Moms

I know that Shawna does a lot of work around the house, but I never realize how much until she is sick. I spent the last two days running around like a mad man trying to take care of the girls, the meals, Shawna and myself, and the house looks like a tornado ripped through it. Somehow Shawna does this everyday, and the place always looks great. I told her yesterday that if she wasn't around, our family and our home would always be in complete chaos.

I think its good to see what it would be like with out the moms in our homes and lives. It helps me to be thankful for my mom and for Shawna.

Thanks moms!

Worship

This Sunday I'm going to be talking about worship, so I've been thinking about it a lot lately, even tonight at the University of New Mexico basketball game. Usually I'm a "yeller" when it comes to basketball games and bad officiating, but not tonight. With worship being on my mind, I thought how could I worship God tonight at the basketball game, and for me it was just by staying quiet. I cheered on UNM, but I left the officiating to the officials. This was my form of worship for the night, and I enjoyed the experience.

Worship is not just for Sunday morning, so try and look for an opportunity to worship God during your Thanksgiving holiday in a different way than you have before. Have a great Thanksgiving, and I'll see you Sunday.

The Shack

I just finished reading a novel called The Shack by William P. Young, and I would like to offer up my recommendation for this book. It is a well crafted story that touches on how we view God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and forgiveness. It will challenge you and yet also comfort you. I cried a number of times while reading The Shack. If you where at Arch a couple of Sundays ago, you heard me preach on the idea that's it not about the reasons why things happen, but it's about the God behind those reasons. That is what this novel is about, and for me it was neat to start reading it after I had preached that message. So, I recommend giving it a try. On the website, www.theshackbook.com, you can read the first chapter for free (also read the forward). You can't beat that.

Body of Christ

I will admit that most people figure this out a lot earlier in their walk with Christ, but I'm just now seeing the beauty in the differences among the people that make up the Church. It used to drive my crazy ( and I'm sorry to say at times still does) when people didn't see things the way I saw them or didn't do things the way that I would have done them. However, slowly but surely, I'm beginning to see the wonder of God's plan to make us all unique. Not that I've ever wanted everyone to be just like me, but only now am I beginning to see that our differences are not an obstacle for me to try to get over. This is especially true in church work. For years I've battled against personalities, instead of embracing them. God is just so much smarter than me.

I'm glad our church at Arch, and the Body around the world includes: those who are stubborn, those who are patient, those who joke around, those who take it serious, those who can play music with what seems to be no effort at all, those who can't sing on key to save their life, those who move fast, those who move slow, those with dreams, and those with contentment.

The Church just wouldn't be the church without everyone, including you.

5 things every Christian should know

This is the title for a new sermon series I'm starting this Sunday. These aren't the only 5 things a Christian should know and not necessarily the most important, but it makes for a good series title. Throughout the coming months and years, you will probably also see "5 things every Christian should know part II" and "5 more things every Christian should know". These titles allow me to be vague, yet have some kind of running theme.

Anyways, here is a list of tentative titles in no particular order for the first edition of "5 things every Christian should know".

1. It can happen to you

2. Money is just paper (and sometimes coins)

3. Tattoos are ok

4. Worship, it's not just music

5. Ancient Paths

Last Night

1) Thank you to everyone who helped with last night. Our family had a great time, and I appreciate everyone who brought food, decorated, ran games, and cleaned up. Thanks.

2) You probably noticed I'm not much of a group game player and I want to explain. I have through the years been in to many games that our basically designed to make everyone who is playing (especially the pastor) look like an idiot. I think this must be part of the Baptist Faith & Message that I didn't read. I hate that. Thankfully last night's game was not one of those, thank you Punky. It's just that when people start asking you to stand with a bunch of guys in one area, holding balloons, I can see bad things happening.