quick post

Well I am quite pleased to see that the traffic to my blog is steadily increasing. It's always nice to know people are actually reading my stuff.

I've had people from Washington State, Bosnia and all over the place taking a look. Whoever you are thanks for reading my ramblings.

On another note. I'm traveling up to Asbury Kentucky tomorrow. Pray for me and that my car makes it. Also, I will be making an announcement later this week so stay tuned.

I've made more posts in 2008 than I have to any of the other blogs I've had. Thanks for reading, hit me with some comments and show me some love.

come visit me at work...I make a mean cup of joe

Busy busy

Next week I'm traveling up to Wilmore Kentucky again to visit with some friends. On Wednesday we are going to see the Reds take on the Houston Astros. It should be a really good game...maybe the Astros will actually show up. This will be my third MLB game and my second MLB ball park visited. I'm actually pretty excited about it. The drive up is going to be long, I hope my car makes it.

On May 4th I speak at a church in North Carolina. I'm a little nervous, I called them to follow up my letter and the pastor asked me to preach. I'm bouncing a couple sermon ideas off the inside of my head. I know how to write one, but I always second guess myself on EVERYTHING!

Ideas are welcome. I have a few things on my heart that I might preach about, still though ideas and thoughts are welcome because they will help me think.

Well I hope everyone is having a good Sunday.

If you see the Pope tell him I said Hi and that I'm sorry I missed his call.

the one you've waited for

Here it is, the one that I have had brewing for a few days now.

So last weekend I decided I would venture downtown. It was a Saturday night and a friend of mine from work was going to hang out in a bar and I decided I'd go meet him. The bars close in Clemson at 12 AM on Sunday morning due to the alcohol laws in SC. I parked and walked into downtown. On my side of the street was something most interesting.

I got to see prophets!!!!!!!

No, seriously it was the the sign holding, doom saying, repent or burn, bull horn people...you know...prophets.

As I waited in line to have my ID checked two young ladies behind me noticed them as well. What I heard next was a few choice words and a "who do they think they are comment". I turned and made a face, shrugged my shoulders and shared a laugh with the two ladies. In that moment something became unsettled for me that I knew I was going to have to address later.

When we left my friend handed me one of their cards. This is what he handed me:




This only further infuriated me.

So I showed this to Hank, my roommate who was also infuriated by it. His post will be up shortly after mine, his link is on my sidebar.

This is the conclusion I have arrived at on this method of ministry/evangelism.

I would not do it. My reasoning, because it is not an effective way to share the Good News. It does communicate truth, but the manner in which it is communicated is not conducive to anyone actually wanting to hear it. Yes, Jesus will offend, Scripture will offend when it convicts the heart. But honestly I think there is much better approach than holding up a sign that says "Turn or Burn" or printing cards that say "Who Will Jesus Destroy" These people are not evil people, they have a desire to see people come to know the Lord...their method just isn't the best.

In this culture, especially in the so called "Bible belt" trying to shock people into salvation through a fear of hellfire and damnation is lost. The boiling down of Jesus and salvation through faith in Him into this concept and this concept alone doesn't accurately represent all the facets of Jesus or of Father God. This method or approach emphasizes the consequence of our sinful natures and has little to do with the actual Good News of Christ. Its almost as if these people hate the people they are trying to minister to and are only doing it out of a type of pride, an I'm better than you people attitude or because they are pushing an agenda.

I mean lets look at the Gospels. How did Jesus do it? Jesus formed relationships, He met physical needs and addressed spiritual ones, He spoke to people with love and compassion, He sat with people, ate with them, stayed up late at night with them and He showed them a way to live, an alternative to separation from God. He could have at every opportunity railed against immorality and sinfulness and He did speak about these things. The difference is He earned that right with people to say and speak the harsh truth because He showed love and compassion. He was an amazing teacher and preacher, the best that has ever strapped on sandals and walked on this dusty globe. No one except God the Father and Jesus could know intimately ever wrong thing, every sinful thought and every bad motive that we have ever had. And yet, It was about so much more to him.

He gave his life to give us life. Sure, it was about us becoming transformed, turning to Him and repenting...but it was the way He did it.

Do I even have to quote 1st Corinthians 13:1? What about 1st John 3:18?

Its just frustrating because I can do more ministry IN THE BAR than he can do outside screaming at people.

Haven't they ever heard the old expression you can catch more flies with honey?

appalled

I cannot find the words to describe this

I just feel nasty, broken and sad.

I am now convinced there is no limit to human depravity.

*Correction*

This was a sorta hoax

Within a minute of my reading the article it was taken down and changed. The original is no longer available...outside of that I saved a copy on my computer.

Even still...sad

asthmatic breathing

So, last week I decided I'm tired of being out of shape. So I planned the latest get in shape scheme on my self. Except this time...it might just work.

I decided that I needed to exercise more. I realize that when I was playing frisbee two days a week I was holding my weight at 185. Since then I jumped up to 200 pounds. I have lifted more, so some of it is muscle but not that much. So on my days off I go for a jog and I eat better. Salads with chicken, lots of water, juice a V8 or something with veggies. It has been good, It stinking kills me but it is good. The only problem is when I run my friend asthma kicks in. I'm writing this in between wheezy breathes.

My goal is to drop 20 pounds. Don't worry I've consulted with a professional and he did a test and gave me the information I needed to know. He said 20 pounds would be healthy, it would put me back in a very good range.

Might not be able to throw anything for a few days now. Injured my self during my dramatic come back game of frisbee today. It was my first come back and my second retirement all in the same day.

I have a great blog brewing on an interesting subject. My roommate Hank is chomping at the bit for me to post it so he can post on the topic as well. So keep a look out for it...its a two for one week :)

restraint

Sorry about the week long disappearance. Last week was a long one, multiply things happened...details coming soon.

I am going to take a moment to let something kinda personal out. I've been angry about something for a month now and I've held it in. I don't even think the people around me would have noticed. Its not something that has been just stewing below the surface, more like a nagging annoyance in my mind.

I'm not going to detail it but it has just made me so angry. I made a decision for myself, for my sanity, so I could focus and put my mind back on track. Little things can be a big distraction to me...and I decided to eliminate a big one. Once I make a decision like this...I'm usually set in stone about it. Not much can change my mind. I always second guess myself, wonder what could happen or might happen now that I've made my decision. I always wonder how my following actions are perceived and always fear I've made a bad call.

most of the time...I just get angry.

I hate being put in a no win situation and I hate when that happens because I was stupid. I think the majority of my anger is at myself. I hate feeling like a complete fool, which I try to make sure doesn't happen often...so when I do...I take the blame...and I'm not nice to myself about it.

I'm sorry I'm venting...I just don't know what to say...and I don't want to take it out on anyone. Lashing out is something I really want to do but I don't want to misrepresent Jesus by doing that. So, I'm going to bite the bullet, hold my tongue and do my best to show that Christ rules my tongue and my attitude rather than let my anger and malice rule me.

Pray for me in this...cause...its not easy.

Extra Innings

I love baseball!

Last night I had the privilege of seeing a Major League Baseball game. It was incredible, my second one ever. We walked around and absorbed the feel and overwhelming size of the place. We walked down to the field and watched the teams practice, got a few hot dogs and went all the way to the last row in the upper deck to take our seats. When I say last row...I mean the last row. We were high and to the right of home plate but it was incredible. We could see everything going on with the battery (pitcher and catcher) and the whole infield. Charles and I were hoping for extra innings. Well in the 8th the Pirates hit a 3 run shot to put them up 5 runs. What we witnessed next was a great example of fair weather fans. 20 thousand people got up to beat the traffic. Well, I hope they learned a lesson. You don't ever leave a baseball game until it is over! In the bottom of the 9th the Braves scored 5 runs to tie the game. It was an incredible rally. So exciting and fun to watch. Charles and I got our wish. Then the 10th and 11th were tense. In the 12th the Pirates hit another 3 run shot followed by the Braves almost coming back again. It was super exciting...we definitely got our moneys worth. Plus, we moved down to the very last row of the upper deck for the last 5 innings of the game. We got 3 extra innings and even better seats thanks to the fair weather people.

It was a great night. Spent some time with great friends and for a few short hours forgot about the outside world. It was just baseball and fellowship.

I loved it