A Blast From The Past

I've been involved in music for as long as I can remember! I thought everyone would enjoy seeing a picture of me when I was 11 (top). Yes, I actually played the drums back then! My mom is the one in the front row with the tape recorder (remember them?). This was a musical production at Sussex Christian School. My dad was the director. The other picture is the group of kids that I am playing along with (bottom). No drum cages back then (notice the soft covers on the drums!).

Revelation Song

I love to worship and I love to lead people in worship! With that in mind, here's a great version of a song many of us have come to love: Revelation Song. Take a few minutes today and worship the Almighty God!

Bye Bye Binkie

The other day, Kyrsten decided that she didn't need her binkie during her nap (she is only allowed to have it when she sleeps). She's almost 3 now, and we have been telling her that she can transition to her "big girl" bed once she gets rid of her binkie. As a token of our firm belief in her ability to change, Cheryl put her in her new bed and closed the door. It was quiet for while. It almost seemed too good to be true and then...Cheryl heard something. It was Kyrsten. She hadn't fallen asleep. Needless to say, the rest of the day was pretty rough! Anyone ever deal with a cranky toddler?

That night, I asked Kyrsten why she didn't want to sleep in her big girl bed. Without hesitation, and with the sweetest little voice, she said, "I like my binkie." Let's face it. Bad habits are hard to break!

All of this got me thinking about the unhealthy practices that plague so many of our own lives. In a way, many of us have a hard time saying goodbye to our "binkies". While some of our "binkies" are seemingly harmless, others can explode into life-altering addictions. In either case, we often hang on to them because, although they are negatively affecting our lives, they bring us comfort in some unexplainable way.

So how do we say bye bye to our binkies? I have found that freedom comes when our willingness to be free exceeds our desire for the pleasure our habit brings. Take a look today at your own life. Is there anything you need to pull the plug on? If so, call out to God. He's the life-changer. With His help we can grow up in the faith and rid ourselves of the sin that so easily entangles us.

As for Kyrsten, it won't be long and we'll hear her say "Bye bye binkie!" What a day that will be!

Social Media Revolution

We live in a day and age of rapid change. One of the greatest examples of this is found in the proliferation of social media. I believe that we as Christians have a responsibility to keep up with these cultural shifts regardless of our age or background in order to best connect with those around us who need to know Christ.
Here's a video with some amazing facts about the revolution going on before our eyes! Enjoy!

Awe Factor

We serve an incredible God! Just one look at His creation reveals to us His incredible majesty and power. Consider for a moment some amazing facts about our planet.

A caterpillar has 228 separate and distinct muscles in its head. The average elm tree has approximately 6 million leaves on it. Your heart generates enough pressure as it pumps blood throughout your body that it could squirt blood up to 30 feet. There are 3000 different species of trees in one square mile of the Amazon forest.

Spiders produce 3 different kinds of silk. They can create 60 feet of silk per hour while simultaneously producing special oil on their feet that protects them from sticking to their own web. Coral plants are so sensitive that they can die if the water temperature varies by even one or two degrees. When we get goose bumps, the hair in your follicles is actually helping you stay warmer by trapping body heat.

Do you get the idea? Wow! And this is just a small sampling!

R. C. Sproul once wrote, "Men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God."

Let's take these words to heart. If God is this amazing, isn't he big enough to take care of you?

Nature facts taken from Crazy Love by Francis Chan (c) 2008

Love Your Frenemies

Each year, a new set of words is added to the dictionary. Altogether, 25 words were picked in 2009 to join the ever expanding English language, some of which include vlog, earmark, pharmacogenetics, sock puppet and more. As I read through the list, there was one word that really jumped out at me: frenemy.

A frenemy is one who pretends to be a friend but is actually an enemy. Do you have any of these? These are people who flower you with niceties to your face and then say mean things about you behind your back. Yikes!

God's word is very clear about how we should respond to our frenemies. Mt. 5:44 tells us that we are to "love our (fr)enemies" How is this possible? I ran across some great thoughts on this from a study by Doug Britton called Let Jesus Transform Your Heart.

• Realize that you may have misinterpreted the other person's words.
• Realize that you may be right: The other person may be your enemy.
• Determine what part you played in the problem.
• See problems as opportunities to grow in Christ.
• Forgive . . . even if your enemy does not apologize.
• Pray for your enemies.

I hope these practical tips help you deal with your frenemies as much as they have helped me deal with mine. Be strong in the Lord, my friend!

Some Skunk Funk

This one is for all you jazz lovers! Wow! Click here.