New World

Moving Day

2006-06-26T21:38:00.000-05:00

Well, the day has finally arrived – moving day. We’ve finally gotten everything setup on our new server and I think everything’s ready to move. The new address for my blog is: http://gindrup.net/blogs/tom/default.aspx

Click link, browse around, and leave a comment or two…

BTW: It’s also where everyone else in my family has their blogs / photo sites.

Technorati: Gindrup, Blog

Bean Town

2006-06-17T05:04:00.000-05:00

Posting this from the airport in Boston waiting on my flight back to Austin; high-speed wireless :)

Have you ever noticed that the security people at the airport are ALWAYS in a bad mood? Why is that?

We’re loading so I’ll have to finish my thought once we get in the air…

Blogging from 32,406 feet

2006-06-13T18:34:00.000-05:00

Flying from Austin to Boston on Jet Blue. I don't know if you've ever had the chance to fly Jet Blue, but if you do, you should jump on it. This airline rocks! This flight is something like 3 hours but they give you the cool features you'd expect on an international flight. XM radio, Direct TV, and a handful of movies to choose from. On top of that, this is the first flight I've been able to open my laptop all the way and use it without the keyboard butting-up against my belly. Dunkin' Donuts coffee and bunch of snacks to choose from (better than the 9 peanuts you get with others ;)

Back to the movie...

Technorati:
Gindrup,
JetBlue

Blogging from Tune Town

2006-06-05T17:53:00.000-05:00

Mobile blogging from the Grand Ole Opery; what a hoot (but not the holler). Just 24 hours into my 4 day trip and I’ve already shared my ‘story’. Planting seeds … Good times…

Hey if anyone ever tells you Nashville is a lot of fun, ask them if they’ve tried it a suit and tie.

More to come…

Blahhhh

2006-06-02T19:57:00.000-05:00

I’ve been sick as a dog all day long. Good thing I’ve got a laptop and high-speed wireless in my bed. Blogging from under the covers ;) One thing today has given me a chance to do is reflect on how my walk changed over the last year; some for the good, some not. Sometimes I feel like the little kid trying to make breakfast in bed for my folks and I end up just making a huge mess. Other times things aren’t that bad. But no matter what my circumstances, I’ve come to thank God for all the blessings he gives me. When I’m down, He blesses me by picking me up, when I get proud and puffed-up, He blesses me by reminding me just who He is (and I’m not). I guess wherever your road takes you, there you are.

Thanks Corey

2006-05-28T16:55:00.000-05:00

My son Taylor (5) just told my wife (not 5) to "Watch and learn cracker". Where did that come from? For some odd reason it sounds exactly like something Corey would say. He cracks me up...

Even Better

2006-05-28T16:40:00.000-05:00

The world of software just keeps getting better and better. While playing with MS OneNote just now, I found a cool menu item 'Blog This'. Type something into a text block, select what you've typed in, right-click that text and BAM there it is. Going to spend the rest of the day playing with this neat little feature.

WOW – New Software :)

2006-05-28T15:50:00.000-05:00

My first post from Microsoft Word 2007 Beta 2; if this works, it’s got to be the coolest (most feature RICH) blogging tool ever created. I know… what a MS lacky… LOL. I’ll keep you posted as to whether I’ve replaced Flock or not.

Out O The Loop

2006-05-22T21:22:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been so 'out of the loop' that you didn't even realize that there was a loop? It's been almost two months since I've posted anything... Call me slacker?

It just happens that I've been COMPLETELY slammed with work and everything (family / church / living). Time to not only turn over a new leaf, time to find a completely new tree to get my leaf from -- more to come...

New Building

2006-03-26T20:20:00.000-06:00

Our church (FBC Pflugerville) broke ground today on our new building. Here are some pictures of the festivities.

Unfortunately, my Flickr account has max'd out on it's upload limit. I'll have to wait until next month to post more pictures. Or, maybe I'll just see if I can find someone to upgrade my account for me :)

technorati tags: Blog, Christian, New Church Building, FBC Pflugerville, Ground Breaking Ceremony

Whose at the wheel?

2006-03-15T16:38:00.000-06:00

You have wonder if these guys really think their controlling this stuff...

OXFORD (Reuters) - Modern medicine is redefining old age and may soon allow people to live regularly beyond the current upper limit of 120 years, experts said on Wednesday.

It used to be thought there was some inbuilt limit on lifespan, but a group of scientists meeting at Oxford University for a conference on life extension and enhancement consigned that idea to the dustbin.

Science News Article | Reuters.com

I guess they've never ready Genesis

Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."

Genesis 6:3

technorati tags: Blogs, Christian, God, Genesis, Gerontology

blue is not red

2006-03-02T12:57:00.000-06:00

For all of my Jewish friends (and those Christians that think the blood of Christ is impotent), now you can go to MacDonalds and know that the burger you are eating is indeed kosher -- unfortunately this only applies in Tel Aviv. From the article:

"Blue is the sky, blue is the flag of Israel and blue is not red," Lau said. "There must be a clear and sharp difference."

...

Roi Gerstein was unmoved. "I do not like this change because I am used to the red sign," he said, adding that kosher burgers without cheese were "just not tasty."

Oddly Enough News Article | Reuters.com

technorati tags: blog, Christian, Jewish, Kosher

A prayer

2006-03-01T12:33:00.000-06:00

My God my God you are my strength

Lift me up when I am weak

Keep me clothed in righteousness

Constantly seeking your holiness

Lord take this worthless heart of stone

Make it one wholly Your own

Seeking you with all my might

I humbly bow down both day and night

Father accept these words in truth

An offering... I'm poured out for you

Time flies

2006-02-20T11:49:00.000-06:00

From here (August 18, 2000)

boy on Flickr

to here (August 24, 2005)

taylor on Flickr

Where does all the time go?

technorati tags: Blog, Taylor, Time

Stop the presses

2006-02-20T09:47:00.000-06:00

I ran across a SETI article today that made the comment:

She said life on Earth is all so similar -- based on DNA made up of specific building blocks -- that it is likely to have had a single origin. Life elsewhere may be built from different ingredients, or structured very differently, she said.

Am I wrong or does that sound like a plug for God? "...it is likely to have had a single origin". I really didn't expect to read that, especially in a SETI article :)

technorati tags: Blog, Christian, SETI, God

Where do flies live?

2006-02-13T12:45:00.000-06:00

I ran across this today. It seemed to beg the question -- aren't we like flies? Here for such a short time, spend our time climbing to the top of a dung heap. But for a fly, from this article, it doesn't sound like he cares where he lives. How much could we learn from that?

technorati tags: Christian, Blog, Flies

Psalm 18

2006-02-13T09:48:00.000-06:00

Psalm 18:1-6
[1] - "I love You, O Lord, my strength."
[2] - The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
[3] - I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.
[4] - The cords of death encompassed me, And the torrents of ungodliness terrified me.
[5] - The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.
[6] - In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

A good friend of mine is going through some tough times right now. He asked me the other day, "Do you ever feel like your being tested, just like Job". And what makes it even more relavent is he was going through many of the very same things that afflicted Job. The Lord is my rock and my fortress. Pray for him -- God knows who he is.

Baptism = Sanctification?

2006-02-07T14:17:00.000-06:00

I came across a post recently that made the comment "Baptism by immersion in a local church IS essential for sanctification". That stuck me as an extremely odd comment to be made by a pastor. How say you?

Is it the case that sanctification can ONLY come from man and not from the hand of God?

technorati tags: Christian, Sanctification, Baptism, IMB

WOW :|

2006-01-26T13:14:00.000-06:00

She should have read the Book of Job. Oh well...

technorati tags: Blog, God, Book of Job

Sitting on the sidelines

2006-01-23T13:57:00.000-06:00

The conflgration continues. I'm glad I know less about this than I do ;)

technorati tags: Blog, SBTC

Jumping Back In

2006-01-19T15:57:00.000-06:00

WOW... That was much more of a break than I had intended to take. Lots going on, too much for one post (maybe more on that later). I understand from:

here

here

here

and
here

That the "good 'ol boys" over at the SBTC have raised quite a stink. Now, I don't personally know any of the people involved in the mess, but I do know those that have come-out in support of Brother Haney. All I have to say is, can the SBTC really have gotten it that wrong? Is it possible that this is all just a big mistake? Judging from the reaction of the two men linked to above, I'd have to say that something's rotten in Denmark. This reminds me of a quote from a movie-trailer that I watched last night (
link).
One of the missionaries said they would not fight back because (and I'll probably misquote him -- my apologies) 'they are not ready to meet God and we are'. I have to wonder if that's how the SBTC views gays. If that is what they believe, how will they (the gays) ever "be ready"?

Just my $1/50. technorati tags begin -->

technorati tags: Blog, Christian, Randy Haney, SBTC, Homosexuality

#1 - 1 Samuel

2005-12-07T19:44:00.000-06:00

In the first weeks study, we read through the first three chapters of 1 Samuel. Getting an overview of what this first section of the book is about. Not a lot of in depth study at this point, just wanting to get a sense for the lay of the land. We learned that 1) Samuel’s father had two wives, Peninnah and Hannah and that the Lord had closed the womb of Hannah. Peninnah would taunt Hannah about this fact and it made Hannah bitter. 2) Hannah went to a feast at Shiloh with her family and there prayed that if God would give her a child, she would dedicate that child to Him. 3) God heard Hannah’s prayer and granted her request. 4) Once the child was weaned, Hannah took him (Samuel) to the tabernacle in Shiloh and dedicated him to serving the Lord. 5) Samuel grew-up in the tabernacle and ministered under Eli (the high priest). 6) The Lord spoke to Samuel that Eli’s sons were not doing right and that God would judge them for their sins. 7) The section closes with Samuel being recognized as a prophet in the land of Israel.

I know there is quite a bit that’s been left out, but this gives you a sense of what we’ll be looking at over the next several weeks (err… months).

technorati tags: Blog, 1 Samuel, Bible Study, FBC Pflugerville

#0 -- 1 Samuel

2005-12-07T19:26:00.000-06:00

I'd like to share with you some of the great stuff we're exploring in 1 Samuel. To start with, this is an extremely open ended study where we could spend several weeks chasing a rabbit that has nothing to do with the topic at hand.

We've been at this for awhile and still have lots to learn. If anyone reading this blog is in the Pflugerville TX area and is interested in joining us, leave a comment here and I'll get with you off-line.

technorati tags: Blog, 1 Samuel, Bible Study, FBC Pflugerville

1 Samuel study anyone???

2005-12-06T18:42:00.000-06:00

Several of the men at FBC Pflugerville get together for a Bible study every Saturday morning. We walking through 1 Samuel (almost verse by verse). I'd like to post some of the things here that we come across and get your thoughts on it. We've already spent over a month and haven't completed the first three chapters (still have a lot to look at).

I'm to do some Christmas shopping for the boys now, but as soon as I have time, I'll post some of the things we've come across. From there I'll update this every Saturday.

technorati tags: Blog, Bible Study, 1 Samuel, FBC Pflugerville

Nine Years

2005-11-30T17:17:00.000-06:00

Well, Tammy and i finally made it to another anniversary... Nine years. We took the boys to Sonic, and then went and bought our Christmas tree.

It's times like these that I sit back and think about who I was when we got married and how far I've come. If that's not enough to make you freak-out, I'm not sure what is... I crack myself up sometimes.

technorati tags: blog, family, anniversary

Odd News Friday

2005-11-18T10:00:00.000-06:00

The old song tells us, 'His eye is on the sparrow...' is this really what the author had in mind when he wrote that?
Reuters.com

I'm sure the domino people don't think so...

Is this thing on... thump thump -- Part II

2005-11-14T19:37:00.000-06:00

Part I (here) sparked quite a few (off-line) conversations about what God is really looking for. Is it true that God doesn't care what I do after the choir practice (in case you were wondering, I don't sing in the choir)? If that's the question your asking, you missed the point. The question should be, is my heart right with God while I'm surfing the porn sites? A follow-on question to that, is my heart (in general) right with God? Of course, the bigger and more important question: why am I going to choir? Am I singing in the choir to please God, or to make others (those around me) see me as being "good".

Mark 12:29-31 speaks directly to the heart of the matter (IMHO). Jesus tells us to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart...' and THEN '... love your neighbor...'. Get yourself right with God first -- and then He will take care of everything else.

Last summer, I spent some time in Beirut; I was told a story about a woman that, when she became a Christian, was warned by her father, saying 'I'm not going to kill you (for becoming a Christian) but I'm not going to stop your brothers if they decide to kill you'. How many people going to your church today would still be going to church if their life was threatened by simply showing-up at the church. Do you think they'd show-up as often? If you had to cross a mine-field each time you went to church, would you still make that Wednesday night meal?

Why do you go to church? Is it for yourself? Or for Him? My grand dad always told me "You gotta dance with the one that brung ya". That seems to be more true now that I'm a Christian that when I was lost.

Is this thing on... thump thump -- Part I

2005-11-09T09:40:00.000-06:00

Following along with the post from a few days ago, I came across this today (God always seems to put things in my path that I need).

2 Kings 17:41 -- Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.

Isn't that what we're doing? It's always easier to think about what we're doing today as being unique. There was no Internet during the reign of Hezekiah... right? So, there can't be anything in the Bible that applies to me today... right? So, I can sit back in my over-stuffed couch at the coffee-shop drinking my triple mocha fluff and rest assured that God has nothing to say to me from the Bible.

Is it possible to go to church, twice on Sunday and on Wednesday night, sing in the choir, and help-out at the old-folks home, live the religious life and still be filthy-dirty? Surely not, that only happens in the Bible and there's nothing in there that's relevant to today. Jesus had a term for that a 'white washed tomb'. On the outside it looks good, but on the inside it full of rot and decay. Is that what we've become? It can't be, I teach Sunday school, and that's good enough. The problem is that's NOT good enough.

There's no way for us to be "good enough" by doing stuff. The problem is we've turned our "doing ofstuff" into something it wasn meant to be. We got the cart before the proverbial horse. You've got to get yourself right with God and all that other stuff will come. Do you think God really cares about you coming home from choir practice to surf porn sites? He doesn care about that (shocked?). He'd rather have your devotion (ALL OF IT)than your singing in the choir. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and THEN all of these will be added His kingdom and His righteousness aren't found in the choir loft Chew on that for a bit, more to come.

technorati tags: Blog, Christian, worthy, 2 Kings 17

Baylor Part III

2005-11-08T19:25:00.000-06:00

As we were headed out of Chapel, all of the students slid their student ID card through one of the readers stationed at every door. I guess that's one way to get your 'God card' punched.

technorati tags: Blog, Baylor, Chapel, Waco

More on Baylor

2005-11-08T19:15:00.000-06:00

BTW: The praise group that started chapel was AMAZING!!! I have no idea if they're a "group" or what their name is, but they are good. If you're ever in Waco go see this group. Took this with my Treo -- not the best... sorry.

technorati tags: Blog, Baylor, Chapel, Praise Band, Waco

What am I doing?

2005-11-07T19:01:00.000-06:00

Today was my awakening (again). TC, JS, and I drove to Baylor to hear a guy named Brennan Manning speak. Unfortunately, Mr. Manning had spent the week-end in the hospital and wasn't up for the trip to Waco (TC has more here).

Anyway, I got to hear from a guy named JR Baker (not sure about the spelling -- Google's got nothing). All of that aside -- he had an incredible message. We (as Christians) are "told" to drop everything -- even that bad habit that nooobody knows about -- and follow Him. We treat being a Christian as something we do to appear that "we're good people", just like the religious leaders in Jesus' time. As we sat and had lunch before the trip back, I got to thinking, what is it -- for me -- that is my dirty little secret that I don't want anyone to know about? Is there anything that defines me that I wouldn't / couldn't drop if the Lord said "give it up man"?

technorati tags: Blog, Christian, Brennan Manning

Off to the big city

2005-11-04T09:14:00.000-06:00

Today, TC and I and going to the "big city" (Austin for those of you from somewhere else). Tom's got this crazy idea to film KKK + protesters + media feeding frenzy. Who knows, it may just turn-out to be a hoot (but not a hollar).

I'll let you know how it turns out ;)

technorati tags: blog, Austin, Protesters, media

Off we go into the wild blue yonder...

2005-11-01T18:34:00.000-06:00

Going to Florida -- I got to fly a Beech Twin Baron from Georgetown TX to Tampa FL -- what a blast. After the pilot took-off from Georgetown, he gave me 5 minutes of this is how you make it go (up / down / left / right) and then said... "she's all yours". When the sun went down (about 2 hours into a 4 1/2 hour flight), we switched on the auto-pilot. That really made flying back commercial a DRAG!!!

I got my medical certificate, my log book, and my first entry (cross country) :-)

Technorati Tags: Blog, Flying

A quick trip

2005-10-26T11:10:00.000-05:00

I'm going to sunny Florida - now that the hurricanes gone - on a business trip. After that going to a wedding in Somerville. After that, back to P'ville. I'll post some pics once I get back

Technorati Tags: Blog, Work

What's my worth?

2005-10-25T08:29:00.000-05:00

WOW -- I'm in the money now.

My blog is worth $564.54.
How much is your blog worth?

Technorati Tags: Blog

Infection

2005-10-24T18:27:00.000-05:00

Over on his blog TC talks about their upcoming New Years retreat.

Mark your calendars for December 29-31, 2005 !

1967 - Eternal

This looks like a lot fun -- biohazards, infections, and a changed life... Oh my.

Technorati Tags: Blog, Christian, Youth

Just keep getting better

2005-10-20T20:45:00.000-05:00

Now that I've got Flock and Flickr... what's next???

The amazing thing is that technology is just like the bride of Christ -- it never sits still, it never takes a break, it's constantly out there finding new ways to make it happen.

Technorati Tags: Flock, Flickr, Blog, Christian

Flock

2005-10-20T19:28:00.000-05:00

My first blog entry with Flock... You gotta check this thing out -- it's crazy!!!

M.O.B. (not what your thinkin')

2005-10-11T11:39:00.000-05:00

Our church has a group of men that get together every two weeks for breakfast. We're called Men Of the Bible. This morning we had omelets, bacon, hashbrowns, and toast. Bro. Steve comes and shares a message with us.

Have you ever listened to a sermon and *knew* the preacher was talking directly to you? That he's sitting right next to you talking to you and nobody else is around? That was this morning. With everything I have going on in my life (here, here, and here) it seemed like Bro. Steve and I were the only two people in the room and what he had to say was being said directly to me.

The winds of change are blowing...

What color is that?

2005-10-06T14:57:00.000-05:00

Last night during the Kinsman Redeemer study we spent a few minutes chasing a "very interesting rabbit". The upshot of it was in Matthew 4 (8-10), when Satan comes to temp Jesus and offers him all the kingdoms of the world. We noticed that Jesus didn't refute Satan's "ownership" of all the kingdoms. But then someone pointed out how Jesus didn't spend much time arguing with Satan over the "gray area of ownership" (her words, not mine). I had to take a step back... That was really great insight, directly aligned with TC's comments from a few days before. He (Jesus) didn't argue / debate about any of it. He simply said 'get outta here...'. Isn't that what we should be doing as well? Not spending time looking for grey?

But then again, I could be wrong. This could all be a great tragedy.

Kinsman Redeemer

2005-10-05T15:46:00.000-05:00

I'm getting ready for our last lesson on the book of Ruth (Kinsman Redeemer). We have spent the last month looking at how Jesus is our Kinsman Redeemer.

- He is a close relative (our brother)
- He is willing
- He can afford to pay the price
- He is our blood avenger

All of it wrapped up in one of the shortest books in the Bible, and a love storey to boot. Only the God that spoke and heaven / earth were created can pack such a salvation message in a book like that.

One of my favorite topics for this study is the message of Grace trumping the Law. When God told the nation of Israel that no Moabites would enter the assembly of the Lord even unto 10 generations. And then David -- 3 generations from Ruth, a Moabitess -- is a man after God's own heart; followed by his son Solomon who builds a house for the name of the Lord. Showing how the Grace of the Lord covers all -- even the letter of the Law.

God is sooooo good!

Boxed Lunch

2005-10-04T17:11:00.000-05:00

I had lunch with TC today -- greasy burgers... mmmmm.

We were talking about relationships with those around us (and how we can know if their healthy or not). He said something that didn't quite sink-in at the time -- could be the grease clogged arteries -- if your one of those that see things as black & white, the people that see the world as grey don't really make sense. And if your one of those that see the world as grey, the people that see it as black & white don't make sense. Great insight... But which one is "right"? Does Jesus see things as black & white or is the world full of grey areas? Since I'm a black & white kinda guy, I'd certainly like to think I'm right, but am I? I could be wrong...

How say you?

And what's more, does seeing the world as grey make you "wrong"?

Post sans title ;)

2005-09-26T19:03:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had a decision before you and you weren't sure which way you should go? You wonder if either path is "from God" or if it's the world? Are you chasing after your own goals? That's where my life has been for the last week. I've been fighting, not against flesh and blood, but against attacks from Satan. Making me feel like I'm not doing God's work in my life.

But then, after talking with several of the ministers in the church and a few of the deacons about what's going on, I realize that I have been doing the right thing and Satan's not going to get the best of me. It's time to stand-up for myself, shake the dust off my sandals and set things straight. Stop being afraid that what I feel is right isn't right at all. Stop trying to second-guess myself and stand up for God's work.

Look-out world... Here we come!

RE: Shiny, Happy People

2005-09-26T09:23:00.000-05:00

Y'all should go check out TC's blog on Shiny, Happy People -- makes you sit-up and think.

It reminds me of the book of Ruth -- I'm in a group going through the Precept Upon Precept study of Ruth.

Look at Ruth 1:1

Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons.

and now
Look at Ruth 1:2

The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. Now they entered the land of Moab and remained there.

The sojurn in v1 implies a "short trip" -- not one where they intend to stay for an extended period of time. But then we see once they got there, they "... remained there". They became comfortable in the "strange land" of Moab. What is your land of Moab? The place where you know you shouldn't be, but because your comfortable, you stay there.

Purified drug money

2005-09-21T11:25:00.000-05:00

I ran across this today and realized that when Jesus talked about God's house being a robber's den (Matthew 21:13), He might of been talking about our brothers down south. Is it so hard to turn away money that you know is dirty / covered in blood?

Why am i here?

2005-08-27T20:23:00.000-05:00

Lord, why am I here?
Is it for my own pleasures to chase after?
To walk my own path and find Me?
Can I do this thing called Life by myself?

Lord, why am I here?
Is it to go to church with all the heathens?
To walk down the path They have chosen?
Can I do this thing called Life without you?

Lord, why am I here?
Is it so that I can understand the sermons on Sunday?
To walk down the path the pastors chosen?
Can I do this thing called Life with a little help?

Lord, why am I here?
Is it so that I can understand You?
To walk down the path Youve chosen?
Can I do this thing called Life the right way?

Lord, why am I hear?
Is it so that I can live for You?
To walk down Your path and carry my own cross?
I cant do this thing called Life without you...

Lord, have mercy on me

What does it mean to be Missional?

2005-08-16T14:26:00.000-05:00

What does it mean to be Missional?

We had an extremely good conversation in the singles class this past Sunday around the idea of being “missional in the community”. The upshot of it was that we (as Christian Believers) should show love to those that are around us. Not just the kind of love that we have for family, but the kind that the Lord has for us. When you have a conversation with your atheist neighbor, do you talk to him about God? Or, do you show him how much God loves him in a conversation about the fire-ants that have invaded his yard?

Something to chew-on for another time…

World News Now!!!

2005-08-11T13:31:00.000-05:00

This just in

JENIN, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinians abandoned a quest
to build the world's longest sandwich on Wednesday after health
officials told them their 750-meter construction risked rotting
in the West Bank summer sun.

[Via Reuters: Oddly Enough]

And in a completely related article from across the pond

A vast expanse of western Sibera is undergoing an unprecedented thaw that could dramatically increase the rate of global warming, climate scientists warn today.

[Via memeorandum]

RE: Seeing Jesus Through a Porn Star

2005-08-05T16:12:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine sent me the links to these posts a few weeks back and I just now got around to reading them. This is a very powerful story that has made me consider some of the things that I do / am. I highly recommend reading the entire thing -- it is well worth it.

Lord, have mercy on us all...

porn star part 1

porn star part 2 (bathroom photo's and plato)

porn star part 3 (emergency room nights)

porn star part 4 (500 dollars)

porn star part 5 (white pill)

porn star part 6 (the e-mail)

porn star part 7 (and i know he watches over me)

part 8 (seeing jesus through a porn star)

[Via And that has made all the difference. ]

Does God Play Dice

2005-08-04T10:13:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite quotes from Alber Einstein is "God does not play dice". After having a long email discussion with a friend of mine, it occured to me that there are a lot of people that look at what God has done and come to the conclusion that He does in fact play dice. Does the creator of the universe leave to chance the outcome of events down here on His creation? On the other-hand, does He micro-manage each and every aspect of our lives?

What are you're thoughts, post your comments here?

Reaching Youth

2005-08-01T21:40:00.000-05:00

I had a really good conversation with a friend tonight about how our church is reaching-out to the youth. Some of the things we talked about applies equally as well to reaching any group.

Paul says that he became weak to reach the weak -- Jesus shows us how to do that with the woman at the well. He didn't wait for her to come to the temple where He could beat her over the head with the Torah scroll. He didn't jump on her lack of religious training, treating her as an idiot. He met her where she was (at the well) and talked to her about things that she understood (the well) and through that conversation, the entire town heard the Good News. Now, why is it hard for us to follow that example?

Consider reaching-out to youth. They don't sing "The Old Rugged Cross", they don't wear suits and ties, some of them don't even speak English. Does that matter? Should it? When you try to squash them into your stuffed-shirt mold of Christianity, they don't fit all that well. Does that mean that they never will? In the words of one of my favorite authors "May it never be". But, you have to talk to them about things they understand, on a level where they are. Does that mean showing a video of some guy puking because of too much milk is appropriate? Maybe... Maybe not... Does it mean that we should become enraged because of it? Consider the disciples returning from getting something to eat in the town. They're thinking -- what is He doing with her -- she's a Samaratin, He's a Jewish rabbi. They shouldn't be talking to each other -- but they *are* talking, and she is understanding the concept of salvation (at least enough to share it with the rest of the town). How profound is that? Is that a scenario that could be played out over something downloaded from stupid-videos.com?

I equate it to playing with my boys (4 & 6). We could sit at Starbucks sipping triple espressos and have a conversation with them about Internet protocols, but they wouldn't get it. Or, I could get down on my hands and knees with Match-box cars and chase bugs around the yard, and they would enjoy it. And while I'm there, we talk about how God created the bugs to do things; just like He created us to do things. Which of these two situations would be more impactful to them? Why does it have to be different for the youth of this world? Why not meet them where they are and talk to them about things that interest them -- have fun -- enjoy the things they enjoy -- follow the lead of the Master.

FBC Mission Trip '05

2005-07-30T21:34:00.000-05:00

Well, we're back from the '05 Mission Trip -- what an incredible experience. We took 50+ people down to Mexico and worked on two different churches. Painting, hanging ceiling fans, etc. Then, we had VBS on the US side every night. At the church in Rio Bravo, there were about 10 - 20 kids in the neighborhood, so one of the leaders (that spoke Spanish) decided to have a mini-VBS session. Made lots of new friends and realized that the youth group isn't as bad as I had imagined ;)

Now that I'm back, I'll be posting a little more often.

RE: Porn drive makes audience sit up and notice

2005-07-18T11:36:00.000-05:00

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian police forced around 200
people caught watching pornography to do sit-ups in public to
shame them and keep them away from theaters that illegally
screen smutty movies.

[Via Reuters: Oddly Enough]

What a great idea... I'm sure some (i.e. xxxChurch.com) would agree.

Tom's Untitled Podshow

2005-07-15T14:03:00.000-05:00

Just finished listening to the debut of TC's Untitled Podshow -- very nice. Everyone should go check it out here

Jesus Creed: How so is Orthodoxy Generous?

2005-07-07T17:38:00.000-05:00

WOW... How so is Orthodoxy Generous? Is a great read.

Nothing has infuriated or stimulated the current dialogue about the Christian faith and its mission in our world more than the debate about truth and about how we know the truth

RE: Apology [not what you think]

2005-07-06T09:39:00.000-05:00

TC has a great song (?) going -- or at least the lyrics for one. Can't wait to hear the tune he's going to put with it.

Check it out here

BTW: This is my first post using w.bloggar --

Jesus Christ Action Hero

2005-07-06T08:42:00.000-05:00

Trey [6 going on 16] and I were out reading some blogs last night and we came across my post on Rescue Heros. He said he wanted me to make him a Jesus Action Hero. It's times like this that I really undstand what Jesus was talking about when He said:

Matthew 18:4 (NASB)
[4] - “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Happy Birthday USA

2005-07-04T11:43:00.000-05:00

Going to do the fireworks thing with the Beatty’s tonight. Mr. Jeff did a great job cooking the meat :)

We have wandered away

2005-07-04T11:16:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Brother Steve, the pastor at First Baptist Church Pflugerville preached a sermon on how America has wandered away from our founding father’s principles of a nation built on God. Today, I’m reading from Judges 2 and this is exactly what happened to the nation of Israel when Joshua, the son of Nun, died. The nation no longer knew the Lord. Isn’t that where America is today? When a 12 year old girl can get an abortion without her parents consent, but she can’t go on a field-trip to the zoo without that same consent, we are chasing after Baal and not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. If only the people of America could see the mighty works of His hand, they would turn to Him and repent of their evil ways.

On the road

2005-06-07T15:16:00.000-05:00

I finally made it to Dallas for the U Connect conference. Lots of sessions, lots of people to meet, lots of interest in what's going on.

Scott, you'll get a kick out of this. There was one session where the guy talked about the Butteryfly Effect the UCC is having on e-Commerce. Got to chuckle about that one ;)

Jesus Christ the Original Rescue Hero

2005-06-03T12:24:00.000-05:00

My youngest [4 years] brought home a movie today, something about Rescue Heros (not the sandwich -- although I am hungry). It got me to thinking about who is the real Rescue Hero in the world. Not the cartoons that kids watch today, but the One that's here to save us all.

Why?

2005-06-02T17:53:00.000-05:00

Why do we do what we do? Is it for the attention? Is it for the money? The fame? It really depends on who you ask. For some (the goats) it's for all of the above. For a few (sheep) it's because we're told to. The question in my mind is why is it so hard for those that are part of "the few" to listen to the teacher?

More to come...

A friend of mine made that comment that this post makes me sound like an elitist. After reading back over it, he may have been right (that was not the intent). That does bring the question to mind though: How do we as Christians reach those around us that are lost? It's not by chasing them down the street whacking them on the head with a Bible like some sort of biblical arcade game. Or do we help them when their in need? Show them just how much Jesus loves them? Meet them where they are? You see, the point to my comment above was not to sound like a religious snob, it was more a message to those around me that call themselves Christians that don't do what we've been told to do. "And a second command, which is its equal, love your neighbor as yourself". Why is that hard for any of us to do? That's what we're called to do.

1967 - Eternal

2005-06-02T17:45:00.000-05:00

I actually know this guy

Netscape 8 'breaks' IE

2005-05-26T15:13:00.000-05:00

I found this one... LOL

Netscape 8 'breaks' IE on Neowin.net

My First Blog on Blogger

2005-05-26T15:06:00.000-05:00

How cool is this?

New World

Moving Day

Bean Town

Blogging from 32,406 feet

Blogging from Tune Town

Blahhhh

Thanks Corey

Even Better

WOW – New Software :)

Out O The Loop

New Building

Whose at the wheel?

blue is not red

A prayer

Time flies

Stop the presses

Where do flies live?

Psalm 18

Baptism = Sanctification?

WOW :|

Sitting on the sidelines

Jumping Back In

#1 - 1 Samuel

#0 -- 1 Samuel

1 Samuel study anyone???

Nine Years

Odd News Friday

Is this thing on... *thump* *thump* -- Part II

Is this thing on... *thump* *thump* -- Part I

Baylor Part III

More on Baylor

What am I doing?

Off to the big city

Off we go into the wild blue yonder...

A quick trip

What's my worth?

Infection

Just keep getting better

Flock

M.O.B. (not what your thinkin')

What color is that?

Kinsman Redeemer

Boxed Lunch

Post sans title ;)

RE: Shiny, Happy People

Purified drug money

Why am i here?

What does it mean to be Missional?

World News Now!!!

RE: Seeing Jesus Through a Porn Star

Does God Play Dice

Reaching Youth

FBC Mission Trip '05

RE: Porn drive makes audience sit up and notice

Tom's Untitled Podshow

Jesus Creed: How so is Orthodoxy Generous?

RE: Apology [not what you think]

Jesus Christ Action Hero

Happy Birthday USA

We have wandered away

On the road

Jesus Christ the Original Rescue Hero

Why?

1967 - Eternal

Netscape 8 'breaks' IE

My First Blog on Blogger

Is this thing on... thump thump -- Part II

Is this thing on... thump thump -- Part I