King's Servants

I’m studying for some leadership teaching that I’m going to do for the next three Thursdays at a sister congregation in Ohio (about an hour from here). My father-in-law has put together this training. About two hours each week for a couple of years. He brings in a lot of guest speakers. Kind of a “Joshua’s Men” type of discipleship and leadership development thing. It's called "King's Servants." I did this last year and really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to it.

A Good Dog

About six years ago, our family went to get a dog from the SPCA. We looked at several candidates. We nearly got a German Shepherd puppy, but another dog had caught our eye. A Border Collie who was older, about six years old. She had been passed over many times and they weren't going to keep her much longer. We chose to take "Midnight" home. She was a great dog. She loved the kids and they loved her. She was house-broken and she didn't run away when we let her outside.

In recent months, she started to show her age. Her hearing was nearly gone and she didn't do much but lie around the house. The past few days, she had become very lethargic and was not herself. We took her to the vet today, fearing what we might have to do. The vet said she had a tumor on her spleen. Long story short, we had to say "good-bye." But we have lots of great memories.

Real Preachers of Genius - Mr. Really Really Bad Preacher

Communion

This past Wednesday night I did a lesson on the Lord's Supper. I'm teaching the series: The New Testament Church -- Then & Now. We had a good discussion. Tomorrow I will be teaching on the same subject in the Homebuilders Bible School Class. Our class has been studying controversial or disputable matters. I think some of the class members are going to be stunned to learn that some people have very strong convictions about this (frequency, day, participants, etc.). Isn't it just like Satan to take the very things that are to unite us and point us towards Christ, and use them to create such sharp division within the Body of Christ? Worship, Communion, and Baptism -- those topics never fail to generate a spirited discussion.

Some of you know that I have been on a personal journey with regard to the issue of the Lord's Supper. See posts here. My friend Al Maxey has written so well on this subject. He asks many of the same questions I have been asking. Especially here and here. Enjoy!

Fun With Gas

Guess Who's Coming to The Fort?

Story here.

Teenage Pyros

This one is for all the parents of teenage boys. A couple of nights ago, Luke and his friend were coming into the garage with a spray can. I asked what they had been doing and they said they had been burning stuff. What?! (cue the fatherly lecture about playing with fire, especially while using an accelerant, "you could have burned the barn down", etc.).

Yesterday I walked into the house and it smelled like oil or smoke or something. I suspected that they had been in the barn. So I walked out to the barn and it was full of smoke (a chemical smell). Furious, I found them in Luke's room and got them to confess that they had been burning the old pool noodles. I can only imagine the noxious chemicals that stunt produced. I'll spare you the details, but the Wrath of Dad came down.

Later, my repentant son said, "Dad, teen boys like to burn stuff. Just to see what it will do." I know son. I once was one.

It's My Birthday and I'll Blog If I Want To

Another year older. Forty-three! How did THAT happen? I still feel like I'm in my twenties, but the mirror tells a different story. It has been a great day so far. I've received several phone calls from family and friends. Mrs. Soren and I are going to a quiet, romantic dinner tonight. Life is good.

Book Bonanza

The local Christian bookstore had its annual ministers appreciation breakfast this morning. We had a nice breakfast, then listened to some publishers hawk their new books, then we walked away with 8-10 freebies. LeaderShift by Don Cousins. Ed Young’s book, Outrageous, Contagious Joy. A sampler of the ESV study Bible (the book of Luke). The Blazing Center by John Piper. A workbook companion for Hybels’ Holy Discontent. A few others that I can’t recall right now. We always have a good time at this event.

A Glorious Sunday

It was a great Sunday. A good day at The Creek. I took a nap this afternoon, then went for a ride on my motorcycle, stopping by the local children’s home and playing a little dodge ball. Attended a Revival meeting at a sister church tonight. Now I am watching baseball.

ESV Study Bible

The new ESV Study Bible debuts next week. It has been getting a lot of hype in the blogosphere. Crossway has been doing a good job of promotion. I have been enjoying reading through the ESV this year, so I'm curious to see what the Study Bible looks like. I have not been a big Study Bible fan in the past (Mrs. Soren has the NIV Study Bible and it's HUGE), but it is hard to ignore the hearty endorsements from people whom I respect.

Although I have some very good Bible software, I've always been a "book guy." I would rather read a printed commentary than read it off a computer screen. But it's easier to take my laptop to Starbucks than all my books.

Okay so this is probably the most boring post of the week. You get what you pay for.

Have a Great Weekend Everybody!

Lincoln Brewster

My buddy Joe introduced me to Lincoln Brewster's music. I picked up his new album tonight. It's good.

Fireproof

Or small group went to see Fireproof on Sunday night. It lived up to the hype. Every married couple should go see this movie. Only one or two real actors were in it, but the storyline more than made up for that. This is a must-see!

Wait 'Til Next Year

I awakened to find that the Cubs had lost. D'oh! Couldn't they at least have made a series of it? Swept two years in a row. And that's what makes them the Cubs.

Why Do I Ever Get My Hopes Up?

I have been a Cubs fan since I was eight years old. That means they have been breaking my heart for 35 years. Yes, they can still pull it off. But they looked like the Bad News Bears last night.

Better Luck Tonight?