Christmas Music

I love Christmas music. Normally, I start pulling out the Cd's and begin playing them about the first of November. Unfortunately, Leah and I have misplaced ALL of the Christmas music we had packed away. We have searched the house high and low, but have come up empty handed.

Fortunately, I have found a few website online that will stream nothing but Christmas music. I heard this son today, and I thought I would share a little Christmas cheer. Enjoy.

Listen - click here!

Savannah Is On Her Way

Leah is right at 18 weeks pregnant. We found out today that we are having a girl. I think Leah is a little happier than she thought she would be. I am pretty excited as well. We had originally wanted a little boy so Landon would have a brother to grow up with...but now he gets to be a big brother for his little sister...Savannah.

A Funny...Sad Video

Unfortunately I know too many people who would sing this song with all their might! I have seen many families crash and burn because of the "situations" in this video. FORTUNATELY, I have an unbelievable father! Growing up as a PK (pastor's kid) I can honestly say I did not experience the neglect that many kids feel because of their parents involvement in full time Christian ministry. Thanks, Dad! You have been a great role model for me...at home, and at work! You have done both well! I love you!

This Is A Good Commercial

So What About the Next 4 Years?

I like what Perry Noble had to say today in this post. It kind of sums up how I feel about the election. I have had several student ask me over the last couple of days what the world is going to look like in the next four years. I tell them the same thing every time, "I do not know!"

I do tell them that Scripture is clear that we are to pray for our leaders...and we are to obey government as long as they are not contrary to what Scripture teaches. I don't know what the next four years are going to look like. I do know this, I have prayed for President Bush on a regular basis over the past eight years. We have prayed for President Elect Obama the last two days in each of the classes I teach. I am sure throughout the next four years I will pray for him on a regular basis as well!

iPray - pt. 3

Here are a few quick thoughts from the last night of the iPray series I did at Fuel.

• Jesus could have talked about any facet of prayer, but He focuses in here on these three things... 1. Declare God's Greatness. 2. Get Your Will in Alignment With His. 3. Acknowledge Your Dependence On Him. Then He launches into this story in Luke 11 about that thing that frustrates us more than anything about prayer, and I am so glad He did. He begins to talk about what happens when you don’t get what you want from God. He could have said anything about prayer right here, but He chooses this area because He knew the frustration we would feel.
• Jesus tells a parable about a man who asks his neighbor for some bread...at midnight. The man tell his neighbor to go away...it is late and he doesn't want to wake his family. The man finally gets out of bed and gives his neighbor some bread...not because the man is his friend, but because he is tired of his neighbors consistent and persistent knocking.
• The moral is kind of clear…if you want something from God just keep banging on the door and eventually He will get up and do something for you. Not because he loves you, but because you just bother him to death.
• This is not as weird as we might think…Remember a time when you just bugged your parents to death and they gave in just so you would shut up! Your parents don’t love you any more or less when that happens. Really it has nothing to do with love or your relationship with them. Sometimes you go ask your parents for something and they say no...and you say, “Yes sir” and walk away…and your parent says, “Hey common. Let’s go!” Your response to them caused them to change their mind because you had such a good attitude.
• God is not bothered by your persistence asking, sometimes he is moved by it. The parable could not be any clearer: tell God how great He is, align your will with His, and tell Him what you need…and oh yeah, DON’T QUITE ASKING!
• Your persistent prayer has the potential to move the heart of God. You have that kind of potential!

iPray - pt.2

Last night was the second installment of the iPray series at Fuel. Here are some quick thoughts from last night:

• Matt. 6:9 - We are told when we pray we are to start with God! I know there are times when I bypass this and head straight to me. Declaring God's greatness is vitally important in prayer. Why? It puts into context who it is we are talking too and who we are. You see, THE MORE TIME WE UNDERSTAND AND RECOGNIZING WHO IT IS WE ARE TALKING TO, THE LESS CONCERNED WE WILL BECOME ABOUT ALL OF THOSE UNRESOLVED ISSUES WE CAN’T WAIT TO ASK HIM TO RESOLVE. Declaring God's greatness gives us confidence in God and who he is!
• The second part of the "Lord's prayer" in Matt. 6:10 is this issue of surrendering our will to God. THIS IS THE WHO ISSUE OF PRAYER. Before we get to our needs, wants and wishes, we need to tell God that no matter what the answer may be, we do not want our will for our lives, we want His! This is very difficult to do IF we are lacking in the first area. It becomes a little easier to surrender your will to His once we get a solid picture of who He is!
• Lastly, we get to the part of the prayer that we are pretty good at, "Give...". Matt. 6:11-13 tell us to acknowledge our dependency on God for our daily provision, daily pardon form sin and daily protection.

You see we start with God, end with ourselves and it is the middle where the issues arise...whose agenda, will and purpose is going to take control? What about you? How are you doing with that second part? Do you have anything you aren't giving to God? He is begging you to come and talk to Him about this issue that you are not trusting him with. God doesn't want what you are holding on to, He can take that anytime he wants...He is God! He does want you heart. Will you give it to Him?