Reaching a goal!

Good-bye Dana! Dana Altman decided to go back to Creighton after being the Razorback coach for 24 hours. Wow! Back to the drawing board for the 'Backs. Who now?

The new CD by Alison Krauss: Five Star! This new "collection" are songs that have never appeared on a "Alison Krauss" CD before - but have been on soundtracks and other artists CD's. If you are a fan of Krauss (and who's not?), you must add this to your collection.

Reading "Simple Church" by Tom Rainer. Goes along very well with Andy Stanley's "7 Practices of Effective Ministry". I would highly recommend both reads.

I've reached one of my goals! On January 2nd I weighed 180. When I weighed this morning, the scale said 159! I think its a sad when you see a bunch of preachers who are fat and out of shape. What kind of example is that? The words discipline and disciple are almost the same word. How can we preach the need for discipline when we ourselves are not?

Our next "Kings Reader's Book Club" selection is the old classic, 'This Present Darkness" by Frank Peretti. It's the book that really got Christian fiction off the ground. Can't wait to read it again.

A few ramblings

Well, not to brag, but I had Florida winning the National Championship. Another SEC team takes it all!

Arkansas hired a new head basketball coach today - Dana Altman from Creighton. Altman was 2-7 in the NCAA tournament. Didn't Arkansas fire Stan Heath because he was unsuccessful in the NCAA tourney? In his press conference, Altman said that he loves to press the whole game! Now, I like the sound of that. Was curious to learn that Creighton was 11th in the country in attendance average! That's good. We'll have to wait and see how this works out.

Alison Krauss' new CD comes out today. This will be her second "collection". A new Krauss CD is always cause for celebration. I'll download it from iTunes and let you know how great it is.

Kevin Hooper has accepted our invitation to come and partner with us in ministry here at the Southside Church in the area of Associate Ministry. I'm really excited to have Kevin and his wonderful family to come an join us. He will begin here on Sept.1st.

A Building Merry Go Round

We have broken ground on our new building. We should be in it by Sept.1.

Valley Christian Church is buying our building. Their minister is Kent Turpin. Kent was raised LDS here in the valley. He was baptized at Southside about 15 years ago. It was Kent's dream to preach. He had preached for us about once a month. He then preached part time for the Orem Church of Christ for several years. I recommended Kent for the full time job at valley about 3 years ago.

And now, Kent comes back "home" with his church! I love it when people are equipped for ministry then sent out to do ministry!


Why don't we do this more often? The job description of leaders is to equipp people for ministry. We need to do more mentoring in the kindgom.

It is one of my dreams of Southside that we become so effective at equipping people for ministry that we will add to our full time staff in the future from within. A person would be taught, discipled, equipped for ministry, and all within the local body. Is that possible?

It was in the first century.

A great footnote to this story: A good friend of mine, Scott Warren, is here planting a Baptist church. His group is buying Valley's building! Everyone wins! I think God smiles when his people work together!

Baptism stories from this past Sunday

Sunday, Meita and Mindy were baptized in our second assembly. Meita is the mother; Mindy is her daughter. Their first Sunday with us was Feb.4th - our F.A.N. Day (Friends And Neighbors). Patrick invited his neighbors. They came! And came. And came. And now, they have made Jesus Christ the Lord of their lives! The power of an invitation! A simple, "Can you come with this Sunday?" "Come to small group with me?" Never underestimate it!


Susan was also baptized into Christ, along with two of her children. Susan comes from an conservative LDS background. She has baptized three times in the LDS (each time her family moved, they ask her to be re-baptized into "their" group). She said, "I just want to owned by Christ!" What a beautiful statement. We didn't ask her to be baptized; she came to this decision by a moving of the Holy Spirit.

It was a great Sunday!

Back to Blogging

Several have asked me to pick up the blog again. I admit; I got discouraged with the lack of comments. (I confess; I read Cope's blog with 65 comments and I compared and found me lacking). I always seem to be doing that - this game of comparing. I compare my church attendance, baptisms, programs, salary - against other ministers, churches. Do you ever do that? When you come out ahead - you feel better; when you come out on the short end of the stick - you feel like a looser.

SO - we begin anew with a new mindset. I'll just do my thing and not compare this blog with anyone else's blog. In fact, I'm beginning to do that with other areas - I'm not going to compare my family, my church, my ministry with anyone else. Okay. There is a lot of peace in that kind of decision!

Just finished reading "And The Shofar Blew" by Francine Rivers. Every minister should read this book! It is the story of a man building a mega church and the effects it has on him. Very powerful.

Also reading "Simple Church" by Tom Rainer. Great book. Our small group is reading "The Jesus I Never Knew" by Philip Yancey. Wow. The leadership book I'm reading right now is "The 360 Degree Leader" by John Maxwell. What are you currently reading?

Our new small group is a book club. We have about a dozen who have signed up! Our first book was "The Last Sin Eater" by Francine Rivers. Great book! Our next book is a classic - "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peretti. Seems a good way to promote the reading of Christian function. The response has been encouraging.

Welcome back to the blog.

Lots to catch up on!

Can't believe I haven't blogged since December! We've got some catching up to do -
Finally saw "Facing The Giants". Very, very good movie. Five star. Right now I'm reading several books - "Prayer" by Philip Yancey and "The Last Sin Eater" by Francine Rivers. Both are excellent reads so far. In fact, "Sin Eater" is a new movie which begins tomorrow. I'm seeing it with a friend who recommended the book to me. Looking forward to that.

Was at a Pastor's Prayer Summit last week in Park City. Instead of teaching on prayer, each three hour session was time of guided prayer. The highlight for me was a foot washing time. I had never been a part of one in my whole life. A very moving experience. And way, way out of my comfort zone!

We are now taking resumes during the month of February for an associate minister. If you know of a good man who would love an opportunity to work outside the Bible belt - have them send a resume to: southsidesearch@gmail.com

We break ground on our new facility in a few weeks! An exciting, yet scary time. One of the neat things that God is doing in this process is the that Kent Turpin, the minister at Valley Christian Church (the church that is buying our current building), was baptized at Southside about 20 years ago! Now, that's a God thing! Kent is excited to be coming home as he puts it.

Going to a prescreening of "Amazing Grace" Monday night. Amazing Grace is a new movie about the story of the writing of the great hymn. Should be inspiring.

Turned 49 on Tuesday. Where has the time gone?

My Movie Favorites of 2006

In no particular order, here are my favorite movies of 2006, with a few that I'm looking forward to seeing over the holidays.

1.) Happy Feet
2.) March of Penguins
3.) Cars
4.) Invincible
5.) Curious George
6.) Nativity Story
7.) RV (I thought is was very funny!)


Worst Movie: A Prairie Home Companion
One I want to see but it didn't come to Salt Lake: Facing the Giants

Looking forward to seeing:

Last King of Scotland
Pursuit of Happiness
Eargon
We Are Marshall
Charlotte's Web
Facing the Giants

Best Movie I saw on DVD: Broken Trail.

Biggest Disappointment: DiVinci Code

Any one's I've missed?

Books I'm looking forward to reading in 2007

Cody asked about books that I'm looking forward to reading in 2007. Here is that list! Please share your list! (I always seem to have more books than I have time!)

1.) Uprising by McManus
2.) Simple Christians by NT Wright
3.) 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell
4.) Unlearning Church by Michael Slaughter
5.) Prayer by Philip Yancey
6.) It Came From Within by Andy Stanley
7.) The Emotionally Healthy Church by Peter Scazzero
8.) Life on the Vine by Philip Kenneson

Tomorrow: My favorite movies of 2006 and ones that I'm looking forward to seeing!

Best Books in 2006

Here is a list of the best books I've read in 2006:

1.) "Put Your Heart Into It" by Howard Schultz
2.) "7 Practices of Effective Ministry" Ministry by Andy Stanley
3.) "Praying God's Word" by Beth Moore
4.) "Getting Things Done" by David Allen
5.) "Communicating For A Change" by Andy Stanley
6.) "The Present Future" by Reggie McNeil
7.) "The Alchemist" by Paul Coelho
8.) "Like A Shepherd Lead Us" by M. Love, Charles S., David Fleer

Tried to come up with a "top ten" but these were the books that made an impact on me during the year. What are your favorite books of 2006?

building a resume or legacy?

I like the discussion that Mark Sanborn has in his book "You Don't Need A Title To Be A Leader". The comparison is as follows:

Resume - What you've accomplished - Legacy -- What you've contributed
Resume - Results; Legacy -Relationships
Resume - Money you've made Legacy: The difference you've made
Resume - The impression you leave Legacy: The impact you have
Resume - Your career Legacy -- your organization, family, and community
Resume self-improvement Legacy: helping others improve

let's add some of our own;

Resume - building a big church Legacy: making disciples
Resume - developing a name for self Legacy: glorifying God
Resume - relying of self relying Legacy: relying on Holy Spirit
Resume - pleases men Legacy: pleases God


He asks the question: are you building a strong resume or preparing to leave a lasting legacy?

My Space; Oh, My!

My space has become the gathering place for millions of people; especially teens. They post pictures of themselves - along with descriptions of themsevles. Each person then has people labeled as "friends" who can have access to their information.

We keep a close watch over our daughter's activity on my space. Not every parents does - you outta see the pictures that are posted! Oh, my!

So, here's my question - my daugther recently showed me a picture of a teen that we used to know (has moved from Salt Lake a few years ago) - I was pretty shocked by what I saw. I young lady in her underware stiking a pose with the words "riske business". Do I call her parents and tell them?

I recently had a phone call from a concerned parent about the content of "Christian" teens on my space. She hasn't called me back; I don't know if they have the issues resolved.

A lot of sexual preditors use my space as a hunting ground. Question: what should parents do? What is the church's role?

McFadden for Heisman!

It was just announced that Darren McFadden, running back for the University of Arkansas, has been invited to New York City as a finialist for the Heisman Trophy. Troy Smith, the quarterback from Ohio State, should walk away with the trophy, but this is the first time that a Razorback has finished in the top three. Next year, he should go into the season as the Heisman favorite! WPS!

Just started reading "The Collectors" by David Baldacci. I love a good novel and Baldacci always delivers. I'm also reading "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" by John Maxwell.
I've read bits and pieces of this great book but now I'll read it all the way through. I love a good book on leadership. Have a favorite book on leadership?

At the beginning of next year, Southside will begin a search for an associate minister. If you know of a good guy that is interested in ministry outside the Bible belt, please have them contact me early next year. After all, you get to work with me!

Thanksgiving, Managers Vs. Leaders

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. We, along with the Osborn's, always host people who are far away from their families. And in Utah, that can be a long list! We've had as many as 44, although this year we only had 21.

The Hogs vs. LSU was a great game! For some reason LSU just has our number. Two bright spots: Darren McFadden & Felix Jones both had monster games (should make McFadden #2 in the Heisman voting) and we are still in the SEC Championship game with Florida. Arkansas has yet to win an SEC championship, so this could be the first!

Been reading "You Don't Need a Title To Be A Leader" by Mark Sandborn. I love his discussion of leaders versus managers:

Managers have employees. Leaders win followers
Managers react to change. Leaders create change
Mangagers have good ideas. Leaders implement them
Managers communicate. Leaders persuade.
Managers direct groups. Leaders create teams.
Managers take credit. Leaders take responsibility.

Another list is the difference between "others" and leaders:

Others tell. Leaders sell
Others impress. Leaders influence.
Others try to be heard. Leaders strive to be understood.
Others explain. Leaders energize.
Others inform. Leaders inspire.
Others relay only facts. Leaders tell stories.

Seems to me that, in the church anyway, we have more "managers" than leaders. The church today needs leadership!!! The church needs bold faithfilled leaders who are sold out to bringing in the reality of the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Does your church have honest to goodness leaders? Are YOU a leader or a manager?

A Heisman? Headed to Atlanta?

Its good to see Darren McFadden, running back for the Arkansas Razorbacks, climbing the Heisman list. A Razorback has never won the Heisman. Right now, I believe that McFadden is third in the straw voting.

The Razorbacks look like a strong canditate for a BCS bowl, possibly in the Sugar Bowl. Gotta take care of business in Starkville, then face a tough game with LSU in the Rock (Little Rock). As they say, there is a lot of football left. We should beat Miss State and be the West Division Champs of the SEC! That would mean a date with Florida in Atlanta. I think Florida is beatable. LSU may be the toughest game of the three.

Is it possible that we could be in the national championship game? I don't think its impossible.

It is a great time to be a Razorback!

WPS! (Wooooooooo Pig Soooie!)

The Nativity Story

Just saw a screening of the upcoming movie "The Nativity Story". I went to the movie very skeptical; had my guard up. This is the first "Christian" movie to be produced and marketed by a major studio. Would they follow the text? While not completly faithful to the text. For example, they have the Magi coming to see the Messiah before his is born when Matthew clearly states, 'After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem . . ." However, having said that, you will enjoy the movie very much. Much of the story is faithful to the text.

It is very well done. The acting is excellent. Keisha Castle-Hughes does a beautiful job of portraying a strong, believable Mary. The scenery is breath taking.I had goose bumps in the birth scene.

An absolutely stunning and faith moving film. Invite a neighbor or co-worker to see it with you. Discuss the differences in the movie and the Bible.

Five stars!

God Hears Sermons!

More on Ted Haggard . . . . I gathered today with my monthly pastor's group. Greg Johnson played the CD of the Haggard's last sermon at New Life Church. Since they preach through the Bible verse by verse, Haggard , as fate would have it, was preaching on Saul being dethroned because of his sin. Haggard says, "God will dethrone you... he still loves you as a person, but he will take away your position."

God does listen to our sermons!! Now we can add a verse to our VBS song. "Be careful little preacher, what you preach. Be careful little preacher what you preach. There's a Father up above, and He' s looking down in love, so be careful little preacher what you preach."

We had a powerful time of prayer lifting up Ted Haggard, his family, the New Life Church, and all those who are now discouraged from pursuing a life with Christ.

Remember, Jesus reinstated Peter after a huge blunder. He could do it again. Are you okay with that?

Be Careful Little Mouth

Remember the old song (we sang at VBS) that went something like, "Be careful little mouth what you say, Be careful little mouth what you say. There's a Father up above; looking down in love, so be careful little mouth what you say." Good song.

There is another saying - be careful what you pray for; you just might get it.

The Sunday before the story of Ted Haggard's story broke, before his sermon, Haggard prayed this prayer from his pulpit at New Life Chruch, "Lord, we are a week before the election. Would you expose all the lies and deception." (The sermon has been pulled from their web site). When I read that, a chill went down my spine. Haggard had also written a book for his daughters a few years ago in which he wrote a chapter about living a life free of secrets. Again - we would all be better off if we lived out the advice we give others!

I also read his letter of repentance. Someone asked the question if he was sincere. Who are we to judge that? Some have said that it's a mega church thing. Don't think so - I know of ministers in small churches who have the same kind of struggles. So, that's not it.

Haggard said that he was not accountable to anyone for the last few years. There's the problem! I don't know about you - but I can rationalize anything left to myself. That is why I've been in a pastor's accountability group the last six or seven years. We all need to be accountable to someone.

Who are you accountable to? I mean, getting below the waterline accountability? After all, aren't we called to confess our sins one to another? When was the last time to had a heart to heart with someone about your "stuff"?

Well, it's a great question. Who are you accountable to?

Be careful little hands what you do . . . . .

Subscriptions

Right now I only subscribe to two periodicals - Leadership and Discipleship Journal. Ever now and then I pick up a copy of "Pray!" when I in the local Christian book store. Well, I guess I could also count "Christian Chronicle" as one I receive.

Here's my question: What magazines do you recommend? Have any that help you, encourage you, feed you, challenge you? Now is the time to renew or cancel. Maybe its time to add a new magazine to my list? BTW - I can read Christianity Today at the library, so I don't "pay" to read it.

As you can tell by reading this blog, most of my reading is now outside the "brotherhood" of churches of Christ. Any "c of C" books that anyone can recommend? Best non "c of C" book you've read lately? (Right now I'm reading "Doing Church as a Team" by Wayne Corderio).

I've found the best books are recommended by a friends. Pass on yours!

Clergy Appreciation Month

October was clergy appreciation month. I must be getting old - I find these kind of things artifical. People feel like that "have to" appreciate the pastor because its "cleargy appreciation month". Do we really need that? I have heard somewhere that most ministers resign and go somewhere else just to feel appreciated by the congregation they are leaving. I know pastors are, for the most part, overworked and underappreciated. Like coaches - we don't get too credit for when it goes well; and too much of the blame for when it goes bad.

Just seems to be that if we are living out kingdom values that we don't need specific days to be told to appreciate someone. We'll do it day by day without having to buy a card or a present. A kind word. A handwritten note of appreciation. A thank you. Take them out for lunch just to say that you appreciate them. Have them over to your house for a night of fellowship. Spend a week praying for them by name, then send them a note to let them know that you were praying for them. Goodness, I think of a thousand ways - but the most important thing is to build others up according to their needs!

Okay, enough of that. I'm sounding like a grouchy old man. The Hogs keep on rolling. We've got a tough road game at South Carolina on Saturday. It's a national telecast by ESPN at 5:30 p.m. mountian time.

Had a meeting with our contractor on Friday night. Our simple building will cost 2.5 million dollars. We have roughly 1.2 as a downpayment. Our 6 acres of land is paid for. Question: at point are we putting too much into buildings? Is there a magic percentage that you should spend or not spend? Should we do as Barna suggests and just meet in homes?

Redeeming Love

Seems like I've been recommending a lot of books lately. My latest is that you read "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. It is a retelling of Hosea and Gomer in a western setting. Very well written. Most men don't like to read "romance" novels; however, this one is different. If may just end up having a deeper appreciation for the Biblical narrative while being entertained at the same time. If you have an older teenage daughter it would make a great Christmas gift.

Most of the books that I read come recommended by someone else, so if you have read a great book lately - pass it on!

Go Cardinals! However, we were reminded last night the last time St. Louis was leading 3-1 in the World Series, they lost 4-3. We can't declare victory just yet.

My Hogs play LA Monroe in the "Rock" on Saturday. Should be a scrimmage for the Razorbacks. After this game the schedule gets tougher - South Carolina in Columbia, then Tennessee (at Fayetteville), followed by what should be a breather (Miss. State) - then wrap up the regular season in "the Rock" with LSU. Can the Hogs win out? Or will there be one or two losses in there? I haven't been this excited about Razorback football in a long time.

Hope your tribe has a great day with the Lord on Sunday. Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour! Love that extra hour of sermon prep - oh, I mean sleep.