JESUS AND...

This past Sunday at church we were challenged to confront ourselves concerning the idols we worship. I think that's one of my favorite subjects in church services; not because I like to judge people for their idolatry (God knows my idolatry all too well!), but because it reminds me what holds - and should hold - the utmost importance in my life.

Right around Christmas I saw this video on Twitter. It may be offensive to some (perhaps to many) but it encompasses the message that we serve idols ... often more than we serve God.

**DISCLAIMER** The following video has some language that may not be suitable for young ears. If such language is offensive to you or your young readers/listeners, please refrain from watching the clip.



The idol of stuff is a great big idol in the U.S. When we really get real about what we worship (especially those of us who claim Christ) it quickly becomes a severe case of "Jesus and..."

We're commanded to love God with everything we have - our heart, soul, mind, and strength - and to love people in the same way we love ourselves. (Luke 10:27) Also we are told that through God's riches we would have our every need supplied; we were never promised to have our greed supplied. (Phil. 4:19)

So what's the deal? Why are we so wrapped up in this idol we call "Stuff"? It's not going to love us unconditionally. It won't always be there for us. It won't last forever. (Matt. 6:19-21)

Jesus will. (Matt. 28:20b)

Will you choose to worship Jesus and Stuff, or just Jesus?

Peace, Love, and Jesus

SPORTS vs. GOD

"Why is it that we can jump up, throw our hands in the air, clap, yell, cheer and celebrate at a football game, but if we demonstrate the same behavior at church we are judged almost to the point of condemnation?"

If you've been in a church setting for even a little while I'm sure you've heard this question asked. Well, I don't know if I have the "right" answer, of there even is a "right" answer, but I do have an answer.

Think about this: We do not and cannot know everything we want to know about God.
However, we can, and often do know everything we want to know about our favorite players. We can learn about his strengths and weaknesses, we can find out what motivates him to be the best, we can even know how long he will be signed with a team and the amount of money he'll make during that time (thus proving the point that most guys love stats ... more about that later). All of these things are fun to know, but don't really make all that much of a difference in our lives. The fact that the Cowboys signed the best receiver in the draft doesn't mean automatic success for the team. 

That is not necessarily the case with God. The fact that He sent the Savior to the world means automatic eternal life for all those on His team. We know a lot of stats from the Bible and from the stories of people who have experienced God, but we don't know the half of it. We know that love motivates God to give us grace. We know God will be signed with His team forever and that He doesn't need money because it's all His anyway. We also know that He has already defeated sin, death, the grave, and the world. There it is; God has already won, but we never know what team will win the next game. As the old NFL saying goes, "Anything could happen on any given Sunday."

Don't get me wrong. I love sports. I love rooting for the Texas Longhorns, Dallas Cowboys, and Tennessee Titans in football, as well as the Spurs, Lakers, and Thunder in basketball, and the Rangers, Braves and Cardinals in baseball. I love rooting against the OU Sooners in any sport (sorry, Sooner fans. I still love ya!). 

The fact that I love sports, though, could be disastrous for me if I'm not careful. I could let my love of sports overwhelm my love for my wife, my family, or my God. I could end up worshipping sports instead of God. That causes me to think very carefully and make sure I keep my priorities in check.

Do you get what I'm saying? Do you understand the significance of this dilemma? What should we do about it?

What do you think about the sports vs. God debate?

Peace, Love, and the Dallas Cowboys

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

Rebirth Of A Nation

Yesterday we witnessed a first. For some, a long-awaited first. For others, long-feared. I know plenty of people who are thrilled to see a black man as President. I know some people who are equally thrilled, if not moreso, to see the former President leave office. Here are my thoughts (thank you for asking) about the whole thing.

I am a Christian first, then a husband, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a friend, a worship leader, a musician, and an American, in that order. I love my God, my family, my ministry, and my country. I worship my God. Period.
I care deeply for my family and friends, but I don't worship them. I care deeply for my ministry, but I don't worship it. I care deeply for my country, but I don't worship it either. I worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That is my God.

I say these things because I find it extremely important to understand my priorities so I always remember from where I come and to Whom I belong. I choose to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," so that "all these things will be added to [me]." (Matt. 6:33)

So what does this have to do with the "rebirth of a nation?" Simply stated, a lot of Americans are worshipping the new President and serving him as a god. They firmly support everything he says and does. His words are like fresh water to them. They run through the streets chanting his name as though he were the savior of this land.

As I watched the new President's inaugural speech, I felt an underlying sense of pride (for my heritage as well as my country's courage to try to break down racial barriers) and a surprising sense of hope. Then something happened that put things into perspective. The camera moved. They panned out over the crowd and then went to a shot of the President at the podium with so many hundreds of people seated behind and above him. All around him were men and women just like him. He looked so small. It was at that moment that I remembered, "He's only a man. He may be very intelligent and well-spoken, and he may hold one of the highest political offices in the world, but he's still only a man. I respect and even admire him, but he's still only a man. His position is much grander than he. His country is so much more powerful than he. And all the while, Jesus sits on His throne, awaiting His appointed time to return to the Earth He created and take His children home with Him!"

My point is two-fold.
1. Respect the office of the President.
2. Worship the true Savior of this land.

Although the President holds significant authority in this world, no person holds higher authority than Jesus. The President is a good man and I choose to respect him. However, I choose to be led only by the Holy Spirit who prompts me to love unconditionally.

This is not my confession of perfection. This is my request for rebirth. May we, as a nation, be reborn into the faith, hope, and love of Jesus, the true Savior, both now and eternally!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Ten Guidelines

Ten Guidelines From God
Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. Please, follow these 10 guidelines.

1. QUIT WORRYING: Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST: Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME: Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE: Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME: I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH: I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE: You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT: I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND: Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF: As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only -- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don't ever forget......

Thanks to my friend, Jennifer Smith, for letting me post this on my blog. I really felt convicted and challenged after I read it and I hope you do to. Blessings!