tcbastron: Testing, 1, 2, 3

Reflex Of The Ransomed Heart

2012-01-04T10:33:00.002-06:00

"Worship is a reflex of the ransomed heart, never an empty religious ritual or a hollow act of self-deprivation. It is love flowing freely and absolutely from heart, mind, and soul in response to all we have received."

-Matt Redman

A Virtual Choir

2011-10-10T15:52:00.002-05:00

Incredible video. Eric Whitacre led a virtual choir of voices from around the world. See it here. The video is a little over 14 minutes. It is well worth the time.

Promise For The Day

2011-09-19T14:38:00.002-05:00

Psalm 6:8-9

Away from me, all you who do evil,

for the Lord has heard my weeping.

The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;

the Lord accepts my prayer.

Promise For The Day

2011-08-31T10:04:00.001-05:00

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Promise For The Day

2011-08-18T13:27:00.002-05:00

Psalm 91: 1-2

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Worship Set for August 21

2011-08-17T10:46:00.003-05:00

So this coming Sunday we begin a new series. The series it titled "Heaven". We are going to be looking at the promise of heaven and the afterlife.

This week our pastor will be preaching on Matthew 13: 44-46 and his message is titled "What is Heaven Like". Here is his thumbnail.

When we look at Jesus' miracles we get a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven breaking into earth; His miracles help us to see what heaven will be like. When Jesus restores the sight of a blind man, that tells us that in the kingdom of heaven there's a complete healing. When he touches the disabled and they're able to walk, or the deaf and they are able to hear, that tells us something about heaven. In heaven there is no brokenness, in heaven we are finally able to be e exactly who God created us to be.

Here is the music set for the week.

Featured Music-Heaven by Los Lonely Boys

Your's Is The Kingdom

Sweet Mercies

Featured Music-Heaven Is The Face by Steven Curtis Chapman

Song Of Hope

We look forward to a great weekend, where Jesus is lifted up.

Promise For The Day

2011-08-17T10:04:00.002-05:00

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

The Global Leadership Summit: Session Four/Steven Furtick

2011-08-11T20:08:00.005-05:00

Steven Furtick:

Lead Pastor, Elevation Church

Charlotte, North Carolina

Wow. Steven was amazing. An absolute great way to end an amazing first day of the Summit.

Here are some of the take aways from Steven's talk.

*"One of the reasons we're so insecure is that we compare our behind-the-scenes to everybody else's highlight reel."

*"The difference between a visionary and a daydreamer is the audacity to act."

*"We teach our children to say please and then thank you. However, with God we say "thank you" before we say "please" for anything."

*"I don't want to just survive the world, I want to change the world."

*2 Kings 3: 9-20

"If you want to see the land filled with water, dig ditches."

"Faith doesn't wait around for water, it digs a ditch."

"Don't just dig A ditch, make this valley full of ditches."

*"I can't expect God's blessing on my work unless I do it God's way."

*"God doesn't call you to finish what he's called you to do, just to get started."

The Global Leadership Summit: Session 3/Seth Godin

2011-08-11T16:04:00.003-05:00

Seth Godin:

Bestselling Author; Squidoo Founder; Renowned Marketing Blogger

New York, New York

Seth was named Business Week's "Ultimate Entrepreneur for the Information Age." Seth's lecture was titled "Poke The Box", and he did not disappoint.

First let me just say Seth rocked some serious glasses. He gave a lively, entertaining, and challenging talk.

Here are a few of my favorite lines from his lecture.

"There is no map for being an artist"

"Competence is no longer scarce"

"Don't wait to get picked, pick yourself"

"If failure is not an option, then either is success"

"Just because the tide is out, doesn't mean there is less water in the ocean"

"Give gifts"

"GO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN"

The Global Leadership Summit: Session 3/Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil

2011-08-11T15:52:00.003-05:00

Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil

Speaker; Thought Leader; Founder and President, Salter McNeil & Associates

Chicago, Illinois

Dr. McNeil gave a very inspirational and moving talk. Her lecture was titled "Courageous Leadership For Catalytic Times".

She gave a life changing look at Acts 1:8, and will cause me to never look at that verse the same again. Here is what the scriptures says.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

This is a catalytic moment. We are commissioned to take the gospel across cultural lines.

Jerusalem=our home turf. It is where people look like us.

Judea=Close to home, but not quite home

Samaria=This is the places or places we avoid. The places that are forgotten. The places of corporate injustice, children soldiers, sex trafficing here.

What are you going to do with and for your Samaria?

Are you ready to break through your sound barrier?

Here is how.

1. Pray for a divine mandate

-ask God to break your heart for what breaks his heart

2. Name your catalytic events

3. Mobilize people to Go!

-faith without works is DEAD

-don't just stop in Judea, push through to Samaria

-learn to speak authentically, with relevance, and with authority

Where is your Samaria?

--GET STARTED THERE NOW

The Global Leadership Summit: Session 2/Cory A. Booker

2011-08-11T13:07:00.004-05:00

Honorable Cory A. Booker

Mayor of Newark, New Jersey; Urban Reformer

Newark, New Jersey

*Cory Booker became mayor of New Jersey's largest city in 2006. Since then, Newark has experienced a reduction in crime, an increase in city services, and an improvement in education.

*A Rhodes Scholar, he holds earned degrees from Stanford University, Oxford University, and Yale Law School.

*His leadership has been profiled in the Academy Award-nominated film Street Fight and in the Emmy-nominated documentary series Brick City.

Here are a couple things I took away from his lecture.

"Everyone was born an original, buy many die copies."

-Abraham Lincoln

Are we evidencing our truth?

Will You Stand Up?

The Global Leadership Summit: Session 2/Len Schlesinger

2011-08-11T12:57:00.004-05:00

Session two opened up with Len Schlesinger with his lecture titled "Action Trumps Everything".

Len Schlesinger:

President, Babson College; Harvard Professor; Former Vice Chair, Limited Brands

Boston, Massachusetts

My key insight to his talk was...The leader is committed to a reality that does not exist.

Len says that in the face of the unknowability, here are 16 reasons why action trumps everything.

1. If you act, you will find out what works...

2. ...and what doesn't.

3. If you never act, you will never know if you are right or wrong.

4. If you act, you will find out if you like it...

5. ...or you don't.

6. Acting leads to a market reaction, which could take you in another direction.

7. As you act, you can find people to go along with you.

8. As you act, you can find ways to do things faster, cheaper, better.

9. If you act, you won't spend the rest of your life going, "I wonder what would have happened if..."

10. If all you do is think, you are less interesting as a person.

11. If all you do is think about stuff, you gain tons of theoretical knowledge, but none from the real world.

12. ...all you do is think.

13. Action always leads to evidence.

14. If you act, you know what is real.

15. Talking to people is action...

16. It seems the cost of doing more thought, before you pull the trigger, is zero.

The Global Leadership Summit: Session 1/Bill Hybels

2011-08-11T12:46:00.006-05:00

For the next couple days I will be blogging about The Global Leadership Summit that is going on at Willow Creek Church. Our church (Living Word) is a satellite for the conference, and it is always a blast and a great couple days of learning.

Bill Hybels got the Summit off to a great start. Here are some take aways.

Bill Hybels:

Founder and Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Church

South Barrington, Illinois

*When the leader stops learning, the leader should stop leading.

*Leadership matters! When leaders get better, everyone wins.

Five questions to ask yourself.

1. What is your current challenge level at work?

2. What is your plan for dealing with challenging people?

3. Are you naming, facing, or resolving the problem that exist in your organization?

-Where are your programs in the life cycle? Accelerating, Booming, Decelerating, or Tanking

4. When is the last time you examined the core of what you are about?

5. Have you had your leadership bell rung lately?

Worship Set For This Coming Week

2011-08-09T15:51:00.003-05:00

We are wrapping up our latest series this week at Living Word. The series is titled "Famous".

The idea behind the series has been the fact that our culture is crazy about celebrities. Athletes, actors, musicians are American royalty. Being famous has become synonymous with being successful, even if you are not famous for anything particular. Fame of course is not a bad thing, but it certainly is not the true measure of our worth as human beings. Our worth as a human being is based upon God, and true fame is found in Him.

The series was broken down into 4 weeks.

Week 1-Appearance

Week 2-Affluence

Week 3-Achievement

Week 4-Approval

Our pastor will be preaching out of Galatians 1:6-12 this week. Here is his thumbnail for the topic.

"In one way or another, don't we all crave to be liked and appreciated? Don't we all need for others to think well of us? Of course we do. Nothing wrong with that---UNLESS. Unless it becomes so profound a need that we forget to ask God what God thinks of us, and our need for human approval wipes away caring about God's expectations."

Here is our worship set for this week. I would love to hear your thoughts on these songs.

1. I Stand Amazed

2. At The Cross

3. You Are For Me

4. How He Loves

I hope to see you at worship this week, and I hope to hear you singing your heart out.

Promise For The Day

2011-08-09T09:47:00.002-05:00

John 11:41-42

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."

Leadership Lesson

2011-08-08T22:35:00.002-05:00

Came across this on The Resurgence site.

Enjoy.

Defining Moments

2011-08-03T15:42:00.004-05:00

Wow. I found this on my friends blog today and it really hit home. How true is this?

Susan Gregory Thomas:

Every generation has its life-defining moments. If you want to find out what it was for a member of the Greatest Generation, you ask, "Where were you on D-Day?" For babyboomers, the questions are "Where were you when Kennedy was shot?" or "What were you doing when Nixon resigned?"

For most of my generation--Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980--there is only one question: "When did your parents get divorced?"

(HT: Vitamin Z)

Promise For The Day

2011-08-03T15:38:00.001-05:00

Ephesians 1:17

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Promise For The Day

2011-08-02T13:50:00.001-05:00

Philippians 1:6

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Promise For The Day

2011-08-01T16:44:00.001-05:00

Matthew 4:19

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people."

Sign Him Up For The Big Leagues

2011-07-29T10:12:00.002-05:00

The St. Louis Cardinals bullpen could use this kid.

Free Stuff Friday

2011-07-29T08:47:00.001-05:00

Tim Challies:

This week's Free Stuff Friday sponsor is Desiring God, a name you are all familiar with, I'm sure.

Check it out here.

Promise For The Day

2011-07-29T08:42:00.001-05:00

Micah 7:19

You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Boogity Boogity Boogity Amen:AutoTuned

2011-07-28T12:24:00.002-05:00

I have to say this is pretty good.

(HT: Vitamin Z)

Promise For The Day

2011-07-28T12:19:00.001-05:00

Psalms 34:5

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Sweetness

2011-07-27T11:54:00.002-05:00

That is cool.

Why Going To Rehab Won't Fix It

2011-07-27T10:29:00.004-05:00

Mike Wilkerson:

"The sin we tolerate always pollutes, always corrupts, disintegrates what God created good, and-if not stopped-always ends in death."

"Those of us whose sin has not yet consumed us should not be too quick to judge Amy."

Read the rest.

Promise For The Day

2011-07-27T10:25:00.001-05:00

Romans 12:19

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

Touchdown Celebrations and Humble Athletes

2011-07-26T11:31:00.003-05:00

Tony Dungy is one of my favorite guys in sports. A true man of integrity.

Check out his latest post dealing with being humble.

Promise For The Day

2011-07-26T10:00:00.001-05:00

1 John 2:1

My dear children, I write this to tell you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

Engaging Your Neighbor

2011-07-25T09:48:00.003-05:00

Jonathan Dobson:

"I have found that it is often helpful to have practical ideas to start engaging the people around me in order to be a better neighbor."

Check out his list of 25 ways to engage your neighbor here.

(HT: Vitamin Z)

Who Knew?

2011-07-23T01:26:00.005-05:00

Apparently there are 14 types of noses. Which one is yours?

Find out and here.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

How To Honor Your Wife

2011-07-20T23:31:00.004-05:00

Mark Driscoll:

"Every man who reads this, even the best man among us, has areas of repentance and growth that are required."

Read the rest.

Ouch! It Looks Likes That Might Hurt

2011-07-19T20:07:00.003-05:00

It does not look like that is going to feel good. However, it is a cool pic.

(HT: Abraham Piper)

Amazing Violinist

2011-07-18T19:14:00.010-05:00

This violin solo was performed by Sirena Huang in 2006. It is amazing.

Not too shabby for an eleven year old.

Enjoy.

Rethinking the Words of Worship

2011-07-15T13:48:00.003-05:00

Are we thinking about what we say to God during worship?

Adam Wood has some great thoughts on the topic here.

Leaving the Manufactured Church

2011-07-14T15:13:00.004-05:00

Rachel Daniels:

"Church" has become synonymous with words like "corporation" and "organization". But instead of manufacturing toilet paper or toothpaste, our products are decisions, discipleship programs and even the Holy Spirit. Rather than equipping the saints to do ministry, our pastors are CEOs, Chief Evangelism Officers, who manage the industry by creating consumers of Christianity.

Read the rest of the article here. It is thought provoking and well worth the read.

Why You Can Have Hope & Strength in Suffering

2011-07-14T14:50:00.003-05:00

Stuart Dean:

When the truth of God is abandoned, so is the hope and strength to face suffering.

Read the rest.

How To Fail As A Worship Leader

2011-07-13T10:06:00.002-05:00

David Santistevan:

As a worship leader myself, I've found that failure has a lot more to do with how we handle

the small stuff behind the scenes, than it does with what happens on stage.

Read the rest.

Abide With Me

2011-07-12T17:19:00.005-05:00

This week in worship we are singing the great song titled "Abide With Me". The lyrics were written by Henry Lyte in the 1800's. We are doing the version put out by Indelible Grace Music.

I just wanted to share the lyrics with you today. They are so strong. So strong!

I hope they can be an encouragement to you today.

ABIDE WITH ME; FALLS THE EVENTIDE;

THE DARKNESS DEEPENS; LORD WITH ME ABIDE.

WHEN OTHER HELPERS, FAIL AND COMFORTS FLEE,

HELP OF THE HELPLESS, ABIDE WITH ME.

THOU ON MY HEAD, IN EARLY YOUTH DIDST SMILE;

AND, THOUGH REBELLIOUS, AND PERVERSE MEANWHILE,

THOU HAST NOT LEFT ME, OFT AS I LEFT THEE,

ON TO THE CLOSE LORD, ABIDE WITH ME.

I NEED THY PRESENCE, EVERY PASSING HOUR.

WHAT BUY THY GRACE, CAN FOIL THE TEMPTER'S POWER?

WHO, LIKE THYSELF, MY GUIDE AND STAY CAN ME?

THROUGH CLOUD AND SUNSHINE, ABIDE WITH ME.

I FEAR NO FOE, WITH THEE AT HAND TO BLESS

ILLS HAVE NO WEIGHT, TEARS LOSE THEIR BITTERNESS

WHERE IS THY STING DEATH? WHERE GRAVE THY VICTORY?

I TRIUMPH STILL, ABIDE WITH ME.

HOLD THOU THY CROSS, BEFORE MY CLOSING EYES;

SHINE THROUGH THE GLOOM, AND POINT ME TO THE SKIES.

HEAVEN'S MORNING BREAKS, AND EARTH'S VAIN SHADOWS FLEE;

IN LIFE, IN DEATH, LORD, ABIDE WITH ME.

Maya Beiser(s) and her cello(s)

2011-07-12T14:57:00.003-05:00

Maya Beiser plays an eight-part modern etude with seven copies of herself.

Very creative and beautiful.

The Decline of the Nuclear Family

2011-07-12T09:37:00.003-05:00

Nick Bogardus:

"Perhaps the things that really need redeeming are the church's lack of a voice in what it

means to be a man or woman."

Read the rest here.

(HT: Vitamin Z)

Love Divine

2011-07-11T12:53:00.003-05:00

Bob Kauflin:

If you know anything about Wesley, you know he was prolific, writing between 6000 and 8500 hymns, depending on your source. As you might guess, every one wasn’t a classic. But more than a few were. And John Hartley and Chris Eaton have done a masterful job introducing some of them to a new generation through new melodies, some new choruses, fresh arrangements and tasteful production.

My Take:

This is a great album. You need to go get it immediately.

Worship leaders should find these songs easy to teach and incorporate into worship.

Very excited to see my friend Mark Roach was included on this album.

A Neat Way To Think About Setting & Achieving Goals

2011-07-08T22:56:00.006-05:00

Is there something that you have always wanted to do and just haven't? Matt Cutts suggests trying it for 30 days.

Our Newest Son: Kingston Alexander

2011-07-07T21:01:00.013-05:00

This is our newest son. His name is Kingston Alexander. He was born June 17th. He weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces and was 19 inches long. He is such a blessing and a great addition to our family.

We received the pictures from the photographer today, so I wanted to share them with you all. The rest of the pictures will be posted on my facebook page.

Thank you for all of your prayers.

Is Church Membership Biblical?

2011-07-07T11:21:00.001-05:00

Came across this good post form Matt Chandler today. Read it here.

This Is Beatjazz

2011-07-07T09:35:00.004-05:00

Onyx Ashanti demonstrates "beatjazz"-his music created by two handheld controllers, an iPhone and a mouthpiece, and played with the entire body.

After locking his beats and loops he plays a 3 minute song that shares his vision for the future of music.

Hackers Expose Flaw

2011-07-06T18:47:00.003-05:00

Hackers have disclosed a bug in software from Apple Inc that security experts said could be exploited by criminals looking to gain remote control over iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch devices.

See article here.

The Way To God

2011-07-06T10:18:00.003-05:00

Started reading through the D.L. Moody Collection with a friend of mine today. Today we read and talked about Moody's message titled "The Way To God: The Gateway into the Kingdom".

Moody talked about "the new birth" and how he considers it to be the most important doctrine. Moody says, "My experience has been this-that if a man is unsound on this doctrine, he will be unsound on almost every other fundamental doctrine in the Bible".

Lots of great thoughts in this 24 page chapter.

Here are a few questions from the study.

1. Are you certain that you are born again of the Spirit of God, and can you give a scriptural reason why you are going to heaven?

2. Do you look to Jesus on a regular basis for forgiveness and righteousness in your life?

3. What evidence in the events and blessings of your own life prove Christ to be your Shepherd?

Jury Finds Casey Anthony Not Guilty Of Murder

2011-07-05T15:33:00.002-05:00

I would have never guessed this verdict a few months ago. I am very disturbed by this.

What are your thoughts?

Obituary for the American Church

2011-07-05T14:00:00.002-05:00

Thought provoking article by Mike Breen titled "Obituary for the American Church".

Check it out here.

(HT: Vitamin Z)

The Fourth of July & Freedom

2011-07-04T22:23:00.002-05:00

Happy Fourth. Here is a great quote for the day from Abraham Lincoln.

Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in our bosoms. Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere.
--September 11, 1858 Speech at Edwardsville, Illinois

Competition For Ochocinco

2011-07-02T23:31:00.001-05:00

It appears Chad Ochocinco may have some competition. Check out this celebration after a goal at the World Cup.

A Little Michael Jackson For Ya

2011-07-01T22:58:00.002-05:00

Very cool video. Everything about it is done well.

(HT: Vitamin Z)

Scarlet Tanager

2011-06-29T11:37:00.002-05:00

Check out this new video from my friend's band. Very creative. Their new album is out on iTunes. Go and get it. You will really enjoy it.

Meditate Rightly On The Suffering

2010-04-02T15:12:00.002-05:00

"Take this to heart and doubt not that you are the one who killed Christ. Your sins certainly did, and when you see the nails driven through his hands, be sure that you are pounding, and when the thorns pierce his brow, know that they are your evil thoughts. Consider that if one thorn pierced Christ you deserve one hundred thousand.

The whole value of the meditation of the suffering of Christ lies in this, that man should come to the knowledge of himself and sink and tremble. If you are so hardened that you do not tremble, then you have reason to tremble. Pray to God that he may soften your heart and make fruitful your meditation upon the suffering of Christ, for we of ourselves are incapable of proper reflection unless God instills it.

But if one does meditate rightly on the suffering of Christ for a day, an hour, or even a quarter of an hour, this we may confidently say is better than a whole year of fasting, days of psalm singing, yes, than even one hundred masses, because this reflection changes the whole man and makes him new, as once he was in baptism."

-Martin Luther

(HT: Zach)

Postmodern Architecture

2010-01-29T12:19:00.002-06:00

From an address by Ravi Zacharias:

I remember lecturing at Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in this country. I was minutes away from beginning my lecture, and my host was driving me past a new building called the Wexner Center for the Performing Arts.

He said, “This is America’s first postmodern building.”

I was startled for a moment and I said, “What is a postmodern building?”

He said, “Well, the architect said that he designed this building with no design in mind. When the architect was asked, ‘Why?’ he said, ‘If life itself is capricious, why should our buildings have any design and any meaning?’ So he has pillars that have no purpose. He has stairways that go nowhere. He has a senseless building built and somebody has paid for it.”

I said, “So his argument was that if life has no purpose and design, why should the building have any design?”

He said, “That is correct.”

I said, “Did he do the same with the foundation?”

All of a sudden there was silence.

You see, you and I can fool with the infrastructure as much as we would like, but we dare not fool with the foundation because it will call our bluff in a hurry.

(HT: JT)

Love Story (Taylor Swift) meets Viva La Vida (Coldplay)

2010-01-05T13:46:00.002-06:00

This for all you Coldplay fans.

My wife showed this to me the other day and I wanted to pass it along. It is very cool.

Enjoy.

The Happiest States

2009-12-18T10:01:00.003-06:00

Here is a list of the Happiest U.S. States.

Where does your state fall?

Losin' With Loggy

2009-12-02T19:03:00.002-06:00

Our staff just recently had our Christmas White Elephant Gift Exchange. It was a great time. There were some funny gifts given. I will have to post the one I received. It was hilarious.

However, our Director of Multimedia (Michael Logsdon) went above and beyond. I would say his gift was the gift of the year.

Check it out here.

Losin' With Loggy from Michael Logsdon on Vimeo.

I Am Sorry, But I Had To Post It

2009-11-26T22:13:00.002-06:00

My buddy Pete posted this on Facebook. I remember seeing this clip a couple years ago, but it is still as funny. I am sorry if some of you think this is gross. It is funny to me. I am thankful for things that make me smile and laugh.

Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy.

Overcome

2009-11-23T22:55:00.000-06:00

I pray that you are blessed by this.

Christianese

2009-11-20T12:38:00.001-06:00

Here is something pretty funny.

(HT: Mustoe)

Charlie You Bit Me (Auto-Tuned)

2009-11-17T12:11:00.003-06:00

Back in October I posted a clip of two adorable kids. In the clip, a little boy has his finger bitten by his little brother Charlie. He goes on to tell Charlie that it really hurt. Very cute clip. I would go back to my October archive and check it out.

However, my friend Zach posted up a new clip of the two adorable kids. This time someone had spent the time to use an auto-tune tool on it. Here is how it turned out. Too good.

The Gentlemen's League: Max vs Jerry

2009-11-14T15:12:00.001-06:00

This goes out to all of my fellow fantasy football junkies.

Enjoy!!!

Happy Birthday Brittany

2009-11-13T19:06:00.003-06:00

Today is my wife's 30th birthday. Today I celebrate her. She inspires me daily. Her belief in me means more to me than I could ever put into words. God has truly blessed me with a great wife in Brittany. She is an amazing mother. Her faith in the Lord is awesome. She has made me a better man.

Brittany I love you, and I look forward to many more years with you.

I Love You.

Take a walk with me
And let's go back in time
Do you remember
The heat of December
and the way we walked
through pouring rain and endless talk
and the way we laughed out loud

chorus:
there was something in your eyes
and now I see it was your love for me
there was something in your eyes
and what I saw still holds me in awe
in your eyes

Spend your life with me
until the end of time
We will make more memories
and we will share the stories
of the way we walked
through the pouring rain and endless talk
and the way we laughed out loud

Chorus

And I saw a million angels
I saw an endless sunrise
I saw an open heaven
In your eyes
I saw an ageless moment
I saw an endless love
I still see more than that through your eyes

Do you remember the way we danced
And the way we laughed out loud

Chorus

(Song by David Martin)

Veterans Day

2009-11-11T20:02:00.005-06:00

A heart felt thank you goes out to all the men and women who have served this great country of ours.

Happy Veterans Day!

Sesame Street Is 40

2009-11-10T22:23:00.003-06:00

One of my favorite shows as a young child was Sesame Street. The show is turning 40.

Read about it here.

Who were your favorite Sesame Street characters?

Who were your favorite Sesame Street guests?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

2009-11-07T14:32:00.001-06:00

My Iowa Hawkeyes fell to Northwestern today.

I had a feeling they would overlook Northwestern. The good news is that if they win out they can still win the Big 10.

Beautiful Love

2009-11-06T21:07:00.002-06:00

Here is my boy Z throwing it down on the keys. The title of the song is Beautiful Love.

Check him out.

Beautiful Love - Solo from Zach Nielsen on Vimeo.

Marks of Male Maturity

2009-11-04T20:45:00.005-06:00

Marks of mature manhood by Al Mohler (read the whole thing):

1. Spiritual maturity sufficient to lead a wife and children.
2. Personal maturity sufficient to be a responsible husband and father.
3. Economic maturity sufficient to hold an adult job and handle money.
4. Physical maturity sufficient to work and protect a family.
5. Sexual maturity sufficient to marry and fulfill God’s purposes.
6. Moral maturity sufficient to lead as example of righteousness.
7. Ethical maturity sufficient to make responsible decisions.
8. Worldview maturity sufficient to understand what is really important.
9. Relational maturity sufficient to understand and respect others.
10. Social maturity sufficient to make a contribution to society.
11. Verbal maturity sufficient to communicate and articulate as a man.
12. Character maturity sufficient to demonstrate courage under fire.
13. Biblical maturity sufficient to lead at some level in the church.

(HT: Vitamin Z)

Halloween 2009

2009-10-31T21:46:00.003-05:00

Here are some pictures of my babies all dressed up for Halloween. They had a blast and scored some serious candy. London went as Minnie Mouse, Drake went as a monkey, and Tavery went as a football. They looked adorable. I love them so much.

My Son Is 2

2009-10-26T22:38:00.003-05:00

My son (Drake Thomas) turned 2 today. We had a great day celebrating with family. His favorite present by far was the little acoustic guitar that his Grandma Mellott got him. He honestly carried it everywhere all day, and wanted to take it to bed.

Drake is a great boy. He is filled with joy and wonderment that I love to watch. His eyes sparkle, his laugh makes me smile, and his kisses and hugs melt me. I am proud to call him my son, and I look forward to watching him become the man God has designed him to be.

Thank you Lord, for my son Drake. I love him so much. Thank you for entrusting him to me.

Adrian Peterson Is A Dude

2009-10-25T21:41:00.003-05:00

Adrian Peterson is by far the best running back in the NFL. The guy can just flat out play football. Not only is he strong and fast, but the way he finishes a run is amazing. He looks to punish the people trying to tackle him. For instance, check out this run he made today against the Steelers.

Notice he didn't just run over the guy. He then stepped on him as he took off down field. Adrian is very fun to watch. This guy is an awesome football player.

Final Play

2009-10-24T22:56:00.001-05:00

The Iowa Hawkeyes beat Michigan State on the last play of the game to remain undefeated.

This is how it went down.

Serious Range

2009-10-23T21:19:00.004-05:00

Check out this guy's incredible vocal range. Wait, maybe this isn't called range. You let me know. Be sure to focus in on Shane's face as he hits some of the notes. Classic. I have got to give props to my boy Zach for turning me on to this clip.

Now check out Shane's range with a little help from autotune. Too funny!!!

Youth Ministarz

2009-10-21T14:28:00.002-05:00

My boy Adam Mustoe who is the Director of Youth Ministries at Living Word Church showed this to me a couple days ago. Too funny! Where my youth ministarz? Holla!!!

Jay Cutler and Justin Taylor

2009-10-18T22:17:00.008-05:00

Are Jay Cutler and Justin Taylor long lost brothers? You tell me.

Hawkesys Win To Go 7-0

2009-10-17T14:46:00.002-05:00

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recap?gid=200910170036&prov=ap

Charlie, You Bit Me

2009-10-16T22:58:00.002-05:00

Here is an adorable little clip that my sister-in-law showed me today. The little boy's accent is so darn cute.

Silent Library

2009-10-15T14:01:00.002-05:00

I posted this back in 2007, and I must admit I still laugh just as hard as I did the first time I watched this. This is a Japanese game show, and in my opinion one of the funniest things I have ever watched. Watching the guys trying not to lose it, and laughing at their friends anguish is just too much. I hope you enjoy.

My Life

2009-10-14T13:47:00.004-05:00

Great new video from Passion.

(HT: Vitamin Z)

Adoption

2009-10-12T14:17:00.001-05:00

Here is my great friend Zach Nielsen preaching on the topic of adoption. It is well worth your time.

Adoption Sermon - Zach Nielsen from Zach Nielsen on Vimeo.

Throwback Jerseys

2009-10-11T22:38:00.004-05:00

My Denver Broncos played in their 1960's throwback jerseys today. They are by far some of the ugliest jerseys I have ever seen.

The results were not ugly. They beat the Patriots 20-17. Denver's record is now an impressive 5-0.

I am very happy.

Obama and T-Pain

2009-10-09T20:57:00.002-05:00

Here is a great clip of T-Pain using auto-tune to have a little fun with President Obama.

(HT: Vitamin Z)

Something I Read Today

2009-10-08T22:12:00.002-05:00

"An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of his children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others."

-A.W. Tozer

Sacred Parenting

2009-10-07T13:54:00.002-05:00

Doug Wolter:

If you’ve been a parent for a few years or more, I highly recommend Gary Thomas’ book, Sacred Parenting. I remember reading part of it as a new parent and then setting it back on the shelf to find something more hands-on and practical. Now, with three children, and a little more experience behind me, I’ve picked up this book again and it has spoken to me in a fresh way.

Sacred Parenting differs from most parenting books as it spends more time on the “why” of parenting then it does the “how-to.” And this is crucial since the “why” will inevitably affect the “how to.” Thomas’ words are helpful here:

What if one of God’s primary intentions for you as a parent isn’t about successfully raising perfect children, but about your becoming more holy? The truth is, we are living in the midst of holy teachers. Sometimes they spit up on themselves or us. Sometimes they throw tantrums. Sometimes they cuddle and kiss and love us. In the good and the bad they mold our hearts, shape our souls, and invite us to experience God in newer and deeper ways.

I encourage you to pick up this book and let God parent you and shape you through your children. Gary Thomas also wrote the following books I highly recommend as resources for couples.

Sacred Marriage … one of our favorite books on marriage!
Devotions for Sacred Parenting
Devotions for Sacred Marriage
Sacred Influence: How God Uses Wives to Shape the Souls of Their Husbands

Don't Look Now

2009-10-04T21:42:00.004-05:00

I know it is still early in the season, but my Denver Broncos are now 4-0.

They had a great win against the Dallas Cowboys today. This Denver team has really improved their defense.

Check out how they won today.

This Is Our Time

2009-10-03T15:07:00.003-05:00

Check out this adorable little guy do his version of the Pre-Game speech that Coach Herb Brooks gave the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team.

We may have a future coach on our hands.

Read about the story behind this clip here.

Crazy WIn For A Vermont Football Team

2009-10-01T21:09:00.001-05:00

Check out the end to this crazy game. Some coach needs to polish up on the rules.

Check it out here.

Pomplamoose-Single Ladies

2009-09-30T10:28:00.003-05:00

Here is a very cool version and very interesting video of the song "Single Ladies". I like this girl's voice a lot.

(HT: Vitamin Z)

I Introduce To You, My Son Tavery Joseph

2009-09-25T20:11:00.010-05:00

Brittany and I have once again been blessed. Our newest addition was born to us at 9:45 am. His name is Tavery Joseph. Tavery weighed 7 lbs 12 oz which was a pound more than our other two. He was measured to be 20.5" long. Brittany and the baby are doing great.

We want to say thank you to everyone who has kept us in your thoughts and prayers. The Lord is so good. This morning before we left for the hospital God led me to this part of scripture for my quiet time. This comes from Psalm 77.

I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Your ways are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

God is so faithful, and those words are so true. Here are pictures of our newest miracle.

I introduce to you, Tavery Joseph.

For All You Parents

2009-09-24T15:37:00.002-05:00

Tylenol has recalled some of their children's medications.

Read about it here.

The Greatest Poverty In The World

2009-09-23T22:13:00.003-05:00

Here is a great quote from a book I am reading right now. Mother Teresa in the book "The Joy In Loving" says...

"The greatest poverty in the world is not the want of food but the want of love. You have the poverty of people who are dissatisfied with what they have, who do not know how to suffer, who give in to despair. The poverty of the heart is often more difficult to relieve and to defeat."

World's Longest Basketball Shot

2009-09-22T19:37:00.011-05:00

I don't know if this is actually the longest shot in the world, but it is a

long shot either way.

You tell me if you think it is real or fake. I actually think this may be a legit shot.

Check it out from two different angles.

Read about the shot and the guys behind the shot here.

Rain City Hymnal

2009-09-22T14:34:00.005-05:00

I strongly recommend this album. It an album of 12 great hymns done by 5 different bands. Each song is a raw, crisp, and contemporary take on a classic hymn. I think you will enjoy it.

Check out this site and you can get a few of the songs as free downloads.

Former Heisman Trophy Winner To Start Career In MMA

2009-09-22T10:22:00.004-05:00

Herschel Walker, the 1982 Heisman Trophy winner is going to start a career in Mixed Martial Arts. I don't know if this is such a good idea. Now don't get me wrong, Herschel Walker was a great athlete. I am sure he still is a great athlete. This is a guy who was one of the best college football running backs of all time. Walker was an NFL running back. We also should not forget the man was part of the two man bobsled team that competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics in which he finished seventh. There are other great credentials to his name as well.

Walker has always been a man of great strength. His training has always been a thing of intrigue. Herschel was an athlete that became successful without the use of free weights. Walker used bodyweight exercise and conditioning to mold his body. That is the way a lot of these MMA fighters train. He also is not a stranger to the martial arts world. Walker holds a sixth degree black belt in tae kwon do. I just have a feeling his age may play tricks with him.

Maybe the guy needs the money. Maybe the guy just can't let go of the desire to compete. I just hate to see a guy like Herschel Walker get hurt, or tarnish his athletic reputation. I don't want my last memory of Herschel Walker to be of him laying on the canvas after getting knocked out by a guy who was a bar fighter for a living.

Check out the article of Herschel's return to sports here and here.

Upset Clemson Fan Overreacting

2009-09-21T13:04:00.002-05:00

Here is a great clip of a Clemson Tiger fan overreacting to their loss last week to Georgia Tech.

These two kids are just torn up over the loss, but check out the kid on the right. He just can't take the pain.

I had a tear run down my cheek I was laughing so hard.
Enjoy!

Jesus Plays Football

2009-09-20T23:02:00.005-05:00

I stumbled upon this as I was looking for a picture for my last post and I had to post it.

Is that little kid trying to tackle Jesus? Do you think Jesus lets him take him down or does he pull a Bo Jackson on him and just run him over? Is Jesus handing the ball off or is he running the option?

Amazing statue! Too funny.

Check out some more Jesus Inspirational Sports Statues here.

For All You Fantasy Football Buffs

2009-09-20T22:58:00.002-05:00

NFL.com reports on key injuries that happen in week 2.
Read it here.