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.