Memorial Day

I read this from Mark Batterson and wanted to pass it along. It's a great reminder this memorial day:

Very few people can name the twelve Apostles and even fewer know anything about them. Hope this changes that. On thisMemorial Day weekend when we remember those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy, it seems appropriate to share how each of the twelve apostles died.

James the brother of John was killed with a sword during a persecution initiated by King Herod in AD 44.

Andrew was hung on an olive tree around 70 AD. Doubting Thomaswas thrust through with pine spears, tortured with red-hot plates, and burned alive around 70 AD.

Philip went to Phrygia where he was tortured and crucified in AD 54.

Matthew was beheaded sometime after 60 AD.

Bartholomew was flayed after he refused to recant. After the removal of his skin, he was crucified in 70 AD.

James the lesser was taken to the top of the Temple where a crowd gathered. When he refused to recant, he was thrown down. He survived the fall so a mob beat him to death with clubs in 63 AD.

Simon the Zealot was crucified by the governor of Syria in AD 74.

Judas Thaddeus ministered in Mesopotamia where he was beaten to death with sticks in AD 72.

Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot, went to Ethiopia and was stoned to death while hanging on a cross in AD 70. According to Eusebius, the third century historian, Peter thought himself unworthy to die in the manner in which Jesus was crucified so he requested that he be crucified upside-down. And last but not least, John the beloved is the only disciple who died a natural death, but that doesn't mean he was exempt from persecution. He was exiled to the Island of Patmos and according to legend, thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil.

I’m not sure what that does to you. In fact, I'm not sure what that does to me. But I know this: I'm grateful for the estimated 70 million martyrs who have died because of their faith in Jesus Christ. And I'm grateful for the freedoms I enjoy as an American. May we never take them for granted.

Tidbits of wisdom

There are some good tidbits of wisdom in this post that I need to remember.

Movies in the Park notes

We had the first Movies in the Park of 2010 this past Friday. Honestly, I thought we were going to have to cancel. It rained all day. There was water standing in my yard. But it was dry with blue sky at Duncan Park. So MIP was a go.

Our team did AWESOME! They worked great together. I saw new leaders step up to the plate. Nobody sat around on their rears. I was so proud of our team.

You know who you are and I was proud to be serving with you.

The crowd was way, way down. Maybe it was the weather. Maybe it was the location. Maybe it was the move from Friday to Saturday. Maybe nobody loves me but my momma. But the folks that did show up had a great time, especially the kids.

And the cool thing is that we get to do it again in less than 3 weeks! June 11th we'll be showing The Spy Next Door.

If you helped and have some feedback on how to improve for the June movie please let me know. I want to hear from you.

Not as much

I read a number of blogs on a regular basis. I consider it real time learning. Well, over the past few months I've noticed that a lot of the blogs I follow are posting less and less. And then I noticed that I've been posting less and less.

I wonder if blogging is loosing it's cool or if there's just not enough time to do all the other important stuff that needs to be done (like twittering). I know for me it's been a time issue.

Just something I noticed. And now, because you've read this you've noticed too. :)

Movies in the Park makes the news

Here's the story that was in today's Herald-Journal about Movies in the Park. I love free press.

Too good not to share

I just read this and had to share it. I hope it doesn't make anybody mad. That's not my intention. I hope it motivates you. It sure does me.

“I want every member of this church to be a worker. We do not want any drones. If there are any of you who want to eat and drink, and do nothing, there are plenty of places elsewhere, where you can do it; there are empty pews about in abundance; go and fill them, for we do not want you. Every Christian who is not a bee is a wasp. The most quarrelsome persons are the most useless, and they who are the most happy are peaceable, are generally those who are doing most for Christ.” (Spurgeon)

Showing this Friday

What: Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs.
Where: Duncan Park Baseball Stadium.
When: Gates open at 6. Movie begins at sunset.

Make sure you bring a blanket or chair to sit on.

We can't wait for Movies in the Park!!!

Silly Bandz

As you already know, Silly Bandz are all the rage. But they're not only for fashion. You can use them to get a date.

This morning at the gym a little girl gave Levi some Silly Bandz. You might think she's just sharing, but I think she had ulterior motives.

We need you for Movies in the Park

Hey everybody,

Have you ever wondered what makes MIP such a success in our community? I've spent some time contemplating that question and I think there are two reasons. First, I think that God has granted us favor. There's no other way to say it. God has been gracious and favorable. MIP was his idea and he's done so much to make it such a success. Second, I think that what makes MIP so successful is you. You work your rear-ends off. Well, we're a week and a half away from game time, and here's what we need for you to do.

Pray. Pray for great weather. Pray for God to bring people. Pray for opportunities during the event to tell people about why we do MIP and invite them to Hub City. We are so dependent upon God. We need to pray like it all depends on God.

Work your rear end off. We need to work like it all depends on us. Here's what we need you to do.

- Hang posters. We’ll have some posters available on Sunday for you to hang around town.

- We need someone to pick up the popcorn @ 4 PM from Spartan 16.

We’re meeting at Duncan Park Baseball Stadium at 5 PM (or as soon as you can get there). Here’s what needs to be done.

- Set up sound

- Stuff Popcorn bags

- Set up video

- Set up screen

- Set up/work concessions

- Set up and work registration (Have people at the registration table and people walking around registering people.)

- Bug sprayers

- And some other stuff that I’m sure I forgot. J (If I forgot something, Melanie, please let me know. She remembers everything.)

If possible, I need to hear back from you today. Where are you going to serve? Where are you going to plug in? I'm counting on you. Thanks for all you’ve done so far and all you are going to do. It’s a blast serving with you to make Spartanburg a better place to live.

Don't give up

I don't know why, but this verse has been floating around in my head for the past week. Jesus is talking to his disciples and he says, I have told you these things so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. John 16:33.

My first thought is, Ain't that the truth!

My second thought is, Somebody needs to hear this.

My third thought is, Whoever you are, don't give up. Just because you're having trouble, don't give up. Trouble is par for the course. It's to be expected. But take heart! Don't give up! Jesus has overcome the world.

Nathan's Recital May 3, 2010

Matthew's recital

Radical

This is probably a book that you shouldn't read. It will mess up your life. It will force you to evaluate your priorities. It will bring you face to face with some aspects of following Jesus that you'd probably rather not acknowledge.

That being said, this is a must read book. I don't know about you, but I am so often frustrated with the Church in America. At the same time, I realize that I'm just as much a part of the problem as anyone else. I don't like that. I don't want to be like that. I want to live a radical life that makes much of God and makes a difference in the world.

That is what this book is about. It's about making much of God by making a difference in the world. But that doesn't just happen. It means living radically. It means living in a way that you've probably never thought about living before.

There's more I'd like to say about this book, but I'm still processing much of it. I'm wrestling with much of what I've read. This may be the most difficult book I've read in a long while. Not that it's difficult to read, but that it's convicting. So instead of me telling you what's in the book I want to suggest that you get a copy and read it. After you read it leave me a message because I have a question to ask you (but I can't ask it until after you read the book).

I'm thinking of personally purchasing copies for everyone at Hub City Church. If you want to get a copy you can pick one up here.

This book was provided courtesy of Water Brook Multnomah and Random House Publishing.