Men's Retreat Update

The retreat at Lake James was great. David Willis did an awesome job bringing the Word to the guys. We had nearly 50 guys (including many first-timers) there. It was fun, challenging, encouraging, and motivating.

Last Sunday's Intro

/><

Luke Playing Guitar

Whatcha Talkin' 'Bout Willis?

I'm looking forward to having my old friend David Willis in town this weekend. He's going to speak at our Men's Retreat at Lake James Christian Assembly and preach at Cedar Creek on Sunday. We always have a lot of fun when we are together.

Here's a photo from way back in the day:

Young and Old Ferris

Ferris Bueller -- 23 Years Later

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is one of my favorite movies. Many children of the 80's (like me) have seen the movie many times. I was reading Mark Oestreicher's blog today, and he had a link to a "Where Are They Now?" kind of thing. He said that Jennifer Gray had changed the most, but my vote goes to Mia Sara (aka Ferris' girlfriend Sloane Peterson).

President Obama

I watched the Inauguration coverage. I agree with what my friend Danny Dodd said: "Now President Obama will begin to find out what it is really all about. My guess is- that once he is completely immersed into all things president, he will start to see that W was not quite the arrogant idiot he was made out to be. I think he will discover that it is one thing to be on the outside calling for change and be on the inside realizing that is ain’t that easy. But I wish him well. I do hope he can be the agent to turn our economy around. A lot of hopes are riding on him."

Get Rid of Your Crap!

Last month I read a blog post by Perry Noble and I immediately knew I wanted to develop it into a lesson for the Men of the Word (a group of guys from Cedar Creek that meets each month for a prayer breakfast and Bible lesson). In Deuteronomy 23:12-14 God tells the Israelites to bury their crap outside the camp. I have been digesting Perry's thoughts, and I have come up with something to share with the guys. A good lesson to start the new year:

Five ways to get rid of your crap:

1. Dump toxic thoughts.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

2. Flush foul fellowship.
Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character.

1 Corinthians 15:33

3. Bury stinky attitudes.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

4. Purge putrid behavior.
Ephesians 4:1-3; 29-32

5. Wipe out whining.
Philippians 2:14-16

What God is Teaching Our Leaders

Earlier this week, we had the privilege of hosting the Area Ministers Meeting. I put some thoughts together regarding What God is Teaching Our Leaders. I came up with five areas that I think are important to any group of church leaders.

Compatibility
Compatibility with each other AND the people. Jesus said, "I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” People won’t follow leaders they don’t like or respect.

1 Thess. 5:12-13 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work Be at peace among yourselves.

Teachability
We must sharpen the saw. Learn, grow, stretch, etc. Be challenged. What is your plan for personal growth? What are you doing to feed your soul?

Accountability
To each other. To the church. To the Lord.

Flexibility
What needs to change? How can we make it better?

Predictability
What doesn't change? Commitment to prayer, the ministry of the Word, evangelism, faithfulness, excellence, etc.

American Idol

A.I. returned tonight. The kids love it, but I'm growing tired of it. The funniest parts are the auditions during the first few epsiodes. The people are different, but the train wrecks are all-too-familiar.

Jack is Back!

What's Happening?

I’m sorry I haven’t posted in a while. What has been going on?

I’ve been on Facebook for some time now, but I haven’t been very active with it. But it seems like a lot of my friends and family have discovered it recently, so it has been fun to re-connect with people.

New Year’s resolutions are going well. I have started running regularly again. Thanks to Trey Morgan and Perry Noble for the motivation.

I’m enjoying the new sermon series that I’m preaching this month: One Month to Live (inspired by Kerry Shook’s book).

I’m looking forward to the end of the month when my old friend David Willis comes to teach at our Men’s Retreat and preach at Cedar Creek.

Happy New Year!