The Most Active Chicken In The Yard

I went to a Pastor's conference this week and got preached to. No, wait that's a good thing. I am doing the preaching now and don't get to hear God's Word over me for me as much now.

One of the best quotes of the day was from Dr. Charles Carter of Alabama. Regarding busyness of people, specifically ministers, He said "Have you ever noticed that the most active chicken in the yard is the one that just got their neck wrung?"

That quote is hilarious and true. [In 7th Grade, I cooked a chicken start to finish, feathers to plate.We started with the sacrificial run, (ours actually clucked twice without a head)]

I saw this post today by John Acuff, and wanted to repost it about church staff burnout. Funny in parts, but also sadly true in many ways. He grew up a pastor's son as I did and much of what he said I have lived. The post is good, but the comments are written by people who are clearly on the edge of burnout - a dangerous place to be. My addition to this is that we need to be able to gently find No in our vocabulary and use it - for our family, and our spiritual growth. One of my goals as a pastor is to raise my children with a love for Jesus AND His church. That cannot happen if we are not allowed to say no, and if they are not allowed to be church members.

I accept life under the microscope, but I intentionally try to practice flexibility and rest for all five of us. My wife and kids are should have to be in focus all the time.

Watch Me!

1 Corinthians 11:1 is a fascinating verse that I used to think of as arrogance. How wrong i was! Paul says, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."

If we are following the Savior the way we should - clearly, wholeheartedly and with pure intent to disciple - it is not arrogance to demonstrate that before someone. After all, we are demonstrating something to someone all the time. The question we need to continually ask is "What am I demonstrating?"

I linked a video to help demonstrate Paul's intent and show how we can do something similar.

Watch Me! Video - Special thanks to Don Carson and AgainstTheFlow Media

A Convicting Window...

It used to be said that you could get a picture of a person's life by looking in their garage or their room and what was contained within and on the walls. I also heard one time that you could look inside one's refrigerator and open a similar window.

Today, when you look at the playlists on an iPod or iPhone or other device you get a picture of a person's soul. Music and media defines us, imprints us. What we choose to watch is a giveaway about what goes on inside.

The below media is a picture of the soul of our country - at least the younger set. Parents, we need to choose carefully what we allow as media choices for our children - for in time it will define them.
Below are the Top 10 videos in October, 2013. Look up some of the lyrics - you don't even have to watch the video. This is vicious and lascivious stuff. No matter what anyone says, lyrics do make the song. It matters what we take in, it really does. Choose well.

Always intriguing to glance at the top 10 iTunes videos at any time just a click away on our kids' phones #uthculture pic.twitter.com/TqHhTcZzZs
— Jonathan McKee (@InJonathansHead) October 3, 2013

High Water...

South Fork of the Kentucky River

Back in the Spring of 2013, I went to a place where God is honored and depended on - Oneida Baptist Institute.

"Oneida Baptist Institute is a Christian boarding and day school for students, Christian and non-Christian, in grades 6-12 with a mission to provide structured living, learning and working environment in which each students is challenged to grow mentally, physically, socially spiritually in order to acquire an Education for Time and Eternity."

I experienced part of the flood of God's Grace on the school through the donations they receive but we also witnessed a flood of water due to several inches of rain that week.

Devotional Thoughts I had at the time:
1. Water took lots of garbage out of it hiding places - Jesus, the Living Water floods our souls and washes out the garbage that He finds there. 

2. The River of Life overwhelms us - and we see and feel its power in our lives. Eternal life will engulf us one day and all  - I wonder if some of the "garbage" will be missed opportunities.

3. This little snake was harmless but was a good reminder that God and his creation are alive and well at Oneida Baptist Institute. Pray for them as they make God's will known to the students and through the ministry that goes on there.

Black Rat Snake

Web Update...

Just an update to our Ministry Site. If you have a minute to surf around - we have updated our site at www.clarksonbaptist.org and would enjoy you being there and even commenting if you feel led.

Thanks. Have a great day today. Jesus Love You!

Tennis Anyone?

I believe this Ball Kid is Roger Federer's Padowan Jedi pupil with those reflexes!

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/video/index.html#ooid=hxZHRkMzr8iViWMrpzRY5TIqr7K2jFXC

For Parents...

Everyone needs a reminder now and then. As I continue to pastor, I continue to realize the need to arm people. I cannot make their decisions for them. I cannot be their Holy Spirit, but I can give them information from the Bible and Bible based materials that can assist them, arm them. Properly used, these resources will help us all stay ready for the battle ahead.

One of the biggest distractions to a close walk with the Lord is media. To state the obvious, it is everywhere. It is liquid, simply a part of all we do now. Smart phones, HiDef TV's, movies, music on all the time...it goes on and on. It seeps through every crack.

This post is simply to arm parents. This link below will take you to the PluggedIn Family Room, a resource to arm you as a parent or grandparent. Don't just bookmark it and forget it. Use it. Remove the tool and wield it. Take back the responsibility you have been given as a overseer.

When a child or teen comes to you with a suggestion for a movie and you are unsure you want to spend your money on garbage, but you like movies you should always check the content first!

Check PluggedIn for a good movie review and discussion points about not just the film, but about music too, and tv shows or Playstation games.

Immorality abounds, opportunity to be tripped up is constant, almost handed to us at times. Disciples must be dependent on the power of God in our lives. He will make us strong, but we must also be armed and PluggedIn is one weapon in the battle for purity.

Garbage in, Garbage out. I don't think any of us want that for our kids.