Christmas Eve/Christmas Day

Our Candlelight Celebration was one of the best we've ever done. We had a 12 member praise team - they did a wonderful job! We had right at 200! What I liked the most - more than half the people there were guests! A lot of people from the community came and celebrated the birth with us.

Woke to snow! It snowed all morning until about 1:30 in the afternoon. We have about 4 inches of snow on my drive way. I'm hoping for 3 or 4 more inches when the big front moves in later today. The Perfect Christmas day!

Got a new digital camera to take on my trip to the Holy Land this summer! My sister-in law and her husband are sending me to a 10 day tour of Holy Land next summer!! Wow! They are going with me, along with my father-in-law. Should be the trip of a lifetime! Can't wait.

Got some cool Razorback stuff too! A nice hoody, a truttle neck mock and a trivia book on my beloved Hogs made for a great Christmas haul.

The kids are all playing their games, watching movies, - taking naps. Still - the best thing about Christmas is watching them open their gifts! Doesn't get any better than that!

Hope you had a great Christmas!

Hymn Stories

This Sunday, instead of a "sermon", I'm going to tell some stories of how the songs came to be written.

Jerry Rushford of Pepperdine University is really good at telling these kinds of stories.

The songs mean more when you know the story behind them.

Amazing Grace, Jesus Loves Me, Just As I Am - have very interesting stories. Many times, the story is even better than the hymn!

Do you have a favorite hymn story?

Renewed Prayer Commitment

We had a first prayer event before the event (in the case our Candlelight Celebration) Sunday night. We prayed for two hours. We wil begin praying before all our major outreach events during the year.

I applaud Dean Shriver and Intermountian Baptist Church for their 50 Hours of Prayer this last week! They centered around praying for lost people. Each member filled out a "7 For Heaven" card - seven people they want to see in heaven. When people came to pray they simply pulled out one of the cards and started praying for them! Love that.

We now have two people who have committed to coordinating our prayer efforts here at Southside! I'm excited to see our renewed commitment to prayer.

Hope all your shopping is done!

My your family know the real joy of the baby in the manger.

Big Storm Comin'

Looking forward to our "John Adams Marathon" on Monday. Some men from our church are meeting to spend the whole day watching the entire mini-series "John Adams". Last year we took two days to have a "B.O.B Day" -- which means we watched "Band of Brothers". Always some good fellowship. Everyone brings a snack to share. We take a break for lunch.

I still can't decide who will win - Oklahoma or Florida. Right now I'm leaning toward Florida. Texas Tech should romp Ole Miss, the Tide will Roll Utah.

A big storm is coming! Some say up to a foot in the snow down in the valley. I doubt if we get that much. The low on Saturday is projected to be six degrees! Oh,my! There will be a touch of fall in the air for sure!

I really like the new Casting Crowns Christmas CD.

Do you go to worship on Christmas Eve, or do you prefer a night at home?

Old Christmas Shows

Just celebrated my 24th wedding anniversary with my bride. Nothing fancy. We went to our favorite resturant then went and got some delicious cheesecake to go from the Cheesecake Factory and went home to shared it with our children.

As a part of that evening we took a detour to Home Depot to pick out tile for my wife's Christmas present. She wanted the washroom off the kitchen tiled. And so we are.

My daughter comes home tonight from college! Just having the family back together is present enough for me. My dad used to say that, too. I didn't believe him back then. I do now.

What is about those old Christmas shows that they still work their magic on children? Frosty. Rudolph. A Charlie Brown Christmas. The animation is outdated. The film is grainy. But children still love 'em! Do you have a favorite old Christmas show? And why is it that the new ones don't seem to have that old magic?

I've got my idea for the Christmas sermon - finally. I knew you were worried about it.

What I Love About Utah

I love living in Utah! There are four inches of snow on my yard, with snow in the forecast for the next four days! The mountians are to get 2 - 3 feet, yes feet, of new snow! The snow really gets one in the Christmas mood, that's for sure!

Tomorrow we go to the Golden Living Center right after worship to bring presents to the residents and do a little singing of their favorite Christmas songs. They let me sing if I stand way in the back and don't sing too loudly.

Our Candlelight Service is on Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m. We usually pack the place with mostly non Southside members! I love that.

We have six godly shepherds leading our congregation. And I love the fact that the first hour of or meetings we pray for our congregation.

I love the fact that I'm doing ministry in a state that is only 1.2% "christian". I love being on the front lines of the battle.

Expelled

Saw the DVD of "Expelled" this afternoon. Thought it was very well done. The slant that he took of academic freedom is a valid one. I would highly recommend that you rent it.

Started a good book on Andrew Jackson entitled "American Lion". He was one interesting man. Looking forward to learning more about this mythical giant in our history.

The good thing about there not being many good movies out -- it gives one time to read good books! And now they're saying that the actors are going to strike, so all the TV shows may shut down again. I was really looking forward to "24" and "LOST". Oh, well. More time for good books!

If you're in the market for a new Christmas CD, get the new one by Casting Crowns. Love the song about Bethleham sleeping through the birth (the application to America is very sobering).

Still, my favorite Christmas CD is "An Amy Grant Christmas". We decorate our tree every year listening to it. Do you have a favorite Christmas CD?

More from "Eat This Book"

Have you ever read a book that puts into words what you could not? When you pick up the book you think - has the author been reading my mind? A good book is one that after reading it you think to yourself -- I could have written that. But you didn't (and you couldn't).

Here is another great thought from "Eat This Book" by Eugene Peterson:

There is an enormous interest these days in the soul. In the church this interest in the soul is evidenced in a revival of attention in matters of spiritual theology, spiritual leadership, spiritual direction, and spiritual formation. But there is no a corresponding revival of interest in our Holy Scriptures. Spiritual theology, spiritual leadership, spiritual direction, and spiritual formation require that we tend to the work of the Holy Spirit in our individual and corporate, public and political lives. But those who are enthusiastic about this work are frequently, even typically, disinterested in the Holy Scriptures, the book that is given to us by the Holy Spirt. It is a matter of urgency in our souls be matched by an interest in our Scriptures - and for the same reason; they, Scripture and souls, are primary fields of operation for the Holy Spirit. An interest in souls divorced from an interest in Scripture leaves us without a text that shapes these souls. In the same way, an interest in Scripture divorced from an interest in souls leaves us without any material for the text to work on.

Wow!

Eat This Book

I love this passage from Eugene Peterson's book "Eat This Book":

Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians don't simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it; take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism, and justice in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in the company of the Son.

Good stuff! Read that several times. The truth of that paragraph will transform how we see (and treat) the Bible.

Books and football.

Picked up "John Adams" again. This time, I vow to finish it! I loved the mini series. I'm also finishing an audio book on Ben Franklin. Great book. After listening to 1776 on CD, and watching John Adams, I find myself interested in learning about the leaders of the revolution. I'm also reading "George Washington on Leadership". I'm looking for a good book on Thomas Jefferson. Any recommends?

Just started "Eat This Book" by Eugene Peterson. It came highly recommended.

Looking forward to some college football this weekend. Florida should take down 'Bama; Oklahoma will destroy Mizzou. To be honest, I'm getting a little turned off with college football after what happend to Tommy Tuberville at Auburn. He has a 75% winning percentage, yet is fired for one bad season? Are you kidding me? He walks away with a 5.1 million dollar buyout? I'm not an Auburn fan - I'm just not a fan of firing a guy because of one bad season. Good grief.

Florida vs. Oklahoma for the national championship! That would be a great game. (See. My attitude is improving already!)

Texas vs. Utah in Fesita Bowl. Hummmm. That would be an interesting matchup.

Catching up

I know, I know. I haven't posted in a long time. One day became one week. One week became . . . you know how it goes.

I'll try and catch you up on a few things.

Just finished a great Christmas read, "Grace" by Richard Paul Evans. I love all his books. He is best known for "The Christmas Box". Right now I'm reading "Simply Christian" by N.T. Wright; "Rubber Band Leadership' by Nancy Ortberg; "Praying" by J.I. Packer & Carolyn Nystrom; and last, but not least, "Divine Justice" by David Baldacci.

My brother in-law called me a few days ago to tell me that he is taking me to the Holy Land next summer for a ten day tour! Now, that's a good brother in-law! I've always wanted to go. Can't wait! If' you've been and have some tips to share, please pass them on!

Where have all the good movies gone? Haven't been to the theater in almost 2 months. (Well, I did take my kids to see High School Musical 3 - I'm not counting that!). Did see the trailer for "Star Trek" coming out in May '09. Yes, I'm an old Trekkie.

I would ask your prayers for my mother. She is undergoing chemo therapy treatments for ovarian cancer. Her attitude is good. She goes once every three weeks for 18 weeks.

Memorizing Scripture

When I was in college I did a lot of scripture memorization. I remember a final for Jerry Jones was 50 of 100 verses he had us memorize. Since then, I haven't done much of this discipline.

However, the Bible tells us to "have the word of Christ dwell in us richly". I have just begun to spend some time everyday memorize scripture. I have begun to use scripture as prayer. (Psalms are great for prayer!)

My next goal is to memorize all the prayers of Paul. Right now, I'm working on a huge goal that will take several more months to finish. (tell you when I'm done. Several other ministers know of my challenge - I am being accountable to them).

Just do a verse or two a day. Take just 10 minutes to memorize it. Simply put the verse on a notecard and take it with you. Review it on your break. Take a look at it during lunch. When you go to bed.

You'll be amazed at the difference in your attitude. It will affect what you think about. You can join the Psalmist when he says, "I am consumed with longing for your laws at all times."''

Sunday Night Reflections

The highlight today was the baptism of single mother who has been coming ever since the new building was opened last September. This was a great reminder to us of why we're here.

One of our young men read scripture for the first time. Everyone gave him a rousing round of applause. I hope he remembers that moment for the rest of his life.

We had a family come for the first time today because they were told they would be more comfortable at Southside. How sad. Wasn't Jesus comfortable with the outcast? The ones different from the norm?

Preached on giving today. Not everyone's favorite subject. Jesus did talk it about a lot more than we do! We should talk about it more often.

Just another normal Sunday - someone gets reborn; a young man makes a memory; a new family comes; a sermon on giving.

Doubled Small Groups in One Sunday!

We have targeted a few areas that we want those who call Southside home to grow in: Worship, Small Groups and Using their spiritual gifts in one ministry.

This Sunday we had our new small groups launch. I say new because we've tweaked how we do our groups. We now have lessons on DVD. All you need to be a new small group leader is a DVD player. All the "leader" does is press play until the person says "pause and discuss this". (We are in the process of making our own DVD's, but until we do we are using ones by Zondervan).

The response has been incredible! We have doubled the number of groups in one day! Amazing! We have more groups that are ready to birth off when the groups grow to a size that is now longer fits the critera that we've set for our groups. (We had one group that was having between 40-50!)

We are also reducing the size of the groups - putting small back into the equation! 6-12 is the ideal. 20 is the max number that we would like to see in any one group. When it reaches that point - it's time to begin a new group!

Now, we have all kinds of small groups. We have a group of parents that meet McDonald's for lunch. The kids play while the adults visit. (this has been great for new members!) Prayer groups. Study groups. Fellowship groups. Praise team practice is considered a small group. We have women's groups, men's groups, young adults, empty nesters, etc.

We have a good percentage of our members engaged in a small group. Our new members have joined in! Even some second time guests are being drawn into a group!

This is huge for us! We've struggled for years in our small group ministry. Finally, we are seeing excitment for our small groups. Praise God!

recommendations

Seems like good books are like good movies - they all come out at once. Why is that?

Here are great books that I'm currently reading:

"It" by Greg Groeschel. Groeschel's book "Confessions of a Pastor" is on my all time best reading list. This book may join that list.

"Looking For God: An Unexpected Journey through tattoos, tofu & pronouns" by Nancy Ortberg. Nancy is a great story teller. One of my favorite chapters was on pronouns. (Nancy is the wife of John Ortberg, who wrote another favorite of mine "If You Want To Walk On Water You've Got To Get Out of the Boat").

"Axiom" by Bill Hybels. Short, well-written leadership axioms by one of my favorite leaders! I try to limit myself to one a chapter a day, but like Lays Potato Chips, sometimes you can eat just one - you go for more!

"Countdown To Sunday: A Daily Guide For Those Who Dare To Preach" by Chris Erdman. A fresh look at sermon prep from a healthy perspective. Wish I had read these insights when I was first started preaching.

I would also highly recommend the movie "Fireproof". Wow. Made by the same church which produced "Facing The Giants", this movie is a great statement about marriage. If you know a first responder, take them as your guest.

Programs you can't live without?

Just downloaded the sountrack to "John Adams" on the iPod. Excellent! Great study music. I'm one of those who has to have something on all the time. You?

After a lot of my friends have been updating their Plaxo, I decided to use it myself. Anyone else use Plaxo for their calander, contacts, etc.? Do you like it? Dislike it?

What's the programs can you not live without on your computer? For me, Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, NIV Bible Study, Palm Desktop, Google Images, iTunes would be on my must list.

College football season is here! Finally! Can't wait to see what Bobby Petrino does with the Hogs this season. With 26 freshman getting significant playing time, could be a rough year for the Razorbacks given their schedule. The upside will be in a year or two! Oh, baby. Just hope we can keep Petrino that long!

Hope you have a great Labor Day weekend. I have nothing planned, and I hope it stays that way. Time to watch some football!

Tithing Our Time

Dan Kight was at Southside this past weekend encouraging us in ways to make our small groups guest services more effective. He and his wife Vicki minister at the Overland Park Church in Kansas City.

He introduced a great way for us to tithe. Most churches emphasize that we should give 10% of our income (hence the word "tithe" -- "ten percent). He challanged us to tithe our most precious resource -- our time. He said that we should aim to give 10% of our time every week in doing "kingdom things".

He asks two questions: What impact would that have on our schedules? What effect would that have on the kingdom - if we all did that?

Try it this week. Add up the number of hours in the day. Mulitply by seven. You'll find that it's about the equivalent of one day. Hummmm. Now, that sounds familiar.

Tithe your time this week! See what happens! Report back.

catching up!

Haven't blogged in a while, so let's catch up with each other! Had a good summer. Our big trip was to Oklahoma City for a wedding back in June. Spent a few days with my mother in Garland, Texas doing fix it jobs around her house. Just took my oldest daughter back to Oklahoma Christian for her senior year.

Been listening to "The First American" by H.W. Brands on the iPod. Part one is 19 hours! A very enlightening look at one of the most interesting people in our country's history. Right now, I'm reading several good books. "Countdown to Sunday" by Chris Erdman. The subtitle "A daily guide for those who dare to preach" caught my attention.

Really enjoying "If You Lived Here I Would Know Your Name" by Heather Lende. It's a book about small town life in Alaska. The woman writes the obits for the paper. The book is full of their stories. Good stuff.

I'm in the second book of the "redemption" series by Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley.
Just finished "Child 44" about a murder mystery in Russa. I found it interesting to learn about Russa culture during the cold war.

The Dark Knight and Get Smart were my favorite movies of the summer.

Your favorite books/movies of the summer?

tuning out Christian radio?

Do yourself a huge favor by reading this blog post by Chad Hall:

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2008/06/tuning_out_chri.html

He has some challenging thoughts concerning Christian radio! I agree with much of what he has to say.

Your reaction?

A Great Trip

I've been on a ten day trip to Oklahoma and Texas. Dropped my daughter at Camp Zeneth at Oklahoma Christian, then dropped down to see my mother for a few days in Dallas. Did some fix it things around her house and ate some great Tex-Mex. Man, did I eat some great Tex-Mex! We don't have great Mexican food in Salt Lake, much less good Tex-Mex. I do miss it!

We went to the wedding of Savanna Osborn, the daugther of one of our elders here at Southside. The wedding was in Edmond, Oklahoma. She is one of our adopted daugthers- so we had to be there!

It is good to be home! Where are you going on vacation this summer?

Jericho

On a recommendation from a good friend, Scott Warren, I've been watching season 1 of "Jericho". I gotta admit, it's a very good show. My daughter is now watching it with me after she gets home from work. Hey, you gotta grab time when you can.

Rent the series "John Adams" now that it is out on DVD. Very good. Plus, you'll learn some history. Would make a good father's day gift.

Did something that I've wanted to do for a long time but just couldn't muster the guts to do it. I finally did! I went to an ole fashioned barber shop (haircut $10) and got a flat top. I think it looks pretty good. Feels good, too! I'll keep it over the summer, then start growing my winter coat to keep me warm on those cold snowy days.

Second thoughts on my list

I've already added some books to the list. This Present Darkness & Piercing The Darkness are by far my favorite Christian fiction books of all time - yes, including Narnia series. Perhaps a list of my favorite Chrsitian fiction books?

A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm by Philip Kellor has to be on the list! So, add that one. Great, great insights into the Psalm 23. (He also wrote the Good Shepherd - a great book as well!)

I also enjoyed the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Great allegory.

Other books that overlooked?

Top 20 Favorite Books

Here is my list of Top 20 favorite books. Feel free to add to or take away! (I did cheat a little -some have multiple books counted as "one"book. For example, the Ken Gire "Moments" series.) -- Randy

1.) Pour Your Heart Into It by Howard Schultz
2.) Your God is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan
3.) Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli
4.) Confession of a Pastor by Greg Greschel
5.) Visioneering by Andy Stanley
6.) Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
7.) Unnstoppable Force by Erwin McManus
8.) Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
9.) I Just Want To Be A Christian by Rubel Shelly
10) Disappointment With God by Philip Yancey
11) Working the Angles by Eugene Peterson
12) 7 Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley
13) No Wonder They Call Him Savior by Max Lucado
14) Moments With Savior series by Ken Gire
15) Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
16) If You Want To Walk On Water, You've got to Get Out of The Boat by John Ortberg
17) Wild Men, Wild Alaska by Rocky McElveen
18) To Dream Again by Robert Dale
19) God Came Near/On the Anvil by Lucado
20) Houdini Solution by Ernie Schenck

Others: The Imitation Of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis, My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers,

Sunday Night Reflections

Wow. What a weekend! Planting 600 plants, bushes, flowers, etc. over three days. People working together. Sweating together. Talking. Sharing stories. Working on a common goal. I just love it when we are a living, breathing community!

To see all the volunteers it took to put on a yard sale together of that magnitude just brought a smile to my face. We raised over $3,000! The money will go toward buying tables and chairs for the family life center. Again, the working together - building community - is priceless!

We honored our graduating high school seniors today. Our associate minister, Kevin Hooper, did and outstanding job of planning the assembly. Our teens wrote and performed a touching drama. I saw a few tears on the faces as the left the worship center.

This, I think, was a good day. Didn't have anything to do with attendance. Didn't have anything to do with something extra ordinary. It was just a great time for the family of God to work together and honor some of our own who have reached a milestone in their lives. Isn't that what a community is supposed to be and do?

It's almost Monday morning. I'm heading to bed.

A busy day at Southside

Had a great day today! Our church held a yard sale. The proceeds will go toward purchasing 25 round tables and 250 chairs for potlucks, banquets,etc. to be held in the multi purpose center in our new building. Most of the items were sold! The goal was $6,000.

Our men held a prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. Around 9:30 other people came up and along with the men began planting 600 shrubs, plants, rose bushes and flowers on our 6 acre campus. It looks beautiful. We probably had about 40 people helping with the landscaping. Had another 10 or so working on the yard sale. Good to see us working in community with each other! A good day!

Tomorrow we honor our high school seniors. Always a special day.

Anyone seen Prince Caspian yet? Any reviews?

Questions!!!!

It was good to see "The Office" in it's season finale getting back to its old self. Hasn't been the same since the writer's strike. Will Jim ever propose to Pam? Arrgggghhhhh!

Season 4 of "LOST" has been just awesome. Looking forward to that season finale in 2 weeks.


Prince Caspian starts today. Looking forward to seeing that. Won't be this weekend, though. We have a work day at the new building Friday and Saturday (planting 600 flowers, bushes and srubs). At least this should complete the landscaping. We also have a big yard sale on Saturday to raise money to buy round tables for Southside. On top of that, my in-laws are here for the week. SO - the Prince will have to wait.

We have just purchased a M Audio Microtrack II digital recorder. Should make podcasting our sermons a lot easier. The quality of our recording will improve dramatically. Any tips on podcasting? Are there some do's and don'ts?

Can the Jazz force a game 7 with the Lakers? Can the Spurs overcome the sting of the Hornets?

Should be an interesting weekend.

Psalms in the Psummer

A friend of mine suggested that we spell the summer series like this - "Psalms in the Psummer". I like it. It's good to have creative friends.

Really enjoying the book "Made to Stick". Here's an excercise to do: Take 15 seconds. Name all the things that are white in the world. Now, take another 15 seconds - name all the white things in your fridge. Most people come up with the same number of items in both lists. (not the same things, but the same number of things.) Most say that the fridge list is easier to come up with as well. It's all bout focus. It's easier to focus on our fridge than it is the whole world. I find that interesting. The book is great for all communicators - teachers, professors, preachers, etc.

Here's the question of the day: Had a call last night to come and pray with a family from Idaho whose daugther is here for surgery. They asked that I come from across town to pray with them before the surgery. (Being in Salt Lake, I get these kind of calls all the time). This particular hospital has one of the best chaplain programs in the country. Why not ask a chaplain to come down the hall to pray with them? Why do we feel better when "one of our own" prays for us? What does that say about "us"?

$100 Gift Card

If you had a $100 gift card for Amazon.com/Barnes & Noble -- what books would you purchase?

Made To Stick.

Saw "Iron Man" with my daughter - I must admit, liked it more than I thought I would. Good popcorn movie. Could have used more action though.



Right now, I'm reading "Made to Stick". Great book! If you present any material - at church or at work - this would be a great resource. The question the book pursures is this - what makes ideas stick and others disappear? As a minister, I want my ideas to "stick"!

The six traits of a "sticky" idea are: (1) Simplicity, (2) Unexpectedness, (3) Concreteness, (4) Credibility, (5) Emotions, (6)Stories. (SUCCESs). I'll give you a full review when I finish the book.

Also, I've quit reading "Pillars of the Earth". I was trying to avoid the scenes in the book where Follet goes into great detail in the sex scenes, but I felt that I couldn't read it and keep my purity. Plus, the scenes were getting more frequent. Maybe by me reading it I am encouraging others to read it.

Looking forward to the new Baldacci book "The Whole Truth". Should be a good summer read. Always enjoy his books. I've got it on hold at the library.

50 Goals!

I have made 50 new goals - one for every year I have lived. I would highly recommend that you do the same. It's a good excerise. Some are big; some are small. I review them twice a week to keep me on task.

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In a few weeks the summer movies will start rolling out. A few that I am looking forward to are: Prince Caspin, Indiana Jones, Get Smart. All in all, looks to be a disappointing summer season of flicks. Thoughts?

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Is it harder to loose weight or keep it off?

I'm back!

Spent the last week in Dallas doing some odd jobs around my mother's house. It was great to spend a few days with her and eat some good "tex-mex". Some things are just worth the calories! I forgot how much I miss a good cheese enchilada smothered in queso.

Then, I went to Oklahoma City to pick up my daughter at Oklahoma Christian. We cleaned up her apartment (so she could get her deposit back), then hit the road for 20 hours.

Boy, it's good to be home! Seeing those snow covered mountians were a sight for sore eyes.

Working on my sermon series for this summer. We're doing a CBS - combined Bible study - our sermons, adult classes and small groups will evolve around the theme "Psalms in the Summer". Should be a great way to spend our summer!

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Six Razorbacks were taken in the NFL draft. Felix Jones went to the Cowboys! I'm not excited to see Darren McFadden in the Raiders uniform. Oh, well. I'll be a McFadden fan but will continue to hate the Raiders.

Sunday Night Relfections

Finished "The Purity Principle" sermon series this morning with "Getting Radical About Purity". I was really nervous about this series. I studied. I prayed. I read upteen books. I prayed some more. I believe the church needs to talk more about these kinds of issues facing our society.

All of the sermons, along with powerpoint slides (we're working on getting the slides posted) are posted on Southside's website.

We also concluded our shepherd selection process with two new men being affirmed as spiritual shepherds of our congregation. We will now be blessed with 6 men to shepherd, bishop and as elders of the band of believers. I am really blessed to be working with such godly leaders.

Sermons now posted

Some of my most disappointing movies - "Praire Home Companion" is right up there, along with "Eragon" "The Firm" (why make a movie of a book if you change the story?). Have a movie that you were looking forward to yet were disappointed in?

We now have the first two sermons of the Purity Principle now posted on our church's website (www.southsidechurchutah.org).

The NBA playoffs begin this weekend. Have a favorite? The Jazz and Lakers both seem to be hitting their strides. Should be interesting. The champion should come from the west.

Purity Principle

Can't believe it's been almost a month since my last blog. My laptop crashed again -- the fourth hard drive that Best Buy has installed. Thanks to Utah's lemon law -- it happens again and I get a new laptop!

Been preaching on "Purity Principle: God's View of Sex" for the last several weeks. The response has been incredible! They have been recorded. We hope to have them posted on the Southside website very soon.

I've read some great resources for this series. "The Purity Principle," "Passion and Purity" "Sex is not the Problem; Lust Is!" "Techinque to Intimacy" "Interviewing Your Daughter's Dates" are a few of the books I researched for the lessons.

Went to see "Leatherheads" the other night. Pretty disappointing. Can you think of some movies that you had high hopes for but it just didn't deliver for you? What are some of your all time movie disappointments?

It's good to be back.

The Shutdown of Starbucks

Great article by Gordon McDonald (who has written one of my favorite books, Ordering Your Private World). You can read the article at http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2008/cln80317.html then, come back and answer some instrospective questions:

What could your church learn from a "shut down"? How do you think your church could be more relevant to the community you are a part of?

No church banging, please -- that is too easy. Offer positive criticism - concrete ways in which your church could improve.

10 Church Leaders I Would Love to Have Lunch With

Now, here are ten church leaders I would love to have lunch with.


10. Dee Duke. Dee Duke preaches for a church in a small town of 1,000 in the northwest, with an attendance of over 1,800! Prayer, he says, is the key! I would love to learn about prayer from this great prayer warrior! We would just skip lunch and pray!

9. Beth Moore. Love her passion. Love her story. She has touched the hearts of women everywhere. I would love the opportunity to meet the person behind the persona.

8. Rick Warren. Like him or hate him, the man has made a huge impact on the world!

7. John Maxwell. The father of the Christian leadership movement. Who better than to talk about Christian leadership with than John Maxwell?

6. Erwin McManus. The Mosiac Church in LA. Love his vision of doing church in a unique way. The Unstoppable Force is one of my favorite books on church. A real visionary.

5. Landon Saunders, Heartbeat radio ministry. Those not familiar with Landon, he has always been a prophetic voice among us who are in the “churches of Christ”. He is one of the deepest, wisest men I know.

4. Greg Groeschel. Livechurch tv. What an inivator! Love his use of media in worship. Love his book “Confessions of a Pastor”. What a lunch it would be discussing the proper use of media, plus getting tips!

3. Max Lucado. Love his storytelling. Would love to ask him how he came to his current views on baptism, salvation, etc.

2. Andy Stanley. Love his vision; his leadership. His book “Visioneering” is one of my all time favorite books. Love his book on preaching. This would be long lunch!

1. Bill Hybels. Love everything thing he says about leadership and vision.

More Snow!

It snowed a foot at my house on Wednesday night. Between my driveway and the church's sidewalks - I spent a good part of my Thursday shoveling the white stuff.

Have two books to recommend. First, "Between Sundays" by Karen Kingsbury. Using the NFL as the backdrop, Kingsbury reminds us it is what we do between "games" (i.e., assemblies) that matters. Second, "The Shack" is a book I'm currenlty reading. Great read. Both men and women would like both of these novels. Both will be read by our Southside book club.

I've been reading books on Powerpoint lately. One of my goals is the mark of excellence in everything I do - including powerpoint! It has increased the congregations attention to the sermon. Whether we like it or not, we live in a media driven world. You may have noticed the media focus even on this blog with the music in the background. I may be 50, but I'm trying!

I just heard that 50 is the new 40. Amen!

I hope and pray that you and your congregation are lights set on hills!

Top 10 Non Church LeadersTo Have Lunch With

10. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John McCain, -- one of these people will be our new president. Would love a chance to meet the real person and get to know what makes them tick – make a judgment about them for myself rather than getting in through the media.

9. John Wooden. I would love to discuss his views of leadership. Love his triangle of success. A legend of coaching, he would be a phenomenal person to have lunch with!

8. Earl Scruggs. Banjo legend. The stories he could share! Perhaps he could even work in a banjo lesson.

7. Eddie Sutton, Frank Broyles, Rick Schaffer, Houston Nutt, all Razorback heroes. Just think of the stories they could tell! You knew there had to be a Razorback somewhere on this list!

6. Truett Kathy, Founder, Chic-Fil-La. Talk about a guy who takes an idea, keeps it simple, values excellence; values the Lord’s Day – and is still successful! We’d have lunch at his place. Maybe his treat?

5. John Grisham, author. I love his stories. Would love to ask him questions about story telling.

4. Steve Jobs, CEO, Apple. Talk about a creative genius! His work with Pixar and Apple make him one of the most creative leaders on the planet.

3. Jim Collins, author of Good to Great. Good to Great is one of the best books I’ve ever read on creating vision. I just love the whole concept of not being satisfied with being “good”. Churches need that lesson!

2. Dick Winters. Winters is the central leader in “Band of Brothers”. Man, you talk about a man who understands leadership! What a lunch it would be hearing his stories.

1. Howard Schultz. (CEO, Starbucks). This guy knows how to dream! I love his view of the “third place”. I would love to discuss leadership and vision with this man.

Who would be on your list, and why?

sprucing up the ole blog

My thanks to Kevin (through his wife Elise) for helping me spruce up this old blog. He showed me how to play music for you to enjoy while visiting my humble space. Have any suggestions? The tunes will change from time to time.

I've also added a list of books I am currently reading and blogs I visit on a regular basis.

I also hope to add what I'm currently listening to and that kind of stuff.

Received my new Treo phone in the mail today. My old one was ran over about a year ago. And so, I've been saving. Got it with my birthday money. Found a good deal on eBay. I guess getting old does have its upside.

a 2nd mile attitude

I've been a part of a prayer accountability group for a few years now. A part of the covenant is that we pray for an hour a day. Recently, one of our guys has raised the bar. Here's what he is doing - and he challenged the rest of us to do the same. He has an hour of private prayer and day and is aiming for an hour of corporate prayer a day. (He is defining corporate prayer as praying with at least one person).

Beginning this week, I am taking on the challenge myself. It will be a challenge. I have a prayer time with my shepherds on Monday night. Wednesday mornings I pray with some men. Beginning last week, a few of us now pray on Thursdays. SO - I've got to find some people who will pray with me for at least one hour on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The early church met everyday -- why can't we?

I also go from walking a 1.5 miles to 2 miles a day!

What are you doing to "step up" your game this week?

When Can a Person Leave a Church?

I believe that there are valid reasons for a person leaving a church. Here are some valid reasons that I can think of. This is not an exhaustive list by any means. Feel free to add to the list.

The first reason should be obvious. If a church is teaching heresy. Jesus didn't raise from the dead. The Bible is not the inspired Word of God. Jesus really didn't do miracles. There are other teachers on par with Christ. That kind of thing.

Second, when you move to another town. Again, an obvious reason, but just wanted to get it out there.

Third reason would be that you can't follow the leaders of that church. They are not living what they teach, or there is an obvious sin issue that isn't being addressed. They lord it over the flock, etc. That would be a serious issue for me.

That should get the ball rolling. In other reasons that you feel are valid for someone leaving a body of local believers?

When Is It Okay to Leave a Church?

When is it okay to leave one fellowship of believers to go an join another one? Might be good to step back and ask a more fundemental question. Is it okay? It is right? Is it what God intended when he created the church?

When I was the youth minister at the University Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas, people changed church membership as often as they changed their underwear. Or so it seemed. Someone hired a new preacher - off they would go to hear the new voice. A new youth minister? Oh, boy! My kids really like him - "he's awesome!" they would say. A new building? Wow! See ya later. That gym is something else.

We're leaving, but don't take it personal, say they. No hard feelings, we hope.

What I liked about the church here in Salt Lake was the fact that there wasn't a whole lot of Christian churches around. You had to work through your differences. You had to plow through the dry patches.

And now, 15 years later, there have been many church plants to sprout up. Don't get me wrong - I'm all for church planting. We do need more churches! The down side is this - it is now very easy to leave your current church for the newer "more exciting" model across town.

Church shopping has crept into the vocabulary of the church in Salt Lake. Maybe we're just catching up from all those years when we had few choices of where to fellowship. We've become spiritual consumers. What do you offer? Here's what we're looking for - do you have that?


So today, I raise a question: When is it okay to leave a church? IS it okay to leave a church?

I have some thoughts on the subject. I would love to hear yours.

This and That

With the Packers out (can't believe it!) I'll have to root for the Giants. Or, do you pull for New England to pull off the undeafeated season?

Loved the season finale of The Amazing Race. My favorite team, TK and Racheal won the million! Now, we turn our attention to Amercian Idol, LOST, watching "24" Season 6 on DVD.

I'm reading several good books right now. "What On Earth Have I Done" by Robert Fulghum is a good book to read a chapter before going to bed. Also, "Solving the PowerPoint Predicament" is a very informative book that explains the ins and outs of Powerpoint.

Had 9 inches of snow in West Jordan this morning. Spent most of the day shoveling the white stuff here at the house and at the church's building.

A busy weekend

Took the fam to see "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" (the new Veggie Tales movie). The kids loved it! As always with any Veggie Tales movie, it had a great moral.

My daugther's high school band had the honor of playing with the Dallas Brass in a concert on the campus of Univeristy of Utah Friday night. It was an amazing concert! A guy did the most incredible Tuba solo that I've ever heard. Yeah, the Tuba! If you can make the Tuba cool, you've pulled off a miracle.

The Amazing Race is almost over! Can't wait till the finale next week. We're pulling for TK and Rachel.

During the holidays my daugthers had me watch all three seasons of "The Office". I just started season six of "24". So good so far. Question: during the writers strike are there any other shows I can watch on DVD? I've heard that Jericho, and Journeyman are good shows. Any other recommends?

I'm looking forward to see some new "LOST" eposides. The question is - how many will we seet? Just wish that "24" would make it for a new season. Doesn't look good.

Started a two part series today "Confessions of a Minister". Got the idea from the book by Greg Groeschel "Confessions of a Pastor". It was an overwhelming response. It's amazing what happens when we really talk about the things that matter.

My Cowboys are out of the playoffs. The Colts are gone. Guess I'll become a Packers fan. Who are root against Brett Farve?

Left Out Some Great Books!

To Elise: You can hijack this blog any time!! I can't believe that I left out the Home to Harmony series of books by Philip Gurley. Love every book! Great story telling. A lot like the Mitford series, which I love, too! Must be gettin' old. "The Postcard" is a wonderful book as well. (I like book about Amish people and their culture.)

My wife's favorite is "The Blue Bottle Club". She doesn't do a lot of reading, but she loves that one! Everyone she has recommended it to has brought back a favorable response.

I've been listening to the book of Ezekiel from the "Bible Experience". Pretty cool. The Bible Experience was recorded by African American actors, which bothers me a little bit -but I've really enjoyed what little I've heard so far. I put it on my iPod which makes the Bible easier to listen to while I work or walk. You can get each book by itslef off iTunes without buying the whole Bible. Each book is $3.95. Check it out!

Hope your new year is off to a good start.

Christian Fiction

I love to read. In the last few years there have been some really good fictional books written that have a Christian bent to them. Like any other genre, some are good; some are bad!

As I promised on December 11 (my last post!?) Here is a list of some of my favorite Christian Fiction books:

This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti
Piercing The Darkness by F. Peretti
The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
Redeeming Love by F. Rivers
And The Shofar Blew by Rivers
You Are Special by Max Lucado
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hunnard
Love Comes Softly Series (Rivers)

Have heard that Karen Kingsbury is a good writer. Anyone have a book of hers to recommend?

I love a good political thriller - like Grisham, Baldacci. Question: is there a "Christian" writer that writes a compelling thriller?

I didn't care for the Left Behind Series. I read the first five then lost interest.

Seems that most Christian fiction is meant for women. Why is that?

What is your favorite Christian fiction book?

Must Read Books

Before I give my list of must read books, I must give a movie recommendation. Go see "August Rush"! One of the best movies I've seen in years. You'll be cheering at the end! You want to applaud when the credits roll. How long has it been since you wanted to do that? Take a date to see this great movie.

MUST READ BOOKS. Okay, I know that I will forget one or two - but here it goes. Here is my must read Christian book list. These are not for preachers, but for everyone to read!


ABC’s of Christianity Rubel Shelly
I Just Want to be a Christian by Rubel Shelly
Experiencing God
Your God is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan
Simply Christian by N.T. Wright
It’s Not About Me by Max Lucado - any book by Lucado!
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowell
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Any you would like to add to the list?

Next: My favorite Christian fiction books!

List of must reads list?

A man has been attending Southside for about a year. He was raised LDS but has now embraced Christianity. He asked me last night for Christian books he should read. Good question!

While I'm compiling my list, I would love for you to weigh in on what books would be on your must read list.

Give me your top 10 (or 15 - how many you want!).

50 new people in 2 months!

Go to livechurchtv.org and check out Greg Groeschel's blog on "40 Things I Wish Pastor's Would Have Told Me When I Was 20". Classic! He's up to number 20. If you are a pastor (minister), this list will resonate with you!

Trying to get my One Year Bible reading up to speed. I got really behind during our construction on the new building. Don't know if I'll make it up; but I'm going to give it the ole college try.

We've been in the new building for about 2 months. So far, we've gained about 50 new people! We've got our guest services going full throtle; our follow up is going great; getting our 101 back on track. I've been preaching on "Simple Church" and the reaction has been incredible!

Now, we are trying to get most, if not all, invovled in a small group. We have an ice cream social with our newcomers planned for this Sunday. They will meet all the elders and the ministry team leaders. We follow up with a 101 seminar in the new year.

Who will the Hogs hire to replace Huston Nutt? I'm hearing Tommy Bowden from Clemson. Boy, I would not be excited about that hire. Give the job to Chris Peterson from Boise, or Gus Mulzhan - and see what happens! Take a chance!

Confessions Of A Pastor

Reading "Confessions of a Pastor" by Greg Groescheil. Wow! What a powerful book. Greg is a pastor (i.e., "minister") of a cutting edge church in Edmond, Oklahoma. He has written a book that EVERY minister you know can relate to. He has written what many of have been thinking but were afraid to share it. Well, Greg does! He writes in an honest, confessing tone.

Some of the chapter titles: "I have to work hard at being sexually pure," "I can't stand a lot of christians," "I worry most of the time," "I feel completely inadequate" "I'm afraid of failure"
"I stink at handling criticism" "Most of the time I feel incredibly lonely" and more!

Have you ever read a book and thought, man, this writer has been reading my mind - this book is one of those books! This book should be required reading for ministers.

If you have a minister on your Christmas list (and who doesn't?), please buy them this insightful book.

Thanksgiving thoughts

Many times I dwell on the things that I wished I could do but can't: Ride my bike with no hands; sing, play the banjo like Earl Scruggs, -- but this day makes me stop and give thanks for what I do have. I have a lot to be thankful for.



Hope you have enjoyed a great Thanksgiving holiday. We joined the Osborn's (we have 13 of the last 14 years) in hosting several families who do not have family close by. This year we had about 23 people. We've had as many as 48 in years past! It's one of our annual traditions.



Had our annual "Pie Night" at Southside. We had close to 300 come and enjoy the 95 pies! Our praise team did a great job of singing; many, many guests came! Now, that's "a win"!



Had a great time watching the LSU vs. Arkansas with several good friends of mine. Wow! What a game! Couldn't believe the Hogs pulled it out! Maybe McFadden also won a Heisman as well! Hope so.



Took by seven year old daughter to see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium today. Good movie. At least we both enjoyed it.



Looking forward to seeing "Enchanted" and "August Rush". I like it when Hollywood makes movies I can see with my children.

Who Can Be a Prophet? What is the goal of preaching?

Who can be a prophet -- who is qualified "preach the word"? Read this challenging words from William Willimon:

The purpose of my preaching, the test of a "good" sermon, is its ability to be enlisted by God as part of God's prophet-making process. God intends to have a people who speak the truth, who testify to the world of God's great, loving assult upon the world. As Moses put it, "Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!"

In Acts 2, the pentecostal test for prophecy is not how outrageous we preachers have managed to be in the pulpit but rather how many people we have produced who are able to say, NO: people who speak the truth to power, people who can go up and stand before the Pharaoh and impudently tell him that he is not fully charged in the world - old men and women, janitors and maids with visions and dreams who don't mind telling the world about them.

From my reading of Acts 2 and Luke's account of the birth of the church, I derive a few principles for prophecy: (1) The Spirit has given the world a prophetic community, not simply a few outspoken social critics; (2) the goal of the Spirit's descent is the creation of a polis, a people who look, speak, and act differently from the world's notions of community; and (3) No individual prophets are possible without the existence of a peculiar prophetic community whose life together is vibrant enough to produce a band of prophets who do not mind telling the truth to one another and to the world, no matter what.

The goal of our pastoral care, preaching, visitation, prayer and praise is the production of a whole gaggle of prophets who will let God use them to get back what God owns.

Wow! I love that! Does that encourage you today? Yes! It is more than just creating "good" sermons -- finding that story that everyone will love. It is much deeper than that! Is your ministry producing prophets who live out the gospel during the week?

That's the question we should be wrestling with!

Open House/Dedication Sunday

We had our community open house last Saturday. We invited the community in to see our new building. The West Jordan Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon cutting to open things. We had 500 people to come and visit! A number of them expressed that they hadn't been active in a fellowship in a long time and felt the need to do so. Many came on Sunday!

On Sunday we had our day to dedicate our new facility to the Lord's use. We had 365 in worship! About 200 stayed for the potluck. We had over 14 first time guests! (Most were from our open house). Many of them stayed for the potluck.

Wow! What a day! I especially liked what one guest wrote in our guest book, "You are some super friendly people!" It's one thing to say that you have a friendly church; quite another to have a first time guest say it!

Now, I embark on a four part series "Simple Church". I will attempt to bring us back to imitating Jesus two commandments! I'm praying that we, along with our guests, will get a fresh glimpse of Jesus' radical vision of what his church is to be.

Really enjoying reading "UnChristian". Good stuff!

McFadden back in Hesiman?

It was good to see Darren McFadden & Felix Jones run for a combined almost 500 yards of rushing Saturday night for my Hogs. Hopefully, McFadden will get back in the Heisman running.

This coming weekend is our grand opening weekend. We have a ribbon cutting open house on Saturday; a dedication/homecoming on Sunday - complete with a potluck! Should be a busy week getting all that planned and implemented.

Finally, I get time to read Harry Potter 7! Also, I will start reading the book "UnChristian: What the next generation is saying about Christianity". Looking forward to it. Next on my list is "Confessions of a Pastor".

A Divine Conversation

A quote from "Proclamation and Theology" by William Willimon concerning the dialogue we have with God:

"John says that the risen Christ stood among them and said, "Peace." He spoke to them.

Why would the risen Christ appear first to these fearful ordinary men and women, his disciples, who had demonstrated so conclusively their failure to follow him and be his courageous disciples? Why would the risen Christ not appear to some powerful, influential, public figure like Pilate or Augustus?

He came to the ones who had fled the conversation once the going got tough. He came to the very ones who had so disappointed and forsaken him, those whom he had so patiently taught and yet who had so patently misunderstood his every word. He came to them and said, in effect, "Let's talk. As I was saying . . ."

And thus the church was born, and thus we were all made witnesses or resurrection and preachers of the good news.

And the conversation was resumed. Time and again in our history with the God of the church and Israel, when we have betrayed the love of God with our infidelity, when we have misunderstood, when we have fled into the darkness or stopped up our ears and hardened our hearts, this God has returned to us and has resumed the conversation.

In that divine-human dialogue, in that conversation, this God has proved to be remarkably resourceful and imaginative, full of stratagems and devices - the Incarnation, Word Made Flesh, beging the most imaginative of all. There is a relentlessness about the speech of God, an effusive loquaciounsess, a dogged determination not to rest, not to fall silent, not to cease striving until every single one of us is part of the conversation.

Therein is our hope. Here is a a divine-human dialogue that is initiated and , at every turn in the road sustained, by a living, resourceful, long-winded God, thank God."

Isn't that good news?

Funny video

Here is the link to a very funny video from youtube. The woman is a Christian comedian. I think you'll enjoy it. All moms and dads will get a kick out this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGoelj7l668&mode=related&search=--

Who will win the World Series? My heart says the Rockies; but my head says the Red Sox. Should be a entertaining world series.

We're planning our open house weekend on Nov.10,11 to celebrate our new building. We'll have an open house/ribbon cutting on Saturday followed by a dedication service on Sunday. Should be a great opportunity to invite the community.

This weekend we install our dual projectors for the worship center. We will also get our banners and other stuff up on the walls. When we're done I'll post some pictures.

A different kind of parent meeting!

Just watched the DVD of Landon Saunders' keynote at ACU Lectures in September "Night Without Vision" from Micah 3. Landon has not lost his fire, that's for sure! Get on the ACU website and order it! You'll be challenged and encouraged. (Be a great thing to show to your small group and discuss).



Our associate minister called the teen parents together yesterday. It wasn't a "planning meeting" but a "praying meeting". We as parents shared the struggles of our teens. He handed us each three teens for us to be praying for. We then prayed for 45 minutes for our teens! Spent about five minutes planning activities. Now, that's my kind of parent meeting! He plans on having these on a monthly basis. Love it!



Looking forward to attending the Zoe Conference in Fresno in January. Our worship planning team is going with me. Really looking forward to that.

Candlelight on Christmas Eve or not?

I've picked my sermon series for this fall - a four or five part on the church I'm calling "The Church: God's Simple Ideas" - then, after Thanksgiving I'm planning a four part series on the temptations entitled "Pause".

This year we're thinking of doing our candlelight service, which we normally have on Christmas Eve, on the Sunday morning at our regular assembly time. We hope that many of our spiritually single families can bring their spouses to this special service. The candlelight is a lot work. We can't think of a single person who has been reached through the candlelight service on Christmas Eve.

It's one of those tough questions - do you just do it because a lot of people enjoy it? The church should be about making disicples. If this event isn't doing that, isn't the question already answered? Or it is that simple?

We're about 80% moved into the new building. The new grass is beginning to grow. The landscaping is taking shape. Looking forward to getting all this behind us.

Trip To Arkansas

Just returned from a trip to Arkansas for the Auburn game. One of the worst games I have ever watched. I had a feeling we would loose the game, but I went to see Darren McFadden make some of his famous runs. He only had 30 yards rushing. Unbelievable! I did enjoy seeing my daughter, my two brothers, my first game at Fayetteville and spending four days with my good friend Scott Warren. And, oh, the catfish at the Catfish Hole was incredible.

The Hogs could go 0-7 in the SEC this year. McFadden has lost all hope of winning the Hiesman. No SEC title. No bowl game. These are truly dark days in Hogville. However, the roundball Razorbacks are picked to win the west and go to the sweet 16 by one preseason basketball magazine. I hope so.

Go Rockies!

This n' That

Saw a really good movie on DVD called "Believe In Me". It's based on the true story of a girls high school basketball coach in Oklahoma around 1964. A female version of "Hoosiers". The whole family will enjoy this one.

Caught Todd Agnew in concert a few days ago. Wow, can that boy preach! His music isn't bad either. If you get a chance, go see him concert, if nothing else for the good preaching!

Just ordered a copy of Landon Saunders' keynote at the ACU lectures. Can't wait to hear it. Anyone remember Landon's seven part series on preaching he did back in the '70's? Know how one could secure a copy of them?

Fall in Utah is my favorite time of year. Thing is, we've gone fromsummer right into winter. Tonight's projected low is 34, with snow falling on the valley floor all day Saturday into Sunday. That's just wrong. Flat wrong.

In the new digs!

Had our first worship assembly in the new building this past Sunday! It was exciting. Had a great crowd, with a lot of first time guests! Felt a little funny not preaching two times!

We couldn't have classes. The Temporary Permit didn't allow for us to be in the educational wing. We received that permit yesterday. This Sunday will be our first time to have Sunday School in over a month.

This week we are busy moving in the church and the school. Next week should be a return to somewhat of a "normal" rountine around the building.

Looking forward to getting back to having time to read and reflect. Spend some evenings with the family.

Just finished season four of "24". Oh, it was very good. Season 3 is still my favorite. On to season 5 (or day 5 if you prefer). Watched the first one. My word! The first fifteen minutes changed the whole scope of "24". Which is what I like about the show - you never know who is going to survive!

Moving In!

We just received our TO (temporary occupancy permit) for our new building, which means that we can have worship there on Sunday. Can't have classes yet. We will get our final inspection on Wednesday, then we can use the whole building! Yea!

It has been a long process! Can't believe that we broke ground way back in March. I'll post some pictures soon

Needless to say, my movie watching and my reading time have gone by the wayside the last few months. Anything good I've missed? How bout 3-10 to Yuma?

Good to see a new season has begun. Can't wait to watch Bones, House, LOST, "24", Survivor . . Any new shows look good to you? I'm think I'm done with Prison Break. It's not working for me anymore. Seems to have lost it's tension - or is it just me? I might try Numbers - I've heard good things. Too late to get into Heroes?

I've heard that LOST doesn't start until next Feburary? Good thing - no stops in new shows until the end of May. Long time to wait!

Power lines

Received some GREAT news yesterday! The city of West Jordan has been insisting for the last six months that we bury a power line on our property, although it is a line that we would not use! Cost? Between 50 and 100,000 dollars! We were on the agenda for the city counsel meeting Wednesday night to discuss our objections to the power line.

Some men gathered early Wenesday morning to pray about his matter. A few hours later - the city attorney called to say that he agreed with us! No buried power line! Praise God! A weight lifted off our shoulders!

We're just about a week away from getting our occupancy permit. One more week worshiping at Oquirrh Elementary then we're in the new building!

Carpet is almost all installed. The ceiling tiles go in today in the foyer and classrooms. The foyer bathrooms are almost done - just a little more grouting and a few unirals to go! Almost there!

Saturday we hope to have 100 people for a workday - finishing up some landscaping details and beginning the final clean up.

Stitches in two fingers!

Had a great time of worship at Oquirrh Elementary on Sunday. Our church is homeless for a few weeks as we wait for our building to be completed. Had a great crowd; good spirit in worship; people hung around until I asked them to leave because our time was up (according to our rental aggrement). I really like the times we worship "off site" - church in the park, at the school. Does your congregation ever worship out of it's building?

I received nine stitches in two fingers while putting the light canisters in the ceiling frame on Friday afternoon. It's the most serious accident we've had on site; so, I guess we've been very blessed with safety during construction.

We planted 103 trees on Saturday! 23 churches bought trees for our "unity forest"! We're hoping the media will cover the story, including KLOVE.

Reading any good books?

Rambling

I was hoping to get to the ACU lectures next week; however, with the construction nearing completion I thought that I better stay here and keep the home fires burning. If anyone goes, let me know what CD's to order.

Learned to lay tile yesterday. Always good to learn a new skill. I'll put that on top of installing OSB board, putting up rock facia and now - laying tile. A brother always needs new skills.

I'm up to season 4 of "24". My goal is to get up to season 7 by January. Loved season 3! Holy cow! Each eposide was tense and exciting with a lot of surprised along the way.

Me and good buddy ( a baptist pastor here in Salt Lake) are heading to Fayetteville, Arkansas for the Arkansas vs. Auburn game Oct.13. Can't wait! We're making it a razorback road trip. My brother lives close by in Hogeye. Haven't see a Razorback game live in a long time. Looking forward to watching Darren McFadden/Felix Jones/Payton Hillis tear it up. WPS!!

A Moving Day

Yesterday was our last worship assembly in our old building. We had a great time of worship with Valley Christian Church. Valley is the church that purchased our building. Their minister, Kent Turpin, was brought to the Lord through the Southside Church twenty years ago. Now, that's a God thing!

Lew Hancock, the first "part-time" minister came and shared some memories with us. Kent spoke of Valley's vision for the future. A very moving assembly! It is amazing our attached we get to places and buildings! Lots of memories in that place!

As soon as the closing song was over, we began loading a semi-truck with all our belongings. The move went very smoothly as we had over 100 that pitched in to help! I love it when a community acts like a community!

Carpet goes in today at the new building! Interior doors are being hung. The landscaping is going in as well. Saturday we will plant over 50 trees - including about 25 churches who have bought a tree and are coming Saturday to plant them! Now, THAT's a God thing! I call it our "unity forest". We hope to get some good media coverage, including KLOVE.

Posting Again!

It's been a very hectic summer getting this building constructed. We've done a lot of the work ourselves, which has been taxing - but as brought a sense of community which has brought us all closer together.

We're in the final stages. Painting. Laying tile. Putting in the springler system. That kind of thing. Our goal is to be in by Sept.16th. Don't think we'll make it. If not, we will worship at Oquirrh Elementary, kittly corner to our building, for a few weeks.


Just saw the movie "September Dawn". The movie is about the Mountian Meadows Massacre which occured in southern Utah in 1857. 127 men, women and children were shot down in cold blooded murder (it was a wagon train from Arkansas). If you have an interest in Mormon history, I would encourage you to go see it.

What is your favorite movie of the summer so far?

In a few weeks we are planting trees on the new property. The cool thing about that is about 20 churches have bought trees and are coming to plant them on the 15th of Sept. I love that! There is a lot of symbolism in that! If your church would like to give a tree, just let me know.

Can't believe I haven't posted since July 23! Where did the summer go?!

Thoughts on Preaching

Jesus was primarily a story teller. No question. He used familiar themes (nets, pearls, fishing, etc) and gave them new meaning. His parables were very simple, easy to understand stories. Some were humorous. Some were sad. They all had a shock value - introducing the new values of the Kingdom of God into the world.

A few Sundays ago I was telling a story for the "sermon". Got a note from one of our visitors - it read, "I don't come to hear about personal stories! We've all got stories. Not enough Bible. Needed more Bible!" A few years ago a retired "gospel preacher" told me that I would make a fine gospel preacher one day myself if I would just quit telling so many stories and start "preaching". (I ask him to go to the gospels and count how many stories Jesus told versus how many "sermons" he preached. He never got back to me.)

Now, this person didn't qualify what "enough" would have been. (I used three verses). Being a older Christian (I would put her in her mid 70's) - I realize that she comes from a different generation - and being a "lifer" in the "c of C" - I realize that comes with some built in slants as well.

However, I even began my "story" with the thought that Jesus was a story teller. And in that vain, let me tell you a story . . . .

Sometimes we say that we want to do things just like Jesus. Many times we just don't mean it. I think we do that we a lot of things, don't we?

VBS and other things

Another VBS is over. I must say, we do a good VBS! Last night we capped it off with the Carnival in the Park. Now we turn our attention to packing up the building. Next week we put the rock facia on the new building. Things are really coming along! Go to our website to see the progress (www.southsidechurchutah.org)

I'm well into the second season of "24". Looking forward to getting the 7th and final Harry Potter book tonight. My daughters are excited about the movie "Hairspray". Oh, boy.

Won't get in a vacation in this summer. Where have you gone this summer?

Great idea for your cell phone!

Went to Target yesterday. Found software called "Ringfactory" for $9.99. It turns any music on your PC into a ringtone! You can even pick the part of the song you want as your ringtone! That's pretty neat!



Verizon charges $2.99 to download a song, plus $1.00 a month. This is $10 for unlimited downloads with no monthly charge! Now, that is a beautiful thing!



Yesterday, I downloaded the Andy Griffith theme song as my ringtone! Yeah, baby, that's what I'm talking about! Today, I'm putting on the Arkansas fight song so when Scott Warren calls me (a fellow Hog fan) I will hear the ole fight song to let me know who is calling.



If you're on Verizon, you may want to check out this cheap alternative to creative ringtones for your cell phone.

Checking in !

Haven't posted for a while, so thought I would check in! It's been one of those summers. We're providing volunteer labor on our construction of our new church building. We also have VBS going on right now. That takes a lot of time. We always wind up VBS with a Carnival in The Park. If that is not enough, we are beginning to pack everything up in the current building!

Right now, I'm reading "Made to Stick" by Chip Heath & Dan Heath. A great book for all communicators. I'm also reading "Life of Pi". Haven't made my mind up on the book yet. Has anyone read it? Can't wait to get the final Harry Potter book on Friday night. I always go to the midnight party with my daughter. We have a great time.

Did catch "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" last week. While not my favorite HP movie, it served the book well. Enjoyed "Transformers" more than I thought I would. Did finish the first season of "24" on DVD. WOW!! I've already started season two. I hope to have watched all six seasons before season 7 begins.

What are you doing this summer? Its time to check in!

Anonymous

Have a great book to recommend. Right now I'm reading "Anonymous: Jesus' Hidden Years" by Alicia Britt Chole. She writes in a thoughtful, reflective tone. Here is a sample:

10% visible + 90% unseen = an indestructible life

Icebergs do not grow their virtually indestructible strength top down, but bottom up. Over countless millennia, falling snow melts and refreezes layer upon layer, creating enormous ice sheets over land and extending ice shelves over the sea. When chunks break off these icy masses they are referred to as icbergs and are monitored closely because of their profound effect upon sea life and shipping.

The point being that an iceberg's strength does not emerge overnight but grows slowly, layer upon layer, over time. Likewise, Jesus' spiritual reslove did not suddenly materialize the moment he stepped into the desert. His ability to throw out an anchor in God's Word and reposition his roaring feelings behind God's will was not an istant acquisition. That strength had been growing steadily in unapplauded places as Jesus developed a severely underrated value.

More tomorrow.

Back to Blogging!

Had one of those weeks! The garbage disposal went out. The dishwasher went out. The in-laws were here for the week. You get the picture!

Had a special contribution for our building project yesterday. The goal was $50,000. We collected $90,000!!! A lot of people sacrificed to make this happen! Even better, we're getting a lot of fringe people to come and volunteer some time on the building. (We're doing a lot of sweat equity). Some of our new members are volunteering too! Love it.

BUT - we are also having a booth at the Western Stampede Days in West Jordan, VBS is going forward! Our children's ministry is having Kid's Kamp on Sunday mornings, our women's ministry is hosting a women's day in August at Valley Assembly since our building will be in shambles with packing! We are not just about the building this summer!

The van was totaled. We're now trying to decide what to replace it with. We are leaning toward a Honda Odyssey. A friend of mine will sell me a brand new one for cost. (Still expensive!) I think we'll go for it. Just trying to get over having a car payment again after a few years without one.

I am back to driving a pick up! A member of Southside gave me (yes, gave me!) a 1997 Ford F150 pick up in excellent condition. A lot of people told me that it looks natural for me to be behind the wheel! First thing I had to do? Put a Razorback sticker on the back window. Now I just need to find a gun rack at a garage sale and I'm all set.

Hey, you can take the boy out of Arkansas, but you can't take Arkansas out of the boy!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Just want to wish all the Fathers a Happy Father's Day tomorrow. I think my family picked me up a copy of "Blazing Angels" for my Father's Day present. (It is a game for the Wiii; you fly war world two planes. Pretty cool!).

The last time I celebrated Father's Day was 1974. A few weeks later, my father passed away at age 41 of a cerebral hemmorage of the brain. I still miss him. I can still hear his voice. I can smell him. I can still hear his laugh.

I see my dad in certian expressions on my kids faces. He would have been a fun grandparent.

More and more, I see that I am becoming just like my dad in the things I say and do. I sure hope so.

I'm hooked

A friend of mine and I started watching "24" season one last night. Neither one of us had ever watched an episode. This conversation started at prayer breakfast a few weeks ago - we were bemoaning the lack of good shows to watch in the summer.
So, we made a pact to watch "24" to see what all the buzz was about. He found the first season DVDs for $19.99; I found season two for $16.99. We took it as a sign that we should indeed begin watching. We watched the first two episodes last night. Holy cow! We are both hooked!
Only 22 hours to go to finish day one.
Our goal is to get caught up by the time the new season starts! We got a lotta "24" to go! Any of you "24" fans?

Trying to rest up from being rear ended at a stop light last night! I think the van is totaled. I was trying to be a good husband and fill up my wife's minivan. A guy in a old Ford 150 smacked in the rear, sending me into the pickup in front of me. Both the back and front are pretty banged up. Sad thing is, the van was paid off last year and we were hoping to get at least 4 years of no car payments. Oh, well. I'm a little stiff and sore but nothing serious. A few trips to the ole chiopractor (spelling?) are probably in my future.

Construction is coming along on the new building. Tomorrow we start putting OSB board on the studs. We're doing it with all volunteer labor (us!). Just go to www.southsidechurchutah.org to see the latest updates on the construction.

Pilgrims Progress?

Nathaniel Philbrick offers this insightful description of the Pilgrims view of the church when they were are deciding whether to go to the New World or stay put:

Catholics and more conservative Protetants believed that the traditions of the church contained valid, time-honored additions to what was found in the Bible. Given man's fallen condition, no individual could presume to question the ancient, ceremonial truths of the established church.
But for the Pilgrims, man's fallen nature was precisely the point.
A Purtian believed it was necessary to venture back to the absolute beginning of Christianity, before the church had been corrupted by centuries of laxity and abuse, to locate divine truth. In lieu of time travel there was the Bible, with the New Testament providing the only reliable account of Christ's time on earth while the OT contained a rich storehouse of still vital truths. If something as not in the scriptures, it was a man-made distortion of what God intended. At once radical and deeply conservative, the Puritans had chosen to spurn thousands of years of accumalted tradition in favor of a text that gave them a direct and personal connection with God.
A Puritan had no use for the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, since it tampered with the original meaning of the Bible and inhibited the spontaneity that they felt was essential to attaining a true and honest glimpse of the divine. Puritans refused to kneel while tking communion, since there was no evidence that the apostles had done so during the Last Supper. There was also no biblical precent for making the sign of the cross when uttering Christ's name. Even more important, there was no precedent for the system of bishops that ran the Church of England. The only biblically sanctioned organizational unit was the individual congregation.
(pp, 8,9 "Mayflower).

Boy, that has a familiar ring to it, doesn't it? Fellow Pilgrims, have we made any progess in discarding traditions that have nothing to do with God's word?

Recommendations and reflections

Got a movie for you to go see. "Gracie" is based on the true life experience of actress Elizebeth Shue. She was the first girl to out for the boys soccer team in her high school in 1978. Dads, take your daughters to see this movie! You will be inspired.

Have a couple of books to recommend as well. "Mayflower" is a fasinating account of the pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower to settle in the New World. 'The Heavenly Man" is the story of one man's experience of being a minister in communist China. After reading this, you will not complain about anything! Both would make great summer reads. Have a book to recommend?

Went to the Truth Project workshop this past weekend. Awesome! Produced by Focus on the Family, it is designed as a small group study to encourage a Christian world view. Dr. Tel Tackett does a marvelous job of leading you through 7 basic areas in which we need a christian perspective. You have to attend a workshop to get a copy of the DVD set (which is included in the price of the workshop). I highly recommend this material!!! The production values are what you would come to expect from Focus on the Family.

Half time report

The year is nearly half over. I was just taking stock of how I'm doing on my new years resolutions. I lost my weight - in fact, I've already gained back about 5 pounds! SO - back on the diet as of today. I'm caught up in my One Year Bible reading. That's good. Those were my two big goals this year.

My ministry goals are also going very well. One was to get our new building completed - we should be in it by Sept.1! The worship planning team is going very well. We had a very successful bring your neighbor day. One thing we haven't done on the ministry goals is to get our guest services ministry up and going. Time to refocus on that!

In the prayer accountability group that I am in, we have five personal goals and five ministry goals that we review twice a week. It really helps to maintian those goals so you can prioritize time and keep focused on what is really important.

This Sunday marked the beginning of my fifthteenth year at Southside. God has indeed been good. I think our best days as a church are yet ahead of us.

People who have inspired me

My daughter told me that I was whinning in my last post. That wasn't my intent. I was trying to point out that preachers do a lot more stuff than people realize.



The USA Today ran an article for its 25th anniversary to site the people that have inspired them over the last 25 years. Some great names were on the list: people of flight United 93, Lance Armstrong, "Mattie", Oprah, Nelson Mandella, etc.



Got me to thinking about the people that have inspired me. (Jesus is a given). Here is a few on my list - in no order of importance following my parents and children :



1.) My father and mother.

2.) My children

3.) George Washington

4.) Abraham Lincoln

5.) Ronald Reagan

6.) Jerry Jones (teacher, mentor)

7.) Jimmy Allen (professor in college)

8.) Mrs. Howerton (my high school biology teacher)

9.) Bill Hybels

10.) Mrs. Humphrey (5th grade teacher)

11.) Norman Dale
12.) Brick Hendricks
13.) Ruby Bridges
14.) T.L.Spears
15.) Billy Blakney
16.) Max Lucado
17.) Alexander Campbell
18.) George Baldwin
19.) Lillie Rucks
20.) Lucille Walls
21.) Marcille Breeding
22.) Steve Saint
23.) "Mattie"
24.) JFK
25.) Martin Luther King, Jr.
26.) Marvin Phillips
27) Randy & Martha Crider
28.) Jackie Robinson
29.) People of United 93
30.) Jim Cymbala
31.) Steve Osborn
32.) Ann Kullberg
33.) Rick Atchley
34.) Mike Cope
35.) Harry Fox
36.) Chuck Mix
37.) George Patton
38.) Ben Franklin
39.) Harold Abrahams
40.) Steve Meeks
41.) Marshal Keeble
42.) Rick Warren
43.) Clint O. Crowe
44.) Erwin McManus
45.) Andy Stanley

I'm sure I'll think of a few more - right after I push the "publish" button. Here's a question worth pondering today - you has inspired you? and why?

What does a preacher do anyway?

I've been asked the question a million times - just what does a preacher do anyway, besides just working for one hour on Sunday?

Saturday (day off, right? It's a holiday weekend!) - we have a celebration for our high school graduates. Lasted about 2 hours. Our youth committee did a great job!

This past Sunday we only had one worship assembly (holiday weekend), with class at the normal time (10:15 a.m.) "Boy, Randy had a day off today!" What they don't know is that I was at the building at 7:45 a.m. to rearrange the chairs so I could get about thirty more chairs from the storeroom to allow for the one service. I then dowloaded my powerpoint slides, got the DVD I was using as an illustration all set; then downloaded the worship slides from gmail. That was all set. By now - it's about 9:00 a.m.

Saw that my secretary forgot to print the children's bulletins. I run them through the copier (both sides) and folded them. Time is now about 9:20 a.m.

While I'm doing this, the person in charge of the praise team asked me if I had a couple of minutes to help her do a mike check - she forget to tell the sound person to be there early. No problem I tell her - I've got all the time in the world!

I unlock all the doors for the building. Check the thermostat to a cool 68 - with a packed room it will get hot in a hurry.

Go to the kitchen to prepare the Lord's Supper. Our small group was in charge this month - so I go back to do that. Since we're having one service - we'll need two more trays of everything.
Time is now about 10:00 a.m.

During the class I take about five minutes to look over my sermon notes.

After class its apparent that we have a ton of guests! Need more chairs! A few guys see me getting folding chairs from the classrooms and pitch in to help!

Get a call that I'm to be in charge of the silt fence that surrounds the construction of our new building. That requires a staple gun and hammer. Got both so I'm qualified. Actually, I live just two blocks from the site ( I was NOT on the land committee!) - so I get volunteered for a lot of things. (For example, a few weeks ago I was called on to water the entire six acres with a fire hose for my Friday night's excitement!)

Monday morning (day off, right? ) I go to the building to put up the extra chairs and return th e folding chairs to their classrooms as our Christian school will need them. Have a nice picnic with a life group at a city park. I go back to the building around 10:15 p.m. to meet Won by One from Pepperdine and get them to their houses. night. They will sing for us on Tuesday Get home around 11:00 p.m.

It's good that I have a Master's Degree in Bible, otherwise I wouldn't be qualified to do these things! Actually, I'm like most preachers. A lot of what we do doesn't invovle our training. We just serve and do a lot of the day to day things that need to be done that no one will ever notice. Its not exciting work most of the time.

I do love what I do. I love ministry.

I do live for the day that all I think and worry about are preaching and people. Don't know if they day will ever come. It's a nice thought. Hey, a brother can dream, can't he?

But it does make me wonder - think Max Lucado ever sets up the chairs?

The Traveler's Gift

Just finished "A Traveler's Gift" by Andy Andrews. Pretty good book. A little cheesy, but I liked it. The sub title is "Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success". Here are the seven decisions:

1.) The buck stops here.
2.) I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others.
3.) I am a person of action.
4.) I have a decided heart.
5.) Today, I will choose to be happy.
6.) I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.
7.) I will persist without exception.

What I liked was that in each of these "decisions" - the character in the book went back in time to visit an historical figure who personified that particular trait. For example, in the first decision he has a conversation with Harry Truman. Would be a great gift for a high school grad.

Is there any question who will win American Idol? Jordan hands down. Of course, the best singer wasn't in the finale, but I've let that go. Melinda will have a great career, you just wait and see!

Looking forward to the LOST season finale tonight.

It's my "sabbath" day. I'm digging into David Baldacci's new book "Simple Genius". I'm also still listening to "1776" by David McCullough.

Nine "C's" of Leadership

In his book "Where Have All The Leaders Gone?" Lee Iacocca shares his list of qualities that a leader needs to have:

A leader has to show CURIOSITY. He has to listen to people outside his "Yes, sir" crowd in his inner circle. He has to read voracioulsy, because the world is a big, complicated place. If a leader never steps outside his comfort zone to hear different ideas, he grows stale.

A leader has to be CREATIVE, go out on a limb, be willing to try something different. You know, think outside the box.

A leader has to COMMUNICATE.

A leader has to be a person of CHARACTER. That means knowing the difference between right and wrong and having the guts to do the right thing.

A leader must have COURAGE.

A leader must have CONVICTION - a fire in your belly. You've got to have passion!

A leader should have CHARISMA. I'm not talking about being flashy. Charisma is the quality that makes people want to follow you. It's the ability to inspire. People follow a leader because they trust him.

A leader has to be COMPETENT. You've got to know what your doing.

You can't be a leader if you don't have COMMON SENSE.

That's a good list. It's good to ask ourselves ourselves some tough questions ever now and then. Things like - am I being an effective leader? Am I exicted to preach every Sunday?

Am I being creative in my preaching? In my ministry? In my small group? In the way I teach my Sunday school class?

Am I showing courage or just taking the easy way out in order to keep my job?

Ask yourself some tough questions today! Self examanation is good for the soul.

Missional Vision by Fudge

Here is the post on "The Missional Vision" from Edward Fudge. This is awesome! - Randy

THE 'MISSIONAL' VISION:Old Truths in New Clothes (3)
In an "attractional" church, success is usually measured by the number of people in attendance, the size of the offering and (using those calculators) the growth of the institution itself. In a "missional" church, success will not be measured by counting heads or dollars but by faithfulness to God's mission, deepening faith and the development of Christ-like disciples. Obviously these intangible indicators are much harder to assess than those borrowed from the business world. That does not bother missional people, however, because their focus is not on the institutional church to begin with. It is rather on the kingdom and mission of God.

Missional people understand that the church is called to be an expression of God's kingdom during the interim between Christ's first coming and his final appearing. God has planted the church in the world as a model community, an advance demonstration of the redeemed society of the new heavens and earth to come. But they understand that even at its best the church is always a flawed and incomplete expression of God's kingdom. They confess that sometimes the church scarcely resembles God's kingdom at all. To the extent that the church does express God's kingdom now, its presence in this world is a sign of God's kingdom that has come and is yet to come. And to the extent the church aligns itself with the mission of God, it is also an agent of God's kingdom to which that mission is surely leading.

This vision of a missional church is old truth in new clothes. It is the vision of discipleship we hear in all the parables and teachings of Jesus. It is the sort of Christianity we discover throughout the Book of Acts, the kind of church the Epistles all call us to become. Consider, for example, the following missional goals which in reality are New Testament values: * Using God's mission as the standard for determining priorities and allocating resources (Matt. 6:33; 2 Cor. 8:1-5; 9:8-15). * Measuring success by sacrifice and self-giving (Mark 12:41-44). * Placing kingdom concerns ahead of any particular congregation or denomination (Acts 13:1-3). * Expecting believers to meet high standards (Rom. 12:1-2; Col. 1:28). * Participatory worship meetings open to the fresh leading of the Spirit (1 Cor. 14:26). * Learning truth to obey it and not merely to know it (Eph. 4:20-24; 1 Tim. 1:5-7). * Every believer a missionary on God's mission (Phil. 2:13; Eph. 2:10). * Being honest, authentic and real (1 Thes. 2:3-10; Eph. 4:25). * Changing the world in keeping with principles of God's kingdom (Titus 2:11-14; 3:8). The list could go on and on."


Those who wish to be missional people, God's fellow-workers on behalf of his kingdom, must cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as living members of his spiritual body the church. We must become a people of prayer, a people fed by the Word, a people totally dependent on God and not on ourselves, a people guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Such a prescription holds little attraction to a fleshly-oriented, self-centered or worldly-minded church. On the other hand, nothing less than this prescription will enable us effectively to become God's fellow-workers through whom his mission is carried out in this world.
Copyright 2007 by Edward Fudge

Sunday Night Thoughts

In the things I will never understand department: How in the world did Melinda Doolittle get voted off American Idol? Going back on your word (Dremz on Survivor) to win a million dollars - and you think people will vote for you? Why is the slowest car is always front of me?

I really enjoyed the posts this last week that Edward Fudge wrote on "Missional" churches. If you didn't catch them - go to gracEmail. Anyone have a more simple explanation of missional church that Fudge presents?

Our tribe had a good day today. Our shepherds each presented a different angle on our new building project. They really showed some great leadership today. I preached on giving from Malachi 3:8,9. Response was overwhelming!

Just began reading "The Traveler's Gift" by Andy Andrews. Our book club is reading "In His Steps" for our summer read.

The steel arrives this Wednesday. The structure begins going up! The floor was poured last week. When the steel goes up it begins to look like a new building. Very exciting.

I probably shouldn't blog on Sunday night. I'm quiting while I'm ahead.

This N' That

Drove three hours (one way) for lunch today! Why? I had lunch with our future associate minister, Kevin Hooper. Since his family can't join us until September, I wanted to spend a few hours catching him up on what is going on here. We had a great time - and the six hour drive was a good time to listen to the book "1776" by David McCullough. Great book.

Was really disappointed that Melinda Doolittle got the boot on American Idol last night. I predict she will have a better career than either Jordan or Blake. I wasn't disappointed in the season finale of "Bones". Good to see "LOST" getting back in form, although it took them most of the season to refind their groove.

Haven't read a Lucado book in a while but I am really enjoying his latest book "Facing Your Gaints".

"The Last Sin Eater" is out on DVD. GREAT MOVIE. Rent it this weekend.

If you know of someone that has a used Treo for Verizon let me know! I loved mine. It was ran over by a car. Oh, well. Can't afford a new one. Maybe a used one will show up!

Tonight our bookclub will discuss "This Present Darkness". Read it 20 years ago - it still is a great read! The classic book was the first Christian fiction that I read. Still one of the best!
(I like the sequel, too!).