Seven Pounds

I watched a new video release movie the other day called, "Seven Pounds." I really liked it. I think it creates the incredible potential for Christians to engage the world around them. The movie runs deep with biblical illusions and even references. The movie is sad and has a desperate dark underlining. Smith's character in the movie is trying to redeem himself from the sins of his past. He comes up with a plan and that is where the movie starts.

The themes of forgiveness, hope, redemption, salvation and new life are woven strongly into the movie. Because that is what we (Christians, church) are all about I feel like we are missing an incredible opportunity to witness to individuals if we back out from this opportunity to engage our world. See the movie. Write down scriptures that support your faith as they come to your mind. Mark where and when the movie diverges from orthodox Christian tradition. We still have the greatest story ever told and this movie proves it.

The Beauty That Matters Most

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Susan Boyle made Britain and the world take notice the other day in a reality TV performance that rocked the watching world. It was on a program called, "Britain's Got Talent" You will recognize some of the judges. Google, youtube, or yahoo it. Do whatever you have to do, but watch it. I have added a couple links for the article and the video. I hope they work. It will inspire you. Think of the Biblical applications from the article (attached) from "The Herald." It is an article that brings to the front what matters most. This is the kind of stuff we as the church need to be watching in order to educate the world as to why this woman inspired us so much. It brings out the positives and negatives in a wonderful way.
1 Samuel 16:7 The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Isaiah 53:2 He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
WATCH IT! Then read the article below...
http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/featuresopinon/display.var.2501746.0.The_beauty_that_matters_is_always_on_the_inside.php

There ain’t no mountain high enough

It's so crazy…serving the Lord is never predictable. I have gone to heights and depths that are so extreme it still has me stunned. In the last 24 hours I have seen mountains and valleys and the God who created them all.

We scaled the Franklin Mountains that surround El Paso on Saturday the 11^th. It was indescribably beautiful. No camera can capture what I'm talking about. It was awesome. I took 53 soldiers up those mountains and 28 wouldn't stop till we reached the very top. I was proud to be a part of that group. Coming down the mountain was very tricky. I was the last man herding the slowest troops. We were really falling behind. Before you know it we had wondered off the beaten trail. Things quickly became frustrating and even a little dangerous. I ended up descending (literally) into the lowest valley. I felt the urge to curse rise up in me when it started to rain (it don't rain in the desert!). Then it hit me, I knew where I was. I had been here before. I smiled and rejected the urge to curse. I herded the troops the rest of the way and finished well.

Today is Easter Sunday. Things started out pretty good but the winds quickly changed direction. I get so nervous in new situations. The morning service was very large. With those numbers I knew many dignitaries were out and about. I had hoped to rehearse the service at around 1300 hrs. Chaplain Flash, my senior chaplain, was counseling a troop in the sanctuary till 1500 hrs. I moved from there and shifted to get my bulletins printed. Every attempt to print failed miserably until very late in the day. Things just seemed to be unraveling on the biggest military service of my career.

The Catholic Priest came from El Paso at 1700 hrs. His chaplain assistant did not show up so we ended up helping him get set-up. The Mormon's had the sanctuary at 1800 hrs, right before us. They said they would not need a whole hour and could be done early. They went over. When I took control of the sanctuary it was 1905 hrs and we had to set up the screen, projector, communion, speakers, etc, etc, etc.

My training as a mobile church planter has never been handier. We got in there and rocked things. SGT Sward and I delegated tasks to soldiers as they walked in and we were up and running in minutes. It was amazing. I had never seen a military church service of this size. It was exciting and intimidating. There were several colonels (full bird) and lieutenant colonels (light) in the house. I was so nervous I had to pray a couple times to get settled.

We scaled Calvary and then descended to explore the empty tomb on Sunday the 12th. It was indescribably beautiful. No camera can capture what I'm talking about. It was awesome. I took 75 soldiers up that mountain and many wouldn't stop till we reached the very top. I was proud to be a part of that group.

Both days I experienced God's glory in the land. I saw and heard his children's excitement as they gained a new perspective. God's presence was all of a sudden measurable, tangible, something they had personally experienced. Both days I was leading something I was nervous and new at and found myself learning to lean on God.

I cannot describe the looks on their faces as they exited church this evening. They were light-up, hope-filled, and joyful. It was a new vista and horizon for me.

I know that with the Lord this will never stop. There is so much to him that we do not understand. With Jesus Christ there ain't no mountain high enough. With him there will always be more than we could ever hope, imagine or ask for.

Higher Ground

We are doing a spiritual event tomorrow. IT is a creative way to incorporate exercise and bible study. Sgt Mark Sward and I have put together a hike up into the Franklin Mountains around El Paso. We are looking forward to it. The 44 passenger bus filled up quickly and the lesson on spiritual resilience is coming along nicely. I hope to do a devotion on top (6600 ft) while we are good and tired. Either way it is a good exercise to remind us of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Pray for us that these soldiers will recieve more from this event than they come expecting. Please pray for open hearts and minds. thanks!

Dog-gone good loving

I watched the movie, "Marley and Me" last night. It was a really good movie. Especially for those of you who might be classified as dog lovers. It reminded me of everything that is best in a dog and in us. The movie is about committment, sacrifice and unconditional love.

If you identify yourself with the Cross of Jesus Christ then these things are important to you because they were important to Him. He lead us in that kind of lifestyle. He perefectly demostrated those attributes. He set the standard.

Marley and me is a clean, fun, family movie that will set the stage for you to talk to your children, friends and coworkers about the incredible principles that are honored and taught in this film. It is not just about the relationship between the family and the dog. It is about the bigger principle about family sacrificing for one another. It is about committed love between a man and a woman. A woman and her children, a man and his career. Everyone in the movie gives up their personal desires for the greater good of the family, the future and love.

I highly recommend watching it with your eyes, ears and hearts wide-open.
Think through the concept of biblical love, sacrifice and Jesus Christ.