under the skin.....

There are some things that just bug me. You know.......why the Taco Bell by my house cannot get a drive thru order correct...that bugs me. Parents that can't get their kid to practice, but then want to know why I don't play them the whole game......bugs me. But I think the one thing that bugs me most is whining. Granted....kids are going to whine and that's is somewhat acceptable, but adult whining is the worst.

This morning I was reading through some blogs that I occasionally follow and I came across one that just really has a tendency to irk me sometimes. The self-professed "church planter" blogger continually whines about "hypocrisy in church leadership," sermons and series being preached at other churches, dismissal of staff members at other churches, etc......Comparing the ministry of his church and others he has emulated to what he deems to be failing, or not doing things the "right way."

Most of the time the opinions stated on this blog come across as the bitter, whinings of a small individual with an extreme case of tunnel vision and "me"itis.

I have a tendency sometimes.....okay a lot.....to open my mouth for no other reason but to switch feet, but I do try to have facts to substantiate what I am saying. Most of the time I try to keep the writings on this blog light, funny, somewhat encouraging, sometimes reflective...but I try to not run down the ministry someone else is doing.

Different churches approach things in different ways for many different reasons. Staff members change for many reasons. Philosophies are adjusted and teams work together for the good of the church. I'm not seminary educated (some would say I should be thankful for that), but I think there are some things that I can see without that clouding my vision.

I am a church plant. I was planted here to do what God called me to do in the ways that he provides and directs. As churches grow, changes of many kinds occur. But I believe that if you're not changing, you're falling behind. I would never preach that a church should throw biblical teaching to the wind for the sake of not offending, nor would I defend a friend, belittle former employers, cut other pastors, or do anything that may damage ministry being done somewhere that I am not. There is a difference in holding someone accountable for wrong doings, and calling someone out because their way of doing ministry does not match up to yours or your opinion of how things should be done.

I am so happy to be a part of this team at Springcreek. Sure we have disagreements or whatever, but at the end of the day we're honestly searching for what God wants done in the life of his people in our little corner of ministry. Work where God has placed you to reach the people he has put you in contact with, and be thankful that there are others reaching those you cannot.............

I'm out...

New Things....

New restaurant.......J's Catfish....cajun catfish and huge shrimp. done right! plus the hushpuppies and fries. Yes!

Also.....Firewheel Mall added a dine-in Sonic complete with HDTV big screen with Sportcenter. On top of that...it's right next door to the Nestle's Toll-House place. WHAT?!! I hate malls, but this one is on it's way up. I may even go out there at Christmas.................maybe

New cd review......Chris Tomlin's "See The Morning." It's great! I've been a fan of Tomlin's for a long time. The songs are hooky, with simple, but great melodies. I just feel good after I listen to his stuff. This one is definitely worth the money. Get it.

New T.V. season......The Office is sheer GREATNESS! Hilarious. Grey's Anatomy....more greatness.

I love football..........just thought I'd throw that in. The Eagles, and yes I left out "cryin'" on purpose, had the best two practices we've had all year. I'm feeling real good about this weekend, and I can't even be there. High school game tomorrow night, college gameday saturday morning, and the Cowboys v. Titans Sunday.......how 'bout them Cowboys?!! T.O. is not even worth mentioning.

I'm out......

A step ahead...

I love this weather. It's just great outside.

The Cryin' Eagles are now 0-4. It's been a tough season so far, but the boys are learning and getting better. I'm not gonna lie though.....it's tough to take a beating every week. I just keep telling myself.....they're 9. It's fun though.....they crack me up.

The ID series is off to a great start. We're working through the connection group material with our students and it started off great last night. There are a lot of things about identity that teenagers deal with, but one of the things that surprises me is the fact that many of them are oblivious to the other students around them. As we looked at the times we have simply tried to "survive," the times we were "striving," and the times we "thrived," many of our students obviously didn't have a lot to draw from over their brief 15 or so years. However, what surprised me was how many of them couldn't recognize the kids around them that are surviving and striving every day just to make it.

Much of Christ's ministry was spent reaching out to those who were striving to live, and/or just trying to survive. He came to "give life to it's fullest." Look for those around you that don't know what that looks like or how to get it. You only have to be one step ahead of someone to lead them..............look for those who are one step behind you. I'm out.....

"What Car Does He Drive?"

Every once in a while I find myself eating lunch by myself at some fast food place. Tuesday was one of those days. I was at Wendy's......

When I'm by myself at one of these places, I play a little game while I eat my lunch. I like to call it "What Car Does He/She Drive?" Make sure you sit by a window to play. The rules are simple:

1. When someone gets up to leave, you must guess which car they are in before they walk out
of the door.
2. The contestants must already be in the restaurant before you get there. You cannot use
people that pull up while you're sitting there.

I had a great game Tuesday. I batted .700! Yes 7 out of 10 I guessed correctly. .300 is about average, but .700 is unheard of in this growing sport. I had some guesses that were just unbelievable. There was the couple that came in separate cars and I got both of them. There was the young lady that drove a truck. They are sometimes easy to spot, but can fool you if you're not careful. And there was the teenager driving his mom's mini-van. Got that one too.

The three I missed were tough.
1. an older lady (60's).........driving a bug
2. a painter that was not in the work truck that was parked outside of my window, but in a
Kia Sportage
3. and the toughest one of all was the guy I thought was a pastor (had a bible reference book
and his bible with him at the table). I matched him with the rather large car next to my
truck that had the "My boss is a Jewish carpenter" bumper sticker and the "I'm watching
you......GOD" sticker on the other side. He was in the work truck........and another teenager
was in the big car.

Crazy.....but those things happen when you're playing "What Car Does He/She Drive?" Try it out......

I'm going to lunch.......I'm playing doubles today. I'm out....

'86 Kicks......

The class of 1986 20-year reunion......yes, 20 years since high school graduation. The finest group of graduates that Ross S. Sterling High School of Baytown, TX has ever seen are creeping up on 40 years old and we got together last weekend to celebrate oldness.

It was fun. I had not seen most of those people at all over the last 20 years, and it was fun seeing the changes people had gone through........good and bad. Our name tags had our senior picture on it so we would recognize those that had changed the most. There are several that I live within 20 minutes of right now and did not even know it. I'm looking forward to the 25th.

I am so excited about our student ministry. We are seeing new kids every week. Our students are reaching out to their friends and God is proving his faithfulness as they learn to serve and minister to those they come in contact with daily. AWESOME!

Garland Pee-Wee Eagle update:

This week we snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory and lost 6-0 to the Owlets. We looked so much better than last week though........there is hope. If I can just get some of them to stop crying.

I am so pumped about football season. I love high school football and while I was at my reunion I went to a game at Baytown's Stallworth Stadium (The House that Doug built). I had not been in that stadium since I graduated, so that was kind of cool. College ball on Saturdays and all kinds of pro action Sunday.

Of course the Cowboys broke my heart as they too snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. But it is a long season. Tonight may be one of the greatest nights in recent memory..........2 Monday Night Football games. Hold on..........I had to wipe the tears out of my eyes so I could finish this.

Here's a few pics of the 4th Grade Eagles in action.....kind of.....

movin' and groovin'...

so much in so little time. it is crazy around this house. kelly and i said hi to each other yesterday as we passed each other in the hallway. she's doin' good she said.

ashli is busy with drill team.....brooke with cheerleading....and beaux and i with pee wee football.

yes...the pee wee Garland Eagles got off to a rough start saturday afternoon. we got on the wrong end of a 21-0 battle. two punt returns for touchdowns and we were done. we had a good time though...........i hate to lose.

tomorrow morning is the big garland labor day parade. labor day and we have to be in downtown garland at 7:30 a.m. WHAT?

man.......bob did a great job with a tough topic today. the second installment of our "dirty little secrets" series was on abortion and bob did a great job with it. great biblical perspective on dealing with the pain and shame of abortion.

so this coming weekend is my 20th high school reunion. wow....i'm looking foward to seeing some old friends and catching up over some dinner and Lionel Richie songs.

i'm tired and going to bed...........i've got to make a couple of posts this week to make up for the two week hiatus. i'm out.......