My Sprint Palm Treo 700 P broke last week after I got off the phone with my dad. I didn’t drop it–the screen just went bad. Today I went to pick up my new Palm and the gave me a FREE UPGRADE to the Palm 755P ! Bonus!
I even got it in CRIMSON TIDE RED!
Below are some pictures of Nashville. The bottom one was a sacred area (Baptist Vatican) that I was in. 
I had a great time here in Franklin/Nashville area. I will have to take a few days to process everything I heard and learned. The People’s Church is truly impacting their community and the world. While I was with Rick White another pastor called asking for advice and just like he did with me Rick told the pastor to e-mail him in bullet points what is going on in his church and in his life. Rick is an amazing man. He truly has a passion for people. I don’t know if I have ever been around a more personable person than Rick. I am truly grateful for our time together. I can never repay him or The People’s Church but I hope to one day pass on whatever wisdom God has given me to others. This is what cooperation and being missional is about to me.
At lunch I was honored to share a meal with Rick and Ken Davis. You may know Ken from his radio spots called Lighten Up. Ken has known me since I was a baby. He and my dad worked together in YFC/Campus Life years ago. He told funny stories about my dad pulling pranks on him and I had fun making him feel old. Anyway, Ken is a funny guy who has a tremendous ministry. He fills in for Rick at the People’s Church when Rick can’t be there. What a blessed day I had.
I learned about lot about leadership, people skills and just a church that is being the hands and feet of Jesus. I can’t take and copy what is going on in Franklin because our church is in a different type of community. But I will forever be grateful to Rick White and the People’s Church for a great time.
I always know when I’m doing God’s will. How you ask? Opposition. Satan will do whatever he can to discourage us from doing what God tells us to do. I have felt more spiritual oppression in recent weeks than I have in some time. They come from every direction–church, home and health. Unexpected bills have come in and not nickel and dime ones either. The tension has been thick. But when I step back and look at it through the Bible I realize that it is a test.
I hate it when I actually have to live through what I’m teaching. I talked about relationships with others in both services yesterday. We are studying Chazown, understanding the vision God has for your life. I also am teaching a Next Generation class of 20′s-early 40′s. It is a mixture of married and singles. Look at our text for yesterday.
James 1:2-4 says:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Why won’t God give me a sugar-coated lesson or message? Those are much easier to teach. I’ve come to the conclusion it is because He loves me too much. The reason I experience difficulty is to prepare me for future endeavors.
Have you ever wondered why James tells us to consider it joy when we face trials? A lot of people get joy and happiness confused. James isn’t saying we should be happy when we endure trials, but we should have the joy of Christ oozing out of us. I think if I wasn’t experiencing trials there would probably be something wrong with my faith.
My “JOY” has increased a lot the last few weeks. God must really love me!
What do you think?
I respect my friends Geekwad and Francoise. They are both atheists and choose not to believe in the power of God. I hate that for them but that is their choice. I pray that God will reveal Himself to them.
Many people like Geekwad and Francoise try to look at life Scientifically and rationally. I have no problem with science since God invented it. Most sane followers of Jesus aren’t against science. Sure there are fringe wackos out there.
But there are times God just doesn’t make sense. If He did, would He be worth following anyway? If you could explain the way God works, why would we need Him?
I have friend named Rob Jackson who is the Senior Pastor at Central Baptist Church in Decatur, Alabama. He is one of the best friends I have. His wife Tonya and my wife have been best friends since Jr. High School. Rob has a gift unlike anyone I know. He just has a sense from God when people need prayer or a call. In the last few years Rob calls me out of the blue to see how I’m doing. He tells me that God has laid my name on his mind. He has no idea that the needs I have but he calls. Every time he calls it is when I need a friend to talk to. Tuesday was one of those days. Thanks Rob!
Now you can say it is coincidence or whatever but I know differently. A few years ago I was leaving Starbucks and a man I never met stopped my on the way out and said God told him to talk with me. He said he knew I was having a difficult time and some people were giving me trouble. He told me that God was there and He would get me through. Then he prayed for me. This man knew nothing about me and he was actually from Nigeria.
My mom’s doctor found a lump on her breast a few years ago and my seminary professor and class prayed for her the morning of her surgery. I got a call later saying that the doctors did another x-ray before the surgery and the lump was gone. Some would say the first x-ray was messed up. Whatever! I say it was God.
The power of God doesn’t make sense. I’ve had checks for the exact amount needed for a bill show up with no one knowing the need. Call it coincidence if you want–I know differently. God’s power just doesn’t make sense. If it did why would I need Him?
What amazing stories do you have to share about the amazing power of God?
I am going to the Wachovia Championship @ Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte today with three Homeschooled teenagers thanks to the generosity of one of our deacons. We hope to follow Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Charlotte, NC is a cool town. We have the Carolina Panthers, Chalotte Bobcats and NASCAR. What more could a good southern boy ask for. No, I don’t work for the Chamber of Commerce but Charlotte is like a smaller Atlanta without all of the traffic. Uptown Charlotte is a cool place to hang out. There are few downtowns that I would be caught in at night. Charlotte is different. We live near a lake and there are lots of activities for people who love the outdoors. Plus we have are share of Starbucks.
There are also 1000′s of people who have no relationship with Jesus. That is what keeps me motivated every day!
What are some of the great things about where you live?
I am a blessed man. I will not be allowed to bring my TREO into Quail Hollow so be nice!
My best friend and wife of almost 19 years is ….. years old today. I am grateful for her sacrifice to our family. She is the best help mate anyone could want. She is a gifted, Godly woman who lights up a room.
Happy Birthday Cassandra!
I want to thank those who comment on this site. I admit I have a long way to go in my relationship with God. The “Inner Pharisee” wants to come out more than I want to admit. Your comments and corrections are helpful. I really appreciate Francoise and Geekwad’s points of view because they don’t believe in God. I pray you encounter Him someday but I accept you and consider you friends. Big Daddy Weave and Texas in Africa often point out things I never thought about. Janna gave me some great insights yesterday. I have learned from Atheists, Charismatics, Anglicans, Fundamentalists, Moderates and Liberals.
I guess I’m like any recovering person. When I see what I was in someone else it repulses me. I am a work in progress thanks to God. But this forum has given me a worldview I never saw before. I’m sorry when I revert back to my old ways. I’m trying.
I just want to say thanks.
confessions of others
