A Living Room Blog

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"What I tell you in the dark..."

"What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs." - Jesus (Matthew 10:27 NIV)

I read from Matthew 10, verses 16 through 42 this morning, and the above verse caught my attention the most. There were others that pricked my ears and heart this morning, and you'll hear about them a little later, but for some reason, this one really struck a chord. I think, partly, because I can't find any commentary on that verse. It comes in the middle of a paragraph of scripture that has produced more studying than this little verse. But, for whatever reason, God was speaking this to me this morning.

I believe it implies a quiet time. For me, it is early in the morning when it is still dark. I also believe it implies an intimate relationship with the Son (and Father and Spirit), as he will whisper in my ear. I think it can also be indicative of the relationship between Christ and his bride (us - the church).

While this verse speaks of relationship and time together with Christ, it is also obviously a call to action. We are to share what we learn from our saviour. First, we are to spend time, in private (in the dark/whispered in your ear), with him, then we publicly (in daylight/from the roofs) share what he told us. So, today, start to spend time with your Lord, in private, in the dark, and allow him to whisper in your ear, and then share that good news with others. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

A Quote

Being a part of the Bride of Christ isn't always easy; I just don't want to be a boob.

Talk Is Cheap Part 2

I actually wrote my poem before reading this passage. God just worked it out that this was what I read next. He's so cool.

2Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
3At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"
4Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7And the man got up and went home. 8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men. - Matthew 9:2-8 (NIV)

It is much easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven," than to say, "Stand up and walk". For when you say that someone sins are forgiven, you can't actually see that. But to tell someone to stand up and walk would require them to actually do it! It's a little thing I like to call "action". Oh, all that talk about forgiving sins and talking a good game is easy. People can't tell if your sins are really forgiven. Bet tell somebody to walk, and they don't do it? Hoo boy, you're in trouble! There's not only not any action, but there's no visible action. People can see that you're a phony, a fake, a hypocrite.

Fortunately, Jesus is not phony, fake, or a hypocrite. His words carried his authority. The man actually got up and walked. And his sins were forgiven. Talk is cheap, but the cost of following Jesus is not. We can talk about it all we want, but until we actually (I guess I found the italic button, huh?) get up and walk, and put some action behind our words, then we're just wasting our time. And the time of others. And God's time.

O, God, I don't want to take the easy way out and just talk. I know the cost is high to follow you, but I also know the cost is high to say I do and not. Forgive me when that happens. I'm sorry. I repent of my lazy ways. Help me to get up and walk this day. I love you.



Soli Deo Gloria

One Thing I Was Made For

note: I know that is not proper English, but that is how the questioned was asked: What's one thing God has made you for?

My wife.

My destiny is accomplished in serving her destiny and the destinies of my children.

25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body. 31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. - Ephesians 5:25-33 (NLT)

The cleansing of the woman comes from the death of the man. That sentence is in my notes from the men's retreat. What really does that mean? Well, the husband is to love his wife like Christ loves the church. Christ loved the church so much, he gave his life for it. I am to die for my wife as well. Daily. Put aside my own feelings and comfort and serve my wife's purpose and destiny. Christ was (and is) so deeply in love with the church (his people - not any building) that it cost him his life - a great expense. Another note from my um, notes: deeply in love at my expense. My wife needs to know that I love her and that I would do anything for her. I'd fight for her and die for her. I've got to live for her. I think of the Bryan Adams song, "(Every Thing I Do) I Do It For You".

Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church. This is an all out, unselfish, fully committed, undying, unconditional love. He loved the church so much he died for her. He sacrificed for her. So, how do I sacrifice for my wife? The best way to do this is to ask her. "Babe (or Honey, Sweetheart, Pookie, Wife, Woman, Love of my life, Dear, Baby, Sweet potato pie, or any other affectionate name you have for your wife), how can I serve you? How can I help you to be the woman/mother/wife you want to be - that God has designed you to be?" This may take actually talking to your wife. Once she recovers from falling over, you may have to spend some time in prayer with her. Look out, because all this could lead to her fulfilling the scriptures that are written before the above passage:

21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. - Ephesians 5:21-24 (NLT)

It starts with the husband. The church didn't submit to Christ first. Christ loved the church and gave himself for her first, then the church's response to that is to submit to him. It's a whole lot easier for a wife to submit to a husband she knows loves her more than anything and seeks to serve her above himself. Now, our fleshly side says that it would be easier to love a wife that's more willing to submit to her husband, but that's not how it works. We love Christ because because he first loved us. The church isn't easy to love, either, you know. She can be short-memoried, ungrateful, selfish, nagging, whining, disloyal, and down right rejecting at times, but Christ loves her. We must take our cue from him.

Listen, you start talking and praying with your wife, doing the dishes without being asked, giving her time alone away from the kids, taking out the trash without being asked, picking up your dirty clothes, and other non-selfish things, then you will find a woman more than willing to submit to you. Reminds me of an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" when Ray was vacuuming some drapes and Debra walks up behind him and says, "You have never been more attractive to me."

In attempting to do this, I have discovered just how selfish I have been around the house. I have found that I pout a lot if I don't really get what I want. I dare say that you will, too. But, pouting is not the way of a son of God. A son of God is loving, generous, and unselfish. Pouting does not fit that description.

Wow. Well. What was going to be a simple little post has turned into a 30 minute lecture on husbands and wives. I started this thing back on Oct. 31st. Oh, well. Bridget, I love you, and God has made me for you. Husbands, you were made for your wife. Let her know that. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

Thoughts About the Church

Tall Skinny Kiwi strikes another (although not original) thought about the church. Bridge and I have felt similarly for some time, although not necessarily as strongly as we once did. This is a great reminder about what being the church means. Makes me think. How about you?

Soli Deo Gloria

Enter the Fight

ACF opens its staff prayer time in the morning to the congregation on Tuesdays through Fridays. The theater (which we own and in which we meet) isn't but a couple of blocks from where I work, so I walk to prayer when I can make it. Lately, I've been able to go 3 or 4 times a week.

Yesterday, walking to prayer, these words flashed through my mind:

"Enter the Fight"

I was already a little jazzed from a morning espresso, but I was just overall excited about things. Our men's retreat is coming up this weekend, Bridge and I are doing "the special" on Sunday, and I had just successfully arranged a rehearsal with some of what I'm going to call Kingdom Band to play the song on Sunday, too. So, I had a few things going my way.

"Enter the Fight"

Ok, so a few thoughts: I didn't figure God was wanting me to pick a fight with someone; I knew that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph. 6:12), and, at the time, I felt it meant by singing a song I had written. You know, I was entering the fight with a tool or weapon that I had made.

Then, we started to pray. God immediately revealed a whole new world of warfare to me. This was the fight to which He was referring. Believe it or not, prayer is spiritual warfare. God calls us all to enter the fight. We enter the fight by hitting our knees. (How many of you actually hit your knees, or kneel, while praying?)

We also enter the fight in other ways. Singing, writing, painting, building, using your gifts for His glory are all ways to enter the fight. How many of you have been moved by a song, a poem, a good book, a piece of art or photograph, a magnificent structure? Inspiration, conviction, love, mercy - these come from godly things. Condemnation, hatred - these come from ungodly things.

So, you who are prayer warriors; you who are writers, artists, musicians, craftsmen, enter the fight! Stand up and be counted. Remember, "for though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." (2 Cor. 10:3-4)

Your songs may not be sung nor heard by everybody, but you don't stop writing or singing; your books may not be read by everyone, but you don't stop writing; your hand-made jewelry may not be worn by every person, but you don't stop making it. To someone, somewhere, your gifts make a difference. God gets the glory, and that is always a good thing. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." (Eph. 6:10)

Soli Deo Gloria

My Sacrifice

It's a Creed song. But that's not the point of this post. As I've mentioned before, my alarm goes off at 4am. Notice how I always say that my alarm goes off then, and not that I get up then. A couple, ten presses of the ole snooze button allows me some extra sleep. I'm usually out of bed by 4:30.

My morning routine consists of bathroom time, batcave time, bathroom time and leaving. Sometimes, I sneak a breakfast time in there, but not very often. It's just hard for me to eat at 4:30/5 in the morning. Besides, I'm usually hungry again around 10-ish.

My batcave time consists of Bible time, blog time, between-God-and-me time (you knew I had to keep the whole "b" thing going) and body building time. That sounds grand, but it's usually just some push-ups and sit-ups. The only thing really consistent in the the batcave time is the between-God-and-me time. I hit the rest most of the time, but some mornings I may spend more time in the Bible and not get to blog, or vice versa, or I won't build my body, or whatever.

My morning routine seems to get easier everyday. It's still not easy. But it has come a long way from whence I started. I fought God on it for a long time. It's just very, very early. My turning point came one morning (before I started writing down stuff) as I was doing my sit-ups. I remember laying on the floor and asking God why it has to be so hard. You know? I was tired; I was trying to do sit-ups; I wanted to be back in bed. Why are things so hard, God?

"It wouldn't be a sacrifice if it was easy."

Whoa. You answered me? I'm sacrificing for You right now? Talk about an attitude change. Here I was thinking I was just going through some tough times, and God saw it for what it really is. It's a season. And, during this particular season, some sacrifices have to be made. So, me getting up every morning to have my time alone with God is a sacrifice. You know, Psalms talks about bringing the "sacrifice of praise." And look at Romans 12:1

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is
your spiritual worship."

Even now, what can I say? My early morning hours are an act of spiritual worship to the creator of the universe. I'm sure it's much sweeter to His ears now. I don't gripe and complain nearly as much as I used to.

What is your act of spiritual worship? Is God asking you to sacrifice anything right now? Remember, it's a season; seasons change. God is here, lovingly walking you through this time, and He's already in the next season lovingly waiting for you. Are you kicking and screaming your way through this time? I was. Maybe it would help if you could see it for what it is. A season. A season of sacrifice. Your living sacrifice; your spiritual worship. Be encouraged.

Soli Deo Gloria

Instinct

Two Sundays ago, after church, I was standing on the stairs that lead to the balcony of the sanctuary/theater with my youngest son. He was just a few steps up from the floor holding some papers from children's church and his gameboy. His hands were full. Suddenly, my "spider-sense" went off and I turned to see him stumbling down the stairs. However, not being trained on my "spider-sense", I did not react in time to try to catch him. It was like a scene out of the Matrix.

As he stumbled, his feet stayed put on the step they were on, and his knees hit the step below. Then, as he's falling forward, sure to do a face plant into the tiled, lobby floor, he quickly releases everything from his grip and springs his arms forward to catch himself before he hits ground zero! Wow! It was actually pretty cool; like a superman discovering his powers, or something. He stayed there, with legs up on the stairs and hands on the ground holding himself up like a strong ninja move, or something.

I said, "whoa, buddy, are you alright?" He said that he was, and I helped him back up and gave him a high-five for his actions. His papers and gameboy were ok, too. I couldn't believe his wits. He was aware enough to let go of everything in his hands to catch himself and keep from getting hurt. I just knew he was a goner. You know, what 4 year-old kid knows to drop his gameboy and save his hide? I was impressed with his instinct.

A few days later I was driving and heard the Gloria Gaynor song, "I Will Survive". I immediately thought of the episode with my son and his instinct of self-preservation - his instinct to survive. I guess that instinct comes naturally to us. Or, at least, to most of us. Adam and Eve had to develop that instinct after they sinned. One of the first things they did was fix some clothes to hide their nakedness.

Yeah, looking out for "#1" usually comes pretty easily. What's not so easy is looking out for the other guy, or taking care of others. That's more of a pastoral instinct. A pastor is more like a shepherd. He is to care for, feed, protect, and love his sheep. Jesus is the Great Shepherd. This particular instinct came naturally for him. It's not so easy for us. We have that other instinct with which to compete.

A pastoral instinct comes from spending time with God. The more we read his words to us, the more we talk to him in prayer, the more time we spend with him, the more we become like him. While some people are given an extra grace and anointing to pastor, the pastoral instinct is one that, I believe, can be developed in anybody. But like anything else worth having, it takes time and discipline to learn. Some learn it easily; some don't. But, it is the instinct that needs to prevail.

Don't get me wrong. An instinct of self-preservation is important, too. Especially if you're stumbling down some stairs. But, when it comes to dealing with other people, we need to learn to sacrifice a little. Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) If people looked out for their fellow man more than themselves, I believe this world would be a much better place in which to live. Don't you? Let's show the world His love. Let's develop the right instinct.

Be encouraged.

No More Sleepy Prayers

This morning came early. Of course, when bed comes late, morning tends to do that. SLEEEEEPY! I know I have a long day ahead of me. Usually, I have a chance at a nap around lunch time, but today I have a remote from 1 to 4, so no nap today. Early bed is a possibility. We'll see how it goes.

My only option then is to completely rely on God. So, I pray. "God be my strength, and my sustenance. Be my joy, and give me energy for the day." Oh, it is very easy to lay my head down on my desk and snooze for another 30 minutes, or so. But, I know that God wants to meet with me. And I want to meet with Him.

So, I read a little; I pray a little. I read a little, I pray a little. I don't close my eyes - that could be dangerous. I look at things I've written down over the past couple of days (which is quite a bit, actually). I start searching through my notes: several ideas for blogs, or lessons, or sermons, or something. I start looking up different scripture, like a treasure hunt. I start praying in the spirit. I suddenly find myself awake and not near as sleepy. The Lord has given me strength and energy for this morning meeting. Don't get me wrong, I could go back to sleep pretty easily. But the trick now is I don't want to go back to sleep.

The past few times I've had the privilege to pray with a group of people have been interesting. One meeting, I walked in after they had already started praying, and the room was quiet. At first, I was afraid I had missed an ominous announcement or something. The prayers seemed timid; everything lacked punch or enthusiasm, or something. God was stirring in me. I didn't want to come in with some big, boisterous prayer, but I felt God was wanting more out of what was going on. So, I started quietly, but then allowed the Spirit to build up. I kept hearing, "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Be alert! Be alert! Be ready! Be ready!" I could tell as I was praying, that the Spirit started moving among the others. It was as if new life had been breathed into the soul of our prayer time.

Just a few days later, I had a similar experience. The first couple of people to pray prayed long, relatively boring prayers. Had I kept my eyes closed, I would have fallen asleep. I know this because I suddenly jerked up after a couple of minutes of "meditation." Embarrassed, I opened my eyes and looked around to see if anybody noticed. Satisfied, that I wouldn't undergo any significant ridicule for sleeping through prayer time, I decided I better keep my eyes open. In fact, I got up and started walking around. Again, I could hear the words, "Wake up! Be ready!"

So, I wrote this down: Do I have a blood lust? What is this desire to wage war on the enemy? This passion? This burning, yearning for more - NO MORE SLEEPY PRAYERS! Wake up! Be alert! Jesus is coming!

Oh, I really want to press in to God. Press in to the things He has for us. Jesus is preparing a place for his bride; His bride (us, the church) should be preparing for his return! We don't want to be found asleep and unprepared do we? I sure don't. Wake up, church! No more sleepy prayers!

Father, help us to find the balance between this passion for more and the rest we find in Your tenderness. Your love is amazing, and Your grace is sufficient. Wake us up. No more sleepy prayers.

Music Permit

If you make a rule, then some idiot's going to try to enforce it. This morning's "Eddie's Stuff" produced this little gem:


Amazing how quickly we forget the original meaning or intent of a rule or law. We do it today with the seperation of church and state, and so many other things. I received this email from my father yesterday:

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WAS INSTITUTED TO LESSEN OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL. NOTE: IN 2008 THE BUDGET FOR THIS DEPARTMENT IS NOW AT $24.2 BILLION A YEAR. THEY HAVE 16,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND APPROXIMATELY 100,000 CONTRACT EMPLOYEES. What do they do?????

How quickly we forget. Reminds me of the pharisees. In being so strict in following the law, they forget why they were following it in the first place. So strict, so literal. No room for interpretation. No room to use your brain and do the right thing at the right time. Thank You, Lord, for Jesus and His love. Thank You for Your grace.

Sharp Dressed Man

Ahhh, yes. How many of you immediately thought about ZZ Top? Kudos to you. If you don't know who ZZ Top is, well, granola bars to you. For those of you who don't remember that Kudos were actually (if they aren't still now) some type of granola bar, just know that I'm not crazy. Seriously. Back to the song.

On my morning show, there is a segment called "Eddie's Stuff". Our AM morning personality comes over, and for 10 minutes, or so, gives us his unusual "stuff" for the day. Today, he talked about the "Shower Suit". It's a suit made of 100% wool and is supposed to dry very quickly. You can shower in it or hang it up and run water over it. It's designed with the always-on-the-go business exec in mind. So, the song I played following "Eddie's Stuff", and tying in with this last story of the morning was, indeed, "Sharp Dressed Man."

All of that to get here:
I look good today. Seriously. Khaki, flat-front pants, nice, button-down green striped shirt. I look sharp. I am, indeed, a sharp dressed man. However, before you get too jealous of my wife, please know, that when I sit down, my pant legs hike up to about my knee. Well, maybe not that high, but I do, in fact, look like I have "high-waters" on. Yes, a lot of sock is showing. Fortunately, my socks are similar in color to the pants, but still. Yikes! It's like they don't fit right or something.

Lesson: humility
You know, just a bit of humility to keep me from getting "too big for my britches."

Be encouraged.

P.S.
Learning from my "10 Lessons", I wrote this little anecdote down this morning, so I wouldn't forget it. Aren't we all glad I did?

Don't answer that.

Top 10 Lessons I'm Learning

10. be on time (it's a courtesy to those who are depending on you)
09. be professional (echoes #10)
08. even if the cat's away, God is still watching (so do your job anyway)
07. tithe (the first fruits of your money and your time - give God the first part of your day)
06. spend time with God (you can't get to the next level without Him)
05. pray with your kids (teach them early)
04. pray with your spouse (stand in agreement)
03. do what your wife says (this is a lifelong lesson)
02. communicate with your spouse (makes things a whole lot easier)
01. write it down (Habakkuk 2:2 - you can't remember it all)

29 Reasons Why I Love My Wife

in no particular order...

1. she's hot (I seriously could end here)
2. she can sing (you need to hear her)
3. she makes beautiful babies (have you seen our children?)
4. she's a great mother (to 4 kids!)
5. she's a good cook (creamy baked chicken, baby!)
6. she lets me make her laugh (maybe she's just laughing at me)
7. she's desperately in love with Jesus (I'm not jealous)
8. she washes my clothes and cooks my meals (this is a good thing, people)
9. she rearranges our house at least once month (change is good)
10. she's not the neatest painter (seriously, check her clothes and look at the ceiling)
11. she loves to decorate (seriously) (and she's good at it)
12. she sings a lot around the house (see #2)
13. she shows me things only I get to see (and I like what I see)
    
14. let's just call this one an elaboration of #13 (4 kids, natch)
15. she prays for me (Lord knows I need it)
16. she prays with me (important to stand in agreement)
17. she prays with our children (see #4)
18. she likes to watch movies with me (so what if I like "Pride and Prejudice"?)
19. she blogs a lot (check it out here)
20. she talks a lot (this can be a good thing)
21. she likes to make music with me (have you heard some of our songs?)
22. she had the words, "pastor's wife" spoken over her in high school (we were just given the pastoral nod this past weekend) (more on that later)
23. she bought me at my fraternity's date auction (I'll let her tell you what I cost) (she got a good deal)
24. she loves my family (and they love her)
25. she likes to buy things (but only when we have money) (which isn't very often)
26. she likes to buy me things (not as much as I'd like for her to, though)
27. she likes to look pretty for me (I did a "top 5" today on my show - #2 was "women are infinitely more concerned about what they wear then men are; in fact, if you met us at the door naked, you wouldn't hear a complaint from us)
28. she's my Bridy Girl (and my sunsushine)
29. she loves me (I couldn't ask for anything more)

When she turns 30 next year, I'll add another one. I love you, Bridy Girl!

My 9/11 Post

I know that today is September 15, but I wanted to post something about 9/11. When today's "One Big Happy" cartoon came out, I thought it would be apropos to go ahead and post something. (wow - that's the second time this morning that I've used that word) Here's the cartoon:

The following is the timeline for 9/11 that I read on air during my morning show at 7:46 CDT, the time the first plane hit the north tower:

9/11 Timeline
(All times EDT)
Please note that the precise times may vary, depending on the source. For this report we used the timeline from the FBI, Time magazine, ABC and Washington Post.
7:59 a.m.: American Airlines Flight 11 takes off from Boston’s Logan International airport with 95 people onboard.
8:14 a.m.: United Flight 175 takes off from Logan with 65 people onboard.
8:20 a.m.: American Flight 77 takes off from Dulles near Washington, D.C., carrying 64 people.
8:21 a.m.: Flight 11’s transponder is turned off. Shortly afterward, the plane turns south toward N.Y.C.
8:40 a.m.: The FAA notifies NORAD that Flight 11 has been hijacked.
8:41 a.m.: United Flight 93 takes off from Newark with 44 people aboard.
8:43 a.m.: The FAA notifies NORAD that Flight 175 has been hijacked.
8:46 a.m.: American flight 11 slams into the World Trade Center’s north tower at 400 mph.
8:50 a.m.: The first New York Fire Department trucks arrive at the World Trade Center.
8:52 a.m.: F-15s from Otis Air National Guard Base are scrambled.
9:03 a.m.: Flight 175 crashes into the World Trade Center’s south tower at more than 500 mph.
9:16 a.m.: The FAA informs NORAD that Flight 93 may have been hijacked.
9:21 a.m.: The FAA notifies NORAD of a suspected hijacking of American flight 77.
9:31 a.m.: Bush makes his first public statement saying the country has suffered an “apparent terrorist attack.” He asks for a moment of silence.
9:37 a.m.: American Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon.
9:45 a.m.: The FAA orders the shutdown of U.S. airspace, a first in U.S. history.
9:48 a.m.: The U.S. Capitol and White House are evacuated.
9:55 a.m.: Bush leaves Florida on Air Force One. He phones Vice President Dick Cheney and puts the entire U.S. military on high alert. He also receives word of the plane crashes at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania.
9:59 a.m.: The south tower of the WTC collapses.
10:03 a.m.: Flight 93 crashes into the ground near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
10:10 a.m.: A portion of the Pentagon collapses.
10:28 a.m.: The north tower of the WTC collapses.
1:27 p.m.: A state of emergency is declared in Washington D.C.
2:30 p.m.: The FAA announces that there will be no U.S. commercial air traffic until noon EDT September 12 at the earliest.
2:51 p.m.: The Navy dispatches missile destroyers to New York and Washington.
3:07 p.m.: Bush convenes the National Security Council, holding a videoconference with council members in Washington from his bunker at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.
5:20 p.m.: Building 7 of the World Trade Center complex collapses.
6:54 p.m.: Bush arrives at the White House aboard Marine One, the helicopter used to take Bush from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to the South Lawn.
8:30 p.m.: President Bush speaks to the nation, telling Americans: “Thousand of lives were suddenly ended by evil... These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”
· 343 firefighters died (60 of them were off-duty).
· 23 police officers died.
· 75 Port Authority employees perished – including 37 of their own police officers.
· 10 bystanders were killed by falling debris.
· 16 people escaped the south tower from above the floors where the plane hit.
· None escaped the north tower from above the floors where the plane hit.
· 18 survivors were found in the debris – 12 fire fighters, 3 police officers and 3 civilians. All were found by September 12th.
· 2,823 – the total number of dead.
· Total cost of the destruction estimated at $60 billion.
· 3.1 million man-hours went into the rescue and recovery over an eight-month period.
· 1.8 million tons of debris was cleared from the site.
· The 110-story south tower was reduced to a four-story pile in just 10 seconds. It registered 2.3 on the Richter scale.
· The second tower collapsed in just eight seconds.
· More than 300,000 tons of steel, concrete and glass hit the ground.
The plane that crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, hit a section that had recently been renovated and was still only partially occupied. Authorities say the death toll would have likely been much higher if the area had been fully occupied. The crash caused a gash on the west side of the Pentagon measuring 30 yards wide and 10 yards deep; 185,693 square feet were damaged and 37,161 square feet were destroyed. Three of the five Pentagon rings were damaged. It cost $501 million to repair the building; repairs were finished within a year of the attack. The Pentagon Memorial will be unveiled today on the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attack. It’s being called “The Park.” The memorial’s focus is 184 benches built over a pool of water – 59 of the benches face the Pentagon and represent the passengers killed on American Airlines Flight 77. The remaining 125 benches face the opposite direction to memorialize those killed in the building. Each is engraved with the name of one of the people killed.

It was tough to get through it. Our AM station morning guy, couldn't even read it. I played an audio montage after I read the timeline. He tried to read the timeline after the audio montage, which was a 13 minute montage of several radio stations in Manhattan from 9/11/01. It's amazing how much it still affects me (all of us, I'm sure) 7 years later.

I've got some great stuff to post later (probably tomorrow). Be blessed.

Head....Swimming....

Sooooooo many thoughts and stuff going on inside the ole brain. You could call it a brain storm, but I wouldn't.

First, yesterday. 9/11. I read a timeline of the events and played a radio montage from various stations in Manhattan from the day of the event on my show. It was very, very tough. Even now, 7 years later, it still affects me.

Second, yesterday. At work by 5:45a, a remote from 1p to 4p, doing the public address for three Jr. High football games starting about 4:15p and getting home around 9:30p. Only to get up and be at work by 5:30a this morning.

Third, this week. Our church's staff meets every morning in the theater for prayer at 9. Anyone is welcome to come Tuesdays through Fridays (the staff prays just as a staff on Mondays). I try to go as often as I feel I can get away from the station. I made everyday this week. I do enjoy praying with those guys and gals. It's good stuff.

Fourth, my thought keeps developing. The whole "our fears are fueled..." bit. It has now evolved to

"Our fears are fueled and our faith is felled when we forsake the Father's favor."

Sometimes we don't forget, we just plain ole rebel.

Fifth, Ike. He sure is causing a lot of trouble. This morning during prayer, one of the pastors was praying concerning Ike, and I had a vision of hundreds of little groups, just like ours, gathered together to pray. It was like a line of defense up and down the Gulf Coast. Then, another man there started to pray and asked if we dared to rebuke the storm. Jesus did. Why not us? So he rebuked the storm. I then realized that this "line of defense" was for more than just Ike. The groups spread all over the world. War was being fought in the spiritual realm, and it was goose-pimply to see believers praying with us and for us from around the globe.

Sixth, this blog. In my own vain efforts to sound so spiritual and profound, I lose sight of the personality that God has given me. I love to laugh. My whole family does, as do most of my friends. Yet, I'm so serious on the blog. I'm sorry, guys. I shall try to do a better job of just being me. Oh, don't get me wrong. I am spiritual and profound, but just not all the time. So, I will try to blog more, and just see where God leads things. Sound good?

Seventh, I like odd numbers.

An Interesting Twist

In going over my message this last Sunday, God gave me what I thought was a pretty clever (and dead-on) quote. I was just feeling a burden for the church. Not just my parent's church, but the body of Christ as a whole. In praying over it, this is what came to mind:

"Our faith fails when we forget how much we're favored by the Father."

WE are his chosen, treasured, special, personal possession! How quickly and often we forget that. God's people, the Hebrews, forgot that rather easily, too. The exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land is rife with grumbling, complaining, whining, and turning away from God. The theme of forgetting continues through the New Testament. The pharisees are prime examples of people who had absolutely no memory of God's favor for his people.

Later in the afternoon, the thought was developed a little more.

"Our fear is fueled, and our faith fails when we forget how much the Father favors us."

Quick, little example: Peter, walking on water, focuses more on the waves than on Jesus, his fear takes over, his faith falls, and he starts to sink. Now, side note, he is the only one to have stepped out of the boat, so props for Peter, there. God couldn't show his favor (love, mercy, grace) any better than by sending his only begotten son, Jesus Christ to die for us while we were yet sinners. He not only loves us, he likes us.

Now, here's the twist. This morning whilst praying, it hit me - this is not just a word for the church - it's a PERSONAL WORD.

Whoa.

God just wanted to remind me, that I am treasured by the Most High God. My own faith fails, and my own fears are fueled, whenever I forget that the Father will never forsake me. I even had a word spoken over me back in March dealing with the same thing. Here's a clip of what Paul Costa had to say:


Interesting twist, huh? Be encouraged.

A Peculiar People of Power

I preach tomorrow in the church in which I grew up. It's especially exciting since I received my mandate from God. I also feel like events are at work right now for more opportunities to that end. I don't know what they are, but I can just sense God doing somethin'.

Now, I'm breaking out a previous sermon and tweaking it just a little. You'd think since I've given it before, I would do a bang up job this time. We'll see. The sermon is based on a poem written by Andrew Jones. Sorry, not the baseball player (he's not doing very well this season at all), but a pioneer in the missional and emerging church scene, particularly in Europe.

The last line of the poem is the title for my sermon:

We are his wonderful signature
a sign of his favor
his presence
power
to change
the world back
to how it should be
healed and harmonious
a peculiar people of power

A short synopsis of the message:
The Greek word used in the new testament, peripoiesis, (bonus points for correct pronunciation or at least the funniest) means a valued personal possession, which is worth obtaining and worth preserving. The King James Version uses the word "peculiar" to translate it. Why? Because the original meaning of that word was, "private property, special; belonging exclusively to one person or group." That's a far cry from today's odd, strange, or queer.

So, in 1 Peter 2:9, when Peter calls us a peculiar people, he doesn't mean strange or odd (although we seem to take it that way). He's telling us that we are treasured by God, belonging exclusively to him. That's way cooler than God's strange little people!

The power comes from the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:3 says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

So, stand up! Be strengthened! You are not called to be a queer people for some distant deity, you are a treasured possession of the Most High God, full of the power of the Holy Spirit. You are a peculiar people of power!

Waiting On God

It's not always easy. In fact, it's rarely easy in my experience. But, it is a necessity. At least it is if you want to follow God and His will. There are several great scriptures about waiting on the Lord, but my favorite comes from Isaiah chapter 40.

28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
30 Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.

That comes from the NRSV, by the way. It's also the basis of the song "Everlasting God" by Chris Tomlin. He's one of a couple of different guys who sings it anyway. That song was my personal theme song back in the summer of 07. I may pull it back out. Seems fitting for these times, as well.

I bring up waiting on Lord, because when he speaks something, he doesn't always give a sense of timing. He may have said to me, "Preach for me," but he didn't say, "quit your job at the radio station and start preaching anywhere and everywhere you can."

In the meantime, I will be preaching this coming Sunday in the church in which I grew up. I spoke there a month or two ago, but I hope to do a better job of it this time. I think I have a little more "authority" this time around. You know, a command from God and all.

I also found some quotes that are interesting. John Wesley had considered giving up preaching when he spoke with Boehler. Boehler's advice was to, "Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith." And then a quote that I attributed to Wesley, but actually came from St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

So, there you go. I'm getting stronger right now. (from waiting on the Lord, natch) Peace be to you, and check out my wife's pics with her new camera. She's very excited. Until we meet again, I'll be found waiting on God.

A Question

Does the church today, in particular the American church, enjoy peace and increase in numbers? If so, why? If not, why not? Ok, so I have more than one question.

Acts 9:31 says:

Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. (NRSV)

Now let's look at the question again. Do we in the American church live in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit?

Please, I look forward to your thoughts.