I have the song "Girls just want to have fun" stuck in my head. Come on, you know it. Whooaaoooa, oh, girls just want to have fun. I want this to go away!

My Carmen and Lily Grace are absolutely the most precious little girls ever! I love them!

Moving is hard work.

I have slept my last night in Springdale! Tomorrow I wake up in God's city, Bentonville!

Have you ever watched TV and seen those perfect husbands or wives? Ya know, the wife is always perfect? She never misses a beat? You have a good picture of her in your head? You are more than likely picturing my wife! Mindy is absolutely, by far the greatest wife ever!

"I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me."
Jeremiah 32:27 Enough said!

I love Jesus!

"I don't care about my own life. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God's grace." Acts 20:24

"I don't care about my own life." Wow! That is a powerful sentence. I wonder if I mean this when I say it. I think that sometimes I do but most of the time I don't. My mission in life is to bring people to Christ and help "believers" become devoted Christ followers. It is extremely hard to forget about self and go all out.

"Do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No, God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to please people? If I still wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

I love this! Don't many of us spin our wheels and wear ourselves out trying to make people happy. I give up on that (repeatedly). The Creator of the universe is the only one who deserves that.

I am a selfish person. I want whatever I can get. I want nice cars, a big house full of great stuff, new, trendy clothes and a lot of money! Can you relate to this? The attitude God is inspiring me to have is one that constantly pleases Him, it is selfless and sharing Him with others. I don't see a 52" LCD in there. God created me to please Him!

Since God knows everything. He knew we would be a selfish people. So, He gave us a gift, no, not a 52" LCD TV, something much bigger than that. He gave us a Cross with His only Son hanging on it. The TV would give us enjoyment for a few hours a week until the newer bigger one came out. When God gave us His Son, He gave us the opportunity to have an abundant and eternal life. Knowing Jesus inspires me to be selfless.

P.S. The "abundant" life He gives us is pretty great as well!

Someone leased our house Wednesday night! We need to be totally out by Sunday! WOW! I negotiated a deal for a sweet house in Bentonville yesterday morning. Unfortunately they called me last night and changed their mind. Plan B.

We don't have a plan B, we will probably find the right place today.

My kids are absolutely beautiful! My camera is broke or I would take pictures of them and let you see. Maybe soon. Lily's face has taken more definition, she is so cute! Carmen is growing her bangs out and she is looking more like a tweeny every day...she is only 5! They are my loves!

God is so good to my family. He's got us. The greatest choice we have ever made was to serve Him completely. With God everythng always works out in the end. I didn't say to our desire. But, it always works out in the end. I have come to a point in my life where I don't seem to worry about things I used to. Everything always works out in the end.

I want to rule my own life and live my own way. I have done this before. It doesn't work. Living for God is not exactly natrual but it pays huge dividends!

Mindy surprised me with a date last night! It was actually my gift for Valentines day. We went to dinner..... then, we went and saw this guy in concert:




T.I.

T.I. Has been one of my favorite rappers for a long time. I never dreamed I would see him in concert.
We were getting closer to barnhill (where the show was), then we turned on the street to go towards barnhill. I was like "No we're not!" I was like a little boy at Christmas. I've been to a lot of shows and concerts but never one like this. Anyway, my wife blew it out of the park for me. It was a lot of fun! "What you know about that?" Ha ha!

" 'If a person's fellowship offering to the Lord is from the herd, it may be a male or female, but it must have nothing wrong with it.2 The person must put his hand on the animal's head and kill it at the entrance to the Meeting Tent. Then Aaron's sons, the priests, must sprinkle the blood on all sides of the altar.3 From the fellowship offering he must make a sacrifice by fire to the Lord. He must offer the fat of the animal's inner organs (both the fat that is in them and that covers them)...' "
Leviticus 3:1-3 (emphasis mine)

Wow! What a bloody mess. Here a couple of points before the main point:

In Leviticus we see 4 different kinds of offerings, burnt, sin, trespass and fellowship. Then, there were 3 different fellowship or peace offerings. All of these included blood or food, and fire. They all happened in front of the tent of meeting.

We don't do these anymore because Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. No more burning animals!

As I read through this scripture I was kind of shocked. See, these people (the Israelites) would bring there best lambs, goats, bulls etc. to be slaughtered and burned for The Lord. They did this out of confession of sin and worship! In this time, Jesus had not come so they still needed the tent of meeting and priest. Today, we have Jesus! Thankfully!

Here is what stood out to me pretty big time!

Each time the people wanted God to hear something or forgive them or whatever, they had to offer a sacrifice. They had to slaughter something.

Our tent of meeting is our prayer time. It is wherever we are when we go before The Lord. Here is my question: What are you slaughtering?

Here are some things that make a bloody mess in front of my tent: Greed, lust, pride, selfishness... ok, I could go on, but I will spare you!

Grab sin by the head and kill it!

I have been thinking about getting a tattoo for several months. Really, maybe more like a year. This is funny and to some probably somewhat shocking. Most of my life I have been against tattoos, thinking they were "sinful." Riiiiight! Anyway, I have never been able to make up my mind.

I think I have finally got my mind made up.

Are you familiar with coats of arms? Family crests? I have seen several versions for the "Becker" name. I didn't want that though. I want it to have special meaning, I want it to be custom.

I have drawn one up. I LOVE IT! It has several different symbols - 2 different Scripture titles - 4 core values in dutch, and a great design!

As soon as I get it designed (professionally) I will post it. After that, I will see if I can get it tattoo'd. If I can. Look out! Philip Becker will have a tat!

If you know a great designer that can draw to the tattoo quality, please hook me up! I am stoked!

I want you to never go hungry.
I want you to always have clothes that fit.
I want you to never have to experience sickness.
I want you to never get hurt by a guy.
I want you to always have shoes that you like.
I want you to have true friends.
I want you to do well in your education.
I want you to be liked by many people.
I want you to always have a good attitude.
I want you to love and respect your mom.
I want you to have a relationship with Jesus.
I want you to excel in everything you do.
I want you to have the latest and greatest of everything.
I want you to be optimistic.
I want you to never be hurt physically.
I want you to never walk away from God.
I want you to always seek after God.
I want you to be the best at your job.
I want you to never be hurt by me.
I want you to always feel loved by me.
I want you to have everything you could ever want.
I want you to know that I am here for you.
I want you to have a friend in me.
I want you to have the greatest dad in me.
I want you to be proud of your family.
I want you to have love in your heart for everyone.
I want you to know that you are my daughters.
I want you to know that I love you with all of my heart.
I want you to know that you both are equal to me.
I want you to never think I don't care for you.
I want you to always see me as a godly man.
I want you to marry someone who will protect and love you.
I want you to know that to me you are both angels.
I want you to believe and put your faith in Christ.
I want you to know that I discipline you because I love you.
I want you to have the best this world could ever offer.
I want you to know that you can.
I want you to know that I love your mom with everything in me.
I want you to be hard workers.
I want you to be honest and dependable.
I want you to never cheat.
I want you to never lie.
I want you to always respect others.
I want you to know that I love you.
I want you to understand that to me, you are gifts from God.
I want you to always love yourself.
I want you to never fight.
I want you to stand tall with great integrity and character.
I want you to know that God created you.
I want you to know that the Bible is The Word of God and it is True.
I want you to understand that I am not perfect.
I want you to know that I have committed my life to serving God.
I want you to know that part of serving God is loving you.
I want you to know that to me, you both are perfect.
I want you to know that you are absolutely beautiful.
I want you to know that I love you.
I want you to know that I am always here for you.
I want you to believe me when I say I won't judge you.
I want you to always come to me when there is a problem.
I want you to know that I want to give you everything humanly possible.
I want you to know that I love you.

Daddy

Have you ever popped popcorn in a pan? Ya know, versus bagged in the microwave?


You put the oil in the pan, heat it up then put the popcorn in. What happens next? The small seeds pop out into these wonderful white crispy yet soft kernels of goodness! I love popcorn!


Popcorn is absolutely amazing! Who would have ever thought that the little seed looking thing would pop into this wonderful snack?


I think that popcorn's are rebellious! I don't think they like status quo. Why do I say that? Look at the seeds. They are mostly all the same and boring. However, after a few moments in the hot oil they break out of that thing like Clinton broke out of his charges!


The little seeds turn into wonderful, creative kernels.


I am like popcorn. Not just because I eat so much of it. I once was a seed, the same as everyone, continually being shaped to be the same as everyone. God wanted more from me though. He wanted me to pop. He (figuratively) placed me in hot oil, I popped.


For us, the oil might be different parts of our life, maybe parts that we don't like. But God uses these experiences to craft us into who we are.... creative, different, full and full of opportunity!


Sometimes when you are pouring the seeds into the bag a few fall to the counter or stove.


Don't try to avoid what God is doing in your life. Jump in that oil and allow God to make you into a kernel!

Recently I had a conversation with a guy (who shall remain nameless) who had gone to a bar for his very first time. Mid twenties, first time. Incredible!

He went there to support a band that was releasing a new CD. No bad behavior...this time. Just kidding!

Anyway, we were talking about his experience and he said "I'm not a bar virgin anymore!" I thought that was hilarious!

This really got me to thinking. Two questions:

1. As "Christians" what are we virgins to?

2. What does it matter?

To reach this generation and the generations to come for Christ we need to get out of our religious shelter!

I'm not saying we should start going to bars. I'm especially not saying we start abusing alcohol. I am simply saying that we should put the hymnal down, take the tie off, shed the religious pride and start trying to reach our generation by being more like Jesus!

Would Jesus go to a bar or club today? I don't know. Would He do everything He could to connect with His culture? ABSOLUTELY! We know this because He did!

Generally, what kind of people are at church? Christians or, the religious.
Generally, what kind of people are in the world? Non-Christians.

What is the great commission? "So go and make followers of all people in the world..." (emphasis mine). "All people in the world." Not just the ones that grace the doors of the church.

Get into the world. Stop being so stinking religious and meet someone without judging them! Jesus would! Are you a "Christ follower"?

"God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life." John 3:16 (emphasis mine).

(This has not been an encouragement to go to bars or clubs. This is simply an encouragement for all of us to get off of our butts and share Jesus with the world... that isn't in the Church.)

We had our first Sunday in our "Financial Beginning" yesterday. God is doing great things!

I concluded my series on sex yesterday; "Sexual Charge." Talking about sex is always good.

I just talked to an attorney who said he could help me with some forms for Cross Culture. I kind of assumed he would give a free initial consultation...nope. $150 bucks for one hour of chatting. I don't think so. I mean, I know people have to make money, but come on! I don't even know if I want his firm to do this work. I just wanted to see what they could offer. Too bad.

I am starting a 6 week series on character this week. I think this will be a lot of fun!

Valentines day was a lot of fun! I baked a cake for Mindy amongst other things. We had a great time! It seemed that the saying this year was "love is all of the time, not just one day." This is SO true! But, I think most of the people saying this were the men who didn't do anything for their sweeties. If you can't get it together one day out of the year you probably aren't getting it together any of the other 364 days a year. Shape up man! She deserves your best....this is a whole-nother blog.

On the topic of other blogs: I was chatting with Bryan C. on V day and he mentioned something about not being a "Bar Virgin" anymore. I am going to blog about that this week. That will be fun!

In my talk yesterday I mentioned people going on diets and missing their food so much that they want to write love letters to cheeseburgers....I don't actually know anyone who has ever wanted to do that. I just though it enforced the point of not wanting to give up the food we like.

I went over my texting again last month. I need to either upgrade my plan or stop texting so much.

I feel like God is bringing me into a whole new realm of Christianity. I am very excited to see what He is going to do in and through me this year!

If you want to grill and you have a charcoal grill. Make sure you have lighter fluid...before you start the whole process.

There we go. Got some randomness out to start the week out! How about that!?

Happy Valentines Day! My wife, Mindy is my best friend. In honor of my love for her I am going to share a little bit of what attracted me to her.

The very first time I laid eyes on Mindy, she had a glow around her, similar to a halo only larger; circling her whole body. Angelic. I remember looking at her and being intimidated; not normal. "Wow!" Is all I could think.

We talked business. She is very business minded and entrepreneurial- hot! To this point I had never met a gorgeous woman with business skills and motivation. I was blown away!

If you know Mindy, you have probably noticed this. She has 1000+ smiles. Each of them beautiful. Each of them unique. Each of them saying something different. After 2.5 years of marriage I am still discovering new smiles.

Everyone likes Mindy. She is the friendliest person I have ever met. She is not one of those people who likes you to your face, then talks about you behind your back. She is genuine. People want to be around Mindy because she is a great conversationalist. She is great with people and a great friend!

She is solid. When she makes her mind up, it's done. When she says she is going to do something she does it. That is really nice!

In the first week or two with Mindy, I had lunch with a friend at Jim's Razorback Pizza. I love Jim's Razorback Pizza. I told him that my future wife would share this; Jim's Razorback would be her favorite too. Soon after, I went to Mindy's house for dinner, she had ordered pizza. That's right. Jim's Razorback Pizza! Sign from God?!

Mindy is similar to June Cleaver in her service. She does so much for me and our family. She does it with out complaining. I remember many of our first breakfast's: Scrambled eggs, toast and fruit. She does without expecting a return.

I could go on all day and make this blog into a book, I will spare you.

Mindy, you are the most beautiful girl in the whole world in my eyes! I love you with all of my heart. I have committed the rest of my life to you, you are my gorgeous bride! I love you!

Mindy, will you be my valentine?

I love my wife. She is my best friend and "the apple of my eye." Cheesy, I know, but I mean it! I can't, nor do I want to imagine life without her. I guess I've got the fever. I love her!

My daughters warm me inside. I love them. They are the most precious, beautiful little girls I have ever seen.

Yesterday I was stopped at a light in Bentonville when I looked over my shoulder and thought I saw a friend in the car next to me. I wasn't sure so I took a better look, this time the guy looked at me, so I bounced back. Still not sure, I looked again. This time we made eye contact for a moment. It wasn't him. It was an extremely awkward moment!

I received a gift yesterday via UPS. Brownies - Just what I need. One of these brownies has 430 calories. Amazing! That is only 100 calories less than a #2 Cheeseburger from Sonic. Wow!

Had an awesome time with God this morning! It's amazing how hard it is sometimes to get real with Him. He is my Father and I love Him. But it is difficult sometimes to live that. I think my pride and self assurance may be a large part of the problem. Pretty much every day, sometimes multiple times a day I have to say: "You are God, I am not." Something about saying it, that really makes me know and mean it. I think sweet times with God can be had every day. We just have to get ourselves out of the way.

I mis-spelled a word in yesterday's blog. Can you find it? I knew it before I posted, but I was just like..."Whatever, people will know what I mean." Isn't that bad?! Laziness, sheesh!

I have a meeting with a Pastor I admire and respect today. Excited about that! Looking forward to gaining some wisdom.

I am completely jakd for Cross Culture, Church for the City! I believe God is doing some HUGE things! As the song says: "Greater things are yet to come!"

Finalizing my valentine plans. Are you ready?

I am so encouraged to remember that God loves us..............regardless of anything else!!! God loves us. That makes me happy! I am not much to be loved. Declare this with me: "God loves me!" Seriously, once you believe this, things will be a lot different!

Recently, we had a pretty significant ice storm. ICE EVERYWHERE! Many lost electricity. The roads were terrible. Schools were out. It was a rough time.

I am a confident driver. When the ice hit, I did not stop driving. We had to get places (especially when our power went out). Some might say that I have guts, when really it may just be stupidity. Who knows.
I am so confident in my driving abilities that I don't creep at 2 mph because of a little ice. I am bold enough to see a difficult situation in a parking lot and get through it. I can work the pedals like nobodies business.

I can also sport an attitude like nobodies business. I didn't even realize that I was having an attitude until my lovely wife pointed it out. I was calling other drivers names, getting frustrated with their stupidity and being negative about other people. Now, was I right? Sure, sometimes. But my rightness didn't call for my attitude or name calling. When my wife pointed this out, I was embarrassed. I am not a griper. I am not a complainer. But, in the situation of driving on ice I became one.

According to Mark Batterson, in his book "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" there are two kinds of people:

1. Complainers
2. Worshippers

Complainers will always find something to complain about. Worshippers will always find something to praise God about.

See, when we were sliding around in parking lots, and slushing around on the highways I had a choice. I could be a complainer or a worshipper. Unfortunately, I sub-consciously chose complaining. I could have displayed an attitude of worship by being kind, considerate and thoughtful. I could have even openly expressed praise to God for the abilities He had given me to drive. Instead, I chose the other route.

What kind of person are you?

If you are a complainer. It's not too late. When Mindy notified me, I was embarrassed and ashamed. I apologized to her and stopped. I had relapses, but I was conscience, I changed.

Last night after service I took a few minutes to present a budget to Cross Culture's core group...fun! It all went really well. I am very excited for what I believe God is doing in this church. I am even more excited to see what God is doing through this church.

I believe Cross Culture - Church for the City is blessed! Some great people come and some fantastic people have the "horse by the reigns".

Last night we discussed some vision we have for the church. WOW, I live on vision! I was very happy to hear others vision and ideas. This inspires me.

I have one huge dream right now. It is for our acquisition of a certain building in Bentonville. There are many ways this building makes sense for this church. However, there are a couple of ways it doesn't make sense at all for us. For example: $1.6 million $$$ and right now we are a small church, this building is HUGE.

At this point I feel like God has led us to this property. I am praying that God will give it to us. We don't need the building to do church and see lives changed. However, this building will be a great tool for our church full of changed lives!

I believe God wants to do something in Bentonville and NWA that would take the religious world by surprise. The lost world would not stay that way for long. Jesus will be famous!

"Numbers driven." This simple statement describes so many churches in our culture today.

What is wrong with this? Uh, hello?!! What about the people?!!

Many churches get so wrapped up in trying to have spectacular huge events that the people who need Jesus get forgotten. Sure, they are not forgotten completely. Deep down inside they are thought about. However, they are not the genuine reason for everything being done. Allow me to correct myself. It takes people to have numbers. So, they are the reason for everything. Unfortunately, that is all they are. This motive and approach leaves life change out of the picture.

What kind of church would have numbers as a motive? Let's re-phrase this: Which church doesn't?

I know, there are churches who genuinely care about people - their current situations and their eternal situations. But, the problem is that many churches - even though they claim different - don't.

It is my prayer that people will be remembered. And that Jesus won't be neglected.

Genuine life change has to be our prayer and desire for the church. We have to forget how good or not good we are doing on attendance, "POF's", and baptisms. We have to focus on Jesus and do the work He has told us to do.

We have to be a Jesus driven church.

Something about church makes me want to throw up!

I am not talking about the body of Christ. I am talking about the organization of church. Just thinking about the politics alone brings that bad taste across my taste buds. Here are a few questions I have about church.

Who said that church had to look a certain way?
Who said that the people in the church had to look a certain way?
Who wrote the rules? (the ones that aren't in the Bible)
Who decided that it was the churches job to legislate morality? (Isn't it the churches job to introduce people to Jesus?)
Why is it we have to wear a shell at church? (Shouldn't church be the place we can be real?)
How did church staff and regular attenders get so perfect? (self righteously perfect)
Who in the world said you had to dress a certain way in order to attend church?
How did the church get power to judge and condemn?


I have plenty more questions but I will leave it here for now. Don't get me wrong, I love the church. I understand the Biblical responsibilities of the church. However, when we look around we see churches doing much more... abusing their rights versus teaching Scripture.

I lead a church and love the church. I say it is high time we give the church back to it's rightful owner...Jesus Christ. Jesus is the head of the church, not man.

If the religion of the church makes me want to throw up, I can only imagine what it does to Christ.

Have you wanted to be closer to God?
What did you do to become closer?
Have you had those times when you feel as if He isn't even present?
Out of nowhere you think about Him. Is He gone?
Maybe you have gone through all of the motions, but you still don't feel Him.
What do motions do? Like a mime...nothing.
Do you really want a relationship with Him?
Or, is He just your genie?
Maybe you've used all of the tactics to get yourself right.
And nothing happened.
Maybe you've spent time reading and praying.
And nothing happened.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?!

Apparently...you are.

"So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to Him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to Him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship. Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect."
Romans 12:1-2
(emphasis mine)

The heading for this scripture is: "Give Your Lives to God."

We are the problem when it comes to our relationship with Christ. We need to kick us out and put Him in. The feelings may not be there at first. However, if we live this verse all the human feeling stuff will more than likely come.

Go for it today! Get kicked out!

My youngest daughter (Lily Grace) has been talking a little bit here and there for a few months. She can say some words pretty good, like "Mama" and "Night, night." Others, she can't say so well, but we know what she is going for.

Recently she has began talking a LOT more. Only this talk doesn't make much sense. She will walk into the room just jabbering. Only, this jabber is coming with force and intentionality. I wonder what she is trying to communicate. It is definitely a fun time watching her develop.

I wonder what our Heavenly Father must think while watching us develop? I know when Lily says a new word or new signal I am proud and touched. I feel nice on the inside. I think God probably feels the same, probably more so.

I do have to wonder about myself though. I do so much that more than likely makes God sad- disappointed. I don't want to do that. I just do. One of my prayers that I am emphasizing more this week is to please my Heavenly Father.

What do you think you are doing? Pleasing Him or the opposite?

The electricity is back! It came back yesterday (Sunday) morning. I am so thankful. Carmen is also back. She went to Florida for a week with her cousin, she missed all the fun. Poor girl, she had to enjoy the perfect Florida weather, Seaworld and Disney world. Poor thing. Right.

While Carmen was off enjoying herself - soaking up the rays we were battling icy roads, no current, jakd up routines, and everything that comes with it.

Made me think. What are we missing out on from God? Are we living a life of obedience and enjoying His best. Or, are we living in the icy conditions of God's wrath?

I am not saying that the ice storm was a result of God's wrath. This is just an example.

I don't know about you. I'd like to be soakin' up the rays of God's greatness more than sliding across the dark icy hills of God's wrath.