Pass this along

I thought Ron's tips on how to support your Pastor on Sunday are really good. Feel free to pass them along, share on facebook and twitter, email to your mother-in-law...etc.

Equal opportunity offender

I've decided that during our next series you're probably going to be offended. I'm a little bit offended myself. So I guess that makes me an equal opportunity offender. 

And that's exactly why you don't need to miss one week of A Fairy Tale Ending.

Offending begins Sunday at 10.

Join a group or die

I'm reading a great book that you need to read titled The Me I Want To Be by John Ortberg. It's a fantastic book. 

In my reading today John quotes Robert Putnam who says:

As a rough rule of thumb, if you belong to no groups but you decide to join one, you cut your risk of dying over the next year in half.

John follows up that quote by saying:

It is difficult to imagine anyone not interested in cutting their risk of dying in half. That is why the new motto for small groups at the church where I serve is, "Join a group or die."

I'm thinking we should adopt the same motto. :)

Can't wait to begin this on Sunday

A teaching series on marriage for singles, marrieds and single-agains.

Join us on Sunday at 10 AM at Spartan 16 Movie Theater.

Praying Scripture for your kids

One thing Mark Batterson suggests in his book, Praying Circles Around your Children, is to pray Scripture for your kids.

He tells the story of one man who, as he read through the entire Bible, prayed it for each of his kids. That really spoke to me.

But I know that even the phrase, "The Whole Bible," is overwhelming to so many of us. So let me give you another place to start.

Start with the longest chapter in the Bible: Psalm 119. 

I read it as part of my time with God this morning, but instead of reading it, I turned it into a prayer for Nathan, Matthew and Levi. 

It's a great chapter to use in praying Scripture for your kids.

Do you like God?

That's a weird question, isn't it?

But answer it: Do you like God?

The way you answer this question makes all the difference in the world with how you relate to God. In fact, I think that the reason why most of us don't spend time with God is that we don't really like him. 

I love what John Ortberg says, If I do not like being with God, I simply will not be with him much. It is good to be honest about this because if you don't like God, there's no use trying to fake him out.

God knows if you don't like him, but God wants us to like him. That's why the Psalmist invites us to Taste and see that the Lord is good.

The Lord is good.

That truth makes all the difference. That truth is the foundation of actually liking God. He is good. He's not out to get you. He is a good God.

Maybe if we start to focus on God's goodness we'll start liking him more, and in turn, instead of spending time with him out of duty, we'll start to spend time with him out of desire. 

We want to spend time with people we like. May the same thing be true for us about spending time with God.

For Parents

I came across this verse from Psalm 78 the other day and knew as soon as I saw it that I need to be praying it for my kids daily. I thought you might want to be praying it too.

Psalm 78:7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

I also like the HCSB translation: So that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God’s works, but keep His commands.

I want more than anything for my boys to trust in God, to put their confidence in Jesus, to never forget what He has done and to walk in obedience to His commands all the days of their lives. 

I also want to recommend and incredible resource that will help you in praying for your kids. It's Mark Batterson's booklet, Praying Circles around Your Children. It is super short and really cheap. You can read it in less that an hour, but I will forever change how you pray for your kids.

If you're like me then you need all the help you can get. Order this book today.

Don't let fear get in the way

Sometimes God asks his people to do strange things. One example of this is when he commands the Israelites to walk around the city of Jericho for 7 days. You need to read the story. It really is one of the strangest requests of God in the Bible.

Mark Batterson, in his 40 day prayer challenge, Draw the Circle, is speaking of this story when he says:

When the Israelites circled Jericho, they had no idea how God would give them the city. But they didn't let what they didn't know keep them from obeying the command they had been given.

I wonder how often we let what we don't know keep us from obeying God? In all probability, all the time.

But imagine what God might do if we just do what he tells us to do? God delivered Jericho into the hands of the Israelites all because the walked in circles for seven days, just like he told them to do.

What is God telling you to do? Is fear getting in the way of your obedience?

Trust him.

You must ask this question.

What are you trusting God with?

Think about it. What, in your life, are you trusting God with? 

I'll be honest. Most of us aren't trusting God with anything except our eternal salvation. That translates to most of us aren't really trusting God with anything in this life.

Trusting God is essential to following Jesus, growing and living by faith. 

So what can you trust God with this week? What can you trust God with in 2013?

Finances? Kids? Future? Career? Marriage? Friends? ... The list is endless. Make 2013 a year where you continually trust in the Lord with all of your heart.

Like a proud dad

Yesterday was by far my most favorite day in the history of Hub City Church. 

Why, you might ask?

Come on January 6 to find out. 

I have never been more proud to be a part of Hub City. 

Prayer List

I came across a list of suggestions that you can use to guide your prayers in light of last Friday's tragedy in Connecticut. 

The Christian Post has issued a prayer list for those wanting to pray specifically for the needs of those affected by the Sandy Hook school shooting last week.

1. Pray for emotional healing for the families and friends of the people killed in this massacre.
2. Pray for the victims familes to get the emotional, spiritual and financial support they will need to rebuild their lives.
3. Pray for school officials as they appoint a new principal and possibly other school personnel.
4. Pray that the missing persons will be found safe.
5. Pray that no one will imitate Lanza's actions and attempt copycat killings.
6. Pray for people with mental illness to be healed or to be able to cope with their illness and find the help they need.

I would add a few others:

• Pray that many will turn to Jesus during this tragic time. Jesus is our only hope.
• Pray for the church's as the minister and reach out to those who are hurting. Pray that they will make much of Jesus.

Taking notes

I've got to brag on Nathan, my now 12 year old son. 

Each week I tell my boys to take notes on the sermon. It's a great habit to develop and, as Mark Batterson says, The shortest pencil is longer than then longest memory.

Nathan's all into technology stuff, so yesterday he decided to take notes on his iPod. Here are his notes from my sermon. I was impressed with his detail and punctuation.

!!THE CHRISTMAS STORY!!

Luke 1 

Luke was a docter and he interveiwed mary.

God sent the angel gabriel 

To nazereth.

Gabe talks to mary

She was pledged to be married with Joseph.

She was 13-16

Gabe says... The lord is with u. She was troubled and wondered what was going on. The angel says do not be afraid u have found favor with God. U will give birth to a son. (She was not excited because she was not married. Getting pregnate outside of marraige was bad in Jewish culture. That was adultury and that was punishable by death.) She was to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and the he will rule over beside God. His kingdom will never end. How will this be she asked i am a virgin. The angel say you will give birth to the son of God. Mary's cousin elizebeth was also pregnant. For nothing is impossible with God! With God! Luke 1:37

(God plus nothing equals everything.) I am the lords servant may it be to me as u have said. Then the angel left her. 

Are you doing life with or without God?

The Manhood Challenge

Nathan turned 12 yesterday. I can't believe he's 12. I really can't believe he's one year away from being a teenager. Crazy.

We celebrated with his favorite dinner, German-chocolate cake and presents. But I had a special gift for Nathan. It's called the Manhood Challenge. 

This is something I've been thinking about for about 5 years, ever since I read about Mark Batterson doing something like this. Basically, the Manhood Challenge is a year-long commitment of intentional discipleship between Nathan and me. I'll give the same gift to Matthew and Levi when they turn 12 too. I wanted to share it with you because I want you do intentionally disciple your kids. 

12/13/2012 Nathan, Happy Birthday! I am so proud of the man that you are becoming. I can remember the day you were born. It changed my life. And come to think of it, it changed yours as well. You are a great kid. But your time as a kid is almost up… even though you’ll always be my kid. As you know so well, in one year you will turn 13. This coming year is a big one for you. You are transforming from a child into a young man. So with that in mind I have something I want us to do together this year. I call it the Manhood Challenge. The Manhood Challenge has three parts:

• A physical challenge.

• An intellectual challenge.

• A spiritual challenge.

Let me explain each one. First, there’s a physical challenge. It is so important that you learn to take care of your body. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6 that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. We need to be good stewards of our physical bodies. So here’s what I want us to do together this year. I want us to do some physical challenge together. This could be running a 5K, doing a difficult hike, participating in a mud-run, or some other physical feat.
 Second, is the intellectual challenge. It is essential that you learn to develop your mind. You are doing that in school, but it’s more important that you learn to develop your mind on your own. Jesus says that we are to love God with all of your mind. Part of doing that is growing our intellect. This challenge will involve you and I reading 4-6 books together this year. They will challenge both of us. I have some books picked out, but I want your input as well. Here are the books I want us to read:

• In a pit with a lion on a snowy day – Mark Batterson

• The Screwtape letters – C.S. Lewis

• More than a carpenter – Josh McDowell

• Draw the Circle – Mark Batterson

 Finally is the spiritual challenge. More than anything else I want you to develop a healthy and growing relationship with Jesus. This is the foundation of everything in life. The best way to do this is to spend time in God’s Word. The best habit you could ever develop is the habit of reading your Bible on a daily basis. Here’s what we’re going to do: Basically, you and I are going to go through the story of the Bible this year. We’ll memorize some important scriptures along the way. You’ll be getting a gift at Christmas to help facilitate this challenge for both of us. I love you. I love who you are becoming. And I know that God has something he wants you to do with your life. He has big plans for you. I can’t wait to take this Manhood Challenge journey with you over this year. Accomplishing these feats is going to be a challenge. It’s going to take hard work and sacrifice and discipline for both of us. But I am so excited about working through these challenges together with you. I love you. I am proud that you are my son. Love, Dad Manhood Challenge Commitment I, ___________________________, commit to join with my dad to take up the Manhood Challenge. Signed ___________________________________  Date _______________ Printed name __________________________________________________ Dad’s signature _________________________________________________

Thinking of you

Be honest, how often do you think of others before yourself? If "0" is "never" and "10" is "all the time," where would you rate yourself?

I think most of us would rate ourselves around a 7 or 8. But in reality I think we're more like a 2 or 3.

This shouldn't surprise us. We are inherently selfish. We come out of our mommas that way. 

Paul knew this. That's why he wrote: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4).

We're blind to our selfishness. That means we need to be intentional about thinking of others first.

But this is so hard to do. It means we have to retrain ourselves. And there's no better time to start than now.

Prayer-walking Morgan Square

I know this idea is late, but better late than never.

We've got two more Movies at the Rink. Our next one is December 22. The final one is January 5. 

Here's my idea: I think we should prayer-walk Morgan Square in anticipation of what God might do. 

So who's with me? Pick a time and prayer-walk Morgan Square. Circle the square in prayer. 

Don't know what to pray? Ask God to tell you what to pray. You'll be surprised what he brings to mind.

Mark Batterson says, If you pray regularly, irregular things will happen on a regular basis. That's what I want.

Best graphic ever

I need to give props to Frankie Creel for the graphic for Hub City's upcoming series, A Christmas Story. It may be his best creation so far.

Bold as Love

Once and a while you come across a book that resonates deep within your soul. Bold as Love is one of those books for me.

I've been a fan of Bob Robert's books for a while, but his latest is by far my favorite. The main reason I love it, and you should read it, is that it's focus is on relationships. Specifically he challenges those of us who are Christians to build relationships with Muslims. There is power in relationship. 

Another reason this is a great book to read is that it is so readable. It's not too long. The stories are fantastic. It's one of those books that you'll like to read even if you don't like to read. Actually, I was sad when the book was over. I wanted more. I rarely say that about books.

One final thing made this book worth my time (and hopefully yours when you get it and read it). It wasn't what I was expecting at all. I had no idea which direction he was taking the book. It wasn't the usual Christian content. He challenges Jesus' disciples to do something that is profound, radical and controversial in our current evangelical climate.

I could tell you more, but I would rather you just read the book. You won't regret it.

Tragedy averted

I have good news to share. Tragedy has been averted in the Everette home.

Yesterday I went up in the attic looking for our artificial Christmas tree. Last year I gave into the pressure to get a real tree, but this year Liz left the door open for us to set up our artificial one. 

I thought I'd put the pressure on her this year by having it set up when she got home... as a surprise. Because surprises like that are always the right thing to do.

Well, much to my dismay, the artificial tree was nowhere to be found. I searched the entire attic. It was then that I vaguely remembered giving the tree away to someone last year.

I don't remember who you are, but I was cursing you all afternoon for accepting the tree I graciously gave.

That is until I went to dinner with my in-laws at the Cracker Barrel last night. They, like my parents, have forests of artificial trees growing in their attics and crawl spaces. Which means... (drum roll)...

We now have one of their artificial trees growing in my living room! 

Which also means... (drum roll)...

I don't have to go out and buy a real tree!

I consider this my contribution to helping the environment.

On a side note, did you read about the study that came out this week that said the marriages in which husbands have a good relationship with their in-laws are 20% more likely to stay together. So I wasn't just getting a tree. I was bonding with my in-laws, which means... (drum roll)...

I invested in the health of my marriage!

Who knew how good getting an artificial tree could be for my family?!?! Tragedy averted.

Wisdom from a Muslim

I was reading the other day about a conversation Bob Roberts (a Christian pastor from Texas) was having with one of his Muslim friends.

The Muslim friend said to Bob: Bob, you Americans marry the one you love. We love the one we marry.

There is so much wisdom in that statement. I wish more of us would love the one we married.

It reminds me of something I read from Rick Warren this morning:

Love does not just happen to you. Love is a choice, and it represents a commitment.

There is no doubt about it: Attraction is uncontrollable, and arousal is uncontrollable. But attraction and arousal are not love. They can lead to love, but they are not love. Love is choice.

My prayer for those of us who are married, or who want to be married one day, will choose to love the one we marry, until death do us part.

And I know the rewards for making this choice will far surpass our deceptive feelings which come and go like the ocean tides.

What I like least about Winter

Want to know what I like least about Winter?

It could be the cold, but that's not it.

It could be all the dead grass that gets tracked into my house. But that's not it either.

The thing I like least about winter is static electricity. I am 100% confident that if scientists could figure out how to wire me I could supply power to the entire state of South Carolina from just the static electricity that comes from my clothes, body and vehicles.

It's so much it's shocking (I couldn't resist).

I thought I was going to spontaneously combust at the funeral I was at last night because my suit was so electrified.

Am I the only one with this problem? Does anyone out there have a solution?

In the meantime I'm going to start carrying a fire extinguisher with me wherever I go, just in case I break out in flame.