "hopefully" a little wiser, i've learned the real "meaning" behind this phrase - it means that small things in plans and schemes that are often overlooked can cause serious problems later on.

It's a very true life principle - ask any person who plays sports.  The only thing you alway must work on and continue to do, and do well if you want to win is....the basics, the fundamentals, the little things.

If you were to take off from an airport at the equator, intending to circumnavigate the globe, but your course was off by just one degree. By the time you returned to the same longitude, how far off course would you be? A few miles? A hundred miles? The answer might surprise you. An error of only one degree would put you almost 500 miles off course, or one hour of flight for a jet.

It's also a Biblical principle.

1 Corinthians 5:6  Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough? (NLT)

Galatians 5:9  This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! (NLT)

It could be life or death.

In 1979 a passenger jet with 257 people on board left New Zealand for a sightseeing flight to Antarctica and back. Unknown to the experienced pilots, however, someone had modified the flight coordinates by a mere two degrees. This error placed the aircraft 28 miles east of where the pilots thought they were.

As they approached Antarctica, the pilots descended to a lower altitude to give the passengers a better view. Neither pilot had made this particular flight before, and had no way of knowing that the incorrect coordinates had placed them directly in the path of Mount Erebus, an active volcano that rises from the frozen landscape to a height of more than 12,000 feet.

As the plane continued on it's journey the white of the snow and ice covering the volcano blended with the white of the clouds above, making it appear as though they were flying over flat ground. By the time the instruments sounded the warning that the ground was rising fast toward them, it was too late. The airplane crashed into the side of the volcano, killing everyone on board.

It was a terrible tragedy brought on by a minor error - a matter of only two degrees.

So, what's this whole thing about?  Simple.  The basics.  The fundamentals.  The little things.  Prayer.  Reading God's Word.

They sometimes seem like just little things, but then again - the devil is in the details.

Until we meet again . . . in His service, PJ --------------- <<< to comment on this blog click here >>>

This weekend I was talking to a gentleman, and he asked me, "So, what's your favorite scripture verse."  It didn't take long - I knew my answer right away.

Romans 12:2  Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (NLT)

We were made not to conform but to be transformed.  The rest of this chapter hinges in this verse - if we don't change the WAY we thing we can never accomplish God's will for our lives.  We can't see WHAT He sees, HOW He sees.  Here are some of the verses that follow - if we want to live them we have to CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK.

3  Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. (NLT)

7  If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.  8  If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. (NLT)

9  Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.  10  Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  (NLT)

12  Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.  13  When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. (NLT)

14  Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. (NLT)

16  Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! (NLT)

 17  Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. (NLT)

 21  Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. (NLT)

Until we meet again . . . in His service, PJ --------------- <<< to comment on this blog click here >>>

I’m watching my son (3yrs) play with his little sister (1yr), and they are playing and having a good time, then out of nowhere he runs and tackles her.  Her face was immediate shock - He was laughing - I wanted to laugh - she looked at me with one of those, should I cry, should I beat him up, or school I giggle faces.  I smiled at her and she was ok.  Then I warned him - “Don’t tackle your little sister.”

Then I began to think about us, the church.  We sometimes act like my son.  We are just having fun.  We are just doing what we want to do.  What we are really doing is two things:

We aren’t really intending to bully - but we are.  We don’t intend to hurt people, but we do.  Our actions and attitudes, our concerns are only about us.  When that happens, we “run people over”, because we are so busy doing what we want.  We are so focused on our agenda.

This is the exact opposite of what Christ called the church to be.  We are the “body” of Christ.  We are supposed to work together.  I lay down my wants and desires so that Christ may be glorified.  Whether you “tackle” someone with your words or actions, or whether you ignore them because you are so “busy” - you are being a bully.

We don’t see what God is trying to do.  It’s like the horse with blinders on - we just see our little vision, our little path, and we miss God’s BIG plan.

God’s BIG Plan is PEOPLE.  It’s all about people.  When we lose that picture, when we are so involved with our agenda, with our schedule, with our routine that we miss people - we’ve missed what God is trying to do.

Read 1 Corinthians 12 (for space sake I will only post a few verses)

1 Corinthians 12:12  The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.  18  But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.  21  The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”  22  In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.  25  This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.  26  If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. (NLT)

Want to live for a BIG DEAL?  Want to see the BIG PICTURE?  Want to LIVE what Jesus LIVED and DIED for?  It’s PEOPLE.

HOW DO WE FIX THIS?

This will sound to simple, which it is, but is difficult to practice on a continual basis since we are so driven to follow our agenda, and so focused on ourselves.

Ready, here it is (will use a traffic light to illustrate and so we can remember):

STOP what I’m doing.

use CAUTION and think about others first.

GO out of my way to make other people feel at home, and welcome.

When you do this not only do you feel better about yourself, you generate an atmosphere that is irreplaceable in the church.  Church becomes a place of fun, laughter, joy, family.  It’s exciting to be there, and you look forward to going, and there is a genuine love for each other.  It’s what family is about, what church should be about, and what Jesus was all about.

Now if you will excuse me, I have to go tackle my son, cause now we are playing football.

Until we meet again . . . in His service, PJ

When you really take a close look at life on this earth, it’s brevity, it’s absolute purpose and it’s end result.  What is the point?

If the point is just living - this is pointless.

If the point is to be reincarnated as a bug, animal or something else - this is pointless.

If the point is to love, make friendships, laugh, cry, or get money - this is pointless.

If there is something larger to live for.  Something beyond our grasp.  Someone who genuinely, loves and cares for us.  Someone who created you and me.  If He is the reason for life - now I have purpose.

I don’t live for me, you, or anything else.  I live for God.  Him alone.  That brings me back to my first question.

How many times do we really evaluate our lives based on the end result?  If the end result is heaven, and in order to get there I must make choices and decisions that please God.  Shouldn’t that formulate and CHANGE the way I behave and the choices I make?

I guess after the last few weeks I’ve come to the realization - I don’t think we change ENOUGH.  I think we say we want to change. We know we should change.  We believe we should change.  But the ACTION of change is another matter.

I guess what I’ve come to realize is WE take, ok I take tomorrow for granted.  I take it for granted with my wife.  I take it for granted with my kids.  I take it for granted with my friends.  I take it for granted with my God.

That’s how I think God wants us to live all the time.  When you live like that it removes fear, doubt, and encourages faith, joy, and love.

James 4:14  How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog — it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. (NLT)

May I live as if there was no tomorrow, and may my life bring glory to God!

Until we meet again . . . in His service, PJ --------------- <<< to comment on this blog click here >>>

In an effort to help the family, a memorial fund has been set up at Farmers State Bank in Cori's name - 1168 Maples St. Morrisville, MO 65710 417-376-2270 & Assembly of God Credit Union 1-866-508-2428.

Why would I post this?

James 1:27  Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. (NLT)

I’m not saying you should give to this.  People asked, so I’m showing how you can help.  If you know someone who is close to you without a mom or dad, wife, husband, this might be just a reminder to do something for them.  Something kind, thoughtful, and generous.

Whether its’ time, money, energy, love - it all is appreciated and needed.  Let this be an encouragement - give something.  Kind word, letter, mow a lawn, bake a pie, cake or cookies.

It’s the little things.  It’s you remembering them.  There’s something special about doing something for someone.  Showing them you value them.

It’s what Jesus did when He died for us.

Hearing this I began to think about death, and the time we have here on this earth.  How life just is to short.  How can children be left without a father?  A wife without a husband?  Then I remember that this life is temporary.  The goal is not to endure on this earth.  The purpose is to honor God, and love Him.  We are called to life for eternity - not for the present.  We love people, and it hurts to see them go - but the hope of the future is greater.

Found this post from Scott's blog.  Wanted to share it.....

"Time is an interesting topic. It is completely a topic of perspective. 10 years seem like forever to a child, but...  Read More a vapor to an aged man who is reminiscing. Over the last ten years I have had high school friends die, children born, friends' marriages begin and end, trials and blessings, and the list goes on.

Then I think about my own life. What have I done for God? What mountains have I moved? Have I made a difference? Is the world and Heaven a better place due to my efforts?

I have not made a lot of money. I have not raised the dead. I have not led 1,000 souls to Christ.

So how would I describe the last 10 years?

All I can say is that I have strove to be faithful and obedient to the will of GOD in my life.

So how have the last 10 years been?

Great!

In all things, may I just be found faithful." - Scott Jett 3/19/08

--------------- <<< to comment on this blog click here >>>

I don't know.  I don't even pretend to know.  Here is what I do know.  When rain does come there are THREE things that I think of.

1)  Rainbows.  That promise that God said I will never destroy the earth again.  We (me and my family) always look for rainbows after and during the rain.  It's just cool that you can see this reminder, this promise of God.

2) The smell.  I love the smell of rain.  (I also love the smell of fresh cut grass, & the ocean).  There's just something about that smell of rain.  Makes me feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and re-energized.

3) God.  This verse in Job pretty much sums it up.

Job 36:26  “Look, God is greater than we can understand. His years cannot be counted.  27  He draws up the water vapor and then distills it into rain.  28  The rain pours down from the clouds, and everyone benefits.  29  Who can understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven?  30  See how he spreads the lightning around himand how it lights up the depths of the sea.  31  By these mighty acts he nourishes the people, giving them food in abundance.” (NLT)

God is BIG.  Greater than we can imagine.  Pretty sure that Job wasn't a rocket scientist, yet he sees and understand that God draw the vapor, distills it to rain, and then sends it back.  Job was a pretty smart guy.

Rain can sometimes be an annoyance.  I mean, can't really enjoy the outdoor activities when it's raining.  You have to run and duck for cover, trying to avoid getting more drenched than you already are.  Where do I store the umbrellas, do I need raincoat, where do I store that during my day?

Let's stop a minute.  Rain was meant to be a "nourishment to the people".  Ok, it might be annoying, cause for change in schedule, it might even mean you are wet.  Change your perspective.  Look at rain as a gift.  As a precious gift from God, that gives nourishment to the earth, to you, to me.  Next time your out in the rain.  STOP.  Look up.  And thank God for the gift.  You might get a little wet, but hey, just enjoy your gift.

Until we meet again . . .

in His service, PJ --------------- <<< to comment on this blog click here >>>

Sounds big doesn't it? It's not it really means - The daily thoughts and experiences of a student ministry pastor. And that's really what this blog will be. A look into the world of “PJ” (Pastor Jason).

Back to the big long phrase above. It's called obfuscation. Which literally means: "To make so confused or opaque as to be difficult to perceive or understand".  Just for an example - let me give you another.

Any guesses?

Basically it means: "My dog at my homework." If you could actually remember or come up with that on your own.  I think just for coming up with something like that you should get an "A" on your paper.

GOOD NEWS! (and the reason which I picked this topic).  The only obfuscation on this blog will be in jest. I will not talk fancy or use big words in order to astound the masses. I will tell you like it is, and how I see it, and after that how God sees it, since He is our measuring stick.

1 Corinthians 2:3  I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling.  4  And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.  5  I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.  6  Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten.  7  No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. (NLT)

I’m in awe of why and how God uses me.  And I know that when I preach I’m not coming up with something or inventing something or even saying something that hasn’t been said before.  But what I do know - God is using me.  It’s HIS power, HIS truth that convicts, challenges, and inspires.

Don’t try to impress people with words, or other “stuff”.  Just let God use you.  Plain. Simple.  Jesus.