Like I was saying....

Category: Church (Page 5 of 7)

Do we need tickets for church?

When I first read this, I thought…”Really?” But then I guess it can make sense in a way.  But would you ever think you’d have to get tickets to go to church?

I know of two churches who are expecting big, big crowds for their Christmas services. So they’re requiring people to get tickets. No, they’re not charging. But just making it necessary to have tickets to get in. I guess that helps with crowding and all. It seems pretty interesting:

Oak Leaf Church and then Orchard Valley Church and their update.

What do you think?

My Last Sunday

Today was my last Sunday morning here at the church. It wasn’t dramatic or anything, but just a realization that things are changing swiftly. Mitchell said some kind words thing morning during the service. It meant a lot. Tonight is the Youth Christmas Party. And it is my last Sunday night here too. I think I have the best Dirty Santa Gift too!

Next weekend we’ll be out of town doing family Christmas stuff. Might be able to swing by The Orchard and hang out there a little in Oxford too. And then the last Sunday of the year I’ll be at BreakThru for the year end retreat. So it’s sort of weird. These next two weeks are going to be a little weird. We’ll be packing, boxing, cleaning out, storing, loading, driving/riding, Christmas-ing, and hoping to sell a house.

Boycott The Golden Compass?

I first saw the trailer for this film a long way back. I think Corey Mann had a link to it on his blog. I thought it looked pretty interesting and intriguing. I figured it might be a good film to catch over the holidays or a for sure rental in the Spring.

Then a few weeks later I start seeing the email chain letters talking about how evil the movie is. Apparently the author of the books is an atheist and is trying to espouse his beliefs through this series. In the books God is represented by a really old man who is stuck in his old timer ways and has some oppressive thinking. I think he might actually die in the end of the trilogy.

So help me think through this… A guy is writing a book trilogy where someone his whole belief system is based on exists and then dies? I think he’s just trying build up a belief system and then break it apart.

I’ve read stories and quotes to where Pullman, the author of the books, basically sees himself as the Anti-C.S. Lewis. He hates what the “church” has done in history (and admittedly there have been lots of wrongs done for wrong reasons in the name of the “church”).

So should we boycott the movie? Will you go see it? I’m torn. Part of me wants to say sure since he’s anti my own belief system. But then does a boycott really accomplish anything? I think many will still go see it. So it’s not to “hit them where it hurts the most (the pocket)” situation. Now I won’t carry my own kids. Why? It’s a PG-13 movie! Neither of my kids are even half of 13. Their ages added up don’t even break double digits yet.

But even if the movie is calling God into question, and God fearing people are scared of God being called into question… Goodness, turn on your television just about anytime of the day or pick up a newspaper. God is being called into question all the time.

And there are tons of movies and television shows that have values contrary to Biblical values. Heck, most of the children being “protected” from The Golden Compass probably hear worse stuff at their lunch table at school.

If our children’s own faith is the biggest concern, then I think we as parents and we as followers of Christ need to realize that we should have a much deeper influence of their faith than a movie. And if they do see the movie, we should have the relationship with our kids. I don’t think God is scared of our questions. Actually, I think He invites our questions. That way, when we get through them and He’s helping us find the Truth…then our faith in Him can be solidified.

So…will you see the movie or read the books? (And thanks to Jeremy for getting my thoughts stirring)

The Move: It’s sinking in.

I think now it’s sinking it. We’re going to be leaving in a matter of weeks. After a week to simmer in it and a holiday spent with various family members, it’s real. We will be living, working, learning, and playing with new people in new situations in a new town.

That is greeted with both excitement and sadness. We have come to really love Clinton. I don’t really know of any reason not to recommend Clinton as a place to live or raise a family. So we’ll be sad as we depart. But we’re quite excited about what’s in store…whatever that is.

We go with an idea of what I’ll be doing, but knowing that there will be tons of things that come up that I am unaware of at this point. Saturday we also spent a little time in Oxford checking out the local real estate. It can be pretty insane in some places…in fact, most places. But I’m thinking that we’ll be able to find something when the time comes. First we gotta sell the house we’re in. I talk to the realtor tomorrow.

But as God takes us by the hand and leads us on a new journey, I ask that anyone who is reading this offer up a prayer for us. Pray that our goodbyes go well, that friendships remain strong even after we leave, that our house sells quickly (and at a good price so we have some to put down on a house in the Oxford market!). Pray that our transition goes well and that we make many connections quickly in Oxford. Pray that God blesses the ministry of The Orchard in Oxford and that we, the leadership at the church, follow Jesus in all of our decisions. Pray that my little girls make the move well and that my pregnant wife stays as stress free as possible. And pray for all the other things I’m not thinking of at the moment.

And thanks so much for your prayers…

To quote Bob Dylan, “Oh, the times….”

“Oh, the times…they are achangin”

Last night at the end of youth worship, I dropped the info: my family is feeling God call us to transition into a different ministry at a different church.

Yep. I’ll go into more detail soon, but at the first of the year we’ll be joining a new church plant in Oxford, MS. I’ve been good friends with the Plant Pastor, Pat Ward,  for years, and he’s asked me to partner with him as the Small Groups/Community Life Pastor. So after 11-ish years in Student Ministry specifically, I’m shifting gears and looking at the overall church. Wow!

The Orchard in Tupelo (who my wife and I have a close relationship with) is planting The Orchard in Oxford.  We’re super pumped about what God is doing there and how we can be a part of it. But it’s bittersweet because we have come to love Clinton and all the people here.

So I ask that you pray for me and my fam as we start this transition during a really busy time of year (there’s packing and selling/finding houses, saying goodbyes/hellos, on top of Tgiving and Christmas). Pray for The Orchard in Oxford and that God gives me a fast track as I jump in with both feet there and learn the community and local culture. And pray for FUMC of Clinton as they make some huge decisions on how things work in this transition too!

Evil Junior High Dances

I must admit, at first you get sorta excited when the first Junior High Dance happens. But then they start to get old.

Our church has a dance for all the junior high students in our community each Friday night after a home football game for Clinton High School. There’s a little hype and excitement at first. But we had three in a row. Then a week off. Then another one tonight.

The new has worn off. Especially for Stevie and me. So then I come home and have all these songs stuck in my head and I’m not sleepy. So now I’ll go to bed, read a book or listen to something, and then fall asleep. But the morning comes early.

Soccer at 8am. Fun stuff.

The weekend that was…

It was a win all around… My local high school team won. My U8 soccer team won. And my college team won. Could it get any better?

Mississippi State actually won a road game AT Auburn. And after playing a college this coming weekend that started out as a HIGH SCHOOL way back when…we should be 3-1. Now that’s a crazy thought. But we’ll get smacked around pretty good with the road trips after that. So no worries. I’m counting the chicken on the 22nd, but none after that. I guess we’ll know we can at least be 3-9 this season, huh?

The Clinton Arrows are better than people gave them credit for. No doubt.

I wouldn’t have thought it, but girls U-8 Soccer can actually be exciting. Our 8am game got started late because the ref was on the wrong field. And then we got out to a slow start. 0-2 deficit. But then we kicked it in and  won 7-3. How’s that for a comeback? Addie is for sure one of the younger girls on the team. But she tries hard and gets a good lick on the ball sometimes too. She’s getting better I believe.

I preached Sunday morning at The Connection (the 3rd worship service at church which is “contemporary”). It went really, really well I thought. Preached on turning to God in times of trouble. Had some pretty personal stories in there. Used the video from 99 Balloons. And extra effort went into choosing songs that related directly w/ the message. A good morning indeed…

The District: Day III (Saturday)

I slept in…way in. Like just past 10am. Now that’s what I call a vacation. I’m still thankful for my room darkening shades.

So after brunch at the cafe in The Air & Space Museum we made our way up to The Archives. We were able to see some very old, yet very real documents and writings while there. And in The Rotunda were The Bill of Rights, The Declaration of Independence, and The Constitution. Quite impressive. Then we made our way to China Town. We took our time, walked around, and poked our heads in a few shops. The deeper we went the more “ethnic” it seemed. Lots of China Town seemed fairly common with maybe a few signs here and there in Chinese. But as we got further north into it, there was more and more authenticity to it all.

From there we decided to try out hand at the Metro Rail system. After staring at the ticket machines like a statue for a bit we finally bought day passes. And then after going up and down the escalator a time or two, we figured out how to tell which colored train was going where, and we set out to Arlington National Cemetery. There are over 300k soldiers buried there. Acres and acres of grave stones. We saw Kennedy’s grave and his brother Bobby’s grave too. As the sun beat us down, we made it to the Tomb of the Unknowns. As an added treat we saw the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Just happened to walk up at the right time.

We made quick time back to the Metro and hopped a few trains to get to Ebeneezer’s for the 5:05 church service. But we got there at 5:20ish. But we were a part of a little bit of worship, and got to hear Mark Batterson deliver the sermon. It was on Throwing In The Towel: Serving like Jesus did by washing feet. It was good and he ended w/ a nice challenge to actually do what the Bible tells us we should. It’s a nice setup there in the bottom of the coffee shop. Packed house too. NCC is doing something different and special in DC…

I got to meet Mark briefly afterwards. Nice, what you see is what you get, sort of guy it seems. I didn’t take hardly any of his time. He’d already had a few people talking to him so I figured he was ready to catch his breath. I was right. As we made our way up and out of Ebeneezer’s, I looked back and saw him already headed down the street too. I think he lives nearby and was on foot headed back home. Also got to say “Good game” to Heather Zempel who is the Discipleship Pastor. She’s an LSU grad…and I was still stinging from the spanking we’d gotten a couple of nights before. She didn’t rub it in…

We took the Metro back to the hotel for a brief rest before heading back out for a late supper. We first went to the Hard Rock Cafe, but after sitting for a few min we decided to head over to ESPN Zone a couple of blocks away. I could watch a few different college football games at once while The Wife could watch some US Open. Everyone wins. And I had the 2nd burger in as many nights. Again, good..but I’m about “burgered out”.

That was our day. It ended with US Open while falling asleep in a King sized bed…

Introducing…Tap Draw!

Heh heh.

A good friend of mine has recently begun blogging. He’d fought the urge and resisted the pull for a while, but he finally took the plunge and I think he’s going to be an interesting read.Pat Ward

Pat Ward is starting a new church in Oxford, MS which is an plant of a church in Tupelo, MS. The Orchard has been in Tupelo for close to 10 years and they’re now starting up The Orchard Oxford.

Oxford is a different place than Tupelo and will have its own characteristics and culture. But it’s a place ripe for a community of faith such as The Orchard Oxford. I’m looking forward to following Pat and his blog and his church. They’ve been meeting semi-regularly for a while but have just kicked off their weekly meetings this month.

I’m sure there are more exciting things to come out of Oxford.

So….I’m back….and about to leave.

After some time away for no real reason at all, I’m back. I took a little time away from blogs: writing my own or reading others. So either I have a lot of catching up to do, or just going to skip a lot I didn’t read….probably the latter.

But things have been booming lately. We hired a new guy onto our Student Ministry Staff at church. He’s doing great and we’re working well together. And because of some of his ideas and my ideas and his “well let’s get it done right now” attitude, we’ve made some pretty big changes to the youth room and all. W/ still more to come.

Two weekends ago we also had our (now) annual Video Scavenger Hunt. We had a great turnout. But the good thing was the turnout the NEXT week. So many kids came back and brought new kids w/ them too. The telling point will be this next month. When the “new” starts to wear off the semester and so does the initial excitement.  But we’re now providing a great hang out time before the night moves upstairs w/ a little snack supper.

And then we’re offering a revamped “game room” of sorts. It’s like a siren call to me when I’m in my office. Down the hall I can hear the Wii and the XBox 360 calling my name. But I’ve pretty much resisted them so far.

But the new semester has been busy and a blur. But good. And looking forward to what’s around the corner.

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