LeBron!

Even though I was dead tired, I couldn't stop watching the Pistons-Cavs game last night. That game was awesome! A double-overtime nail biter. Even though I'm a Detroit fan (well, not really a fan, but if I follow any team, it's the Pistons). LeBron James played out of his mind -- draining three's and jamming over people. 48 points, including 29 out of the Cavs last 30!

One of the guys on ESPN radio said it was like the Michael J. Fox character in Teen Wolf (sadly, I knew exactly what he was talking about -- Fox turns into a werewolf and his teammates stand around watching him dominate on the court). Another guy said it was like the dream sequence in Fletch (one of my all-time faves) where Fletch played for the Lakers ("6'-5", 6'-9" with the afro") and dunked over everybody. Scary thing is that this guy is still developing. He would be a college senior.

Spiderman 3

Went to see Spiderman 3 with my son on Tuesday night. Very cool.

We Will, We Will MOCK YOU

This made me smile.

Memorial Weekend

I remember. Freedom is never free.

Reflections on the Ministry

Today marks 20 years since I was “set apart” or formally “ordained into the ministry” by my home church in Three Oaks, Michigan. I’ve been doing a lot of reminiscing about the things that God has allowed me to do for Him over the past two decades. I don’t deserve to be saved, let alone serve as one of God’s messengers. Yet, because of His grace, the Lord grants me the wonderful privilege of proclaiming the Good News.

In 1987 I never could have imagined that I would have the privilege of serving a wonderful church in Virginia for 12 years, winning many to the Lord, developing deep friendships, and ordaining several young men into the ministry. Nor did I have any idea that I would come to Fort Wayne, Indiana to serve with another great church. God has blessed me with the privilege of preaching in many places, (Revivals, Campmeetings, etc.), meeting some great saints along the way. Thank you Jesus!

I’m just as “fired up” today as I was 20 years ago. Like the prophet Jeremiah, I can say, “His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot!” With the apostle Paul, I say, “I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”

Idol Thoughts

I have liked Blake from the beginning. But I think Jordin is a lock to win it all. We'll all know tonight.

That's It?

THAT was the twist ending? THAT is how the writers are starting off the reinvented, re-imagined 24!?! You've got to be kidding me. People, they're grasping at straws! They were so ready for this lost season to end that they tried everything they could to get you to watch. Even the small promo for season seven promised it would be the best season ever... Uh huh. If they just replayed season one next year, I would agree with that claim.

Class of 2007

On Saturday I had the honor of being the Commencement Speaker at my alma mater, 20 years after my own graduation. Back then I never could have imagined it. In fact, my good friend Mark Christian (now the Academic Dean), whom I have known since the fourth grade, said to me right before the ceremony, "How scary is it that you and I are doing this?" Just another reminder of two truths:


1. There is a God.


2. He is full of grace.

reIGNITED

Last year I met a guy at the North American Christian Convention. His name is Jim Tune. Jim and I had already met in cyberspace via an online discussion group called Christian Church Today. Brother Tune serves as Executive Director of Impact Canada, an organization devoted to planting New Testament churches in Canada. Despite the fact that my knowledge of all things Canadian is pretty much limited to the old Bob & Doug McKenzie show and Red Green, Jim and I developed a friendship, and he invited me to write a column for a new quarterly magazine called reIGNITED. He wants me to emphasize Restoration Movement principles, Light from the Old Paths. Beauty, eh?

The inaugural issue was just published. You can get a sneak peek here or click here to subscribe.

Jerry Falwell

By now you've heard about Jerry Falwell's passing. I rarely watch the drive-by media (6:30pm networks news), but I happened to be watching on Tuesday night (mainly because I was trying to get the severe weather updates for our area). Each network led the broadcast with the news of Dr. Falwell's death. Predictably, they focused on the "controversies" and "ultra-conservatism" while all but ignoring the other things he did.

I didn't know Dr. Falwell, and anyone who knows me will recognize that we had some doctrinal differences, but I appreciated his stand for decency, morality, and the Lord. In the age of televangelist scandals, Jerry stayed squeaky clean. Ann Coulter has a nice tribute here and my friend David Willis weighs in here.

Old Dudes

I was watching ESPN this morning, and they were talking about the return of Roger Clemens. The guy is three years older than I am! Randy Johnson and Jamie Moyer are also active pitchers heading toward their mid-40's. Wow. It seems like Jamie Moyer has been playing for as long as I can remember (a little trivia: Jamie is Digger Phelps' son-in-law).

I enjoyed this recent Letterman Top 10 List:

Top Ten Signs A Baseball Player Is Too Old
10. Gets winded putting on his socks

9. Hard slide into second triggers Life-Alert pendant

8. While playing outfield, yells at teamates to get off his lawn

7. When buying performance-enhancing drugs, gets the AARP discount

6. Claims he killed President McKinley with a line drive

5. Often begins sentences, "As Shoeless Joe Jackson once told me . . ."

4. He's almost as old as the hot dogs — seriously, have you ever eaten one of those things?

3. Lost part of his career fighting in World War I

2. During interviews, he thanks the Lord and the makers of super Poligrip

1. When he's in the on-deck circle, asks bat boy, "What did I come in here for?"

Shaking 'Em Out

Here's a preacher problem to ponder. Many of us like to greet people after the worship service (shaking hands, exchanging pleasantries, etc.). This is known as “shaking ‘em out.” One cynic said that the reason why we all rush to the door to do this is that we are all egomaniacs who can't wait for people to tell us how wonderful we are. Most folks are generous with their lies, er, um, I mean compliments (one of my friends told me that he always knows when the sermon tanked: the sweet elderly women say, "You look nice today."). Although I have had my share of uncharitable remarks (e.g. "you offended my mother", "where are the flags?", "my kid's name wasn't in the bulletin", "I think you are arrogant", "the music was too loud", etc.). Also, there is the occasional person who wants to tell his/her entire life story at the door (while others are waiting to get out).

As the church grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to know, touch, and minister to everyone. Several years ago, while at a conference, I heard a speaker discourage preachers from shaking people's hands at the door. The reason? There will come a point when the church will become too large for that practice to be practical. So if you stop doing it, some people will think, "He doesn't like us anymore."

But I think I’m going to keep it up.

Cubs Win!

The game yesterday was a lot of fun. Zambrano got rocked in the first inning, but the he settled down. Cubs won 6-4. A great father son memory.

Wrigley Bound

My son Luke and I are heading to Chicago tomorrow (for his class field trip). We're stopping at the Museum of Science and Industry and then going to see the Cubs play the Nationals. And Zambrano is pitching! Go Cubbies!

National Day of Prayer

Just returned from the National Day of Prayer service in downtown Fort Wayne. It was a great service. And I got to be on live TV. I know the reporter who was covering the event. When he saw me, he asked, "Hey, can you give a two-minute interview when we go live at Noon?" I said "sure." I don’t know if he liked it when I said, "I want to give a shout out to my peeps at Cedar Creek. Woo Hoo!!"

Just kidding.

A Nosefrida Nasal Aspirator by Any Other Name

This is a real product. A Nosefrida Nasal Aspirator is a Snot-Sucker. I'm not making this up.

I love what Mark Oestreicher said about it:

really, this product is listed as a “cool tool”. and, really, it’s a snot sucker. that’s right. really.
...this is copied straight outa the description:
You put the mouthpiece in your mouth, press the open end of the snot-collection chamber against your kid’s nostril (it doesn’t go very far inside the nose), and SUCK.
later in the description…
It sounds disgusting and bizarre…
ya think? those are the five most honest words in the whole thing.
yes, i have two kids. and, yes, they were snotty from time to time. and we had a little turkey-baster-like snot syringe. but a snot sucker? really?

Heller Highwater

A lot happened on 24 last night. SecDef Heller is back? Huh? I thought he pulled a Toonces the Driving Cat move and died last season? Next thing you know, Nina will come back to life. It's hard to keep up with The Bauer.

My Weekend

On Friday I will drive to my alma mater (Great Lakes Christian College) for a Trustees' Meeting. Then back to The Creek for a Teacher Appreciation Banquet. Saturday brings a birthday party for my son Luke (he will turn 12 next week).

Preaching from Ephesians 4 on Sunday. I'm tempted to go all Ray Bennett.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Praise Bands

I like Praise Bands, but this made me chuckle.

Wipe Out Global Warming

Cheryl Crow says that we should limit our toilet paper use (I am not making this up, check it out here). "We can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where 2 to 3 could be required"...

Um, yeah. And don't worry about the pesky stains either, they will be a badge of earth saving honor.

Shut up and sing.

Buh-Bye!

I'm sorry, what? What part didn't you understand? The buh or the bye?

Buh-bye!

Virginia Tech Tragedy

My heart is aching over the news of this morning's shootings at Virginia Tech.

I can't imagine the sheer terror that those students faced. My prayers go out to the families of the victims.

A Foxworthy Moment

A week or so ago, I decided that I should get my lawn tractor serviced before mowing season started. I thought I could probably borrow a trailer from a friend. Then I thought, "By the time I call him and get things hooked up, loaded, etc., I could drive the mower there myself" (the dealer is only a mile from my house). It seemed like a good idea, until I got about halfway through town and saw my reflection in the window of the pizza place --tooling down main street on my mower, wearing blue jeans and a faded, ragged out, cut-off Christ's Church of the Peninsula t-shirt (yes, Dave I still have it). I thought, "I must look like a total redneck", hoping that some church member didn't drive by and see me. I had called my youth minister to meet me there and give me a ride home. When he saw me, the look on his face said it all. "If you ride your lawn mower down main street, you might be a redneck."

Have a great weekend everybody!

Feeling Creative

Some of you read my rant about church names. I appreciated your comments (both on and offline). It got me thinking, what are some cool names that I could re-name the church I serve?

• Cedarville Bible Fellowship in Christian Union


• Mars Bar Christian Assembly of God


• Whatsthepointe Chapel


• Pragmatists R Us


• Leo 2/38 Community of Faith


• Church Up a Creeke

Sarcasm is just another free service we offer :-)

Resurrection Sunday

Easter rocked! The Cedar Creek folks gave themselves permission to really worship. The service was great and the spirit was vibrant. One of our ladies gave a testimony about her cancer treatments (the final one was on Good Friday) and how the church family has ministered to her and her husband. People didn't want the church service to end. Glory to God!

Church Planting

I recently perused the newsletter from a Restoration Movement church planting organization. The newest church plant is something called Grace Community Christian Fellowship. The nebulous name isn't a new thing. They seem to be planting EVERYTHING BUT Churches of Christ. No, I don't believe that the sign must say "Church of Christ" in order to be a true New Testament church. But are they ashamed of their heritage? It ticks me off. Little gray-haired old ladies thinking that they are sending support to churches that are just like the ones they have come to know and love. Ten bucks says that these guys are padded. It seems that these fellas want to have nothing to do with "us" except when it comes to providing the funds for their new venture. "Senior Pastor" this and "Associate Pastor" that. That's the language of Ashdod. They go out of their way to steer clear of anything that smacks of Restoration Movement. Fine. Let 'em get some Grace Community church to provide the funds.

Opening Day

Today my beloved Cubs begin the 99th year of their rebuilding program. Maybe this will be "The Year." Hey... it could happen.

Funny Dubya

President Bush was hilarious at the recent Radio/TV Correspondents Dinner

Rainy Tuesday

I'm blogging from Modoc's Market in downtown Wabash, Indiana (I'm here preaching in a Revival Meeting with the Church of Christ at Wabash). This place has an interesting history. The Market's location was once Bradley Brothers Drugstore and in 1942 a circus came to town. At some point an elephant escaped and made a beeline for downtown and the drugstore specifically. The elephant seemed to know what he was after because his destination was the store's peanut roaster. Modoc, the elephant, became an instant legend. The current market capitalizes on that legend with lots of pacaderm paraphernalia. The store has a espresso bar, a small grocery store, and offers free WiFi.



Yesterday I took a trip to nearby Peru, Indiana to visit Summit Theological Seminary. George Faull, one of my mentors in the faith, greeted me and gave me the grand tour of the place. Over the past 20 years, I have probably learned more about the Bible from this man than from anyone else. Thanks George for taking the time to teach and encourage me.

Revival Time

Tonight I'm headed to the Harlan Church of Christ to hear Evangelist Ed Bousman preach. Brother Bousman is a legend among the conservative churches of our Movement. 88 years old and still preaching! (Ed is the one on the left -- standing with Bob Stacy and Lloyd Pelfrey).

Tomorrow morning I'll leave for the Wabash Church of Christ in Wabash, Indiana. I will be preaching there through Wednesday night. I appreciate your prayers.

A Visit with the Church Doctor

This morning I joined about 18 other ministers for a visit with the Church Doctor. I first became familiar with Dr. Kent Hunter a number of years ago through John Maxwell's ministry. The session was very informal. It was called a "Roundtable Discussion" in which we could ask any question that was on or minds. There were several good questions asked about staffing, breaking through growth barriers, worship styles, and postmodernism.

The man knows his stuff (and does anybody agree with me that he looks a lot like a younger Ken Howard -- aka The White Shadow)?

Sweet Six?

Only six of my NCAA tournament teams remain. Good thing I'm not a betting man, eh? The good news is that three of my Final Four picks are still alive (Florida, Kansas, and Ohio State).

Probably will watch a lot of hoops this weekend (Tracy and the kids will be out-of-town). Then I will head to Wabash, Indiana on Sunday morning to preach in a Revival Meeting there.

Saturday

My NCAA bracket continues to get pummeled, so perhaps it's a good thing that I'll be distracted a bit on Saturday. The day begins with teaching at the 6:30am Men's Breakfast at Cedar Creek. Then I will head north to the Stroh Church of Christ. I will be speaking at its Men's Retreat (along with Gerald Moreland).

Brackets Busted

Why did I pick Texas Tech to make it to the Elite Eight? What was I thinking? It must have something to do with living in Indiana. Somehow it makes you think that Bobby Knight will always win. We're having a March Madness contest among the staff here. CBSsportsline makes it easy. Probably the person who will win is the one guy on our staff who knows nothing about sports.

March Madness

I've got my brackets filled out. Final Four of Florida, Kansas, Texas, and Ohio State, with Ohio State over Florida in the Championship Game.

How 'bout you?

24 -- Hour Two

I'm fired up about preaching this week.

It's week two of the 24 series: Witness -- Living My Faith

By the way, it’s not true that we’re going to pass out WWJD bracelets – What Would Jack Do? This is all about Jesus.

Christ’s
Tactical
Unit

That’s the church!

I love what Paul Coughlin writes in his book No More Christian Nice Guy, which has as its premise that being a Christian man doesn’t mean that you have to become a spineless, effeminate wimp: “The Gospel includes dirty feet, stinky hair, fish guts, bugs between its teeth, dirt under its nails – its entrenched in life’s day-to-day. Smell the adrenaline, feel your heart pound, taste the locust that lingers on your lips. God is on the loose. Hunting us down. Warring to liberate us from anything and everything that seeks to diminish who he made us to be.”

You Gotta Be Kidding Me

It has been around for a few years now, but I recently heard about a product called Spray-On-Mud. It's for SUV drivers who have never been off-road. It gives your vehicle a look that says, "Yeah buddy, I'm a real 4x4 person." But it's FAKE!

I heard Chris Seidman preach a message recently in which he said, "We have all had experience with people who have plenty of Christian products in their lives, but not much Christian produce hanging off the tree of their life."

I think that will fit into my 24 series. This week's message is: Witness: Living My Faith.

What's on you? Fake "spray-on" faith or the real deal?

Sunday's Service

I'm still pumped up about yesterday's worship services. It seemed like everything clicked. The people worshipped with energy and they responded very well to the new message series.


Closed the message with The Fellowhip of the Unashamed.
It never gets old.

I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed.
I have the Holy Spirit Power.
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.
I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.
I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, myway is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear for "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."

A Trial Run

This Sunday's message is about living a life of worship/devotion to God 24 hours a day rather than one hour a week.

Here's a snippet:

Paul Campos is a law professor at the University of Colorado. I don’t know if you happened to catch his editorial in Thursday’s Journal-Gazette. He was writing about how a person’s belief/religion plays into politics (voting for President):

I believe (that) genuine atheism, like genuine orthodox religious belief, is actually quite rare…How many people, at least among the social classes that produce presidential candidates, believe in the orthodox doctrines of Christianity with the same degree of confidence that they believe in, say, the existence of Antarctica?

It’s considered rude to press people on such matters, but in my experience, most supposedly orthodox religious belief, on closer examination, melts away into a vague sense of an ultimate moral order, supervised by an even more vaguely conceptualized divinity.

My initial response? “What a liberal nutburger!”
But upon further reflection, I realized that he’s right.
Why are American churches filled with nominal believers living tame lives, affecting virtually no impact upon a pagan culture that desperately needs God?

Because members of those churches, yes perhaps even some who are part of this church DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD.

They would object vehemently to that assertion, “What? Of course I believe in God”

But it’s a god created in their own image, not the God of the Bible!

For too long friends, the acceptable level of devotion and commitment to Christ has been so sub-normal, that normal seems abnormal.

Jack Facts

In doing some deeply spiritual research for my new 24 series, I came across the following:

• If everyone on "24" followed Jack Bauer's instructions, it would be called "12"


• When Jack Bauer goes to the airport and the metal detector doesn't go off, security gives him a gun


• Nobody says 'hit me' when Jack Bauer deals Blackjack


• If you wake up in the morning, it's because Jack Bauer spared your life


• Jack Bauer is the leading cause of death in Middle Eastern men


• Jack Bauer removed the "Escape" button from his keyboard. Jack Bauer never needs to escape
• If you're holding a gun to Jack Bauer's head, don't count to three before you shoot. Count to 10. That way, you get to live 7 seconds longer


• Jack Bauer doesn't miss. If he didn't hit you it's because he was shooting at another terrorist twelve miles away


• Jack Bauer once arm wrestled Superman. The stipulations were the loser had to wear his underwear on the outside of his pants


• When President Palmer quit to start doing Allstate commercials, it took him 43 takes before he could stop saying, "You're in good hands with Jack Bauer"


• Jack Bauer is allowed to leave his phone on during a movie


• Jack Bauer can get McDonald's breakfast after 10:30


• Jack Bauer got Hellen Keller to talk


• If Jack Bauer was in a room with Hitler, Stalin, and Nina Meyers, and he had a gun with 2 bullets, he'd shoot Nina twice.


• Upon hearing that he was played by Kiefer Sutherland, Jack Bauer killed Sutherland. Jack Bauer gets played by no man.


• Jack Bauers calendar goes from March 31st to April 2nd, no one fools Jack Bauer.


• Jack Bauer played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.


• Jack Bauer once won a game of Connect 4 in 3 moves.


• Jack Bauer was never addicted to heroin. Heroin was addicted to Jack Bauer.

Hope Springs Eternal

I was listening to Tony Kornheiser the other day and he mentioned that the Cubs are entering the 99th year of their rebuilding program. Ouch. But Tony and Mike Wilbon interviewed new skipper Lou Piniella, and Lou has high hopes for the Cubs this year. I fear that I'm being sucked into that Spring Training hope that, "this year might be, could be, THE year." Time will tell. Everybody is good in March, right?

Burying a Friend Today

I'm preaching the funeral of an old friend today. Ray Sickmiller was an elder in my first ministry in White Pigeon, Michigan. He and his family have been great encouragers to Tracy and me over the years. After many years of living in different states, God brought us back to the same town. What a privilege and blessing it is to be able to share the promises from God's Word regarding Ray's eternity. He finished well.

New Message Series -- 24

Regular readers of this blog (all three of you) know that I'm a big fan of the show 24. I got to thinking, "What if every believer lived a totally intense, sold-out-for-God life? What would it look like?" When Jesus called us to follow Him, His call was one of total commitment – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. He taught us that the greatest commandment is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and the second is like it, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).

What if, 24 hours a day, you lived like God wants you to live? Every hour. Every second. Every moment. Every heartbeat. Every breath. What an incredible difference it would make in your life and in the lives of others.

I’m staring a new sermon series this Sunday:
March 4 Worship – Loving My God
March 11 Witness – Living My Faith
March 18 Work – Learning My Role

Say It Ain't So!

The Cubs are going to allow ads on the outfield wall at Wrigley. Ugh.

That Saved and Set Me Free?

Keith Drury has a wonderful post about how some of our church songs are being edited to take the "edge" off. Ick! I need to be reminded of my wretchedness and worminess without Christ. It's what makes His grace all that more amazing!

Date Night

Going on a belated Valentine's Date with my Sweetie. Mrs. Soren was under the weather on Feb. 14, so we're making up for it tonight. Probably will catch a movie, then get some ice cream (yeah, we really live on the edge).

Have a great weekend everybody!

Valentine's Day

Dude, I got a Dell! Mrs. Soren stunned me with a gift of a laptop. Is she awesome or what? (for the record, she was awesome before she gave the gift). But wow. Kinda makes the John Mayer CD that I got for her pale by comparison. Maybe I'd better buy some chocolate too, eh?

Snow is Coming!

Weatherman says that we are going to get hammered overnight. I've heard that snowfall amounts will be anywhere from 4 to 10 inches. It will be the first shovelable (is that a word?) snow of the season.

Sweetheart Banquet

Tonight Cedar Creek is hosting a Sweetheart Banquet. Mrs. Soren (and others) have put much work into ensuring that it is a wonderful evening. A catered meal, romantic music, video clips, and a great speaker.

Congrats to the Super Bowl Champions!

Great job by the Colts. Truly a team effort. And is there a classier coach than Tony Dungy? This state has gone "Colts Crazy." It's a nice diversion during a bitterly cold winter.

My friend Dave Willis has an interesting post for the people who are jumping on the "Dump Rex (Grossman)" bandwagon in Chicago.

The Weekend

Kids are going to Winter Jam with the Youth Group tonight. Mrs. Soren and I are making it a date night -- a nice dinner and maybe a movie.

It's supposed to turn really cold this weekend. A high temp on Sunday of 2 (yes that's 30 degrees below freezing) and a low of -11.