First Haircut...

Our Daughter got her first haircut this week, she made it through mostly without complaint and she looks like a cute little baby again. We got the first curl to save in a little chrome box to give to her and show her children. We had the video camera, the cell phone video, and lots of pictures - typical parents!

I sensed a bit of irony while video & pictures was taken. Ways to share Christ are everywhere if we just look and take note. Remember the Joy of Salvation that believers in Jesus share. There was a time when it was so important to us that we made notes, took mental pictures and made it a point to talk about it. It is a Milestone in our lives. We wanted people to know and share in that joy. What happens after the Celebration time?

Sometimes, believers don't share Christ with those who need to know about Him most. We don't go where the greatest need is; we get caught in our Christian Bubbles, and before long the influence we had on the world is diminished because all of our time is spent with Christians. We influence other Christians for discipleship purposes...but ask yourself when was the last time you shared Scripture with someone outside of the church walls? When was the last time you went out of your way and out of your comfort zone to invite someone to church - a place that is supposed to excite us and give us strength? I received the greatest gift ever given through God in Christ Jesus and I catch myself many times - passing over opportunities to talk about how He changed my life.

The irony is immense in Christian circles. I will gladly post a video of my child's first haircut, most people get a smile and some good memories, but i hesitate to talk publically about Him and how our lives have been changed? May it never be! 

Galatians 1:6-10

⁶I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— ⁷which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Sometimes, we make too much of things done in Christ's name - for instance: programs, concerts, stores filled with stickers, keychains, applications and even candy ABOUT Christ, and we feel good about using and buying these things, but then do no actual witnessing to people using the tools available. Sometimes our business is dictated by our faith too: like...Our hairdresser & her husband are a wonderful Christian couple, our photographer and her husband are also solid Christians, the people who work on our cars are Christian, the places we shop are many times Christian owners, and I promote them, but I have to ask myself am I promoting the Gospel & Christ during my week among the world?

If we leave out the Savior, then we are using Him for our own gain. To do so is a perversion of the Gospel. Are we serving and loving Him or using and abusing Him? Most of us would say that we do not preach health & wealth. But am I promoting that with "preaching it"? I want to see changed lives and sometimes I don’t, so I have to ask these questions. You should too.

Romans 1:16 says, ¹⁶I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

The Gospel is not just for those raised in church. It is for EVERYONE who will believe - You have the most influence on the people you know. Not your ministers, not your SS teacher, You.
Make a big deal out of Jesus - He is the reason for any celebrations that we have in this life.

Why We Do What We Do

This week for the past 5 years has been a busy one. I am involved in the CONNECT Youth Rally in Union City, TN. In cooperation with at least seven other churches, the Baptist Association, and the Tennessee Baptist Convention, we pool our efforts and yes, even finances to bring together an annual budget of $20,000 dollars, Nationally known talent, and music for CONNECT.

It is fascinating to see it all come together, but one of my favorite parts is being backstage at the Obion County Fairgrounds and praying as we pull the cord and start the engine. People pouring out their hearts to God who makes it all possible. It all comes down to placing it in the Lord's Hands. We did all we could, working hard to set up 9 different regional School Assemblies to invite and cast the seed. We tried to be "all things to all men" for four days so we might reach some. However, on Wednesday night at Go Time, there's nothing left to plan - just turn it all over to God Almighty.

God delivered as He always does. I want to Praise Him for the 18 new souls that now Profess Jesus as Lord! It never gets old seeing the tears of brokenness. I remember my own brokenness, I remember the new life & status He bestowed. As I stood in the Counseling Building, I prayed, "Lord, lead me to someone..." God is good; Like a magnet, He connected me with three people that I could listen to and offer some wisdom to. The West Tn CONNECT Youth Rally is WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO. It is lots of work, but To God Be The Glory for the things He has done!

Sesame Street - Mixed Messages

Sesame Street recently got a lot of feedback this week from a test spot they ran on YouTube. The spot featured Katy Perry on a play date with the character, Elmo. Sounds like no problem, right? Sesame Street is known for their invites to famous people and their mixing of humor and entertainment for both adults & children.

The only problem is that Katy Perry is a firestorm of controversy in the adult world. She wore a revealing outfit and the tune she and Elmo sung to, and played to was her own hit tune, Hot & Cold. Here are some of the lyrics: 
You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes
Yeah you, PMS
Like a b_i_h
I would know

And you over think
Always speak
Cryptically

I should know
That you're no good for me

[CHORUS]
Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in then you're out
You're up then you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up
(you) You don't really want to stay, no
(but you) But you don't really want to go-o

I have heard the song, and it is a catchy little tune. It really is a toe-tapping TUNE and i can just hear it in all the high school dances. However, the tune does not a song make. Lyrics are what drives a song. And lyrics are the only thing that make a "Christian song" Christian. Just a bit of parental research and you find out there is more to Katy Perry than catchy tunes. and there is a whole lot less material in her clothing.

I think this hits me square in the face since my wife and i have 3 girls - we are trying to train them to be godly, young women. They watch Sesame Street - and I do not want them listening to Katy Perry. I don't want them even interested in her. So, I don't want her on Sesame Street.

Obviously, I wasn't alone. The Street got lots of feedback; negative feedback; from Parents. Carol-Lynn Parente, the executive producer of Sesame Street was quoted on ABC's Good Morning America, "We would never produce anything we thought was inappropriate. We were surprised not only by the amount of feedback, but how fast it came in. It was a lot."

I smiled when I read that. I don't check Sesame Street's YouTube channel. I never have as a matter of fact. But some people do - and the backlash from the parents who do check it tells me that there are still some conservative efforts out there and that people do care about values. If you are one of those - Here, Here. I applaude you for ANY efforts you make to stand your ground and do what God would have you to do.

Katy Perry probably got the gig by claiming once again that she is a "preacher's kid" and having been raised on values. I guess we can look at this in one of two ways: Sesame Street may have taken a step toward being another conservative venue that lost its way - or this may be a good reminder of what can happen when Godly like-minded people come together for a good purpose.

We all have a purpose - you can find it Matthew 28:18-20, ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." 

Love ya, Elmo! But I don't like the company you are keeping.  

Do it Yourself?

Jessica and i took on a project this past week. One of those projects where you have the materials all gathered for weeks before you actually find the time to do it. Our project? Tiling a foyer in our Dining Room. The project started months ago when we found a leak in the back door, which ruined the wood floor. The Door was replaced with something newer and more secure, and then the wood was pulled up - then the glue residue was CHISELED away. And finally, the site was ready to tile; which keep in mind was the original purpose.

As i write, i am still thinking about a conversation with a couple that is getting married soon. They are in the site prep stage. They will be married in a Church, and they profess to be believers. So, they are prayerfully moving things, finding leaks, and asking the Lord to chisel away the residue of unneeded things that don't need to come into their marriage. I am trying to offer tools that they can use the rest of their lives to keep God in the center and the word divorce removed from their vocabulary.

God does the same with us. Our lives are living sacrifices, and our hearts temples of the Holy Spirit. God is into Home Improvement. He lives in us, and wants His home to be fit for the KING.

He uses all sorts of tools. Sometimes marriage is one of the ways He chisels us more to His image. Sometimes He uses the circumstances around us to prepare the site - whatever He uses, He is always working. And once Christ starts working - You will never be the same!


2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!


When Christ is the homeowner - expect renovation!

New School Year

We are on the brink of another School Year. Classes start in 5 days. This year our system has added uniforms for the Middle & High School and a new time to arrive at school. There will be some resentment and lots of tardies for a while - but we will all adjust and it will be fine. It will get us all out of bed sooner and hopefully in bed sooner too. Schedules are a good thing, sometimes. Free Breakfast when you are late is another good thing.

As i grow, i dislike more and more the last minute - it is disrepectful and poor communication. As I write, i am taking break from planning our last Summer Event.Sometimes I struggle with last minute and sometimes am pushed into the last minute planning myself because of different needs, and circumstances beyond my control - Like 100 Degree Weather when i felt led to go one direction, and safety in the heat dictates another direction.

I am resting in the Plan of God. He is right on schedule and nothing catches Him by surprise. His Plan for us is individual as well inclusive of the whole. Jeremiah 29:11-13, "For I know the plans i have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE."

Rest in Him today. Going to try to write more. I don't have a weekly article anymore...a relief in some ways, but i miss the written expression.

<
John

A Crossover...

Occasionally, I see a billboard or church sign that has a short, pithy saying "from God" intended to get the attention of....well read a few and tell me who you think it speaks to.

"Let's meet on Sunday before the big game." - God

"Have You Read My #1 Best Seller? There Will Be A Test." - God

"Keep Using My Name in Vain And I'll Make Rush Hour Longer" - God

"Don't Make Me Come Down There" - God

These statements bother me in the Theological  and Implication realms. First, these are all sloppy theology, and Second, I believe most of these types of signs speak to Christians more than lost people. In reaching the lost, we honestly need to stop blogging and billboarding ourselves and speak to the lost.

We all know what a CROSSOVER is now, don't we? After the last decade of advertising from the Car Industry, we know Crossover is a vehicle that has bits and pieces of 2 types of vehicles, styles of a sedan & the ruggedness of an SUV. In terms of our theology, we should all be CROSS-OVERS, in the sense that we should take the Cross, the Gospel over to the other "sides" of our lives. We shouldn't leave it in the pew or in our favorite "daily quiet time place."

Below is a link to a You Tube Video of FOX NEWS anchor Brit Hume talking about what Tiger Woods should do with the personal side of his life. The general opinion is that Tiger Woods will recover as a golfer, but his personal life is going to take the brunt of the wrecking ball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBNw5vWkx-c&feature=related

What a simple testimony. He just stated an opinion, one that I believe to be true, but how many times do we do just what Mr. Hume did, just share the Gospel. Will you be a CROSSOVER this week? I am praying for 
an opportunity to do so.

Gift Giving

We opened our gifts today! I love watching the expressions & exclamations of our children as they open their gifts. I was caught again, that God is in the business of Gift Giving. His First Gift was planned & wrapped in human flesh by God Himself. Then later wrapped again in swaddling clothes. God knew our need before we knew it & gave the gift to meet it.

The pattern repeats itself throughout the Bible; like the Garden of Eden - God knew Adam's need for companionship before Adam did - but instead of just giving Eve, God sent Adam to spend time with and name the animals. When he saw each of their companions it brought to light his need; his deep abiding need for companionship. God was there, again ready with the gift, knowing all along that He, God was enough - but giving something that He knew humans would crave. Our need for Companionship is one of God's great gifts too. Isn't it neat that God has been giving gifts since the beginning. We pervert it with all the greed, and merchandising, but the fundamental needs don't go away. God, Companionship, Relationship.

Which reminds me, that 11 years ago, I married Jessica Elaine Higdon on December 27th, 1998. 11 years ago we took vows before God and accepted the gifts that He offered us in each other. She is my greatest friend, human teacher, and encourager. I am truly blessed. My goal for the next 11 years? To show her those words are true. Thank you, God for the gifts you give. Thank you for my wife, for companionship and for giving us what we didn't know we needed sometimes.