Leaving for Disney tomorrow

First thing in the morning, Alison, the boys, and I will be leaving for a week in Disneyworld. We've been looking forward to this for a while. It's a great time of year to go with the Christmas decorations. It's also a great time for the boys. Nathan is 9, Drew is 7, and JD is 4. They should all have something they like.

I will try to post updates throughout the week depending on internet connectivity and times. If I don't, I'll see you next week.

Mark Driscoll on the theology of Joel Osteen

Here is a great clip from a sermon by Mark Driscoll on some of the theological flaws in the ministry of Joel Osteen. Definitely worth a look. It is my solid conviction that the culturized church in America today has long lost the art of biblical discernment that has allowed profiteers like Osteen to make millions of dollars with their Christian, humanistic, self-help mush.

No Shave November

At our church some guys in the Children's Ministry declared a "No Shave November". Speedy took the challenge to the Rick and Bubba Show and the guys on the staff there and Les and I set down the challenge to the guys on the staff at Westwood. None of the other guys (besides Les and me) were man enough to give it a try. (Kevin doesn't count since he looks like a modern-day Nazarite anyway.)

I thought I would post a photo for those of you to keep up with it. Most of you will not be too surprised since I usually don't shave but once a week anyway. Here is a link to the Rick and Bubba guys and their progress. I'll keep you posted. I'll be shaving probably on our trip to DisneyWorld in December!

If I can get a photo of our Pastor, I'll post it too!

Interesting Thoughts in the Reformed Theology Debate

Excuse the little theological aside for a moment. I have often wondered how much of my blog to devote to my personal ramblings on Red Sox baseball, MSU football (or lack thereof), and my family events; and how much to devote to my thoughts on theology, leadership, and church life. I read an interesting post today from Justin Taylor on his blog "Between Two Worlds". The blog dealt with a his reactions to some statements made at the John 3:16 Conference recently held and put on by Jerry Vines Ministries. Justin's blog are particularly directed at some statements made by Dr. Steve Lemke who is the Provost at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Justin's post can be read here.

While I have spent a lot of time talking and observing friends and colleagues from both sides of the aisle on this debate, this is of particular interest to me. First, I have long admired both Jerry Vines, long-time pastor at FBC Jacksonville, Johnny Hunt, pastor of FBC Woodstock and current president of my beloved Southern Baptist Convention, and Charles Stanley, long-time pastor at FBC Atlanta. All of these men are great expositors of the word and soul-winners. They have done much over the last few years to bring many into the kingdom of God. They deserve and have my utmost affection and respect. They are also representative of a generation of pastors who have helped shaped the SBC for many years. They have always been, first and foremost, men with the heart of pastors and soul-winners and their theology reflects that.

Secondly, Dr. Lemke is one of my professors at NOBTS and one that I have grown to respect, despite some of our theological differences. He is an extremely intelligent man. My first doctoral seminar was "Theological Issues for Ministry in the 21st Century" in which we covered the doctrine of God's providence and it's role in prayer. It was a challenging time. I spent hours in reflection for my paper and Dr. Lemke was very fair in grading my paper even though he disagreed with my conclusions.

Third, I have a huge amount of respect for pastors and leaders on the reformed side of the aisle such as Mark Dever, Al Mohler, John Piper, and C.J. Mahaney. These men have inspired me and given me much to think about regarding this topic. In addition, they have helped me to look deeper to God's Word for my answers and not just to the traditional upbringings of my church life or convention.

I have long said that one day I will post a blog entitled "Why My Calvinists Friends think I am Arminian and Why My Arminian Friends Think I am a Calvinist." That is for another day. I do think you should read Justin's blog and his reaction to Dr. Lemke. (This is mostly for my friends Dave, Jason, Michael, and you other Calvinist homers) Much to think about and much to debate - as long as we keep it civil and within the confines of in-house debates over coffee. One thing we can agree on is that there is a lost world that needs desperately to hear the message of Christ and we musn't get sidetracked from that mission.

The Best Decision I Ever Made

This past Saturday, I celebrated the best decision I ever made in my life. 11 years ago, my heart was stolen by a beautiful red-head as I sat across the dinner table from her at her dad's house. I was instantly captured. When I returned to Alabaster three weeks later as the youth minister of Westwood, I had two things I was excited about. First, I was about to begin a fresh start in ministry at a growing church. Second, I was about to ask out a beautiful woman for the first time in 5 years. Our first few dates were exciting and fresh. I knew quickly that I wanted to be with this woman for the rest of my life.

On Nov. 1, 1997, I stood before the church and made the commitment to love, honor, and cherish this woman for the rest of my life. Life has never been the same. She has blessed me by being a wife that holds me up too high most of the time. She has given me three incredible boys who bring new adventures everyday. She is my biggest believer and most vocal cheerleader.

Happy Anniversary Alison. I love you.

Wow! What a comeback!

Last night I witnessed the largest comeback by a team facing elimination in a baseball postseason. My boys from Beantown came back from seven runs down with seven outs left in the season to win it in the bottom of the ninth. I started the night with the guys from my Top Gun group at church. About 7:15, my brother sent me a text message complaining that the Rays had already hit a two-run hr in the top of the first. This was the pattern the last three games - the Rays getting out to an early lead with the long ball. We finished our group early and headed off to Buffalo Wild Wings to get a bite and watch the movie. On the way my brother sent another text complaining that the Sox struck out with 2 on and 2 out in the bottom of the second. I sent a simple text back - "Come back in the 7th, my prediction."

As I got into BWW, I saw the hr by Pena and Longoria to make it 5-0 Rays. Then after heading home, I got there in time to see Francona bring in Papelbon in the top of the 7th with two on. B.J. Upton hit a double to make it 7-0 Rays and all hope seemed lost. However, I had a good feeling about the bottom of the 7th. My brother, on the other hand, took some Tylenol PM and went to bed.

Then...the Fenway magic kicked back in. Pedroia came up with runners on 1st and 3rd and roped a single to right. Then Big Papi jacked a low fastball into the right field bleachers ending a 61 at bat streak in the postseason without a hr. 7-4 Rays. Papelbon shut down the Rays in the top of the 8th. Bottom of the 8th - Jason Bay (the guy who we got for Manny who has done way more this postseason than Manny did last) walked.

My boy J.D. Drew came up and slammed a fastball over the right field fence. 7-6 Rays. Fenway was going ape! You just started getting that feeling. I was sending my brother messages but getting no response. Then Mark Kotsay laced a double over center field. Coco Crisp fouled off 6 pitches in a 10 pitch ab before lacing a single to right. Ball game tied! I sat in my living room laughing my head off at what I was seeing. Never count the Red Sox out, especially at Fenway.

Masterson got Pena to ground into a dp to end the top of the 9th. Bottom of the ninth, Pedroia grounds to short, Papi strikes out, Youk fouls off several pitches and then grounds one to potential gold glove third baseman Evan Longoria. Bad throw! Youk to second. Bay intentionally walked. Now comes up the 8th inning hero and new Boston icon J.D. Drew. Drew laces a ball over Gabe Gross in right! Red Sox win! Ball Game! Back to Tampa!

It was a great ballgame to witness. Don't know if my Sox will win game 6 tomorrow night or the series. I like our chances with Beckett and Lester. Whatever the case, the Red Sox reminded me again why I love them so. I've seen this too many times in the last 5 years. Hopefully they can keep their momentum going and get a big lead in Topicana Field. Either way, thanks Red Sox for another magical night. Best part about it was when my brother called me in the bottom of the 8th asking me "Dude what happened? Am I dreaming this?"

I'm the guy who passed up on...

Let me tell you one of those interesting/funny/I wish I hadn't done that kind of story that will forever haunt me in ministry. It was early Spring of 1994 or 1995. I was the Minister of Students at First Baptist Church of Greenwood, MS - a sprawling metropolis in the Mississippi Delta. FBC ran about 350-400 people on Sunday morning on a good day. I had about 35 good core kids in my ministry and had been there a little over a year and was starting to see some good momentum. I always had a vision to do some kind of big community rally/concert to reach kids in the area. I had a budget that would fit on a toothpick, but big dreams of that one rally that would see hundreds of kids show up and dozens of students prostrate on the floor confessing their sins of smoking, drinking, and sleeping with their girlfriend (mostly like their parents were doing...just kidding)

Anyway, I had picked up the debut CD of Jars of Clay and it was hotter than a MS Delta summer night. All my kids loved it. Jars had just won the New Artist Spotlight at some Christian gig and were playing all the major summer concert circuits. I thought "What the heck." and called their manager to see what it would take to get them to come and do a concert in my town. Their agent told me that their booking fee was something like $7500 which was almost my whole youth budget. He also said they weren't booking anything smaller than a certain size venue which shot me down like a quail on opening day. "However," the agent said, "I do have another band I think you would like." He went on to tell me about this new band he had signed made up of a bunch of young guys who were former youth workers. He said they had a good rock/country sound. He said these guys had a real heart for ministry and the local church. They were down to earth, regular guys who liked to play music. He even said these words, "I think they will be bigger than Jars of Clay one day." I thought "What a great sales pitch. No way. Jars were fresh and hot. He was giving me the old sales line and I wasn't buying." He then told me I could have this band come and play for $1500 and a hotel. He was sending me a CD.

I told him that I would listen to the CD, but that I really had my heart set on a big time concert and that I just didn't think a no-name band would work. He sent me the CD and I thought it was a great sound. So did the kids in my youth ministry. However, at the end of the day I couldn't figure out how to get the money and didn't think anyone would come to the concert so I passed. That group later on went to win 3 Grammy awards and 22 Dove Awards including 4 times for Group of the Year and Artist of the Year. (What a bonehead!)

Late at night I still sit up during SportsCenter commercials and berate myself for being the doufus youth minister who passed up of booking...

Third Day

...for $1500 because I couldn't make it work. (Go ahead...have a laugh...sometimes that's all you can do.)

You gotta go see this movie!

What a great day...Postseason without the Yankees

Today is the first day of the Major League Baseball postseason. As it begins, the Red Sox are in and the Yankees are...out. For the first time since 1995 Major League Baseball will play the second season without the Yankees. It feels so strange to watch baseball without having two teams to root for, the Red Sox and whatever team is playing the Yankees. It's the first time that Derek Jeter has not made the playoffs and been playing baseball in October. Now I hate the Yankees and will shed no tears for their demise but I must admit that I like Jeter and somehow it doesn't feel like playoffs without Jeter's postseason play.

I have long felt like the Yankees were the best team that money could buy. They filled their roster every year with the latest high-priced free agents and sacrificed young talent for the desire to win now. It paid off for a while, but since 2000 it has not produced any significant postseason results. One of the best books I have ever read is Buster Olney's "The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty". In it he cronicles the greed and poor management that the Yankees displayed during their World Series run from 1996-2000. However, when Luis Gonzales blooped that beautiful hit into left center in 2001, the Yankee slide began. They continued to pound the baseball offensively and make the playoffs, but their lack of pitching depth was masked by high priced free agents like Carl Pavano, Mike Mussina, and Randy Johnson. They continued to be beaten every year by teams taht had enough pitching to win a seven game series.

Now the Red Sox are the banner team for MLB. They have developed a first-class farm system that has produced youngters like Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Jed Lowrie. These youngters have carried the team the last couple of years. They have struggled a little more than I want this year. The Angels and the Rays look much better than the Red Sox at this point. The Red Sox have been ravaged with injuries to stallwarts Curt Schilling, Mike Lowell, and J.D. Drew. Big Papi missed a lot of the early season and continues to play with a torn tendon sheath that pops and causes discomfort. The Sox were forced to get rid of a cancerous relationship with Manny Ramirez this year. In doing so, they got rid of one of the best clutch hitters in baseball. The Sox picked up Jason Bay who has been awesome so far, but Varitek has struggled all year and the clutch hitting behind Ortiz has not been there.

So the postseaon begins...time to see if the character and fight of the Red Sox will prevail or if they are just overmatched. Right now it's 0-0 in the third inning in Anaheim. Let's go Red Sox!

Turning 40...

We'll today was the big day...40! People have been teasing me about this day for several weeks now. My brother asked me this morning if I felt 40. I told him I was just as overweight and my blood pressure was just as high as it was when I was 39, so not much different. Had a pretty quiet day for the most part here at the house with the wife and kids. Went to Outback Steakhouse with the fam on a very generous gift card I received and then came home to watch football.

Overall, my 40 years to this point have been blessed. God is gracious and have been more so to me than I deserve. I have an awesome wife who makes me a hero every day. I have three boys who show me more love than I ever thought possible. I am scared each day as I watch them grow up as I think about the responsibility I have to lead them into authentic manhood. Too many moments go by too fast. I try to remember what was going on in my head at 9 or 7 years old. I was probably looking for a baseball game to play. All of a sudden, I was in middle school - then high school and still looking for a baseball game to play. I know that they will face some serious challenges very soon and I pray that I will be more proactive to prepare them.

Here are some things I want to do in the next year:
1. I have to lose some weight. Too much weight and too much stress will cost me time later on. Need to drop about 30 pounds.
2. I need to turn the tv off more and take the boys fishing and to the driving range more often.
3. I need to get a trip somewhere with just my wife.
4. I need to get out of the office and into the marketplace more often.
5. I need to spend a lot more time in God's Word and a lot less time on Facebook and PS3.
6. I need to invest in the men that God has placed in my life on a deeper level. Men need Men to be what God has called them to be.
7. I need to take a one-on-one trip with Nathan and Drew each somewhere.

So 40 is not so bad so far, but I guess now it's time to grow up. :)

Presidential Politics - Something you might not hear on liberal NBC or CNN

I normally try to stay out of politics a whole lot for many reasons. However, here is an interesting post "Why I Am Ticked at Joe Biden" from Tim Stevens, executive pastor at Granger Community Church about an important and under-heard topic regarding this year's presidential election. You won't hear this one much on today's liberal biased media, especially since it critcizes the Obama campaign. With all the attack levied on Sarah Palin after her candidacy was announced, why wasn't this one brought up with respect to Joe Biden at all?

Yesterday I had a guy ask me my thoughts about the presidential race. My answer was, "I am glad that my faith and trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ and not on any presidential candidate."

USA Takes Back the Ryder Cup!

Ok, so it's a little late for my blog: Lots going on earlier this week. But, I was so stoked Sunday afternoon to watch the final matches of the Ryder Cup at Valhalla. When I arrived home, Andrew Kim had already defeated Sergio Garcia and the U.S. was up in most of the matches. Some of the major highlights of Sunday were Hunter Mahan's putt on 17 to insure at least a half point, J.B. Holmes sticking it right up on the pin on 17, and of course Boo Weekley disposing of his opponent and giving Lee Westwood some "shut-up juice" in the process.

If you aren't a big fan of golf, this event takes place every 2 years between the best golfers from the U.S. and the best golfers from Eur. ope. The Red, White, and Blue won without the world #1 in Tiger Woods. This was the first time the U.S. had won the event since 1999, just one month before Payne Stewart died. It was a great historic moment that I was pumped to watch.

Congrats to the good ol' USA!

Ryder Cup Update - Day Two

The Euros moved a little closer today, but for the most part the USA team played real well. They blew a lot of the morning matches and let Europe make up some more ground. In the afternoon matches Boo Weekley and J.B. Holmes continued as crowd favorites and beat the snotty brit Lee Westwood. The other three matches were back and forth. I thought Fyruk was going to single-handly bring his team back by putting his irons right up against the pin, but they lost. Mickelson and Mahan help on for the halve in the last match.

End of Day Two - USA 9-7. Need 5 1/2 points in the 12 matches tomorrow. Come on boys!

Ryder Cup Day 1 - USA leads 5 1/2 to 2 1/2

After the first day, the US took a big lead in the quest for the Ryder Cup. Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan continued their dominance and took down Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jiminez. Lefty Mickelson and Anthony Kim came back from 3 strokes down to beat Padrig Harrington and Grahame McDowell by 2 holes. Finally, the good ol' boys J.B. Holmes and Boo Weekley sprayed it all over, but still managed to come away with a half. The only USA team that lost was Steve Stricker and Ben Curtis. Early on this afternoon, the Euros had three flags on the board and the USA only had one. By the end of the day, the US had two flags, Euro had one, and there was one tie.

Tomorrow will be a new day and hopefully this young team will keep on prevailing. It doesn't get much better than this.

Ryder Cup Time

It's time for one of my favorite sporting events to watch. Ever since the US team took the cup in 1999, I have been hooked every two years on this event. Although the U.S. hasn't won the cup since then, I get sucked in every time in this competition.

After the morning round, the U.S. took a 3-1 lead on the Europeans. I think this was somewhat of a surprise. I watched most of it from the house this morning while waiting on a guy to install my new shower door. Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan came back from being down and put a spanking on Stenson and Casey. Mickelson and Kim went blow for blow with Harrington and Karlsson and came out with a half point, and Stewart Cink and Chad Cambell came back and beat Justin Rose and Ian Poulter. Looks like it may be a fun weekend!

Jack Is Back

Here's what you and I have been waiting 18 months for!

Don't be exceptional or it will cost you...

Baseball Team's Pitcher, 9, Ousted for Being Too Good

I saw this story on Fox News yesterday and couldn't believe what I was reading. Then I heard my friend Speedy and Rick and Bubba talking about it while I was driving to work and it got me all worked up again. The bottom line is this. A baseball league in Conneticut has decided to ban an entire team because their 9 year old pitcher, Jericho Scott, get this...he is too good. Are you kidding me! This thing has made national headlines because a bunch of spineless jellyfish who make up the league board made a bad decision.

Here's why this decision is a problem: Jericho was not asked not to compete because he throws hard and is wild and hits batters. He was not asked to leave the league because he has a character deficiency. He wasn't asked to leave because he's a bad seed. He was asked to leave because he has a talent that overpowers the other kids in the league. He was asked to leave because parents complained that he is too good and intimidates the other players. The lawyer representing the league said this, "“The spirit of the league was community, family, well being, nurturing. It’s an extended family and it’s been disrupted." That's a liberal's way of saying, "No one can be better than anyone else. Let's pull everyone down to the same level in the name of community. Mediocrity is great as long as we all are mediocre together."

This kid is nine years old - the same age as my oldest son Nathan. This is not a league of 5 year olds who are trying to learn the game and where you might could ask the kids who is too good to move up a league. At nine years of age there are always going to be kids who begin to excel at some sports more than others. Just about every little league team in America has to face at least one team with a player who is the best in the league.

What message are we sending to this young man who has been blessed with a talent and the discipline necessary to hone that talent? We don't mind you excelling just as long as it doesn't infringe on my children. Do it somewhere else. In addition, in a world where the spirit of community is celebrated and tolerance is the highest virtue, why can't we be tolerant of one who excels above others? Isn't community after all a celebration of what we have in common despite our differences, despite the fact that some are better athletes and some are better artists?

In addition, what message are we sending to the other players? Do we really believe that we are making things better for them by trying to establish a system where everyone is equal and being exceptional at something is cause for you to be removed? Are we teaching these students that being good enough is good enough?

I am thankful that when George Washington faced the greatest military force in the known world and was vastly outnumbered both in talent and resources that he didn't complain or back down because the British were better.

Last year in the World Series, Mike Lowell, who fought back from a terrible season a few years before as well as cancer, was awarded the Most Outstanding Player award. Are we now going to do away with that and celebrate the Most Normal Player instead?

As a parent of three sons, at least one of them who loves sports as much as I do, I hope I never have to tell my son not to strive for excellence. I hope that my son never has to be punished for being too good. I also hope to teach him that no matter how good the opponent, on the sports field or in life, face him or her with every amount of ability you have and whether you succeed or fail, rest in the knowledge that you faced the best with your best. I hope he never has to celebrate mediocrity in himself or anyone else.

Ping Pong...Sport?

Alright, I was just watching some of the Olympics and watching the gold medal match in Table Tennis. (Yes it's raining and my life is that sad right now) Anyway, I got to wondering when did the International Olympic Committee decide that Ping Pong is an act of athletic prowess? And how does Table Tennis stay in the Olympics but baseball and softball have to go after this year?

Now I will acknowledge that in the world of Ping Pong, these guys and girls are good. I would readily admit that they would kick my tail. But, I never once in my life said "I'm looking for a good, challenging athletic competition. I know! Ping Pong!" I have never thought about signing one of my kids up at the park for a Ping Pong league. I have never thought about becoming a volunteer Ping Pong coach at the local park. I have never asked Nathan to do push ups to develop his ping pong muscles.

These girls just took a time out to get a sports drink! Are you kidding me! And the announcer just said about one of the girls, "I don't think she has much left in the tank!" I am dying! This is ridiculous.

A Kinder, More Gentler Me

Because of the ranting nature of my last post (which has been deleted to avoid further misunderstanding), I think I left several people with a inappropriate view of me. One question was asked "Who DO you love?" and I think it's a fair question. So here is my attempt to show the kinder, softer side of me.

I love puppies, sea lions, and the way penguins waddle when they walk. I love the way fish attack the surface when you throw in the food from the feeder. I love coffee caramel milkshakes and every one of the people at Chick-Fil-A that make me one.

I love my three boys more than I can ever imagine. I love the fact that we have to start almost every morning with a wrestling match in my bed. I love the way they smile when I tell them I am proud of them (which I don't do enough). I love it when Nathan fills in the blank at school labeled "someone you admire" with the word "Dad", especially since I don't deserve it. I love the way Drew has to have at least one hug a day from me. I love the way John David turns upside down and puts his rear-end in my face and laughs.

I love my wife who stole my heart across the table 12 years ago and has never given it back. I love the way she whines when she wants something because secretly she wants to be a princess and be waited on hand and foot but doesn't want to admit it. I love the way she believes in me to be the man I can be and not just the man that usually shows up at home.

I love throwing the ball for my lab Maggie.

I love those who are giving their all in the spirit of Olympic competition for the United States whether they win 8 gold like Michael Phelps or finish out of medal competition but still proved themselves to be a champion because they competed and gave it their all.

I love my new brothers in Top Gun even though I have only known them one weekend and that they have now entered an area of vulnerability that will take them closer to being the man that God intends for them to be. I love the men in my church who have started to step up, reject passivity, and be men of God. I love that we can finally show the world that a Christian man is a leader and not some pansy-whipped man who comes to church because his wife nags him.

I love my friend Rob Sulver who has taught me a lot about leadership, manhood, and the value of giving up rights and freedoms in Christ in order to stand for a greater cause.

I love the orphans in Africa who are the victims of a sin-saturated world and suffer each and every day from the sinful choices of those who have gone before them. I love those like the Children's Hope Chest team from Westwood who give up finances, time, and energy to travel around the world to minister to them only to have their hearts broken when they come back to an equally sin-saturated, self-indulgent nation like the United States.

I love those who are lost, searching, and desperately seeking the truth even when they don't know how to find it. I believe God will reward their searching and long to hear their story of life-transformation. I love those who have gotten sick and tired of being sick and tired and finally begin to respond in faith to the one who created them for His glory. I pray that they can find Westwood to be a place where we are more concerned with matching their story of desperation with God's story of redemption than we are that they are comfortable being part of our club.

I love my Mama, my step-father "Pops", my brother, my sister-in-law, and my niece "Marlee" who looks at me like I am the Elephant Man every time she sees me but eventually warms up. I love my 92-year old grandmother "Mama Alice" who just moved to a nursing home last week.

I love my Dad who is a daily reminder to me of the power of God's grace. Only Christ can take a back-slidden Catholic who ran from God for 35 years and turn him into a trophy.

I love Bill Watterson for creating the greatest cartoon ever and then taking it away before it got old.

I love John MacArthur for faithfully preaching the Word in season and out of season no matter what the critics said. I love Mark Driscoll for being faithful to bridge the gap between biblical truth and cultural relevance (even if I don't agree with his views on alcohol). I love Max Lucado for teaching me the softer side of Jesus that I often overlook. I love Andy Stanley and Louie Giglio and how they are wise voices for truth to a new generation. I love Neil Cole for helping me to discover that discipleship is about being transformed by the Word and not about filling in the blanks.

I love the staff that I get to work with each and every day. I love that we can pound the table one hour and gather around it to eat as brothers and sisters in Christ the next. I love the way my Pastor challenges me to be better today than I was yesterday and that he has always had his door open (figuratively) no matter what. I love the way Ty Coffey laughs so loud. I love working beside Jay Gordon for 12 years even though we disagree about things more than Lucy and Ricky Ricardo.

There are dozens more things and people that I can name, but I am getting tired.

Later

Update

My previous post has been removed due to raging controversy. If you would like to know what it said, please contact Matt directly. More to come soon