The Tenth Arbor-versary

September 1, 1999.
What a day.
I don't remember much of what happened that day, but I do remember this:

It was Wednesday, the third day of classes, three days before the first football game, and my first time to be drum major for the band. For some reason, I had missed about half of my advanced music theory class in the library, but I was determined to redeem the rest of my day and play well in the upcoming wind ensemble rehearsal. When I left the library, I decided to walk across the back lawn between a small grove of trees because it would get me to the Fine Arts Building faster, and I needed to be on time.

As I was walking across the back lawn of the library, between the trees, I heard something that sounded like a bowl of Rice Krispies (snap, crackle, pop!). I didn't know where the sound was coming from so I thought to myself, "Maybe I should walk a little faster."

So I did.

Maybe that wasn't the best move. The noise got louder and louder until it hit me, "That's the sound of a tree limb falling..." Then it really did hit me! I ducked and covered my head with my hand just in time for the large branch to land on my hand... and my head! It was so heavy that the weight of the rest of the limb swung down and landed on my left leg, knocking me down into a concrete ravine next to the bottom floor of the library.

This joker was huge! It was so big that it knocked my hat, sunglasses, and the backpack that I had on both shoulders completely off! It was so big that I thought it had broken my femur! It was so big that I had to be strapped to a hard board and rushed to the emergency room to make sure it hadn't done permanent damage!

I found out later that the limb was close to 2 feet in diameter, 20 feet long, and fell from about 25 feet up in the air!!! I also found out that if I hadn't ducked and covered like I did, it probably would have broken my neck and killed me... so there's that.

When I went to marching band rehearsal the next day, barely able to walk, wrapped up in bandages, the guys in the band were very encouraging and supportive. They went out of their way to make me feel welcomed back to the land of the living. It's true. They called me George of the Jungle and threw small branches at me while yelling, "Watch out for that tree!" Isn't that sweet?

All in all, it was a memorable experience. I mean, it's been ten years today and I still remember it like it was... well... ten years ago!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Soon And Very Soon

Hey Kids! I just wanted to take a minute to apologize for not having written lately. We are in the process of moving and I simply haven't had the time to even think about writing, much less actually writing. So, until I get settled in and refocused, I'll leave you with this little gem.



Peace, Love, and Chocolate

There Is Joy

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

And I Quote...

"Leadership is dependent upon people. If the leader looks back, and no one is following, he's just taking a walk."

-Dr Brent McCall





Peace, Love, and Chocolate

I'm A Lucky Man (all in english... really!)

This time it's all in english. It has to be.. I got it directly from the Jason Mraz website!
"Lucky" Official Video With Colbie Caillat


Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Mi Vida Loca!

Life is crazy right now! I've been on the road for the past couple of weeks (and my body aches because of it!), so I'm just now getting back to blog world. I posted what I could when I could and now I'm back for a few days, gearing up for the next series of events and packing up the house. Keep praying for my family and me as we take this great leap of faith! We are confident that God will take care of us, but there's always that pesky fear of the unknown.

(Yes, that is a skunk on my head)

Anyway, I wanted to post our concert schedule for the next few months as we know it now. I hope to see some of you at a concert sometime soon, especially if you're able to meet the Princess and the Sweet Pea!



Acappella
8/15/2009: Neosho, MO
Venue: Rocketdyne Road Church of Christ
1111 Rocketdyne Road
Time: 7:00:00 PM

8/22/2009: Plainview, TX
Venue: Fair Theater
717 Broadway St
Time: 7:00:00 PM

9/12/2009: Edmond, OK
Venue: Hardeman Theatre (OC)
2501 E. Memorial Road
Time: 7:30:00 PM

9/19/2009: Raleigh, NC
Time: 7:00:00 PM

11/21/2009: Saginaw, TX
Venue: Saginaw Church of Christ
201 Western Avenue
Time: 7:00:00 PM

11/29/2009: Danville, VA
Time: 7:00:00 PM

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Wise Words from Max Lucado

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,...who walk according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

Does the Word of God say, "There is limited condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"? No.

Does it say, "There is some condemnation..."? No.

It says, "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Think of it--regardless of our sin, we are not guilty!

From: Everyday Blessings
Copyright (J. Countryman, 2004)
Max Lucado

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Here I Am

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Interview With The Enemy

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (New International Version)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

I Have Seen The Light

I once was fatherless,
a stranger with no hope;
Your kindness wakened me,
Awakened me, from my sleep

Your love it beckons deeply,
a call to come and die.
By grace now I will come
And take this life, take your life.

Sin has lost it's power,
death has lost it's sting.
From the grave you've risen
VICTORIOUSLY!

Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross you are the truth,
You are the life, you are the way

My dead heart now is beating,
My deepest stains now clean.
Your breath fills up my lungs.
Now I'm free. now I'm free!

Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross you are the truth,
You are the life, you are the way

Lift my hands and spin around,
See the light that i have found.
Oh the marvelous light
Marvelous light
Lift my hands and spin
See the light within...

Marvelous Light
songwriter: Charlie Hall & Eugene Lii
album: Live Roots

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

And I Quote...

"Live for nothing, or die for something...


Your call."



-Rambo


Peace, Love, and Chocolate

I Give Up!

It's Sunday morning again. The morning when most folk get up and go to their choice house of worship. If I may, I'd like to submit that, although corporate worship is good and necessary, worship doesn't start and stop "at church." Worship is a daily decision to give up self and devote all your time and energy to your God. There are many different gods out there (we'll talk about those soon), but there is only one True Savior. This Savior is who I worship, and I hope you do too.

Since I don't have the ability to worship with all my readers at the same time (by the way, thank each of you for reading my blog), I decided to add the following video to this post so you know where I'm coming from every day. No matter what happens in our lives, we are called to worship, so take this opportunity to give in to Jesus and let him overwhelm you!



I Give You My Heart
songwriter: Reuben Morgan
artist: Michael W. Smith

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Watch Yourself

I was watching House the other day and I saw a pretty disturbing scene. A mom brought in her young daughter(5 or 6 years old), the child-pageant princess, to see Dr House. The little girl was dressed so beautifully in her pageant dress and makeup and the most blank-yet-bewildered look on her face. The mom was so confused. She thought the child had possibly had some sort of stroke or seizure that left her catatonic. House informs the mom that the daughter can be cured with a cup of coffee, "sober juice" as he calls it.

The mom is dumbfounded.

Could her daughter possibly be drunk? How?

House goes on to explain that the minty fresh scent underlying the child's perfumes and powders gave it away. He asks the child if she had used mouth wash, to which the reply was, "yes." Then he asks if she had swallowed the mouth wash, to which the reply was, "Mommy does it."

The moral of the story: Watch what you do. You never know who is watching you.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

You Think You're Better Than Me?

When I was a freshman in college, I went to a lot of parties. I just went to socialize. I didn't drink or do drugs. I didn't even hit on girls. I just wanted to hang with my friends and band-mates.

I remember one party particularly well. I had been offered beer for what was probably the fifteenth time that night and, as usual, I respectfully declined. The guy who offered the beer to me was at least five years older than me and wasted out of his mind.

He looked at me, all confused and concerned, and murmured, "What... You don't drink?"
"No."
"Well, what are you doing at this party?"
"I'm just hanging out, having a good time."
"So, what? You think that just because you don't drink, and I'm drunk, that you're better than me?"
"No. Not at all. I just don't drink. That's my choice."
"Well, I respect that."

And then he kinda stumbled away to harass someone else.

But it got me thinking. Do I think I'm better than anyone else? That's a question that has kept me in check over the past several years. Because, whenever I start feeling like I'm more special or more important or more useful than anyone else, God has this way of bringing me back to reality. He usually begins by showing me all the things I'm not getting right. Then He shows me people who have it together better than I, which reminds me I have a long way to go to reach the perfection He has called me to. But then He takes it a step further and shows me other people who are struggling more than I could ever imagine. And then, the final nail in the coffin, He shows me people who are lost; people who don't know Jesus, or worse, people who have no desire to know Jesus.

So, do I think I'm better than anyone else? How could I when Jesus loves us all the same, which is so much more than we could ever know? No, I don't think I'm better than anyone else. I think I'm blessed to have a great family, wonderful friends, and steady work. I'm blessed to have a roof over my head, food on my table, and clothes on my back. And I'm blessed more than anything to have the relationship with God that I do, but I'm no better than you or any other person on the planet.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

You Make The Call

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

My King!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

We Only Have Today

I'm sure some of you readers are wondering why I have been so adamant this week about sharing the Gospel and writing "salvation posts" or whatever you want to call them. Well, the reason is this. I don't want to see anyone spend eternity without God. That is the true definition of "hell," life without Jesus.

We live in unsure times. No one knows when it's their time to die, but we will all die at some point or another. The question is, "Will we die safe in the arms of Jesus or painfully in a sea of regret?"

Maybe I sound a bit dramatic. That's the point.

This is real!

Let me explain. In May of 2001, I got the call from my Dad that my brother, Earnest, had passed away suddenly. I love my family very much, so that news destroyed me. Partially because it was my brother, but moreso because of the way he was living. He had grown up in a Christian home (Dad's been a preacher since 1941... no exaggeration), but when he retired from the United States Air Force, and had seen combat in Operation Desert Storm, and had to kill people, he felt his only escape from those memories was the bottle. He became so dependent on alcohol that he drove everyone who loved him away. He separated from his wife of nearly 20 years, he became an extreme recluse ("hermitism" runs in my family, but usually not to the point of complete isolation). He was plagued by all kinds of physical and mental health problems. He was a small man who convinced himself that he needed to take diet pills.

He had completely walked away from God. He would say things like, "Me and God have an understanding. I don't need church or anything like that. I'm fine." Or, the one that tore me apart, "When it's time for me to check out, I'm gonna be all alone."

Sadly enough, he was.

He had been dead for a couple days when my Dad found him. Dad and I both felt, and still feel, guilty for not having witnessed to Earnest enough. I know Dad tried at least to get him back to church. That was way more than what I had done... nothing.
I wasn't even praying for him.

Ernie's death created this conviction in my heart that has never gone away, and I don't think it will. That's why I've been so moved to share Christ in whatever ways I can. If someone is reading my blog who doesn't know Jesus, it's time you get to know Him. If there's someone reading this who knows Jesus but has turned away to do his or her own thing, it's time to turn back to Him. He's waiting for you. He wants you to know He loves you.

We only have today to love, serve, forgive. We only have today to make the best of every situation. Tomorrow isn't promised. Yesterday is gone. We only have today to live! And only in Jesus will we truly live! Please, don't wait any longer. The choice is yours, and I pray that you will choose the life that is found in Jesus Christ!

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (NLT)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

I'm All In

All In (Letting Go)
artist: Toby Mac
album: Portable Sounds (2007)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

So Long Self

Well if I come across a little bit distant
It's just because I am
Things just seem to feel a little bit different
You understand
Believe it or not but life is not apparently
About me anyways
But I have met the One who really is worthy
So let me say

So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, goodbye, don't cry
So long, self

Stop right there because I know what you're thinking
But no we can't be friends
And even though I know your heart is breaking
This has to end
And come to think of it the blame for all of this
Simply falls on me
For wanting something more in life than all of this
Can't you see

So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two, so you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong, but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, good-bye, don't cry
So long

Don't feel so bad (don't feel so bad)
There'll be better days (there'll be better days)
Don't go away mad (but by all means)
Just go away,go away

So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two, so you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong, but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, good-bye, don't cry
So long self
farewell, goodbye (so long self)
farewell, goodbye (so long self)
farewell, goodbye (so long self)
farewell, goodbye (so long self)
farewell, goodbye (so long self)

So Long Self
artist: MercyMe
album: Coming Up To Breathe (2006)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

It Doesn't Matter

It doesn't matter where you've been;
it matters that you go the right direction now.
It doesn't matter what you've done;
it matters that you do what's right now.
It doesn't matter what you've said;
it matters that you speak the truth now.
It doesn't matter who you've hurt;
it matters that you treat people as you want to be treated now.
It doesn't matter who has hurt you;
it matters that you forgive others and yourself now.

Regardless of where you've been, what you've done, what you've said, who you've hurt, who has hurt you;

Regardless of the pain you have felt, or the pain you've dealt;

Regardless of anything and everything in your past, Jesus loves you right now, in the present, without conditions, without questions.
He loves you this very moment. He will love you in the next moment, and the moment after that, and the moment after that, too. He always has loved you and he always will love you. You cannot do anything to make him love you more. You cannot do anything to make him love you less.

I want you to understand this fully and completely. He loves you more than you could ever know or think or imagine. He loves you so much that he sacrificed his very life for you. But the best part is that he came back to life so he could give you the opportunity to love the way he loves. He will love you beyond forever. He wants you to love him, but he won't force you to do so. He wants you to choose him because he gives eternal life. And life without him is hell!

It doesn't matter how you feel about Jesus;
it matters that he loves you now. Period.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

"One, Two, Five..."

Since this is post number 125, I thought it extremely appropriate to post this clip from one of the greatest comedies of all time,
Monty Python and the Holy Grail.



Have you ever noticed the counting sequence only takes three seconds?
Pure genius. You're welcome.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

It's Time

It's time. If you don't know him by now, it's time for you to get to know the greatest man who ever lived. His name is Jesus. He was born to a young virgin named Mary, grew up in Nazareth, became a carpenter, taught teachers the truth, healed the sick and lame. He took all of the sins of the world on himself, allowed himself to be tortured and murdered, was buried on a Friday, and raised from the dead the following Sunday morning. No other person in the world has ever done anything like that, and never for the reason he did. He took all the torture and punishment and death for you because He loves you more than you could ever imagine. There has never been anyone like Jesus, and there never will be, because Jesus is the Son of God. If you don't believe me, I'd like to recommend a book to you that will explain all of this much better than I ever could. The book is called The Holy Bible and it is the inspired word of God. Here's a short excerpt from the book of Romans from the Bible.

Dear friends, my greatest wish and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know they love God, but they don't understand what makes people acceptable to him. So they refuse to trust God, and they try to be acceptable by obeying the Law. But Christ makes the Law no longer necessary for those who become acceptable to God by faith.

Anyone Can Be Saved

Moses said that a person could become acceptable to God by obeying the Law. He did this when he wrote, "If you want to live, you must do all that the Law commands."
But people whose faith makes them acceptable to God will never ask, "Who will go up to heaven to bring Christ down?" Neither will they ask, "Who will go down into the world of the dead to raise him to life?"

All who are acceptable because of their faith simply say, "The message is as near as your mouth or your heart." And this is the same message we preach about faith. So you will be saved, if you honestly say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others.

The Scriptures say that no one who has faith will be disappointed, no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. All who call out to the Lord will be saved.

How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them? And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the good news. Yet not everyone has believed the message. For example, the prophet Isaiah asked, "Lord, has anyone believed what we said?"

No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ.

Romans 10:1-17 (CEV)

So, will you take the biggest step of your life? What are you waiting for? Get to know Jesus personally and intimately right now. Don't wait. You may not get another chance. It's time.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Check This Out

I've been doing something I wondered if I'd ever find the time to do again. I've been reading! Quite a bit, actually. I've always enjoyed reading. The summer after fifth grade, I read 100 kids' books.

Well, I grew out of the kids' books but I still have a passion for reading. And I like to read all kinds of stuff: books, blog articles, newspapers, etc.; whatever is educational, encouraging, entertaining, I'll probably read it.

So, I thought I'd recommend some reading material and see if you have any suggestions for my library.

At the moment, I'm reading this book, this book, and this book. On deck, I have this book that I had started last year, but got distracted and never finished. I also would like to read this book and this book if I get a chance soon.

I read this book and this book and I really enjoyed them... a lot! They are a stark contrast from some of the previous books I mentioned, but they are fantastic in their own rites.

That's a lot of books, so I'll recommend this article, this article, and this article (which leads you to this article).

Hope you are encouraged by any and all of these books and articles. What reading do you suggest?

Oh, by the way, we're moving to Oklahoma. Anyone wanna buy our house?

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

The Ones

If Jesus would not have come when He did
But was born to be alive here today instead
We might be surprised by the way He would live
And the people He would heal and forgive

I hypothesize He would be a homeless man
Roaming around seemingly no plan
He'd show up at your temple while your rabbi preached
Crack his Father's word and start to teach
His words would amaze and thoroughly craze
His wisdom kickin' law teachers in a rage
Cause He'd expose the grave error of their ways
And all of that before he turned the page

Would we be the ones, the Pharisees of modern day
Proclaiming "the Messiah would not live that way"
Would we be the ones to threaten Him
When He claimed to have the power to forgive sin?
Would we be the ones that had shouted "let Him die"
As fellow legalists stoned Him with their picket signs?
Or would we give up all
Or would we give up all
Or would we give up all
To love and follow Him?

If Jesus would not have come when He did
But was born to be alive here today instead
We might be surprised by the way He would live
And the people He would heal and forgive

I firmly believe He'd love people of shame
Healing their lives as they believed on His name
Prostitutes and drug lords, all people who are unclean
And if you asked Him why them, He'd say "what do you mean?
The well don't need a doctor but the sick do"
The He'd extend the invitation to you
"Forget your life and follow if you believe I am the King Jew,
I'll save you if you give of yourself to share the good news"

Would we be the ones, the disciples of modern day
Proclaiming "the Messiah's come, please change your ways"
Would we be the ones to live with Him
As we claimed His promise of forgiven sin?
Would we be the ones that are witnessing His death
Crushed, yet filled with hope by words He gave His last breath?
And would we let Him down,
And would we let Him down,
And would we let Him down,
And willingly deny Him?

Okay, Jesus came when He did
But He's still alive today and His Church's head
Tell me is He pleased by the way that we live
The devotion we're willing to give

Are we the ones, the Pharisees of modern day
Enforcing on all but us what we see as "the Christian way"
Are we the ones who live for Him
Or are we willfully swaying in the winds of sin?
Are we the ones who are willing to die
To let the Lord have full reign in our lives
Are we the ones, the Pharisees of modern day?
Are we the ones?
Are we living for the King always?
Are we the ones who are willing to die?
Or will we give our all,
Or will we give our all,
Or will we give our all,
Surrendering to Him?

Words and music: Aaron Herman © 1996 Anthony K. Music (ASCAP)
Lead: Aaron Herman, Josh Harrison, and Brishan Hatcher

"For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:20
"On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" Mark 2:17

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Mighty To Save

No matter what you're going through, remember that God is WAYYYYYY bigger than that. Take a few minutes to worship with Hillsong and know that I'm worshipping right along with you!



Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Another Day, Another Legend

There's a lot happening in our world right now. We as Americans are dealing with war, economic woes, family destruction, you name it. We recently celebrated 233 years of hard-earned freedom in America. At the same time, life, and death, was still happening. And now, we mourn the loss of another well-recognized soul, Steve "Air" McNair.

McNair was one of my favorite quarterbacks of all time. He played with heart, grit, and an iron will. He would not let anything keep him down. He was determined to be the very best in each of his 13 seasons. He broke records in college. He lost the Super Bowl by a yard (I'm still not over that). He was co-MVP. He was a winner.


Despite all his accolades, he struggled like everyone else. I won't speculate about the young woman who died with him. I won't speculate about the relationship between the two of them. What I will say is that I'm sad for his wife and kids. I'm sad for all the young fans who looked to him as a role model. I'm sad for those of us who admired his charity work and all the things he did for the community.

At the same time, it is heavy on my heart that so many young men and women are still fighting and dying for the freedom that we Americans hold so dear. They all have my utmost respect and encouragement, as do their families. I have friends fighting in the war as well. These warriors are so young and full of life. I hate to hear when another one has made the ultimate sacrifice. Their courage will always astound me. May God bless our troops!



Let us be in sincere prayer for all image-bearers of God to bear His image honorably and produce the fruit of righteousness and peace.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Fly Like An Eagle

Surely you know.
Surely you have heard.
The Lord is the God who lives forever,
who created all the world.
He does not become tired or need to rest.
No one can understand how great his wisdom is.
He gives strength to those who are tired
and more power to those who are weak.
Even children become tired and need to rest,
and young people trip and fall.
But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again.
They will rise up as an eagle in the sky;
they will run and not need rest;
they will walk and not become tired.

Isaiah 40:28-31 (New Century Version)

Keep praying for us. It's the least and the most you can do... That and buying our house. It's a great starter house. Just think about it and get back with us...

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

A Little Left Coast Flavor

We had a great time in San Diego this weekend. Met some great people. Saw some great sites. Ate some great food! Had a couple of great concerts. All in all, it was a good weekend. It would've been promoted to great if our wives had been there, but it was still good. I took some pics. Some were better than others, but they are pics anyway. Enjoy!


David Bates is the man! He took us to the beach and hung out with all day Sunday. We sure do love him and his family. Pray for his daughter, Suzanne, who is marrying an awesome dude, Jason Godfrey, on August 1.



They put us up in a very nice hotel resort, complete with multiple swimming pools (that we didn't visit), restaurants, and a health spa! Thank you, Town & Country Resort.



You know we always love performing for any sized audience. It was especially nice to perform for nearly 2000 people at the Convention Center!



Even better than performing big concerts is witnessing souls, like Verna, being given completely to Christ!



And then we put Allen to work at the airport!









Keep praying for my family and me in our new endeavors. Anyone wanna buy our house? Seriously. It's really a nice house. Anyone?

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Getting Back On The Road

So, we're finally traveling again. We will be in San Diego this weekend, then here in Nashville for ACAFEST next week. After that, we'll be in Rockford, IL on July 12 and then it's off to Brasil for 2 weeks! We're gearing up for an unforgettable summer. Hope to see you at a concert soon!

Also, keep us in your prayers as we go through this life change. There are obstacles and challenges we have to face in order to answer God's call. Pray that we will overcome any and every hurdle placed in our path as we reach for the goal set before us. Remember James 5:16 and remember us when you're before the Father.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Wisdom Of An Eleven-Year-Old

I've been learning a lot and remembering a lot as we've been deep-cleaning our house to try to sell it. Gabby and I have been working together to get this house in tip-top shape while Steph is at work. Today, we were working on the spare room (if you have one, you know what I'm talking about) and we got to a point where we could start scrubbing the baseboards and walls. At one point, Gabby said something that reminded me of the way we live. She said, "This is the best this room has smelled in forever. It always smells like dust but now it smells so clean."

Part of what made this phrase click for me was the fact that I hadn't even finished the first wall yet. I was so tempted to say, "Well, wait till I get finished in here!" But I didn't.

But I thought it.

Then I thought about how messed up we are. Have you ever noticed that the moment we get the slightest relief from whatever painful situation we're facing at the time, we are so quick to say how good life is? The problem is that we have no idea how much better it's going to be. How's that a problem? I'm glad you asked. It's a problem because we like to sell God short and not be patient enough to wait for the finished product.

The moral of the story: "Patience, young Grasshopper." God is up to something way bigger than we know.

Anybody wanna buy our house?

Peace, Love, and...

(wait for it)

Chocolate

(doesn't that feel good?)

And I Quote...

"I want to know God's thoughts; the rest are details."
- Albert Einstein







Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Your Favorite Name

For Dads everywhere:

Almighty God
Lord of all creation
Ancient of days
The Holy One
So many names You've given us to call You
But one remains
Your favorite name

Your favorite name is Father
You love to hear Your children calling
You're there to catch us when we're falling
Your favorite name is Father


Eternal King
Alpha and Omega
Jehovah God
The mighty One
So many names You've given us to call You
But one remains
Your favorite name

Your favorite name is Father
You love to hear Your children calling
You're there to catch us when we're falling
Your favorite name is Father

Abba Father
Holy is Your name
Abba Father
Holy is Your name
Your favorite name is Father
You love to hear Your children calling
You're there to catch us when we're falling
Your favorite name is Father

Your Favorite Name Is Father
artist: Newsong
album: More Life (2003)




Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Reunion

By now, you may have heard about the AVB reunion concert coming up at Lipscomb University on July 3rd. If you haven't heard about it, you can get the details here.
In the meantime, feel free to watch this harmonized, rhythmitized, power-mulletized gem from classic AVB history!



Peace, Love, and Chocolate

In the Words of C. S. Lewis

I just finished reading Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis and found it to be incredibly insightful and, though written in the early 1950's, very relevant. Here's an excerpt from chapter 7 entitled "Forgiveness."

I have often thought to myself how it would have been if, when I served in the First World War, I and some young German had killed each other simultaneously and found ourselves together a moment after death. I cannot imagine that either of us would have felt any resentment or even any embarrassment. I think we might have laughed over it.
I imagine somebody will say, 'Well, if one is allowed to condemn the enemy's acts, and punish him, and kill him, what difference is left between Christian morality and the ordinary view?' All the difference in the world. Remember, we Christians think man lives for ever. Therefore, what really matters is those little marks or twists on the central, inside part of the soul which are going to turn it, in the long run, into a heavenly or hellish creature. We may kill if necessary, but we must not hate and enjoy hating. We may punish if necessary, but we must not enjoy it. In other words, something inside us, the feeling of resentment, the feeling that wants to get one's own back, must simply be killed. I do not mean that anyone can decide this moment that he will never feel it any more. That is not how things happen, I mean that every time it bobs its head up, day after day, year after year, all our lives long, we must hit it on the head. It is hard work, but the attempt is not impossible. Even while we kill and punish we must try to feel about the enemy as we feel about ourselves - to wish that he were not bad, to hope that he may, in this world or another, be cured: in fact, to wish his good. That is what is meant in the Bible by loving him: wishing his good, not feeling fond of him nor saying he is nice when he is not.
I admit that this means loving people who have nothing lovable about them. But then, has oneself anything lovable about it? You love it somply because it is yourself. God intends us to love all selves in the same way and for the same reason: but He has given us the sum ready worked out in our own case to show us how it works. We have then to go on and apply the rule to all the other selves. Perhaps it makes it easier if we remember that that is how He loves us. Not for any nice, attractive qualities we think we have, but just because we are the things called selves. For really there is nothing else in us to love: creatures like us who actually find hatred such a pleasure that to give it up is like giving up beer or tobacco...

"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part."
(Matt. 6:14-15, The Message)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

A & Q

I figure it's about time for me to answer old questions (really, statements) and ask some new ones (one).

A while back, I posted a list of my favorite music artists and said I would explain why later. Well, it's later, so let's see if I can make this clear yet succint.

5. Acappella - besides being in the group, I have been a big fan since my childhood. I remember when they came to my hometown, Borger, TX back in the mid-eighties, singing Shut De Do with their Miami Vice-ish skinny ties and sunglasses on. That was a turning point in my musical upbringing. Acappella has been a major part of my life ever since.

4. The Temptations - One of the greatest groups to ever sing a love song. They didn't only sing about love, though. They sang about life. They went through all kinds of trials to become (in my opinion) the most popular r&b soul group ever. They revolutionized the way we all listen to music. As a matter of fact, this song was the first song I ever sang to Stephanie. Thank you, Temptations, for pouring your hearts into every note you sang.

3. Tower of Power - Chicago meets the Temptations. In the seventies there was a horn-rock band movement that swept America. Tower of Power emerged from Oakland, California's East Bay and took the world by storm playing their own instruments and singing their own tight harmonies. Unfortunately, however, a lot of their music has been forgotten. I can say from experience that they are the tighest, funkiest, groovin'-est band I've ever seen or heard. Here's some proof:
Soul Vaccination, You Got To Funkifize, Diggin' On James Brown

2. Take 6 - This is, hands down, the best vocal group that has ever existed! The quality of each voice, mixed with the richness in the musical arrangements, and the heart behind all of it makes a legendary style that is often imitated but will never be duplicated.

1. Bobby McFerrin - The single most innovative vocalist in the world. The greatest vocal, non-verbal communicator out there. One of the world's most incredible vocal improvisationalists. In my opinion, simply the best.


So, here's the new trivia question:
What band has the most number 1 records of all times (Josh Graves)?

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Tater Faith and Whatever

No, it's not the latest Christian bluegrass duo to land on Nashville. I just thought it would be a fun title. And it has a point, believe it or not.

Steph and I watched Faith Like Potatoes night before last and it completely sparked something in us. If you haven't seen this 2006 movie yet, I highly recommend that you go rent it or buy it and watch it as soon as possible (I hope I don't get sued for this free advertisement!). Here are three reasons I fell in love with this film:


1. It's based on a true story. Can't go wrong there.
2. It's about people completely surrendering their lives to God and stepping out in faith to answer His call.
3. It's about God showing what He does when we are totally sold out for Him. Basically, it's God showing off!


Seeing this movie has kicked us into gear. We've been sitting on some major, life-changing decisions for a while, but now we have to choose. Will we take the comfortable route or take a risk that will alter our lives forever? I think God has shown us what we need to do.

Go check it out yesterday! (note: if you have a hard time understanding thick Scottish and/or South African dialects, you may want to turn on the subtitles)


Faith Like Potatoes reminded me of a song I've been hearing a lot on the radio and it kinda hits me in the gut every stinkin' time I hear it. It goes perfectly with this idea of having "tater faith" (as we southern folk would say it). It also fits perfectly with today, seeing how God has allowed me to be another year older. I still say it's just Tuesday! Enjoy today!!!

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender

(Chorus)
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...

(Chorus)

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This is something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly
Something Heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out

Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)
Sanctus Real
songwriters: Dan Gartley, Mark Graalman, Matt Hammitt, Peter Prevost, Chris Rohman

Peace, Love, and Chocolate Birthday Cake

Thinking of You

Pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.
Philippians 4:6 (NCV)

Heaven knows no difference between Sunday morning and Wednesday afternoon. God longs to speak as clearly in the workplace as he does in the sanctuary. He longs to be worshiped when we sit at the dinner table and not just when we come to his communion table. You may go days without thinking of him, but there's never a moment when he's not thinking of you.

Knowing this, we understand Paul's rigorous goal: "We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). We can fathom why he urges us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17), "be constant in prayer" (Rom. 12:12)... and "let heaven fill your thoughts" (Col. 4:2 TLB).

From: The Great House of God
Copyright (Word Publishing., 1997)
Max Lucado

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Happy Birthday, "Groove Master"

On this date in 1939 my favorite drummer was born. Over his extensive career, he has completely changed the way we listen to music. He is the inventor and innovator of "groove" drumming. His name is Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, also know as the "Groove Master" and today is his 70th birthday!

The reason Bernard Purdie is my favorite drummer is not because of his technical ability (although he is technically sound), or even because of his groove (although he grooves harder than any other drummer on the planet). I love Bernard Purdie because he loves what he does and it shows. I know that sounds a bit cliche, but it is so apparent in the way he approaches music. It's like notes are words and he believes every note he plays. That's how I want to approach the music I make. That's how I want to approach the ministry I do. That's how I want to approach life in general; living like there's no tomorrow and loving every minute of it! Watch the videos below to understand what I'm talking about (since it's his birthday, I decided to give you three for the price of one!).

Here, Bernard "splains" his signature groove, "The Purdie Shuffle."

In "part 2," Purdie shows you how to really feel this groove. Pay special attention to the end of this clip. Classic Bernard Purdie!

This clip gives a very small glimpse into Bernard's career. Listen to his stats. Incredible!


Peace, Love, and Chocolate... and GROOVE!

Order Of Importance

This idea of prioritization has been pretty prevalant in my life lately. With as much as I've had going on, it only seems natural for me to go through all my "stuff" and remind myself of my priorities. It's up at the top of my order of importance so I don't forget what I need to concentrate on for that moment. Yes, I'm saying I prioritize how I make my priorities. Kinda fun, huh? Anyway, I thought I'd list my major priorities (I'll spare you the details) and maybe set an example for you to list yours (Really, I just want to see if anyone other than my wife reads my blog anymore ;) so take a moment to list yours if you are reading this right now... please). Mine go like this:

1. God
2. my family
3. ministry
4. my friends
5. other work / personal business (what I need to do today)

I figure if I can approach life in that order, everything else will fall into place as it should. So, how about you?

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Hope

"The most dangerous man in the world is the man with no hope."
- Dr Brent McCall








Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Is It Loving?

[Love] is not rude.
1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

When defining what love is not, Paul put rudeness on the list. “It is not rude.” The Greek word for rude means shameful or disgraceful behavior.

An example of rudeness was recently taken before the courts in Minnesota . A man fell out of his canoe and lost his temper. Though the river was lined with vacationing families, he polluted the air with obscenities. Some of those families sued him. He said, “I have my rights.”

God calls us to a higher, more noble concern. Not “What are my rights?” but “What is loving?”

Do you have the right to dominate a conversation? Yes, but is it loving to do so?…Is it within your rights to bark at the clerk or snap at the kids? Yes. But is it loving to act this way?


From: A Love Worth Giving
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2005)
Max Lucado

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

How (Not) To Worship

I'm so glad we don't worship this way (he said with tongue planted firmly in cheek)!

Lord, forgive us for who we worship and help us to remember Who we were made to worship.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Mmmm... Cake!

Do you ever have days when you really wanna do this? I know I do!



Peace, Love, and Chocolate

What Can I Do?

When I see the beauty
Of the sunset’s glory
Amazing artistry
Across the evening sky
When I feel the mystery
Of a distant galaxy
It awes and humbles me
To be loved by a God so high

What can I do but thank You
What can I do but
Give my life to You
Hallelujah, hallelujah
What can I do but praise You
Every day make everything I do
A hallelujah, a hallelujah
Hallelujah

When I hear the story
Of a God of mercy
Who shared humanity
And suffered by our side
Of the cross they nailed You to
That could not hold You
Now You’re making all things new
By the power of Your risen life

What Can I Do?
Paul Baloche & Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 2005 Integrity's Hosanna! Music

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Thought Provoking

I was listening to the radio the other day and an interesting question was asked, so I thought I'd share it and see if anyone has any good answers:

What does it mean to be spiritually mature?

Talk to me...

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Celebration! 100 Posts And Counting...

Well, I finally made it to my 100th post on this blog spot! I've been racking my brain over the last several days trying to decide what I would write on this post (Really, what do people typically do to celebrate a milestone like this?). Actually, I had been thinking about waiting until my birthday to post it, but I decided that would simply take too much time between posts. Instead, I decided to write about some of my favorite people in the world, my family.

A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to take Steph and Gabby to Texas for the first time to meet my parents. While we were there we were able to have a little reception at the University Church building (where I was a member for eleven years before moving to Nashville) in honor of Stephanie's and my marriage, my dad's 90th birthday and my graduation (finally) from WTAMU!


I would have, and should have, written about this right after it happened if I had had better pictures, but I haven't gotten them yet. I hope to get them soon. Until then, I'll have to use what I have, which isn't very good at all (I'll exchange them once I get the good ones in).


B.C. Brannon - one of the greatest men I've ever had the priviledge of knowing. It's a trip to think that anyone would still have the desire to do work at the age of 90. My dad has told me on more than one occaision that he wants to preach until he can't preach anymore. By then, it'll be time for him to be with Jesus. He hasn't preached as a 90-year-old yet, thanks to pneumonia, but if the Lord so wills him to see October 5, and to preach again, he will have been preaching for 68 years! Most of my friends' parents aren't even 67 years old and my dad has been preaching that long. That's dedication! That's passion! That's honor! That's God inhabiting every fiber of his being! That's why he's my hero!

JoNell Brannon - After my mother died in 1989, I thought I would never have a mother again. Five years later, I was proven wrong. Dad showed up at WT one fall day of my freshman year and told me he was headed to see my "new mom." JoNell has been nothing short of a blessing to me since she married Dad. So much so that I call her Mom. I must mention, though, that I was encouraged by a very wise man to call her Mom instead of JoNell because in certain African cultures (from which I come) there is no step-mother, aunt, grandmother. There is only mother. Therefore, JoNell is my mother and I'm proud of that!


Stephanie Brannon - If you had asked me early last year if I thought I would be married with a child by this time, I most likely would have laughed until I couldn't stand up straight anymore! God seems to change people's plans from time to time before they even know their plans have been changed. Steph has been an answer to a prayer I'd been praying for quite a long time. I'm grateful to be married to such a beautiful, wonderful woman of God!

Gabrielle Nelson - It seems like just yesterday that we had a 10-year-old little girl who was excited about starting 6th grade in a few months. That's because it was just yesterday. Gabby turned 11 today and we treated her to a nice homemade breakfast, balloons, and presents. Isn't she adorable at 7:15 in the morning?



So, as you might have guessed by now, I am madly in love with my family and I'm so glad God put them in my life and me in theirs. What can I say? I'm blessed!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

For Our Heroes

Today is the day our great country has set aside to honor those who have given their lives to help ensure our freedom. It's sometimes difficult, in today's culture, to look past the immediate and remember history, but that's something I try to do on Memorial Day. There are so many young men and women who have paid the ultimate price in the wars in which we are currently involved. To their families I offer my heart-felt condolances.

My brother, Earnest, fought in Operation Desert Storm in the late eighties and early nineties. I may never forget the day when I was told he had to go to fight. That's not something a freshman in high school who lost his mother the year before really wants to hear. I got in trouble in my algebra class for being so distracted worrying about him. Fortunately, he came home. Unfortunately, he came home with a severe drinking problem as a result of his having to kill. He developed this habit of drinking a few shots of vodka, falling asleep (or passing out) for a few hours, waking up in the middle of the night, taking a few more shots, and passing out again. He would go through a fifth of vodka in just a matter of a couple days. We lost him eight years ago from an enlarged heart caused by a mixture of alcohol and diet pills.

That being said, Ernie was, and still is, a hero of mine because he was willing to give his very life so that you and I could enjoy our freedom. Valor and bravery like that is hard to come by these days. I pray that we raise our children to be courageous and honorable like the men and women of our armed forces. I also pray that our children will be raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and that they display all the characteristics of Christ-followers. Big blessings from our Big God!

Peace, Love, and Freedom

Meanwhile, back at the Acappella concert...

Since I haven't blogged about Acappella concerts in quite a while, I figured it would be appropriate to share this nugget that happened recently in Aca-world.

We were doing an intimate concert for about 150 people in a small meeting room of a nice lodge / hotel. The concert was going great. Everyone was really into the music and the message. We were all having a wonderful time. We got toward the end of the concert and I asked the audience to "stand up and join us while we sing about our new home" (which, if you have been to an Acappella concert recently, you know that means we're about to sing "Holy City." And if you haven't been to an Acappella concert recently, maybe it's time you came to one!).

As I was hyping the crowd for the song, a couple of older gentlemen in the back of the room became overwhelmed with the Spirit and started to jump and shout! It was amazing to see God moving through these sixty-somethings. I had not seen anything quite like it at an Acappella concert before.

Well, just as we started to sing, one of the older men tripped and fell on top of the man next to him. We stopped to see if they were okay. They weren't. All I could hear was groaning and a woman screaming. The man who was fallen upon found the strength to speak up and say that his hip was broken. The man who did the falling had a broken collar bone and femur. Everyone was in shock and no one was moving, so I yelled into my microphone to call 911. I then ran out of the room toward the front desk to get help since I didn't have my phone with me on stage. The hallway seemed like it went on forever. I ended up sliding down the railing of a long flight of stairs. It looked like I wasn't going to make the landing.

Then I woke up.

Can you imagine that really happening?

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Only The World

Sometimes the music overshadows the words. Thanks to whomever made this slideshow. May this post encourage you today!




song: Only The World
artist: Mandisa
writers: Clint Lagerberg, Matthew West, Cindy Mizelle
album: True Beauty
label: Sparrow Records
released: May 2007

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

The Motions

This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
Instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

Take me all the way (take me all the way)
Take me all the way ('cause I don't wanna go through the motions)
Take me all the way (I know I'm finally feeling something real)
Take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

I don't wanna go through the motions

The Motions
Written by Jason Houser, Sam Mizell, and Matthew West
© Word Music, LLC; SONGS FOR LULU

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Feeding Jesus

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink... I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." ~ Jesus

Today, we have an opportunity to help feed the hungry. My blogging friend, Trey Morgan, is involved with a ministry in Santa Ana, Honduras called "Feed the Dump People." There are so many people in Santa Ana, and all over the world, whose only source of possible nourishment is the garbage that is left over from others' meals. These people are filthy, smelly, barely clothed, and beautiful because they, like the rest of us, are image-bearers of God. Check out Trey's blog when you get a chance and do what you can to pitch in. This is a perfect opportunity to feed Jesus!

http://www.treymorgan.net/2009/05/feed-dump-people-day.html

Peace, Love, and Food for the Hungry

Total Ripoff!

I've been reading Josh Graves' blog for a little while now and I really enjoy it. I enjoy it so much, as a matter of fact, that I'm gonna totally rip his idea off and do a survey blog. I started to copy his idea completely and ask the question, "What are your top five sports cities?" but I thought of a question that would be fair to Josh and his readers, and fun for me and my readers (or at least for me). Josh, if you're reading this, please forgive my theft of a brilliant idea! And if you're not reading this, I guess it doesn't matter, anyway! :-) Hoping to get some good input, so I'll encourage all of you to post comments.

What are your top five music artists? This includes solo artists, bands, vocal groups, orchestras, jazz ensembles, or any other artists that come to mind. Here are mine:

5. Acappella
4. The Temptations
3. Tower of Power
2. Take 6
1. Bobby McFerrin

Now, understand that this is an extremely challenging list for me to write because there are so many artists that I love for so many different reasons. I'll explain my choices in a later blog.

Your turn!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

The Tomb Is Empty!

Arise, My Love
Written by Eddie Carswell
Performed by NewSong
© SONY/ATV SONGS LLC

It Happened On Friday...

...but it started on Thursday. The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.
Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.
Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”
“Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him.
He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.

When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.” He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”

After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.

Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”

He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”

But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. The guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and said, “Prophesy to us! Who hit you that time?” And they hurled all sorts of terrible insults at him.
Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus replied, “You have said it.”
Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!” Then they became insistent. “But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes—all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!”
“Oh, is he a Galilean?” Pilate asked. When they said that he was, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time.

Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. (Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.)

Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.

As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. A sign was fastened to the cross above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow.

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.
As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.
(from Luke 22-23, NLT)

There is nothing more that can be done now. Go home. Your King is dead.

Yes, You

I don't know what to do
ain't no words comin through
can't seem to think when I'm looking at you
when I'm thinking of the words to say
all I think of are two

yes, You

when I'm all alone
my heart's like a stone
but you give me the strength when I'm on my own
I start thinking of some words to say
there's only two that I know

yes, You

I'm on bended knee
and my heart you see
you there's no one else who can set me free
when I'm thinking of the words to pray
there's only two that I need

yes, You

(By Bobby McFerrin; ©ProbNoblem Music/BMI)

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Blogs I Like

I haven't been the most faithful blogger on the planet by any stretch of the imagination, but I enjoy blogging. It's a good way to reach out to whomever will take a moment to read and learn some of my thoughts on life and all it's intricacies. Since I've been crazy busy lately, I feel like I've neglected my little corner of the blog world. So, to fill some time while I try to get my stuff together, I thought I'd hit you with a list of blogs I like. I'll give you the url's and you can copy and paste into your browser as you so choose. I pray these blogs bless your life as they have blessed mine. If you have any others I need to get into, please hit me with them. I love reading good blogs that encourage, educate, and entertain (yes, blogging is entertainment) me, as well as challenge me to be closer to Jesus. That's what I attempt to do with my blog, so that's what I like to read. I guess that makes sense. Okay, enough rambling. Here's the list:

My beautiful wife, Stephanie Brannon - http://roos-kangaslang.blogspot.com/

Matt Chandler - http://theresurgence.com/mc_blog
Shane Coffman - http://shanecoffman.blogspot.com/
Mark Driscoll - http://theresurgence.com/md_blog
Gary & Melody Evans - http://garyandmelody.blogspot.com/
Louie Giglio - http://268generation.com/blog/
Josh Graves - http://joshgraves.blogspot.com/
Brenda Hughes - http://path189.blogspot.com/
Chris Lindsey - http://chrislindsey.blogspot.com/
Patrick Mead - http://patrickmead.net/
Trey Morgan - http://www.treymorgan.net/
John Piper - http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/
Terry Rush - http://www.terryrush.blogspot.com/
Brandon Scott Thomas - http://brandonscottthomas.blogspot.com/
Chris Tomlin - http://christomlin.com/blog/

If I had more time, I'd read more blogs. Hope you enjoy these.

Peace, Love, and Chocolate