The NCAA Tournament (also known as "March Madness") begins today. I must confess that I haven't followed college hoops through the regular season as much as I once did. However, I love to watch the tournament games. I'm involved in a couple of friendly "bracket pools" (with my staff, family, and college alumni). My final four picks are not too radical (three #1 seeds, and a #2):
And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:1-21
This upcoming Sunday's Christian Standard is the annual Christian College issue. They’ve added a new stat – percentage of students from Restoration Movement background. I was stunned at how low the figure is for some schools (William Jessup U – 15%; Hope International – 16%; Northwest Christian – 7.5%; Atlanta – 30%); and the low percentage overall (it looks like the average is around 60%). 
I first heard Paul Harvey on the radio when entered college. My roomate was a big fan of "The Rest of the Story."
Luke and I are going to the Komets game tonight.Preached from Mark 5 today (healng of the demoniac), What an awesome truth --Jesus sets us free!
Last night we had a CPR class at the church building. A nurse from the congregation taught the class. Many of our staff members were involved (so she had her work cut out for her). I last took a CPR course in gym class in 1981, so it was time for a refresher. A lot has changed (number of compressions given, AED device, etc.). It was all very informative, and I'm glad I have this new knowledge. I just hope I never have to use it.
This week I will be continuing in the Encountering Jesus series, preaching about the Parable of the Sower. Most people, when they read this parable, put themselves in the role of the sower. I think the Lord gives us some important principles in that regard. But I think greater emphasis needs to be given to the soil. This parable is not primarily about sowing, it’s about growing!
Last night I read Scot McKnight’s book, The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible. It was very good, much like Fee & Stuart’s How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Except for one thing -- McKnight devotes five chapters (five chapters!) to the role of women in the church today. He is an egalitarian. He rehearses the same tired arguments that have been refuted time and time again: (Pheobe, Priscilla’s name is mentioned before her husband’s, Junia, why would God give a gift and then restrict its use?, etc.). Other than that, the book was very thought-provoking.
Mrs. Soren and I watched most of the Grammy Awards show on Sunday night. I must be getting old, because each year I find myself uttering the phrase, "They call THAT music?"
I'm looking forward to Sunday. Whenever I miss a Sunday in the pulpit (vacation, guest speaker, etc.), I am always anxious to return. I'm starting a new series called Encountering Jesus through the Gospel of Mark (leading up to Easter). This week's message is Encountering the Kingdom from Mark chapter 1. Main take-away: There's a King. And it's not you (or me). How 'bout this quote from Perry Noble? "Church isn't supposed to be our hobby. Jesus is supposed to be our passion." Amen!
