MoviePastor.com: Church, Culture, Christ

Do we really want these guys...

...running our country?  They cant even figure out how to run an election for goodness sake!  Im not very political and not sure I even have a horse in the race right now - but good grief.  Could the DNC not foresee this delegate problem in Michigan and Florida coming way back before the primaries started?  Like maybe when they decided that those states primaries were "invalid!"  And now they are trying to figure out how to make them valid?  I guess they hoped there would be a clear front runner and it wouldnt matter but now that there isnt its like watching a circus.  And no matter who gets the nomination they will always go back the florida and michigan delegates and whine about it.  Here's a solution:

• Every candidate has 50 million dollars maximum (OK 51) to spend
• Every candidate has 51 days to campaign in each state and Puerto Rico (1 day per state & 1 Million Dollars per state)
• At the end of the 51 days every state has a democrat and republican primary on the same day
• There are no "super delegates" which in effect gives some people with political clout 2 votes
• Whoever wins is the nominee for their party and they have 30 days to pick a running mate.
• Then they hold a convention to announce the running mate

Basically run it like a general election.  They could even do it twice - once to eliminate the bottom rung of candidates and narrow it down to 2 or 3 - the second time to narrow it down to 1.  Its not that hard - unless you are a politician I guess. 

We need a new Mayor

We need a new mayor (and a new city council.)  I voted for Don Kyle - but wont make that mistake again.  I cannot believe we just tanked the Bass Pro shop development on 565.  Read more here and here.  Maybe they can find another hotel developer - but I think our city management is why we are stuck and Athens is growing.   For now - Bass Pro (and developing and expanding Decatur) is "on hold."  How long before they give up?  *sigh*

It Really Bothers Me

Yesterday I blogged that it bothered me that I cant spin a pen around my thumb. Thats sort of silly and for some reason my blog stats were the highest in months.  Did that post have something to do with it?  I dunno.  I hope not. 

You know what REALLY bothers me?  People are dying and going to hell from Decatur, Alabama even though there are over 130 churches in our city.  That BOTHERS me!  It bothers me so much that

• I got a few friends and started a new church
• I lost most of my "friends" in the process
• I ask our people to do things in our church that no other church in our area does and we take heat for it
• I cant sleep at night because Im thinking about how to get more people in church and out of hell.
• I wake up thinking about ways we can be more effective
• I look at every building with a for rent/sale sign and ask "would that make a good church?"
• I look at every church building and think - if God moved them (or closed them) could we go there and accomplish more than we are now?
• I look at 6 empty auditoriums on Sunday and think of ways to fill them up (and wonder how can we pay for it).
• I wonder if when we could should start a new service in Hartselle, Priceville, Moulton...
• When I watch a movie I think - is there something in this that would help me start a conversation about Christ?
• Every song I hear I wonder does it touch on a spiritual truth?
• Every restaurant I visit I check out everything from the decor to the service and wonder if there is anything I can leverage for the Gospel here?
• I work outside the church to support my family which frees up my salary to do ministry.

People dying and going to hell bothers me - But does it bother me enough?  Does it bother me so much

• that it transforms my prayer life? 
• that I hunger for righteousness?
• that I DO the scripture and not just STUDY the scripture?
• that I give more to fund the vision?
• that I really love people who are far from God with no strings attached?

Thinking about this has caused this verse to repeat itself over and over in my head...

Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. (1 Cor 15:34)

Are you bothered? 

The Great Gazoo

Comedy Icon Harvey Korman died today.  I grew up watching him on Carol Burnett.  My favorite memory has to be him with Tim Conway. Tim always seemed to overplay the part just to get Harvey to laugh.  It was hilarious.  Enjoy this small clip from the Carol Burnett Show which is one of the most memorable Korman/Conway scenes ever.  Harvey absolutely loses it due to Tim's crazy antics




I had forgotten that Harvey was another of my favorite characters - the Great Gazoo from the Flintstones

It bothers me...

...that I cant do this

Lessons from a weed whacker

Yesterday I was doing some trimming around the pool and my weed eater ran out of string.  So I went to change it.  I spent about 10 minutes trying to get the spool off.  It was stuck tight.  I got out my biggest channel locks and my vise grips.  It would not come off.  I almost gave up in frustration.  Then I tried something.  Instead of twisting the knob off, I pulled on it.  It came off easily.  I learned something by that. 

Try Something Else: Sometimes you have to stop doing what you are doing and try something else when you are stuck.  It sounds simple but most of us as pastors just keep trying the same old thing hoping for the next breakthrough.  But maybe you need to try something else.

Use the Right Tools: As I continued to trim I was edging the grass.  Its not that easy with a weedeater.  I kept cutting too deep into the grass - or not getting close enough.  I left the edges jagged.  They make lawn edgers.   It would be much easier to use the right tool.  The same is true in life or pastoring.  Sometimes we are simply using the wrong tool.  In the church we may have the wrong people in the wrong place and need to make a change.  We may have the wrong program, wrong style, wrong time, wrong venue...Are we using the right tools to get the job done?

Work as a team: After I got the string changed, I got my wife to help me around the edge of the pool.  Grass gets in the pool easily but if she uses a blower and follows me around the edge of the pool things stay clean, and we spend less time overall because there is no cleanup.  You cant do ministry alone.  This is a team sport!  Whatever place you find yourself in ministry - find someone to help.  It will be more fun, go faster, and be much easier.

So do you need to try something different?  Are you using the right tools?  Who is helping you?

Sunday Mind Dump

• First Sunday off since Feb 24. I NEEDED a break.
• Felt weird to sleep in and then show up at church "on time" with my grandkids and daughter.
• Got to sit with my wife in a service for the first time in our history!
• Kevin, our worship/arts/video pastor did a good job with the sermon today.  Listen Here
• Because I am bi-vocational I basically work 7 days a week.  Having a Sunday off on a 3 day weekend is HUGE
• There was no "altar call" and today's message wasn't about salvation - but 3 people said "Im placing my faith in Christ today" via our communication cards.  WOW!
• We have a lot of hurting people who come to Crosspoint!
• Changing the way we think is HARD to do - but Kevin nailed in - we are to have the mind of Christ and that changes EVERYTHING!
• Indiana Jones jacked up our service/lobby experience and KidZone today.  Thankfully we are back to "normal" next week.
• We'll still have to be done earlier since movies will be starting earlier.
• Next weekend is the one year mark of being in the theater.  Amazing!
• This has been a great relaxing weekend!!!
• Happy Memorial day and thanks to all who served in our armed forces and those who gave their lives so we can live ours!

Um...This doesn't help

Jordan shot this dude on the corner of Hwy 31 and the Beltline here in Decatur.  I guess this is how we welcome the 1000's of people here for the Alabama Jubilee.  *sigh*

Falling off the wagon

So this week I really tried to deal with my food addiction.  Honestly I am more addicted than I thought.  I started out the week with great intentions and kept finding opportunities to fall jump off the wagon.  I would do good for breakfast and lunch - then eat too much dinner.  I'd eat a good light low fat meal - and follow it up with junk food.  I would leave half my food one meal - then eat too much - the next. Overall I sucked at dealing with my food addiction this week.

Some observations:

• I eat way too fast.
• I eat and do other things at the same time too often
• When I am no longer hungry I eat till Im full - or over full.
• I would rather eat carb laden food than anything
• I eat out WAY too much.
• When I am bored I will eat.
• When I come home - I look in the refrigerator even when Im not hungry
• I do NOT drink enough water

So there you go.  If you are with me in this journey and did good this week - I am glad for you.  If you struggled like me, know you aren't alone.  If you emailed me or commented then know I prayed for you this week.

School's out forever!

Well High School Anyway.  Jordan graduated last night from Austin High School in Decatur - with Honors I might add!  We are thankful that God loaned her to us for the last 18 years.  We are so proud of her.  Now real life begins.  And in a couple months when she moves out to go to UNA - I'll start on my "Nekked Room"