I am straight up stealing this idea from www.tonymorganlive.com. Here are my picks for one of my 5 entries into the ESPN Tournament Challenge.
If you want to join our group go to:
http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/en/group?groupID=55732
Group name: PB Friends
Password: renee
A new phone is in my future. Here are my narrowed options....what do you suggest?
1. Replace my Blackberry Tour with Blackberry Curve or Bold
2. Droid 2?
3. Samsung Fascinate?
4. iPhone 4
5. Droid Pro by Motorola?
FYI...I am with Verizon and I've not had any complaints about my Blackberry except for the roller ball has lagged lately.
I use Microsoft Outlook and Google App to sync contacts and calendar in real time. I want to still do this.
I am also concerned about going to a touch screen only device. I want to quickly type. J
What do you think?
Yesterday, I talked about understanding why we are on Facebook. Today, I want to share my Personal Code of Conduct on Facebook. It is as follows:
I believe it is easy to be lured by negativity. This is why it is important to determine how we plan to communicate and conduct ourselves on Facebook.
How to intentionally, remain positive when lured by negativity?
Facebook is a verb. It is more than a company…it has become an action. It's what we do.
The question is: Why?
I recently preached a message about Taming the Tongue. I suggested one place we have lacked wisdom is in how we use Facebook. I submit Facebook has become a passive aggressive playground. This is why I've learned to have a personal purpose for why I Facebook and why I blog.
Facebook is not a place for me to vent about people without actually mentioning who they are or playing the victim. We should avoid negativity and downright mean-spirited comments. This includes what we say about the Church and government. Tomorrow, I will share my Facebook Code of Conduct.
Chime in: Why do you Facebook?
Over the next week or so, I would like to share my personal ministry values. These are the hills I am willing to die on in ministry. I consider them to be clear, constant, and non-negotiable.
This is about the way I am wired and how I believe God has designed me to accomplish the vision He has for my Calling.
This list of Core Values is the result of a journey of discovery I took several years ago. I spent a lot of time reflecting, questioning, and getting input from those around me. Here is my first value:
Authentic Relationships - People not programs and relationships not religion are built through biblical community.
I have discovered relationships are one of the most important things in my life. Not superficial relationships but rather relationships that authentic and biblical.
I have found this to be both my strength and weakness. The strength shows itself in my commitment to those with whom I share community. The weakness demonstrates itself through the wounds I experience when a relationship goes through unresolved conflict.
This commitment to relationship frees me to confront any issue (good or bad) for the sake of open communication.
I've learned God only cares about three things: Relationships, Relationships, and Relationships.
The success of any relationship is dependent on only three things: Communication, Communication, and Communication.
The scriptures that guide this value in my life are as follows:
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart. Acts 2:44-46
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12
Words cannot express how proud I am of Mike Ferrante. I first met Mike in 1999. A couple of summers later, I was speaking at the Baltimore Convention Center and we reconnected. It did not take long for us to realize God had orchestrated our lives to intersect. Soon after that, I asked Mike to join our staff at The Mission DC. We continued to work together after we closed The Mission DC until I moved to Greenville, SC.
Mike is like a son to me. We have shared life. We have experienced what community is all about. We have laughed together, cried together, rejoiced together, mourned together, dreamed together. Most importantly, we have walked through change together. It has been a journey I truly cherish.
Mike is hands down one of the most anointed worship leaders I have ever worked with. Worship is not what he does…it's who is. I cannot count how many times I've experienced the overwhelming presence of God as Mike led in worship.
Last fall, Mike and his team from the Westminster Church of God recorded their first live worship album. Mike called me about 30 minutes before the worship service was about to begin. I had the wonderful privilege to pray with him just before the recording was to start.
When I listen to this album, I feel as though I was there. I listen with great pride and enjoyment. I love the spontaneous moments found in Jesus to You. I've used the repeat button each time I listen to Every Need. (I am so proud of you Becky Kaskel.) I love to linger in the song To the Cross.
Personally, I feel the album falls way short of what a live experience with Mike is like. That's only because that's what I prefer. J I'm ruined.
Despite my hang-ups, I think everyone needs to take a listen. This is his freshman project. There is no doubt each one will get better from here.
Download here and let me know what you think.
Yesterday I wrote about The Power of Forgiveness. I have reflected on the blog quite a bit since posting it. Here are some other thoughts:
Forgiveness is a choice. When I hear people say they "can't forgive", what they are really saying is "I won't". Jesus Christ gives us the ultimate example of forgiveness. Check out Luke 23:33-35. Jesus made the choice to forgive based on unconditional love. His example empowers us to choose forgiveness.
I mentioned yesterday how I have grieved watching someone not offer forgiveness when it could have radically changed a situation. I know that if I am not careful, I might fall into the trap of not offering forgiveness to the person who will not forgive. Scott and I were talking yesterday and he said that as Christians we often hide behind "Righteous Unforgiveness." This happens when we think we have a "right" to call out someone else's sin or shortcomings, when we are actually doing the same thing.
All this has challenged me to check my heart. I cannot allow myself to become bitter because I am disappointed that someone will not forgive. This would only allow my heart to be hardened. I would be doing the same thing that I do not want the person to do. I would be walking in Unforgiveness.
This leaves me with a choice: Am I willing to forgive someone for not forgiving? YES! I will not allow myself to fall into the trap of Unforgiveness. With the example of Jesus…..I can choose. It's not easy but it is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
Yesterday, I gave some scripture references about forgiveness. Here are some books I highly recommend on the topic:
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
Wendy suggested a book in a comment yesterday as well.
Forgiveness is a powerful thing. It not only has the power to change the way you or I approach the future, it also has the power to transform the life of the person we offer forgiveness to.
Forgiveness has changed the course in my life many times:
Forgiveness is powerful. When you receive it, your life is changed. When you give it, you open your life and the life of the one you forgive to deep personal transformation.
In recent months, I have struggled because someone I love very much has not received the forgiveness they seek from someone else. I have watched how the pain of their actions have hurt a person they care about very much. However, I have also seen how the offended person has held back forgiveness. I have grieved watching this. The offended person has the power of forgiveness at their disposal but refuses to use it. As a result, transformation they seek has not taken place.
When we hold on to Unforgiveness, when hinder our own personal/spiritual growth. We also miss the opportunity to help the one who wronged us. Offering them forgiveness might be the best chance they have to change. Do not hold on to bitterness and Unforgiveness. Give forgives away. It is one of the most powerful things you can do. Here are some great scriptures about forgiveness:
Luke 6:37; Matthew 6:15-15; Matthew 18:1-35; 1 John 1:9
How about you? How has receiving forgiveness transformed you? (Click "Comments" below and share your thoughts)
Here is what's playing on my iPod Mini lately:
Russ Taff makes an appearance for the remake of I'm Forgiven. That was worth $9.99 to me.
Healer is one of the best songs I've heard this year.
Tommy, Tommy, Tommy…There is always at least one song on every album that makes me glad I bought it.
Every Day was too catchy to pass up
The girl has some rock in her now
This album has been around for some time but is still one of my favorites
I was reminded today of the Charles Schultz philosophy of life and what we value. I thought I'd share them with you.
Charles Schultz Philosophy
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read them straight through, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." (Charles Schultz)
Tonight was our neighborhood pool party. We are celebrating the end of school.
Renee and I are the social committee chairmans. We signed up for the job so we could get to know our neighbors and find practical ways to serve them.
I ordered 25 pizzas. We started at 6 pm and only have 5 pizza's left. Looks like I need to call Papa Johns again.
Last week was a very busy week and as a result I did not get a chance to stay on top of responding to emails. As a result, this morning my inbox had 85 emails that desired my attention. I usually try to carve out time every Thursday afternoon to make sure I've responded to emails from the week. To wait until this Thursday would have caused my inbox to implode. So I figured I'd use this morning to catch up.
It took a little over 2 hours to review the 85 emails and respond with 42 of my own. I find myself wrestling with the pros and cons of my experience this morning.
The pro is I was able to communicate with so many people directly. The internet and email are a huge blessing in connecting with people despite geography and availability.
The con was IT TOOK 2 HOURS for me get caught up. It's Monday morning and I have a huge event this weekend that demands my attention. I could have used these 2 hours about five different ways. But to ignore my emails would have just caused greater stress down the road.
The whole thing is a balancing act. I am not sure there was a right or wrong to my pros and cons. In the end, I realize these two hours were a good use of my time. I have a sense of accomplishment and "feel" caught up. Maybe that is what I needed to have the endurance to conquer the rest of this week.
It certainly feels better to be caught up then backed up. (But it is early in the week.) J
This past weekend brought closure to a 5 year journey when I graduated from Regent University with my Master's of Divinity.
Family and friends joined Renee and I making the experience most memorable. Check out the photo album to the left of my blog to see pictures from the weekend.
Recent Comments