Tipping Point

Just read a great book "The Tipping Point". The Tipping Point explains how fads and epidemics get started. Althought not a "church" book, I believe that every minister would gain insights in leading their churches by reading this book!
Right now I'm reading "Gilead" - a novel about an old preacher writing to his young son. Great read. Also have the "Progress Paradox" - a book about how things are getting better while people think things are getting worse waiting on deck to be read.
I have a lot of books "waiting on deck" to be read. I've come to realize that I have a serious addiction - buying books. One of my new's years resolutions - to read books as I buy them/read the books I already own before buying others.
What book are you currently reading? Have a title to recommend?

End of the Spear

Saw the movie "End of the Spear" last night. A very powerful true story about the first missionaries to reach natives in Equador. Beautifully told, this movie gives us an example of what it means for us to lay down our lives for the sake of the gospel. Great acting; awesome scenery.
For more information on the movie go to: endofthespear.com.
Like Glory Road, one of my favorite parts is during the credits where you meet the real people talking of their experiences. Really brings the movie home and makes it real.
Go see this movie! Take people from your church. You will come away a more enriched human being while being encouraged and challenged in you walk with Christ.
Not a bad way to spend 111 minutes.

Glory Road

Went to see "Glory Road" last night. (To be honest, with no thought of MLK day). Great movie! If you are not familiar with the story, in 1966 Don Haskins, the coach of UTEP (then called Texas Weslyn), who was the first coach in NCAA history to start five black players in the national championship game against Kentucky. The movie is a powerful depiction of what the players and Haskins went through to break the race barrier in division 1 basketball.
Having lived in El Paso for five years in the mid '80's - (going to many UTEP games watching Don Haskins coach) - the movie even made memories of El Paso good ones!
Go see this movie! Discuss it with your children. Stay through the ending of the credits! There is a great surprise for those who stay.
"Glory Road" is right up there with my other favorite sports movies - "Remember the Titans"; "Hoosiers"; "Radio" & "Brian's Song". Any that I missed?

A Church "of Christ"?

In the coming days I want to explore just what it means to be a church "of Christ". After all, our "name" declares it. But is that really what shapes who we are - this being "of Christ"? Or, does orthodoxy - as practiced by other churches of Christ - become our standard? (And if that is true - which church of Christ do you choose to be your template of accepted practices/beliefs?)
This has come to my mind lately - this question of being "of Christ"I love the scene of the apostles before the Jewish ruling court and the judges "took note that these men had been with Jesus."
That's what I want for my congregation. I hope that we would so embody the values, personality, message and methods of Jesus that people would label us "like Christ". Remember, the community called the church Christians (to be Christ like) in Antioch - they didn't call themselves by that name.
What would a church that is of Christ look like? Sound like? Let's explore that for the next several posts.

Changing what I do on Sundays!

Had a great Sunday today. I didn't set up the chairs like I usually do. I didn't run to the front door when I didn't see a greeter there. I didn't set the stage up when I noticed that it wasn't put back since the candlelight service on Christmas eve. I didn't run and get the plates for the contribution when I noticed they hadn't been put out.
I just tried to worry about preaching and people. That's my new year's resolution - on Sunday, let the servants do their thing - or it will be left undone. I've got to be honest - it was hard for me because I like things to be "right". If we are going to grow as a church - I've got to let that stuff be done by other people. You know what? It was! (Okay - a few things were not done. But I held strong!)
Lately I just made a list of all the things I do that have nothing to do with "preaching". Holy cow. The longer I'm here (13 years) - that list seems to just get longer. NO MORE!
I still locked up the building. I can't go cold turkey can I?

40 Days of Prayer

We have begun the new year in 40 Days of Prayer. - which will lead us into the 40 Days of Purpose campaign. Members get a daily email with a verse and comment written by one of our members. Each week has a prayer theme. I really hope that this becomes a tradition with our church. Is your church doing something to get the new year started on a positive note?

We are also studying "Celebrating the Disciplines" on Sunday morning in the adult class over the winter quarter as we prepare for the 40 Days of Purpose. What I like about this is that we are spending a good deal of "class" time actually experiencing the discipline (expect for fasting; hard to that in just one hour). This week we'll do some worship prayer from the Psalms. Can't wait!

As a die hard Razorback, its hard to say this, but congrats to the Texas Longhorns on winning the National Championship last night at the Rose Bowl.

New games for the Clays!

My middle daugther, Rebecca, discovered a few new games during the holidays. She went to a friends house and played "RISK". She liked it so much she used some of her Christmas money to buy it. She has won her first five games! Although one of my favorite games, I hadn't played a game of Risk in about 20 years. I proved a bit rusty. She also discovered Parcheesi. I'd bet we played 50 games last week!
Others have their new games, too. My wife has discovered Sudoku - its some kind of number puzzle. My five year old discovered Princess Bingo, Gobblet Jr. and Batik.
Sprinkle in a few games of Apples to Apples and you've got a lot of new memories stored away at the Clay's house.
Any favorite games your family enjoys?

Blessings!

Blessings to you and yours in 2006! Made any new years resolutions?
I was just looking at a new calendar. A thought came to my mind - what do all these numbers represent for me this year? Some will be great days - full of victories, accomplishments, parties, celebrations. Some will be down days - full of struggle, doubt, questions. Some will mark the date that someone I'm close to has died - days of sadness and loss. I wonder what all these numbers represent for you?
Well, we don't know do we? And so, right now, make a decision. It is a key decision! Decide in this moment that no matter what happens this year - that God is good. That fundemental decision will change everything!
Have a blessed new year!