Introducing Convergence

Check out CONVERGENCE !

Convergence is a community of pastors and lay leaders who are striving to align themselves to God’s vision for the local church and supportive ministries. We desire to serve the Church by equipping pastors and lay-leaders to creatively and effectively work together towards fulfilling the Great Commission in a manner that is glorifying to God and consequential in the lives of His people.

Fun with the Fam!

The girls and I had a great time today at the new outlet mall on 290!

A Pregnant Dude?

The other day I saw this article about a pregnant man. I was shocked and wondered, “What does this mean theologically if a dude is pregnant!?!?” It turns out the ‘man’ is really a woman who had a partial-sexolectamy (don’t know the proper lingo), but still had enough goods to make a kid (with the help of some specialists).

Here are a few observations:

1) That is not a man.
2) If she thinks she’s a man, she is still a she.
3) Even if she submitted to a masectomy and took some hormones to help grow some facial fuzz, she is still a woman.
4) I cannot believe Oprah had her on the show... Wait, yes I can.
5) This is another evidence that our post-modern thinking (i.e. - if you feel it, then it’s true) is permeating our culture...

This poor woman believes she’s a man. However, nature is proving that she is still a woman...

Introducing Eddie Kirkland

I just purchased "Orthodoxy" by Eddie Kirkland from iTunes.  My friend Steve Fee recommended Eddie to me.  Steve co-wrote a few of the songs on the album.  It's a great album.  You should check it out...  It's hard to find solid,  Christ-centered tunes these days.

But You're Not Hardcore...

I was driving in The Woodlands today and I saw a motortrike like this...  hrmph.

Getting Things Done

Yes. That was my office (and our dog Tucker). As you can see, it had become quite a mess! Most of it is my fault, but I had a little help from our sweet 21 month old daughter as she likes to play with stuff in Daddy's office. It had recently gotten to the point where I no longer wanted to work in my office. Instead, I would grab my laptop and head to the dining room to work. However, that was not always profitible because I have a 21 month old daughter (see above).

I recently started reading a book called Getting Things Done by David Allen. It was recommended to me several years ago by my good friend Rod Brace who is one of the most organized people that I have ever met. I tried the basics a few years back, but as you can see above, they didn't stick. After getting fed up once again with my disorganized life, I realized that the best thing for me to do was to suck it up and begin to get things done.

Last week I set aside some time, purchased the office supplies I would need to implement the process and I got to work.

I got to work at about 7:15 am and was not finished until about 6 pm that night. No lie. It took forever, BUT it was well worth it!

As of Wednesday this week, I have been using my system for one week and I am really getting things done! Is your life unorganized? If so, you are probably overwhelmed by all that has to get done, things being overlooked, or outright forgetting to do things. Let this be an encouragement to you, you can get things done! Let me know if I can help.

Thinking about Corporate Worship

I couldn't sleep last night.  Not because of anything in particular, just one of those nights where sleep didn't come easy.  As I lay awake, I started thinking about the 'worship movement' that is taking place in the Church today and the emphasis on personal worship.  There is such a huge emphasis on worship style, methods, songs, etc. that we can quickly miss the One whom deserves our worship.

Also, what has come of the corporate worship experience?  If you think about it for a minute, you'd quickly realize that we bring a lot of people together to worship individually.  Now, I know that people are encouraged to sing the same song, facing the same direction, and all, but is it just me or is there an increasing emphasis made on the experience of the individual rather than the glorification of Jesus?  Plus, aren't we called to worship God as a people, not just as a person?  

Shouldn't individual worship be defined as our whole life and not just an emotion (see Romans 12:1-2)?  Listen, I'm not trying to be just another negative voice in the worship discussion.  However, I am convicted that I have not been viewing the call to corporate worship appropriately.  We need a little more of 'us and God' and a little less of 'me and God'.  I think we've gotten pretty good at 'me and God'.  

This trend also emphasizes the lack of community in the Church today.  In my experience, there appears to be more authentic community being had at coffee shops and bars, than in the church.  Why is that?  Perhaps there is a connection between our view of worship and our view of community?  The idea of community in the world is a group of people with common interests that derive benefit from one another.  However, isn't there something more that Christ calls us to?  For instance, aren't we to care for widows and orphans?  What if that even means more than paying their light bills and feeding them?  What if it means that we do life with them with the aim of encouraging one another to love and good deeds (see Hebrews 10)?

The more I consider these things, the more I realize that we must return to a higher view of corporate worship.  If you want to close your eyes and raise your hands, that is great, but don't do it at the expense of the community as a whole.  I wonder how pleased God is when we are pouring everything we are into OUR worship, but ignore those in our midst who are suffering, hurting, or just weak in faith?  That must be connected to loving our neighbors as ourselves in some way...

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!  It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!  It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion!  For there the Lord as commanded the blessing, life forevermore." - Psalm 133 (ESV)

One Year in Brenham

I cannot believe that we have been in Brenham for a year. Time has flown by and so much has changed in just one year. I thank God for His grace in the midst of great joy and great suffering. In the next few days I will commit some time to write about our experiences here thus far. However, I need to rest up now as Steph is heading to the famous 'Round Top' tomorrow.  So, more to come in the next few days.

AI: Weighing in

After tonight's performance, here's how I bet the season will unfold to the end.

10: Ramiele Malubay
9: Kristy Lee Cook
8: Chikezie
7: Carly Smithson
6: Michael Johns
5: Syesha Mercado
4: Brooke White
3: Jason Castro
2. David Archuleta
1. David Cook

What do you think?

TransformRadio.com

I wanted to let you know about TransformRadio.com!  It is a new branch of Transform Ministries that offers streaming audio of songs, sermons, live talk shows, and interviews.  We are still working on ironing everything out, but I wanted to welcome my online friends to check it out.  

I will be doing a live talk show on Tuesday's and Thursday's at 2pm CST, so I'd love to have you listen in.  You can find out more by going to the website or you can e-mail me if you have any questions.  

We are currently looking for music from bands to play on our show.  It doesn't have to be 'Christian' music, but it must be appropriate for all age groups.  You can e-mail your songs to transformradio@gmail.com.

Looking forward to journeying with you!

transformradio.com

Living in View of Easter

"He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay." - Matthew 28:6 ESV

We are now in Passion Week and as the week progresses we are confronted with the terror and joy that this week brings. For Christ became sin, although he did not have any sin, so that those who trust in Him will be righteous before God (see 2 Cor. 5:21). Through the passion narrative we experience great love and community, betrayal, shame, distress, hatred, violence, death, but in the end, we experience victory. This victory is not a small victory, rather, it is momentous in the grand scheme of creation.

God, after bearing with a rebellious creation for a long time, has sent His Son to become a sacrifice in our stead. While movies like the Passion of the Christ make much of the crucifixion, it lacks in conveying the significance of the resurrection. Without the resurrection a good man would have been put to death, and perhaps some could even argue that a sacrifice was made. However, without the resurrection, sin and death would still reign victorious.

Jesus took upon Himself the wrath of God, which we deserve, becoming the perfect sacrifice. Through His death, payment for sin was made and God's wrath was appeased. By His resurrection, Jesus became victorious over sin and death. This is our hope as followers of Christ! No longer does sin reign over us, and no longer is death the end! Rather, we now have an eternal hope in Jesus Christ!

Let us use this Easter season to remember that we have died to sin, and therefore are not longer obligated to its reign in our lives (see Romans 6-8). Our hope is no longer based on our performance, rather in Jesus Christ alone.

May God bless you and yours during this Easter season!

Wanting to Write...

Lately I have been wanting to write, which is a good thing, especially since I have a paper due in a few weeks. However, I am realizing that my desire to write goes in cycles. My good friend Justin calls them 'rhythms', which sounds much cooler, but whatever it is I don't always feel like writing. This is fine, but my dear wife reminds me that if I do not post new blog postings, then people will stop reading my blog.

So, I feel more inspired to write and would like to start making a meaningful contribution to the blogospehere. However, I'm still undecided as to what I should blog about. Therefore, I am going to ask my friends who read my blog to leave a comment and give me some suggestions about things to blog about. It can be about anything. I have a few ideas, but I am hoping for you to provide me with some ideas and inspiration.

I'm in a season where I feel like writing, so, give me something to write about!

Pre-Teen Camp?!?!

A few days ago my good friend John Sherrill, who leads 220, called me and asked if I would be interested in preaching for his Pre-Teen Summer camp. He said he would understand if I was not interested, but wanted to ask me anyways. I told him that I would talk with Steph and pray about it.

When I talked with Steph and told her what I was asked she literally laughed in my face and said jokingly, "You've been demoted!!!" She said this because I have been camp pastor for 220 camps in the past for middle school and high school students. I told John this and he assured me that it was NOT a demotion.

The week he asked me to preach I am currently available. However, I have never preached to 5th and 6th graders before, so I wasn't sure if I would connect. Most folks that know me know that I connect well with High School and up. I also have experience with Middle School students, but that is 7th grade and up. A bit different than 5th graders!

With all of this in mind, I have agreed to participate in their camp if they would have me. It is not because I'm hard up for camps, rather, the honest thing in the back of my mind is that I have a 20 month old daughter who I desire to raise up in the Lord, but I am still learning what this means. So, I decided that moving towards younger ages gradually would be good practice. I know these kids aren't young children, but, hey, it's challenging, and it's a start.

Needless to say, I need your prayers. It will be great, or horrible, or a mixture of the two... We'll have to see...

Transform Ministries - NEW WEBSITE LIVE!

Well, after several months of planning, dreaming, designing, etc, our friends at Crate Media have done a phenomenal job with our new website!  Please check it out and let us know what you think!  

0-60 in under...

Our lives have strange rhythms.  For instance, my family goes from having nothing going on to me being gone every weekend, in school, and in and out of meetings throughout the week.  This rhythm is tough on us at times.  We get used to a settled pace (nearly unemployed) to a "we barely see each other in passing."  I am the first to admit that this is not the best, but this is reality.  

This raises the question, "If you know this is not best, then why do you do it?"  Well, to answer this hypothetical question, the reason is that we are striving to fulfill a calling on our lives.  The problem is not with the calling, the problem is with our intentionality in seeking to fulfill our calling and maintain health in other aspects of our lives.  However, this is easier said than done.  

I know for a fact that we are not alone in this struggle.  While most people have more normal life rhythms than us, they are still inundated with work, school, family, church, hobbies, etc.  The question that we should be asking ourselves are, "Is what I am doing right now consistent with the vision of my family?" and "Am I pursuing this calling in a way that honors God and cultivates intimacy with Him, my family, and my community?"  These may seem like easy questions on the surface, but are quite haunting, convicting, and compelling when contemplated for some time.

It is about this time that someone might throw in the good 'ol, "Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10).  However, am I the only one that sees the application of this verse as, "SLAM ON THE BRAKES!!!"  Perhaps we are too busy.  Perhaps we think we are too important.  Perhaps we need to be reminded that the exaltation of our life needs to be focused on exalting God, and not our own status.

Any thoughts?

Gotta Post More...

I realized today that I haven't posted very much on my blog.  I miss it, so I will begin again...

More coming soon.

I Can't Sleep...

I started back to seminary yesterday. It was great to see my friends and professors. However, I was reminded that when I am in seminary, I have homework to do. Seems pretty obvious, but I always seem to forget that until I get back into 'seminary mode.' Then WHAM!

I don't really have a good reason as to why I can't sleep tonight. I'm not upset about anything, but perhaps it was the coffee I drank today, and then the Diet Dr. Pepper I had with our late dinner. Steph made chili tonight, which was WAY better than the chili she made last night. I don't think it was all the beans, but I guess we'll see in the next few hours...

I wish I could sleep. Our church has a men's prayer meeting on Wednesday's (tomorrow!) at 6:30 am, so of all nights to be sleepless, this is not one of them. There are a lot of exciting things going on right now: new Transform Ministries site (COMING SOON!), lots of speaking opportunities, writing D-NOW curriculum, seminary, meeting new folks in Brenham, etc. One time I had a friend, who happens to be a shrink, tell me that "There is a fine line between excitement and anxiety..." Hrmph... So, for now I choose to be excited. : : smiles : :

Several people have gotten on to me the last few days about me not blogging more, so this is one attempt to provide some late night reading fodder for those friends (3 or 4) who actually read my blog. I go in blogging spurts. Steph, my dear wife, is a blogging champion. I'm not... Oh well.

So, I'm going to go waste a few more moments of my life before I try to sleep again... Talk with you soon... OR ... in a few weeks... I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

Do for others...

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew 7:12

My good friend Josh Phipps (pictured left) was recently featured in the Houston Chronicle for giving one of his kidney's to his boss. As I read the article I was reminded of the Golden Rule from Matthew 7. Talk about living out the truth of God's Gospel! I am proud of my friend and grateful for his godly example.

You can check out the article by clicking here.

A Convicting Reminder...

Context:

Judson was invited by a congregation in the U.S. to share after returning from 30 years in the mission field in Burmah. They were disappointed with his presentation, because he did not tell stories about his trip, rather he talked about Jesus.

Quote:

"My business is to preach the gospel of Christ; and when I can speak at all, I dare not trifle with my commission. When I looked upon those people to-day, and remembering where I should next meet them, how could I stand up and furnish food to vain curiosity—tickle their fancy with amusing stories, however decently strung together on a thread of religion? That is not what Christ meant by preaching the gospel. And then how could I hereafter meet the fearful charge, 'I gave you one opportunity to tell them of ME; you spent it in describing your own adventures!'"

- Judson, the missionary to Burmah as quoted by Charles Spurgeon in his sermon The Blood

Humility: The Chinless Wonder

A week ago (Friday, December 28th) Steph kindly reminded me that I needed to trim my beard. I guess it was getting a bit unruly...



So, as I normally do before I shower, I pulled out the trusty beard trimmers and began trimming the beard, well, hacking it really. I started with a 3 guard and things were going nicely. However, when I got to my mustache I wanted a bit of a closer trim with some detailing. The detailing went too far and my mustache became way too thin. So, I shaved off the mustache. That left me with a hefty Abe Lincoln look.

I decided then to go back to the chin-goatee, but as I was trying to form it the sides kept being uneven. I trimmed and trimmed. Finally I was left with a soul patch. It looked ridiculous. So, I shaved off my beard. MISTAKE!



I had not shaved my chin in over 5 years. I had vaguely remembered that I had a smaller chin, but was quickly reminded why I was given the nickname 'The Chinless Wonder.'

After this happened I heard Braelyn knocking on the bathroom door, so I opened it and she stood there looking at me like I was a stranger. She then began crying and she was scared of me the rest of the evening. Stephanie saw me and said, "I said just to trim it not shave it!" I felt like an ugly duckling... hehe...

So, here a sit a week later, growing back my facial hair and humbled by the reminder that facial hair for me is more than just a nice touch, but a vain necessity. Thankfully, I come from a hairy family, so here's to the new beard...