Tragically there was an murderous attack on the Colorado training center for YWAM

Violence is an often forgotten aspect that lingers near missions and ministry. The message of Jesus is a message of grace and life change. But that message is also one of confrontation and challenge.

The shooter @ YWAM & New Life Church apparently had some mental issues and had developed a strong hatred for Christianity, which is ironic since he was a missionary in training @ YWAM in 2002.

While the loss of the YWAM members is tragic and the deaths of the teen sisters @ New Life is heartbreaking, if all were trusting the merits and person of Jesus then they have entered into the elite corps of martyrs that the book of Revelation holds in such high esteem.

Surely we are reminded of the relevancy of Peter's words, "The Devil is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour..."

One of a kind...

Like every parent I not only love each of my children individually, but there are qualities I admire about each of my children. Areas in which I wish I was more like them. Zak is very disciplined. Alley is very empathetic. Eli is very...different, and he is OK with that.

To Eli every thing is BIG. It's either BIG good or BIG bad, but there isn't much middle ground.
I wish I had that enthusiasm. Eli is just Eli. For example: The get-up he is wearing in the pic was his church clothes on Wed, dew rag and all. Oh, you can't see the chain wallet clamped around his ankle for reason I don't understand. It never crossed his mind that 7 year old preacher kids don't go to church dressed like that. It did cross my mind. But in the end...that's just Eli.

The question I ask myself is, "Why am I so uncomfortable just being me? Is it nature (that's just me) or nurture (family, experiences, church has bred that into me?)"

Mind Dump

*My oldest son turned 16 today. I am very proud of the young man he is becoming. God has blessed him with so many opportunities. I am convicted of taking him for granted and not praying for him (and my other two fantastic children) that God would continue to do for him what was said of Josiah, "your heart has been kept tender."

*Sunday was great. It just had one of those vibes to where you could tell the Holy Spirit was noticeable.

*It was great to see people make amends with the church and get traction in their walk w/Christ.

*Sunday School was fantastic. I love the fact that we have people who don't mindlessly tow the traditional line when it comes to cultural issues. I don't think Jerry Falwell would always enjoy our class and with due respect to Bill O'Reiley we aren't culture warriors.

*It amazes me that without fail when we have an Evangelism Explosion Class during the week we get a visitor(s) on the weekend. Rarely is it anyone we have visited. If we miss a class, that weekend we won't have any visitors. God loves to bless the Great Commission!

*Monday my oldest son got his driving permit. 16 years have passed so fast. Nevertheless, you raise them to have a life of their own. Driving is one of the milestones.

*I scare myself. This week I checked out Giving by Bill Clinton. What's even scarier is I have found some good food for thought. I have developed a curiosity in the Grameen Bank which is mentioned in the book. It is a micro-financing approach for the very poorest of people.

I have really gotten into Project X from webserials.com (not live link).
What I find interesting about this is the small scale. A 5 minute chunk posted every week. I love the way this kind of platform illustrates a democratic leaning. No longer do corporations have a strangle hold on everything public. Music, film and even churches are experiencing a second life by embracing the indie, democratic, non-corporate opportunities that have arisen.

*I'm officially a geek. I have done the freebie grade of Classmates.com. With the exception of one or two people I have not seen any of my classmates since I walked out of Millard High School Gym May 30th 1986 (which was my 18th birthday) on graduation night.
Here is a response to my bio on Classmates that mentions the former feather haired, head banger is now a gray haired pastor...
"Wow your profile shocked me (LOL). In a good way though still trying to picture you standing up there delivering the Sunday Sermon. Who would of thought..."


*It's been a good few days.

Wow.

If only all classical music was like this...


Here's the original eruption...



insane.

Disclaimer: Keep in mind this blog is personal. It is not the preachers blog. It is not the Baptist blog. It is a small corner of a very small mind.