Georgia Family Camp

Had a great time in Georgia. The camp is in a beautiful location in NE Georgia. It was fun spending time with my good friends John Mitchell and Tony Washburn. And the people were very encouraging regarding my messages.

The trip home was an ordeal. My flight from Atlanta to Detroit was cancelled, so I had to catch a later flight. Then, when I got to Detroit (about 9:30pm on Saturday) I found out that my flight to Ft. Wayne had been cancelled (lots of flights were getting cancelled because it was really windy). None of the other airlines were going to the Fort that night either. So I had to rent a car (ironically, the reason I didn't fly out of Indy was so I wouldn't have to drive home late on Saturday night). Well the first four rental car places I called were sold out (apparently all of the other stranded travelers had the same idea). I was really starting to sweat (it was approaching 10:00 and I knew that I had to preach at the Creek the next day). Finally I found a place with a car. That's the good news. The bad news is that I couldn't get a one-way rental. So I have to return the car to Detroit today. Ugh.

One Last Campmeeting for 2006

Last Campmeeting of the year -- I'll be leaving tomorrow for Clarkesvile, GA to preach at the Georgia Old Fashion Campmeeting. Looking forward to seeing my old friends John Mitchell and Tony Washburn. Sharing the program will be Ray Bennett, Joe O'Neal, and David Jones. I'm sure there will be some wonderful sermons. Will fill you in on the details when I return.

Heaven

I started a new sermon series yesterday about Heaven. I have been enjoying the prep work for the series. We sent out 5000 postcards to the community (from outreach.com) and advertised in the newspaper. As a result, we had several new people here yesterday.

Honey, um, About Your Truck...

To My Darling Husband,

Before you return from your trip I just want to let you know about the small accident I had with the pick up truck when I turned into the driveway. Fortunately not too bad and I really didn't get hurt, so please don't worry too much about me.

I was coming home from Wal*Mart, and when I turned into the driveway I accidentally pushed down on the accelerator instead of the brake. The garage door is slightly bent but the pick up fortunately came to a halt when it bumped into your car.

I am really sorry but I know with your kind hearted personality you will forgive me. You know how much I love you and care for you my sweetheart.

I cannot wait to hold you in my arms again.

Your loving wife.

50 Years of Celebrating Christ at the Creek

We had a great weekend Celebrating Christ at the Creek. It was our 50th Anniversary and we had a full and exciting weekend. Saturday morning began with a Men’s Prayer Breakfast with former minister Ron Collins as the speaker. Later, there was a Brunch for the ladies with Jean Anne Collins speaking. On Saturday afternoon we had games for the kids, a hog roast and plenty of time to fellowship. That was followed by a worship service with Ron Collins preaching. The teens had their own service, led by the Pulse Praise Band, and former youth minister Tony Brackenmyre speaking. And the evening ended with pie & ice cream.

On Sunday, we had a combined Adult Bible Fellowship time with long-time members reminiscing and telling stories about the early days of the church. Then we had a combined worship service (which we do a few times a year). But the atmosphere was electric as people sang and prayed and listened to the Word. It seemed like folks didn’t want the service to end.

Sunday night brought Ray Tolbert (former Indiana University basketball star) to Cedar Creek. Ray gave his testimony, and afterwards spent time with the young people (signing autographs and sharing with them).

We’re exhausted, but praising God for a fantastic celebration.

Embarrassing Moment of the Day

So I'm eating breakfast this morning with my predecessor and the chairman of the elders, and some guy comes over to me and says, "Excuse me, but did you know that you have a tag hanging from your shirt?" I just bought this shirt, and sure enough, the tag was hanging from the armpit. When the guy came over to tell me, he even had a little swiss army knife with scissors, so he cut the tag off for me. We all had a good laugh about it. But I'm glad I didn't walk around all day like that.

Trip to Notre Dame

The Revival is going well. I've got some free time today, so I'm going to head over to South Bend and visit the University of Notre Dame (I plan to stop by the bookstore and pick up some souvenirs for the fam).

Revival Time Again

On Sunday I begin a Revival Meeting with the North Liberty (IN) Church of Christ. I'm looking forward to it for a number reasons, but the primary one is that it is near the area in which I grew up. I hope to see a lot of people whom I have known for many years. On Monday night, the church will be hosting the Master's Men in conjunction with the Revival. The Master's Men is a quarterly meeting of the men & boys from the Michiana Area Churches. A good meal is followed by a time of singing and preaching. I have fond memories of attending these events as a boy.

North Liberty is a bedroom community to South Bend, IN. I hope I have an opportunity to visit the campus of Notre Dame University (it is beautiful in the Fall).

If I have internet access, I'll try to give an update.

My Friday morning study group has started to read George Barna’s Revolution. I had been putting if off because one of my friends told me not to waste my money on Barna’s heresy. And I had also read several scathing reviews of the book. I tend to agree with those assessments, but there’s no denying that some of what Barna points out in his book is a shameful indictment against the modern church:

Driven out of their longtime church by boredom and the inability to serve in ways that made use of their considerable skills and knowledge…

After months of honest effort, neither found a ministry that was sufficiently stimulating and having an impact on the surrounding community.

They are not willing to play religious games and aren’t interested in being part of a religious community that is not intentionally and aggressively advancing God’s Kingdom.

They have no use for churches that play religious games whether those games are worship services that drone on without the presence of God or ministry programs that bear no spiritual fruit. Revolutionaries eschew ministries that compromise or soft sell our sinful nature to expands organizational turf…they refuse to follow people in leadership positions who cast a personal vision rather than God’s…or who are more concerned about their own legacy than that of Jesus Christ…they are embarrassed by language that promises Christian love and holiness but turns out to be all sizzle and no substance.

If the local church is the answer to our spiritual needs, then why are most Christians so spiritually immature and desperate?

Ouch! I’ve only read the first third of the book, but I don’t think he’s going to ease up on us. More later.

Little Golden Books That Got Rejected

1. You Are Different and That's Bad
2. The Boy Who Died From Eating All His Vegetables
3. Hammers, Screwdrivers and Scissors: An I-Can-Do-It Book
4. The Kids' Guide to Hitchhiking
5. Kathy Was So Bad Her Mom Stopped Loving Her
6. Curious George and the High-Voltage Fence
7. All Cats Go to Hell
8. The Little Sissy Who Snitched
9. Some Kittens Can Fly
10. Grandpa Gets a Casket
11. The Magic World Inside the Abandoned Refrigerator
12. Garfield Gets Feline Leukemia
13. Strangers Have the Best Candy
14. You Were an Accident
15. Things Rich Kids Have, But You Never Will
16. Pop! Goes The Hamster...And Other Great Microwave Games
17. Your Nightmares Are Real
18. Why Can't Mr. Fork and Ms. Electrical Outlet Be Friends?
19. Places Where Mommy and Daddy Hide Neat Things

Back to the Future

When I arrived at the Indiana Christian Men's Fellowship meeting last night, I noticed a flyer lying on the pews. I picked it up and read an article which contained (among other things) the following statements:

“Our brotherhood had a glorious inception. Our fathers saw the reality of the sin of denominationalism and condemned it. They saw with equal clarity the possibility and beauty of the New Testament Church. They understood the difference between the two, and their preaching and writing were designed to teach the whole world the difference -- to teach it in such a way that God's people would repudiate the former and champion the latter.”

“Today some men who do not believe in the ideal of the New Testament Church are both openly and clandestinely attempting to denominationalize the movement.”

“The terrible fact that cannot be laughed into extinction is that for some reason certain preachers no longer believe the plea and therefore ignore it or speak derisively of it.”

“The Restoration Movement is in peril! Many of our preachers are in sympathy with the world’s worst monstrosity, Denominationalism…”

“Instead of preaching the gospel, some preachers are exposing their egotism by blatantly offering their personal panaceas for every ill of the world; instead of the advocacy of the New Testament Church with its pristine beauty and power, some among us openly state that we are just another denomination, floundering with the other denominations for relative truth.”

Good stuff, eh? But here’s the kicker. The document was written in 1943! Talk about a Back-to-the-Future moment. It could have been written today (except for the fact that few are willing to write in such a forthright manner and even fewer are willing to publish such articles).

Road Trip to Indy

Yesterday my staff and I spent the day in Indianapolis. We attended the Blueprint Tour, learning from Don and Paul Wilson from Christ's Church of the Valley (near Phoenix, AZ). Last night, some other guys from Cedar Creek joined us for the Indiana Christian Men's Fellowship. This is an annual event for the men of Indiana. Over 800 men were there to hear the Wilsons and to give an offering to IDES and the Alexander Christian Foundation.


It was a good day of fellowship and spiritual challenge.

DeKalb County Fair

We finally made it to the DeKalb County Fair (sometimes called the Auburn Free Fair). Saw the sights and ate some great junk food last night. It was a perfect Indiana Autumn evening. This morning I returned and met my friends Frank Weller and Erick Riddle at the Bar None Saddle Club (where the Butler Church of Christ serves up a yummy breakfast -- read more here).

The fair is a lot of fun. If you live in this area, check it out!

Revival Update

The Revival is going great! Even with a 6:00pm starting time, the church house (not acutually pictured here) has been full. The people have been gracious and enthusiastic. A couple placed membership on Sunday morning and a young man rededicated his life to the Lord on Monday night. Some old friends have attended the meetings. And, of course I have been enjoying my time with my father-in-law Ray Merritt.

Revival Time

I'm heading to Michigan tomorrow. Will begin a revival meeting at the Gilmore Church of Christ (not actually the church building pictured here). My father-in-law Ray Merritt is the evangelist there. Looking forward to spending time with him. Probably won't be able to blog again until I return.

The Well

Tonight we kick off the re-boot of our Wednesday Night services. We have added several new classes for children and youth. And the adults will be meeting for worship, prayer, and a time of "deeper" biblical teaching. This will be preceded by a prepared meal. A couple of ladies came up with the idea of having an Iron Chef contest between the Adult Bible Fellowship classes. Each class will have an Iron Chef who leads the team in preparing a great meal for us. At the end of the 12-week session, the church will vote for the Ultimate Iron Chef (who will be awarded an engraved Chef's Knife).

I'm looking forward to a great time of fellowship and teaching.

"Good Morning Officer!"

Had breakfast with Tracy this morning at the Grabill Country Fair, the little town festival that we look forward to each year. I dropped my truck off in Grabill for an oil change (yes, I'm man enough to change my own oil, but why should I?). So after breakfast, she was giving me a ride to the church building. We got pulled over in Leo. When she saw the lights, she said, "That can't be for us. I'm not speeding." As soon as I saw the motorcycle cop, I thought, "Oh crap! I don't have my seat belt on." Sure enough, that's why we got pulled. Funny thing is, I ALWAYS wear my seat belt. I don't know why I forgot (maybe because I was in the passenger seat?). I told him, "Sir, I always wear my seat belt" (like he hasn't heard THAT before). He had no sense of humor. I got a $25 fine. Doh! You gotta love Indiana. You can drive a motorcycle 70mph on the highway WITHOUT a helmet, but you can't go 25mph in a Ford Taurus (equipped with air bags) without a seatbelt.

Crikey! A Stingray!

News of Steve Irwin's death didn't really come as a shock. That guy always seemed just seconds away from disaster. But a stingray? How weird is that? I always figured he would get chomped by a giant croc or something. The kids and I used to enjoy watching this crazy man. You had to love his enthusiam.

Have a Great Weekend Everybody!

My plans:
1. Family Reunion in my hometown.
2. Notre Dame football season opener - Saturday @ 8pm.
3. Preaching Sunday about the importance of God's Word.
4. Cookout on Monday.
5. Lots of relaxing and enjoying the family.

Amazing Agassi

Watching the US Open last night was exciting. It looked like Andre Agassi was going to get spanked in his last appearance of the Open (he has announced that he will be retiring after this tourney). There was a great tiebreak at the end of the second set (which he won). But he seemed to have run out of gas. At that point, it was going on midnight, and I said to Mrs. Soren, "He gonna lose. I'm going to bed." She said, "Never count Andre out." Turns out that he came back and won. Wow.

Here's Your Sign!

These are worthy of Bill Engvall’s Here’s Your Sign comedy routine. They come courtesy of my Uncle Greg.

Some guy bought a new fridge for his house. To get rid of his old, still working fridge, he put it in his front yard and hung a sign on it saying: Free to good home. You want it, you take it." For three days the fridge sat there without even one person looking twice at it. He eventually decided that people were too untrusting of this deal. It looked too good to be true, so he changed the sign to read: "Fridge for sale $50". The next day someone stole it.

While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want thesun waking him up every morning. She asked, "Does the sun rise in the North?" When my brother explained that the sun rises in the East, and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, "Oh, I don't keep up with that stuff."

I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I told him, "The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." He responded, "Is that Eastern or Pacific time?" Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, "Uh, Pacific" . . .

My colleague and I were eating our lunch in our cafeteria, when we overheard one of the administrative assistants talking about the sunburn she got on her weekend drive to the shore. She drove down in a convertible, but didn't think she'd get sunburned because the car was moving.

My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car it's designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk.

My friends and I were on a beer run and noticed that the cases were discounted 10%. Since it was a big party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier multiplied 2 times 10% and gave us a 20% discount.

I was hanging out with a friend when we saw a woman with a nose ring attached to an earring by a chain. My friend said, "Wouldn't the chain rip out every time she turned her head?" I explained that a person's nose and ear remain the same distance apart no matter which way the head is turned.

I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area. So I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. "Now," she asked me, "has your plane arrived yet?"

While working at a Pizza Parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for some time before responding. "Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat 6 pieces."

Yep, they walk among us. And reproduce!

Amen to That!

I don't always agree with Paul Williams, but I thought he hit a home run with this article.

More About the Island

The bike ride was awesome! We rented some mountain bikes and traveled off the main roads, following trails in the wooded areas. I had no idea how many private homes are on the island (and I had no idea how out-of-shape I am). We discovered a place called The Inn at Stonecliffe. Somehow we stumbled upon one of the golf courses (riding on the cart paths for a little while) and then the airport. We must have ridden 8-10 miles (and yes, our legs expressed their displeasure the next day). It was a lot of fun. (Oh, and now I want a mountain bike!).

That night (back on the mainland) we ate at a place called Audie's. I had elk for the first time. It was really tasty.

I hope it won't be another 20 years before we return to the island.

Anniversary at Mackinaw

Tracy and I are enjoying the celebration of our 20th wedding anniversary at Macinac Island, Michigan. I'm blogging from the business center of the Grand Hotel. This place is awesome! The movie Somewhere in Time was filmed here in 1979 (which happened to be when I first visited the island with my family). We are staying in Macinaw City (yes, either spelling is correct) at a place called the Lamplighter Motel. Going to bike around the island after lunch. More later...

He Might Have a Point There

Yesterday I preached my guts out on the subject of baptism/salvation. On the way home from worship, I was a little bummed out that more people didn't respond to the invitation. My son Luke (11 years old) says, "Dad, you gave them a lot. You can't expect them to just run up front. They have to think about it. It's too important."

I grounded him :-)

Leadership Summit

My staff and I will be attending the local simulcast of the Leadership Summit over the next couple of days. We have done so for the last couple of years. There is usually some good stuff presented. I'm looking forward to hearing Andy Stanley and Jim Collins.

Baptism

I'm preaching a sermon series this month based on questions that the congregation asked (they wrote topics on survey cards over the last several weeks). This week's "I've Always Wanted to Know About..." topic is baptism. People submitted some really good questions about it, like:

"Are we the ONLY ones who are right?"
"What about my friend who believes in God, but isn't baptized?"
"Please explain why we believe in baptism and others believe in faith-only."
"Why do some verses say believe and others say to be baptized?"
"There are people who are much better than me who haven't been baptized. Yet I'm going to heaven and they are not? That doesn't seem fair."
"What must I do to be saved?"

That's a lot to cover in one sermon. I have to be careful not to explain it so thoroughly that I leave everybody utterly confused. Years ago, Clarance Greenleaf taught me the phrase, "There are more terms of pardon than are mentioned in any one verse, but there never can be less." I like that.

But how can I fast-track over 500 years of church history (the Protestant Reformation, Restoration Movement, etc.) and explain that some ran so far from Rome that they blew by Jerusalem? Maybe I'll just stick with the Bible :-)

Northmen Sing!

Enjoyed The Northmen last week. But boy was it HOT! I'm a Michigan boy and I don't remember it ever being so hot, especially so far north. It was in the high 90's for a couple of days. When we arrived at the camp, we couldn't find the guys from our church. They were all down at the creek, sitting in their lawn chairs (in the creek), trying to cool off. Tuesday night, a fierce storm came through and cooled things off (a little).I enjoyed hearing Mark Scott preach. He did a great job (as usual). Also enjoyed fellowship with Tony Sullivan, David Jones, and a lot of GLCC alums.

Next year, the speakers will be preaching expository messages from the Parables of Jesus.

Campmeeting Time Again

Last week we atended the Hillsboro Family Camp. We have only missed a few times since 1987. It's always fun seeing old friends and hearing great preaching. I preached on Thursday night. I was quite nervous. They have a clock next the pulpit that counts backwards (HFC is known for staying on schedule). So if you isten to the CD, I'm talking very fast (I probably tried to cover too much material).

This week my son and I will join some other guys from our church at The Northmen. This meeting has a much different "flavor." It's all men & boys, camping out in the middle of the woods in northern Michigan (the nearest town is 12 miles away). No electricity or indoor plumbing (bathing is done in the creek). And the weatherman says that it will be in the 90's -- wow! But this too, is a wonderful opportunity to fellowship with old friends. More importantly, it's a great time for father & son bonding.

Still Crazy After All These Years

I enjoyed this bit of commentary by Richard John Neuhaus in the Aug/Sept issue of First Things.

Former President Jimmy Carter has written another book on American values. He is deeply saddened by the way the “religious right” uses religion for partisan political purposes. In an interview with an Atlanta magazine, he explains his concern: “Carter fittingly used a parable to illustrate how he’d like to see the political/religious debate unfold. ‘I was teaching a Sunday school class two weeks ago,’ he recalls. ‘A girl, she was about 16 years old from Panama City [Fla.], asked me about the differences between Democrats and Republicans. ‘I asked her, “Are you for peace, or do you want more war?” Then I asked her, “Do you favor government helping the rich, or should it seek to help the poorest members of society. Do you want to preserve the environment, or do you want to destroy it? Do you believe this nation should engage in torture, or should we condemn it? Do you think each child today should start life responsible for $28,000 in [federal government] debt, or do you think we should be fiscally responsible?” ‘I told her that if she answered all of those questions, that she believed in peace, aiding the poor and weak, saving the environment, opposing torture,…then I told her, ‘You should be a Democrat.’”

Jimmy Carter is deeply saddened by the way religion is used for partisan political purposes.

Hillsboro Family Camp

Probably won't be blogging for awhile. We're leaving Monday for Hillsboro, Ohio. I will be preaching at Family Camp on Thursday night. I have a lot of fond memories of Family Camp. We've only missed a few times over the past 19 years. When I was a newbie preacher, Hillsboro had a huge impact on me. And I have made many friends there over the years.

Vacation Bible School

VBS started last night. I love VBS. So many people come together to love kids and share Jesus. I'm amazed at the number of people from our church who get so excited about this. It takes a lot of folks to really pull it off well (including many who work behind the scenes). How can a kid not love VBS? The snacks and drinks have come long way since I was a kid. We used to have that nasty "Church of Christ Kool-Aid" -- you know the stuff that never had quite enough sugar in it. The only thing worse was the "Church of Christ coffee" -- the stuff that sat in the urn and cooked for hours. Yuck!

Memorable moments of the night: I spent 20 minutes looking for a kid who disappeared. Six or seven other guys and I fanned out around the property -- this is a big building -- lots of places to hide. The kid has an attitude, he doesn't want to be here. We finally found the little rascal hiding out on the Day Care playground. I was starting to think about how I was going to have to call his Mom: "Um, Ma'am did you want to pick up the same number of kids that you dropped off?"

Have a Fun Weekend Everybody!

Rock 'N' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution

Bon Scott, the famously dead lead singer of AC/DC - would have turned sixty this past weekend. Sixty! Wow. Bon died from being so drunk that he inhaled his own vomit and drowned (what a way to go, eh?). Then AC/DC got a new lead singer and produced one of the best-selling rock albums of all time.

C'mon, you children of the 80's -- you know you loved it.

In God We Trust

My friend Frank Weller gave me a heads-up on the new License Plates being offered by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Kinda cool. But as Frank says, "Of course, if you purchase these tags, you won't be able to speed, gesture profanely or honk your horn at the curb-hugger ahead of you without looking like a total hypocrite."

That reminds me of seeing a crumpled heap of twisted metal (that used to be a car) on the side of the highway, with the still-legible bumper sticker: God is My Co-Pilot. "Uh, dude, maybe you should have let him be the Pilot."

Maybe the Cubs Will Sign This Guy

83 Year-Old Man Makes Minor League Plate Appearance

Last night, 83-year-old Jim Eriotes led off the game for the Sioux Falls Canaries against the St. Joe (Mo.) Blacksnakes. He took four big swings -- even fouling a pitch off -- before striking out.
The at-bat made Eriotes the oldest man to ever play professional baseball. It was his only at-bat in the game. Sure he struck out, but a lot of the Cubs are doing that anyway.

Aarrgh! The National League Blew It Again

Being a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan means that I choose to root for the National League in the All-Star Game. And that means that over the past couple of decades I have come away from the mid-summer classic disappointed (they have won just four times since 1985). Last night, it looked like the NL was finally going to turn the tide, but they didn't. The NL has won 22 times in my 40 years of life. But lately it has been tough going.

Please Pass the Parsley

Last night I was flipping through the five television stations that we receive and I stumbled upon Rod Parsley. He was preaching and sweating and shouting and dancing and acting like a total nutburger -- and the crowd was eating it up!

I remember when Rod's star first started to rise. He was a young preacher who was frequently featured on Lester Sumrall's programs. I think we are about the same age, so I enjoyed watching this new young preacher (even though he wouldn't recognize the gospel if it bit him on the butt). At first, he was relatively tame, but as his church and fame grew, he became wackier and nuttier.

A quick Google search will reveal that he has at least as many detractors as fans: check here and here for examples.

Sometimes I wonder about my nonChristian friends and family members. If they catch a bit of Rod's act, do they think that's what happens at Cedar Creek? Do they think that most Christians are like the mind-numbed puppets at World Harvest Church. I sure hope not.

It just occurred to me that Rod Parsley is like the Anti Joel Osteen. Joel never talks about sin and judgment and the wrath of God, while those topics are Rod's bread & butter. If there is ever a Christian Celebrity Wrestling Smackdown betweeen those two, my money would be on the Ohio Bible College dropout. I think he would snap Botox Boy like a twig.

Snapple and Vernors

My two favorite drinks are Raspberry Snapple Iced Tea and Vernors Ginger Ale. Being a Michigander, I've been drinking Vernors since I was a kid (my southern friends have never even heard of the stuff). When I was in college, a classmate worked at the bottling plant and he would often bring cases of it back to the dorm (thanks Nate!). Yummy!

Several years ago, I decided to give Snapple a try. Rush Limbaugh recommended it, so it had to be good, right? I've tried several flavors, but Raspberry is my all-time fave.

So on a hot summer day, raise a glass of the good stuff! And remember that ol' Uncle Soren wouldn't steer ya wrong.

July 4 in Leo, Indiana

Yesterday was a great day. We had fun celebrating our Nation's Independence with a bunch of friends and church folks. Cedar Creek had a very visible presence at the local fireworks party. Our Praise Band played for a while at the park. Our youth distributed pop and water. Some of our folks helped with the kiddie games. And we gave away Cedar Creek pens and other trinkets. Several of us were wearing red "Celebrate Christ at the Creek" t-shirts. When my father-in-law arrived, he said that it looked like a sea of red. And a good time was had by all.

NACC Update

I got home from the North American Christian Convention on Friday night. The week was great. I saw so many people whom I haven't seen in years. The preaching and workshops were excellent. And I had a blast with my friend David Willis. He is a true kindred spirit.

One of the highlights was meeting my friend John Dobbs. We have known each other (through cyberspace) for years, but we had never met face-to-face. John blogged about our meeting (and the NACC in general) here. Below is a picture of the two of us:

North American Christian Convention

Tomorrow I will be heading to Louisville, KY (home of the Christian Church "mother ship") to attend the North American Christian Convention. I'm looking forward to it, especially with the emphasis this year on seeking unity with the acapella brethren (this marks the 100th anniversary of "the split"). Will report when I return.

Tracy and I Enjoyed This One

Nothing will ever replace the Far Side, but Brevity comes close.

What's In a Name?

Several months ago my friend David Willis was ranting about stupid church names and how, in a desire to sound cool and relevant, they are embarrassing themselves. And that they are all using the same names (Adventure, Crosspoint, New Community, etc.). Ugh. You can always tell the non-conformists – they all look alike.

I just read in the Christian Standard that a church here in Indiana has changed her name from ____________ Christian Church to Connection Pointe Christian Church of ___________. Hoo Boy, I'm sure that the lost are going to come stampeding into that place now, especially since they added the letter "e" to "Point" (how very postmodern).

Another church (a new church plant) is calling itself Common Ground Christian Community. Yippee!

I’m not one who believes that there is only one correct name for a community of believers (I can hear the voice of a local preacher brother shouting, “Church of Christ – that’s right!”), but I do get a little honked off when new churches call themselves something other than Church of Christ or Christian Church for the express purpose of distancing themselves from “us.” I have actually had church planters tell me this. It’s funny that they don’t want anything to do with us until it comes time to get someone to fund their new venture.

But for dumb names, it's still hard to beat the New Paradigm Christian Church.

I Believe

Every once in a while I take a break from listening to SportsRadio and Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck and I go on a country music kick.Last week while I was driving to one of my favorite running paths, I heard the song Believe by Brooks & Dunn. Wow! I thought I was listening to someone singing in a church. The song tells the story of the faith of Old Man Wrigley. The words are powerful, especially the chorus:

I raise my hands, bow my head.
I'm findin' more and more truth
In the words written in red.
They tell me that there's more to life
Than just what I can see.

I can't quote the book,
The chapter or the verse.
You can't tell me it all ends,
In a slow ride in a hearse.
You know I'm more and more convinced,
The longer that I live...
Yeah, this can't be... no, this can't be...
No, this can't be all there is...

When I raise my hands, bow my head
Oh, I'm findin' more and more truth
In the words written in red.
They tell me that there's more to this
Than just what I can see.
I believe...... Ohh, I
I believe...
I believe. (I believe)
I believe...........

Newport News -- Wow!

Tooled aound Newport News, VA yesterday. Man has this place changed in just three short years. The new City Center at Oyster Point is awesome. Got some good ice cream at Maggie Moos. Then we drove across Jefferson Avenune to Port Warwick. Very nice. But we have spent the bulk of our vacation just hanging out with friends.

Vacation in the Old Dominion

We're vactioning in Hampton, Virginia (where we lived and ministered for 12 years). No real agenda or big plans other than visiting with old friends and some family. We will be worshipping at our old church. Meeting my old buddy David Willis for lunch at one of our old haunts, the Rocky Mount Bar-B-Que House.

Mr. T and Jesus

Last night I was channel surfing (which doesn't take long since after our household "cable-ectomy", we only have five channels) and I stumbled upon the religious station. I heard a familiar voice. Sure enough it was Mr. T (yeah, the "I pity the fool" guy). He was really fired up. He was ranting/preaching/talking on Clifton Davis' (from the old sitcom "Amen") show. He went off on a tangent about the DaVinci Code and how Christians have made Dan Brown a multi-millionaire. And he sounded like a total moron. "DaVinci didn't die for you (fool)! What's Mona Lisa got to do with anything?" It was a hoot!

Davis looked really uncomfortable when Mr. T started going off (which is really saying something because he has nutburgers on his show all the time). I was just waiting for Mr. T to say, "I pity the fool who won't give his life to Jesus."After a while, Mrs. Soren came in and said, "WHAT are you watching?" Now that's some quality entertainment!

I Am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N

Brian Jones posted an article on the Christian Church Today website (I’m guessing that it might appear in the Christian Standard at some point).

I appreciate his emphasis on what it really means to be a “disciple” of Jesus, but I think he overstates his case about the term “Christian.” What really honked me off was this sentence: “But it was a nickname non-believers gave us, and for some reason it unfortunately stuck.” Huh? If the Acts 11:26 passage (‘they were first called Christians at Antioch") was all that we had, his statement about it being a nickname of questionable origin might have a little validity (although it would still be speculative). But what about 1 Peter 4:16? “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” Praise God that we bear an unfortunate nickname that was given to us by unbelievers? I don’t think so.

What is with these guys who are writing for our brotherhood publications these days? They seem to have forgotten that some of us have actually studied the Bible and we can recognize a liberal load of touchy-feely, pragmatic crap when we see it.

Can I Get an "Amen"?

I'm preaching a series on the 10 Commandments. Yesterday was, "Do not commit adultery." But I turned it around and took a more positive approach, "Keep Sex Sacred." It was definitely a PG-13 (at least) message. Very blunt (but tasteful). Anyway, I got more positive comments about it than I have received from any sermon I've preached here. But here's the kicker: Most of them came from elderly women! Go figure.

A few memorable lines:

• "In the Garden, Adam and Eve had sex. Lots of it!"
• "Sex was God's idea. Yep, He thought it up! He created some of the parts of our anatomy for only one purpose -- pleasure!"
• (when talking about how men should starve their eyes) -- "But ladies, when it's time to look, let him look! You might say, 'Well, I don't like my body', but that's not what matters, what matters is the fact that he likes it. And trust me, he does."
• "I believe that, biblically speaking, the key to a healthy and vibrant marriage is frequent and passionate sex."

After church Luke said, "Dad, you said the word 'sex' WAY TOO MUCH today."

At least the teens paid attention for once!

I Wish I Had Said That

Patrick Mead is the Preaching Minister at the Rochester (MI) Church of Christ. I enjoy reading his blog (his other blog can be found here). Recently he posted about some disgruntled church members and the legacy we all we leave:

Leave a Hole

Warning: I can be a very blunt individual. It may indicate a lack of kindness, but I hope that isn't the case. I prefer to think of it as one individual defined diplomacy: "warfare by other means." This column about children, church, and Christians might seem harsh... but I'm writing it anyway!

A couple was furious with our church. We had gone to see what happened to them after someone noticed they'd been gone from our worship assembly for some time. "We aren't coming back," the husband said. "That is an unloving, cold church that claims to care about people but doesn't." I asked him on what basis he made that judgment and he replied, "We were gone four weeks from that church before anyone there even noticed. What kind of church doesn't even notice something like that?"

I replied, "What kind of person are you, that you could be gone for four weeks and the no one in the church could tell?" They were shocked by this 'attack' so I pressed on. "What work suffered because you stopped your ministry? What mission work ground to a halt because you withdrew your funding, prayers and support? Could it be -- just imagine with me a moment -- could it be that you never really were a part of the church? Could that be why your departure was unnoticed?"

I tell people -- and mean it -- that the Rochester Church is the warmest, friendliest, and most talented congregation I have ever worked with... but we don't make it easy to be a member here. All who come to be a part of us are called into the ministry and work of this body. They are expected to give and live as disciples, to be deeply involved in our work, and to be available to any other member who needs prayer or backup.

Kami and I built this into our children at an early age. As I have written before, we would often end the day with two questions: "Where did you see Jesus today?" and "What did you do for Jesus today?"

Let me rephrase this: make your life necessary. When you die, as we all will, you can either fill a hole or leave it. Your choice. I have no interest in filling a hole. I have a great interest in leaving one. Make you life something that gives, serves, and leads in such a way that when you are gone, it matters!!! I ask my staff and my children -- but mostly I ask myself -- "what difference did it make that you lived today? In what way did you do something that would have remained undone without you? Did your life matter today?"

Did you pray for someone fervently? Did you sacrifice some money or pleasure for another's benefit? Did you offer kindness and courtesy to someone everybody else ignored? Did you look for those who have been robbed and beaten by life and offer to them everything you had to help them as did the Samaritan?

People ask me how we raised our daughter to be such a sweet, dedicated, serving Christian and how we raised our son to be a noble, honorable, courageous man who is headed towards the officer's ranks in the Marine Corps. We challenged them to make each day an opportunity to make their life count. My son has written extensively on why he is going to serve in the uniform of the Corps. I will not quote that extensively here, but the gist of it is that everyone lives, but not everyone matters. Everyone dies, but most never lived for something bigger than themselves first.

And everybody fills a hole at death, but not everybody leaves one.

Tragedy Upon Tragedy

I can't stop thinking about the parents of a college student who was killed last month. A semi-truck driver fell asleep and crashed into a vanload of Taylor University (a local Christian College) students. Five people were killed. The coroner screwed up and sent one of the survivors to the wrong family, while another grief stricken family buried a girl whom they thought was their daughter. It's hard to explain -- you can read about it here.

So the one family is experiencing incredible joy, realizing that their daughter is, in fact, alive. While the other one is devastated, realizing that the one at whose bedside the have been standing is not even their daughter.

Happy Anniversary!

One year ago today I made my first post on this blog. Man, time really flies. Thanks to my faithful readers (all three of you).