I guess you noticed that I haven't blogged in quite a while. Let's catch up - finished Eragon. Great book! Just started "The World is Flat" which deals with the idea of globalization. My daughter was baptized last Sunday! She is quite a remarkable young lady, if I do say so myslelf. Getting ready to fly to Oklahoma to pick up my oldest daugther who just completed her freshman year at OC (Oklahoma Christian Umiveristy). It'll be great to have her home for a the summer. I have a four hour layover in Phoenix - so a good friend of mine that lives there is coming to pick me up and take me to In-N-Out Burger. Oh, man I can't wait! My favorite hamburger place? What is your favorite burger joint?
Just got my summer haircut. Holy cow, it's short! Feels good, though.
The summer movie guide just came out. What are the movies that you can't wait to see? Looks like some good ones coming !
Going to be beautiful weekend. Time to wash the car; mow the lawn; maybe start working on the garden?
Friday, April 28, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Who Killed Jesus?
Greg Johnson shared this poem at our pastor's meeting today. In light Good Friday, I thought this would be some food for the soul. Randy
"Who Killed Jesus? I Would Like To Know."
Who killed Jesus? I would like to know.
Who is guilty of a crime so low?
Why did He have to die?
What is the reason why?
Who killed Jesus? I would like to know.
Was it Roman Soldiers, with their tools of war?
Pounding nails through hands that did no wrong.
Mocking and abusing, crowning Him with thorns,
All the evidence is very clear.
Was it Pontius Pilate, he was Governor,
Trying to decide the case that day?
Finding that the Savior had no fault His own,
Was he guilty when he turned away?
Was it Hebrew children, proud of who they were?
Shouting "Crucify Him" to their King.
Rejecting their Messiah for a common thief
Turning down the Kingdom He could bring.
When I think of Jesus, and the way He died,
How upon Him all my sin was lain.
All the other people, fade away from view,
It's for me the Sacrifice was made.
I no longer wonder anymore,
I have found what I've been searching for;
My sin demanded Hell, on Him the Judgment fell,
I am guilty, now it's plain to see,
that it was really me!
"Who Killed Jesus? I Would Like To Know."
Who killed Jesus? I would like to know.
Who is guilty of a crime so low?
Why did He have to die?
What is the reason why?
Who killed Jesus? I would like to know.
Was it Roman Soldiers, with their tools of war?
Pounding nails through hands that did no wrong.
Mocking and abusing, crowning Him with thorns,
All the evidence is very clear.
Was it Pontius Pilate, he was Governor,
Trying to decide the case that day?
Finding that the Savior had no fault His own,
Was he guilty when he turned away?
Was it Hebrew children, proud of who they were?
Shouting "Crucify Him" to their King.
Rejecting their Messiah for a common thief
Turning down the Kingdom He could bring.
When I think of Jesus, and the way He died,
How upon Him all my sin was lain.
All the other people, fade away from view,
It's for me the Sacrifice was made.
I no longer wonder anymore,
I have found what I've been searching for;
My sin demanded Hell, on Him the Judgment fell,
I am guilty, now it's plain to see,
that it was really me!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Great Elder's Meeting Tonight
Had a great shepherd's meeting tonight. We spent some time interceeding for the people in our congregation. Then, each man shared how the other shepherds could pray for him. In other words, what were the spiritual issues in our lives right now? There were confessions, tears and genuine heart issues shared. You see, we are trying to shepherd the flock while we shepherd each other. Then, we spent some time praying for each other.
We also discussed the third chapter of the book "Like A Shepherd Lead Us". (Great book, BTW!) The chapter's theme was to, as leaders, move from the boardroom to the living room. The book reminded us to pray with our people. Some great ideas flowed. A few are: to invite whole families to pray with us on Tuesday nights. We want to keep inviting people at the end our worship assemblies to come and pray with a shepherd. We will divide the congregation into shepherding groups - each shepherd will contact those in his "group" and ask what the needs are.
Went home feeling really blessed to be a part of the this leadership team.
We also discussed the third chapter of the book "Like A Shepherd Lead Us". (Great book, BTW!) The chapter's theme was to, as leaders, move from the boardroom to the living room. The book reminded us to pray with our people. Some great ideas flowed. A few are: to invite whole families to pray with us on Tuesday nights. We want to keep inviting people at the end our worship assemblies to come and pray with a shepherd. We will divide the congregation into shepherding groups - each shepherd will contact those in his "group" and ask what the needs are.
Went home feeling really blessed to be a part of the this leadership team.
Got the Gout!
Went to the doctor today and he told me what I already suspected - I have another case of gout in my right foot. Very painful! This is my fourth time to have this wonderful stuff - so now I will be put on gout medicine. Ah, man. I guess I'm gettin' old. Bummer.
I'm enjoying reading Eragon so far. Don't usually read fantasy novels - so this gets me out of my reading rut.
I'm having a hard time deciding what is my favorite T.V. show right now - LOST is in high gear; Prison Break is cranking back up; like American Idol; enjoying Amazing Race (although not the best season) - I would love to watch 24 - but just haven't had time to start watching. Your favorite show? Oh, sad to see 7th Heaven wind down - but it was time.
I'm enjoying reading Eragon so far. Don't usually read fantasy novels - so this gets me out of my reading rut.
I'm having a hard time deciding what is my favorite T.V. show right now - LOST is in high gear; Prison Break is cranking back up; like American Idol; enjoying Amazing Race (although not the best season) - I would love to watch 24 - but just haven't had time to start watching. Your favorite show? Oh, sad to see 7th Heaven wind down - but it was time.
Monday, April 10, 2006
A Busy Weekend!
Had a very busy weekend! On Saturday night I went to "A Night With The NFL" at the University of Utah. Tony Dungee, head coach of Indianapolis Colts, Jeff Harding (starting center for the Steelers) and Luther Ellis (a former Utah Ute and Detroit Lion) all spoke about their faith in Christ. A very powerful evening!
Had a very unusal and busy Sunday yesterday. Since our youth minister was preaching, I went to our first service, then, as I like to do when I'm not preaching - I visited two other churches! I do this for several reasons: First, I like to get new ideas! Second, I like to encourage the minister (I know most of the minister's from various "pastor's" groups I'm invovled with). Third, it reminds me that there are many ways of doing "church" - and each glorifies God in a unique way.
So, yesterday I went to South Mountian Community Church for their first service. SM is probably the second largest evangelical church in Salt Lake (Calvary Chapel is the largest). Then, I went to the Adventure Four Square for their second service. Their minister, Eric Van Rahee wanted to pray for me during the service, which I thought was neat, but an hour into the service he still wasn't preaching, and I had to go because we were having our 40 Days of Purpose Task Force Potluck Pizza celebration and evaluation at Southside at 1:00 p.m.! I got some great ideas!
Sometimes, I have to fight the urge to be envious of other people's "success". Both of these churches started about 7 years ago - one of about 1,200; the other about 600! Southside has been here since 1976 - we almost got to 400 before our church plant three years ago. It's hard not be to jealous of their numbers and wonder why my church isn't that "big". The thought kinda nags at me - "if you were a better ________, your church would be as big as theirs!" But in reality, I know that is not true!
And yes, sometimes I visit small churches and encourage them, too. These two churches just happen to be about a half mile from each other!
To top the afternoon off - we had a team leaders meeting at 3. Needless to say, I went home about 6 in the evening, tired but blessed. It was a great weekend of ministry and idea gathering, celebrating and planning, being encouraged and inspired. Not a bad way to spend a weekend!
The new week has started! Let's glorify God in all we do! Easter is coming! Jesus is resurrected! (and so must my sermon for Sunday! It's still in the tomb!)
With God's Best, Randy
Had a very unusal and busy Sunday yesterday. Since our youth minister was preaching, I went to our first service, then, as I like to do when I'm not preaching - I visited two other churches! I do this for several reasons: First, I like to get new ideas! Second, I like to encourage the minister (I know most of the minister's from various "pastor's" groups I'm invovled with). Third, it reminds me that there are many ways of doing "church" - and each glorifies God in a unique way.
So, yesterday I went to South Mountian Community Church for their first service. SM is probably the second largest evangelical church in Salt Lake (Calvary Chapel is the largest). Then, I went to the Adventure Four Square for their second service. Their minister, Eric Van Rahee wanted to pray for me during the service, which I thought was neat, but an hour into the service he still wasn't preaching, and I had to go because we were having our 40 Days of Purpose Task Force Potluck Pizza celebration and evaluation at Southside at 1:00 p.m.! I got some great ideas!
Sometimes, I have to fight the urge to be envious of other people's "success". Both of these churches started about 7 years ago - one of about 1,200; the other about 600! Southside has been here since 1976 - we almost got to 400 before our church plant three years ago. It's hard not be to jealous of their numbers and wonder why my church isn't that "big". The thought kinda nags at me - "if you were a better ________, your church would be as big as theirs!" But in reality, I know that is not true!
And yes, sometimes I visit small churches and encourage them, too. These two churches just happen to be about a half mile from each other!
To top the afternoon off - we had a team leaders meeting at 3. Needless to say, I went home about 6 in the evening, tired but blessed. It was a great weekend of ministry and idea gathering, celebrating and planning, being encouraged and inspired. Not a bad way to spend a weekend!
The new week has started! Let's glorify God in all we do! Easter is coming! Jesus is resurrected! (and so must my sermon for Sunday! It's still in the tomb!)
With God's Best, Randy
Thursday, April 06, 2006
A Reading Retreat
Since I'm not preaching on Sunday, for the next two days I'm having a 'reading retreat'. I'm not going anywhere - just catching up on my books stacked up waiting to be read. Today I read "Rekindled" - a Christian fiction book written by a friend of mine Tamera Alexander. It is her first book to be pubished - she has signed with Bethany House for a series called "The Fountian Creek Chronicles". This was the first book in the series. Much in the tradition of Janette Oke and Beverly Lewis - Alexander holds her own! Way to go Tamera!
Tonight I'm starting "Eragon" and tomorrow I'm finishing "7 Practices of Effective Ministry" and will hopefully put a dent in "Seeking Lasting City".
It snowed all day today, so it was a great day not to have to put a sermon in the oven - and just enjoy some reading. Haven't done that in a LONG time and it was good for the soul. Even cancelled plans to go out to lunch with my preacher buds and called the wife and took her out to lunch.
I need more reading retreats - maybe a day devoted to reading once month? More lunches with my wife - yes!
Tonight I'm starting "Eragon" and tomorrow I'm finishing "7 Practices of Effective Ministry" and will hopefully put a dent in "Seeking Lasting City".
It snowed all day today, so it was a great day not to have to put a sermon in the oven - and just enjoy some reading. Haven't done that in a LONG time and it was good for the soul. Even cancelled plans to go out to lunch with my preacher buds and called the wife and took her out to lunch.
I need more reading retreats - maybe a day devoted to reading once month? More lunches with my wife - yes!
Sunday, April 02, 2006
World's Fastest Indian
My daughter has taught me how to blog using pictures. So, I thought I would start with Andy Griffith. Why is it that our kids have to show us how to do this stuff?
Saw a great movie tonight, "The World's Fastest Indian". Awesome. The best feel good movie I've seen in a LONG time! Plus, it's a true story. Should be out on video soon. If it's still showing in your area, treat yourself to a good movie.
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