shampoo tastes horrible!

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 I was in a deep snoring state of REM….then suddenly a bright light coming from the ceiling fan appeared. My wife rolled over and reminded me that we were riding to work together today because I left my car at the church. As I stumbled from the bed and into the shower, I was beginning to wonder why I stayed up so late watching episodes of the Simpsons with my dog (it’s a post youth group thing that I do to relax!). As I grabbed the shampoo bottle (which maybe had 2 washes left in it) I started to play the events of last night in my mind. I talked about being molded and stretched by God. The stretching is sometimes a great time and other times it a pain. But afterwards you see how far God has taken you and helped you. I smiled. We gave the 412′ers playdoh to mold out their dreams; what God was telling them to do (it could be being a friend to someone or a firefighter, etc). It was awesome watching them talk to God. You could visibily see on their faces that God spoke to them. Some even ran up to me after service, proud of what they made and excited over what God had whispered to them. It was at that moment in time that I had this horrible taste in my mouth….I had been smiling so big while shampooing that soap had gettin in my mouth…YUCK! So, that ended the dream sequence. I decided maybe we should boycott shampoo, or at least dream sequences in the shower. Later as I was eating a package of powdered donuts & chugging a cup of java (breakfast of champions) I had a conversation with God. God what are you molding me into now? What plans do you have for me today? Am I moldable today? Am I ready to be molded into something new? He said, yes!

Can You Hear Me Now?

The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.Matthew 11:27    I went outside and walked around. My iPod, cup of coffee, & a Bible…plus a jacket (dude, it’s a lil chilly out!). God is awesome. It’s crazy the stuff He reveals to you, when you listen. I popped on the headphones & began to listen to Joseph Sasser’s cd while praying for 412. A lyric really got to me. It goes: ”More of You and less of me, that’s how I want it Lord. Let your Spirit live in me, that’s how I want it Lord. More of You and less of me, that’s how You want it Lord. Let your Kingdom rule in me, that’s how I want it Lord. I need You more, more than words can say. I need You more, more of Your grace. I need You more, more of You each day. I need You Lord.” It’s been a crazy two weeks for Annie and I. Between work, youth problems, money, house, and everything else in between! God is faithful and He is seeing us through it all. How cool is to know that Jesus is ready to tell us how to get through the crazy times. Not only tell, but to guide You through it! I am still learning that the key to it all is found in the last part of the verse….”with anyone willing to listen“. Are you ready to listen? Am I ready to listen?  

Whoppers at McDonalds?!

I preached today at TCA for the Middles School Chapel. It’s a tough crowd because they are coming down from their sugar high breakfast intake! After a vigorous game of Hookie Pookie Remixed, we sat down to talk about labels & name brands. For example when I describe the following designers or name brand what do you think of?

1. The Golden Arch’s 
2. An eagle on a t-shirt
3. A guy playing polo horseback (that’s a gimmie!)
4. The “swoosh” sign
5. A croc symbol
6. A big “W” on a giant food sign (Texas readers should get that one!)
7.  Star on the side of a tennis shoe

 

Now if we are “Christians”….we should be labeled as such where people see it. There is a problem with that though…if we say we are Christians, we need to act it out. Check it out: If I pass a sign on the road with a giant “M” on it, I know it instinctively to be McDonalds. If I went through the drive through to get me a BigMac, and they only served Whoppers….that would cause a lot of confusion for me! That would be weird. I’m not picky, I would eat it - but that’s not the point! If we are Christians we need to be showing the world our Faith. Seriously, think of the damage we can cause/do cause to unbelievers by our actions. People make mistakes, I get that. But what if we were to be genuine with people & show them Jesus? It’s like people with the Christian Fish on their car…that cut me off or flip me the bird…THAT’S MESSED UP! Not speaking condemnation, heck I mess up ALOT, but I strive to wear the Christian Label & live by it! Now I need to ask for forgiveness for messing up today. Fun Times!! Glad that God has a sense of humor with us!

Emergent Worship Rocks!

I have seen various forms of worship in my 14 years of youth ministry (doesn’t seem that long). I have seen worship led by a single guitar, bongo’s, lights, techno, candles, full bands, choirs, art, hymns, power point, silence, and spoken word. God has been talking to me lately about worship. Do we put Him in a box when it comes to worship? Is our definition of worship really worship or is it religion? I hate religion, because religion puts God in a box (say it with me: boxes are bad). Relationship puts God outside the box, where we can get to know God even more. I am currently reading, “Emerging Worship” by Kimball. Kimball is rocking my preconceived motions of worship. I am one that loves it loud, we are talking: crazy drums, screaming guitars, and a cool anthem chorus. I am also one that tries to hold back my yawns when a hymn book is broken out. Why is that? Am I putting God in a box? Simply put: YES. The word “Emerging” is a catch phrase right now, but it isn’t anything new. Each generation or time period throughout history has emerging worship. Look through out our history: Genesis 4: Cain & Abel show the first form of worship through sacrifices. Genesis 8: Noah worshiped by building an alter & sacrificing burnt offerings. He also built the ark in worship! Genesis 13: Abraham built an alter for worship & created a sacred space with memorial props. Genesis 28: Jacob set up a stone with oil on top of it, naming it “God’s house”Fast foward to the tabernacle which included several courts containing the ark, table of showbread, the lamp stand, and a place for animal sacrifices. Plus it was able to travel with the people. Centuries later the temple in Jerusalem was created. Malachi 1: Worship emerges again from the temple to everywhere with people using incense and pure offerings.Jesus flipped the script and told everyone that worship is done in spirit and truth (John 4). He taught that worship is all about the heart. Our bodies became the temple of worship where the Spirit dwells. Our lives became the expression of worship (Romans 12). People began to hold worship services in homes (I Corinthians 16, Colossians 4). Each worship service consisted of sharing a meal, sing, Bible reading, and prayer! Centuries passed and worship moved from homes to larger buildings based on the architecture of the Roman Basilica. Pews, pulpits, and choirs were introduced in a form that we can recognize today. Liturgy became popular with the ancient Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, and various monastic orders. Emergent buildings filled with stained glass windows and hymnals took the world by storm. Today we have church buildings with theater like seating, multipurpose worship buildings, video, effects, guitars, intelligent lights, and iPods! What’s next? How will worship emerge for this generation and the generation following? I’m excited to see where the Holy Spirit has led man in the past, but even more to see what’s next! Imagine if we took God outside of our preconceived motions of worship and ask Him, “What is worship for me? How can I truly worship You, God?“