The Next Battle in the Church

During the 90′s and early 00′s (is that what they are called), many churches faced the “Worship Wars.”  Traditional, blended, contemporary.  Liturgical, reformed, praise-n-worship, pentecostal.  With robes and organs or street clothes and drums.  Many followers of Christ have been greatly injured in this battle.  Even more worship and senior pastors lost their congregation over what type of music would be used to worship the Most High God.

I believe I have discovered the next raging battle on the church horizon.  It will be called the “Discipleship Wars.”  Sunday school vs. small groups.  Open vs. closed classes.  Topical vs. verse by verse.  In-homes or on the church campus.  Using the Bible or using a curriculum.  Teachers & Lessons or Facilitators & Discussion.  This battle will again challenge what we have always done with what is coming.  Is the church ready?

What do you think?  Is this battle going to be as fierce?

Straight Shootin’

Mike Huckabee during a recent debate.
Straight talk from a presidential candidate. I like it.

Our Love of Animals

Leonna Hemsley’s dog was left 12 million dollars in an trust.  The dog is now being sued by the housekeeper for biting.  The housekeeper was some of the DOG’s money.

The Pet Industry in America is a 41 billion dollar a year business.  That is larger than some countries GDP.

States are now seeing law suits come to the legislature about pets not being allowed in restaurants.  Pet owners consider this discrimination.  Their pet is part of the family, like a child.  Why shouldn’t they be let in a restaurant.  “We let children in.”

Pet funerals are on the rise in funeral homes across the country.

Pets outnumber children in homes in Europe.

Does anyone else see the insanity in these trends?  I love animals.  I wish I had a dog in the backyard.  But haven’t we gone a bit overboard?

Where Were You When the World Stopped Turn’n?

Alan Jackson singing “Where Were You”

I am not a country music fan, but I loved the Alan Jackson song written after September 11.  Today, as the sixth anniversary of that horrible comes, I remember where I was when the world stopped turn’n?

I was in seminary in Fort Worth, TX.  I had just come out of an 8 o’clock class and the TV’s in the foyer were on CNN.  Students were packed in watching the news unravel.  Cell phones were going off as parents and friends were trying to call loved ones.  Everyone had a hallow look on their face.  Many were crying.  It was an onimous scene.

Classes were immediately dismissed.  I went straight to Jennifer’s apartment and we watched the news for hours.  I was in shock.  I felt sick.  I knew the world had changed in a matter of hours.  The words “terrorists,” “muslim,” “jihad,” and “Osama bin Laden” would fall from my lips over and over.  The world became much smaller.  American was no longer too far away from foreign attack.  It was a day unlike any other in my life.

 To those who mourn today for the loss of family, friends, co-workers, and children, I grieve with you.  My prayers are for your comfort, peace, and strength on this dark anniversary.

I’ve Got the Power

I am writing a paper on power structures on the college campus.  I know you are bored stiff already…but just read a bit more.

If you had to think about who had the MOST POWER on your college or university campus, who would it be?  By power, I mean the ability to make decisions, get things done, and lead the school.

Which group or individual would you choose?
A.  The College President (the top dog)
B.  The Board of Trustees (the suits)
C.  The Faculty Body (the academics)
D.  The VP’s or Deans of the Schools (the middle managers)
E.  The Alumni & Donors (the money bags)
F.  The Student Body (the customers)
G.  The Parents of Students  (the ones supplying the money to the customers)

I have some theories, but  I would love to hear some comments.  What do you think?  Who’s got the power on the college campus?

Classic Bengals

Before the arrests.  Before Ocho Cinco.  Before Carson, Rudi & Chad.  There was the vintage Cincinnati Bengals.  We are talking Ickey Woods, James Brooks, Sam Wyche, & Boomer Eiason.  We’re talking “Welcome to the Jungle.”  We’re talking “The Ickey Shuffle.”  While I love them know, it is always nice to think of way back then, when football was pure. 

Isaac is sporting his classic Bengal’s jersey.  This is for you Stevie.   A little taste of home while away.

Go Bengies!!!

Changing Your Family Tree

Those that know me well know that I am passionate about financial freedom, Dave Ramsey and the Total Money Makeover.  Since a good friend of mine, Nathan Gaddis, turned me onto Dave, I have been a junkie ever since.  Jennifer and I have been to a live event, we have the books, we live the principles, and we instruct couples to follow the plan.  Jennifer teaches Good Sense at our church (a Christian stewardship study) and we do financial counseling with couples in our home.  This stuff has become part of our lives.

Yesterday while listening to the Dave Ramsey show podcast, a 23-year old husband shared his story about how getting out of debts has revolutionized his life.  He had only paid off $1700 but the real change had been in his heart.  He had changed his family tree…aka his future, his marriage, and his children’s view of money.  I totally connected with him.  Learning the Dave Ramsey plan has revolutionized our life as well, especially our marriage and communication over money. 

Getting out of debt has been one of the greatest gifts we have ever experienced.  Now to be completely upfront, Jennifer and I have still have student loans (a good chunk mind you), but that is it.  No car payments, no medical bills, no mortage, no credit cards.  We never get calls from creditors asking for money.  Our cars drive better because they are paid for.  We sleep easy every night because we have turned our finances over to God and He has been so faithful to provide for all our needs.  Not all our wants, but more than abundantly for our needs. We celebrate when we get to tithe to our church and when one of our friends are heading overseas on a mission trip, it is so much fun to support them with a few dollars.  It is like we are on the trip as well.

Our family tree has been changed.  I am grateful to our parents for showing us good money skills: saving up, paying bills on time, living under your means.  But in a CREDIT-CRAZED culture that is totally spending more than it could ever make…we are thankful that God got a message through to us early and it stuck.

I just wanted to share my story like the young man on the radio.  And one day, when we get these stupid students loans paid off, we will call Dave Ramsey and scream, “We’re DEBT FREE.”  It will be awesome.

American Christianity & Wealth

Several weeks ago, I was listening to the Al Mohler Radio show and heard him quote some figures about the wealth of American Christians, particularly caucasian, anglos.  His rationale for “why” white American Christians were in the middle to upper socio-economic levels was based on their assumptions and commitment to the family.

I agree wholeheartedly.  But are there other reasons why American Christianity fits mostly into the middle to upper crust financially?  I want to pose some other potential reasons.  (These are very broad stereotypes, so understand that this is not indicative of everyone.  Just generalizations about our culture.)

Most American Christians have a commitment to education.  From high school to college to graduate school.  More education means a lifetime of greater financial stability.  More degrees = more salary.

Most American Christians have a commitment to their marriage.  Dual incomes change the financial outlook significantly.  Single incomes work fine but can be very difficult.  If one factors in the cost of divorce, child custody, and alimony, it is easy to why many people who experience a divorce, experience a bankruptcy.

Most American Christians have a commitment to work ethically and as unto the Lord.  Being honest, showing up on time, doing a job with excellence are all marks of people who commit their work to God’s hands.  “His Work” in their lives makes them a better employee and more promotable.

Most American Christians have a commitment to having a family.  Raising children forces you to become a better steward of your finances.  Single persons are often tempted to be foolish in their spending because they have few family responsibilities.  When you have multiple mouths to feed, you start getting a grip on your financial decisions.

Finally, I believe (and hope) most American Christians have a commitment to supporting God’s work through the local church, which is an investment in eternity.  I believe God greatly blesses those who are committed to giving regularly and faithfully to the Gospel.  When we are faithful stewards of the small things, I believe God allows more blessings to come our way, knowing our commitment to stewardship will not change as the dollar figures increase.

Any other thoughts about American Christianity and wealth?

The Appeal of a Small Town

Here is a link to my home town.

 http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Lewisport,+KY+42351,+United+States+of+America&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title

If any of you actually checked the link you should have been able to tell very, very quickly, Lewisport is a SMALL TOWN.  My wife doesn’t even recognize it as a town, just a highway and some houses.  More of a community.  But it is MY small town.

I haven’t lived there, full-time, since I left for college way back in ’95.  But there will always be a special place in my heart for that place.  There is just somethings about a small town that you don’t get other places.  Here are my top 3 benefits of a place like Lewisport (in no particular order).

1.  A love for local sports:  With nothing else to entertain the people, local sports, from little league to High school, is all the rave.  About every night, you can find a game of some sort somewhere and devoted fans.

2.  Being known by first name at the gas station:  You go in to the store and everyone yells “Hey Shane.”  You never get asked for a picture ID beccause they know you, your parents, your address, and your all your business.

3.  Taking a walk means goin’ visiting:  When you go for a walk in your neighborhood, you are sure to see someone you know.  So you stop and chat.  Usually you wave at people, pet dogs, hug babies…all while on a walk.  No need for an Ipod.

I could go on and on, but here is the catch.  With all these appealing aspects of small town life, I still love living in a larger city.  The familiarity and quaintness of a small town are nice, but I need interstates, Imax theaters, musuems, festivals, book stores, and Starbucks.  I guess that what makes me an official defector.  I left my original country (Lewisport) and have become an immigrant (first in Fort Worth, TX and now in Northern KY).

How long does it take to become a local native in a new land?  Who knows?

Sola Grace Worship

I wanted to share some awesome music with you all.

Sola Grace has just finished the first two songs for their upcoming CD.  Who is Sola Grace you ask?  Sola Grace is a 4-man vocal group from KY.  Each of them serve as either worship or youth pastors at various churches across the state. 

Their members are Zach Rice, Brandon Carrier, Tim Harvey, and Jason Dunbar.  All are alumni of Campbellsville University (my alma mater) and two are my best friends, hence, the shout out on my blog.

Check out their music:  (You will need to “Save Target As” to download & listen to these songs.  The WordPress Media Player will not work on these files.  There was some transfer problem.  Sorry.)

blessed-be-the-name.mp3  (Featuring Tim Harvey)
how-deep-the-fathers-love-for-us.mp3  (Featuring Zach Rice)

If you are interested in contacting Sola Grace for an worship event at your church, please contact  Zach Rice at zachrice@whitehallbaptistchurch.org

or go to their website:  http://www.solagraceministries.blogspot.com/