God's Questions

I love when God asks questions in the Bible. I love that humor and irony that lies in each question that The All-Knowing One asks.
I think a lot of Christians are scared of questions. Some feel threatend by them. Others feel like questions show a lack of faith. Others equate questions to sinful rebellion. But I believe that healthy questions lead to knowledge. How can we have a faith that is truly ours if we don't discover it on our own?
So anyway, I know that God does not ask questions because He has a lack of knowledge. I thinks He asks questions to get us asking and thinking. So here is the question:
"Am I only a God nearby," declares the Lord, "and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the Lord. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord.
Rhetorical...yet thought provoking. Ask questions.
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R&R

It has been a great weekend. I've done lots of reading, dreaming, and of course thanking. The food has been great and so have the family and friends that I shared it with. Tonight will be an unusual Sat night at home for me. We don't have our Young Adults service due to the holidays. I'm going to chill with my kids. 

I read a great blog today about not feeling guilty about relaxing. You should check it out here.

I'm excited about this month. We'll press in extra hard before the Christmas break and then come out swinging for a great 2009. 

How I spent Friday

-slept in to 8:15

-read for an hour or so

- played Splinter Cell

-watched The Unit

-Did some "Caveman Circuit Training" (45 minutes of nonstop movement:ran 5 laps, 5 minutes of arms,200 skip knees, 5 minutes on elliptical, 5 minutes of abs, 5 minutes of shoulders, 200 punches, 5 minutes on elliptical, ran 5 more laps, 1 cool down lap)

-watched more "Unit"

-hung out with friends and family

-ate leftovers
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Black Friday

Here's what I'll do on black Friday:

Anything but shop!
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Top Ten Reasons To Be Thankful

10. Gas is less than $2!

9. Election season is over...for now.

8. The 101st Airborne Division is back from Iraq

7. My pastor is NOT crazy!

6. We get to eat lots of food!

5. We get to eat lots of leftovers!

4. We have our health.

3. We are not alone.

2. God has not dealt with us according to our sins.


And the #1 reason to be thankful is...The Lord is good and His mercy endures forever!

Happy Thanksgiving! Go Titans!

Daydreaming

Today is a dream day. I've heard some great news from someone who has realized they are called to be a pastor. It lit the fire in me to think about all that God is calling me to. Don't ever stop dreaming. Don't ever stop going after those dreams. I've shared before that I am living out my dream right now. I get to do what God created me to do. But that doesn't mean there isn't another level. I have not arrived and last time I checked you haven't either. We can always learn more, grow more, stretch more, and dream more. Small vision makes for small people. Small vision makes for small faith. I want faith that moves mountains and raises the dead. I want to see packed rooms, packed churches, and streets packed with believers who are going outside of the church. I want to see APSU on fire for God. I want to see stagnant churches come back to life for the glory of God. I want to see my dreams become reality.

Quiet

It is so quiet in the office right now. I wonder if it has anything to do with MCC being on Thanksgiving break? I love these lulls because I can do some extra reading and stuff. But I hate these lulls because I'm used to running at 90mph and the slow down takes an adjustment. It's like when you make a long trip on the interstate. You get so used to driving over 70mph that when you get off at your exit and are forced to crawl at 45mph...it seems like you could run faster than you are driving. Does that make sense? It does to me. Anyway, I'm in the thick of preparing for Wed night service. I will not be talking about the perfect recipe as previously mentioned. But it will be a Thanksgving message. I pray people will show up. I'm used to preaching on July 4th, Superbowl Sunday, after the church picnic, and other days that people usually skip out. It's all good. We'll be open.

Football, Food, and Faith

I love the NFL Network. I feel like I don't miss a down when I watch NFL Total Access. My Bucs are currently the #2 seed in the NFC. If they maintain it'll mean a playoff bye week. Is it me or can you already taste Thanksgiving dinner? I have lost 20-25lbs in 3 months and with God's help I'll gain it all back Thusday (just kidding). I believe I'll preach on "The Perfect Recipe" this Wednesday night. Today will be pretty chill. I'll drop a student off at the airport. Do some studying and visiting (weather permitting), and the hit Clarksville Mixed Martial Arts Academy for Muay Thai class. Happy Monday!
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Sunday Thoughts

- I am very tired
- service was great tonight. I'm thankful for the opportunity to preach
-I'll be preaching Wednesday night too!
-I'm ready for Thanksgiving
-Am I ready for all of the people?
-Tomorrow I make my 3rd trip to Nashville in 5 days
-I knew the Titans would lose. I'm glad the Bucs won!
-Wish I could've seen the new 24...oh well
-Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thes 5:16-18)
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Contacts, Gump, and Suites

-We made some great new contacts yesterday at TYC08. I'm so excited about the potential!
-I love the line in Forrest Gump when LT Dan asks Forrest: "Have you found Jesus yet Gump?" And Forrest replies "I didn't know I was supposed to be looking for Him"
- I believe God finds us...
-I was blessed to get to hang out with some great folks in one of the presidential suites at the Gaylord Opryland. All I can say is...over the top! Good food and great friends!
- Today will be another marathon day. We have 2 sessions and then tear down and load out. I'm skipping my morning workout because I know I'll need all of my strength for teardown.

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TYC08

Bring on the youth!
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Divine appointments, writing, and chaplaincy

- This has been a great week. Hard at times, but great nevertheless. I've been able to connect with so many cool people. There have been so many "God" moments. I feel truly blessed. Right now I am spending a couple of days in a hotel that I probably never could afford. I'm doing ministry with my team which is always a joy. We're connecting with people from all walks of life and it's all for Jesus. What a life?!
- I've also had the writing bug. I don't know what I'm going to do about that. I don't know where to start. I definitely feel God calling me to write more. But the details are still cloudy at best. I'd love some suggestions by the way. My friend the West Point professor (that is so cool to say) gave me some great constructive criticism that I'll build on.
- And then there is Chaplaincy. Every 4-6 months I get the Army bug. The more I work out and get back into Army shape the more I want to jump out of UH-60s and road march with soldiers again. It's probably just a bug.

This is cool but...

Could we celebrate Thanksgiving first?
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Back at it

We hit the road again today for a short trip to Nashville. We'll be spending 3 days helping the TN Assemblies of God with their annual youth convention. We'll also be doing some promo for MC and Next Level. I'm really excited about staying at the Gaylord Opryland. I'm also bummed that my wife can't make this trip with us. It'll still be a blast. Youth convention always is! I'll keep you posted via Twitter and Facebook and of course this blog.

Days like this

So much to do. So much unknown. I have some hospital stuff to take care of. My mom is sick. My students are sick. We have a meeting with CBN in Nashville. Church tonight. Conference tomorrow. Tests to take. Video to edit. Sermon to fine tune. Human video to perfect. So much to do.
And I am thankful. It could be much worse. I could have NOTHING to do. I could live a boring and bland life. I could be unemployed with no family or friends. That would be a horrible life!
So I'm thankful for days like this. They allow me the opportunity to lean on God a little harder. You definitely practice the presence of God when things are hectic. At least I do.

That's So Gay

The Ad council has poured some big bucks into their new "Think Before You Speak" campaign. I definitely understand where they are coming from. Discrimination and hate are bad for us. The Bible tells us to love. I get it. However, what if I replace stupid, lame, or dumb with the word gay because I really think homosexuality is stupid, lame, and dumb? It is sinful behavior. The Bible says that too. Right next to the love parts. You can have a genuine concern and care for people and not agree with our support their lifestyle. To speak the truth in love is not hate. To stand up for what the Bible says is not hate. Maybe instead of saying "That's so gay", I'll say, "That's so morally reprehensible". Or "that's so ungodly". Or "that's so not the way God intended for it to be" Or "That's so how could you do that to another dude?" I was just kidding about that last one. But seriously. Let's grow up and play nice. Call sin what it is...sin. Truth is truth whether it offends people or not.

What I'm currently reading

Way too much

Ever feel like you have way too much to do? Today feels like one of those days. I was up at 4:30am thinking about where to begin. What is crazy is a lot of my friends and family had early days today too. Oh well. I'm determined to sit back and enjoy the ride, drama free, no stress, having fun, making the most out of every opportunity. I'll only get one today. Why waste it complaining and dragging my feet?Negative thinking is the cancer that kills productivity.  Time to get moving.

Church vs. the playing field

I believe in serving Christ while competing. I love to disciple while playing football, basketball, Phase 10, Madden, Scattergories or even while engaged in some Muay Thai or MMA. The thing is this: anyone can be christ-like while sitting on a pew or singing "How Great is Our God". But can you show love when you are losing? Can you encourage and edify when your teammates are stinking up the floor? Can you win with grace (God's still working on me with this one!). Can you apply the Sunday sermon during Saturday nights game of pictionary?

My mentor once told me :If we never play soccer, you'll never know that I have a temper problem". That principle is so true. This life was not meant to be lived locked up in our formulas and classrooms. True discipleship happens everyday everywhere. Let's go have coffee. Let's play some ball. Let's get in the ring and spar for 3 rounds. Let's play chess. Let's go for a drive. whatever it is, let's do life together. I love the Church and I love church. Christ died for the Church. But let's not forget that the power we've been clothed with is to help us be a light out there. God help us to be outward thinking. Help us to find new ways to disciple and mentor. Help me to DO ministry.

Meal made in heaven

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Saturday Stuff

-I wrote an article for the Tennessean. Here's the link

-I'm looking forward to an easy Saturday chilling with the family

-The past 4 days have been great. I can't wait for next weeks festivities!

-I really want to go to space camp!

-Tonight is "Soul Food Night". We will get our eat on!

Sweet Home Tennessee

We're headed home after a couple of days in North Alabama. Last night about 200 people made decisions for Christ, about 2000 people heard the Gospel message, and an entire region was impacted for Christ. I learned tons on the trip about Master's Commission, ministry, who we are and who we aren't, and a variety of other stuff. It'll take me a long time to process everything

We'll swing by Huntsville on the way home and then get ready for our weekend services. Saturday is our annual "Soul Food" night at next level. Everyone brings their favorite food and we have a great time. It's our salute to Thanksgiving. Next week will be just as crazy. We're touring CBN Nashville and serving at the Tennessee A/G youth convention. Time to hit the road.

Reaching the unreachable

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The Youth of the Nation

Great times! Yesterday was ________(any adjective that describes amazing other than amazing)!

We have been partnering with Decatur Master's Commission, Real Encounter Ministries, and X-treme School Assemblies to reach the North Alabama area. Tonight will be having a massive youth event with motocross, BMX, live music, food, and of course the Gospel. We are expecting THOUSANDS of young people. Yesterday we held assemblies at Priceville High School in Decatur, AL and Discovery Middle School in Madison, AL. We connected with close to 1500 students. Some of us even ate lunch with some middle schoolers. Today we are expecting to do 3 more assemblies before the big event tonight at 6:30.

I'm so impressed with how teens today are receptive to positive adult interaction. These are not the jaded rebels that everyone talks about. These young people want to be something. they want to do right. They want to help people and make a positive impact in the world. All they need is a hand of help, a shoulder to stand on, and someone willing to get off of the horse and lead them in love. I am so blessed to GET to do what I do.

God, do BIG things in the hearts and lives of these students today.

Pumping up the kids

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First School

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Fly me to the moon

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Back on the road

We'll be back on the road this week. We're headed to Decatur, Alabama for some school assemblies and a city wide youth outreach. We're partnering with Decatur Master's Commission. As always we are looking forward to the road trip, the new experience, networking and hanging with our MC comrades, and last but not least...what God is going to do in the lives of young people. It'll be state number 6 for our team . Not bad for a little under 3 months. When we get back we'll have a short break and then we'll be working at TYC 08 in Nashville. We are so stoked to work with Reggie Dabbs. It should be a blast! Plus we are staying at the Gaylord Opryland!
Please pray for our travels and our effectiveness. Also, pray for me. I'm fighting my usual pre trip cold. I drove to KC in Sep. with a fever! God help me get better soon! I'll post pics and updates along the way and during the trip. Also, you can keep up via facebook or twitter. See you in the deep south.

Veterans Day Thoughts

I loved my time in the Army. I was able to drive from coast to coast twice. I saw Germany, Italy, the Alps, Sicily, Cyprus, Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, the Azores off of Portugal, and Mexico. I saw the best and the worst of America's miltary might. I moved tanks, flew in Airforce planes, worked with helicopters, and every wheeled and tracked vehicle in our arsenal. I've seen the brute strength of the Patriot Missle System. I know what it's like to hear that whistle and thud of incoming rockets and mortars. I've felt the concussion of a grenade and an RPG. God blessed me with the opportunity to learn about people from all walks of life. Buddy became a way of life. I'm thankful for my Band of Brothers. They know who they are. We sweat to death in make-shift hooches in Balad. We ate local chicken on the tarmac of Mosul. We held Bibles study in abandon airport terminals. We know what "that" smell is. We road marched up tank hill. Our feet know every inch of Ft Campbell. We've run from the soccer field to Bicycle Lake at Ft Irwin. PT is free is still our mantra. Hooah is our thing. Air Assault is our war cry. We represent the 171st Movement Control Team, the 372nd Trans Company, and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). I loved my time in the Army. Maybe God will bless me with the opportunity to serve again. Pray for our vets. Support them. Appreciate them. We're still at war. Right now troops are trying to stay warm in the mountains of Afghanistan. From the "Berm" to Mosul, troops are working for you in Iraq. In parts unknown our "Silent Professionals" of the Special Forces community are doing things that would make our nightmares look like Christmas. Remember our military.

Ps.91

Veterans Day Recovery

Last night was great. I really feel that God is going to help parents take back their homes. We are taking some time today to recover from yesterday and to gear up for some outreach in Alabama and youth convention next week. Happy Veterans Day to me!
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Let's Pray

God, help us to love like you love. Show us your glory. Let us see it in each other and in the least of these. Thank you for grace that is greater than all of our sins. Thank you for mercy that is new every morning. Teach us to walk in humility, share you publicly, and live for you privately. Break our hearts with the things that break yours. Give us clean hands, pure hearts, and eyes that see what you see. May we flee from sin, pursue your presence, and care for your people. Be lifted up in our lives. Be exalted in our speech. Take your rightful place in our decisions. Thank you for keeping us from temptation. Thank you for your Word and your Spirit that allows us to understand it. And when all is said and done we'll praise you not because you need it, not because we expect something in return, or because we have to. We'll give you all of the glory because you are worthy, you deserve it, and there is none like you. To the only wise God be glory,honor, dominion, and power...both now and forever. Let it be so.

Saturday Prayer

Here are some things I'm praying for:

1. A peaceful business meeting on Sunday

2. Impacted lives Sunday night

3. To be used in a powerful way next week in Alabama

4. Teens to give their hearts to Christ through our outreaches next week

5. President-Elect Obama and President Bush

6. An awesome worship experience tonight at Next Level (collision with God)

7. Tomorrows talk about the Holy Spirit

8. My wife to get over this bug she has

9. Good attitudes by all

10. The body of Christ

Day off thoughts

1. Here is the link for my interview on WKAG

2. Press stuff makes me nervous!

3. I'm excited about watching The West Wing today...I love that show

4. I've begun the road back to school. I'm trying to wrap up my Psych degree ASAP!

5. It's going to be freezing this weekend...I love the cold!

6. God has really brought us through this week. It's been an Isaiah 40:31 day.

7. We'll be on the road a next week with a 2 day trip to Alabama. Then we turn around and do TYC 08 in Nashville. We get to stay at the Gaylord Opryland!

8. I love my kids. Thank God for boys!

9. Gas is $1.95 by exit 86 close to Ft Campbell. I still don't get how the prices dropped so fast so quick. Maybe President-Elect Obama used his "powers" to bring prices down...the world will never know...

10. President-Elect Obama does not have "powers"...he just has power.

One down

Had a great time!
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Press

God has blessed us with tons of free press for our special service on Sunday night. We will be covering all things media and the attack our generation is under. Today I have a radio interview and a TV interview. Can I be real? I am SO uncomfortable doing press. It really freaks me out! Send some prayer my way today as I knock out these 2 interviews.
Our team has put a lot of time, research, and prayer into the service. If you are in the Clarksville/Ft Campbell area, you don't want to miss this informative and challenging service/seminar.
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God...

...Made this...I think He can handle USAmerica.
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Upcoming Events

November is turning out to be an eventful month. I've seen God do some great things and I'm looking forward to more! We meet with the FCA at Clarksville Academy this morning. Tomorrow I have a radio interview in the morning and a TV interview in the evening. There is a worship conference on Friday and our special service Sunday night. Then we head to Alabama for several school assemblies and a youth outreach. After that its TN Youth convention 2008 in Nashville. We'll also tour CBN and the 700 club as we recon for an opportunity in January. WOW! I love my life!

Thoughts on history being made

1. I'm sad about the moral direction our nation is headed in.

2. I'm glad that little black boys now have hope that they can actually be President in the land of the free.

3. I love history and I'm blessed to have seen it unfold before my eyes...I'll never forget 11/4/08.

4. God is STILL IN CONTROL...get over it quick and start praying for our new President and elected officials!

5. Don't stop praying for George W. Bush. The last 8 years have kicked his tail. He needs grace and strength.

6. God save Congress!

7. I prayed at 5 polling places...very cool experience

8. I pray the War on Terror will end decisively and soon. Quitting is not an option.

9. God give me the intestinal fortitude to vote everyday with my life.

10. Even so, come Lord Jesus...come

Sermon Prep

Fire Bible+
IHOP-KC Worship on iPod+
Highlighter and Pen+
MC Clarksville+
Lasaters Blended Latte+
Prayer
______________________
An awesome experience this Sunday night!
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Rock/Rap the Vote or Die Choose or Loose for Change and Mavericks...

What do you blog on election day? I've already spread the word about voting. I've shared my heart about issues that matter to me. And I voted last week. Just know that God will still be high and lifted up on Nov. 5th. Jesus will still be King of Kings and Lord of Lord tomorrow. He will still be the same yesterday, today, and forever. God will still be holy, His word will still be true, Jesus is still coming soon, and we are still called to be salt and light in the world. Don't let this election put hate and division in your heart. Join us in prayer and fasting today for our nation. Pray for the candidates. Pray for the undecided. And if you still haven't voted, get off of the computer and do it...NOW please.

"For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another." Psalm 75:6-7 KJV

Me, Myself, and I AM

I just finished writing my life story. Well, not really. I had the awesome opportunity to read Me, Myself, and I AM. This is a great journal/book hat let's you fill in the blanks with your feelings, experiences, and thoughts. While I did not come away with a deeper knowledge of I AM, I did learn tons about ME and Myself. And don't get me wrong, there is definitely space in this book to grow in your knowledge of God. I highly recommend this book. It would make a great stocking stuffer for all of you early Christmas shoppers. You can purchase the book here. Here is the summary from the publisher:

A new experience of God comes one question at a time in this fun and provocative journal. Made up entirely of insightful, profound, and occasionally ridiculous questions, Me, Myself, and I AM invites you to open to any page, open yourself to God, and be the author of yourown story.

Questions range from spiritually intriguing—

You overhear God talking about you. What do hear him saying?

to thought-provoking—

You are on a long car trip with a close friend who is not a Christian and the conversation turns to faith. What is your biggest fear about what your friend will ask or say?

to challenging—

Do you believe that all of Jesus’s followers have a responsibility to tell others about him?

to just plain fun—

If your life before you became a Christian were a movie, its title would be:

Animal House

As Good as It Gets

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

It’s a Wonderful Life

Me, Myself, and I AM will entertain, inspire, and get you thinking about your spiritual life from brand new angles. Whether you use Me, Myself, and I AM as a reflective tool, a way to start conversations with friends and family, or as a spiritual time capsule to look back on years later, their own words will create a powerful journey of self-discovery.

I'm Not Going Under

It is a busy time indeed. I definitely sense the need to press in and focus. When you are running 160 mph the smallest things can send you into a spinout or cause you to wreck. I'm not a NASCAR fan at all...but I definitely appreciate the analogy I understand how important tire maintenance and engine observation is when you are in the heat of the race. I don't know about you, but I want to win. I want to win big in life.

It's all about how you finish and I want to finish strong. God help me to stand on your Word, walk in The Spirit, and rest in Your peace.

"Trust in  the Lord with all of your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

Spirit and in truth

What I'm worshiping to:

Holy- Matt Gilman and Cory Asbury of IHOP-KC

Obsession- David Crowder Band

Hosanna- Hillsong United

Holding On- J.Moss

Carried to the Table-Leeland

"Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion." Psalm 134
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MC Clarksville

We are ready for church!
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