Saturday, May 31, 2008
POSSIBLY THE WEIRDEST VIDEO EVER
What do you get when you put David Hasselhof, flying children, weiner dogs, a batman cape, and a good hooga-chakka in a music video? Quite possibly the strangest jaw dropping video ever seen!
What more could we ever ask for in a video?
Labels: Video
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Friday, May 30, 2008
UPDATING THE BLOGROLL, TWITTER AND DAVID COOK
(BLOGROLL): I'd love to add your blog to my blogroll. I'm in the process of updating my blogroll. My blogroll is full of blogs that I like to read and most have my blog linked on their site. I try to keep it updated with new blogs and take down old broken links. The blogroll does gets lots of traffic, so I know it's getting used by others too. You can also email me your link by clicking here!
Anyway I'd LOVE to add your blog to my blogroll if it's not already on there. I'm a little cautious about just adding blogs without permission, because there are a lot of people who want to keep their blogs pretty private. If you are willing to let me add you to my blogroll, just leave me a comment with your blog address and I'll get you put in. And if you haven't stopped by my blogroll, there are a lot of good blogs to read over there.
(TWITTER): Okay, I'm going to give this Twitter thing a try. After a little encouragement from John Dobbs and Tucker, I finally signed up. My twitter updates are on the left hand side of my blog just under my profile. Maybe I can keep up with this better than I can my Facebook. I find it hard enough just to keep up with my blog. :)
(DAVID COOK): The Morgan family got to spend a little time with extended family this past weekend. The picture of the girl on the left is Jenny, one of Lea's cousins we watched grow up into a beautiful wife and mother. I did her and her husband's wedding a few years ago. What I didn't know is that she is friends with American Idol's David Cook. I told her I didn't believe her, so she showed me this picture. Sure enough ... Jenny and David Cook.
I guess that still doesn't make me famous, it just makes me know someone, who knows someone who is famous... shucks!
Jenny, David Cook and Mystery Girl
Labels: Blogging
Thursday, May 29, 2008
WHEN YOUR SPOUSE IS SICK...
Would you say this is the way things progress over time when the wife gets sick ...
- Year One of Marriage the Husband Says: "Sugar dumpling, I'm worried about you baby girl. You've got a sniffle. I'll take you to the doctor right away."
- Year Two of Marriage the Husband Says: "Listen darling I don't like the sound of that cough, I called the doctor and asked him to call in a prescription. I'm going to pick it up for you while you lie down and rest. Can I get you anything else?"
- Year Three of Marriage the Husband Says: "Look Sweetheart ... after you've fed the kids, washed the dishes and ironed the clothes, why don't you go get some rest?"
- Year Four of Marriage the Husband Says: "I wish you'd just gargle something instead of sitting around all evening barking like a seal."
So, how would you describe men when they are sick?
Labels: Marriage
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
CHRISTIANITY'S BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION
I'm finding more and more Christians all the time that believe ... to be a good Christian and to go to heaven you must be an AA Christian. "AA" stands for attendance and abstinence. To go to heaven you must have faithful "attendance" in church (which includes singing, giving, communion, etc) and "abstain" from bad things (cheating, cussing, lying, etc). The good Christians who do the two "A's" will go straight through the pearly gates.I like that theology because it's simple, but the more I read the bible and the more I listen to Jesus teach, the more I have a problem with the AA theology. One of the texts that have always challenged the AA theology is found in Matthew 25:31-46. It's there that Jesus tells me about two groups of people. The first group on the right gets eternal life and is going to heaven. The second group on the left gets eternal punishment and is going to hell. What's the difference in the two groups? Did the group on the right go to church every time the doors were open? Did they take communion every Sunday even if they had to stop on the road to do it? Did they always abstain from the bad stuff? AND, did the group on the left fail to attend all the services and abstain from everything?
Here's what Jesus said about what the first group did right, "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' "
And here's what Jesus said the second group did wrong, "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
I'm not saying you don't need to attend church services and I'm not saying it's okay to do whatever we want morally. Attendance and abstinence are good, but they don't make you a Christian, and neither will save you. Christianity wasn't founded on the two A's, but on a relationship with God, obedience to Him, and our service to others. I believe Jesus put it this way when he was asked what's really important, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself."
So I need to ask myself ...
- When was the last time I fed someone who was hungry?
- When was the last time I invited someone into my home?
- When was the last time I sat by a dying person?
- When was the last time I visited a nursing home?
- When was the last time I gave someone a second, third or fourth chance?
- When was the last time I offered forgiveness?
“Jesus never says to the poor, ‘Come find the church,’ but he says to those of us in the church, ‘Go into the world and find the poor, hungry, homeless, imprisoned.’ ”“We can admire and worship Jesus without doing what he did. We can applaud what he preached and stood for without caring about the same things. We can adore his cross without taking up ours. I had come to see that the great tragedy in the church is not that rich Christians do not care about the poor but that rich Christians do not know the poor.” ~Shane Claiborne
Maybe what Jesus is telling us that Christianity is more about service, love and giving of ourselves to others, than it is about attendance and abstinence.
- What do you think?
- Have you ever been taught AA Christianity?
- Have you ever bought into it or met someone who has?
Labels: Christian Living, Church
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
WARNING: BATHROOM TALK
I don't know about you, but I need a laugh today. Who better to provide a laugh than a child. I do need to warn you that "bathroom talk" is involved in this and if you're uncomfortable with that ... then you might want to stop right here. This is simply another example of why Lea needs lots of prayers living in a house full of boys.Cooper, my 6 year old, had been in the bathroom for quite a while when I heard him yelling, "DAD, COME QUICK! DAD, COME QUICK!"
Only being six, there are occasions when Cooper still needs a little help in the bathroom. So, thinking he needs a little help, I get out of my chair as the sounds of "DAD, COME QUICK!" still bellow from the bathroom.
I open the door and ask the little man, "Hey buddy, are you needing some help?"
"No Dad, come here!" Cooper says, still perched up on the toilet.
I walk a little closer and ask him, "What is it, Son?"
He leans forward just a shot as if to show me something and says, "Dad look, you got to see this thing!"
I lean over and take a cautious look at what he's wanting me to see. Wow, I have no clue how something that big could come out of a body of a child that small. My first and only reaction is, "WOW Cooper that thing IS HUGE!"
Cooper looks up at me with a grin that reaches from ear to ear and proudly says, "Thanks Dad!"
You would have thought that I had just paid the boy one of the biggest compliments in his life.
Labels: Humor, Morgan Family
Monday, May 26, 2008
MEMORIAL DAY PLANS
Since today is Memorial Day, I'm supposed to have the day off. Yea! Problem is I'm kind of under the weather. Laryngitis has hit me hard, which is not a good thing for a preacher. I barely made it through two lessons yesterday and then I struggled through a third last night that I did at the baccalaureate service for the graduating seniors. I don't really feel bad, I just can't talk. I do plan on relaxing today, resting my voice, catching a 4 mile run and helping Lea around the house.
Two things that weigh heavy on my mind today.
Two things that weigh heavy on my mind today.
- I'm so thankful for these people.
- My heart still is aching for the Dobbs family. Today John reflects on what it's like to bury a child. I feel so helpless to help them.
See you tomorrow! ~Trey
Labels: General
Friday, May 23, 2008
JOHN ROBERT DOBBS
My heart is broke and my mind can barely focus on anything today. My friends and fellow bloggers, John & Maggie Dobbs lost their son John Robert Dobbs who was 18 years old and supposed to graduate from high school tonight. What a horrible, horrible tragedy! There are no words that can describe the pain of losing a child. I have literally wanted to throw up since I heard the news. I ask, no I beg, that you please keep the Dobbs family in your prayers this weekend. I will be.
You can read more here, and here. These links and more can be found on John Dobbs blog.
You can read more here, and here. These links and more can be found on John Dobbs blog.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
CRAZY THINGS I HAVE SEEN IN CHURCH
- During a sermon I was preaching I saw our youth minister get up, go to the back (unseen by others) and double over in pain. For the next 3 minutes he paced back and forth stopping regularly to double over in pain. I kept thinking, "Surely someone is going to see this guy and help him." It was obvious something was wrong and yes, I probably should have stopped and checked on him, but I was right in the middle of making a great point. (By the way, he was fine ... just bad indigestion.)
- I've witnessed a young man get so nervous when he was about to lead the prayer, that he literally froze up. Someone finally went up and rescued him.
- Once during a funeral I attended, the preacher asked for the deacons to bring a crying, out-of-control woman to the front. As they grabbed her from her pew and carried her to the front she cried and screamed louder. They placed her in front of the coffin, which the preacher opened and the preacher told her, "Look at him, look at him, he's dead and he ain't a coming back. Now get over it!" They then took her back to her seat. I was glad I wasn't crying and that I was on the back pew.
- Once when holding a revival for a small country church, I noticed that in the baptistery instead of water there was a large rat trap. On night two, during my sermon, I clearly heard the trap pop shut and a rat start flopping, flailing, screeching and dieing for the next 20 minutes.
- Again, while I was preaching elsewhere, I once saw a man on the front row take off his socks and clip his toe nails while I was preaching.
- One Sunday morning as a new teenager, I was entertaining everyone around me during the sermon. I then looked up and saw the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life... my mom looking very angry, standing at the end of the pew and waving for me to come with her. It was the longest walk of my life as I had to climb over all my friends to finally get to where my mom was standing. We walked to the back of the auditorium as everyone watched. I remember someone closing the doors and... well... that's all I remember. I think I was knocked unconscious from all the blood loss.
- I did not see this, but I have to share my friend's story. He was doing a gospel meeting when during the invitation a woman came down and confessed to adultery. She then stood and pointed out the man in audience, who was sitting with his family, that she'd committed adultery with and said, "He needs to get down here too. He's as guilty as I am." Wow, I'm glad I wasn't there that morning.
- Someone said this had to be in their funniest moments. Ha, real funny! And yes, he's still grounded. :)
I can't wait to ask this question ... What are some crazy things have you seen take place in a church building?
Labels: Church
Monday, May 19, 2008
FRIENDS
This past Sunday morning I was given the task of preaching to the graduating seniors at church. Even though Taylor was one of them, I knew I'd be able to keep my composure because I was focused on my lesson. I was a little worried about Lea though. I wanted to be able to sit with her, but couldn't. Thankfully God placed her sweet friend Angie right next to her this past Sunday. When I finished preaching and went and sat back down I noticed both Lea and Angie were a little teary. I was a little surprised to see Angie teary since both her kids had already graduated. After services were over I put my arm around her and asked her, "Were you a little teary?" She said, "Yes, I was crying with Lea."
I thanked God today that Lea has friends that remind me of Jesus, and I asked the Lord to please bless me with a heart like Angie's.
Labels: Morgan Family
LASTS
Having a son graduating this year has made it really busy around the Morgan house. Our oldest son, Taylor, is in his "last" few days of high school before he graduates in two weeks. I've been handling it okay, but Lea hasn't done as well. In fact I've noticed that every time someone mentions the word "Taylor" and "last" in the same sentence, Lea tears up.
This past weekend Taylor had one of his "last" senior parties, and then yesterday at church we honored the 15 seniors who attend church with us. Here are a few of the pictures from "last" weekend (sorry Lea)...
Lea and I would sure love some wisdom on how to handle things when your first child leaves home. Got any you're willing to share?
Labels: Morgan Family
Friday, May 16, 2008
SURVEY SAYS?
1. Your favorite new church song?
2. Your favorite new song on the radio?
3. Your favorite 3 sports to watch on television?
4. Your favorite 3 television shows?
5. Who wins Idol next week? David Cook or David Archuleta?
2. Your favorite new song on the radio?
3. Your favorite 3 sports to watch on television?
4. Your favorite 3 television shows?
5. Who wins Idol next week? David Cook or David Archuleta?
Labels: General
Thursday, May 15, 2008
KIDS AND CHURCH
The comedian Gallagher (yes, the watermelon smashing guy), recently reflecting on his childhood church experience said this, “Church was a weekly reminder that there was something worse than school." That made me laugh out loud. While Gallagher's church experience as a child might not have been all that great, let me tell you about another kid. His name is Jacob and he came over after school to play with Connor. Here's a conversation that happened with Jacob and I that sunny afternoon.
"How many more days until Sunday?" Jacob asked me.
"Two," I said.
"YES!" he said, as he pumped his fist in excitement.
"What's happening Sunday?" I asked, expecting to hear of a family trip or something special.
Looking rather surprised that I even asked, he said, "I get to go to church!"
"Awesome!" I told him and I thought to myself, "I wish everyone was this excited about church."
Jacob and his family have been going to church with us for about 5 years now. Thankfully church has been a positive experience in this young boy's life. When he grows up maybe he'll remember school was much worse than church ever was. :)
Now if I could just get this kid to come around on the church thing! Ha
"How many more days until Sunday?" Jacob asked me.
"Two," I said.
"YES!" he said, as he pumped his fist in excitement.
"What's happening Sunday?" I asked, expecting to hear of a family trip or something special.
Looking rather surprised that I even asked, he said, "I get to go to church!"
"Awesome!" I told him and I thought to myself, "I wish everyone was this excited about church."
Jacob and his family have been going to church with us for about 5 years now. Thankfully church has been a positive experience in this young boy's life. When he grows up maybe he'll remember school was much worse than church ever was. :)
Now if I could just get this kid to come around on the church thing! Ha
Labels: Church
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
HANDS OFF MY FOOD
I promise, we do feed our boys. Despite what they might tell you, we are not starving them to death. Occasionally when they do buy something of their own, they have to protect it from getting eaten by their hungry brothers. Hence the note (a common sight around the Morgan house)...
At least the kid is willing to share with his mother.
At least the kid is willing to share with his mother.
Labels: Morgan Family
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
MISTAKES I HAVE MADE IN MY MARRIAGE
I love my marriage with Lea. It is my greatest and most valued treasure on this earth. After nearly twenty years of marriage, I feel like we have a strong marriage. It's taken a lot of work over the years, and I understand now that the minute I start taking it for granted is the minute it will stop growing. Just like keeping my body in shape takes effort, so does keeping my marriage in shape. I honestly think marriages are in one of two stages, either growing or declining depending upon the effort you're putting in it. I understand now that the minute I start taking my marrige for granted isThankfully we've overcome some early mistakes we made in our marriage. I've sure made my share. The following are a few of the early mistakes I've made as a husband in my marriage, and I hope other husbands and marriages can learn from them.
the minute it will stop growing. And just like keeping my body in shape takes effort, so does keeping my marriage in shape.
- I didn't praise Lea enough publicly or privately. I didn't realize the importance of praise and building up my wife.
- I thought everything had to be "my way." Thinking you always have to be right is not healthy. Most of the time it's simple pride that gets in the way.
- I charged things on credit cards (a no-no for young marriages). The number one reason for divorce in our country is financial problems in marriage and credit cards are often at the core of the financial problems. Pay them off and then cut those bad boys up and never use them again. I wish newlyweds weren't allowed to have a credit card.
- I didn't think it was important to tell Lea things she really wanted or needed to know. It took me a while to learn to simply being open and honest. Openness and honesty is one of the top needs for women. Thankfully I finally caught on.
- We didn't date. Every couple should continue to date. Whether it's going to eat together, walking together, catching a movie or just having time alone together, you need to date. It gives you time to reconnect. I challenge every husband to make it a PRIORITY to have a date with his wife! And men, you'll earn extra points by being romantic if you'll actually pick a restaurant you know she likes and have a plan for the evening rather than getting in the car and saying, “So…uh…where do you want to eat?”
- I didn't pray with Lea like I should. One if the greatest blessings in my life happened when I began to pray with Lea. Unfortunately it didn't happen early in marriage. I have now found the value of praying with my wife. The intimacy that you find praying with your spouse is second-to-none. Nothing is more special than hearing my wife pray about the hurts, joys and concerns on her heart.
What were some of the mistakes you made early in your marriage?
Labels: His Needs Her Needs, Marriage
Monday, May 12, 2008
CHANGE IN MY FAMILY
Our families as we know them continually change as time passes. Here are some changes that will soon take place in the Morgan family that really make me nervous... - My 18-year-old son Taylor, will soon graduate from high school and leave home.
- I've never had a child leave home. How will Taylor handle it? More importantly how will Taylor's parents survive? Will he survive without his mother picking up after him and doing his laundry?
- We'll soon have another teenager in our home when Connor turns 13? Can I handle another teenage son or should I pray that God calls me to go sacrifice one of the three on the Mountains of Moriah like Abraham did with Isaac (kidding)? (Genesis 22)
- As mine and Lea's parents continue to get older and need more help, how can we help them more without moving closer to them?
Amidst all these changes, I'm thankful there are some things in my family that I can count on never changing. The fact that some things don't change make me feel much better. Things I can count on never changing in the Morgan family are...
- Our family will continue to put God first.
- We will continue to minister & serve wherever God takes us.
- I'll continue to love Lea with all my heart.
- Lea will continue to purchase shoes :)
- I will be proud of my boys and continue to love them even when they make mistakes.
- We'll continue to trust God to take care of our family.
I realize that change is everywhere. Children who were starting kindergarten yesterday are graduating from high school in a couple of weeks. Kids going off to college yesterday are now settling into the routine of a family. And those we love are slowly passing on to another world through death. You can't count on anything to stay the same. More than anything I must remember that what doesn't change is God. He's still in control, and His love and His mercy remain the same. It's only an unchanging God that remains. So now I remind myself that God will never fail. Now I feel better.
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning..." Lamentations 3:22
Labels: Morgan Family, Worry
Friday, May 09, 2008
MOTHER'S DAY
There have been two women in my life that have impacted me in great ways, my mom and my wife. My mom raised me the first part of my life, and then Lea has taken over since then. Mom has taught me some incredible lessons in this life and Lea has too. It's amazing how God knew I needed each of them. I'd like to share with you some things about both of them next week. I just don't have room to write them here today, but I would like to say Happy Mother's Day to my mom!------------------------------
Thinking of moms, some of my biggest heroes in this world are single “church” moms. Single “church” moms may be single because they are not married or single because their husbands don’t (or can’t) come with them to church. Yet what I love about them is they still come and bring the kids because they know that’s where they all need to be. Those mothers who bring their children to church all by themselves amaze me. These moms rise early on a Sunday morning, prepare breakfast, dress themselves and the kids, and then attend services knowing full well that if the kids act like kids, she may not get much out of the service at all. I'd have to say those moms are somewhere at the top of my list of heroes in my life.
No telling how many great leaders in the church have been raised by Godly single mothers. Need a Biblical example? How about Timothy! "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:5)
Sunday is Mother’s Day and all moms deserve honor, but single “church” moms are the ones that amaze me. We have quite a few single “church” moms in our congregation. I’d just like to say, “Well done mom, well done!”
-------------------------------
And while I'm talking about moms, I couldn't let this year's Mothers Day go by without including a video that me and my boys have just laughed and laughed over. I've always been a big Mr. T fan, but this little video moves him into legendary status in my book. :)
So let me just say to all the moms out there, "Happy Mother's Day from me and Mr. T." Enjoy...
(Just in case you can't catch the very thought provoking words, I'll include them for you.)
Mother! I always love her! My Mother! So treat her right!
M is for the moan and the miserable groan from the pain that she felt when I was boan.
O is for the oven with its burnin’ heat, where she stood, makin’ sure I had somethin’ to eat.
T is for the time that she stayed up night, and took my temperature when I wasn’t feelin’ right.
H is for the hard-earned money she spent to keep clothes on my back and try to pay da rent.
E is for every wrinkle that I put on her face, and every worry that I caused when I stayed out late.
The last letter R is that she taught me respect, and for the room up in heaven that I know she’ll get!
Mother! There is no other like Mother! So treat her right!
Mother! I always love her! My Mother! So treat her right!
M is for the moan and the miserable groan from the pain that she felt when I was boan.
O is for the oven with its burnin’ heat, where she stood, makin’ sure I had somethin’ to eat.
T is for the time that she stayed up night, and took my temperature when I wasn’t feelin’ right.
H is for the hard-earned money she spent to keep clothes on my back and try to pay da rent.
E is for every wrinkle that I put on her face, and every worry that I caused when I stayed out late.
The last letter R is that she taught me respect, and for the room up in heaven that I know she’ll get!
Mother! There is no other like Mother! So treat her right!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
THE DENTIST
- Cooper's favorite breakfast? Sugary cinnamon toast - .10 cents
- Cooper's favorite bag of snacks? Sugary Candy - $2.00
- Cooper's favorite drink (especially at bedtime)? Chocolate Milk - $1.00
- Four cavities found by the dentist this week in Cooper's mouth? Not Priceless
So I know where my economic stimulus check is going. What are you going to spend your money on?
Labels: Morgan Family
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
WHAT I LEARNED FROM CANCER
Today I celebrate life. It is my anniversary. Not my wedding anniversary, but my cancer anniversary.Five years ago today, my jaw dropped as I sat in a doctor's office and heard the doctor say, "You have cancer." So much of that day is still such a blur in my memory. The only things I remember about that day were hearing the words, "It's cancer," and calling my wife to tell her what I had just found out. It was the very last thing I expected the doctor to say. And it totally changed my life.
I had my first surgery the very next day. Wanting to avoid chemotherapy, I opted to go with a second major surgery about three weeks after the first surgery. The second surgery required a one-week stay in the hospital. It was not fun.
I'm reminded of what cancer has taught me: The only
things that really matter in life are my faith, my family & my friends.
Lance Armstrong has a commercial airing in which he stares into the camera and says, "Remember me cancer? You made me who I am today?" That quote really hits home with me. As I celebrate life today on my 5 year anniversary date, here are a few lessons I've learned from cancer...
- I learned that my illness brought out so many friends I didn't even know I had. I had over 250 cards sent to me (I still keep them in an old shoe box). Many cards and prayers came from people and churches I didn't even know. I was over whelmed with love and support.
- I learned that there are no "do-overs" in life, so you should make the most of every day.
- I learned all over again that my wife is an amazing woman, as she supported me through tough times.
- I learned that it's impossible to have any sort of self-dignity in a hospital gown.
- I learned that real love, not the stuff you see in the movies or on soap operas, is my wife telling me I look "great" to her, even when I was pale, skinny, sick, throwing up and too weak to do a thing.
- I learned that it was okay to be scared, and that it was okay to ask God, "Why?"
- I learned that in 2003 God answered prayers and that prayer can change anything!
- "Remember me, cancer? My friends kicked your butt with prayer."
Every morning when I rise I can see the two scars that remind me that I have had cancer. But today on May 6th, I celebrate my life being cancer free. Having cancer has changed me in ways I could not imagine or predict. And, I'm reminded again today of the most important lesson I've learned from cancer: "The things that really matter in life are simple ... my faith, my family & my friends."
Labels: Cancer, Morgan Family
Monday, May 05, 2008
WANT TO SEE WHAT A REAL DAD DOES?
Take 31 seconds to watch it! I absolutely loved this!
Labels: Video
FRIENDS DAY
About once a year we have a Friends Day at church. Yesterday we had a great Friends Day '08. I never got an official count, but we had over 100 visitors from our community that came to worship with us. I preached on the subject of "What God Thinks of You." The Childress church did a fantastic job inviting their friends and neighbors to come. I had 1000 Friends Day invitation cards printed up and we ran out of those over a week ago. I don't know how many people were actually invited, but it seemed like everyone I invited said they'd already been invited by someone else.Our church has really grown over the past few years and our Friends Day has been one of the great outreach tools that we've used.Today the fun begins as we start the follow up to our Friends Day. We hope to reach those visitors who are looking for a church home. Besides a thank you note in the mail later this week, our visitors will receive a homemade pie or plate of cookies today with an invitation to come back next Sunday. Dozens and dozens of pies will be delivered today alone. Pretty cool, huh? Our church has really grown over the past few years and our Friends Day has been one of the great outreach tools that we've used.
I'd love to know some of the things your church has done to reach out to your community?
Labels: Church
Saturday, May 03, 2008
SPORTSMANSHIP
What an amazing video. I hope my children will learn sportsmanship like this!
If you can't see the video, click here!
Labels: Video
Friday, May 02, 2008
THE MANLY MAN BIBLE STUDY
We've been trying to come up with a name for our men's Bible study that meets in my garage on Thursday nights. Some mentioned "Testosterone Night" and "Men's Night Out," but I think we're going with the "Manly Man Bible Study." All that matters is that 15 to 18 men show up on Thursday nights wanting to figure out how to become better Christian men and fathers.
Last night's study was a good one on how men deal with lust. We studied about Joseph (who was successful at overcoming temptation) and Samson (who failed when it came to lust). It was a tough and touchy topic for men, but very relevant. I had worried about some of the guys skipping out on this subject, so for fun I had challenged them to bring something for show-and-tell. The homework assignment was to bring something with them that represented manhood, manliness or made them feel like a man. My only rule was that they had to keep it rated at least PG-13 in nature. All I can say is that I'm glad I made the rule because the testosterone was thick in the garage last night.
A few of the things that showed up for show-and-tell were heavy equipment like a skid loader and a bulldozer, a garden hoe, pictures of kids and family, an iPhone, a jock strap, fishing pole, weights and the others things I can't mention here. Each man got up and talked about what it means to be a man to them. When we were through we voted on who had the best show-and-tell item. The man that won had talked about a picture that his young son had drawn at school. It said on the picture, "I love God and I love Jesus." He went on to explain that his son drew that picture because they had recently started going to church again after a long layoff. He was proud of once again being the spiritual leader in his home. I was a little choked up and thought, "Now that's a real manly man." We all voted, and he won the prize of a new bible for his show-and-tell item.
Next week's homework assignment is to do something romantic for your wife, but it cannot be or lead to anything sexual in nature. I'm already anxious to hear about next week's homework assignment.
Here are a few pictures of men presenting their manly show-and-tell item.
Last night's study was a good one on how men deal with lust. We studied about Joseph (who was successful at overcoming temptation) and Samson (who failed when it came to lust). It was a tough and touchy topic for men, but very relevant. I had worried about some of the guys skipping out on this subject, so for fun I had challenged them to bring something for show-and-tell. The homework assignment was to bring something with them that represented manhood, manliness or made them feel like a man. My only rule was that they had to keep it rated at least PG-13 in nature. All I can say is that I'm glad I made the rule because the testosterone was thick in the garage last night.
A few of the things that showed up for show-and-tell were heavy equipment like a skid loader and a bulldozer, a garden hoe, pictures of kids and family, an iPhone, a jock strap, fishing pole, weights and the others things I can't mention here. Each man got up and talked about what it means to be a man to them. When we were through we voted on who had the best show-and-tell item. The man that won had talked about a picture that his young son had drawn at school. It said on the picture, "I love God and I love Jesus." He went on to explain that his son drew that picture because they had recently started going to church again after a long layoff. He was proud of once again being the spiritual leader in his home. I was a little choked up and thought, "Now that's a real manly man." We all voted, and he won the prize of a new bible for his show-and-tell item.
Next week's homework assignment is to do something romantic for your wife, but it cannot be or lead to anything sexual in nature. I'm already anxious to hear about next week's homework assignment.
Here are a few pictures of men presenting their manly show-and-tell item.
QUESTION ... we need your help. Can you give me (and a few other of the men readers) some suggestions on ways to be romantic this week?
Labels: Men
Thursday, May 01, 2008
ADAM & EVE HAD THE PERFECT MARRIAGE
A friend and I got to talking yesterday about who had the perfect marriage. We decided that Adam and Eve probably had the perfect marriage. Here are a few things we laughed about that explains our thinking on this.
Reasons why we think Adam & Eve had the perfect marriage...
- Eve never had to hear Adam talk about how good his mom cooked.
- Eve never had to question Adam’s faithfulness and ask, “Are you sure there’s no one else?”
- Adam never lied when he told Eve she was the best looking woman in the whole world.
- Adam never went off fishing with his buddies.
- Adam never had to hear about all the men Eve could have married.
- Eve didn’t need to clothes shop.
- Adam believed Eve when she looked him in the eyes and said, “You know you’re the only one for me?”
- Adam never had to answer the age old question that gets all men in trouble, "Honey, do I look fat in this fig leaf?"
- Adam didn't have to pay for a different pair of shoes for every outfit Eve owned.
Can you think of any other reasons that Adam and Eve had a perfect marriage?
Labels: Marriage
