The last day of the year! I want to give a quick "Happy Birthday" to Biff. His birthday is always a major party. I have experienced a number of victories in 2007. Perhaps the biggest was finishing my Ph.D. at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Also, LifeTree Church is coming together nicely. I am blogging about LifeTree Church here.
One of my commitments for 2008 is to keep both blogs updated on a more regular basis. I realize that this sounds like a resolution made for breaking, but I feel confident that I will be able to do so. Last year was so hectic with all of the dissertation research and writing. I just didn't feel like being on the computer for anything else.
Another goal I have for 2008 is my health. Karen and I have acquired an elliptical machine, and I plan on using that all year. I'd love to average losing a pound per week for 2008. That would be incredible. I have some friends who are planning to run a half marathon this spring. I am nowhere near ready for that. But I'd like to run a race of some sort by the fall. Perhaps I could do the Atlanta half marathon at Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
I have been thinking lately about what one on one discipleship will look like at LifeTree Church. One of our obstacles is time. People in Paulding County typically work outside of the county, and spend a great deal of time commuting. My wife, Karen, generally spends 3 hours a day driving. The fact that people have less time during the week to spend with their families is a major consideration for the family integrated church format. It just doesn’t make much sense to me to ask people to give up time spent with their families on the weekend in order to strengthen the family and communicate biblical values.
So how do we accomplish one on one mentoring in a family environment? As far as mentoring goes, there is no good substitute to time shared together. This is one reason why children take on the attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of their parents. The kids see mom and dad in their most unguarded states. When out in public, we tend to project a persona. We guard our actions and control our emotions so that the world only sees what we want them to see. Sometimes this doesn’t work, but in general, everyone does this. However, at home, we let down our guards. We are uninhibited in our reactions and emotions. Home is where one can let his guard down and simply be.
This transparency is beneficial for the children. They see who we really are and emulate us. They perceive which beliefs we truly believe and which ones we merely give lip service. Because they see us and hear us, they model themselves after us. This is why the Bible talks about the sins of the father being passed on from generation to generation. Parents model life to their children, the children follow in the parents footsteps, and generally commit the same mistakes, hold the same beliefs, and value the same character traits.
This is where my thoughts are at the moment. Obviously, LifeTree Church will utilize the parents to disciple the children. But how do we disciple mom and dad? How do we share life together with a large number of adults, but do so effectively?
Feel free to respond to these questions.
So how do we accomplish one on one mentoring in a family environment? As far as mentoring goes, there is no good substitute to time shared together. This is one reason why children take on the attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of their parents. The kids see mom and dad in their most unguarded states. When out in public, we tend to project a persona. We guard our actions and control our emotions so that the world only sees what we want them to see. Sometimes this doesn’t work, but in general, everyone does this. However, at home, we let down our guards. We are uninhibited in our reactions and emotions. Home is where one can let his guard down and simply be.
This transparency is beneficial for the children. They see who we really are and emulate us. They perceive which beliefs we truly believe and which ones we merely give lip service. Because they see us and hear us, they model themselves after us. This is why the Bible talks about the sins of the father being passed on from generation to generation. Parents model life to their children, the children follow in the parents footsteps, and generally commit the same mistakes, hold the same beliefs, and value the same character traits.
This is where my thoughts are at the moment. Obviously, LifeTree Church will utilize the parents to disciple the children. But how do we disciple mom and dad? How do we share life together with a large number of adults, but do so effectively?
Feel free to respond to these questions.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Paige Ballet Recital Dance
Paige had her Dance recital on Saturday, May 12, 2007. Here is the ballet portion of the recital.
Paige Tap Recital Dance
Paige had her dance recital on Saturday, May 12. Here is the tap dance portion of the recital.
Friday, April 13, 2007
I read an article today from a paper in Houston. Here is the link: http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4711186.html The article detailed the fact that there has been an increase in children assaulting their parents. According to the DA, there has been an increase in juvenile crime overall:
Prosecutors say there has been an overall increase in juvenile crime. "We're seeing a significant jump in the system the last few years," said Assistant District Attorney Bill Hawkins. The number of petitions filed in juvenile court for felonies and Class A and B misdemeanors:
• 2006: 15,669 petitions
• 2005: 14,545
• 2004: 14,322
• 2003: 12,522
Source: Assistant District Attorney Bill Hawkins -->
The authorities don't know why the kids are out of control, but I have a good idea of the root. The Baby Boomers were largely the first generation of children to be raise by the "Nanny State." In other words, during the Depression, Americans relinquished a portion of their personal resposibility to the state when Roosevelt instituted the New Deal. Over the next twenty years, more and more areas of personal life was ceded to the government. Worst of all, was the education of the children.
Now don't assume that I am anti-public education because I am not. Rather, a large number of parents assumed that the government was providing all the education that the children needed, so the parents focused on other things.
After World War II, the United States experienced an incedible boom in the number of births, enter the Baby Boomers. This generation was the first to be raised by the government and thus did not have the Biblical values and morals passed down to them by their parents as completely as should have been. Once they grew up, they did not have the "Biblical Values" memory for them to pass along to their children. So the values and morals of that generation was even further removed. Add to this the pervasive nature of Hollywood and video games, and you have a generation of kids possessing secular state instilled values with Hollywood morals.
Leading to this current generation of adolescents -- these kids are so far removed from what the Bible expects that they are largely making up their own values and morals. Society afirms this because of the secular religion - tolerance - and the secular philosophy of relativism.
The answer to all this is for families to return to the values presented by God in His word. The good news is that it is not too late. Parents can begin reading the Bible, teaching it to their kids, and seeking to grow in God's wisdom within the context of the local church.
Public school is not the enemy. Public education is a great tool to assist the parents teach their children knowledge. It is up to the fathers and mothers to ensure that their children receive a full education -- including the imputation of biblical values.
Prosecutors say there has been an overall increase in juvenile crime. "We're seeing a significant jump in the system the last few years," said Assistant District Attorney Bill Hawkins. The number of petitions filed in juvenile court for felonies and Class A and B misdemeanors:
• 2006: 15,669 petitions
• 2005: 14,545
• 2004: 14,322
• 2003: 12,522
Source: Assistant District Attorney Bill Hawkins -->
The authorities don't know why the kids are out of control, but I have a good idea of the root. The Baby Boomers were largely the first generation of children to be raise by the "Nanny State." In other words, during the Depression, Americans relinquished a portion of their personal resposibility to the state when Roosevelt instituted the New Deal. Over the next twenty years, more and more areas of personal life was ceded to the government. Worst of all, was the education of the children.
Now don't assume that I am anti-public education because I am not. Rather, a large number of parents assumed that the government was providing all the education that the children needed, so the parents focused on other things.
After World War II, the United States experienced an incedible boom in the number of births, enter the Baby Boomers. This generation was the first to be raised by the government and thus did not have the Biblical values and morals passed down to them by their parents as completely as should have been. Once they grew up, they did not have the "Biblical Values" memory for them to pass along to their children. So the values and morals of that generation was even further removed. Add to this the pervasive nature of Hollywood and video games, and you have a generation of kids possessing secular state instilled values with Hollywood morals.
Leading to this current generation of adolescents -- these kids are so far removed from what the Bible expects that they are largely making up their own values and morals. Society afirms this because of the secular religion - tolerance - and the secular philosophy of relativism.
The answer to all this is for families to return to the values presented by God in His word. The good news is that it is not too late. Parents can begin reading the Bible, teaching it to their kids, and seeking to grow in God's wisdom within the context of the local church.
Public school is not the enemy. Public education is a great tool to assist the parents teach their children knowledge. It is up to the fathers and mothers to ensure that their children receive a full education -- including the imputation of biblical values.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
ALLOWED BE YOUR NAME
Tonight after dinner, we had our regular family Bible Study. Currently we are studying the book of John. After our Bible Study, we prayed and were about to get the girls ready for bed and Brooke asked if she could read the Lord's Prayer.
As she read, she said, "Our Father in heaven, allowed be your name . . ." At that point, we corrected her reading, and she sailed through the rest of the prayer without a problem.
As I was thinking of the situation, I thought how appropriate it is to pray that God's name be allowed. Our nation has strayed far in the last fifty years. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Pace is being dragged through the mud because he stated his belief that homosexuality is immoral, and that immorality does not belong in the military (he also said that adultrey was immoral but they didn't care about that statement). Christmas and Easter are under attack as the secularists attempt to dissociate the holidays from their Christian meanings. Families are under attack as socialists attempt to hijack the parental roles of raising children. And Brooke prays "Our Father in heaven, allowed be your name."
God uses the innocence of children to sound his call to pray for our nation. I ask you to pray and ask God "allowed be your name."
Tonight after dinner, we had our regular family Bible Study. Currently we are studying the book of John. After our Bible Study, we prayed and were about to get the girls ready for bed and Brooke asked if she could read the Lord's Prayer.
As she read, she said, "Our Father in heaven, allowed be your name . . ." At that point, we corrected her reading, and she sailed through the rest of the prayer without a problem.
As I was thinking of the situation, I thought how appropriate it is to pray that God's name be allowed. Our nation has strayed far in the last fifty years. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Pace is being dragged through the mud because he stated his belief that homosexuality is immoral, and that immorality does not belong in the military (he also said that adultrey was immoral but they didn't care about that statement). Christmas and Easter are under attack as the secularists attempt to dissociate the holidays from their Christian meanings. Families are under attack as socialists attempt to hijack the parental roles of raising children. And Brooke prays "Our Father in heaven, allowed be your name."
God uses the innocence of children to sound his call to pray for our nation. I ask you to pray and ask God "allowed be your name."
Sunday, March 04, 2007
The APA (American Psychological Association) recently released a study on the oversexualization of girls. It comes as no big surprise that they found that young girls are constantly bombarded with sexuality in all facets of life, and that this has serious negative effects on these girls. Unfortunately, the APA concluded their report with a call for increased awareness and education. Like that would really make a difference! I would also like to point out that the report said nothing of the negative effects this oversexualized environment has on boys, women, or men. Just as young girls suffer low self esteem, eating disorders, STDs, and a whole host of other problems, women, men and boys are equally affected.
The problem with the APA is that they are searching for a right answer in the wrong place. American society has effectively declared war on Christ and his followers by attempting (and sometimes succeeding) to remove any influence the Bible has. As a result, when society is confronted with the negative consequences of their lack of morality, they have no answer to reverse those consequences.
Fortunately, God provides His answer in the Bible. First, we are called to flee immorality (1 Cor. 6:18). We aren’t merely to avoid the overtly lewd and vulgar. We are to actively flee all kinds of immorality. But how does one do this in the day and age we live in?
There is no where you can go that is free from some type of sexualized message. As I sit in the airport writing this blog, there are immodestly dressed women and girls walking by (I am trying not to look. I promise). The television is playing daytime programming (let’s not even get in to the whole soap opera issue). Commercials contain overtly sexual and covertly sexual messages and innuendo. How do we protect ourselves and our children from this garbage?
A good practice to put into place is filtering your media intake. This does not mean a life of devoted to children’s television programming and reruns of the Brady Bunch. Rather, choose to watch shows that are not blatantly immoral. When commercials come on, channel surf so you aren’t exposed to the "sex sells" advertising. Or read books more often than you watch t.v.
Also, when you are confronted by immodest people as I currently am, practice the discipline of "eye bouncing." What is eye bouncing you ask? Simply put, it is quickly averting your gaze when confronted with something you shouldn’t be seeing.
The problem with the APA is that they are searching for a right answer in the wrong place. American society has effectively declared war on Christ and his followers by attempting (and sometimes succeeding) to remove any influence the Bible has. As a result, when society is confronted with the negative consequences of their lack of morality, they have no answer to reverse those consequences.
Fortunately, God provides His answer in the Bible. First, we are called to flee immorality (1 Cor. 6:18). We aren’t merely to avoid the overtly lewd and vulgar. We are to actively flee all kinds of immorality. But how does one do this in the day and age we live in?
There is no where you can go that is free from some type of sexualized message. As I sit in the airport writing this blog, there are immodestly dressed women and girls walking by (I am trying not to look. I promise). The television is playing daytime programming (let’s not even get in to the whole soap opera issue). Commercials contain overtly sexual and covertly sexual messages and innuendo. How do we protect ourselves and our children from this garbage?
A good practice to put into place is filtering your media intake. This does not mean a life of devoted to children’s television programming and reruns of the Brady Bunch. Rather, choose to watch shows that are not blatantly immoral. When commercials come on, channel surf so you aren’t exposed to the "sex sells" advertising. Or read books more often than you watch t.v.
Also, when you are confronted by immodest people as I currently am, practice the discipline of "eye bouncing." What is eye bouncing you ask? Simply put, it is quickly averting your gaze when confronted with something you shouldn’t be seeing.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
The family has a big day tomorrow. Karen is having her tonsils removed, and we are all trying to prepare for the recovery. Her mom and dad have come down to help, so things should go smoothly.
This week, I plan on completing my prospectus so that I can submit it to REDOC. This is the last step before I can actually write the dissertation. Hopefully, it will all work out smoothly.
This week, I plan on completing my prospectus so that I can submit it to REDOC. This is the last step before I can actually write the dissertation. Hopefully, it will all work out smoothly.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Today I read a quote by John Agresto about starting a democracy in Iraq. It speaks to the state of religion in the United States:
"We desperately kept looking for the supposed 'moderates' among the clergy in Iraq. Moderate as compared to what? Just because we believe that God wants everyone to enjoy equal rights, or that killing Jews or stoning apostates is wrong, doesn't mean that our beliefs are shared by other faiths. We have so tamed and, in a sense, marginalized religion in the West that we consistently underestimate its ferocity and strength."
What Agresto describes in the East is a worldview of extremes. For the muslims, you are either with them or not. If you are not with them, then you are either enslaved, subjugated, or killed.
More importantly is the apt reflection that religion has been marginalized in the West. There was once a time when the Christian worldview, held by authentic Christians, was held with a high level of commitment. Of course, Christians were never commanded to enslave, subjugate, or kill non-believers. Rather, we are commanded to love them and pray for them.
I believe it is time for religion to pass away, and for Christians to become more passionate about their relationship with Jesus Christ. The castration of the church must stop. We must be more vocal about Christ's love for the people of this world. We must be more active in loving the world.
"We desperately kept looking for the supposed 'moderates' among the clergy in Iraq. Moderate as compared to what? Just because we believe that God wants everyone to enjoy equal rights, or that killing Jews or stoning apostates is wrong, doesn't mean that our beliefs are shared by other faiths. We have so tamed and, in a sense, marginalized religion in the West that we consistently underestimate its ferocity and strength."
What Agresto describes in the East is a worldview of extremes. For the muslims, you are either with them or not. If you are not with them, then you are either enslaved, subjugated, or killed.
More importantly is the apt reflection that religion has been marginalized in the West. There was once a time when the Christian worldview, held by authentic Christians, was held with a high level of commitment. Of course, Christians were never commanded to enslave, subjugate, or kill non-believers. Rather, we are commanded to love them and pray for them.
I believe it is time for religion to pass away, and for Christians to become more passionate about their relationship with Jesus Christ. The castration of the church must stop. We must be more vocal about Christ's love for the people of this world. We must be more active in loving the world.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Joy and Exaltation!! I have finally settled on a name for the church plant. It is LifeTree Church. I think this name is significant because of what it conveys. First, our mission is to transform lives and equip families for living a biblical lifestyle. In essence, we journey through life together (we also offer God's gift eternal life through the Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). Second, tree has many meanings. One picture that comes to mind is the Family Tree. This denotes the family nature of the church. At LifeTree Church, each family is a branch. Each branch is to grow, flower, and produce seeds, which will in turn develop new trees.
Furthermore, one of my favorite Psalms is psalm 1. In which verse 3 says:
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.
Anyways, it is short and conveys a lot of what the church is. So I like it.
Furthermore, one of my favorite Psalms is psalm 1. In which verse 3 says:
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.
Anyways, it is short and conveys a lot of what the church is. So I like it.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Busy day today. I worked through alot of issues for the church plant. Of course, new issues arose that I am going to have to think through. First of all, I need to find a sponsor church and along with that, I need to decide what association with which to align.
Also, I am looking at some possible bivocational options. One that I am pretty excited about is possibly working in a funeral home. It may sound morbid, but working in a funeral home in the community is an excellent way to meet people in the community. I could also preach funerals for those families who don't have a pastor. How exciting is that?
Tonight, I am doing a little bit of work and watching the BCS Bowl. I really don't care which team wins. I figured if they are the best, it should be a good game. So far, Florida is running all over Ohio State.
Also, I am looking at some possible bivocational options. One that I am pretty excited about is possibly working in a funeral home. It may sound morbid, but working in a funeral home in the community is an excellent way to meet people in the community. I could also preach funerals for those families who don't have a pastor. How exciting is that?
Tonight, I am doing a little bit of work and watching the BCS Bowl. I really don't care which team wins. I figured if they are the best, it should be a good game. So far, Florida is running all over Ohio State.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Today has been a busy one. I spoke with my dissertation chairman yesterday and told him I would send him a first draft of my prospectus by next Friday. How's that for setting a deadline?
So this week I will be furiously writing and proofing. This is not excuse for not posting this week. But cut me some slack if I don't. Okay?
So this week I will be furiously writing and proofing. This is not excuse for not posting this week. But cut me some slack if I don't. Okay?
Friday, January 05, 2007
I found this quote in an article by Ross McKenzie. I think it is pertinent to my situation. Today I have been feeling rather low about my work, my dissertation, and life in general. This quote is really encouraging.
Calvin Coolidge: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not: Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education cannot: The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan press on has solved, and always will solve, the problems of the human race. "
Another quote in the column which inspires me is:
Frank Herbert: “Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.”
God wisely provided these quotes to lift me up today. I hope those of you who happen upon this blog are equally inspired.
Calvin Coolidge: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not: Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education cannot: The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan press on has solved, and always will solve, the problems of the human race. "
Another quote in the column which inspires me is:
Frank Herbert: “Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.”
God wisely provided these quotes to lift me up today. I hope those of you who happen upon this blog are equally inspired.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Update for the new year. I am resolved to pay more attention to my blog. I plan on posting more often than once or twice a year (if that). My hope is to publish as often as daily, but I will probably shoot for at least once a week.
Other things going on in my life: I have a dissertation to finish. Drop me a line of encouragement. Odds are if I'm reading this, I am procrastinating!! Also, I am working on a new church plant in Paulding County, Georgia. I will describe this church more in the near future.
Other things going on in my life: I have a dissertation to finish. Drop me a line of encouragement. Odds are if I'm reading this, I am procrastinating!! Also, I am working on a new church plant in Paulding County, Georgia. I will describe this church more in the near future.
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