Some people are not fans of NASCAR, I am referring to the comments left to me by my former friend, DC on my last post. However, I happen to disagree and since all my buddies in the blogoshpere make lists, I wanted to give the top reasons as to why NASCAR doesn't suck.
1. NASCAR Rules cause I said so!!!
That is all you need to know. Where else can you see over 40 cars battle it out going speeds of 200 mph inches apart from one another; if they make just one wrong move then they will smash into the wall or another car. Maybe, I just like it so much because I am a redneck at heart and us rednecks must stick together, because a redneck without NASCAR is a just a guy with a number painted on his gut.
Please let me know how you feel about this national pastime, yes NASCAR is the true national pastime contrary to popular opinion that Baseball is the national pastime. Those sissy could handle two laps at 200 mph. Oh, and DC, I got nothing but love for ya.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Down on the SBC - Part 2
In this series I am attempting to explain the major components of the SBC and hopefully help people understand that the SBC is not inherently evil. Last time we looked at three very important aspects of the SBC; the churches that make up the membership, the network or seminaries and colleges that train church workers, and the Guidestone, which is the insurance and retirement arm that help the church workers find affordable insurance and smart retirement options.
This time we will look at the two missions group and the publications arm that is Lifeway. Starting with Lifeway, formerly the Sunday School Board. This group was originally set up to help churches with Sunday School curriculum. It has now blossomed into an organization that not only helps with curriculum, but many other needs of the church. They supply books, multimedia, VBS materials, etc. While I realize that Lifeway may have problems, it has changed a lot over the years to become more relevant and up to date. They have provided very good materials recently such as the Explore the Bible Adult Bible Study. This study is the more comprehensive and systematic, as the class explores the whole Bible book by book. Also we have seen some great things for students, an area that Lifeway has struggles with, like the new Fuel Bible Study. By using cutting edge music and video leaders can use the Fuel material to go throughout the Bible with students in two years. Not only does Lifeway provide these resources they also have stores placed throughout the states to help churches access the resources quickly. Lifeway also runs a few conference center for the SBC and helps organize many training seminars and conferences. Finally, Lifeway seeks out relationships from other manufactures, such as chair or pulpit makers, so that churches can save money. Lifeway is an indispensable part of the SBC, they provide resources from a trusted source that churches can work well with.
The SBC has two main missions organizations: North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board. While Lifeway and most other parts of the SBC are self sufficient, the seminaries and the mission organizations rely heavily on the giving of the churches. The North American Mission Board targets exactly what you thing, North America. They focus on reaching areas that have no SBC churches or areas that SBC churches are dead or dying. They focus intently on the inter-city areas. They have averaged 1,700 new works and over 400,000 people baptized in recent years. Not only does NAMB start and support churches, they also are involved in many service projects through the US. One example is disaster relief; most all the kitchens where food is prepared for disaster victims, which is handed out by the Red Cross ,are SBC kitchens. Also, many of the workers that help the Red Cross are SBC. This is only one example of service, they also have the Baptist Builders, Literacy Missions, Hunger and Poverty Ministries, and the list goes on and on. NAMB is vital to meeting physical, emotional, and most of all the spiritual needs of people across the US.
The SBC also reached outside of its borders in a major way with the IMB. The International Mission Board has over 5,000 field workers on mission and works with over 34,000 volunteers to bring the gospel to over 2,000 people groups throughout the world. Not only do they minister to areas that are open to the gospel, they routinely try to reach those that are considered off limits. The IMB works hard to make sure that no missionary has to worry about funds. Most missions organizations want people to raise their support, but the IMB often provide for their missionaries, so they can spend all their time focused on ministering to people. People all over to world would not be reached if it were not for the work of the IMB.
These three parts are again vital to the SBC organization. They help so many churches afford resources through Lifeway and reach so many souls through NAMB and IMB. I could stop here and it would be enough, but there are two more main components; the Baptist Press and the Baptist Faith and Message.
This time we will look at the two missions group and the publications arm that is Lifeway. Starting with Lifeway, formerly the Sunday School Board. This group was originally set up to help churches with Sunday School curriculum. It has now blossomed into an organization that not only helps with curriculum, but many other needs of the church. They supply books, multimedia, VBS materials, etc. While I realize that Lifeway may have problems, it has changed a lot over the years to become more relevant and up to date. They have provided very good materials recently such as the Explore the Bible Adult Bible Study. This study is the more comprehensive and systematic, as the class explores the whole Bible book by book. Also we have seen some great things for students, an area that Lifeway has struggles with, like the new Fuel Bible Study. By using cutting edge music and video leaders can use the Fuel material to go throughout the Bible with students in two years. Not only does Lifeway provide these resources they also have stores placed throughout the states to help churches access the resources quickly. Lifeway also runs a few conference center for the SBC and helps organize many training seminars and conferences. Finally, Lifeway seeks out relationships from other manufactures, such as chair or pulpit makers, so that churches can save money. Lifeway is an indispensable part of the SBC, they provide resources from a trusted source that churches can work well with.
The SBC has two main missions organizations: North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board. While Lifeway and most other parts of the SBC are self sufficient, the seminaries and the mission organizations rely heavily on the giving of the churches. The North American Mission Board targets exactly what you thing, North America. They focus on reaching areas that have no SBC churches or areas that SBC churches are dead or dying. They focus intently on the inter-city areas. They have averaged 1,700 new works and over 400,000 people baptized in recent years. Not only does NAMB start and support churches, they also are involved in many service projects through the US. One example is disaster relief; most all the kitchens where food is prepared for disaster victims, which is handed out by the Red Cross ,are SBC kitchens. Also, many of the workers that help the Red Cross are SBC. This is only one example of service, they also have the Baptist Builders, Literacy Missions, Hunger and Poverty Ministries, and the list goes on and on. NAMB is vital to meeting physical, emotional, and most of all the spiritual needs of people across the US.
The SBC also reached outside of its borders in a major way with the IMB. The International Mission Board has over 5,000 field workers on mission and works with over 34,000 volunteers to bring the gospel to over 2,000 people groups throughout the world. Not only do they minister to areas that are open to the gospel, they routinely try to reach those that are considered off limits. The IMB works hard to make sure that no missionary has to worry about funds. Most missions organizations want people to raise their support, but the IMB often provide for their missionaries, so they can spend all their time focused on ministering to people. People all over to world would not be reached if it were not for the work of the IMB.
These three parts are again vital to the SBC organization. They help so many churches afford resources through Lifeway and reach so many souls through NAMB and IMB. I could stop here and it would be enough, but there are two more main components; the Baptist Press and the Baptist Faith and Message.
Movie Review: Star Wars
I saw this movie the night it came out, but I wanted to take some time to think about what I saw and get other people reactions to the movie. If you haven't seen the movie then you may not want to read this as I may spoil things for you (As if you didn't already know the ending).
I for one liked the first two movies. I thought they were great in how they explained things and how they worked so well in setting up episodes 4-6. I went to episode three hoping to receive the payoff of my many years as a Star Wars fan. As I left the theater I felt tricked by my emotions. I enjoyed the movie and thought it was well made, but as I sat and thought about it, some of it didn't quite make sense. I eventually entered into a state of let down. There is no question these are the best graphics in a movie thus far and star wars is always sex free and swear free. However, this movie was more disturbing than the other movies with imagery and violence. The violence is not to much for a Middle School student, but parents should read the review by www.kidsinmind.com, before taking elementary school children.
The major problem that I had with the story is with the time line. The movie supposedly took place over a seven or eight month time period but it felt more like two weeks. I needed to feel more of the time lapse. Also, I thought the reason that Anakin converted to the dark side was not believable and it seemed his change was to quick. One minute he is think the the supreme chancellor is wrong and next he is bowing down, becoming his apprentice. If he was so filled with pride, why didn't he just kill the supreme chancellor and become emperor himself. I just could believe that he would leave the Jedi life, just for a hope that maybe, just maybe he could learn to save people from death. Don't even get me started on General Grievous, how annoying was he. Also, if the Jedi were so powerful, why did only two survive. Why couldn't more use the force and sense they were going to be killed like Yoda did? Anyway, so much for a good story.
This movie has already proved to be a blockbuster as it approaches the 300 million mark and it has only been out for three weeks. George, you did well, but you don't need to rush things. Your audience will appreciate a good story that is not filled with holes. I hope he continues to make more Star Wars movies, I will again be one of the first people in line to see them. I recommend it to anyone over the age of 12 or 13, any younger should talk about it with parents first.
I for one liked the first two movies. I thought they were great in how they explained things and how they worked so well in setting up episodes 4-6. I went to episode three hoping to receive the payoff of my many years as a Star Wars fan. As I left the theater I felt tricked by my emotions. I enjoyed the movie and thought it was well made, but as I sat and thought about it, some of it didn't quite make sense. I eventually entered into a state of let down. There is no question these are the best graphics in a movie thus far and star wars is always sex free and swear free. However, this movie was more disturbing than the other movies with imagery and violence. The violence is not to much for a Middle School student, but parents should read the review by www.kidsinmind.com, before taking elementary school children.
The major problem that I had with the story is with the time line. The movie supposedly took place over a seven or eight month time period but it felt more like two weeks. I needed to feel more of the time lapse. Also, I thought the reason that Anakin converted to the dark side was not believable and it seemed his change was to quick. One minute he is think the the supreme chancellor is wrong and next he is bowing down, becoming his apprentice. If he was so filled with pride, why didn't he just kill the supreme chancellor and become emperor himself. I just could believe that he would leave the Jedi life, just for a hope that maybe, just maybe he could learn to save people from death. Don't even get me started on General Grievous, how annoying was he. Also, if the Jedi were so powerful, why did only two survive. Why couldn't more use the force and sense they were going to be killed like Yoda did? Anyway, so much for a good story.
This movie has already proved to be a blockbuster as it approaches the 300 million mark and it has only been out for three weeks. George, you did well, but you don't need to rush things. Your audience will appreciate a good story that is not filled with holes. I hope he continues to make more Star Wars movies, I will again be one of the first people in line to see them. I recommend it to anyone over the age of 12 or 13, any younger should talk about it with parents first.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Down on the SBC - Part 1
Lately, I have been hearing a lot of negative things about the Southern Baptist Convention. I realize that the SBC is not a perfect organization and there is a lot that they can do better, but I want to remind some people of its highlights.
For starters the SBC is composed of several different parts. The first part of the organization is the over 42,000 churches. Each church that is a member is more or less a partner. They are not controlled by the convention; rather they have aligned themselves because of their common beliefs. They freely give to the convention to support missions and other aspects of the SBC. All of the churches agree in some form or another with the mission and theology held by the convention or else they can leave at any time.
The second is its Seminaries and Colleges. The SBC has six major seminaries scattered throughout the country and a handful of colleges. These institutions exist to train missionaries, pastors, and church workers. They are a place where approximately 13,400 people come to train for ministry. This component of the SBC is very important in a world were colleges and universities are becoming increasingly liberal and oppressive to conservatives; the SBC institutions are a place were students can come and learn and seek the truth of the scriptures in an environment that believes that scriptures are truth and perfect. Aside from the rocky past of the seminaries, they are a great place to train. To keep the education affordable credit hours are subsidized by the monies that the churches give.
The final part of the SBC for today's discussion is Guidestone (formerly the Annuity Board). This part exists to help students, pastors, and missionaries with health insurance and retirement options. Because so many workers in ministry are considered self-employed, they are on their own to find insurance and retirement plans. The SBC formed Guidestone to set up plans and help students obtain affordable coverage for themselves and their families. They also set up retirement accounts helping church workers have money to retire on. As a member of Guidestone, it is nice to have a organization that you can call and will help you weed through all the insurance jargan and help you pick safe and reliable retirement funds.
In the next article we will look at the publication arm of the SBC, Lifeway and also look at the missions components; the North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board. In the final article we will tackle the Baptist Faith and Message and the Baptist Press.
For starters the SBC is composed of several different parts. The first part of the organization is the over 42,000 churches. Each church that is a member is more or less a partner. They are not controlled by the convention; rather they have aligned themselves because of their common beliefs. They freely give to the convention to support missions and other aspects of the SBC. All of the churches agree in some form or another with the mission and theology held by the convention or else they can leave at any time.
The second is its Seminaries and Colleges. The SBC has six major seminaries scattered throughout the country and a handful of colleges. These institutions exist to train missionaries, pastors, and church workers. They are a place where approximately 13,400 people come to train for ministry. This component of the SBC is very important in a world were colleges and universities are becoming increasingly liberal and oppressive to conservatives; the SBC institutions are a place were students can come and learn and seek the truth of the scriptures in an environment that believes that scriptures are truth and perfect. Aside from the rocky past of the seminaries, they are a great place to train. To keep the education affordable credit hours are subsidized by the monies that the churches give.
The final part of the SBC for today's discussion is Guidestone (formerly the Annuity Board). This part exists to help students, pastors, and missionaries with health insurance and retirement options. Because so many workers in ministry are considered self-employed, they are on their own to find insurance and retirement plans. The SBC formed Guidestone to set up plans and help students obtain affordable coverage for themselves and their families. They also set up retirement accounts helping church workers have money to retire on. As a member of Guidestone, it is nice to have a organization that you can call and will help you weed through all the insurance jargan and help you pick safe and reliable retirement funds.
In the next article we will look at the publication arm of the SBC, Lifeway and also look at the missions components; the North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board. In the final article we will tackle the Baptist Faith and Message and the Baptist Press.
My NASCAR Update
We find ourselves half way until the Chase for the Nextel Cup comes in September. With the most wins this season, Greg Biffle has a great chance at bringing home the Nextel Cup. He has four wins and has finished in the top ten in almost ever race. So why is Jimmie Johnson still leading the points race. Jimmie has only won one race, but has continually finished higher than Greg Biffle when Greg does not win.
This years winners have all been under the age of 37. We have seen many younger racers stepping up and winning; including Kasey Kahne and Carl Edwards. The oldest guy in the pack is that ever annoying Jeff Gordon, with three wins. Jeff and team mates; Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Brian Vickers have been tearing up the track. How ever much I hate the Hendricks Motorsports crew, I have to give it to them. They have been phenomenal on the track. I just hope that Greg can keep it up and win.
I have been for the last few years a DEI fan, which includes Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Michael Waltrip, and Martin Truex, Jr. This team has not won a race all season and only Michael has come close. So what has happened to the team. Some people think that Dale Jr. has lost his focus and firing his crew chief didn't help. This team needs a serious togetherness retreat, complete with spa treatment and yoga. Hey, maybe Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick could join so they could cool off.
This year has been like any other and could possibly be very exciting. I hope Greg can keep up the winning and shut down the Hendricks four horsemen.
My Favorite Drivers:
Michael Waltrip: http://www.michaelwaltrip.com/
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: http://www.dalejr.com/
Kasey Kahne: http://www.evernhammotorsports.com/main.cfm?pagename=kk_bio
Jeremy Mayfield: http://www.evernhammotorsports.com/main.cfm?pagename=jm_bio
This years winners have all been under the age of 37. We have seen many younger racers stepping up and winning; including Kasey Kahne and Carl Edwards. The oldest guy in the pack is that ever annoying Jeff Gordon, with three wins. Jeff and team mates; Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Brian Vickers have been tearing up the track. How ever much I hate the Hendricks Motorsports crew, I have to give it to them. They have been phenomenal on the track. I just hope that Greg can keep it up and win.
I have been for the last few years a DEI fan, which includes Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Michael Waltrip, and Martin Truex, Jr. This team has not won a race all season and only Michael has come close. So what has happened to the team. Some people think that Dale Jr. has lost his focus and firing his crew chief didn't help. This team needs a serious togetherness retreat, complete with spa treatment and yoga. Hey, maybe Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick could join so they could cool off.
This year has been like any other and could possibly be very exciting. I hope Greg can keep up the winning and shut down the Hendricks four horsemen.
My Favorite Drivers:
Michael Waltrip: http://www.michaelwaltrip.com/
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: http://www.dalejr.com/
Kasey Kahne: http://www.evernhammotorsports.com/main.cfm?pagename=kk_bio
Jeremy Mayfield: http://www.evernhammotorsports.com/main.cfm?pagename=jm_bio
Thursday, June 02, 2005
A May Update
The month of May seemed to be the wildest month of my life. A couple that we love very much were married on May 14th. This trip back home was great because we were able to spend time with our family and friends, however this trip provided little rest for us.
Also, our church has been engaged in this stewardship of life campaign, which has consumed much of my time. This campaign is to raise money to expand our church facility. Through this we have been teaching what God's Word has to say about money and stewardship. I feel like I have been through the ringer as far as my personal spiritual growth. When dealing with money it seems that I think I have everything figured out. Lately God has been teaching me that the money and "stuff" that I have is not really mine, but I am rather a manger of it all. This principle seems simple enough, but actually making it work in real life is much harder.
As we come off this emotional roller coaster in May, dealing with some personal issues, we face some very difficult issues at church including: births, deaths, and a wide array of general problems. I was given the greatest honor by a church, which was to be ordained as a Pastor. This confirmation of the calling in my life was one that I am very humbled by.
I forgot to add Kristi and I also drove back home another weekend in May to see my brother, whom I am very proud of, graduate.
All of this is to say that May was a very busy month. But now as I sit here on the second day of June, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of peace. God has taught me and stretched me, but all the while he has comforted me. As we are about to ask our church members for a commitment, I can't help but once again rest in the arms of the loving Father.
Lord, I want to say simply: Thank You.
Also, our church has been engaged in this stewardship of life campaign, which has consumed much of my time. This campaign is to raise money to expand our church facility. Through this we have been teaching what God's Word has to say about money and stewardship. I feel like I have been through the ringer as far as my personal spiritual growth. When dealing with money it seems that I think I have everything figured out. Lately God has been teaching me that the money and "stuff" that I have is not really mine, but I am rather a manger of it all. This principle seems simple enough, but actually making it work in real life is much harder.
As we come off this emotional roller coaster in May, dealing with some personal issues, we face some very difficult issues at church including: births, deaths, and a wide array of general problems. I was given the greatest honor by a church, which was to be ordained as a Pastor. This confirmation of the calling in my life was one that I am very humbled by.
I forgot to add Kristi and I also drove back home another weekend in May to see my brother, whom I am very proud of, graduate.
All of this is to say that May was a very busy month. But now as I sit here on the second day of June, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of peace. God has taught me and stretched me, but all the while he has comforted me. As we are about to ask our church members for a commitment, I can't help but once again rest in the arms of the loving Father.
Lord, I want to say simply: Thank You.
Biblical Stewardship
I know that I have been out of it for a while, our church has been focusing on teaching stewardship. This has taken up most of my time. I have written a couple of small articles for our stewardship newsletter. I have included one of them below:
The idea of God calling on his people to make sacrificial offerings is not a new idea. Throughout the Bible we see God asking more from people than they are humanly willing to give. The biggest example of this is found in Genesis 22. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on an alter. Abraham, though reluctant to do the task was going to go through with it. God was testing Abraham, he was asking for his most prized possession. God stopped Abraham just short of taking his sons life, but this does not negate the fact that Abraham was willing to give his son as a sacrifice to God.
This Stewardship of Life Campaign is all leading up to June 5th when the members of CAF are going to be challenged to give sacrificially to God’s plan for our church.. Much in the same way God called on Abraham, I believe he is calling on our church to make a sacrifice for him. During this campaign, Kristi and I have prayed about our involvement. We feel that this is a test of our faith. Do we trust God enough to rely on him for our needs? As we made our pledge we prayerfully asked God to bless it. We believe that together as our church trusts God, we will see a mighty work done here.
Check out our stewardship campaign website:
http://theconnection.roadtohope.org
The idea of God calling on his people to make sacrificial offerings is not a new idea. Throughout the Bible we see God asking more from people than they are humanly willing to give. The biggest example of this is found in Genesis 22. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on an alter. Abraham, though reluctant to do the task was going to go through with it. God was testing Abraham, he was asking for his most prized possession. God stopped Abraham just short of taking his sons life, but this does not negate the fact that Abraham was willing to give his son as a sacrifice to God.
This Stewardship of Life Campaign is all leading up to June 5th when the members of CAF are going to be challenged to give sacrificially to God’s plan for our church.. Much in the same way God called on Abraham, I believe he is calling on our church to make a sacrifice for him. During this campaign, Kristi and I have prayed about our involvement. We feel that this is a test of our faith. Do we trust God enough to rely on him for our needs? As we made our pledge we prayerfully asked God to bless it. We believe that together as our church trusts God, we will see a mighty work done here.
Check out our stewardship campaign website:
http://theconnection.roadtohope.org
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