Michael Jackson at 50

                                                 

   Michael Jackson turns 50 tomorrow.  Does he look it? This is an experts imaging of what Michal Jackson would have looked like if he hadn’t gotten any surgeries.  In Psalm 139:14 it says “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  I say we don’t mess with what God made. How about you?

I Pledge Allegiance

I love the Olympics! I can watch anything from swimming to basketball, but am not so much a fan of diving. Anyways, any time someone from the U.S.A. wins, I am filled with pride and when it’s really exciting, my armhair stands on end.  I love the United States, but am finding the distinction between American and Christian. What would happen if I had to choose between betraying my country or betraying Christ? Betraying my country would probably get me killed, but would be far worth it compared to the alternative.

I love the Derek Webb song that says “my first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man. My first allegiance is not to democracy or blood, it’s to a King & a Kingdom.” Let us not blur the two. Are we striving for the “American Dream” or the Jesus model of downward mobility?  Are we cheering for U.S. victory in Iraq or are we praying for Iraqi Christians?

Where does your allegiance lie?

The Gospel According to Mr. Miyagi

So I was watching the Karate Kid the other day and something occurred to me.  Most of us are familiar with the term “wax on, wax off.” It comes from one of the different tasks that Mr. Miyagi has Daniel do in the movie.  To Daniel it seems like Mr. Miyagi just has him do all of his chores for him, but Mr. Miyagi is getting him prepared for karate.  These tasks like sanding the floor and painting the fence are strengthening Daniel’s muscles and getting him used to the different karate techniques.  This is kind of how God trains us.  He puts us in situations where we don’t understand everything, but he is preparing us for the future.  I usually don’t like to blog about stretched metaphors, but I thought this one was pretty sweet. 

And now prepare yourself for the greatest musical sequence in cinematic history:

The Tangible Kingdom

This is a video about a book I found really interesting. “The Tangible Kingdom helps open a window into that uneasiness many feel when what we’ve read in scripture verses does not line up with our experiences with religion or church. Jesus’ news about his kingdom was a wild, life-reorienting message. It changed people, cities, and the social fabric. It was nothing like the heart-shriveling religion common in our present-day church experience. Watch as a normal God-searching man finds hope, as he sees a glimpse of the kingdom in a community of friends, around a table, and everywhere he goes.”

Back to the Future

Back to the Future is my 2nd favorite movie of all time, second to Top Gun.  Tom Wilson, who played Biff, is rather tired of people asking him questions about the movie. Check out this video of him singing a song about it:

The Office

I can’t wait for The Office to come back. How about you?

Jesus Servant

I had the awesome opportunity to preach at my church yesterday.  Here are some of my key points. It was all about following Jesus’ example of being a servant.

•  Jesus left what was comfortable to Him. He wants us to do the same. (Phil 2)
• We serve because we are not our own. We were bought with a price and now Jesus is in control of us.  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
• Would you be willing to serve Jesus as much as your favorite celebrity who came to your house?
• We are supposed to serve expecting nothing in return. (Luke 14:1)
• Jesus demonstated being a servant by washing his disciples’ feet. The way that they serve him, he tells them, is by becoming the slaves of their fellow-servants and being willing to do literally anything, however costly, irksome, or undignified, in order to help them.
• True service is a life-style.
• Do something you think is beneath you.
• How are you leading others to serve? Asking others to do stuff for you is not ordering them around, but giving them the opportunity to be shaped by God.

     What we do in life echoes in eternity!

 

 

8-8-08

Happy 8-8-08 everyone.  Almost as cool as 8-4-84 (day of my birth).  Today Phil Wickham released a FREE live album via his website (philwickham.com) called Singalong. This download is a must. I am downloading it right now, but I know it’s going to be powerful. It contains some worship songs and some of his normal songs which are extremely worshipful.  I am excited to listen to it as I write my sermon for church on Sunday. Be sure to watch the Olympics!!!

24

Twenty four oceans
Twenty four skies
Twenty four failures
Twenty four tries
Twenty four finds me
In twenty-fourth place
Twenty four drop outs
At the end of the day
Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty four hours ago

Still I’m singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
And I’m not who I thought I was twenty four hours ago
Still I’m singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

Twenty four reasons to admit that I’m wrong
With all my excuses still twenty four strong

See I’m not copping out not copping out not copping out
When You’re raising the dead in me
Oh, oh I am the second man
Oh, oh I am the second man now
Oh, oh I am the second man now

And You’re raising these twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies
In twenty four parts
But I wan to be one today
Centered and true

I’m singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
You’re raising the dead in me
Oh, oh I am the second man
Oh, oh I am the second man now
Oh, oh I am the second man now
And You’re raising the dead in me

I want to see miracles, see the world change
Wrestled the angel, for more than a name
For more than a feeling
For more than a cause
I’m singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
And You’re raising the dead in me
Twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies
In twenty four parts.
I’m not copping out. Not copping out. Not copping out.

Song by Switchfoot.
Today I turn 24.

Journey of Desire

One of my favorite authors, Donald Miller, just finished a cross-country bike trip, with a group of 20 or so others, to raise money and awareness for Blood Water Mission.   A few months ago I finished one of my favorite books, The Only Road North by Erik Mirandette.  That book documents Erik, his brother, and their friend, as they go across Africa (from South Africa to Egypt) on dirt bikes.  After reading that book I had to rent Motorcycle Diaries, where they go across South America on a motorcycle.  After seeing and reading all about these guys’ journeys, I really want to do something like this.  I don’t know where, with whom, when, or for what cause, but there is something stiring deep inside me to embark on such an adventure.  That’s all. No deep theological truths in this one (even though a journey of great magnitude would definitely require me to cling to my Creator).  Anyone down?