A Christian Geek's MagnumOpus

.........Where you ought to be.

2009-06-16T23:48:00.004-05:00

BOOK
I've been out of the abbey two days,
I've beaten a Lawman senseless, I've
fallen in with criminals... I watched
the captain shoot a man I swore to
protect.
(the hard part)
And I'm not even sure if I think he
was wrong.

INARA
Shepherd...

He is shaking a bit, tearing up.

BOOK
I believe I just...
(a pained smile)
I think I'm on the wrong ship.

INARA
Maybe. Or maybe you're exactly where
you ought to be.

Above is a transcript from the first episode of Firefly. A space western by Joss Whedon.
The Conversation between Book (Preacher) and Inara (Prostitute) is just after a long day aboard a pirate vessel.

Do we sometimes feel like Book?
.... I know I do.
We have to live in the moment and be a light within the darkness.

....More here later.

Yep, looks empty to me.....

2009-04-12T09:19:00.002-05:00

The Annual Easter Post 2009

2009-04-11T14:20:00.001-05:00

Every year I always post on Easter Sunday. It is the most important date in the Christian church. It is the day we celebrate Jesus coming out from the grave. It is the day when God sticks it to the devil. The day sin is conquered. It is the day the scriptures are fulfilled. It is the day I stand and declare that is my God. That is my Jesus. My Savior. The one who sacrificed himself for the lowliest of people, myself.

That's My King.

Sunday's Coming.

He is RISEN!

Miller's Point of Poetry in the Bible

2009-01-18T16:51:00.007-06:00

I have recently been reading the book "Searching for God knows what" by Donald Miller. It is a wonderful book discussing Spirituality and the Bible. In my readings Miller's view of the Bible's poetic structure and how it brings the words within scripture to a level that touches the Soul of a human being. Miller describes how we in a world of spelled out agendas and to do lists prefer our religion to be more rigid and listed out. The "do" and "don't" lists of right and wrong. He writes of a scenario of where a man writes down his love's qualities on a piece of paper and passes it to her over dinner. Sure, the lists reads of all her beautiful characteristics, but will probably just pass it off and will not be remembered or feel it move her. However, if he were to write a poem describing her qualities she will most likely be wooed and will be touched by the effort and the beauty of the poem. She will be touched. The Bible uses these poems in the same manner to touch our very soul and bring text to life.

I knew before reading this insight by Miller that poetry touches us in places deep within us. However, upon meditating on this concept I have begun to realize my love of the King James Version even now as I have moved on to other current versions of the Bible. The poetic language the King James Version is written in brings so much of the text on the page to life in a way that strikes your very soul as beautiful and meaningful, almost as if the text is alive....

Remember when you first meet that special someone and words didn't seem to describe that person, but poetic language seemed to get your point across. It is kinda like that.

The truth is that the Bible and those that wrote it couldn't put it all into words either. So, they used poetic language to touch our souls and help us understand a being and wisdom of a creator that is out of this world.

Coffee and Conversation

2008-09-22T18:27:00.002-05:00

yum! Coffee and Conversation, two things I enjoy very much.
I live for conversations and coffee. I believe that conversations
with others about topics we care about help us learn more about
the topic and ourselves. We learn so much from talking to others
even the closed minded learn something every now and then.
Hopefully, that they are closed minded.
Conversations helps to awaken our brains to others opinions and
beliefs. It help us get to know each others cultures and personalities.

Now to my point....

Waken, is a conversation that my church and I have started as part of a college ministry. The concept is that college students meet with me at a local place, such as a coffee shop and we will discuss about things of a spiritual nature. God, Holy Spirit, Human suffering, war, spirituality, sex, and how it connects us to each other
and God.

I feel that through discussion in an open and relaxed atmosphere we can all learn
more about ourselves, our religion, and the things we have never even considered.

Coffee and Conversation is the best way to get to know people. People are the church of God. Jesus tells us that we are to fellowship with believers.

In my opinion coffee and Conversation is the perfect church. In a Coffee House.

Lightening the way

2008-09-18T22:02:00.002-05:00

This weekend I have been on a senior high boys retreat with my church, Trinity UMC. It was awesome. . We were on the lake. We had some great discussions, talks, and workdays. I am really blessed that I get to work with and be around such great people and kids.
However, on Saturday night it started raining and thunder and where there is thunder there is you guessed it lightning. The lake house we were staying in had some covered porches and provided us a great view of the lighting displays that were taking place.
So, sometimes the strangest things or maybe just the simplest things in my life give me ideas and cause my brain to tick. Lighting. Yes, this phenomenon that I had seen all my life kicked my brain into jump-start.
This weekends talks have been about being men, becoming warriors, Shepherds, and lovers. We have had talks on covering how Jesus was to lust and my talk which is stepping up. The step up talk basically challenged us as men to care, love, and meet needs for others. Whether they are here in our local community, schools, or if they are halfway around the world. This weekend…with the lightning caused this to come over my brain.
Have you ever watched a lightening storm? The bolts of light streak across the stay in patterns that seem random and majestic. The lighting goes in any direction it wishes. Sometimes it is streaks or one big flash or a web.
I am amazed by its power. The thunder it produces as it splits the sky can rumble the earth. The lightening itself can start fires when it strikes the earth. Lightning is powerful.
As Christians we should be like riders of these majestic nature occurrences. We should be powerful, majestic, and free. Free to go where we need and do what we need. We should be a light to the dark lands. We should rumble the earth when we strike the problems of this world. Problems being, Hunger, suffering, slavery to name some. We should be the leaders in which everyone else follows. It is hard to ride lightening. It is hard because you never know where it will strike first. However when you see a thunderstorm coming you bed there will be some storms in it. Locate the storms of this world. The evil and oppression and be the light. Help light the way out of the dark places. To the boys I said this. “Lightning, it is powerful, majestic, and dangerous. So should we as men with God on our team be to darkness”.
So, may you come to be the light in the dark places. May you shake the earth in your actions for good. So ride people, ride.

A white horse gets up out of the mud and shakes it off...

2008-07-15T11:29:00.003-05:00

Yes, I know. I have not used this in awhile. I know I've said it before, but I am going to start using this again.

If you are wondering where that title came from it came from my dad. He was a preacher and one of his favorite stories to relate how we sin and how we should still remember that God loves us and His grace is with us. De would use this story.

A white horse falls in the mud, but he gets up shakes it off and keeps going.

Simply put. I'm the white horse. I've got problems. I've been slacking. I've fallen. I've failed. I've lost site.

Now I'm getting up. shaking it off. keeping focused

Stronger...
Better...
More determined...
Equipped...
Prepared....
Driven....
Inspired....
Filled up...

In other words. Let's get it on... words on the blog that is.

We are the church.......Part 3

2007-04-18T18:51:00.001-05:00

So, I am preparing this sermon for Sunday April 29th. The subject I will be preaching on will be of coming to Christ as you are. The title of the sermon will be "Come as you are". The title was inspired by the Nirvana song "Come as you are". I know how orginal right? Well, I think it was a fitting title for a fitting sermon as well as a good song.

In Nirvana's song "Come as you are" it talks about coming as you are and not being someone you are not.

Come, as you are. As you were.
As I want you to be. As a friend.
As a friend. As an old enemy. Take your time.
Hurry up. The choice is yours. Don't be late.
Take a rest. As a friend. As a old memory, memory, memory, memory.

Everytime I hear that song if reminds of another we sing in churches all across America every Week. That hymn "just as I am". It is a great song. I remember growing up in my church in backwoods Alabama and although I had heard it many upon many times I never stopped to hear the lyrics.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come

...........The text above has been sitting in my edit box since 2007. I will finally finish this post now over a year later.

Now, these two very different songs have something in common that speak to me. They are different because one was written by a man who was drugged up, hung over, and a victim of suicide. The other song was written by a woman who had found Christ. She was lost and was found. The commonality between these two songs from two very different worlds are they both beg us to be who we are.

Who are we? We are business men and woman, we are mothers and father, we are pastors and christians, we are punk, goths, and emo. we are thieves, we are homosexuals, we are sinner, we are people with regret, we are people with problems. That is who we all are. We are these people. We are who we are because that is who we have become.

None of us like fake people. You probably have ran across these people in your life they act a certain way because that is what is expected or it is how they think they need to be to fit in. If we hate fake people so much why is do Christians put so much pressure on people when they even think about entering a church building or come into a group of us Christians to dress or act a certain way. They are who they are and that is the way we should want them. Broken, torn, and yes just as they are.

Christ is like Kurt here in the song "Come as You are" Christ is saying come as you are as a friend. We accept our friends for who they are. So why can't we extend that love to others as Christ does. No matter who or what people are they have the right to come to us(Christians, the church) and expect to be accepted and loved and cared for. No skin color, sexual orientation, deformity, nationality, social status, nor dress style should keep them from knowing they can come to us the church and find comfort and rest. We are the body of Christ. We are the church and as the church of the Christ our risen savour for all we should be more open to all.

God is the creator of all. He is the great humanitarian. He wishes none to suffer. None to be unloved. None to be left out. None to be judged. None to be fake to fit in. None to be hurt. None to be left outside the doors of the church because they wore all black and had a metal stud in their lip.

We are who we are. That is who we are.

He died for us ALL

2007-04-08T09:35:00.000-05:00

He is risen! to which I reply He is risen indeed!
This morning I went to a Sonrise service. Something I had not done in many years. The Sonrise service I attended this year was different than any other I had ever been to. This one was hosted by the youth of my current church and let me say it was awesome. The youth while spoke on Jesus Christ rising focused more on why He died and rose. He died and rose for US.

Jesus died for everyone not just us Christians. He died for the lost ones that have never heard of him before. He died for those who have hardened their heart toward him. He died for the ones that are reluctant to come to church because they don't do religion. He died for those who has known him and have strayed away. He died for everyone in every place. He died for us all.

Happy Easter

The New Year

2006-12-31T10:49:00.000-06:00

The year is officially over. This year for me has been like a rollercoaster of ups and downs and loops and sideways turns. It has taken the last bit of what I have left in me to be thankful and somewhat happy this holiday season. But enough about this year lets look toward the future.

I want this coming year to be the best in my life...So far. In fact I feel that it will be the best year so far. No matter what happens no matter what comes my way I am determined to make this the most fruitful year yet not only mentality, but physically and spiritually.

I hope that everyone that makes new years resolutions will be successful in going through with them. Good Luck and God Bless.

Happy New Year!!!!!

Mrs. Regina

2006-11-26T21:27:00.000-06:00

A women of passion and abundant love. That is how I would describe one of my self declared second moms. I only knew her for a short time, but in that time she showed me enough love for a lifetime. She was an amazing women with a passion for God and helping people.

The first time I remember seeing Mrs. Regina was when she and her husband brought our class lunch from this wonderful place called artic snow. She reminded me a little of Sharon Osbourne the way her hair was styled. I thought whoa she looks like one tough cookie, but at the same time she had this atmosphere around her of love. I couldn't explain it.

Sometime later I became good friends with her daughter Payden. I would say more than good friends. She became to me a best friend.

I started to help out around Celebrate Recovery a Christ centered 12 step program that was started by Mrs. Regina and family after the sudden and tragic death of her son to a drug overdose. At Celebrate Recovery I got to see Mrs. Regina's passion and love spread and thrive in that place on Friday nights.

This women was a trooper for Christ. Her loss turned into a whole county's gain. Her Passion and love were so awesome.

I had the privilege to spending a good part of my senior year around her. She treated me like a son. She stood up for me and loved me like a mother. She through her actions taught me a great deal about Passion and love.

There are so many good memories, but I wished this story was full of happy memories, but sadly it is not.

Right after we graduated me and Mrs. Regina got into a argument over how I was teaching the children's class at celebrate recovery and after that I slowly started drifting away. I lost contact with them and only spoke to Payden on occasions.

I wanted to go back, but my pride got in the way. Thank God though that I got over it just in time. I got the chance in September to see Mrs. Regina at a wedding I was in. I told her I was sorry for how I left and how I was immature about the whole situation. I told her that I had lost a lot of friends and a best friend to me, payden. She hugged me and told me that she loved me and that it took real guts to tell her all that. We talked for a few minutes. And some of the last words she ever said to me were this and I will carry these to my grave. "My true friends will take me back".

Mrs. Regina died suddenly on November 15, 2006. Heaven has surely gained from earth's loss.

I got to see her a few days before she died at a Pageant that Payden was in. I got to hug her neck before I left.

There is so much I want to say more about this women. I loved her. I may have only known her a short time, but what a wonderful time it was.

I know my tears no matter how many I cry will not bring her back nor will they delete that period of time that I was away from her. Nor my words. In fact my words do not bring this women justice nor will any amount ever will.

My prayers go out to Mr. Donnie and Payden as they go through life without their wife and mother.
My prayer is that one day here on earth I will regain the full friendship with payden that I once had. If it be possible.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as a pathway to peace. Taking as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it, trusting you will make all things right if I surrender to Your will, so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with you forever in the next. - Amen

We are the church......Part2

2006-09-05T22:18:00.000-05:00

So, I've, for sometime have known that I look at the Bible and the Church and the Christian religion differently. Tonight I was reminded of that again. In a good way in my opinion, Ok so here is the deal. I was at a table with about 8-9 people and we were discussing a video we had just watched. Well, Things were cruising along I was keeping my mouth shut observing people and getting a feel for their beliefs, but in the middle of it I seen a trend. The comment popped up that it is not easy to be a Christian, but in our southern culture it is the "fad" to be a Christian cause we are such "religious" people down here. Now here It took me some effort from chiming in on what I'm about to say here.

Ok..So, I would agree with them on that part of being easy to "be" a Christian in the south, but I believe the rest of the United States has this problem and here is why....I think it is easier in the United States to claim Christianity because the church has slacked off in what is acceptable even when the Bible gives strict direction and law. WE (church) do not teach firm, true, Christian values anymore. WE have bent the rules so that we allow things in the church that never should be there. Listen I know I'm making some people made right now. That is fine by me. I want too. If you are not thinking then you cannot grow.
God has laid down rules that must be followed. They cannot be bent. Just because we are a society that tries to be sensitive doesn't mean the church should be. WE have gotten to a point where we cannot tell the true believers in Christ to those that are lying. We require so little of God's children now. As long as you come to church every Sunday, and maybe sometimes on wed, or other events and tithe then your good. NO, that is not ALL and will never be all. God commands us to be examples unto the world. Not to be slothful. He commands us to be LIGHTS!!!! I'm sick of the church feeding the mentality that a culture or the devil is the problem when it is our lack of strong hand and obedience is the reason for the lack of true God and the lack of true Christians to do "Gods work". I'm not hitting on any certain denomination. I am hitting on the entire church. Me, You (True Christians). I'm as guilty has you are. I want everyone to be a Christian and I know sometimes I want and have bent the rules to tell someone that its ok.. You are going to heaven. When really their actions earns them straight, one way tickets to hell. I know I am deserving of hell also, but I have the grace of God on me that he took away my punishment through Jesus dying on the cross.

CHURCH.. Being a Christian is not EASY that is for sure, but WE make it seem easy. WE got to buckle down get back down to SIN is SIN no matter what it is. From committing adultery to gossip.

We have to stop blaming our problems on our culture, nation's sensitivity issues, personal beliefs and start takeing responsibility and getting back to the church that will not stand for anything that is not in line with the Bible, no matter how hard it may seem to tell someone the Biblical truth.

The Blitz of the Blogs

2006-08-29T01:47:00.001-05:00

If you haven't been in a hole you probably know by now that blogging has taken the internet by storm. Professionals to ordinary people like me have helped feed this new wave of self expression and freedom of thought and speech. Well, the biggest question in the world "What has made blogging such a big thing". I have compiled a few points that are my personal opinions to why blogging has become so popular.

We as human beings are curious. We like to know what people are thinking, good or bad. Blogging is a way for people to speak up about their opinions on things ranging from news, life, clothing, religion, technology, etc. Anything that you can think of probably somewhere on the net is a blog that someone has posted about it on what they think of it. Granted we don't always have the same view points, but it's the fact that we are able to get a glimpse into someone else's idea on a subject is fascinating just in its self.

The next point is that blogging is a way for us to vent either to a specific people or person about how we feel about a subject or occurrences in the world. Some people know that their blogs won't ever be seen by anymore than just random web surfers or by maybe a family member or friend, but it is the fact that they can spread their opinion on the net is all that matters to them.

For my third and final point, blogging and reading blogs is addictive. I can't really explain it, but for you that understand what I'm talking about you know what I mean. There is something about setting down with a cup or earl grey and laying back in your big comfy leather chair or setting at your desk or even on your bed propped up or wherever it is you do your blogging/blog readings and just enjoying what other people have written on a subject or random thing that interests you.

Those are just a few reasons I believe blogging has taken the internet by storm. Of course I have several other ideas, but those are the major ones. I believe blogging is an awesome way for people to interact, gain ideas, analyze opinions, or just write down your thoughts about the day.

As far as why I blog, I blog for a couple reasons. I am doing it as a research project just to see how over the years when I look back how much my opinion on a matter has changed or my writing style, my approach, my beliefs, likes, dislikes change. I also blog because It is a way for me to give my thoughts on a matter. A place for me to rant and rave about how much I dislike or like something. But mostly a place for me to state what matters most to be, my opinions on something.

This (Blogging) is a movement of whatever it is you feel moved to post about.

The point of no return..

2006-08-20T19:50:00.000-05:00

In 2 weeks I will start my journey into becoming a preacher. I am leaving my church and my worship team to pursue a life of ministry. I am a little sad, happy, angry, and relieved all at the same time. I hate leaving "the norm" it makes me uncomfortable. I like to have a plan, set my goals and know what I will be doing next Sunday. My prayers are with the church and the worship team as they do the missions they are called to do. I do not know where God will take me, but I'm sure I'm going to hang on, because I have no one else to hang on too besides him. I love my God, but I get angry at myself that I must be side swiped to pay attention sometimes. I will learn one day... infact I'm going to make it a point this time to learn it.

We are the church......Part1

2006-07-20T01:18:00.000-05:00

Everyone has their favorite verse, book, Apostle, story, or chapter in the Bible. For me, mine is a chapter its Romans 12. I love this chapter because it covers the basics for everything us Christians do in our day to day living.
I have a whole "sermon" on this chapter that I wrote when I was 16. Looking back at it now 3 years later I still find that my 16 year old mind still connects with me as an older young adult today. *man I was smart for my age*
Anyway I was reading the chapter and I thought about if we as a church could just follow this chapter in our day to day living both "in the world" and at our local churchs we would see a huge difference in attendance (for those who care about new members) a better walk with God, or just have a great understanding of how the body of the church works.
I went through all that to get to this.........

If we would start treating our local church house as seriously as we do our mon-fri jobs and use what God has given each of us. We would see God work in bigger ways than he already does. If we would all just get off of our "holy art us asses" and get to work then well.. I guess we wouldn't have to be worrying about how the church is gonna pay this months bills, or why we can't have that new projector we so desperatly need for the worship service or why we don't have alot of youth in the church. Or any number of things. This is just not about tithes and new members. It's about souls and where they will go. I hate that we treat church like a place to be seen or a routine place to hang out on Sunday.It's alot more than that.

Peeps who have changed my life.

2006-07-18T22:36:00.000-05:00

In my life I have had alot of people I have looked up too and had a impact on my life, but only 2 have changed the way I look at life. I wish to honor them here.

The first one would have to be my DAD.
My dad was an awesome guy, He was what I wanted to be when I grew up. Unfortunatly he died when I was 11. I wish he was still here now, but I guess if he was then I wouldn't be where I am today or who I am today. He showed me by the way he lived that God is an awesome and fun God. He was the first to show me that a preacher could be one of the guys. I miss him. Love you Dad.

The Second would be a man by the name of Dave.
I will keep his last name to myself. He is a pastor of mine, well use to be. I respect this man with the highest repsect. He has shown me the side of God I thought only I ever thought about. He has given me hope that there is another Christian out there that does have a problem with the way we christians do church and the way we are a church. I could go on and on about how this guy has changed my way I look at things not only in the church, but about life. To him I owe a thanks that cannot ever be repaid. Thanks Dave, You have been a blessing and continue to be.

These are my two people who have changed my life. I hope I can change someone's life like they have changed mine.

Running from "IT"

2006-07-18T22:09:00.000-05:00

IT for each person is different. The IT could be any number of things. Well IT finally caught up with me last Monday. I was at my old pastor's house and we were discussing stuff and I got all emotional (as sometimes I tend to do) and then he dropped IT. The one thing I had been trying to avoid for years. IT was to acknowledge a calling on my life to preach. The very thing I have a love/ hate relationship with PREACHERS. I understand why and what they do, just I can't stand most of them because of well, the way they sermonize and throw around OLD RELIGION ideals.

Yea, well I guess maybe God is being funny or maybe my prayers have been answered. I have always prayed that I could be a difference in the church (not just a denomination, but the whole protestant lot of us) I want to change the way we do "church" I want to show people that Jesus is awesome and that he isn't some old, uncool, 500 dollar suit wearing, on the edge of his throne ready to punish you God that we all have come to know him by. Mostly due to the fact that Preachers have rammed this in our minds for years. I want to get people to understand that Jesus was a human being, that he lived just like us.

IT (preaching) is what I've been running from, but now I guess I got to start running to. If ive been chosen by God to do his work to equip Christians for His service then I best do it to my best ability.

*chuckles* God and his humor. Gotta love him