I completed my RUF speaking tour this Friday evening at Ft. Desoto park. On Tuesday night, I drove down to U.S.F. in Tampa to speak for their regularly scheduled “large group” meeting. I put “large” in parenthesis because that’s what RUF calls such meetings-yet only 15 students showed up.

On Friday, my best bud Ande Johnson, UCF’s RUF Campus pastor asked me (well he asked me at least a month ago; I just spoke on Friday!) to speak at his retreat. There were probably over 30 students in attendance as I began speaking at 10 pm that evening. It was fun having to use a flash light to read my notes and deliver my message to students circled around the campsite. A slightly different venue than when I preach, lead Christian Ed, Community group, youth group, etc…

When I think of people who’ve had the greatest spiritual impact in my lives, I think of several people very close to me, such as my Mom, and those who’ve discipled me over the years. But I would be remiss to ignore the various speakers at numerous retreats and conferences.

I’m thankful for all those who’ve discipled me and those who’ve sharpened me through their friendships. But I’m also thankful for all the “little people” those who’ve been a part of my life for only a small window-such as weekend. Even such folks as these have had a huge impact. I can only hope I was “little person” this week, serving alongside people who’ve put their blood, sweat, and tears into their ministries.

It seems like we grow up slower these days. Now of course some folks do not, due to tragedies (parents die and the oldest sibling takes care of the younger ones). But by and large, we seem to grow up slower. Young adults are marrying later, having kids later (and there is nothing inherently wrong with this I don’t think-I’m in this category). Yet sometimes this attitude carries over to the expectations young folks have for themselves, and of course the expectations leadership has for them.

That’s why I think it is so imperative that we do all that we can to fight against an attitude that says, “When I get older, I’ll do this or that.” Why not do something great for Jesus’ Kingdom at a young age?

Mark Driscoll, reflecting on Paul’s admonition to Timothy “don’t let anyone look down upon you because you are young.,” lists some great examples of younger folks used greatly by Jesus to further His Kingdom. The point is not simply to challenge young folks, but to challenge all folks to start thinking about how they can be used by God now, and not later.

About every other Herald article I write, someone contacts me via my blog, email, or church phone number. I always enjoy hearing from folks who’ve identified with, been touched by, or simply thought some more about what I’ve written.

Immediately after the article came out, a woman called and left a Voice Mail at the church. Apparently her grandson, who lives in Bradenton is going through just what David Goldman is going through. His Brazilian wife took their daughter to Brazil and said, “I’m never coming back.”

I talked to this woman for about 15 minutes and found out some details that saddened me even more. A minister in Brazil told another family member that this form of “kidnapping” actually happens a lot in Brazil. American babies are “in” over there.

Anyhow, she told me her grandson is a Christian. So he does know Someone who suffered the loss of His own child. It would be great though, if these two men (he and Goldman) could meet. How deep the fellowship these two could potentially have!

In today’s economy, everyone is feeling the pinch. Man and beast alike, and I’m not talking about pets. Even sharks have fallen “prey” to the economic downturn. Yep, shark attacks were down this past year, and it looks as if the economy is to blame. Check out this study put out by a University of Florida researcher. The only question is, how will they respond to the economic stimulus package?

We had another discussion on The Reason For God this past Sunday in our Christian Ed. In chapter 12, Keller goes into some detail (although he does admit there is much more he doesn’t elaborate on) on the need for the cross.

Many in his circles, which may or may not be those in your circles, have a problem with a loving God requiring a bloody sacrifice. And the sacrifice of His Son on top of that? Why couldn’t he just forgive us if we’re sorry?

Instead of simply stating immediately that God is also fully Holy, which He is, Keller begins with the common ground of love. In other words, “Since you already believe that God is a loving God, let me show you how the only way to really be loving (forgive sins/reconcile people) is the cross.

The chapter beautifully fleshes out how forgiveness always requires suffering for the one offering forgiveness, and that real love involves a costly exchange.

The loving costly exchange has been depicted in movies and literature throughout the years. One example Keller mentions is the exchange scene in Tale of Two Cities. We spent a few moments thinking of some examples as in Gone Baby Gone, Man on Fire. But one thing we noticed was that most of these exchange scenes involved a “bad” or normal person giving themselves for someone who was innocent.

It wasn’t until after our discussion that we came up with a few examples of a “good” person giving him/herself for an unworthy guilty person. Gone in 60 Seconds depicts a semi-reformed car thief willing to give his life for an undeserving and ungrateful brother. That’s getting closer.

My personal favorite exchange scene-though it is hard to take-is To End All Wars, where an innocent man gives himself up to die in the place of a murderer. These kind of exchanges more closely parallel the exchange of the cross, where Christ died for people who were at the time his enemies (Romans 5:8).

Can you think of any more exchange scenes that depict a “good” guy giving himself for a “bad” /guilty guy or gal? These are fewer in number for obvious reasons, but I’d love to know more out there. Please comment if you have any which come to mind.

Here’s my latest Bradenton Herald Article. After some shoddy Herald editing jobs recently, Randy and I are getting the point: we need to do the editing ourselves. That’s fine. Point well taken.

This one looks just like I intended it to look, with the exception of some extra periods here and there. So for those of who you don’t read the Bradenton Herald, or who skip the Faith and Values section (although its pretty tough to skip when you see my goofy picture-it really is goofy, more than usual-on the top of the column), you may want to click here to read it.

Last night Amy and I sat down to watch the T.V. show “Lost.” We’ve been a little confused lately about what’s been going on in the show. Each episode seems to bring up more questions than answers. Last night only accelerated our confusion. Here’s why.

We started the DVR (probably the best invention in the history of the world, or at least top 10) and saw the conclusion of the last episode (it always records about 2-3 minutes early). One of the new characters said something to the “bad” guy in Spanish. I thought, “Wow, I don’t remember her speaking Spanish last time.”

Then the commercial came. Then the new episode started. In Spanish. All of it. I’m really not sure how it happened, because we don’t have any sort of language change capability. So needless to say, we’re even more “lost” now than we were before. Watching it in Spanish didn’t help.

This is probably how the gospel sounds to those whose eyes have yet to be opened. The gospel is like another language all together: everything is the very opposite of what one would expect (grace not merit, sacrificing to find joy, communal not strictly individualistic, etc….). Therefore the verbal proclamation of the gospel really needs to be accompanied by prayer from you and from others. Without the Spirit “translating” the message to the heart, the message will fall on “deaf” ears.

Now prayer is not a substitute for verbally sharing the gospel with our friends, families, neighbors, it is like a wing on a plane. Obviously we know what happens when a plane only has one wing.

Some folks would love to espouse how free they are. They are “free thinkers,” may enjoy “free love,” and don’t want to sacrifice the “freedom” of not having to answer to anyone or any authority like the bible, or some sort of biblical accountability structure like elders. They believe they are completely free.

However, as our friend Bob Dylan sang, “You gotta serve somebody.” We will always serve someone: ourselves, others approval, or God. So we will be a servant to someone. The question is who will we serve? Someone who has given himself for us (Gal 2:20) or someone selfish like ourselves?

I want to illustrate that folks claiming to so free really belie such freedom and show they are instead enslaved to their own desires.

In this video, you will see Connar leave one area of play only to go to another area to knock down a “tower” of cups. He HAS to do this. Every time he sees us set up cups, he HAS to come and knock them down. Now he does choose to do so. There is nothing outside him that makes him come to such cups. He is not coerced or even persuaded. He just sees them and HAS to act.

But is he really free? I would say he is responsible for his own choice to come. But if he HAS to come to the cups (this is the only choice he has ever made and will continue to make until something greater captures his heart), is he not in bondage to his own desires and will? I’m just borrowing from Martin Luther’s terminology.

So he is free in some sense, but also a slave in another sense. I think most people who would say they are free are really just a slave to their own desires and trapped in bondage to their own will.

It will take SOMEONE outside to come in and do something in their hearts in order to break this bondage. Then they will inevitably freely choose Christ, because they can see how wonderful He is. That’s what some folks have called “Irresistible Grace.”

It is not just a “didactic” video. It is quite a cute one, if I do say so myself.

Last night we awoke to the sounds of Connar doing his “semi-cry.” But that’s not all we heard. There was a strange sound like air blowing out of an air tunnel mixed with a long sustained shriek.

We couldn’t tell where it was coming from and it would only last about 5 seconds. It happened about every five minutes.

To be perfectly honest, it sounded like that smoke monster thing from the show “Lost.” That show isn’t based on a true story or anything, but let’s just say we were “concerned.” At about 3:30 am, we realized it was not in fact any sort of smoke monster, but the new laptop. Apparently the screen saver is on “audio-monster mode” or something. Instead of a picture, it just makes ghastly noises and shrieks.

After that we could rest soundly knowing that Connar, Amy, and I were safe from monsters (at least that one). Moral of the story: close all laptops at night unless you know they don’t have some sort of audible screen saver.

This is a funny video about a sad truth of selfishness and consumer mentality in the church. It was presented to me at the last two church planting conferences. There is nothing in specific which prompted this post, but I think it is always a good reminder that our hearts (especially mine) are prone to think selfishly. In addition, it’s quite humorous and well done, and definitely worth your minute and twenty seconds.