Insights on American Theology

What’s the problem with American theology?

It's not the styles, or the stages – it’s our mentality

While people of the world

Loose their life for Christ the King

We’d rather sit in comfort,

Then raise our voice and sing

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What would the church look like

if singing Sunday morning

Meant risking your life?

Would you show up? Would I?

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We need to learn to sacrifice,

For the sake of Jesus Christ

We need to get off of our selves

And learn to pray (really pray)

We have no time to delay,

What if Christ came back today?

Would you be able to testify,

That in your life you glorified

The only One who’s worthy,

With all your might?

Would you? Would I?

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What’s the problem with Church priorities?

It’s not the programs or attendance, it’s the lack of empathy.

In other countries they follow Christ,

Even if it means they lose their life

In America, we get excited

Over football Monday night

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What would the church look like

if saying no to yourself

Meant following God’s will?

What would you say? What would I?

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Who cares if you have a Lexus?

With bumper to bumper?

What does that do for the man who’s damned to hell?

Does your family love you more?

Cause their involved in every activity?

Have you shown them with your life,

The selfless love of Christ?

Christmas - Finding the Balance

I Love Christmas Time.
I love everything about it. The celebration of our salvation,the parties, the musicals, the family, the presents, and the decorations. This year I'm not able to put up decorations because we're preparing to move to North Carolina. While this is difficult for a Christmas-holic, like me - it's good for me to focus on the true reason to celebrate this time of year. It has nothing to do with lights, and trees and presents. It has to do with THE presence of God with Us. Emmanuel means God with us and that's exactly what He did.Praise God!

My struggle, I'm finding at Christmas time, is balancing things like the parties, the musicals, the rehearsals, etc with spending time with friends and family. Maybe it's because we're about to be away from all the people and places I've come to know well, but I'm realizing as great as musicals and parties are, it's extremely easy to let that overshadow spending time in community with those we love. Part of being a follower of Jesus Christ is showing His love, in a personal way to those we know. I don't know if my priorities are beginning to change with a new chapter beginning in my life, but I know that I would rather spend a quiet evening alone with my bride, or an evening with friends than in a 3 hour tech rehearsal.

That's not to say I don't enjoy Christmas and Easter presentations, I do! I look forward to certain times of year, because I feel like there's an obvious avenue for the arts to be used in the celebration of God with us, in us and through us. I enjoy finding unique music, well written dramas and combining all that to bring out the best in people while they glorify the Savior through their craft. This year's musical at Central is amazing! The story is original, the music is unique and edgy! In fact, out of all the musicals we've done since I've been here this is the most personal for CBC. The fact that it was birthed out of a ministry happening in our youth group makes it real.

So where is the balance? How does one find it and practice it? More importantly, how can one help keep those he leads in balance in their own lives?

Father in heaven,
I pray that You would help me discover balance in my life, especially in the area of my family and the passion for ministry You've instilled in me. God I want to glorify You through the arts in the most excellent way I can, but more than that I want to glorify You through how I love my family.
Thank You Lord, for grace and 'do-overs' for Your children.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

And here we go...

Last night was such an emotional night!

We told our church that we were moving in January, to Huntersville, NC to serve at Independence Hill Baptist Church. I knew it was going to be tough, but I didn't know how tough! Telling the Choir, praise team and drama was the hardest. Angela and I have grown so close to so many of those guys and girls and having to say goodbye is going to be one of the single most difficult experinces of my life! Just telling them was tearful. The friends we have made at CBC have been so amazing, sacrifical and loving - a true picture of God's character. The exciting thing is that they will conitine to serve like that because of how much the love Jesus! 

Now we have to get ready to pack and move. But before that, we have finals, a christmas musical - which is going to rock, and graduation. It's going to be a busy December. Stay tuned!

Father in Heaven, 

Thank You for grace that is greater than ALL our sin. Thank you for always being ready to pick us up and hold us when we're hurting. Father keep my eyes focused on You and my heart broken over my sin and the sin of a lost and dying world. Let my broken heart be made whole only by Your love.